초록 ▼

The present invention is directed toward a novel container system that is designed to hold and store liquids, such as for example, paints, stains, and various other coatings. The container system generally includes a base member, a shelf that is contained within the base member, and a lid. The shelf

The present invention is directed toward a novel container system that is designed to hold and store liquids, such as for example, paints, stains, and various other coatings. The container system generally includes a base member, a shelf that is contained within the base member, and a lid. The shelf is provided with the base member and is designed to accept an application device, such as for example a paint roller. A lid is also provided with the container so that a fluid may be provided and stored as part of an all-inclusive delivery system.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A container comprising: a base member, a shelf that is housed within the base member, and a lid, wherein said base member comprises an interior well defined by a back wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a front wall and a floor, wherein the floor comprises a first side edge that

We claim: 1. A container comprising: a base member, a shelf that is housed within the base member, and a lid, wherein said base member comprises an interior well defined by a back wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a front wall and a floor, wherein the floor comprises a first side edge that is adjacent to said first side wall; second side edge that is adjacent to said second side wall; and a sloped area between said first and second side edges, wherein said sloped area is angled downward toward the front wall of the base member; wherein said shelf includes a top surface, an underside, and further comprises an upwardly projecting pour spout that includes an opening extending through the shelf; and wherein said lid includes a top surface and an underside. 2. The container of claim 1, wherein said side edges are flat. 3. The container of claim 2, wherein the angle of said sloped area relative to the side edges is greater than 180 degrees. 4. The container of claim 1, wherein said floor includes an underside with a frictional grip. 5. The container of claim 1, wherein said front wall of the base member includes an upper portion that is outwardly rounded to form a spout. 6. The container of claim 1, wherein the floor of the base member further includes an indentation to allow a user to insert one or more fingers therein. 7. The container of claim 1, wherein the base member includes a spout formed in a wall of the base member. 8. The container of claim 1, wherein the base member further includes first sidewall which is at least partially recessed toward the interior well and the second sidewall which is at least partially recessed toward the interior well, wherein the recessed areas of the first and second sidewall are adapted to accommodate the shelf. 9. The container of claim 1, wherein the base member further includes a back wall which is at least partially recessed toward the interior well of the base member in order that the back wall may accommodate the shelf. 10. The container of claim 8, wherein said recessed area includes at least one locking means for accepting the shelf. 11. The container of claim 9, wherein the recessed area includes at least one locking means for accepting the shelf. 12. The container of claim 1, wherein said container further comprises a handle. 13. The container of claim 12, wherein said handle is pivotally coupled to the first and second sidewalls of the base member. 14. The container of claim 1, wherein said base member further contains a fluid. 15. The container of claim 14, wherein said fluid is a paint. 16. The container of claim 10, wherein said recessed area is adapted to support the shelf. 17. The container of claim 1, wherein said shelf includes a first side lip that engages with a locking means on the first sidewall and a second side lip that engages with a locking means on the second sidewall to support the shelf. 18. The container of claim 1, wherein said shelf is adapted to be suspended within the base member above a fill level of a fluid. 19. The container of claim 14, wherein said fluid is at a fill level below the shelf. 20. The container of claim 1, wherein said shelf is adapted to receive a paint roller in contact therewith. 21. The container of claim 1, wherein the top surface of said shelf comprises at least one raised rib. 22. The container of claim 21, wherein said raised rib is a transverse rib. 23. The container of claim 1, wherein the top surface of said shelf comprises a series of raised ribs. 24. The container of claim 23, wherein said raised ribs are generally parallel. 25. The container of claim 1, wherein said underside of the shelf further includes at least one rib that extends through at least a portion of the length of the shelf. 26. The container of claim 1, wherein said underside of the shelf further includes at least one rib that extends the width of the shelf. 27. The container of claim 1, wherein the shelf is housed in a generally sloped angle within the base member. 28. The container of claim 1, wherein the shelf includes at least one gutter extending along at least a portion of the length of the shelf. 29. The container of claim 1, wherein the top surface of said shelf includes a first gutter extending at least a portion of the length of the shelf and a second gutter extending at least a portion of the length of the shelf. 30. The container of claim 29, wherein the top surface of the shelf includes at least one raised rib extending between said first gutter and said second gutter, wherein said raised rib is adjacent to said first gutter. 31. The container of claim 1, wherein the length of said shelf is no less than that length required to accommodate one compete revolution of a standard size paint roller. 