The present invention relates to a container rim protector assembly, particularly but not exclusively, a container rim protector assembly for protecting, in use, a rim of a container such a paint container.

Conventionally, paint containers such as cans or tins have been formed of a metal (or more recently, a plastics) material having a formed rim which defines an opening and receives a removable lid as a press fit. Commonly, during use, a paint brush is wiped on the rim and paint is deposited on the rim which can harden. Fitting of the lid then causes flakes of hardened paint to fall into the unused paint, contaminating the unused paint. The hardened paint can make the lid difficult to remove and refit. Contamination of the rim by paint can also occur if paint is decanted from the can into another container. As paint cans are not provided with spouts, this can be a messy operation. Another problem is that the handle of the can becomes contaminated with paint making it difficult and messy to hold. Another problem is that if a paint applicator such a brush needs to be put down for a period, the user will often balance the brush across the can opening, where it is easy to knock off and contaminates the rim, or put it down on a dirty surface, so that contamination is subsequently transferred to the unused paint. Rim protectors which fit over the rim have been proposed, but these are often difficult to clean and thus become difficult to fit over time and become contaminated with old paint.

In this specification, the terms inner, outer, inwardly and outwardly, when used in relation to the rim, are used with respect to the opening, which is inward of the rim, and the terms upward and downward are used in relation to the in use orientation of a paint can, in which downward means down into the floor or ground. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container rim protector assembly for protecting, in use, a rim of a container such a paint container, the assembly including a rim protector, the rim protector including a support member, which, in use, fits over the rim of the container and a protection member, which, in use, is located on the support member.

Possibly, the support member is formed of a resiliently deformable material. Possibly, the protection member is formed of a resiliently deformable material. Possibly, the material of the support member is relatively stiffer then the material of the protection member. Possibly, the material of the protection member is relatively more flexible than the material of the support member. Possibly, the support member material has a hardness of greater than 65 Shore A hardness. Possibly, the protection member material has a hardness of no more than 65 Shore A hardness.

Possibly, the protection member is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.

Possibly, the rim protector includes a spout formation. Possibly, the support member comprises a spout formation. Possibly, the protection member comprises a spout formation. Possibly, the protection member spout formation overlays the support member spout formation.

Possibly, the spout formation includes one or more drip guard formations. Possibly, the or one drip guard formation comprises the protection member spout formation.

Possibly, the or one drip guard formation comprises the support member spout formation. Possibly, the assembly includes a holder mounting. Possibly, the holder mounting comprises a part of the support member. Possibly, the assembly includes an item holder, which defines a holding space. Possibly, the item holder is movable between a holder mounted condition, in which the item holder is mounted to the holder mounting, and a demounted condition, in which the item holder is demounted from the holder mounting.

Possibly, the item holder is formed of the same material as the protection member.

Possibly, the item holder and the protection member together overlay all of the upwardly facing surfaces of the support member.

Possibly, the support member overlays all of the inwardly and upwardly facing surfaces of the rim.

Possibly, the item holder includes a holder body, which may define the holding space. Possibly, the item holder includes an overlay part, which, in an assembled condition, may overlay the holder mounting, and may overlay an adjacent part of the protection member. Possibly, in the fitted condition, the overlay part overlays part of a handle of the container.

Possibly the rim defines an opening, through which material is movable into and out of the container.

Possibly, the rim protector defines an opening, through which, in an in use fitted condition, material is movable into and out of the container. Possibly, the rim protector is in the form of a ring. Possibly, each of the support member and the protection member define the opening and, possibly, each of the support member and the protection member is in the form of a ring. Possibly, in an assembled condition, the assembly defines a handle receiving space, Possibly, the handle receiving space is defined between the item holder and the support member. Possibly, the support member includes a wall part and may include a flange part.

Possibly, in the fitted condition, the flange part locates on the top of the rim, and may extend over substantially the whole width of the rim, and may extend continuously along the rim.

Possibly, the support member defines a plurality of adjustment apertures, to permit fitting of the support member to the rim, which may be equispaced and which may be defined in the wall part.

Possibly, the support member includes an interlocking formation, which, in a fitted condition, may interlock with the rim. Possibly, the support member includes a plurality of interlocking formations. Possibly, the interlocking formations are spaced at different distances from the flange part to permit interlocking with cans of different rim depth. Possibly, each interlocking formation is separated from an adjacent interlocking formation by one of the adjustment apertures.

Possibly, the support member includes one or more first interlocking formations and one or more second interlocking formations, which may be arranged alternately around the wall part.

