Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a lid. In particular to a lid for a paint container for sieving paint from a paint container.

Background

Decorators often mix and combine paint from storage containers together into either a single container or into a separate paint container. There are many reasons why this is done - the ability to use a smaller container than larger storage containers, plus by mixing together coloured paints into a single container any colour inhomogeneity between paint containers is eliminated.

Problems can arise when mixing paint, particular for previously opened paint batches. Dried paint flakes can easily fall into the paint where they are then transferred to paintbrushes or rollers. Similarly, dirt may transfer from surfaces to the paint via brushes and rollers. For this reason, it is known to provide sieves to filter off these interfering solid particles. DE 202017105783 gives one example where the replacement lid mates with an edge of the paint container and is covered by a sieve to aid filtering. However, such lids are unstable when in use when merely placed on the container, or have to be securely fastened into the container using the snap fit mechanism of traditional paint container lids, which results in messy clean up.

In addition to sieving, such lids can be added that allow for brush holding or paint scraping. Examples are shown in US6681952 and US4009802 respectively. Whilst these individually allow for the functionality described, they again achieve a tight adherence with the top of the paint can by engaging with the shaped top used by the usual paint lid. This attachment process is slow and messy, particularly when multiple paints are mixed. For this reason, such lids are typically designed to be attached to smaller paint pots for use by the home user. However, these vary in size, such that a number of different sized lids are needed to fit the variety of encountered paint containers. For example, trade containers tend to be around 290mm in circumference for 101 to 180mm for 5I, whilst 2.5I paint containers are around 155-160mm in circumference. Given these discrepancies a more universal lid attachment means is desirable.

It is an object of the present invention to at least ameliorate the above defined issues with the existing prior art.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a lid for a paint container, said lid comprising: a sieve for filtering paint to or from a storage container and the paint container, an opening for accessing paint within the paint container; and attachment means releasably biasing the lid against the paint container.

The present invention provides a lid that allows for sieving of paint to remove debris such as dirt or flaked paint. The lid is releasable biased to the paint container by attachment means that allow the lid to be attached and removed from different paint containers easily in contrast to existing solutions that rely on using the engagement between the rim of the paint container and its storage lid. By using an attachment that relies on a biasing means the lid can be more easily moved between devices. This is particularly useful for trade decorators who can require several containers to be sieved together.

Furthermore, by using a lid that has an attachment means that is biased against the paint container the lid may be attached to the paint container even when a cover of the paint container is attached. This aids storage of the lid given that it can be stored with the paint container (rather than separate per prior art solutions that securely engage the rim of paint container using a snap fit engagement).

The present invention also both provides a sieve for allowing paint to be filtered either to or from the container, and an opening through which paint can be accessed from the paint container. This allows a user to leave the lid retained in position during use.

In an embodiment the lid may comprise a holder for retaining a paint applicator, such as a paint brush or roller. The holder may be in the form of a clip shaped to form a snap or pressure fit around a handle of the brush or roller (or other paint applicator such as a painting pad). Alternatively the holder may be a cut-away within the opening of the lid sized to accommodate either a top surface of a handle of the paint applicator or to allow the paint applicator to rest and be held in place by the shape of the applicator (e.g. for a rectangular paint brush the cutaway allows the head of the brush to rest against the lid while the handle is within the cutaway. By integrating a holder the lid can be used to transport the paint applicator more easily. Typically the holder retains the applicator such the applicator is held within the opening such that excess paint can fall into back into the paint container.

In an embodiment the opening comprises approximately a third to a half of the lid area. For example, the circumference of the lid can form an annular ring around a paint container and the sieve and opening each form a semicircular portion of the lid.

The lid may further comprise a paint scraper for removing excess paint from a paint applicator. The paint scraper may be formed adjacent to the opening such that the scraped excess paint falls into the container through the opening. Alternatively the scraper may be positioned adjacent to the sieve such that excess paint is filtered by the sieve before returning to the container.

