To decorate a room of a house, for example, it is typically necessary to employ a number of tools and storage devices in order to complete all of the various tasks that may need to be accomplished.

For example, if the room to be decorated is covered with wallpaper, then it is preferable to remove the existing wallpaper before a new layer of wallpaper is applied to the walls of the room. To remove wallpaper it is usually necessary to provide a supply of water and various scraping and brushing tools. Similarly, if the decorator wishes-or needs-to prepare the surface of the walls prior to applying a new layer of wallpaper or paint, then it will probably be necessary to provide a supply of sand paper, a supply of plaster or filler, a mixing pallet for mixing the plaster or filler, a supply of water and a trowel or other like filling knife.

The decorator may also decide to remove any radiators in the room from the walls so that the portion of the wall behind the radiator can be redecorated or so that the radiator may be replaced. To accomplish this, it is typically necessary to provide tools for removing the radiator and a suitable receptacle into which the water from the radiator can be emptied.

Finally, to apply a new layer of paint to the walls and/or paintwork of the room it is typically necessary to provide containers for storing and/or mixing paint, storage for solvents or thinners and a variety of different brushes and tools. If the room is to be wallpapered, then it is also typically necessary to provide storage for wallpaper paste and a variety of brushes and other tools to accomplish the task.

It can be seen, therefore, that a typical decorating process is typically highly inconvenient as it usually requires the provision of a large number of tools as well as various different containers for storing various different liquids. Thus, it is not uncommon when entering a room that is in the process of being decorated, to see a large number of different containers and tools scattered about the room. Such a practice can pose problems as it is not uncommon for receptacles to be knocked over

whereupon the contents can spill upon the floor of the room. Furthermore, the use of a large number of tools and storage containers necessarily increases the amount of cleaning that must be accomplished when the decoration of the room has been completed.

It is an object of the present invention to alleviate some or all of these problems.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided a multi-purpose tray for decorating, the tray having first and second receptacles or receptacle portions formed therein, said first receptacle or receptacle portion being elongate and slot-like, and said second receptacle or receptacle portion being shorter than said first. It can be seen therefore that this aspect of the invention addresses the above described problems by providing a tray with multiple receptacles in which, if desired, different items can be stored. Thus the total number of individual receptacles can be reduced with a corresponding reduction in the amount of room congestion and cleaning required Another aspect of the invention provides a multi-purpose tray for decorating comprising first and second receptacles or receptacle portions configured to facilitate different decorating operations.

Preferably, said second receptacle or receptacle portion is in communication with said first.

Preferably, said second receptacle or receptacle portion has a floor that slopes downwardly towards said first. The floor of said second receptacle or receptacle portion may have one or more upstanding projections formed therein.

The tray may have a third receptacle formed therein. The third receptacle may be in communication with said first receptacle or receptacle portion.

Preferably, said first receptacle or receptacle portion communicates with a pouring spout of the tray.

Preferably, a corner periphery of said tray is provided with a curved cut-out portion that is capable of being fitted against an inlet or outlet pipe of a radiator. The cut-out portion and said pouring spout may be formed in the same region of the tray.

The cut-out portion may be formed in said pouring spout.

Preferably, the tray comprises a carrying handle formed in one end of the tray.

An elongate slot may extend substantially in parallel with said first receptacle or receptacle portion between said first receptacle or receptacle portion and a peripheral edge of the tray. A groove may extend between the carrying handle and a peripheral edge of the tray and substantially at right angles to the elongate slot.

Preferably, the second receptacle portion opens at one end into said first receptacle portion to form a substantially L-shaped receptacle in said tray.

Alternatively, said second receptacle or receptacle portion may be separated from said first receptacle or receptacle portion.

Preferably, said first receptacle or receptacle portion is between approximately 0.5 and 1.5m in length. More preferably, said first receptacle or receptacle portion is approximately 550mm long.

The second receptacle or receptacle portion may be formed with one or more grooves extending between the second receptacle or receptacle portion and a peripheral edge of the tray, the grooves being capable of supporting the handle of a painting tool, such as a paint brush, therein.

