WO2013034662A2

WO2013034662A2 - An apparatus for removing paint

Info

Publication number: WO2013034662A2
Application number: PCT/EP2012/067457
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Boyle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-09-06
Filing date: 2012-09-06
Publication date: 2013-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 2014-03-06
Also published as: GB201115388D0; WO2013034662A3

Abstract

An apparatus for use with a roller comprising a roller guiding and draining member, the roller guiding and draining member being adapted so as to be capable of forming at least one roller contacting member of a pair of spaced apart mutually opposing roller contacting members for draining excess fluid from the roller.

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR REMOVING PAINT

The present invention relates to an apparatus for removing paint and in particular to an apparatus for removing paint from the head of a paint roller.

Paint rollers have been in use for many years and have not evolved much over this period. In general, the principle of most rollers is the same as when they were first used. There have been some developments in the materials used to coat the roller itself which have improved paint absorption, the ability to achieve a smooth finish, and ease of cleaning. There has not, however, been much innovation surrounding the tray or bucket in which the roller head has the paint applied to its fabric body. These trays or buckets have had some minor additions such as groves or protrusions that help to drain some of the excess paint off the roller before use. The splitting of the tray into a paint containing section and a paint draining section which is generally located higher than the paint containing section is another improvement. While these minor developments have resulted in some improvement in the usability of roller trays, the use of these items can still be messy and inefficient.

Most current trays are completely open at the top allowing small particles of paint to escape and splash the surrounding area when the user is rolling the roller on the draining section of the tray. Secondly, the draining section of the tray on most current trays does not efficiently carry out the task of removing sufficient levels of excess paint from the roller. This results in too much paint being transferred to the wall and consequently dripping and splashing of the excess paint as the roller is in operation on the wall. In addition, as the roller is not guided in any way into the paint containing section of the tray or bucket, the roller often has inconsistent patches of paint applied to it. This inconsistency is often assumed to be remedied on the draining section of the tray, but on most occasions, the roller still has unevenly spread paint when it reaches the wall for application, resulting in inconsistent wall coverage.

Finally, while attempting to drain the roller on the draining section of most trays or buckets, the user often experiences a slipping motion as the roller drags along the draining surface rather than rolling. This prevents the paint from being spread and drained from the roller effectively.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the problem of efficiently and evenly applying paint to a roller without splashing and removing sufficient excess paint to make application on the wall consistent and mess free.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus for use with a roller comprising a roller guiding and draining means, the roller guiding and draining means being adapted so as to be capable of forming at least one roller contacting means of a pair of spaced apart mutually opposing roller contacting means.

In a first embodiment, the apparatus is a separable component comprising a first spaceable apart mutually opposing roller contacting means, the separable roller contacting means being attachable to or placeable into or onto a fluid container means.

Ideally, the other mutually opposing roller contacting means is provided by a roller contacting means of the fluid container means.

Ideally, the roller contacting means of the fluid container means is a wall or a base of the fluid container means.

Alternatively, the roller guiding and draining means of the apparatus is adapted so as to form both roller contacting means of the pair of spaced apart mutually opposing roller contacting means.

Ideally, the roller guiding and draining means is a roller head guiding and draining means.

Preferably, the roller contacting means is roller head contacting means.

Advantageously, the apparatus in use is formed for receiving a roller head charged with paint and for draining at least part of the paint from the roller head as the roller is pulled through the spaced apart mutually opposing roller contacting means.

Preferably, the spaced apart mutually opposing roller contacting means are mechanically coupled together.

Alternatively, the spaced apart mutually opposing roller contacting means are separable components.

Ideally, the roller contacting means has a roller contacting surface.

Preferably, the surface is a generally flat surface.

Ideally, the surface has one or more projections protruding from a main plane of the surface.

Ideally, the one or more projections on at least one of the roller contacting surfaces taper towards the other mutually opposing surface.

Ideally, at least one roller contacting surface is reticulated and/or perforated.