In examples the lid may further comprise a spout for pouring paint from the paint container. The spout may be integral with an outer circumference of the lid such that it projects away from the lid. The use of a spout allows for easier pouring of paint from the container and into other containers. Preferably the sieve may be located on the lid between the spout and the paint such that paint is filtered by the sieve prior to pouring from the container. In an embodiment the spout may comprise the sieve such that paint is sieved during pouring from the container.in such examples the sieve and the spout may project away from the opening.

In some examples the lid may further comprise a handle for supporting the weight of the paint container to aid transport and pouring. The handle may be integral with the or an outer circumference of the lid or may form part of the attachment means. If a spout is provided then the handle may be opposite the spout to help orientate the container when pouring.

The lid may be attached to the container using a seal on an underside of the lid. The seal is typically compressible against a rim of the paint container by the attachment means. The seal typically runs substantially around a circumference of the underside of the lid. The seal may be a silicone ring. The seal may be located between retaining uprights that constrain lateral movement of the lid relative to the rim of the paint container. This can allow for a lid to be attached to containers having different sized rim circumferences by eliminating the need for a precise fit between the container and the lid, which would be required by a snap-fit or other securing mechanism. The retaining uprights may comprise a lip of the underside of the lid and a boundary of the opening and/or the sieve. The circumference of the lip of the underside of the lid is bigger than the circumference of the boundary of the opening and sieve, and may comprise an oval or elliptical shape having a smaller eccentricity than the boundary. Accordingly, this can more easily allow the lid to be orientated onto the paint container.

The seal may comprise retaining means engaging with the retaining uprights. The retaining means may comprise sections of the seal that jut out through the retaining uprights to engage a rear wall of the upright to releasably secure the seal to the lid. This holds the seal in place whilst allowing the seal to be removed for cleaning. The attachment means may comprises one or more resilient bands configured to be stretched around the paint container. Such bands are typically stretched around a bottom of the pain container such that the bands act to bias the lid against the rim of the paint container

The lid may comprise one or more pegs for securing an end of the resilient bands via one or more notches in said band, said peg providing a fixture point against which the resilient band is biased. In this way the resilient bands can be stretched away from the lid, with a paint container engaged by the band. The use of notches on the resilient band can allow the size of container retained by the band to be altered.

In some embodiments the resilient band comprises a securing pip located at a free end of the resilient band to allow excess material of the band to be retained within the notches when the attachment means is used to secure smaller height paint containers.

The free end of the resilient band may also comprise a pull tab for releasing the securing pip from the notch. The pull tab may also be used to release the attachment means from the peg.

Typically the resilient bands individually or together connect to two or more pegs such that the bands stretch out from the pegs and around a bottom of the paint container. However, it can be envisaged that a single peg may be used provided that the band can retain the paint container. For example, the band may instead secure around the circumference of the paint container. Alternatively or additionally the band may comprise a retaining portion, such as a web, in which the container can be held.

According to an embodiment, the attachment means further comprises a base for locating underneath a bottom of the paint container. In this way the attachments means comprises an enclosure in which the container can be securely placed by stretching the attachment means and securing the lid to a top of the container, biasing the lid against the container. It can be appreciated that the base and the resilient bands may form a unitary piece. In such embodiments the base and the bands or other resilient means can be formed from a resilient material, such as TPE rubber.

Alternatively, the base may be formed from a different material to the resilient means, such as polypropylene. The bands may comprise an enlarged end portion that engages with said base to provide a securement point against which the resilient band is biased. For example, the enlarged end portion may be retained in loops through which the non-enlarged portion passes. When secured in this manner the bands may provide an anti-slip base to the lid and container when a container is secured by the bands.

In a similar manner to described above, the resilient bands may comprise a belt with notches secured around a circumference of said paint container.

