PAINT CONTAINER COVER

Abstract

A paint container cover is provided. The paint container cover comprises a lid portion enabled for removable attachment to a top of a paint can. The paint container cover further comprises at least one sealable opening in the lid portion for receiving a handle of a paint brush extending from the paint can such that the handle can extend from the top of the paint can through the sealable opening, the sealable opening enabled to prevent air from entering the paint can when the lid portion is attached thereto and the handle is extending through the sealable opening.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/358,033 filed Jun. 24, 2010, incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The specification relates generally to painting accessories, and specifically to a paint container cover.

BACKGROUND

When the lid of a paint can is removed and a brush is dipped into the paint can so that the paint therein can be applied to a surface (e.g. a wall), oftentimes painting is interrupted for a period of time (e.g. at night, for lunch, for the weekend) such that the brush must be cleaned for storage and the lid replaced to protect the paint left in the paint can from air so that the paint does not dry out. Further, the original lid sold with the paint can is not always effective once the paint can is opened for the first time as paint builds up in the track to which the lid attaches.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the specification provides a paint container cover comprising: a lid portion enabled for removable attachment to a top of a paint container; at least one sealable opening in the lid portion for receiving a handle of a paint brush extending from the paint container such that the handle can extend from the top of the paint container through the sealable opening, the sealable opening enabled to prevent air from entering the paint container when the lid portion is attached thereto and the handle is extending through the sealable opening.

The lid portion can further comprise a lip along an inner circumference of the lid portion for engaging an outer edge of the top of the paint container. The lid portion can further comprise an inner lip extending from a paint container side of the lid portion for engaging an inner circumference of an opening in the paint container such that a top rim of the paint container be engaged between the lip and the second lip creating a seal along the top of the paint container.

The lid portion can further comprise a lip extending from a paint container side of the lid portion for engaging an inner circumference of an opening in the paint container.

The lid portion cam further comprises a flexible material such that the lid portion can be removed from the top of the paint container by flexibly deforming the lid portion.

The sealable opening can be enabled to substantially seal against the handle.

The sealable opening can comprise a flexible slit that substantially seals air from the paint container when the lid portion is attached thereto and substantially seals against the handle when the handle extends there through.

The sealable opening can comprise at least one of a flexible slit, a flexible hole, starburst shaped slits, an I-shaped slit, a T shaped slit and a plus-sign shaped slit.

The sealable opening can comprise a bag that encloses a portion of the handle extending through the sealable opening.

The sealable opening can comprises at least one of a stretchable membrane and a stretchable pocket, each of the stretchable membrane and the stretchable pocket stretching over the handle extending through the sealable opening.

The paint container cover of claim 1, can further comprise a removable plug insertable into an aperture in the lid portion, the sealable opening in the removable plug.

The paint container cover can further comprise a cap portion for capping the sealable opening.

The paint container cover can further comprise an aperture in the lid portion, the aperture comprising a diameter of a pouring hole of a paint container. The paint container cover can further comprise a removable plug insertable into the aperture. The removable plug can comprise a flexible material such that the removable plug can be removed from the aperture by deforming the removable plug.

The paint container cover can further comprise at least one track for engaging a bottom portion of a second paint container such that the second paint container can be stacked on the paint container when the lid portion is attached thereto.

The paint container cover can further comprise a tab, the tab comprising at least one of a hole and a hook, the tab extending from the lid portion such that the lid portion can be hung on a further hook.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations are described with reference to the following figures, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a top perspective view of a paint container cover, a cap for a flexible slit being in a closed position, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations;

FIG. 2 depicts a bottom perspective view of a paint container cover, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations;

FIG. 3 depicts a top side view of a paint container cover, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations;

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-section of the paint container cover of FIG. 3 through line A-A, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations;

FIG. 5 depicts a bottom side view of a paint container cover, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations;

FIG. 6 depicts a top perspective view of a paint container cover, a cap for a flexible slit being in an open position, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations; and

FIG. 7 depicts a left side view of a paint container cover, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations;

FIG. 8 depicts a right side view of a paint container cover, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations;

FIG. 9 depicts a front side view of a paint container cover, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations;

FIG. 10 depicts a bottom side view of a paint container cover, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations;

FIG. 11 depicts the paint container cover of FIG. 1 in use on a paint can, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations;

FIG. 12 depicts a paint container cover with a handle of a paint brush extending through an opening and a sealable portion sealing against the handle, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations;

