Abstract: A plastic container used to hold a dispersion-based paint colorant and capable of dispensing the colorant into paint dispensing machines, comprising an open top capable of holding and securing a cap, and having a wide mouth with a diameter of at least 50 mm. The plastic container has a cylindrical body extending below the open top, and a plurality of vertical ribs spaced around the body to strengthen the container.

Abstract: A plastic container used to hold a dispersion-based paint colorant and capable of dispensing the colorant into paint dispensing machines, comprising an open top capable of holding and securing a cap, and having a wide mouth with a diameter of at least 50 mm. The plastic container has a cylindrical body extending below the open top, and a plurality of vertical ribs spaced around the body to strengthen the container.

Abstract: A plastic container used to hold a dispersion-based paint colorant and capable of dispensing the colorant into paint dispensing machines, comprising an open top capable of holding and securing a cap, and having a wide mouth with a diameter of at least 50 mm. The plastic container has a cylindrical body extending below the open top, and a plurality of vertical ribs spaced around the body to strengthen the container.

Abstract: A projector comprising a directional light source, a lens disposed opposite the light source, and an image medium support assembly disposed between the light source and the lens along a light path that extends from the light source through the lens; a housing enclosing the directional light source, the image medium support assembly, and the lens, wherein said housing is suitable for outdoor use; and a support member connected to the housing such that the angle of projection can be adjusted.

Abstract: Adjustable storage units for a vehicle and a method for providing such units are disclosed. The storage units generally include opposing end panels connected by a connecting member along the rear of the end panels. One or more shelf supports are releasably connected to the inner surface of the end panels only through apertures in the end panels. Shelves and/or drawer systems are made from polymer materials are then disposed between the end panels. The end panels may also be made of polymer materials. The storage units are adjustable or reconfigurable by removing the shelves or drawers and repositioning the shelf supports or drawer supports as desired.

Abstract: A projector comprising a directional light source, a lens disposed opposite the light source, and an image medium support assembly disposed between the light source and the lens along a light path that extends from the light source through the lens; a housing enclosing the directional light source, the image medium support assembly, and the lens, wherein said housing is suitable for outdoor use; and a support member connected to the housing such that the angle of projection can be adjusted.

Abstract: An adjustable storage system includes one or more adjustable storage units. The storage units generally comprise opposing panels comprising a polymer material and one or more shelf supports means that are integral with the panels. Shelves and/or drawers, also made from polymer materials, may then be disposed between the panels. Storage units may be added to the storage system by adding additional panels. In some embodiments, adjacent storage units of a storage unit may share a panel.

Abstract: A bulkhead assembly for a vehicle such as, for example, a van or truck comprises a first panel adjacent and substantially perpendicular to a street-side wall of the vehicle, a second panel adjacent and substantially perpendicular to a curb-side wall of the vehicle, and a door panel disposed between the first and second panels, the door being hingedly attached to one of the first and second panels, wherein the panels are formed from a polymer material. In one embodiment, the panel adjacent the street-side wall of the vehicle (i.e., the driver-side panel) defines a cavity extending rearwardly into the cargo area, the cavity being sized (in terms of the cavity's width) to accommodate the seat-back of the driver's seat.

Abstract: An image projection apparatus is provided which includes a projector, image source and reflective element. The reflective element is capable of being rotated by a mechanism housed within the reflective element. Light projected from the projector and through the image source is directed to the relective element and reflective onto a surface for viewing. The rotation of the reflective element creates reflected images which move in a desired direction across the viewing surface.

Abstract: A painting tool for painting trimwork includes a housing forming a paint reservoir, a paint applicator for applying paint to a surface to be painted and a pumping mechanism fluidically connected to the paint reservoir. The pumping mechanism has a first or disabled condition and a second or activated condition, wherein the pumping mechanism seals the paint in the reservoir when in the disabled condition, and wherein the pumping mechanism dispenses paint to the paint applicator when in the activated condition such that that the release of paint to the paint applicator is selectively controlled by pushing the paint applicator against the surface to be painted to shift the pumping mechanism from the disabled condition to the activated condition.

Abstract: A projector having a polymeric housing containing an electrical light source, an image medium support assembly aligned in the light path of the light source, and a lens through which light emanating from the light source exits the housing after passing through an image medium disposed in the image support assembly. The projector is preferably adjustably mounted on a support member comprising a tubular section containing a transformer, The projector can be made with an electric motor inside the housing that causes a wheel comprising multiple fixed images to continuously or intermittently rotate the same or different images sequentially through the light path of the projector, A projector assembly is also disclosed in which a projector is mounted in a frame assembly in combination with a rotating mirror ball that simultaneously redirects the projected image in many different directions and continuously changes the image being projected onto a particular spot on surrounding viewing surfaces.

Abstract: A paint tray system is configured to dispense paint onto a paint roller. The paint tray system includes a paint tray having a bottom section, an end wall and side walls forming a reservoir for holding paint. A paint limiter panel is received by the tray overlaying the reservoir in the paint tray, the limiter panel having at least one opening therein to allow paint to flow from the reservoir through the limiter panel. The paint tray system also includes at least one biasing member positioned within the reservoir configured to bias the limiter panel upwardly and away from the bottom section of the tray and thus the surface of the paint within the reservoir.