Possibly, the rim includes a projecting part, which may extend inwardly into the opening. Possibly, the projecting part has a depth. Possibly, in the fitted condition, the wall part of the support member extends substantially the whole of the depth. Possibly, in the fitted condition, the interlocking formation locates under the projecting part. Possibly, the protection member defines a support member receiving channel, in which at least a part of the support member may be receivable in the assembled condition. Possibly, the protection member includes an overlay part, an inner end engaging part and an outer end engaging part. Possibly, the overlay part, the inner end engaging part and the outer end engaging part together define the support member receiving channel.

Possibly, the support member includes a projecting nib part, which may extend continuously along the support member. Possibly, an end part of the support member spout formation comprises part of the nib part.

Possibly, the outer end engaging part defines a nib receiving channel, in which, in the assembled condition, the nib part may be received. Possibly, the protection member includes a projecting nib part, which may be located in a region which in the assembled condition is overlaid by the overlay part of the item holder. The protection member nib part may define the support member nib receiving channel. Possibly, the assembly includes a lock for locking the assembly in the assembled condition.

Possibly, the overlay part of the item holder defines a protection member nib receiving channel, in which, in an assembled condition, the protection member nib part may be receivable.

Possibly, the overlay part of the item holder includes a locking face, which, in the assembled condition may locate against the nib part of the protection member to lock it in position over the nib part of the support member.

Possibly, the locking face comprises the lock. Possibly, the assembly includes a strainer, which may include one or more strainer mountings, and which, in a straining condition, may removably locate on the spout formation. Possibly, the strainer defines a plurality of straining holes.

Possibly, the assembly includes a tray, which may include one or more tray mountings. Possibly, in a tray condition, the tray removably locates on the rim protector, and may be supported by the spout formation. Possibly, the container includes a removable lid, which, in a closed condition, locates on the rim.

Possibly, the container is a container for a material which sets and/or hardens, and may set and/or harden on exposure to air or moisture. Possibly, the material is a liquid, such as paint, glue, adhesive, resin, varnish, stain, oil, bitumen. Possibly, the material is a foodstuff.

Possibly, the assembly is a paint container rim protector assembly. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of protecting a container rim, the method including providing a container rim protector assembly for protecting, in use, a rim of a container such as a paint container, the assembly including a rim protector, the rim protector including a support member, which, in use, fits over the rim of the container and a protection member, which, in use, is located on the support member.

Possibly, the assembly includes any of the features described in any of the preceding statements or following description. Possibly, the method includes any of the steps described in any of the preceding statements or following description. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container rim protector assembly for protecting, in use, a rim of a container such a paint container, the assembly including a rim protector, which, in use, fits over the rim of the container, and a tray, which, in a tray condition, extends from the rim protector.

Possibly, the tray includes a base wall and a plurality of side walls, which may define therebetween an applicator tool receiving space, in which, in use, an applicator tool (such as a brush, pad or roller) may be receivable.

Possibly, the rim protector defines an opening, through which, in use, material is movable into and out of the container. Possibly, in the tray condition, the base wall slopes downwardly towards the opening. Possibly, the tray includes one or more tray mountings. Possibly, in the tray condition, the tray removably locates on the support member.

Possibly, tray is formed integrally with the rim protector. Possibly, the rim protector includes a support member, which, in use, fits over the rim of the container. Possibly, the rim protector includes a protection member, which, in use, is located on the support member. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container rim protector assembly in an assembled condition;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly with a container;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the assembly in a fitted condition on the container; Fig. 4 is a perspective view from the rear and above of the assembly in the fitted condition;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view from the side through a central axis, of the assembly in the fitted condition;

Fig. 6 is a relatively enlarged detail, as indicated by arrow VI in Fig. 5, of a cross-sectional view from the side through a central axis, of a holder mounting of the assembly in the fitted condition;

Fig. 7 is a relatively enlarged detail, as indicated by arrow VII in Fig. 5, of a cross-sectional view from the side through a central axis, of a spout formation of the assembly in the fitted condition;

Fig. 8 is a relatively enlarged detail of a side cross-sectional view of a rim of the container without the assembly fitted, for reference and not according to the invention;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a second container rim protector assembly in an assembled condition;

Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the second assembly;

Fig. 1 1 is a view from underneath in use of a support member of the second assembly;

Fig. 12 is a side view of the support member of the second assembly; Fig. 13 is a plan view of the second assembly in use in a fitted condition on a container;

