GB2476304A

GB2476304A - A handle for a paint can

Info

Publication number: GB2476304A
Application number: GB0922201A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Freeman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-12-18
Filing date: 2009-12-18
Publication date: 2011-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2029-12-18
Also published as: GB0922201D0; GB2476304B

Abstract

A detachable handle 10 holds a small container, such as a paint can (22). The. detachable handle provides an improved functionality so that when used, a user's hand is close to the centre of gravity of the container so that the user is able to comfortably hold the paint can while painting. The present invention further reduces fatigue in holding hand and fingers of a user. The handle has a rigid vertical member 11 having a flat front surface 11a which in use contacts the container with the handle extending generally parallel to the axis of the container, and having a curved arm extending downwardly from the top of the vertical member and away from the container, and which is associated with a recess for receiving the user's thumb. A locking block (17) moves in a groove (20) and has a vertical bottom lip (24) for engaging with the top rim (21) of the container and has a locking screw 18 to retain in place. The screw may carry a magnet to hold a paintbrush.

Description

A handle for a container and a hand tool for removing a lid from a container

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a handle for a container by means of which a user can securely hold or grasp the container, for example a paint can or the like. The present invention also relates to a handle for a container the handle comprising wiping means for a brush. The present invention also relates to a hand tool for removing a lid from a container.

Background of the Invention

In the painting and decorating field, a decorator will often hold a paint can in one hand and a paint brush in the other hand so that he or she can readily dip the brush into the paint in the can, without having to repeatedly move back and forth between the surface being painted and a spot where the can has been placed. Some paint cans include a handle in the form of a ioop that is attached at both its ends to the top of the can, but a problem with such cans is that they can swing back and forth when a decorator holding the can by this handle shifts position. Alternatively, a decorator may directly grasp a can by hand but this often feels awkward and may not be possible at all with larger cans. These problems are exacerbated when a decorator is painting on a ladder and so needs to maintain good balance.

Various types of detachable handles have been provided which attach to a paint can to *0*S *.

* : enable a user to carry the can and pour paint from the can. For example, US 6,102,458 0a**S* * 25 describes a detachable handle for attaching to a standard sized container such as a paint can.

* :* A disadvantage of such conventional detachable handles is that the part of the handle intended to be grasped by a user extends laterally away from the container. Consequently, * when carrying the paint can by the detachable handle, the decorator's hand tends to be far removed from the can's centre of gravity, which is undesirable, because the further the *....0 * . 30 user's hand is away from the can's centre of gravity, the greater the stress the can will apply to the user's hand. Therefore, sometimes a user may not be able to comfortably hold a paint can for a prolonged period using such a handle because the hand becomes fatigued.

An embodiment of the invention aims to overcome the above-discussed problem.

An embodiment of the invention aims to provide an improved handle for a container, such as a paint can, the handle comprising a wiping means for wiping a brush An embodiment of the invention also aims to provide an improved hand tool for removing a lid from a container.

Embodiments of the present invention are suitable for use by either a right or left handed user.

Statement of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a handle for a container, for a user to hold the container by, the handle comprising: an first portion for contacting the container lengthways; a second portion extending away from the elongate member; and a thumb receiving portion; whereby, in use, the user can use the handle to hold the container by placing a hand across the elongate member and a thumb of the hand against the thumb receiving portion, with the support member extending across a part of the hand.

Advantageously, a user may use the handle to grip the container with the user's hand much closer to the centre of gravity of the container than is the case with known container handles.

* : The handle may be releasably attachable to the container or it may be integral with the ****** container.

* * 25 According to the invention there is also provided a handle for a container, the handle comprising: a support member for extending away from container; and a portion adapted to * ** receive a user's thumb; whereby, in use, the user can use the handle to hold the container by placing a hand around the container, with a part of the hand pressing against an underside of I.....

* the support member and a thumb of the hand received by the thumb receiving portion.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a handle for a container containing a liquid, the handle comprising: wiping means for wiping a brush against used to brush liquid from the container onto a surface, in use, the wiping means being positioned over an open opening of the container.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a hand tool for removing a lid from a container, the hand tool comprising: a body portion; a tool part for opening the lid of a container; and an attachment arrangement for attaching the tool to the lid so that a user can use the tool to pull an opened lid away from its container; wherein the body portiondefines a flat base, the body portion for supporting an attached lid above a surface on which a user places the base, after removing the lid from the container.

According to the invention, there is also provided a method of removing a lid from a container, the method comprising; attaching a hand-holdable device to the lid; moving the hand-holdable device away from the container to separate the lid and the container; turning the hand-holdable device so that an inner face of the lid faces upwards; placing the device on a support surface so that the device supports the lid above the support surface with the inner face facing upwards.

This aspect of the invention provides a simple, quick and efficient device for cleanly removing and storing for example a paint can lid, without spilling any paint or getting paint on a user's fingers.

* Brief Description of the Drawings * I

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the : * accompanying drawings, in which: *: ::* Figure 1 is a perspective view of a detachable handle according to an embodiment of * the present invention; * 30 Figures 2a and 2b are perspective views of the detachable handle of FIG. I engaged with a can and with a user using the handle to hold the can; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the handle and can and showing a handle locking mechanism for engaging the can; Figures 4a to 4c are perspective views illustrating the locking mechanism in more detail; Figures 5a and 5b illustrate the locking mechanism with a magnet thereon; Figures 6a and 6b illustrate the locking mechanism with a magnet and a turning knob thereon; Figures 7a and 7b are a perspective view of the detachable handle with a paintbrush wipe ring releasable attached thereto; Figures 8 to 12 illustrate a hand tool for removing a lid from a container.

Detailed Description of the Invention

FIG. 1 illustrates a detachable handle 10, embodying the present invention, for attaching to a vessel or container (not shown in Figure 1), for example a paint can, and by means of which a user can comfortably hold the container using one hand. The handle 10 comprises a rigid substantially vertical member 11 comprising a generally flat front surface 11 a which in use contacts the side wall of the container with the member 11 extending generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the container. A curved arm 12 extends downwardly from the top of the vertical member 11 and which, when the handle 10 is attached to a container extends away from the container. The handle 10 is provided with engagement means 16 (to be described in detail below) by means of which the handle 10 securely engages the container and a bottom grooved recess or lip 13 extending from the bottom of the vertical member 11 for receiving the bottom rim of the container.

: : The vertical member 11 further comprises a back surface 11 b which in use a user's * : * palm rests against and a recess 15 formed at the junction of the vertical member 11 and the arm 12 for receiving the user's thumb. The back surface 1 lb is contoured so as provide a * comfortable fit against the user's palm and the recess 15 is shaped so as to provide a comfortable fit against the user's thumb.

As is illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b, in use, when the handle 10 is attached to a : container 22, a user can wrap the palm of his or her hand 33 across the back surface 11 b and rest his or her thumb 34 in the recess 15. In this position, the user's fingers may press against the side of the container which helps prevent lateral movement of the can and the underside of the arm 12 may rest over and between the user's thumb 34 and forefinger.

It will be appreciated that with this arrangement, the user's hand 34 is much closer to the centre of gravity of the container than would be the case were the user simply to grasp a handle that extends away from the container. The user can thus more comfortably hold the container and the likelihood that the user will drop the container or accidentally tip material from the container is reduced.

Preferably, a soft material 14 for example a gel pad, is provided on the underside of the arm 12 to further increase user comfort. Alternatively, or additionally, the soft material may substantially extend along the back surface 11 b As shown in FIG.1, the distance between the top of the vertical member 11 and the bottom groove recess 13 is preferably greater than the height of a paint can so that the paint can is positioned below the engaging means 16 as shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the engaging means 16 is provided by a sliding locking mechanism. The mechanism 16 comprises a locking block 17 mounted for reciprocal sliding movement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vertical member 11 within an elongate groove 20 formed towards the top of the front surface 11 a of the vertical member 11. The locking block 17 comprises a vertical bottom lip 24 for receiving and engaging with a top rim 21 of a container 22, a recessed hole 44 on the locking block 17 for receiving a screw or bolt 18 and a locking nut 29 on the screw or bolt 18.

In use, in order to attach the handle 10 to a container 22, the user first positions the container 22 so that its outer surface contacts the front surface 11 a of the vertical member 11 and the bottom rim 23 of the container is engaged by the bottom grooved recess 13 of the * vertical member 11. Then, the user slides the locking block 17 into a position in which the * ***** * bottom lip 24 engages the top rim 21 of the container 22 and then tightens the screw or bolt 18 in place, to prevent the block 17 moving. h this way, the container 22 is securely wedged between the locking block 17 and the recess 13.

As shown in Figure 4, the locking block 17 comprises a planar protruding portion 45 *: : :* between two flat recessed portions 45a. The recessed portions 45a are located within * : internal channels or flanges of the groove 20, which is generally C shaped, and locate the block 17 within the groove 20. The protruding portion 45 protrudes from the groove 20 and comprises the vertical bottom lip 24 for receiving and securely engaging the top rim 21 of the container 22.

As shown in FIG. 4c, the mechanism is secured in place by turning the screw or bolt 18 clockwise, for example using a screwdriver, until the tip of the screw or bolt 18 contacts the vertical member 11. The force exerted by the screw or bolt 18 causes the flat surfaces 45a and 45b to be urged against the inner surface 20c, 20d of the channels of the c-shaped groove.

As shown in FIG. 5, optionally, the sliding locking mechanism 16 further comprises a magnet 19 located at the head 26 of the screw or bolt 18. The magnet 19 is annular in shape and is secured on the screw or bolt 18, for example by glue, with the screw shaft 27 passing through the hole of the annular magnet 19 and the head 26 closing the hole. Alternatively, the magnet 19 and head 26 may be formed as one integral piece. As an alternative to using a screw-driver to turn the screw or bolt to fasten the locking mechanism 16, this may be achieved by using the magnet 19 as a knob to twist the screw or bolt 18 by hand.

As shown in FIG 5 (b), if a paintbrush 28 comprises a handle that has at least a section formed of a metal that is attracted to magnets, the magnet 19 can be used to support the paintbrush 28 in a position over the mouth of the paint can. This provides a convenient mechanism for a decorator to temporarily locate the brush 28 during breaks between painting sessions. Any paint that drips from the brush 28 simply collects in the can, keeping the surroundings paint free.

As shown in Fig 6, alternatively, a knob 50 may be provided on the shaft 27 behind and spaced apart from magnet 19, for turning by a user to lock the locking mechanism. The knob 50 may be turned from an upright position to a rotated position (Fig 6(b)) to lock the locking mechanism. The gap between the knob 50 and the magnet 19 helps prevent paint getting onto the knob 50 when the container is a paint can. It will be appreciated that the * wiping means 30 when in position can act as means to prevent the locking knob 50 being * S.. S. * 25 accidentally released by a user.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 7, the detachable handle 10 further comprises a paintbrush wipe ring 30. The paintbrush wipe ring 30 comprises a closed loop comprising an inverted V shaped engagement portion 32 at one end, which is bent approximately *: : :* perpendicularly to the remainder of the ring 30, a pair of curved side portions 30a each * 30 extending away from a respective end of the engagement portion 39 and a straight end portion 30b perpendicular to and connecting the curved side portions 30a at ends opposite to the engagement portion 32. The engagement portion 32 terminates with a disc like tab 46 for a user to handle the wipe ring, and a pair of hooked engaging elements 31 are provided, one extending upwards and laterally outwardly from each of the side portions 30a.

The wipe ring 30 is removably mounted on the shaft 27 between the locking block 17 and the nut 29 by means of the engaging element 32 being looped over the screw shaft 19.

When the handle 10 is attached to an open paint can, the pair of engaging elements 31 engage the top rim of the paint can 21 (Fig 6b), with the wipe ring 30 preferably below the level of the top rim of the paint can 21.

In use, a decorator can conveniently use wipe ring 30 to clean excess paint from a brush by wiping the brush back and forth across the straight end portion 30b, allowing excess paint to drip from the end portion 30b back into the paint can. Using the wipe ring 30 in this way to remove excess paint from a brush, rather than using the common approach of wiping the brush against the rim of the paint can, prevents paint running into the lid sealing groove of the paint can making it difficult to re-seal the lid, and it prevents paint from running down the exterior surface of the can, dirtying the can and possibly covering safety information printed on the can. It also prevents paint from dripping on to the floor.

The wipe ring 30 may be made from any convenient material, including plastic and may be made in different sizes appropriate for different sizes of cans. It is envisaged that the wipe ring will be a disposable object, to be disposed of after one or a small number of uses and replaced anew.

Preferably, the detachable handle 10 is formed of a moulded plastic material or fabricated from wood. The vertical member, the arm and the sliding locking mechanism may be separately formed and assembled together. It will be appreciated that the detachable handle is very easy to manufacture and simple to fit.

From the present description, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art; the * detachable handle may be manufactured in any number of sizes and configured to securely * 25 hold various standard sized paint cans.

* Arrangements other than the engaging means 16 may be used to attach the handle to a container. For example, the handle may carry on the front surface a strong magnet or be comprised of a magnetic material so that the handle can be magnetically attached to a * container.

S

IS.S.. . . . . . * . 30 Referring now to Figures 8 to 12, there is illustrated a multi-purpose tool 35, which amongst other uses, may be used by a user to quickly and cleanly remove a lid from a paint can and then support the lid above a flat surface (e.g. a floor or table) upon which the tool 35 is then placed. The multi-purpose tool 35 comprises a L-shaped tool portion 36 extending from a handle or body portion 37. The handle portion 37 is generally cylindrical in shape and comprises first 39 and second 40 circular end faces. The first end face 39 is of larger diameter than the second end face 40 and the side surface of the handle flares outwardly at one end to meet the first end face 39. As shown in FIG. 8, a magnetic disc 38 is fixed co-axially to the exterior of the second end face 40 or alternatively the second end face 40 itself is magnetic.

The L-shape tool portion 36 comprises a shaft 41 extending laterally from a point approximately mid-way along the handle portion 37 and a shorter head portion 42 extending perpendicularly from the end of the shaft 41 towards the same plane of the top platform 39 of the handle. The tip of the head portion 42 is preferably wedge shaped as shown in FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 9, the tool 35 can be positioned by the user so that the tool head 42 is wedged between the can lid and the rim of the container so that the tool 35 can be used to prise open the paint tin 22. After the lid has been loosened, the user can then attach the tool to the lid, by placing the magnetic base platform 40 onto the lid as shown, in FIG. 10.

As illustrated in Figure 11, in order to remove the lid from the can, a user grips the handle 37 between his or her index and middle fingers and pulls the tool 35 and the lid attached to it away from the can (Figure 11 a). Then, the user rotates his or her hand through degrees, so that the inner paint covered surface of the lid faces upwards (Figure 11 b) and then places the first end surface 39 of tool 35 onto a support surface, for example, a table or a floor (Figure 11 c). The tool 35 thus acts as a platform for supporting the lid away from the surface and, in this way, the lid can be easily removed from the tin and then stored without paint getting anywhere undesirable.

Advantageously, when the tool is positioned on the surface, the head portion 42 also * contacts the surface to help stabilise the tool 35. The slight tapering of the handle 35 helps ****** * 25 prevent a user's fingers from sliding off the handle 35 during this lid removal procedure.

Although in the preferred embodiment, the tool 35 is attached magnetically to the lid, the tool 35 may comprise alternative attachment arrangements for attaching to the lid.

It will be appreciated that a user may use the tool 35 with containers other than paint cans. For example, the tool 35 may be used to open tins which have ring pulls, e.g., tins of * 30 bean by inserting the head portion 42 of into the aperture of the ring pull and pulling in a direction towards the user.

As shown in FIG. 12, the tool 35 may be stored by attaching it to the magnet 19 of the detachable handle 10 illustrated in FIG. I. The present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

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Claims

Claims 1. A handle for a container for a user to hold the container by, the handle comprising: a first portion for contacting the container lengthways; a second portion extending away from the first portion; and a thumb receiving portion; whereby, in use, the user can use the handle to hold the container by placing a hand across the first portion, and a thumb of the hand against the thumb receiving portion, with the second portion extending across a part of the hand.
2. A handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein; the thumb receiving portion is a recess in the handle.
3. A handle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the thumb receiving portion is at a junction of the first portion and the second portion.
4. A handle as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising: engaging means for detacheably engaging the handle with the container.
5. The handle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the engaging means comprises a locking * 20 mechanism moveably mounted on the handle for moving into a position to secure the detachable handle to the container. * , *
6. The handle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the locking means is slideably mounted on the handle. 25
7. The handle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism comprises: a locking block moveably mounted on the handle and comprising: a rim engaging means for engaging a rim of the container, when the block is suitably positioned, and locking means for locking the block in position on the handle, when the rim engaging means is engaged with the rim.
8. The handle as claimed in claim 7, wherein; the locking block is slideably mounted in a flanged channel in the handle; the locking means comprises a screw or bolt received in a hole in the locking block, and which is tightened to lock the block in position.
9. The handle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the locking block is urged against an inner wall of the flanged channel, when the screw or bolt is tightened.
10. The handle as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a magnetic means for securing an article over the container.
11. The handle as claimed in any of claims 4 to 9, wherein a magnet is attached to the engagement means for securing an article over the container.
12. The handle as claimed in claim 8 or 9, further comprising a magnet for securing an article over the container, the magnet arranged to be used as a knob for twisting the screw or * 20 bolt to tighten it.S... S. * .SS..... * S
13. The handle as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising: wiping means for wiping a paintbrush on, in use, the wiping means being positioned over the container. * S. 25S.....

*
14. The handle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the wiping means is formed as a loop and comprises one or more engaging elements for engaging the top rim of the container.
15. The handle as claimed in claim 14, wherein the diameter of the ioop is smaller than the diameter of the opening of the container.
16. The handle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the elongate member comprises a bottom lip for engaging a bottom rim of the container.18. The handle as claimed in 1, wherein the handle is integral with the container 19. A handle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the handle comprises a soft material on the second portion or on the first portion.20. A container and a handle as claimed in any preceding claim.21. A handle for a container, the handle comprising: a support member for extending away from container; and a portion adapted to receive a user's thumb; whereby, in use, the user can use the handle to hold tile container by placing a hand around the container, with a part of the hand pressing against an underside of the support member and a thumb of the hand received by the thumb receiving portion.* * 22. A handle according to claim 21 further comprising a further member for arranging * longitudinally against the container, whereby in use, the user can use the handle to hold the *:. container by placing a hand around the container and against the further member, with a part of the hand pressing against an underside of the support member and a thumb of the hand received by the thumb receiving portion. * 00 * * * * **S.....23. A handle for a container containing a liquid, the handle comprising: wiping means for wiping a brush used to brush liquid from the container onto a surface, in use, the wiping means being positioned over an open opening of the container.24. A handle according to claim 23, wherein the wiping means is formed as a ioop and comprises one or more engaging elements for engaging the top rim of the container.25. A handle according to claim 23 or 24 wherein the ioop comprises a straight portion for wiping the brush against.26. A hand tnol for removing a lid from a container, the hand tool comprising: a body portion; a tool part for opening the lid of a container; and an attachment arrangement for attaching the tool to the lid so that a user can use the tool to pull an opened lid away from its container; wherein the body portion defines a flat base, the body portion for supporting an attached lid above a surface on which a user places the base, after removing the lid from the container.27. A tool according to claim 26 wherein the attachment arrangement is arranged so that in use, an attached lid faces away from the base.28. A tool according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the attachment arrangement comprises a magnet.S * *29. A tool according to any of claims 26 to 28, wherein the body portion can be finger gripped.30. A tool according to any of claims 26 to 27, wherein the tool part is for prising open the * ** ld * S S * **S*S*I.S * 30 31. A tool according to any of claims 26 to 30, wherein the body portion comprises first and second end surfaces, the first end surface defining the base and the second end surface comprising the attachment arrangement.32. A tool according to claim 31, wherein the body is tapered from the first end surface to the second end surface.33. A tool according to any of claims 26 to 32, wherein the tool part extends laterally from the body.34. A tool according to any of claims 26 to 33, wherein the tool part is L-shaped and comprises a head portion and a shaft portion which are substantially perpendicular.35. A tool according to claim 34, wherein the head portion points towards the plane of the base.36. A tool according to any of claim 26 to 35, wherein when the tool is placed on its base on the surface, the tool part contacts the surface to stabilise the tool.37. A method of removing a lid from a container, the method comprising; attaching a hand-holdable device to the lid; moving the hand-holdable device away from the container to separate the lid and the container; turning the hand-holdable device so that an inner face of the lid faces upwards; placing the device on a support surface so that the device supports the lid above the support surface with the inner face facing upwards.* * 25 * 38. A method according to claim 37, further comprising: * :* using the device to un-seal the lid from the container prior to separating the lid and the container. 30 39. A method according to any of claims 37 and 38, comprising: * : ** magnetically attaching the device to the lid.40. A method according to any of claims 37 to 39 wherein, the device is held by or between a user's fingers and the device is turned by rotating the user's hand. * ****I*. * S ** S. * S * * * * ** * S * **SS..... *