FIG. 13 depicts a paint container cover with a handle of a paint brush extending through an opening and bag sealing the handle from air, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations;

FIG. 14 depicts a paint container cover comprising a flexible membrane in use for long term storage of a paint can, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations;

FIG. 15 depicts a paint container cover comprising a flexible pocket in use for long term storage of a paint can, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations;

FIG. 16 depicts a paint container cover with a handle of a paint brush extending through an opening and a flexible membrane and/or flexible pocket sealing the handle from air, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations;

FIG. 17 depicts a perspective view of a paint container cover showing a paint brush handle extending through a sealable opening, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations

FIG. 18 depicts a perspective view of a lid portion of a paint container cover comprising a first aperture for a first plug having a sealable opening and a second aperture for pouring there through and for accepting a removable plug for sealing the second aperture, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations;

FIG. 19 depict a plug for insertion into the first aperture of the lid portion of FIG. 18, according to non limiting exemplary implementations;

FIG. 20 depict a paint container cover, including the lid portion of FIG. 18, the plug of FIG. 19 and the plug of FIG. 21, according to non limiting exemplary implementations;

FIG. 21 depict a plug for insertion into the second aperture of the lid portion of FIG. 18, according to non limiting exemplary implementations;

FIG. 22 depicts a perspective view of a paint spout removably attached to a of a paint container cover, a cap on a sealable opening being in open position, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations; and

FIG. 23 depicts a schematic cross-section of a paint container cover attached to a paint can, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE IMPLEMENTATIONS

FIGS. 1-11 depict a paint container cover 100, according to non-limiting embodiments. Paint container cover 100 generally comprises a lid portion 101, enabled for removable attachment to a top of a paint can. As depicted in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, paint container cover 100 further comprises at least one sealable opening 103 in lid portion 101 for receiving a handle of a paint brush extending from the paint can such that the handle can extend from a top of the paint can through sealable opening 103, sealable opening 103 enabled to prevent air from entering the paint can when lid portion 101 is attached thereto and the handle is extending through sealable opening 103. For example, as depicted in FIG. 11, lid portion 101 can be attached to a top of a paint can 1101, to seal paint can 1101 in place of a lid that is sold with the paint can 1101, such as a metal lid.

As depicted in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 lid portion 101 can comprise a lip 105 along an inner circumference of lid portion 101 for engaging an outer edge of a top of a paint can. It is appreciated that a paint can generally comprise an outer circumferential ridge around an edge of the top of the paint can. Hence, lip 105 can comprise a complimentary circumferential ridge, and/or hook apparatus enabled to hook under the outer circumferential ridge.

In some non-limiting implementations, as depicted, lid portion 101 further comprises an inner lip 107 extending from a paint can side (i.e. a bottom side) of lid portion 101 for engaging an inner circumference of an opening in a paint can such that a top rim of the paint can be engaged between lip 105 and second lip 107 creating a seal along top of paint can. It is appreciated that inner lip 107 extends partially into the opening of the paint can and can reside snugly against the sides of the opening.

In some implementations, lid portion 101 comprises one of lip 105 or inner lip 107, while in other implementations, lid portion 101 comprises both lip 105 and inner lip 107.

It is appreciated that in some implementations, lid portion 101 further comprises a wall 109 enabled to extend down a wall of the paint can, lip 105 extending perpendicular from an inner side of wall 109. Wall 109 is further depicted in FIGS. 7-10 in respective side views of paint container cover 100.

Lid portion 101 generally comprises a material that is flexible enough for lid portion 101 to engage the top of the paint can, creating a seal along the edge of the paint can, which can then be easily removed by bending lid portion 101. Lid portion 101 can be enabled to snap tightly over a paint can and engage the outer lip of the paint can, generally forming a seal (e.g. a vacuum seal) by hugging both the outer and inner edges of the paint can. For example, FIG. 23 depicts a schematic cross-section of lid portion 101 attached to a paint can 2301, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations. It is appreciated that not all elements of paint container cover 100 are depicted in FIG. 23: for example sealable opening 103 is not depicted, however it is appreciated that sealable opening 103 is nonetheless present in lid portion 101. In any event, it is appreciated from FIG. 23 that second lip 107 hugs and/or is snug against an inner edge 2303 of an opening of paint can 2301, while wall 109 is snug against an outer edge 2305 of paint can 2301, and lip 105 engages a top rim 2307 of paint can 2301, hence sealing lid portion 101 to paint can 2301.

