Fluent material handling – with receiver or receiver coacting mea – Filling means with receiver or receiver coacting means – Funnel type
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-05
2003-04-01
Douglas, Steven O. (Department: 3751)
Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting mea
Filling means with receiver or receiver coacting means
Funnel type
C141S31100A, C220S733000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06539991
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to spill guards and, more specifically, to a paint bucket spill guard that is installed on a paint bucket for the purpose of preventing paint from collecting in the paint can rim channel. The conical shape of the device provides a large opening for dispensing the paint from the paint can as well as pouring the paint back into the paint can as from a roller tray.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Normally, when applying paint by brush, the tendency is to extract excess paint by wiping the brush on the paint can interior rim. This often causes an undesirable accumulation in the paint can rim channel, interfering with the hermetic seal of the paint can lid, rendering long term storage useless. Ordinary funnels, spouts and caps do not address this problem. What is needed is a device that provides the pouring functions of a funnel, that also has the capability to isolate the paint can rim channel from the paint or other liquid.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a paint bucket spill guard that is installed on a paint bucket for the purpose of preventing paint from collecting in the paint can rim channel.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a conical shaped device providing a larger opening for dispensing the paint from the paint can as well as pouring the paint back into the paint can as from a roller tray.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide two lifting tabs aligned with the uppermost horizontal surface, positioned roughly 180 degrees apart.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide tabs that serve to facilitate positioning the device atop a paint can and also to allow convenient removal without having to come in contact with the surfaces that may contain wet paint.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a paint bucket spill guard that provides an inner work surface.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a paint bucket spill guard conveniently sized to overlap the paint can rim channel structure so as to further prevent possibility of contamination.
Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds.
The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a paint bucket spill guard that is installed on a paint bucket for the purpose of preventing paint from collecting in the paint can rim channel. Also, the conical shape of the device provides a larger opening for dispensing the paint from the paint can as well as pouring the paint back into the paint can as from a roller tray. Also, having two lifting tabs aligned with the uppermost horizontal surface positioned roughly 180 degrees apart that serves to facilitate positioning of the device atop a paint can, and also allows convenient removal without having to come in contact with the surfaces that may contain wet paint.
There is provided a device for guiding a liquid into a liquid storage can having a top and a top opening, the top having a rim about the opening, the rim having an upwardly facing shoulder and an upwardly facing channel, the device comprising: a wall portion forming an open enclosure, the wall portion having a bottom end, the wall portion enclosure opening through the bottom end; a flange portion on the wall portion bottom end, the flange portion having a downwardly facing shoulder and a downwardly facing engaging member, the engaging member being received by the liquid storage can rim channel about the rim circumference, such that the downwardly facing shoulder bears upon the rim shoulder and, when the liquid is poured into the device, the wall portion directs the liquid through the wall portion enclosure opening, and the flange portion isolates the liquid storage can rim channel from the liquid.
In one embodiment, the liquid storage can rim channel further comprises an inner lip and the flange portion further comprises a downwardly facing inner shoulder, the inner shoulder being inwardly disposed from the engaging member, such that the inner shoulder bears upon the rim channel inner lip when the engaging member is received by the rim channel.
In one embodiment, the liquid storage can rim channel further comprises an inner lip and the engaging member further comprises an inner side, the inner side being tapered such that the engaging member inner side bears upon the rim channel inner lip when the engaging member is received by the rim channel, the joinder of the inner side and inner lip isolating the liquid storage can rim channel from the liquid.
In one embodiment, the liquid storage can is a paint can, and the liquid is paint.
In one embodiment, the engaging member is closely received by the liquid storage can rim channel.
In one embodiment, the wall portion has at least one grasping extension.
In one embodiment, the wall portion has a pair of grasping extensions.
In one embodiment, the wall portion is conical.
There is provided, in combination with a liquid storage can having a top and a top opening, the top having a rim about the opening, the rim having an upwardly facing shoulder and an upwardly facing channel, a device for guiding the liquid into the liquid storage can top opening, the device comprising: a wall portion forming an open enclosure, the wall portion having a bottom end, the wall portion enclosure opening through the bottom end; a flange portion on the wall portion bottom end, the flange portion having a downwardly facing shoulder and a downwardly facing engaging member, the engaging member being received by the liquid storage can rim channel about the rim circumference, such that the downwardly facing shoulder bears upon the rim shoulder and, when the liquid is poured into the device, the wall portion directs the liquid through the wall portion enclosure opening, and the flange portion isolates the liquid storage can rim channel from the liquid.
A device is provided for guiding a liquid into a liquid storage can having a top and a top opening, the top having a rim about the opening, the rim having an upwardly facing shoulder and an upwardly facing channel, the device comprising: a wall portion forming an open enclosure, the wall portion having a bottom end, the wall portion enclosure opening through the bottom end; flange means for positioning the wall portion bottom end in the rim channel such that the rim channel is isolated from liquid being poured through the wall portion enclosure opening into the liquid storage can.
A device is provided for guiding liquid paint into a paint can having a top and a top opening, the top having a rim about the opening, the rim having an upwardly facing shoulder, an upwardly facing channel, and an inner lip, the device comprising: a wall portion forming an open, conical enclosure, the wall portion having at least two grasping extensions and a bottom end, the wall portion enclosure opening through the bottom end; a flange portion on the wall portion bottom end, the flange portion having a downwardly facing outer shoulder, a downwardly facing inner shoulder and a downwardly facing engaging member, the engaging member being received by the paint can rim channel about the rim circumference such that the outer shoulder bears upon the rim channel shoulder, the inner shoulder bears upon the rim channel inner lip and, when the paint is poured into the device, the wall portion directs the paint through the wall portion enclosure opening, and the flange portion isolates the paint can rim channel from the paint.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilize
Douglas Steven O.
Kroll Michael I
LandOfFree
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