Fig. 14 is a relatively enlarged detail, as indicated by section line and arrows XIV in Fig. 13, of a cross-sectional view from the side through a central axis, of a holder mounting of the second assembly in the fitted condition on a container with a shallower rim depth;

Figs. 15A and 15B are relatively enlarged details, as indicated by section line and arrows XV in Fig. 13, of cross-sectional views from the side through a central axis, of a spout formation of the assembly in the fitted condition on containers with a deeper rim depth and a shallower rim depth respectively;

Figs. 16A and 16B are relatively enlarged details, as indicated by section line and arrows XVI in Fig. 13, of cross-sectional views from the side through a central axis, of a part of the assembly in the fitted condition on containers with a deeper rim depth and a shallower rim depth respectively;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a part of a third container rim protector assembly in a fitted condition;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a part of a fourth container rim protector assembly in a fitted condition; and

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a part of a fifth container rim protector assembly. Figs. 1 to 7 show a container rim protector assembly 10 for protecting a rim 14 of a container 16 in use. The assembly 10 includes a rim protector 1 1 . The rim protector 1 1 includes a support member 12 which, in use, fits over the rim 14 of the container 16, and a protection member 18, which, in use, is located on the support member 12.

The rim 14 defines an opening 36, through which material is movable into and out of the container 16.

The container 16 includes a removable lid (not shown), which, in a closed condition, locates on the rim 14.

The container 16 could be a container 16 for a material which sets and/or hardens, for example, on exposure to air or moisture. The material could be a liquid, such as paint, glue, adhesive, resin, varnish, stain, oil, bitumen. The material could be a foodstuff.

In the embodiments described, the container 10 is a paint container, the material is paint, and the assembly 10 is a paint container rim protector assembly.

Referring to Fig. 8, the container 16 is of a conventional design and includes a body 64 to which the rim 14 is mounted, with a strap-like handle 78 pivotally mounted to the body 64. The rim 14 includes an outer rim wall 68 and an inner rim wall 70, a rim base wall 76 extending therebetween, which locates onto the body 64 so that the inner rim wall 70 forms a projecting part 48 projecting inwardly into the opening 36. The outer rim wall 68, the inner rim wall 70 and the rim base wall 76 define a rim channel 14. The rim 14 has a width 66. The rim inner wall has an inwardly facing surface 72 with a depth 50.

The rim protector 1 1 , the support member 12 and the protection member 18 are each generally in the form of a ring, each defining an opening which for the sake of simplicity will be referred to as the same opening defined by the rim 14 and the same reference numeral 36 used.

The support member 12 and the protection member 18 are both formed of a resiliently deformable material, such as a plastics material. The material of the support member 12 is relatively stiffer then the material of the protection member 18. The material of the protection member 18 is relatively more flexible than the material of the support member 12.

In one example, the material of the support member 12 could have a hardness of greater than 65 Shore A hardness and the material of the protection member 18 could have a hardness of no more than 65 Shore A hardness. In one example, the material of the protection member 18 could have a hardness in the range 20 to 60 Shore A hardness. In one example, the support member 12 could be formed of polypropylene or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

In one example, the protection member 18 could be formed of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

The rim protector 1 1 includes a spout formation 20. The support member 12 comprises a spout formation 22. The protection member 18 comprises a spout formation 24, which overlays the support member spout formation 22.

In the example shown, the spout formation 20 includes two drip guard formations 26, 28. The protection member spout formation 24 includes one drip guard formation 26 in the form of a downwardly projecting lip at the end of the spout formation 20. The support member spout formation 22 includes one drip guard formation 28 in the form of a downwardly projecting ridge extending laterally across the underside of the support member spout formation 22.

The support member 12 includes a holder mounting 30 in the form of a bracket, which extends outwardly oppositely from the spout formation 20. The assembly 10 includes an item holder 32, which defines a holding space 34. The item holder 32 is movable between a holder mounted condition, in which the item holder 32 is mounted to the holder mounting 30, and a demounted condition, in which the item holder 32 is demounted from the holder mounting 30. The holder mounting 30 defines a holder mounting aperture 84 in which the item holder 32 locates in the mounted condition. In one example, the item holder 32 is formed of the same relatively flexible material as the protection member 18.

The item holder 32 includes a holder body 80, which defines the holding space 34. The item holder 32 includes a flange-like overlay part 82, which, in an assembled condition, overlays the holder mounting 30 and an adjacent part of the protection member 18.

The support member 12 includes a wall part 44 and a flange part 46, the flange part extending outwardly from the wall part 44.