The material of lid portion 101 is flexible enough so that lid portion 101 can be flexed to then remove portion 101 from the paint can, generally unhooking lip 105 from the outer circumferential ridge of the paint can. Hence, lid portion 101 comprises a flexible material such that lid portion 101 can be removed from the top of paint can by flexibly deforming lid portion.

It is further appreciated that in some implementations lid portion 101 is generally circular in shape (e.g. similar to the top of a paint can) and can comprises a diameter that enables lid portion 101 to be attached to a one gallon paint can. In other implementations, however, lid portion 101 can comprise a diameter that enabled lid portion 101 to be attached to paint cans (or any other suitable containers) of other sizes and volumes, including but not limited to a one pint paint can, a one quart paint can a 5 quart paint can, or any other type of paint container. Hence, a diameter of lid portion 101 can range from approximately 3 inches to approximately 7 inches. For particular non-limiting implementations where lid portion 101 is enabled for attachment to the top of a one gallon paint can, a diameter of lid portion 101 can be approximately 6.83 inches, with a width of wall 109 of lid portion being approximately 0.06 inches. In some of these implementations, lip 105 can be approximately 0.2 inches in width and approximately 0.05 to 0.1 inches in depth, and is generally ridge shaped to hook under the out circumferential ridge of the paint can. Furthermore, inner lip 109 can be U-shaped in cross-section, as depicted in FIG. 4, and can be approximately 0.218 inches in depth (e.g. inner lip 109 can extend approximately 0.218 inches into the opening of the paint can), though the depth of inner lip 109 can range from approximately 0.1 inches to approximately 0.5 inches. However all dimensions provided herein are generally understood to be non-limiting and any suitable dimensions are within the scope of present implementations.

Sealable opening 103 is generally enabled to substantially prevent air getting into paint can around a handle of a paint brush extending there through. Sealable opening 103 can comprise any suitable sealing apparatus. For example, in implementations depicted in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, sealable opening 103 comprises a flexible slit that substantially seals air from a paint can when lid portion 101 is attached thereto and further substantially seals against a handle of a paint brush when the handle extends there through. For example, as depicted in schematic cross-section in FIG. 12, sealable opening 103 can comprise a flexible slit 120 that comprises a slit in a flexible material that can stretch and/or flex around a handle 122 of a paint brush 124, as handle 122 extends from paint can 1101. Hence, paint container cover 100 enables a painter to leave a paint brush in a paint can for a substantial period of time without the concern of the brush or the paint in the paint can drying out. It is appreciated that FIG. 12 is schematic in nature, and not all elements of paint container cover 100 are depicted therein, and neither is FIG. 12 to scale. Rather it is appreciated that FIG. 12 shows the functionality of implementations of sealable opening 103. For example, in FIG. 12, sealable opening 103 is depicted as centred in lid portion 103, whereas in implementations depicted in FIGS. 1-11, sealable opening 103 is off-centre in lid portion 101. Indeed, it is appreciated that the location of sealable opening 103 is generally non-limiting and can be in any suitable position/location in lid portion 101.

In any event, In some implementations, sealable opening 103 can provide enough tension and/or strength on handle 122 such that handle 122 can be moved up or down in paint can 1101 so that a position of paint brush 124 in paint 126 in paint can 1101 can be controlled, such as adjusted up and down to accommodate different levels of paint 126 in paint can 1101. Hence, in these implementations, the material that forms sealable opening 103 (e.g. flexible slit 120, or any other suitable sealable opening) in these implementations enables sealable opening 103 to conform/contour to the brush handle with enough tension and/or strength and/or integrity to hold handle 122 in a given vertical position: when there is a lot of paint 126 in paint can 1101, a painter can adjust brush 124 up and down to suit the different levels keeping the bristles wet and always submerged in paint 126.

While in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, sealable opening 103 comprises an I-shaped flexible slit, in other implementations sealable opening 103 can include but is not limited to, a flexible hole, starburst shaped slits, a T shaped slit, a single slit, a plus-sign shaped slit or the like. In depicted implementations where the flexible slit comprises an I-shaped slit, cross-slits can be on the order of between approximately 0.0625 inches and approximately 2 inches, and preferably between approximately 0.0625 and approximately 1 inch. Slits of larger length (e.g 2 inches) can enable a plurality of paint brush handles to extend there through.