Another aspect of the invention provides a decorating aid comprising a tray as described herein and a lid that is releasably fittable thereto, the lid being shaped to cover the tray when fitted thereto.

The lid may be formed with a depression that is capable of being used as a mixing palette.

The aid may comprise a removable insert that is fittable into said third receptacle. A corner periphery of said insert may be provided with a curved cut-out portion that is capable of being fitted against an inlet or outlet pipe of a radiator.

The aid may comprise supporting means fittable into said insert, the supporting means having a plurality of teeth between which one or more tools may be supported.

The aid may comprise ruler means associated with and fittable into said slot.

The ruler means may comprise a first portion fittable into the slot, and a second portion extending substantially at a right angle from the first portion. The second portion of the ruler means may be provided with a graduated measuring scale. The second portion of the ruler means may be provided with a spirit level.

The aid may comprise an extendible tape measure locatable in said carrying handle, the tape of said tape measure being extendible through the groove substantially at right angles to the slot.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which; Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tray; Figure 2 is a side view of the tray of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a lid for the tray of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a plan view of the tray of Figures 1 to 3 with the lid removed; Figure 4a is a perspective view of a tray in use; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a tray; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a tray with an insert provided in a third receptacle thereof; Figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternative insert; and Figure 8 is another view of the tray in use.

As mentioned above, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tray 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown, the tray 1 comprises a main body 3 and a lid 5 that is releasably fitted thereto. The main body and lid are provided with an aperture 7 in one end forming a handle to facilitate the transportation of the tray.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the tray 1 of Fig. 1, and illustrates the shape of the lid 5.

In particular, it can be seen that the lid 5 is provided with a depression 9 that can be used as a pallet for the mixing of plaster or filler or other like substances. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the lid 5 more clearly showing the depression 9.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the tray 1 with the lid 5 removed. As can be seen in Fig. 4, the tray 1 is provided with a first receptacle comprising a well portion 11 and a ramp portion 13, and a second receptacle 17 in communication with the first 11. The first and second receptacles each comprise a depression formed in the main body 3 of the tray 1. The well portion 11 of the first receptacle is formed as an elongate slot. The ramp portion 13 of the first receptacle comprises a generally rectangular depression which opens at one end into the well portion 11 of the first receptacle. The ramp portion 13 has a sloped floor 15 so that fluid runs from the ramp portion 13 to the well

portion 11. The second receptacle 17 comprises a roughly square depression and, as mentioned above, is in communication with the well portion 11 of the first receptacle by way of a channel 19. As shown, the floor 15 of the ramp portion 13 is provided with a plurality of raised ribs 21 which is useful for a roller as described further below.

The well portion 11 is generally intended for use as a storage receptacle for fluid, such as paint, water, glue, or other materials. The well portion 11 is preferably of such a length that a standard roll of wallpaper may be stored therein (as shown in Figure 8). Accordingly, depending upon whether the tray is for use by commercial or domestic decorators, the well portion could be anywhere from 500mm to 1.5m in length. Preferably, however, for domestic decorators the length of the well portion 11 is approximately 550mm long. The well portion 11 may also be used as a store for paint brushes and other tools when the tray is not is use.

The tray 1 is provided with a cut away portion 24 in one corner thereof. The cut away portion allows the tray to be fitted snugly against an inlet or outlet pipe of a radiator 20, for example, so that water may be easily drained from the radiator into the well portion 11 of the tray 1 either with (as shown in Figure 4a) or without the assistance of a fluid deflector 22. The cut away portion 24 also serves as a pouring spout by means of which water, or other fluid, in the tray 1 may easily be poured therefrom.

The ramp portion 13 can be used with a roller (as shown in Figure 6) by means of which paint, for example, provided in the well portion 11 may be transferred into the ramp portion 13 and onto the roller for subsequent application to a surface such as a wall. The raised ribs 21 in the base of the ramp portion 13 aid the even distribution of paint on a roller, for example, rolled thereover.