Abstract: A quick-release paint roller having a roller cover that can be removed from a handle assembly without requiring the user to apply a force directly to the roller cover. The paint roller includes a pair of end caps. The end caps have axial bores therein and are disposed at opposing ends of the roller tube. The inner end cap has a hub with a nipple extending there from, the nipple having a head portion and an annular groove between the head portion and the hub. The paint roller also includes a handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a housing having an opening configured to receive the nipple of the roller cover. The handle assembly also includes a roller support having an elongate shaft, the elongate shaft being received by the bores of the inner and outer end caps to rotatably support the roller cover about an axis of rotation along the elongate shaft.

Abstract: A trim tool and paint tray system for use in dispensing paint. The system includes a trim tool having a paint applicator to apply paint to a surface to be painted and at least one edge guard to shield adjacent surfaces that are to remain free of paint from the applicator. The system also includes a paint tray having a paint-receiving well and at least one slot free of paint. The paint tray is configured to receive the trim tool such that the paint applicator is received in the paint well to charge the paint applicator with paint and the edge guard is received in the slot so the edge guard remains free of paint.

Abstract: A quick-release paint roller having a roller cover that can be removed from a handle assembly without requiring the user to apply a force directly to the roller cover. The paint roller includes a tube-shaped roller cover having an outer surface of paint absorbing material and a rotatably mounted roller core. The roller cover is mounted on the roller core so as to be rotatable with the roller core. The roller core has a length less than the length of the roller cover such that a first end of the roller core is adjacent an end of the roller cover and a second end of the roller core is within the roller cover. The second end of the roller core includes a roller mounting device. The paint roller also has a handle assembly including a housing having an extension member configured to extend inside the roller core, the extension member having an opening configured to receive the roller mounting device.

Abstract: A plastic container and lid assembly for storing liquid coating materials including a container and a lid. The container has a body with a bottom wall, at least four sidewalls and a neck. The neck defines a wide mouth opening and including threads for receiving mating threads on the lid. The lid also has a plurality of lugs, preferably two lugs, extending radially from the lid and terminating at or before the lugs extend beyond the container sidewalls when the lid is in sealed engagement with the container. The body also has an integral handle for lifting the container and the container neck supports a bail-type handle also for lifting said container. The integral handle and bail-type handles do not extend beyond the container sidewall. The container and lid assembly having an effective packing footprint and an effective packing volume which substantially conforms to the effective packing footprint and the effective packing volume of a conventional metal paint can.

Abstract: A plastic container and lid assembly for storing liquid coating materials including a container and a lid. The container has a body with a bottom wall, at least four sidewalls and a neck. The neck defines a wide mouth opening and including threads for receiving mating threads on the lid. The lid also has a plurality of lugs, preferably two lugs, extending radially from the lid and terminating at or before the lugs extend beyond the container sidewalls when the lid is in sealed engagement with the container. The body also has an integral handle for lifting the container and the container neck supports a bail-type handle also for lifting said container. The integral handle and bail-type handles do not extend beyond the container sidewall. The container and lid assembly having an effective packing footprint and an effective packing volume which substantially conforms to the effective packing footprint and the effective packing volume of a conventional metal paint can.

Abstract: A plastic container and lid assembly for storing liquid coating materials including a container and a lid. The container has a body with a bottom wall, at least four sidewalls and a neck. The neck defines a wide mouth opening and including threads for receiving mating threads on the lid. The lid also has a plurality of lugs, preferably two lugs, extending radially from the lid and terminating at or before the lugs extend beyond the container sidewalls when the lid is in sealed engagement with the container. The body also has an integral handle for lifting the container and the container neck supports a bail-type handle also for lifting said container. The integral handle and bail-type handles do not extend beyond the container sidewall. The container and lid assembly having an effective packing footprint and an effective packing volume which substantially conforms to the effective packing footprint and the effective packing volume of a conventional metal paint can.

Abstract: Adjustable storage units for a vehicle and a method for providing such units are disclosed. The storage units generally include opposing end panels connected by a connecting member along the rear of the end panels. One or more shelf supports are releasably connected to the inner surface of the end panels only through apertures in the end panels. Shelves and/or drawer systems are made from polymer materials are then disposed between the end panels. The end panels may also be made of polymer materials. The storage units are adjustable or reconfigurable by removing the shelves or drawers and repositioning the shelf supports or drawer supports as desired.

Abstract: A projector having a polymeric housing containing an electrical light source, an image medium support assembly aligned in the light path of the light source, and a lens through which light emanating from the light source exits the housing after passing through an image medium disposed in the image support assembly. The projector is preferably adjustably mounted on a support member comprising a tubular section containing a transformer. The projector can be made with an electric motor inside the housing that causes a wheel comprising multiple fixed images to continuously or intermittently rotate the same or different images sequentially through the light path of the projector. A projector assembly is also disclosed in which a projector is mounted in a frame assembly in combination with a rotating mirror ball that simultaneously redirects the projected image in many different directions and continuously changes the image being projected onto a particular spot on surrounding viewing surfaces.