It is appreciated that sealable opening 103 is substantially thinner than lid portion 101 and can be 0.02 inches thick when manufactured from santoprene, however any suitable thickness is within the scope of present implementations. The thickness of sealable opening 103 can, for example, range from approximately 0.01 inches to approximately 0.5 inches, with a thicker sealable opening 103 enabled to accommodate larger brush handles and as such sealable opening 103 is commensurately larger to accommodate the larger brush handles and the thicker sealable opening 103 provides greater integrity when the larger brush handle is extending there through.

In implementations where sealable opening 103 comprise a flexible hole, the flexible hole can comprise a size that can accommodate a paint brush handle passing there through, the flexible hole substantially sealing around the paint brush handle. In some implementations, the flexible hole can be the same size or smaller than the paint brush handle.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 13, which is substantially similar to FIG. 12, with like elements having like numbers, however with an “a” appended thereto. For example, paint container cover 100a is substantially similar to paint container cover 100, however sealable opening 103a comprises a bag 1320 that encloses a portion of handle 122a extending through sealable opening 103a. Bag 1320 can be of any suitable length, diameter and thickness for enclosing handle 122a and can comprise any suitable material. It is appreciated that bag 1320 otherwise can lie limp on lid portion 101a when not in use, and further seals against air from entering into paint can 1101a when lid portion 101a is attached thereto.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 14, which is substantially similar to FIG. 12, with like elements having like numbers, however with a “b” appended thereto, though a brush is omitted from FIG. 14. For example, paint container cover 100b is substantially similar to paint container cover 100, however sealable opening 103b comprises stretchable membrane 1420 that stretches over a handle extending through sealable opening 103b, as depicted in FIG. 16, described below. Stretchable membrane 1420 can comprise any suitable material that can stretch over a handle of a paint brush as it extends through sealable opening 103b. Stretchable membrane 1420 can be of any suitable diameter and thickness, and can comprise any suitable material, for stretching over a handle as it extends through sealable opening 103b. It is appreciated that stretchable membrane 1420 further seals against air from entering into paint can 1101b when lid portion 101b is attached thereto.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 15, which is substantially similar to FIG. 12, with like elements having like numbers, however with a “c” appended thereto, however a brush is omitted from FIG. 15. For example, paint container cover 100c is substantially similar to paint container cover 100, however sealable opening 103c comprises stretchable pocket 1520 that stretches over a handle extending through sealable opening 103c, as depicted in FIG. 16, described below. Stretchable pocket 1520 can comprise any suitable material that can stretch over a handle of a paint brush as it extends through sealable opening 103b. Stretchable pocket 1520 can be of any suitable diameter and thickness, and can comprise any suitable material, for stretching over a handle as it extends through sealable opening 103c. It is appreciated that stretchable pocket 1520 further seals against air from entering into paint can 1101c when lid portion 101c is attached thereto.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 16 which depicts paint container cover 100b of FIG. 14 and/or paint container cover 100c of FIG. 15, which are substantially similar however paint container cover 100b comprises stretchable membrane 1420 and paint container cover 100c comprises stretchable pocket 1520. In operation, however both paint container cover 100b and paint container cover 100c are similar as each of stretchable membrane 1420 and stretchable pocket 1520 stretches over handle 122 of paint brush 124 extending through sealable opening 103b or 103c, respectively, thereby enabling handle 122 to extend from paint can 1101b (or 1101c) while preventing air from entering paint can 1101b (or 1101c).

In other implementations, sealable openings 103, 103a, 103b, 103c can comprise a flexible nipple and/or a flexible groove.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 17 which depicts a perspective view of a paint container cover 100d, substantially similar to paint container cover 100 with a handle 122d extending through sealable opening 103d in lid portion 101d. The flexible slit in sealable opening 103d seals against handle 122d.

In some implementations, lid portion 103 can comprise one or more sealable openings 103, 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d (generically referred to as sealable opening 103) each sealable opening enable to receive a corresponding paint brush handle there through, including but not limited to standard sized paint brush handles. In implementations where sealable opening 103 comprises a flexible slit, such as flexible slit 120, the flexible slit can comprise a predetermined length in lid portion 101.