32. The container of claim 1, wherein the length of said shelf is no more than that length required to provide an opening between said shelf and front wall of the base member. 33. The container of claim 1, wherein said shelf is longitudinally bowed. 34. The container of claim 1, wherein said shelf is permanently affixed into said base member. 35. The container of claim 1, wherein said shelf is removably affixed into said member. 36. The container of claim 1, wherein said pour spout includes at least one sidewall. 37. The container of claim 1, wherein said pour spout includes at least two adjacent sidewalls. 38. The container of claim 1, wherein the underside of said lid includes at least one projection therefrom. 39. The container of claim 38, wherein said projection abuts at least a portion of the top surface of the shelf when the lid is engaged onto the base member. 40. The container of claim 1, wherein the top surface of said lid includes at least a first flange. 41. The container of claim 40, wherein said flange extends upward at about 90° from the plane of the lid. 42. The container of claim 40, wherein said first flange lies between two opposing second and third flanges thereby creating a nesting area. 43. The container of claim 42, wherein said second and third flanges extend at about 90° from the plane of the lid. 44. The container of claim 43, wherein said nesting area of the lid has a generally level surface. 45. The container of claim 1, wherein said lid comprises an opening therethrough. 46. The container of claim 45, wherein said opening includes a removable plug that is affixed therein. 47. The container of claim 1, wherein said lid further comprises a nesting area adapted to receive another container. 48. The container of claim 45, wherein said nesting area of the lid has a generally level surface proximal to a first flange and a downward slope proximal to the front wall. 49. The container of claim 1, wherein said lid includes a sloped area. 50. The container of claim 1, wherein said container includes upper and a lower peripheral locking flanges, said upper and lower locking flanges having undersides for locking engagement with the lid, the lid comprising: a central portion and a peripheral skirt adapted to overlie the container locking flanges; the skirt defining a peripheral groove dividing said skirt into a skirt upper portion located adjacent to the container upper locking flange, and a lower tear-off strip portion located adjacent to the container lower locking flange; the skirt upper portion having inwardly disposed intermittent locking flange segments, adapted to engage the underside of the container upper locking flange; the skirt upper portion also being formed with a tab; and the tear-off strip portion defining an inwardly disposed locking flange adapted to engage the underside of the container lower locking flange, so that removal of the tear-off strip portion removes the lower locking flange. 51. The container of claim 50, further comprising a handle. 52. A container comprising: a base member, wherein said base member comprises a first sidewall spaced from a second sidewall, a third sidewall spaced from a fourth sidewall and a floor, and wherein the first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls, and floor create an interior well, and wherein the first sidewall is at least partially recessed toward the interior well and the second sidewall is at least partially recessed toward the interior well; a lid; a handle pivotally mounted to the first sidewall and the second sidewall; and wherein said base member includes a shelf housed therein, wherein said shelf comprises an upwardly projecting pour spout having an opening extending through the shelf; and wherein said shelf extends from the first sidewall to the second sidewall. 53. The container of claim 52, wherein said shelf comprises at least one hole therethrough. 54. The container of claim 52, wherein said shelf comprises at least one gutter. 55. The container of claim 54, wherein said gutter extends at least part of the length of the shelf. 56. The container of claim 52, wherein said base member contains a fluid. 57. The container of claim 56, wherein said fluid is a paint. 58. The container of claim 52, wherein said shelf includes a first side lip, a second side lip and a back lip. 59. The container of claim 52, wherein said floor includes (1) a first side edge that is adjacent to the first sidewall of the base member; (2) a second side edge that is adjacent to the second sidewall of the base member, wherein said first and second side edge are a flat surface; and (3) a sloped central portion between said first and second side edge. 60. The container of claim 52, wherein the floor includes an underside surface with at least one caster attached thereto. 61. The container of claim 52, wherein the recessed portions of the first and second sidewall support said shelf. 62. The container of claim 52, wherein the shelf comprises at least one raised rib. 63. The container of claim 62, wherein said raised rib is lateral. 64. The container of claim 62, wherein the shelf comprises a plurality of raised ribs. 65. The container of claim 64, wherein said ribs arranged in a generally parallel relationship relative to one another. 66. The container of claim 52, wherein said shelf is a generally planar surface. 67. The container of claim 52, wherein said lid includes a topside with a first flange that is adjacent to a second flange, and wherein said second flange is adjacent to a third flange. 68. The container of claim 52, wherein said lid further includes a resealable opening therethrough. 69. The container of claim 68, wherein said resealable opening includes a plug affixed therein. 