The wall part 44 defines a plurality of adjustment apertures 42 in the form of slits extending upwardly from a lower edge of the wall part 44, which permit fitting of the support member 12 to the rim 14. The apertures 42 are substantially equispaced and are defined in the wall part 44.

The support member 12 includes an interlocking formation 40, which, in a fitted condition, interlocks with the rim 14. The interlocking formation 40, which is in the form of an outwardly directed rib- or bump-like projection, is located at or towards the lower end of the wall part 44 and extends substantially continuously along the wall part 44, barring breaks at the adjustment apertures 42.

The protection member 18 defines a support member receiving channel 52, in which at least a part of the support member 12 is receivable in the assembled condition. The protection member 18 includes an overlay part 54, an inner end engaging part 56 and an outer end engaging part 58. The overlay part 54, the inner end engaging part 56 and the outer end engaging part 58 each extend continuously along the protection member 18 and together define the support member receiving channel 52.

The support member 12 includes a upwardly projecting nib part 60, which extends continuously along the support member 12. An end part of the support member spout formation 22 comprises part of the nib part 60.

The outer end engaging part 58 of the protection member 18 defines a nib receiving channel 62, in which, in the assembled condition, the nib part 60 is received.

The protection member 18 includes a projecting nib part 86, which is located in a region which, in the assembled condition, is overlaid by the overlay part 82 of the item holder 32. The protection member nib part 86 defines the support member nib receiving channel 62.

The assembly 10 includes a lock 88 for locking the assembly 10 in the assembled condition. The overlay part 82 of the item holder 32 defines a protection member nib receiving channel 90, in which, in an assembled condition, the protection member nib part 86 is receivable.

The overlay part 82 of the item holder 32 includes a locking face 92, which, in the assembled condition, locates against the nib part 86 of the protection member 18 to lock it in position over the nib part 60 of the support member 12.

The locking face 92 comprises the lock 88.

In use, the container 16 is opened by removing the lid (not shown). On first removal, the rim 14 is clean of paint. The support member 12 is located onto the rim 14 into the fitted condition so that the wall part 44 locates against the inner rim wall inner surface 72 and the flange part 46 is positioned over the tops of the outer and inner rim walls 68, 70 and the rim channel 74.

In the fitted condition, the flange part 46 locates on the top of the rim 14 and extends over substantially the whole width 66 of the rim 14, and extends continuously along the rim 14.

In the fitted condition, the wall part 44 of the support member 12 extends substantially the whole of the depth 50 of the rim projecting part 48. In the fitted condition, the interlocking formation 40 locates under the projecting part 48.

In one example, the interlocking formation 40 could be a "snap fit" or "click fit" under the projecting part 48. This requires the support member 12 to be formed of a resiliently deformable material which is deformed during movement to the assembled condition and snaps back to its relaxed condition in the assembled condition. In the fitted condition, the support member 12 substantially overlays all of the inwardly and upwardly facing surfaces of the rim 14.

The adjustment apertures 42 permit a degree of adjustment of the support member 12 to fit to the rim 14. In one example, the support member 12 could be made slightly oversize relative to the rim 14, so that the adjustment apertures 42 are closed together in the fitted condition and the interlocking formation 40 locates securely under the projecting part 48 to secure the support member 12 in the fitted condition.

The relatively flexible protection member 18 is then located over the support member 12 into the fitted condition, so that the part of the support member 12 extending around the rim 14 (including the support member spout formation 22) is received within the support member receiving channel 52.

In the fitted condition, the inner end engaging part 56, which is in the form of an outwardly directed projecting lip, locates under the lowermost edge of the wall part 44 of the support member 12. In the fitted condition, the nib receiving channel 62 is located over the nib part 60.

At the protection member spout formation 24, the outer end engaging part 58 extends around and under the end of the support member spout formation 22 to form the protection member drip guard formation 26.

The handle 78 of the container 16 is then rotated downwardly to locate against the holder mounting 30. The item holder 32 is located in the holder mounting 30 so that the holder overlay part 82 overlays the holder mounting 30, part of the handle 78 and an adjacent part of the protection member 18. The holder overlay part 82 and the support member 12 define a handle receiving space 38 therebetween in which, in the fitted condition, the handle 78 of the container 16 is receivable. In the fitted condition, the protection member nib part 86 is received within the protection member nib part receiving channel 90 so that the locking face 92 locates against the protection member nib part 86 to lock it in position over the nib part 60 of the support member 12. Advantageously, the item holder 32 and the protection member 18 together overlay all of the upwardly facing surfaces of the support member 12. During use, the rim 14 is protected against drips and spills of paint. The holder 32 provides a location for storage of tools such as paint brushes. After the painting operation is finished, the holder 32 and the protection member 18 are removed from the holder mounting 30. The relatively flexible holder 32 is sufficiently flexible that it can be turned inside out, making cleaning easy. Also, the material of the holder 32 and the protection member 18 can be flexed and manipulated to help remove paint.

