Paint can accessory

• US 5,123,576 A
• Filed: 09/17/1990
• Issued: 06/23/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Inventor's Warehouse, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Jonnay J. Lawrence
• Inventors: Lawrence, Jonnay J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Derakshani, Philippe
• Application Number:
  US07/583,098
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 222/570, 220/90, 15/257 R, 15/257.05, 15/257.06, 206/362, 401/118, 248/110
• US Class Current: 222/570
• CPC Class Codes: B44D 3/126 Paint roller trays

Abstract

A tray with vertical sides has a large opening defined by a downwardly directed, tapered cylinder that seals into the top of a paint can. A support on the tray holds a paint brush on edge. A support is also provided for a paint roller. The supports are arranged so that paint drains into the can and the handles are unsoiled. Either the brush or the roller may be used while the other remains supported in the tray out of the way. A device across the opening allows removal of excess paint. The tray may be used to distribute paint on the roller. The opening provides access to the paint, and the accessory locks in place so that open can with both roller and brush in place may be carried about as a unit. The accessory includes a pouring spout.

Claims

1. An accessory for combined use of a brush and roller for removably attaching to a container having a circular top opening rim, said accessory comprising:

(A) a continuous annular tray extending over said rim, including,

1) a plate having an inner edge defining an opening therethrough, an outer edge, and top and bottom surfaces, said plate having an area for distributing liquid on a roller,

2) an upstanding wall connected to said outer edge and completely surrounding said tray,

3) a plurality of notches in said upstanding wall for receiving a handle of a painting tool while said tool rests upon said top surface,

4) a trough means for receiving a brush on edge, said trough means having an open top and ends and arranged upstanding from said top surface whereby the bristles of said brush rest horizontally upon said top surface; and

(B) a cylindrical base portion having an upper edge, a lower edge and a tapering cylindrical wall with an inner surface and an outer surface, said cylindrical wall having a greater diameter at said upper edge, said upper edge continuously connected to said inner edge of said annular tray and said lower edge having a diameter less than the inside diameter of said rim of said container; and

(C) an annular ridge means for engaging the underside of said rim of said container, said annular ridge means connected to said outer surface of said cylindrical wall; and

(D) a liquid wiping member disposed within said base portion said wiping member having two ends, said ends connected to said inner surface of said cylindrical wall.

2. The accessory according to claim 1 further comprising a pouring spout formed in said upstanding wall of said tray.

3. The accessory according to claim 1 in which said liquid wiping member includes a perforated vertical plate for wiping said roller and a horizontal scraping element connected to said perforated plate at an upper edge thereof for providing for wiping excess liquid from a brush, said upper edge arranged for supporting said roller at rest.

4. The accessory according to claim 1 in which said top surface of said plate of said tray slopes downward toward said opening to enhance drainage of liquid.