70. A applicator surface comprising: at least one gutter extending at least a portion of the length of the shelf, wherein said gutter is oriented such that it directs the drainage of excess fluid into a container reservoir; wherein said applicator surface includes a pouring spout that includes an opening extending through the shelf and wherein the applicator surface is positioned on sidewalls of a container. 71. The applicator surface of claim 70, wherein said surface is adapted to receive a paint roller in contact therewith. 72. The applicator surface of claim 70, wherein said container is adapted to receive said applicator surface. 73. The applicator surface of claim 70, wherein the length of said applicator surface is no less than that length required to accommodate one compete revolution of a standard size paint roller. 74. The applicator surface of claim 70, wherein said applicator surface is bowed. 75. The applicator surface of claim 70, wherein said applicator surface is suspended within the container. 76. The applicator surface of claim 70, wherein said applicator surface is permanently affixed into said container. 77. The applicator surface of claim 70, wherein said applicator surface is removably affixed into said container. 78. The applicator surface of claim 70, wherein said pouring spout is an upward projection. 79. The applicator surface of claim 70, wherein said pouring spout further includes at least one sidewall. 80. A container comprising: a base member, wherein said base member comprises at least one side wall and a floor; and wherein said base member includes a shelf positioned on the side wall and which is suspended above the fill line of a liquid, and wherein said shelf includes an upwardly projecting pouring spout that extends through the shelf to create an opening through the shelf into the base member. 81. A container comprising: a base member, wherein said base member forms a well comprising at least one side wall and a floor, and wherein the well further comprises a fluid contained therein; and wherein said base member includes a shelf housed on the sidewall therein, and wherein said shelf includes at least one gutter extending at least a portion of the length of the shelf, with the orientation of the gutter such that it directs drainage of the liquid into the well; and wherein said shelf further includes a spout that extends through the shelf thereby creating an opening through the shelf. 82. A container comprising: a base member, wherein said base member comprises at least one sidewall and a floor and wherein said base member further includes a shelf that is housed therein on the sidewall, wherein said shelf includes a gutter extending at least a portion of the length of the shelf and oriented in a direction that facilitates drainage of a liquid into the base member and shelf further includes a pour spout that creates an opening through the shelf; and a lid. 83. A container comprising: a base member, wherein said base member comprises at least one sidewall and a floor and wherein said base member further includes a shelf that is positioned on the sidewall of the base member and suspended therein above a fill line of the liquid, wherein said shelf includes a pour spout having an opening extending through the shelf; and a lid. 84. The process of applying paint to a roller including: (1) providing a container with an opening into a fluid storage area; (2) providing a shelf suspended over said fluid storage area, wherein said shelf includes an integrated pouring spout that creates an opening through the shelf and into the fluid storage area, and wherein said shelf is adapted to receive the roller thereon. 85. The process of applying paint to a roller including: (1) providing a container with a least one sidewall and with an opening into a fluid storage area; (2) providing a shelf suspended over said fluid storage area, wherein said shelf is positioned on the sidewall and wherein said shelf includes a gutter extending at least a portion of the length of the shelf and oriented in a direction that directs fluid toward the fluid storage area and said shelf further includes a spout that creates an opening through, the shelf. 86. A container comprising: a base that includes at least one sidewall that forms a well; a shelf that is housed on the sidewall within the base member, wherein said shelf comprises at least one gutter that extends at least a portion of the length of the shelf, and which is oriented to direct liquid into the well of the base, and wherein said shelf further includes a spout that extends through the shelf to create an opening through the shelf; and a lid. 87. A shelf comprising: a pour spout, wherein said shelf is suspended within a container above the fill line of a liquid contained in the container, and wherein said shelf is adapted to receive a paint roller thereon, and wherein said spout includes a hole that extends through the shelf. 88. A container comprising: a base member, wherein said base member comprises an interior well defined by at least one sidewall and a floor, and wherein the base member contains a liquid; and a roller surface that is suspended within the base member and is positioned in the sidewall, wherein said roller surface includes a pour spout wherein the opening of the spout extends through the roller surface, and wherein the roller surface is suspended above the fill line of a liquid. 89. A container comprising: a base member, wherein said base member comprises an interior well defined by at least one sidewall and a floor; and a roller surface that is provided within the base member, wherein said roller surface includes a spout extending through the surface to create an opening through the surface, and wherein the roller surface further includes at least one gutter extending a portion of the length of the roller surface, wherein said gutter is oriented in a direction toward the well.