If paint is allowed to dry on the holder 32 and the protection member 18, they can be flexed and manipulated, causing the paint to break off for easy removal. The support member 12 can then be removed to expose the still clean rim 14 and the lid (not shown) can be refitted.

The assembly 10 provides a spout formation 20 for pouring. In the pouring operation, the rim 14 is protected from contact with the paint by the support member 12 and the protection member 18. Any drips from the spout formation 20 are directed away from the rim 14 by the drip guard formations 26, 28. The support member 12 provides the stiffness to support the relatively flexible material of the protection member spout formation 26. The assembly 10 protects the external surfaces of the container body 64 from drips, so that information on the container is not obscured. This can be important since the information includes health and safety information, colour matching information and a bar code.

During or after use, the item holder 32 can be removed from the holder mounting 30 and used as a standalone brush holder. Advantageously, the holder 32 has a flat base wall 106 for stability. Alternatively, the curved holder overlay part 82 and the holder body 80 include corners 108 which permit the item holder 32 to be laid down on the corners 108 so that a brush within the holding space 34 is angled upwardly.

When the item holder 32 is removed from the holder mounting 30, the holder mounting 30 can be used as handle to lift and pour the container 16.

Thus, advantageously, in the assembly of the invention, the protection member 18 and the holder 32 provide an upper or outer flexible layer which is easily cleanable, while the support member 12 provides reinforcement and support for the protection member 18 and the holder 32. The support member 12 also provides a secondary protection layer over the rim 14.

Figs. 9 to 19 show other embodiments of the invention, many features of which are similar to those already described in relation to the embodiment of Figs 1 to 8. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, the following embodiments will only be described in so far as they differ from the embodiment already described. Where features are the same or similar, the same reference numerals have been used and the features will not be described again. Figs. 9 to 16 show a second container rim protector assembly 1 10 including a rim protector 1 1 1 , the rim protector 1 1 1 including a support member 1 12 which, in use, fits over a rim 14 of a container 16, and a protection member 1 18, which, in use, is located on the support member 1 12. Figs. 1 1 and 12 show the support member 1 12, which defines four adjustment apertures 42, which are substantially equispaced around the wall part 44 of the support member 1 12.

The support member 1 12 includes first and interlocking formations 40A and 40B, each of which is in the form of an outwardly directed projection or rib, located at or towards the lower end of the wall part 44 and extending along the wall part 44. The first and second interlocking formations 40A, 40B alternate around the wall part 44, as indicated by arrows A and B in Fig. 1 1 . Each interlocking formation 40 is separated from an adjacent interlocking formation 40 by one of the adjustment apertures 42. The first interlocking formation 40A is spaced at a first distance 100 from the undersurface 98 of the flange part 46 and the second interlocking formation 40B is spaced at a second distance 102 from the undersurface 98 of the flange part 46, the second distance 102 being greater than the first distance 100. This permits use of the assembly 1 10 with containers of different rim depth 50 as will now be described. With containers having an inner rim wall 70A of relatively deep rim depth 50, as shown in Figs. 15A and 16A, the first interlocking formations 40A (which might be termed the side interlocking formations by reference to Fig 1 1 ) locate against the inner surface 72 of the inner rim wall 70A (as shown in Fig. 16A) rather than underneath, and the second interlocking formations 40B (which might be termed the spout and holder mounting interlocking formations by reference to Fig 1 1 ) locate snugly below the inner rim wall 70A (as shown in Fig. 15A) to secure the support member 12 in the fitted condition.

With containers having an inner rim wall 70B of relatively shallow rim depth 50, as shown in Figs. 14, 15B and 16B, the first interlocking formations 40A locate snugly below the inner rim wall 70A (as shown in Fig. 16B) to secure the support member 12 in the fitted condition, while the second interlocking formations 40B locate below the inner rim wall 70A (as shown in Figs. 14 and 15B) but somewhat spaced away from the projecting part 48 by a gap 94.

Thus the second assembly 1 10 provides a snug interlocking fit along at least part of the support member wall part 44 to containers of different rim depths.