Preferably, at least one of the roller contacting means tapers towards the other roller contacting means.

Ideally, the spaced apart mutually opposing roller contacting means taper towards each other.

Preferably, the spaced apart mutually opposing roller contacting means define an inlet for the roller head.

Preferably, the spaced apart mutually opposing roller contacting means define an inlet and an outlet for the roller head.

Ideally, the spaced apart mutually opposing roller contacting means taper towards each other in the direction from the inlet to the outlet.

Advantageously, the roller head is charged with the paint and pulled through the mutually opposing roller contacting means and the opposing roller contacting means remove excess paint via contact through the effect of the taper and also prevent splash.

Preferably, the roller guiding and draining means is at least partially immersable in a quantity of fluid contained in the fluid containing means.

Ideally, the fluid is a liquid.

Ideally, the mutually opposing roller contacting means comprising generally planar members.

Preferably, the roller contacting means are mutually opposing along at least part of their length.

Ideally, the mutually opposing roller contacting means comprising upper and lower generally planar members.

Ideally, at least one of the upper and lower generally planar members is tapered towards the other.

In an alternative arrangement, the upper and lower generally planar members have protrusions projecting form their mutually opposing faces and the mutually opposing protrusions are tapered towards each other.

Preferably, the narrowest distance between the mutually opposing roller contacting means permits full rolling mobility of the roller.

Advantageously, the roller head is squeezed slightly as it is drawn through the mutually opposing roller contacting means, removing all excess paint before exiting at the outlet and applying paint to a target surface.

Ideally, the taper angle between the mutually opposing roller contacting means is adjustable. This can be achieved by a simple adjustable clamping means compressing the free ends of the roller contacting means towards and away from each other.

Advantageously, this will allow the roller guiding and draining means to be adapted to suit rollers of different diameters.

Preferably, the fluid is paint.

Ideally, when in operational engagement with the paint containing means, one of the mutually opposing roller contacting means is an upper opposing member.

Preferably, when in operational engagement with the paint containing means, one mutually opposing roller contacting means is a lower opposing member.

Preferably, the apparatus is removably attachable to the fluid containing means.

Ideally, the apparatus is removably attachable to the fluid containing means by any one of or any combination of an interference fit, mechanical fastening means, elastic chord, snap fit engagement or removable attachment between the apparatus and a handle of the fluid containing means.

Ideally, the apparatus is attachable/fixable to the fluid containing means by adhering or welding.

In an alternative arrangement, the apparatus is integrally formed with the fluid containing means.

Ideally, releasable mechanical fasteners releasably couple the apparatus to the fluid containing means.

Ideally, an end portion of at least one of the mutually opposing roller contacting means is attachable to the fluid containing means.

Preferably, an end portion of at least one of the mutually opposing roller contacting means is removably attachable to the fluid containing means.

Ideally, an end portion of at least one of the mutually opposing roller contacting means is removably attachable to the fluid containing means using releasable mechanical fasteners such as snap on button type fixings.

Preferably, one end of the lower mutually opposing roller contacting means extends past the corresponding end of the upper mutually opposing roller contacting means.

Advantageously, the lower opposing roller contacting means can facilitate connection to the fluid containing means, and the shorter upper opposing roller contacting means creates an outlet within the confines of the fluid containing means.

Ideally, one end of the lower mutually opposing roller contacting means is removably attachable to the fluid containing means.

Alternatively, one end of the lower mutually opposing roller contacting means is formed for matable attachment with the edge of the fluid containing means.

Ideally, one end of the mutually opposing roller contacting means has a hook formed for removable attachment with an edge of the fluid containing means.

Alternatively, the apparatus is placeable into the paint containing means so that its upper end rests on the side or edge of the fluid containing means while the lower end of the apparatus is proximal to the base of the fluid containing means.

Advantageously, the apparatus can be detached and used on an alternative fluid containing means.