As shown, one edge of the ramp portion is preferably formed with a number of channels 23 (three channels in this embodiment) that extend from the ramp portion 13 across the carrying handle aperture 7 to the periphery of the main body 3. As shown in Figure 5, the channels 23 are sized to allow paint brush handles, roller handles and other like tool handles to be placed therein with the brushes or rollers overlying the ramp portion 13. In this way rollers, brushes and the like may be temporarily stored on

the tray 1 with a reduced chance of the brushes, rollers etc. falling onto the floor or into the paint supply.

The second receptacle 17 comprises a roughly rectangular depression, and is in communication with the well portion 11 of the first receptacle via the channel 19 formed in an upper portion of the wall separating the first and third receptacles. As shown in Figure 6, the second receptacle is associated with an insert 27 that in this embodiment consists of a rectangular bucket. The insert 27 forms a container for fluids and the like and may be provided with a series of graduated measuring marks 29 formed on an inside wall thereof. The insert 27 has a cut away portion 31 formed in one comer thereof that allows the insert 27 to be pressed substantially flush against an inlet or outlet pipe of a radiator, for example, to allow water to be drained from the radiator into the insert. The cut away portion 31 also acts at a spout to enable fluids, for example, to be easily poured from the insert 27.

A variety of alternative inserts may be associated with and fittable into the second receptacle 17. One such alternative insert 33 is shown in Figure 7. As shown, this alternative insert 33 comprises a container of substantially square cross section that is provided with two sets of a pair of guide grooves 35 (one of which is visible) which are mateable with a tool holder 37. As shown, the tool holder 37 comprises a planar member 39 having a plurality of teeth 41 extending at right angles therefrom. Various tools can be accommodated between the teeth 41 of the holder 37. The alternative insert may also be formed with a cut-out corner portion so that it can also be fitted against a radiator pipe.

As mentioned above, the well portion 11 is preferably sized to accept a standard width of wallpaper roll therein. Figure 8 shows just such an arrangement where a roll of wallpaper 42 has been inserted into the well portion 11 of the first receptacle. As shown in Figure 8 and Figure 4, a slot 43 is formed alongside the well portion 11 between the well portion 11 and a peripheral edge of the tray main body 3.

An elongate member 45 of L-shaped cross-section is associated with the slot 43 and comprises a first portion 47 and a second portion 49 extending substantially at a right angle from the first portion. The first portion 47 is fittable into the slot so that the second portion 49 overlies the tray main body 3 up to, or just beyond, the peripheral

edge of the tray main body 3. It is preferred that the elongate member 45 is of a durable material (such as a metal) so that an outer peripheral edge of the second portion 49 may be used as a cutting edge when the first portion 47 is located in the slot 43.

In this embodiment, the second portion 49 of the elongate member 45 is provided with a graduated scale so that it can be used as a ruler either in-situ on the tray 1 or when removed therefrom. The elongate member 45 may also be provided with a spirit level mounted in the second portion 49. As shown in Figure 8, a groove 51 in formed in the main body 3 to interconnect the carrying handle aperture 7 with the periphery of the main body 3.

An extendible tape measure 53 is securely, but yet removably, locatable in the carrying handle aperture 7 so that the tape (not shown) of the tape measure may be extended through the groove 51. In use, the tape may be extended through the groove 51 so that the user can measure a length of wallpaper to be cut from the roll 42.

The tray and lid may be of a variety of different materials, but it is preferred that they are of plastic. The tray and lid may be formed by a variety of different processes, but it is preferred that they are formed by moulding, for example by injection moulding.

As mentioned above, the above described embodiment of the invention may be employed during a decorating or redecorating process. An illustrative example of one such process will now be described so as to further illustrate the manner in which this embodiment of the invention may be used.

In general, any decorating or redecorating process may be split into discrete stages. As the first stage, it is usual to prepare the walls of the room to be decorated.

Then, following the first stage, and depending upon the desired finish for the room, the prepared walls may be painted and/or wallpaper may be applied thereto. In the following example, it will be assumed that the decorator wishes to replace the wallpaper of a room in his house with paint in certain areas of the room and wallpaper in other areas of the room.

