Abstract: A paint roller guide includes a mounting structure configured to be positioned adjacent a portion of a paint roller frame, and a flexible surface configured to bend according to a dimension of the portion of the paint roller frame so as to snap together the mounting structure and the portion of the paint roller frame. A guide arm is mounted to the mounting structure. The guide arm may be configured to rotate in multiple directions relative to a length of the mounting structure.

Abstract: A drop cloth includes: a sheet of material having a length that is greater than its width; and a series of panels, each panel being connected to the sheet in series along the length of the sheet. The length may be substantially greater than the width. The panels are generally identical to one another and are equally spaced along the length of the sheet such that the spacing is sufficient for the sheet to be folded in-between adjacent panels such that the panes are stacked, the spacing between adjacent panels being about twice the thickness of each panel. The drop cloth can be used for protection against drips and spills when painting along a wall of a room.

Abstract: A drop cloth includes: a sheet of material having a length substantially greater than its width; and a series of panels, each panel being connected to sheet along the length of the sheet. The panels are generally identical to one another and are equally spaced along the length of the sheet such that, when the drop cloth is applied to a staircase, a first panel of a pair of adjacent panels covers a horizontal section of the stairs and the other panel of the pair of adjacent panels covers a vertical section of the stairs, with a fabric area extending between the pair of adjacent panels and over a nose of a stair. The drop cloth can be used for protection against drips and spills when painting along a staircase. The drop cloth also can be used when painting along a wall of a room.

Abstract: A drop cloth includes: a sheet of material having a length substantially greater than its width; and a series of panels, each panel being connected to sheet along the length of the sheet. The panels are generally identical to one another and are equally spaced along the length of the sheet such that, when the drop cloth is applied to a staircase, a first panel of a pair of adjacent panels covers a horizontal section of the stairs and the other panel of the pair of adjacent panels covers a vertical section of the stairs, with a fabric area extending between the pair of adjacent panels and over a nose of a stair. The drop cloth can be used for protection against drips and spills when painting along a staircase. The drop cloth also can be used when painting along a wall of a room.

Abstract: A drop cloth includes: a sheet of material having a length that is greater than its width; and a series of panels, each panel being connected to the sheet in series along the length of the sheet. The length may be substantially greater than the width. The panels are generally identical to one another and are equally spaced along the length of the sheet such that the spacing is sufficient for the sheet to be folded in-between adjacent panels such that the panes are stacked, the spacing between adjacent panels being about twice the thickness of each panel. The drop cloth can be used for protection against drips and spills when painting along a wall of a room.

Abstract: A quick-release paint roller having a roller cover that can be removed from a frame without requiring the user to apply a force directly to the roller cover. The frame includes a pair of arms having base portions received in a hand grip. The arms diverge outwardly to form a Y-shaped frame, wherein distal ends of the arms have mounting cones configured to receive opposing ends of the tube-shaped roller cover in a rotatable manner with respect to the frame. The paint roller has a roller capture mechanism that pivots the arms between a roller-capture position in which the roller cover is captured between the arms and a roller-release position in which the roller cover is decoupled from the arms. A roller-release button is configured to actuate the capture mechanism to pivot the arms between their roller-capture positions and their roller-release positions.

Abstract: A package opener (10) includes first and second opposed elongate members joined together for scissor action about a pivot joint (16). The first member (12) includes a first handle grip (18) at a rear end and a first cutting element (20) having a first blade (26) at a front end. The second member (13) includes a second handle grip (19) at a rear end and a second cutting element (21) having a second blade (27) at a front end thereof. The cutting elements include a leg portion (40,41) positioned between an arm segment (30,31) on which the pivot joint is located and the blade. Each cutting element also has a gap (G) in the blade portion. The leg portions and the gap enable the cutting elements, when opened, to fit over a package lip of a blister-type package so that the package opener can cut around the interior perimeter of the package lip to open the package. The multi-function package opener may also have a miniature utility knife blade (50) and at least one screwdriver (60).

Abstract: A package opener (10) includes first and second opposed elongate members joined together for scissor action about a pivot joint (16). The first member (12) includes a first handle grip (18) at a rear end and a first cutting element (20) having a first blade (26) at a front end. The second member (13) includes a second handle grip (19) at a rear end and a second cutting element (21) having a second blade (27) at a front end thereof. The cutting elements include a leg portion (40,41) positioned between an arm segment (30,31) on which the pivot joint is located and the blade. Each cutting element also has a gap (G) in the blade portion. The leg portions and the gap enable the cutting elements, when opened, to fit over a package lip of a blister-type package so that the package opener can cut around the interior perimeter of the package lip to open the package. The multi-function package opener may also have a miniature utility knife blade (50) and at least one screwdriver (60).

Abstract: A quick-release paint roller having a roller cover that can be removed from a frame without requiring the user to apply a force directly to the roller cover. The frame includes a pair of arms having base portions received in a hand grip. The arms diverge outwardly to form a Y-shaped frame, wherein distal ends of the arms have mounting cones configured to receive opposing ends of the tube-shaped roller cover in a rotatable manner with respect to the frame. The paint roller has a roller capture mechanism that pivots the arms between a roller-capture position in which the roller cover is captured between the arms and a roller-release position in which the roller cover is decoupled from the arms. A roller-release button is configured to actuate the capture mechanism to pivot the arms between their roller-capture positions and their roller-release positions.

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 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 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 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 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 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.