In an alternative embodiment the lid itself may be formed of a stretchable material, such as silicone, such that the attachment means comprises a flexible fitment about the top of the paint container. For example, some or all of the lid may be stretchable for securing around the paint container.

In an alternative aspect of the present invention the lid may instead be integral with the top of the paint container. In such embodiments the attachment means may be omitted, with the sieve, opening and optionally the pourer and handle used to allow paint to be sieved to and/or from the paint container. In such aspects there may be provided a cap (such as a typical paint cap) that secures to the integral lid of the paint container to seal the container.

Embodiments of the aspects may comprise any element of any embodiment of the other aspects of the invention. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from, and elucidated with reference to, the embodiments described herein. Brief Description of the Figures

The invention is described in further detail below by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: figure 1 a shows a lid secured on a paint container according to an embodiment of the present invention; figure 1 b shows the lid of figure 1 from a different angle; figure 2 shows an example of an attachment means used by the lid of figure 1 ; figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the lid when secured to a paint container; figure 4a shows an alternative embodiment lid of figure 1 a, using an alternative attachment means; figure 4b shows the attachment means of figure 4a; figure 4c shows a rear view of figure 4a, with a base of the attachment means shown; figure 4d shows a close-up of a portion of figure 4c; figure 4e shows a side view of the base and attachment means and how they engage; figure 5a shows a lid having an alternative attachment means according to an embodiment; figure 5b shows an alternative view to figure 5a; figure 6a shows a top view of an alternative embodiment lid; figure 6b shows a perspective view of the lid of figure 6a; figure 7a shows a perspective of an alternative embodiment lid; figure 7b shows an alternative view of the lid of figure 7a; figure 8 shows an alternative lid; and figure 9 shows another alternative lid.

It should be noted that the Figures are diagrammatic and not drawn to scale. Relative dimensions and proportions of parts of the Figures have been shown exaggerated or reduced in size, for the sake of clarity and convenience in the drawings. The same reference signs are generally used to refer to corresponding or similar feature in modified and different embodiments.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows an assembly 10 comprising a lid 20 secured to a paint container 12. The lid 20 comprises a generally circular shape configured to broadly match a top or rim of the paint container it is intended to fit. It can be appreciated that different sized lids can be provided for paint containers having different sized circumferences.

The lid generally comprises an opening 30 through which paint can be retrieved from the paint container 12. The opening is generally approximately half the area of the lid. Also provided is a sieve 32 that broadly covers the remaining half of the lid. The sieve typically comprises a mesh through which paint can either be sieved into the paint container, or out of the paint container. The sieve 32 is typically a fine grid and is typically made out of plastic or metal to aid cleaning after use.

Paint may be sieved in from a larger storage container to ease application by the decorator, or may be sieved out of the container for mixing or straining or the like. In either case, the sieve 32 acts to catch and remove debris, such as dirt or dried paint flecks from the paint to reduce transfer to painting accessories, which prevents transfer to the finished surfaces.

Adjacent to both the sieve and the opening are a paint accessory holder 34, enlarged portion 36 and paint scraper 38. The holder 34 is typically a clip or the like configured to retain a handle of a paint accessory, such as a paint applicator like a brush or roller or pad or the like. The paint scraper 38 provides an edge against which excess paint can be scraped off the paint applicator and back into the paint container 12. An enlarged opening 36 can allow for easier dipping of brushes and the like into the paint. The lid has a pourer 24 to aid pouring of the paint out of the container. The pourer 24 is provided adjacent to the sieve 32 such that paint is sieved by the sieve as it is poured out of the container 12. A handle 26 is provided opposite the pourer to aid in lifting and holding the container during sieving.

The lid 20 is secured to the container 12 using an attachment means40. The attachment means comprises one or more straps 46, said straps having a plurality of notches 48 at one end. The straps are typically TPE and are resilient. The straps engage with pegs 44 provided around the lid via the notches 48. The pegs 44 allow the straps 46 to be stretched against the lid upper to enlarge the straps to accommodate the container therebetween.