Preferably, the lower ends of the mutually opposing roller contacting means are immersable in a quantity of paint.

Preferably, the mutually opposing roller contacting means are joined along at least part of at least one side.

Ideally, the mutually opposing roller contacting means are joined along at least part of one end, which is preferably immersable in the fluid.

Ideally, the mutually opposing roller contacting means are joined along at least part of one end and along at least part of at least one side.

Preferably, a roller inlet opening is locatable proximal one end of the roller guiding and draining means.

Ideally, the roller inlet opening is locatable in the upper opposing member.

Advantageously, the roller can be inserted into the quantity of fluid at one end of the roller guiding and draining means, draining as it is drawn up through the converging mutually opposing generally planar members, exiting at the other end.

Alternatively, the roller can both enter and exit at the opening formed at the top end of the upper and lower mutually opposing roller contacting means.

Preferably, the roller contacting surface of at least one of the mutually opposing roller contacting means has reticulation means.

Preferably, the reticulation means is a grid or mesh formed on the roller contacting surface of the at least one mutually opposing roller contacting means.

Ideally, the roller contacting surface of the lower mutually opposing roller contacting means has reticulation means.

Advantageously, the reticulation means provide grip for the roller as it is drawn up through the mutually opposing roller contacting means, causing it to roll rather than slip between the two roller contacting surfaces.

Preferably, at least one of the mutually opposing roller contacting means has a mesh like structure defined within.

Ideally, the mesh like structure comprises holes/cut-outs formed within the material of the mutually opposing roller contacting means.

Preferably, the holes/cut-outs allow transfer of paint from within the two mutually opposing roller contacting means through the holes.

Advantageously, excess fluid on the roller after submerging in the quantity of fluid can drain through the mutually opposing roller contacting means back into the fluid containing means as the roller is drawn up through the mutually opposing roller contacting means.

Preferably, the roller guiding and draining means is pivotably attachable to the fluid containing means.

Advantageously, the pivotal roller guiding and draining means provides the user with the ability to remove the section submerged in the quantity of fluid if the roller is fully loaded with fluid and only the draining function is required.

Preferably, the roller guiding and draining means of the apparatus comprises two separate component parts mountable on the fluid containing means so as to provide two mutually opposing roller contacting means.

Ideally, the separate component parts comprise inverted L-shaped members in vertical section.

Preferably, the inverted L-shaped members comprise one generally horizontal plate member and one generally vertical plate member joined along a corresponding edge.

Ideally, each generally horizontal plate member has means for attachment to a section of the perimeter of the fluid containing means.

Preferably, once attached, the generally horizontal plate members define an opening/exit therebetween through which a roller head can be passed.

Ideally, when attached to the fluid containing means, the generally vertical plate members are tapered towards each other at their ends adjoining the generally horizontal plate members.

Preferably, the generally vertical plate members are reticulated and/or perforated.

Alternatively, the roller guiding and draining means of the apparatus comprises a U-shaped part in vertical section mountable on the fluid containing means so as to provide two mutually opposing roller contacting means.

Ideally, the U-shaped part comprises two generally vertical plate members having a curved joining section.

Preferably, the U-shaped part further comprises a generally horizontal plate member formed at the ends of the generally vertical plate members distal the end having the curved joining section.

Ideally, the generally horizontal plate member has means for attachment to a section of the perimeter of the fluid containing means.

Preferably, once attached, the generally horizontal plate member defines an opening/exit therebetween through which a roller head can be passed.

