Receptacles – Paint tray
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-19
2001-12-25
Moy, Joseph M. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Paint tray
C220S731000, C220S700000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332556
ABSTRACT:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to paint trays for use with paint rollers and, in particular, it concerns a tray assembly with a selectively engagable splash guard.
It is known to provide a paint roller tray for use with a paint roller. Paint roller trays typically have an inclined roller surface sloping downwards into an adjacent paint reservoir or trough. In use, paint is poured into the reservoir and a paint roller is then dipped into the paint. The roller is then rolled against the inclined surface so as to distribute the paint evenly thereon prior to use. The inclined surface is typically inclined downwards towards the reservoir so that excess paint left on the surface drains back into the reservoir. Such trays are readily and cheaply manufactured by plastic injection molding as mass-produced items which may conveniently stacked in compact nested piles for storage and transportation.
A common problem associated with such trays is that of paint splashing while the roller is being dipped. Specifically, the aforementioned procedure of priming the roller with paint is typically performed by rolling the roller down and back up the inclined surface such that it repeatedly enters the reservoir. This backwards and forwards motion of the roller generates waves in the paint within the reservoir, giving rise to slopping of paint over the edges of the tray. A similar problem of paint spillage occurs during moving of the tray from one position to another. A splash guard cannot readily be added to such trays due to the requirements for nested stacking, and/or the limitations of simple, low-cost injection molding techniques.
There is therefore a need for a paint roller tray assembly which would provide a selectively engagable splash guard which would reduce the aforementioned problems of paint spillage while allowing the use of simple and cost effective injection molding manufacturing techniques, and/or which would not limit the ability of the tray to be nested for compact stacking during storage and transportation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a tray assembly for use with paint rollers.
According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided, a tray assembly with a selectively engagable splash guard for paint rollers comprising: (a) a tray formed with an inclined roller surface and a paint reservoir, the paint reservoir being partially bordered by a rear wall located opposite the inclined roller surface, the rear wall having a length; and (b) a splash guard element configured for snap-on engagement with part of the tray so as to provide a splash guard overhanging part of the reservoir along substantially the entire length of the rear wall.
According to a further feature of the present invention, the splash guard overhangs the reservoir by at least about 2 cm along substantially the entire length of the rear wall.
According to a further feature of the present invention, the tray is configured so as to allow nested stacking with a plurality of other similar trays.
According to a further feature of the present invention, the tray is formed from injection molded plastic.
According to a further feature of the present invention, the splash guard element is integrally formed with the tray in such a manner that the splash guard element is deployable between an open state in which the splash guard element does not overhang the reservoir, and a closed state in which the snapon engagement occurs between the splash guard element and the tray.
According to a further feature of the present invention, the splash guard element and the tray are interconnected by at least one integral hinge.
According to a further feature of the present invention, the splash guard element is formed with at least one recess configured to provide a receptacle when the splash guard element assumes the closed state.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4164299 (1979-08-01), Zuhr
patent: 5103999 (1992-04-01), Elliott et al.
patent: 5553701 (1996-09-01), Jarecki et al.
patent: 5984129 (1999-11-01), Pasinski
patent: 6102235 (2000-08-01), Stern et al.
Friedman Mark M.
Moy Joseph M.
Plasgad Plastic Products
LandOfFree
Tray assembly with selectively engagable splash guard for... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Tray assembly with selectively engagable splash guard for..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tray assembly with selectively engagable splash guard for... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2583927