Figure 2 shows the attachment means 40 in isolation. There are 3 straps 46, with each strap comprising several notches 48. Each strap is attached to a base 45 in which the paint container 12 is placed. For example, the straps can be stretched up away from the base 45 (that has a container placed thereon) to engage with the pegs 44 of the lid portion 20.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the lid. The pourer 24, handle 26 and paint container 12 are shown. The underside of the lid comprises spaced uprights 52 that form a channel in which the rim of the paint container 12 can be placed. A seal 54, typically made of silicone is compressed by the attachment means against the rim of the container to provide a secure tight fit between the lid and the container.

Figures 4a to 4e show an alternative embodiment having a slightly different attachment means 140. In this embodiment the straps 140 are separate to the base 150, where the base forms an annular or ring shape. The straps comprise notches 148 at one end and an enlarged portion 146 at the opposite end. The enlarged portion is configured to engage with a corresponding loop 152 in the base such that the straps 140 may be fed through the loop 152 until the enlarged portion 146 engages with and is stopped by the loop 152. The loops 152 can form feet to support the paint container and lid during use as shown in figure 5e. This can provide a stable base for the paint container when the lid is attached.

Figures 5a and 5b show a lid having a further alternative attachment means. In this example the lid 220 comprises a sieve 232, opening 230 and pegs 244. A single flexible band 240 may be stretched against the pegs 244 to form a web or enclosure in which a paint container 12 can be placed. This may provide a lower cost attachment means to the examples shown previously

Figures 6a and 6b show a further alternative lid 320. In this embodiment the attachment means secure the lid 320 with opening 330 and sieve 332 using a resilient belt 346 having notches 348 that engages with prongs 342 on the belt 346. This acts to tension the lid against the outer circumference of the paint container securing the lid into position. An advantage of this attachment means is that the lid may fit a wider range of paint containers.

Figures 7a and 7b show a further alternative lid having opening 430 and sieve 432. In this embodiment the lid may be flexible such that the lid can be stretched around the paint container to secure it against the paint container. It can be appreciated that the lid in its unextended orientation is smaller than the paint container circumference. This may be useful for paint containers already having a handle 426. Alternatively a similar attachment means to previously described using straps and pegs may be used to secure the lid into position.

In this embodiment the sieve is integral with the pourer. This can ensure that the opening is as large as possible, whilst still allowing paint to be sieved by the lid. It can be appreciated that this concept may be applied to the earlier shown designs. Figures 8 and 9 show alternative embodiments of the lid. In both embodiments the attachment means are not shown, but may comprise pegs and straps as described previously.

In figure 8 the lid 520 comprises an insert that rests against the lid of the paint container. A number of openings 530 and holders are provided. In this example the sieve 532 sits within the middle of the lid and forms a frustoconical shape extending into the paint container. This lid provides a funnel-like shape that may be used for sieving paint into the paint container.

Figure 9 shows a similar lid 620 having a sieve 632. In this example the lid covers only part of the paint container such that the opening 630 is the portion of the paint container that is not covered by the lid.

In the above described embodiments a lid is provided that rests against the paint container and is biased in position rather than engaging with the attachment means of the paint container. By using a biased retention means the lid can be easily attached and removed from paint containers. This allows the lid to be moved between paint containers more quickly than prior sieve lids. It also allows the lid to be stored on a paint container after use.

It can be appreciated that the various embodiments described above contain complimentary features that may be combined depending upon the need of the user. Accordingly, the devices described herein therefore provide a way of filtering and accessing paint.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to the skilled person. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art of decorating and which may be used instead of, or in addition to, features already described herein. Although the appended claims are directed to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub combination. The applicant hereby gives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom.

For the sake of completeness it is also stated that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, the term "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality, a single panel or other unit may fulfil the functions of several means recited in the claims and reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.