In a first step of the preparation stage, the decorator removes any furniture and carpets from the room, and subsequently removes any wall fittings such as picture

hooks that might previously have been installed in the walls of the rooms. The next stage is for the decorator to remove the old wallpaper from the room. Removal of wallpaper is typically accomplished using a sponge, a supply of water and various tools such as a wire brush and a scraper. Using the tray of the present embodiment, the second receptacle 17 may be filled with water and the water may be dabbed on to the old wallpaper with the sponge. The scraper or wire brush may then be employed to remove the dampened wallpaper.

Once the wallpaper has been removed and the wall has been allowed to dry, it is then usual to sand down the surface of the wall using sand paper, for example. It may also be necessary to sand down any woodwork in the room.

The next step in the preparation process is to fill any holes or cracks in the walls of the room. Using the lid 5 of the tray 1 the decorator can mix up a suitable filler mixture in the lid depression 9, and then using a trough or filling knife apply the mixture as necessary to the holes and cracks in the walls of the room.

Once the imperfections in the walls have been filled, the decorator may then decide to remove the radiators from the room so that the walls behind the radiators can be decorated. To remove a radiator from the wall, it is first of all necessary to turn off the water supply to the radiator. Once the water supply has been turned off, the radiator may be drained using the water deflector 22 to guide the fluid from the radiator into the well portion 11 of the first receptacle. In addition, the removable insert 27 may be located against the other end of the radiator and it may also be opened to allow fluid to escape therefrom. Once the radiator has been emptied of fluid, it may then be removed from the wall and the fluid collected in the well portion 11 and removable insert 27 may be disposed of.

As a final step in the preparation stage, it is usual to loosen electrical fittings such as plugs, light sockets and the like so that the paint and/or wallpaper may be extended underneath the socket.

Once the preparation stage has been completed, the tray should be cleaned prior to moving to the next painting stage. Painting of the room may be accomplished using brushes or rollers.

If a roller is to be used, then the decorator should fill the well portion 11 with paint and roll the roller from the well portion 11 up and down the ramp portion 13 to evenly apply paint to the roller. The paint-laden roller may then be rolled up and down the walls of the room to apply the paint thereto.

If brush painting is to be employed to paint the room, then either the well portion 11, second receptacle 17, removable insert 27 or alternative insert 29 may be filled with paint and brushes may be used to apply the paint therefrom to the wall.

More than one coat of paint may be applied to the walls and an undercoat may be applied if necessary.

Once the painting stage has been completed, the only remaining stage in the decorating process is the wallpapering stage. Prior to starting the application of wallpaper to the wall, the decorator must first of all measure the length of wallpaper required to cover the selected area of the wall. This is most easily accomplished by using a plumb line and the tape measure 53 to obtain an accurate measurement of the length of wallpaper required.

The tape measure 53 may then be fitted into the carrying handle aperture 7 and the tape can be extended through the groove 51 until a length of tape corresponding to the length of paper required has been extended. The required length of paper may then be unrolled from the roll 42 located in the well portion 11 of the first receptacle. Once the required length of paper has been extended, a knife can be run along the outer peripheral edge of the second portion 49 of the elongate member 45 to cut the desired length of wallpaper for the wall.

If the wallpaper is supplied"ready-pasted"it can now simply be applied to the wall. On the other hand, if the wallpaper is not"ready-pasted"then a quantity of wallpaper paste will first of all have to be made up before the paper can be adhered to the walls. A suitable wallpaper paste can be made up in any of the tray second receptacle 17, the removable insert 27 or the alternative insert 41. A brush or other means may then be used to spread the paste evenly on the rear of the wallpaper whereupon the wallpaper may be hung upon the wall.

The process may be repeated if it is designed to hang a border from the wall and advantageously, the roll of border material will also fit within the well portion 11 of the first receptacle.

Once the wallpaper application stage has been completed, all that remains is for the decorator to clean the tray 1 and associated tools. The tools may then be stored in the main body 3 of the tray 1 and the lid 5 can be secured to the main body 3 to keep the tools within the tray. The tray can then be stored away for future use.

It will be understood, of course, that the invention has been described herein by way of example only, and that modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

For example, whilst the well portion 11 and ramp portion 13 are described above as being in communication with one another, it will be appreciated that they could comprise discrete receptacles separated from one another.