Unitary Paint Can Tool with Depth-Stop Piercing Tip

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Solution Overview

Problem

Painters face challenges in efficiently opening and resealing paint cans without damaging the lid, as conventional methods require multiple tools and often result in incomplete resealing, leading to paint wastage and skin formation on the surface.

Innovation Solution

A combination tool with a piercing tip, depth stop, and hammer end that allows for precise hole punching and resealing, designed to prevent deformation of the paint can lid and ensure a perfect seal, eliminating the need for separate tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional tools (screwdriver, pointed object, hammer) are used to open and reseal paint cans, then the painting task can be completed, but multiple tools must be carried and the lid is often damaged leading to incomplete resealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of opening and resealing paint cansVSAvoidnumber of tools required
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (prying, piercing, and hammering) into a single multi-functional tool. The tool integrates a pry tip for opening the can lid, a piercing tip for creating precisely controlled holes in the gutter, and a hammer end for resealing the lid, eliminating the need to carry separate screwdrivers, awls, and hammers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tool is designed with universal applicability for paint can operations. It can perform prying to open the lid, piercing to create controlled drainage holes in the gutter, and hammering to reseal the lid back onto the can, making it a versatile single tool for complete paint can management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional gutter punches are used to pierce the gutter, then holes are created for paint drainage, but the puncture depth is not controlled leading to improper hole sizes that prevent effective resealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of gutter punchingVSAvoidprecision of hole depth and size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The piercing tip is pre-formed with an integrated depth stop feature that limits the puncture depth before the piercing action begins. This preliminary design ensures that when the user applies force to pierce the gutter, the hole depth is automatically controlled to the correct dimension for effective resealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The piercing tip is designed with specific geometric parameters including a predetermined depth stop dimension that controls the maximum penetration depth. By changing the physical parameter of the tip structure (the depth stop), the tool automatically ensures precise hole depth without requiring user measurement or adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If hammers are used to reseal the paint can lid, then the lid can be hammered back onto the can, but the hammer action dents the lid and destroys the perfect seal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of resealingVSAvoiddamage to the paint can lid
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hammer end is designed with a flat face that replicates the original factory sealing surface. By copying the precise geometry of the sealing rim, the hammer end distributes force evenly across the lid without creating localized stress points that would cause dents, thereby achieving reliable resealing without damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Productivity

If the piercing tip punctures the gutter too deeply, then paint drainage is improved, but the hole size becomes too large for effective resealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of paint drainageVSAvoidquality of resealing
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The piercing tip is pre-formed with an integrated depth stop feature that limits the puncture depth before the piercing action begins. This preliminary design ensures that when the user applies force to pierce the gutter, the hole depth is automatically controlled to the correct dimension for effective resealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The piercing tip is designed with specific geometric parameters including a predetermined depth stop dimension that controls the maximum penetration depth. By changing the physical parameter of the tip structure (the depth stop), the tool automatically ensures precise hole depth without requiring user measurement or adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9656846B2Paint can tool
Publication Date: 2017.05.23 WEST STEPHEN W
  • US9656846B2 patent drawing
  • US9656846B2 patent drawing
  • US9656846B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed is a device and method for a unitary paint can hand tool with a combination of a pry tab for lifting a paint can lid, a piercing tip to pierce the paint can gutter, a depth stop to stop the piercing tip from going too far into the gutter and a hammer on the proximal end for pounding the lid back onto the paint can. It creates an all in one tool that is perfect for a painter to use, without the need to carry around three separate tools. My unitary tool replaces the old way of doing things with a screwdriver for prying, an awl and a hammer for punching the gutter, and a soft hammer to reseal the lid back on the paint can.