Paint brush handles can range from 0.25 inches to 2 inches in width, though the width of the brush handle is not to be considered particularly limiting. Correspondingly the predetermined length of the flexible slit, such as flexible slit 120 in present non-limiting implementations, can range from approximately 0.0625 inches to approximately 6 inches, and preferably between 0.25 inches and 2 inches, though the predetermined length of flexible slit 120 is not to be considered particularly limiting and any suitable length is within the scope of present implementations. In particular non-limiting implementations, the predetermined length of flexible slit 120 can be approximately 1 inch. Furthermore, it is appreciated that the predetermined length of flexible slit 120 can be provided for a given size of paint brush handle. For example, when a manufacturer of paint brushes releases a new paint brush with a handle of a new given width, a paint container cover in present implementations can be provided that accommodates the new given width by changing the predetermined length of flexible slit 120. In some implementations, sealable opening 103 and/or flexible slit 120 is enabled to permit passage of a standard dimension paint brush handle there through and seal against it.

Furthermore, sealable opening 103 of present implementations can be enabled to receive more than one paint brush handle there through, for example a smaller handle of a smaller brush for detailed trimming and a larger handle of a larger brush for general trimming. In other implementations, paint container cover 100 can include more than one sealable opening 103 for accommodating different numbers of brush handles, for example two sealable openings for two different brush handles in a one-to-one relationship (e.g. two flexible slits, or one flexible slit and one flexible pocket, or any other suitable combination of sealable openings).

Sealable opening 103 can comprise any suitable material, such as santoprene or the like or any suitable rubber-like and/or balloon-like material and/or stretchable material and/or flexible material or the like. In some implementations, sealable opening 103 can be integrated into lid portion 101. However, in implementations depicted in FIGS. 18, 19 and 20, a paint container cover 100e can comprise a lid portion 101e, similar to lid portion 101, which comprises an aperture 1810. A removable plug 1910 comprising sealable opening 103e can be molded separately from lid portion 101e and inserted into aperture 1910 in lid portion 101e during production and/or in the field. In some implementations plug 1910 can comprise a cap portion 1920 for capping sealable opening 103e. In depicted implementation cap portion 1920 is hinged and attached to the portion of plug 1910 that is insertable into aperture 1810, however in other implementations cap portion 1920 can be a separate element from plug 1910. Aperture 1801 can be of any suitable size and can be enabled to receive a plug 1910 with a plurality of sealable openings 103e, (e.g. aperture 1801 could be made larger) resulting in the ability to hold more brushes.

In any event, in implementations where sealable opening 103e is in plug 1910. sealable opening 103e is modular and can be replaced in lid portion 101e if sealable opening 103e wears out and/or when a different size sealable opening is desired (e.g. to accommodate a different size brush handle): for example plug 1910 can be removed from aperture 1810 and a new plug that includes a different size sealable opening can be inserted into aperture 1810. In depicted implementations, aperture 1810 and plug 1910 are paint drop shaped, but in other implementations, aperture 1810 and plug 1910 can be in any suitable shape, such as circular, square, rectangular, triangular or the like. Furthermore, aperture 1810 and/or plug 1910 can be any suitable size that accommodates a given size or type of sealable opening, as described above.

Returning to FIG. 1, as depicted paint container cover 100 can also comprise a cap 180 that caps sealable opening 103 (regardless of whether sealable opening 103 is in a plug or integrated into lid portion 103). In either implementation, a cap/lid, (which can be hinged or separate from plug 1910 and/or lid portion 101, the cap can be closed on sealable portion 103, 103e to place paint container cover 100, 100e into a long term storage position as in FIG. 1 or opened as in FIG. 6. For example, when a painter is using a paint can as a cut can (wherein cutting refers to the edging a painter does with a brush where a roller can't access) the painter can seal the paint can using paint can cover 100 (or any implementation of paint container cover 100-100e described above), open cap 180 or the like exposing sealable opening 103 (as in FIG. 6), to enable a paint brush handle which protrudes above the top of the paint can to passes through sealable opening 103 (as in FIG. 12) with lid portion 101 fastened to the top of the paint can, hence sealing the paint can. Sealable opening 103 wraps tightly around the brush handle blocking air from getting into the paint can and drying up the paint and paint brush. For example, as described above, when sealable opening 103 comprises a flexible slit, the flexible slit is of a suitable thickness of a suitable material that provides the desired flexibility such that when the paint brush handle protrudes through the flexible slit, the flexible slit substantially seals against the paint brush handle. When a painting job is completed, however paint can cover 100 can be attached to the paint can with cap 180 capping sealable opening 103e to provide long term storage for the paint in the paint can, as depicted in FIG. 1.

in other implementations, paint container cover 100 (or any other implementation of paint container cover 100-100e, described above) has no cap as sealable opening 103 substantially prevents air from passing there through and hence seals the paint can on its own. For example, a flexible slit substantially prevents air from passing there through.

