Container for liquids
First Claim
1. A container for use with paint or liquids of comparable viscosity, the container comprising, in combination:
- a receptacle for holding liquid, the receptacle having a base portion with a bottom surface and a top portion with an opening;
an insert member attached to the top portion of the receptacle, the insert member having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an aperture therethrough; and
a barrier member having a first end, a second end, and a hole therethrough, the first end of the barrier member being operably connected to the inner surface of the insert member such that the second end extends downwardly into the receptacle and the hole is substantially aligned with the aperture of the insert member, the barrier member also having a length which provides a gap between the second end of the barrier member and the bottom surface of the receptacle, the gap being substantially less than the distance between the inner surface of the insert member and the bottom surface of the receptacle,the gap, the hole of the barrier member, and the aperture of the insert member providing access to liquid disposed in the receptacle but substantially inhibiting egress of liquid from the receptacle when the container is tipped over.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a virtually spill-proof container for use with paint or liquids of comparable viscosity. In particular, the container of the present invention comprises a receptacle having a base portion and a top portion, an insert member with a generally central aperture attached to the top portion of the receptacle, and a barrier member having a hole formed therethrough operatively connected to the insert member. The hole in the barrier member permits a user to access the liquid within the container with a brush or like instrument, while the barrier member functions like an obstruction which prevents, or minimizes, spillage should the container be tipped over or inverted. The barrier member may alternatively be constructed of an absorbent sponge or solid plastic material. A lid is also provided so that the user may conveniently open and reseal the container.
75 Citations
49 Claims
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1. A container for use with paint or liquids of comparable viscosity, the container comprising, in combination:
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a receptacle for holding liquid, the receptacle having a base portion with a bottom surface and a top portion with an opening; an insert member attached to the top portion of the receptacle, the insert member having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an aperture therethrough; and a barrier member having a first end, a second end, and a hole therethrough, the first end of the barrier member being operably connected to the inner surface of the insert member such that the second end extends downwardly into the receptacle and the hole is substantially aligned with the aperture of the insert member, the barrier member also having a length which provides a gap between the second end of the barrier member and the bottom surface of the receptacle, the gap being substantially less than the distance between the inner surface of the insert member and the bottom surface of the receptacle, the gap, the hole of the barrier member, and the aperture of the insert member providing access to liquid disposed in the receptacle but substantially inhibiting egress of liquid from the receptacle when the container is tipped over. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A container comprising:
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a receptacle for holding liquid, the receptacle having a base portion with a bottom surface and a top portion with an opening; an insert member attached to the top portion of the receptacle, the insert member having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an aperture; and a barrier member positioned adjacent to the inner surface of the insert member and extending downwardly into the receptacle, the barrier member having a hole formed therethrough which is at least partially aligned with the aperture of the insert member and a length which provides a gap between the barrier member and the bottom surface of the receptacle, the gap being substantially less than the distance between the inner surface of the insert member and the bottom surface of the receptacle, the gap, the hole of the barrier member, and the aperture of the insert member providing access to liquid disposed within the receptacle but substantially inhibiting egress of liquid from the receptacle when the container is tipped relative to its normal operating position. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification