US2983946A - Paint container assembly - Google Patents

Description

May 16, 1961 S. E. EDELSTQNE ETA].

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'Erg 4 sl'gmuno E. fde/sfane A/berf E. Nee/y;

PAINT CONTAINER ASSEMBLY Filed Feb. 11, 1958, Ser. No. 715,640

4 Claims. c1. 15-510 Q'lfhe present inventionrelates broadly to tubular paint containers provided with an applicator cap'assembly, and is more particularly concerned with a new and improved container of the foregoing type wherein the applicator cap assembly is associated with a container plug portion providing wiping surfaces for the applicator.

Bottle assemblies receiving therein enamels, lacquers, and the like, and furnished with an applicator generally in the form of a brush, have long been available to the art for purposes such as nail coating, touch-up of household and automobile finishes, and similar uses. A problem long existing and heretofore not solved by earlier bottle assemblies of the type described hasbeen the pre: vention of leakage of the excess liquid into the threads or other joint between the cap and container body, as well as general leakage from said body into the cap assembly supporting the brush or other applicator. Various applicator wiper arrangements and cap assembly seal constructions have been proposed; however, none have been completely eifective in overcoming the problems noted.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention there is provided a tubular container receiving at its open end a plug member provided with a central opening normally surrounding a brush or other applicator carried by a cap assembly. A major portion of the length of the plug member may be received in the open end of the container, and said plug is preferably externally threaded on its exposed end to engage corresponding threads on the cap inner diameter. In a preferred arrangement, the central opening in the plug member is of downwardly convergent configuration to form an effective liquid seal with a tapered protuberance carrying the brush shank on the cap assembly. As an alternative, however, the plug member bore may be provided with ribs and grooves between which the brush may be drawn to remove excess liquid therefrom. The cap assembly may be hollow throughout a major portion of its length to receive a rubbing compound or other material, and may be closed by a snap cap carrying a spatula or other applicator means. Within the liquid container body may be locateda shaker member of particular shape to accomplish a thorough mixing of the liquid.

It is therefore an important aim of the present invention to provide a liquid container characterized in part by ease of filling and liquid removal. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel paint container and dispenser wherein the applicator cap assembly is received upon a container plug member having an applicator wiping surface thereon.

Another object of this invention lies in the provision of a paint container in which the cap assembly may include a closed chamber housing compounds to facilitate the painting operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a tubular paint container receiving at its open end a plug member provided with a central opening tapered along a portion of its length and presenting a wiping surface I 2,983,946 Patented May 16, 1961 ice against which excess liquid from the applicator may be removed.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of a paint receptacle having an applicator member carried by the cap portion thereof, the receptacle receiving at its open end a plug member having a tapered bore providing a seating surface for the cap portion and effectively sealing the open end of the receptacle to prevent leakage of liquid therefrom.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container having an insert in the open end thereof shaped internally with a stepped bore providing a wiping surface against which the applicator member of the container cap may be stroked to remove excessive liquid therefrom.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a liquid container of the foregoing character wherein a portion of the stepped bore of the insert carries raised portions between which the applicator member may be drawn to squeeze excess liquid therefrom.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a container assembly for paints and the like in which an agitator member is carried within the paint reservoir to accomplish thorough mixing of the liquid therein without interference with the applicator member extending into the paint reservoir.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent during the course of the following description, particularly when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the liquid container of this invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of a preferred form thereof;

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view of the container plug member of Figure 2, showing the action of the wiping surfaces thereon in removing excess liquid from the applicator member;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view of a modified form of plug member; and

Figure 5 is a plan view of the plug member of Fig. 4, and showing in detail the rib and groove wiping surfaces therein.

Referring now to the drawings, the liquid container A of this invention comprises essentially an open-ended tubular casing or housing 10 and an open-ended cap or closure assembly 11 upon which is received a cap 12. The casing 10 may be formed of aluminum or like materials, while plastics of the polyethylene or Bakelite type may be employed to mold the cap and cap assembly. If desired, the cap assembly may be fluted on its exterior as shown.

The casing 10 is of substantially uniform cross-section throughout its length, and removably received in the open end of said casing in close fitting contact with the inner walls thereof is an insert or plug member 13. The plug member may be molded or otherwise formed of Bakelite or like materials, and comprises throughout a major portion of its length a skirt portion 14 received within the open end of the casing 10, and a neck portion 15 which may be externally threaded to receive thereon the cap assembly 11. As a substitute for threadable engagement between the plug member 13 and cap assembly 11, a press fit could of course be employed. When received upon the plug member 13, the cap assembly 11 substantially abuts the upper end of the casing.

The neck portion 15 of the plug member 13 is provided interiorly with a tapered or downwardly convergent bore 16 communicating at its relatively more narrow portion with a substantially cylindrical bore 17 within the skirt portion 14 of said plug member 13. At the point of junction of the bores 16 and 17 as shown in Fig. 3, there is presented a relatively sharp wiping edge '18 against which bristles 19 of a brush or other applicat or 20 may be stroked to remove excess paint or other liquid from said bristles. Theshape of the bores or passages 16 and 17 are such that any excess liquid may be effectively removed by wiping the brush against the edge 18; however, any further amounts of excess liquid could of course be'removed by stroking the bristles 19 against the walls of the bore 16. Excess liquid will drain downwardly into the container, and sticking of the cap assembly and plug member is thus rendered substantially remote.

The cap assembly 11 is preferably threadably received upon the neck portion 15 of the plug member or insert 13, and for this purpose is provided with a skirt portion 21 carrying threads on its inner diameter engageable with the threads on the neck portion 15 of said plug member. When the container A is assembled as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the cap skirt portion exterior and easing circumference form a smooth continuous surface.

At one end of the cap assembly 11 and substantially centrally thereof is a hollow tapered stem 22 which appears of general funnel shape in cross-section as shown in Fig. 2. Preferably, the tapered stem 22 is of greater length than the skirt portion 21, and extends slightly into the cylindrical bore 17 of the plug member 13. The outer diameter of the tapered stem 22 corresponds closely with the diameter of the tapered bore 16 of the neck portion 15 of the plug member 13, to provide a seal between the cap assembly 11 and plug member 13, and thereby prevents liquid within the casing from leaking outwardly, as for example during shipment of the container A. Accordingly, when the cap assembly 11 is threaded upon the plug member 13 received in the casing 10, there is in effect provided a double seal to prevent leakage. By close fitting contact between the tapered stem 22 of the cap assembly 11 and the tapered bore 16 of the plug member 13, passage of fluid from within the casing is prevented, and additionally, the threaded connection between the cap assembly 11 and plug member 13 of the casing 10 further insures a leakproof construction.

In addition to providing an effective seal, the tapered stem 22 of the cap assembly 11 functions to support the brush bristles 19 in a depending position within liquid contained in the casing 10. One manner of mounting the brush 20 is shown in Fig. 2, and this may be accomplished by provision of a brush shank 23 having a diameter not less than the opening in the tapered stem 22 to insure a tight fit between said shank and the inner walls of the tapered stem 22 at the end thereof. To assure that the brush 20 will not move outwardly from the cap assembly 11 during use, a head or flange 24 may be formed on the brush shank 23 bearing against said inner walls of the tapered stem 22. After location in the manner shown, the brush 20 is substantially immovable with respect to the cap assembly 11, and accordingly, there is little likelihood of leakage of fluid between the brush shank 23 and tapered stem inner walls.

Closing the opposite end of the cap assembly 11 is a cap 12, which may be either threadedly associated with the cap assembly 11 or held therein by a snap fit in the manner shown. The closure or cap assembly 11 is preferably hollow to provide therein a chamber 25 within which may be stored a rubbing compound or other material used to prepare the surface to be painted or otherwise coated prior to application of the enamel, lacquer, or other paint located in the casing 10. To facilitate the application of the rubbing compound or other material, the cap 12 may carry an applicator 26 of suitable construction, which may be in the form of a spatula as shown. When the container A is assembled and placed in the upright position shown in Fig. 2, both applicators 20 and 26 depend downwardly in generally parallel rela- 4 tion to the walls of the cap assembly 11 and casing 10, respectively.

The container A herein described is particularly well suited for use in the application of touch-up paints to automobile and household finishes, and during storage such materials have a tendency toward pigment and vehicle separation. To permit agitation of the contents of the casing or housing 10, and adequate mixing thereof a shaker member or agitator 27 may be provided which preferably is in the form of a spring as shown. The agitator 27 has an outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the casing 10 to permit relatively free movement therein, and yet is sized to prevent tumbling within the casing. During shaking of the container A, the agitator 27 moves forwardly and backwardly in surrounding relation to the applicator 20 and is limited in its movement by the bottom walls of the casing 10 and plug member 13 received therein. It may be noted that the inner diameter of the skirt portion 14 of said plug member 13 is also slightly less than the outer diameter of the agitator to provide greater travel for said agitator during shaking movement of the container A to thereby accomplish a more thorough agitation of the fluid therein. While a spring is preferred as the agitator member 27 by reason of presenting a greater surface to the liquid during the shaking thereof, other means may of course be employed in the form of relatively thick washers and the like.

A modified form of plug member or insert 28 is shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and upon reference thereto it may be seen that the plug member 28 is shaped to include a neck portion 29 integral with a skirt portion 30. The neck portion is provided with a tapered bore 31 communicating with a substantially cylindrical bore 32 opening into the interior of the casing 10. The inner walls of the neck portion 29 have ribs or raised portions 33 of general wedge shape in cross-section, and said ribs are preferably spaced around the circumference of the tapered bore 31 in substantially the manner shown in Fig. 5. Between said ribs there are grooves or notches 34 having generally straight end and side walls in plan, and said grooves 34 and the faces against which the bristles 19 of the brush 20 may be drawn to remove excess liquid therefrom. The wiping surfaces provided by the arrangement of ribs and grooves shown in Figs. 4 and S perform a squeezing action upon the brush bristles 19 and effectively remove the excess material on said bristles after dipping in the liquid stored in the container A. This may be found to be a preferable arrangement in certain instances, and it will be appreciated that when employing a plug member 28 of the configuration disclosed, the cap assembly will not normally include a tapered stem 22 as in Fig. 2, and the brush or other applicator 20 of Figs. 4 and 5 will be received and held in position generally upwardly of the skirt portion shown in Fig. 2. However, by use of a press fit between the cap assembly 11 and plug member 28, a tapered stem on the cap assembly could be used in the arrangement of Figs. 4 and 5 by the provision on the tapered stem of ribs and notches engageable between similar means 33 and 34 on the plug member tapered bore 31. In this manner effective sealing between the cap assembly and plug member 28 of the casing 10 is provided.

It may be seen from the foregoing that there is provided herein a novel container for paints and similar materials which is essentially leak-proof. The arrangement of the plug member 13 and the bores 16 and 17 therein, as well as the brush receiving tapered stem of the cap assambly '11, permit the ready withdrawal of fluid from within the casing 10 without the deposit of excess liquid upon the plug member and interference with the threadable association between said plug memadjacent ribs 33 provide wiping surher and the skirt portion 21 of the cap assembly 11. Excess liquid is effectively stroked from the bristles 19 of the brush 20 by contact witlrthe relatively sharp" wiping edge 18 of the construction shown in Figs. '1 to 3, or between the ribs 33 and the grooves 34 of the plug member 28 appearing in Figs. 4 and 5. Excess liquid received by the wiping surfaces readily flows backwardly into the casing 10, and a glued joint between the cap assembly and plug members 13 and '18 is thus substantially remote. Further, by provision of an agitator of the general construction shown, the liquid within the casing 12 is maintained in a thoroughly mixed condition, and a maximum path of travel for said agitator is provided. And as a further feature, the cap assambly 11 is substantially hollow to permit the storage therein of rubbing or other materials useful in connection with the painting operation. The container A is of lightweight construction, and is formed of a minimum number of relatively inexpensive parts which may be readily assembled and disassembled.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herein shown and described are to be taken as preferred embodiments of the same, and that various changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of parts may be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

We claim as our invention:

l. A container and cap assembly adapted to dispense on separate applicators materials from separate storage chambers into which the applicators project which comprises a cylindrical tube with a flat closed bottom and an open top, a molded plastic plug having a cylindrical skirt securely fitted in the open top end of the tube along the entire skirt length and an externally threaded reduced diameter neck projecting beyond the top of the tube, said neck having a tapered bore therethrough converging from the top thereof, said skirt having a cylindrical bore therethrough of larger diameter than the tapered bore and terminating in a shoulder providing a sharp wiping edge surrounding the convergent end of the tapered bore, a molded plastic cap having an internally threaded skirt on one end thereof receiving said neck of the plug in threaded relation, a tapered stem on said cap centrally disposed in said cap skirt and mating with the tapered bore of said plug in wedge sealed relation when the cap is screw tightened on the neck, said cap having a hollow chamber beyond the cap skirt portion thereof, a cap cover for closing said cap chamber, a first applicator carried by the stem of the cap to project therefrom substantially into the tube, a second applicator carried by the cap cover to project substantially into the cap chamber, said first applicator being centrally suspended in the tube when the cap is screwed on the plug and adapted to be wiped against said sharp edge when the cap is unscrewed from the plug,'said cap and plug screw threads cooperating with the mated stem and tapered bore surfaces to form a double seal, said flat bottom of the tube and said shoulder of the skirt forming the ends of a continuous cylindrical chamber in the tube and skirt bore free from pockets, and a hollow agitator freely disposed in said continuous chamber adapted to freely "surround said first applicator and act on every portion of the chamber for stirring the contents thereof.

2. A container for paints and the like comprising a fiat bottom open top cylindrical tube, a plug having a cylindrical skirt securely fitted in the open top of said tube, said skirt having a cylindrical bore terminating in a fiat end wall opposite the flat bottom of said tube, a reduced diameter neck on said plug projecting from said skirt above the top of said tube, said neck having a tapered bore therethrough converging to a sharp wiping edge at said end wall of the skirt bore, a cap having an internally threaded skirt adapted to be screwed onto the threaded neck of said plug, a tapered stern on said cap centrally disposed within the cap skirt to mate with the tapered bore of the plug in sealed engagement therewith when the cap is screwed onto the plug, a brush applicator having a shank secured in said stem of the cap and projecting therefrom for a substantial distance, brush bristles on the end of said shank, said applicator being disposed centrally within said tube when said cap is secured on said plug and said sharp wiping edge adapted to engage the brush bristles to remove excess material therefrom when the cap is removed from the plug, and a hollow agitator in said tube freely surrounding said applicator and adapted to reach all portions of the continuous cylindrical chamber formed in said tube between the flat bottom and the flat end wall of the skirt bore.

3. A tubular dispenser for paints and the like which comprises a tube with a closed bottom and an open top, a plug secured in said open top of the tube having an end wall in spaced opposed relation to the closed bottom of the tube and cooperating therewith to form the ends of a continuous cylindrical chamber in the tube, said plug having an externally threaded neck projecting beyond the tube, said neck having a tapered bore therethrough converging to a sharp wiping edge at said end wall of the plug, a closure cap having an internally threaded skirt embracing said neck of the plug in threaded engagement therewith, said cap having a tapered stem projecting through said tapered bore of the plug beyond said wiping edge when the cap is screwed onto the neck, said tapered stem mating with said tapered bore in sealing relation to cooperate with the cap skirt and plug neck threads to provide a double seal for the container, an elongated applicator secured to said cap projecting from the cap stem to be suspended axially in the central portion of the tube when the cap is screwed onto the plug and to be wiped by said sharp edge when the cap is removed from the plug, and a hollow shaker member freely disposed in the tube adapted to be guided by the tube wall in an upright position around the applicator when the dispenser is shaken to move forwardly and backwardly in the tube and against said tube bottom and said end wall of the plug for agitating every part of the contents of said continuous cylindrical chamber whereby the entire contents of the chamber are adapted to be thoroughly mixed for dispensing a uniform product on the applicator.

4. A tubular dispenser for paints and the like fluid materials which comprises a cylindrical tube with a closed bottom and an open top, a plug having an elongated cylindrical skirt secured in the open top of the tube, said skirt having a cylindrical bore terminating in a substantially fiat end wall in spaced opposed relation to the closed bottom of the tube, said plug having an externally threaded neck projecting from the tube and a tapered bore extending through said neck converging to a wiping edge at said end wall of the skirt bore, a cap having an internally threaded skirt for threaded engagement with said neck, said cap having an integral stem portion projecting through said tapered bore of the plug neck when the skirt of the cap is threaded on the plug neck, a brush shank anchored in said stem of the cap and projecting axially from the convergent end of the stem to be suspended centrally in the tube when the cap is threaded onto the plug neck, and brush bristles on the end of said shank adapted to be wiped by said wiping edge when the cap is removed from the plug and the brush bristles are directed against said wiping edge to drain excess material back into the tube, a hollow agitator in the tube adapted to be guided by the tube wall and freely surround the brush shank and bristles for free reciprocating movement between the bottom of the tube and the flat end wall of the plug, and said tube and hollow skirt of the plug cooperating to define a continuous cylindrical chamber between the end wall of the plug and the closed bottom of the tube which is free from recesses 7 which will retain settled out ingredients of the fluid contents of the epntainer.

Reierences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 Prager Feb. 24, 1953 Lee Feb. 28, 1956 Wittnebert Sept. 17, 1957 Even Nov. 19, 19 57 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain of 1901

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