Returning to FIGS. 18 and 20, in some implementations lid portion 101e further comprises a second aperture 1830 to pour paint there through, and further enabled to receive a removable plug 2030 insertable into aperture 1830. While in FIGS. 18 and 20 second aperture 1830 is depicted generally flush to the surface of lid portion 101e, in other implementations, second aperture 1930 can be raised by a given height from the surface of lid portion 101, for example in a range from approximately 0.0625 inches to approximately 6 inches, so that when plug 2030 is removed there from, there is already a directional pouring structure (e.g. a built in spout) provided at lid portion 101e. For example, such a raised area could have a similar diameter to depicted second aperture 1830, with generally straight walls; alternatively, the walls could be sloped inward or outward to provide more direction and/or airflow when pouring paint there through. In some implementations, second aperture 1830 can be raised by approximately 0.25 inches. It is further appreciated that even when second aperture 1830 is raised, a spout can be inserted therein, for example as depicted in FIG. 22 described below.

Plug 2030, as further depicted in perspective in FIG. 21A and in cross-section in FIG. 21B through line B-B of FIG. 21A, can comprise a flexible material such that plug 2030 can be removed from aperture 1830 by deforming plug 2030. As depicted, plug 2030 further comprises raised and/or recessed ornamental features (e.g. a paint drop or any other suitable feature) that can enable to grip plug 2030 to remove plug 2030 from aperture 1830. Plug 2030 can be made from any suitable material, including but not limited to santoprene.

Aperture 1830 and plug 2030 can be any suitable shape; in depicted implementations, aperture 1830 and plug 2030 are circular.

Furthermore, it is appreciated that aperture 1830 can comprises a diameter of a pouring hole of a paint container, for example a pouring hole of a 5 gallon paint container. As depicted in FIG. 22, plug 2030 can be removed and a spout 2250 can be attached to aperture 1830 to enable paint to be poured from a paint can 2260 through spout 2250. In FIG. 22 it is appreciated that spout 2250 can be capped with an optional cap (not depicted), the cap being removed from spout 2250 before pouring paint there through. In particular non-limiting implementations, aperture 1830 is enabled to receive a strainer spout, which is the subject of another patent application filed by the applicant on the same day as the present application and entitled “MODULAR PAINT SPOUT”, enabled to strain paint when poured there through. In further non-limiting implementations, aperture 1830 has a diameter similar to that of a pouring hole of a plug-style 5 gallon paint container. Spout 2250 snaps into place when inserted into aperture 1830. Use of paint container cover 100e in combination with spout 2250 or the like enables a pour and strain option available for one-gallon paint cans.

In some implementations, when paint is poured from the paint can via aperture 1830 (with or without spout 2250), plug 1910 can be removed to provide air flow into the paint can during pouring from aperture 1830.

Returning to FIG. 1, paint container cover 100 also comprises an optional plug 185 in a corresponding aperture, similar to plug 1910.

Returning to FIG. 20, in depicted implementations, paint container cover 100e comprises indicator 2050 adjacent plug 1910 and indicator 2060 adjacent plug 230, each of indicators 2050, 2060 for indicating a function of a respective plug 1920, 2030. For example, indicator 2050 comprises a picture of a brush for indicating that plug 1920 comprises sealable opening 103e; and indicator 2060 comprises a picture of a spout for indicating that plug 1920 can be removed and used for pouring paint there through, and/or replaced with spout 2250.

Returning again to FIG. 1, paint container cover 100 can further comprise at least one optional track 190 on a top side of lid portion 101 for engaging a bottom portion of a second paint can such that the second paint can be stacked on lid portion 101 when attached to a first paint can. Track 190 (which can also be referred to as a “Stack Track”) can comprise an outer circumferential ridge 191, that extends from a top side of lid portion 101, to enable the stacking of both metal and plastic paint cans (including but not limited to one gallon paint cans) on top of paint container cover 100. Ridge 191 is generally complimentary to an outer ridge found on the bottom of a paint can (including but not limited to a one gallon paint can). Track 190 can further comprise an interior circumferential ridge 191 complimentary to an interior of the ridge found on the bottom of a paint can (including but not limited to a one gallon paint can). It is appreciated that the bottom of a paint can fits between ridges 191, 192.

With reference to FIG. 3, paint container cover 100 can further comprise at least one tab 195 which can extend radially from lid portion 101 such that lid portion 101 can be hung on a hook. At least one tab further enables paint container cover 100 to be more easily removed from a paint can.

While paint container cover 100 has been described with reference for attachment to paint cans, including one gallon paint can, paint container cover 100 can be attached to any other suitable container of any suitable sizes and/or volume.

Paint container cover 100 enables a painter to leave a brush in a paint can without having to clean the brush, for example when a painting job is interrupted; rather, the brush can be left in the paint can and paint container cover 100 can be used to seal the paint can with the brush handle sticking through sealable opening 103.

Further, paint container cover 100 provides a better seal than the original metal lid of the paint can due to the flexibility of paint container cover 100, the seal provided by paint container cover 100 at both the opening of the paint can and the outer edge of the paint can. Further paint container cover is not affected by build up of dried paint in the track that attaches the metal lid to the paint can; the dried paint detrimentally affects the seal of the metal lid to the paint carp, however. As in some implementations, paint container cover 100 is modular, with an aperture for accepting a spout and/or a strainer spout, paint container cover 100 can further enable pouring and/or straining paint from a paint can. As paint container cover 100 is easily attachable and removable, no tool (e.g. a screwdriver) is needed to remove paint container cover 100 from the paint can. Paint container cover 100 hence offers painters many advantages for painting, and both short and long term storage of paint cans.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative implementations and modifications possible for implementing the implementations, and that the above implementations and examples are only illustrations of one or more implementations. The scope, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A paint container cover comprising:

a lid portion enabled for removable attachment to a top of a paint container;

at least one sealable opening in said lid portion for receiving a handle of a paint brush extending from said paint container such that said handle can extend from said top of said paint container through said sealable opening, said sealable opening enabled to prevent air from entering said paint container when said lid portion is attached thereto and said handle is extending through said sealable opening.

2. The paint container cover of claim 1, wherein said lid portion further comprises a lip along an inner circumference of said lid portion for engaging an outer edge of said top of said paint container.

3. The paint container cover of claim 2, wherein said lid portion further comprises an inner lip extending from a paint container side of said lid portion for engaging an inner circumference of an opening in said paint container such that a top rim of said paint container be engaged between said lip and said second lip creating a seal along said top of said paint container.

4. The paint container cover of claim 1, wherein said lid portion further comprises a lip extending from a paint container side of said lid portion for engaging an inner circumference of an opening in said paint container.

5. The paint container cover of claim 1, wherein said lid portion further comprises a flexible material such that said lid portion can be removed from said top of said paint container by flexibly deforming said lid portion.

6. The paint container cover of claim 1, wherein said sealable opening is enabled to substantially seal against said handle.

7. The paint container cover of claim 1, wherein said sealable opening comprises a flexible slit that substantially seals air from said paint container when said lid portion is attached thereto and substantially seals against said handle when said handle extends there through.

8. The paint container cover of claim 1, wherein said sealable opening comprises at least one of a flexible slit, a flexible hole, starburst shaped slits, an I-shaped slit, a T shaped slit and a plus-sign shaped slit.

9. The paint container cover of claim 1, wherein said sealable opening comprises a bag that encloses a portion of said handle extending through said sealable opening.

10. The paint container cover of claim 1, wherein said sealable opening comprises at least one of a stretchable membrane and a stretchable pocket, each of said stretchable membrane and said stretchable pocket stretching over said handle extending through said sealable opening.

11. The paint container cover of claim 1, further comprising a removable plug insertable into an aperture in said lid portion, said sealable opening in said removable plug.

12. The paint container cover of claim 1, further comprising a cap portion for capping said sealable opening.

13. The paint container cover of claim 1, further comprising an aperture in said lid portion said aperture comprising a diameter of a pouring hole of a paint container.

14. The paint container cover of claim 13, further comprising a removable plug insertable into said aperture.

15. The paint container cover of claim 14, wherein said removable plug comprises a flexible material such that said removable plug can be removed from said aperture by deforming said removable plug.

16. The paint container cover of claim 1, further comprising at least one track for engaging a bottom portion of a second paint container such that said second paint container be stacked on said paint container when said lid portion is attached thereto.

17. The paint container cover of claim 1, further comprising a tab comprising at least one of a hole and hook, said tab extending from said lid portion such that said lid portion can be hung on a further hook.