The second assembly 1 10 also varies in a number of other ways from the first assembly 10.

The holder mounting 30 is formed as channelling defining a downwardly opening channel 104. This reduces weight and material usage and increases the strength and stiffness of the holder mounting 30. In this embodiment, the holder overlay part 82 extends over the upper surfaces and substantially the whole of the outward side surfaces of the holder mounting 30 and inwardly and downwardly over the protection member overlay part 54. This provides further protection of the support member 1 12 from paint contamination.

The inner end engaging part 56 of the protection member 1 18 extends around the lower edge of the wall part 44 and includes a return part 96 which extends upwardly on the outer surface of the wall part 44. This helps prevent ingress of paint between the protection member 1 18 and the support member 1 12.

The protection member 18 extends further down the outside surface of the support member projecting nib part 60 to provide greater security of location in the fitted condition.

Fig. 17 shows a third container rim protector assembly 210, which includes a rim protector 21 1 . The rim protector 21 1 could include a support member and a protection member similar to those of the previous embodiments.

The assembly 210 includes a strainer 212, which includes strainer mountings 214, and which, in a straining condition, removably locates on the spout formation 20. The strainer 212 defines a plurality of straining holes 216.

The strainer mountings 214 could be in the form of clips or other engaging formations which engage with the spout formation 20.

In use, should the paint in the container become contaminated, the strainer 212 can be located on the spout formation 20 to strain contaminants out of the paint as it is poured into another container. The strainer 212 includes a straight top edge 218, against which brushes can be cleaned, thus providing a cleaning brush bar.

Fig. 18 shows a fourth container rim protector assembly 310, which includes a rim protector 31 1 . The rim protector 31 1 could include a support member and a protection member similar to those of the previous embodiments.

The assembly 310 includes a tray 312. The tray 312 includes tray mountings 314 which, in a tray condition, removably mount the tray 312 to the rim protector 31 1 . The tray mountings 314 could be in the form of clips or other engaging formations which engage with the rim protector 31 1 . In the tray condition, the tray 312 could be supported by the spout formation 20.

The tray 312 includes a base wall 316 and a plurality of side walls 318, which define therebetween an applicator tool receiving space 322, in which, in use, an applicator tool (such as a brush, pad or roller 320) is receivable. In the tray condition, the base wall 316 slopes downwardly towards the opening 36. The base wall 316 could include surface features 324 such as ridges or protrusions to engage the surface of the applicator tool 320. In use, the tray 312 is mounted to the rim protector 31 1 by the mountings 314. The tool 320 is dipped into the paint in the container 16 and then wiped across the base wall 316 to ensure even distribution of paint across the tool 320 and wipe off excess and the paint is then applied to a substrate (not shown). Excess paint left on the base wall 316 runs back (or can be brushed back) into the container 16. The rim protector 31 1 protects the rim 14 from splashes. After use the tray 312 can be undipped, the rim protector 31 1 removed from the container 16 and the lid replaced on the still clean rim 14. Advantageously, the mounting of the tray 312 to the rim protector 31 1 reduces paint wastage, improves the distribution of paint on the tool and speeds up the whole painting process.

Fig. 19 shows a fifth container rim protector assembly 410, which is similar to the fourth assembly 310, except that the tray 412 is formed integrally with the rim protector 41 1 . The rim protector 41 1 could be a single part item (eg, comprising just a support member). Alternatively, the rim protector 41 1 could be a two part item (eg, comprising a support member and protection member) as in previous embodiments, in which case, the tray 412 could be integrally formed with the protection member.

Various other modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The assembly and the components thereof could be of any suitable size and shape, and could be formed of any suitable material.

In another embodiment, the surfaces of the protection member 18, 1 18 exposed to paint could be provided with a protective layer (not shown). The protective layer could comprise a disposable material, such as paper or a relatively thin plastics material, which could be in the form of a liner. In another example, the protective layer is a sealant or release agent (eg silicone) to aid cleaning of the protection member 18, 1 18 after use.

In another embodiment, the item holder 32 could be formed of a disposable material, for example, cardboard pulp, so that, after use, the item holder 32 is thrown away, rather than being cleaned. Any of the features or steps of any of the embodiments shown or described could be combined in any suitable way, within the scope of the overall disclosure of this document.

There is thus provided a container rim protector assembly with a number of advantages over conventional arrangements. The assembly is provided with a relatively stiff support member covered by a relatively flexible protection member and holder which are easily removed and cleaned. The handle of the can is protected during use. The assembly provides a spout formation and a holder for paint tools and brushes.