Ideally, when attached to the fluid containing means, the generally vertical plate members are tapered towards each other at their ends forming the generally horizontal plate member.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention. In the drawings:-

Figure 1 shows a three dimensional perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention in a paint container;

Figure 2 shows a two dimensional sectional side view of a second embodiment of the invention in a paint container;

Figure 3 shows a two dimensional sectional side view of a second embodiment of the invention in a paint container and fluid detail;

Figure 4 shows a two dimensional side view of a second embodiment of the invention without paint container;

Figure 5 shows a three dimensional perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention without paint container;

Figure 6 shows a two dimensional plan view of a second embodiment of the invention with paint container;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention attached to a paint container;

Figure 8 shows a sectional perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention attached to a paint container;

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention wherein the roller guiding and draining means is attached to a paint tray;

Figure 10 shows a sectional perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention wherein the roller guiding and draining means is attached to a paint tray;

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention depicting the roller guiding and draining means alone;

Figure 12 shows a sectional perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the invention wherein the roller guiding and draining means is attached to the fluid containing means via an elasticated cord;

Figure 13 shows a sectional perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 14 shows a sectional perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 15 shows a sectional perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the invention wherein the roller guiding and draining means is a two part component.

In the drawings, there is shown a first embodiment (Figure 13) of an apparatus indicated generally by the reference numeral 20 for use with a paint roller comprising a roller guiding and draining member 21 attachable to a paint container 22. The roller guiding and draining member 21 forms a roller contacting member 23 which is one of a pair of spaced apart mutually opposing roller contacting members. The other mutually opposing roller contacting member is provided by a wall 24 of the fluid container 22. The apparatus 20 is formed for receiving a roller charged with paint and for draining at least part of the paint from the roller as the roller is pulled through the spaced apart mutually opposing

roller contacting members

23, 24. The mutually opposing

roller contacting members

23, 24 are tapered towards each other or converge at their top end 25. The narrowest distance between the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

23, 24 permits full rolling mobility of the roller. The roller is squeezed slightly as it is drawn up through the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

23, 24, removing all excess paint before exiting at the top and applying paint to a target surface. The roller contacting surface 23 of the roller guiding and draining member 21 has protrusions 26. The protrusions 26 provide grip for the roller as it is drawn up through the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

23, 24, causing the roller to roll rather than slip between the two

roller contacting surfaces

23, 24. The mutually opposing roller contacting member 23 has a mesh like structure defined within which comprises cut-outs (not shown) formed within which allow transfer of paint from within the two mutually opposing

roller contacting members

23, 24 through the opposing roller contacting member 23. As a result, excess paint on the roller after submerging in the quantity of paint can drain through the mutually opposing roller contacting member 23 back into the paint container 22 as the roller is drawn up through the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

23, 24.

In a second embodiment (Figures 1 to 6), there is shown an apparatus indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for use with a paint roller 6 comprising a roller guiding and draining member indicated generally by reference numeral 2 attachable to, or placeable into, a paint container 3. The roller guiding and draining member 2 has spaced apart mutually opposing

roller contacting members

4, 5 mechanically coupled together or formed integrally as one piece. The apparatus 1 is formed for receiving a roller 6 charged with paint 7 and for draining at least part of the paint 7 from the roller 6 as the roller 6 is pulled through the spaced apart mutually opposing

roller contacting members

4, 5.

The mutually opposing

roller contacting members

4, 5 each have a mutually opposing

roller contacting surface

8, 9, which is a generally flat surface. The roller 6 can be inserted into the apparatus 1, charged with the paint 7 and pulled through the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

4, 5 during which operations the opposing

roller contacting members

4, 5 prevent splash. The roller guiding and draining member 2 is partially immersable in the quantity of paint 7 contained in the paint container 3. The mutually opposing

roller contacting members

4, 5 comprise upper and lower generally planar members which are tapered towards each other at their top end 10. The narrowest distance between the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

4, 5 permits full rolling mobility of the roller 6. The roller 6 is squeezed slightly as it is drawn up through the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

4, 5, removing all excess paint before exiting at the top and applying paint to a target surface.

The end 11 of the lower mutually opposing roller contacting member 4 extends past the end 12 of the upper mutually opposing roller contacting member 5 and is removably attached to the paint container 3 using releasable mechanical fasteners 13. These releasable mechanical fasteners 13 mean that the roller guiding and draining member 2 can be detached and used on an alternative paint container 3.

The other end of the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

4, 5 are immersed in a quantity of paint 7 and are joined along their bottom end 14 (see figure 3) which is immersed in the paint 7. The mutually opposing

roller contacting members

4, 5 are also joined along their side 15.

A roller inlet opening 16 is locatable proximal the bottom of the roller guiding and draining member 2 in the upper opposing member 5 (see figure 1) so that the roller 6 can be inserted into the quantity of paint 7 at the bottom of the roller guiding and draining member 2, draining as it is drawn up through the converging mutually opposing

roller contacting members

4, 5.

The roller contacting surface 8 of the lower mutually opposing roller contacting member 4 has protrusions 17 formed on the roller contacting surface 8. The protrusions 17 provide grip for the roller 6 as it is drawn up through the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

4, 5, causing the roller 6 to roll rather than slip between the two

roller contacting surfaces

8, 9. The lower mutually opposing roller contacting member 4 has a mesh like structure defined within which comprises cut-outs 18 formed within the material of the lower mutually opposing roller contacting member 4 which allow transfer of paint from within the two mutually opposing

roller contacting members

4, 5 through the lower opposing member 4. As a result, excess paint on the roller 6 after submerging in the quantity of paint 7 can drain through the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

4, 5 back into the paint container 3 as the roller 6 is drawn up through the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

4, 5.

In a third embodiment (Figures 7 and 8), there is shown an apparatus indicated generally by the reference numeral 29 for use with a paint roller comprising a roller guiding and draining member indicated generally by reference numeral 30 attachable to, or placeable into, a paint container 31. The roller guiding and draining member 30 has spaced apart mutually opposing

roller contacting members

32, 33 mechanically coupled together or formed as one piece. The apparatus 1 is formed for receiving a roller charged with paint and for draining at least part of the paint from the roller as the roller is pulled through the spaced apart mutually opposing

roller contacting members

32, 33.

The mutually opposing

roller contacting members

32, 33 each have a mutually opposing

roller contacting surface

34, 35, which is a generally flat surface. The roller can be inserted into the apparatus 1, charged with the paint, and pulled through the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

32, 33 during which operations the opposing

roller contacting members

32, 33 prevent splash. The roller guiding and draining member 30 is partially immersed in the quantity of paint contained in the paint container 31. The mutually opposing

roller contacting members

32, 33 comprise generally planar members which are tapered towards each other at their top end 10. The narrowest distance between the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

32, 33 permits full rolling mobility of the roller. The roller is squeezed slightly as it is drawn up through the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

32, 33, removing all excess paint before exiting at the top and applying paint to a target surface.

The end of the mutually opposing roller contacting member 32 is removably attached to the paint containing bucket 3 via a channel 36 which hooks the edge 37 of the fluid container 31. The releasable attachment means that the roller guiding and draining member 30 can be detached and used on an alternative paint container. The other end of the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

32, 33 are immersed in a quantity of paint and are joined along their bottom end 38 (see figure 8) which is immersed in the paint.

The roller contacting surface 34 of the lower mutually opposing roller contacting member 32 has ridged channels 39 forming peaks 40 and troughs 41 on the roller contacting surface 32. The ridged channels 39 provide grip for the roller as it is drawn up through the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

32, 33, causing the roller to roll rather than slip between the two

roller contacting surfaces

34, 35. The lower mutually opposing roller contacting member 32 has cut-outs (not shown) formed within the material of the troughs 41 of the lower mutually opposing roller contacting member 32 which allow transfer of paint from within the two mutually opposing

roller contacting members

32, 33 through the lower opposing member 32. As a result, excess paint on the roller after submerging in the quantity of paint can drain through the mutually opposing roller contacting member 32 back into the paint container 31 as the roller is drawn up through the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

32, 33.

In a fourth embodiment (Figures 9 to 11), there is shown an apparatus indicated generally by the reference numeral 51 for use with a paint roller comprising a roller guiding and draining member 50 attachable to a paint container 110. The roller guiding and draining member 50 has spaced apart mutually opposing

roller contacting members

52, 53 mechanically coupled together. The apparatus 1 is formed for receiving a roller charged with paint and for draining at least part of the paint from the roller as the roller is pulled through the spaced apart mutually opposing

roller contacting members

52, 53.

The mutually opposing

roller contacting members

52, 53 each have a mutually opposing

roller contacting surface

54, 55, which is a generally flat surface. The roller can be inserted into the apparatus 51, charged with the paint, and pulled through the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

52, 53 during which operations the opposing

roller contacting members

52, 53 prevent splash. The roller guiding and draining member 50 is partially immersable in the quantity of paint contained in the paint container 110. The mutually opposing

roller contacting members

52, 53 comprise upper and lower generally planar members which are tapered towards each other at one end 56. The narrowest distance between the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

52, 53 permits full rolling mobility of the roller. The roller is squeezed slightly as it is drawn through the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

52, 53, removing all excess paint before exiting at the top and applying paint to a target surface.

The end 56 of the lower mutually opposing roller contacting member 52 extends past the end 56 of the upper mutually opposing roller contacting member 53 and is removably attached to the paint container 51 via a channel 57 which hooks an edge 58 of the fluid container 110 such as a standard paint tray. The releasable attachment means that the roller guiding and draining member 50 can be detached and used on an alternative paint container.

The other end of the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

52, 53 are immersed in a quantity of paint and are joined along their bottom end 59 (see figure 11) which is partially immersed in the paint.

A roller inlet opening 60 is locatable proximal the bottom of the roller guiding and draining member 50 in the upper opposing member 53 so that the roller can be inserted into the quantity of paint at the bottom 59 of the roller guiding and draining member 50, draining as it is drawn up through the converging mutually opposing

roller contacting members

52, 53.

The roller contacting surface 54 of the lower mutually opposing roller contacting member 52 has protrusions (not shown) formed on the roller contacting surface 54. The protrusions provide grip for the roller as it is drawn up through the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

52, 53, causing the roller to roll rather than slip between the two

roller contacting surfaces

54, 55. The lower mutually opposing roller contacting member 52 has a mesh like structure defined within which comprises cut-outs (not shown) formed within the material of the lower mutually opposing roller contacting member 52 which allow transfer of paint from within the two mutually opposing

roller contacting members

52, 53 through the lower opposing member 52. As a result, excess paint on the roller after submerging in the quantity of paint can drain through the mutually opposing roller contacting member 52, back into the paint container 51 as the roller is drawn up through the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

52, 53.

In a fifth embodiment (see figure 12) the roller guiding and draining

member

71, 72 forms a pair of spaced apart mutually opposing

roller contacting members

71, 72. The roller guiding and draining member is a lid 71. The other mutually opposing roller contacting member is provided by a base 72 of the fluid container 73 being a paint tray in the embodiment. The mutually opposing

roller contacting members

71, 72 are tapered towards each other at their top end 74. The lid 71 is attached to the fluid container 73 via an elasticated cord 75 which maintains adequate pressure as the roller is drawn between the mutually opposing

roller contacting members

71, 72.

In a sixth embodiment (see figure 14) the roller guiding and draining member 80 of the apparatus 1 comprises two

separate component parts

81, 82 mounted on the fluid container 83 so as to provide two mutually opposing

roller contacting members

84, 85. The

separate component parts

81, 82 comprise inverted L-shaped members in vertical section, each having one generally horizontal plate member 86 and one generally vertical plate member 87 joined along their corresponding edges 88. Each generally horizontal plate member is removably attached to the paint container 83 via a channel 89 which hooks an edge 90 of the fluid container 83. The generally horizontal plate members 86 define an opening/exit 91 therebetween through which a roller can be passed. The generally vertical plate members are tapered towards each other at one end 92 and have cut-out sections 93 formed therein for drainage of excess paint from the roller.

In a seventh embodiment the roller guiding and draining member 100 of the apparatus 1 comprises a U-shaped part 101 in vertical section mountable on the fluid container 109 so as to provide two mutually opposing

roller contacting members

102, 103. The U-shaped part 101 comprises two generally

vertical plate members

104, 105 having a curved joining section 106. The U-shaped part 101 further comprises two generally

horizontal plate members

107, 108 formed at the ends of the generally

vertical plate members

104, 105 distal the end having the curved joining section 106. Each generally

horizontal plate member

107, 108 is removably attached to the paint container 109 and the generally

horizontal plate members

107, 108 define an opening/exit therebetween through which a roller can be passed. When attached to the fluid containing means 109, the generally

vertical plate members

104, 105 are tapered towards each other at their ends forming the generally

horizontal plate members

107, 108 and have cut-outs formed therein for drainage of excess paint from the roller.

In relation to the detailed description of the different embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that one or more technical features of one embodiment can be used in combination with one or more technical features of any other embodiment where the transferred use of the one or more technical features would be immediately apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art to carry out a similar function in a similar way on the other embodiment.

In the preceding discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of the said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may separately, or in any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

An apparatus for use with a roller comprising a roller guiding and draining means, the roller guiding and draining means being adapted so as to be capable of forming at least one roller contacting means of a pair of spaced apart mutually opposing roller contacting means for draining excess fluid from the roller.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a separable component comprising a roller contacting means of a pair of spaced apart mutually opposing roller contacting means, the roller contacting means being attachable to or placeable into or onto a fluid container means.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the other spaced apart mutually opposing roller contacting means is provided by a roller contacting means of the fluid container means.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the roller contacting means of the fluid container means is a wall or a base of the fluid container means.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the roller guiding and draining means is adapted so as to form both roller contacting means of the pair of spaced apart mutually opposing roller contacting means.
An apparatus as claimed in any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the spaced apart mutually opposing roller contacting means are mechanically coupled together.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the spaced apart mutually opposing roller contacting means are integrally formed in one piece.
An apparatus as claimed in any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the roller contacting means has a roller contacting surface.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the roller contacting surface is a generally flat surface.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the roller contacting surface has one or more projections protruding from a main plane of the roller contacting surface.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the one or more projections on at least one of the roller contacting surfaces taper towards the other mutually opposing roller contacting surface.
An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein at least one roller contacting surface is reticulated and/or perforated.
An apparatus as claimed in any one of the proceeding claims, wherein at least one of the roller contacting means tapers towards the other roller contacting means.
An apparatus as claimed in any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the spaced apart mutually opposing roller contacting means taper towards each other.
An apparatus as claimed in any one of the claims 11, 13 or 14, wherein the taper angle is adjustable.
An apparatus as claimed in any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the spaced apart mutually opposing roller contacting means define an inlet for the roller.
An apparatus as claimed in any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the spaced apart mutually opposing roller contacting means define an inlet and an outlet for the roller.
An apparatus as claimed in any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the mutually opposing roller contacting means comprise planar members.
An apparatus as claimed in any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the narrowest distance between the mutually opposing roller contacting means permits full rolling mobility of the roller.
An apparatus as claimed in any one of the claims 2 to 19, wherein the apparatus is removably attachable to the fluid containing means by any one of or any combination of an interference fit, mechanical fastening means, elastic chord, snap fit engagement or removable attachment between the apparatus and a handle of the fluid containing means.
An apparatus as claimed in any one of the claims 2 to 19, wherein the apparatus is fixable to the fluid containing means by adhering or welding.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or claim 5, wherein the apparatus is integrally formed with the fluid containing means.
An apparatus as claimed in any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the fluid is paint.
An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.