GB2141413A - Paintsaver - Google Patents

Abstract

A disc of flexible plastics resistant to paints is moulded with finger-pulls and slight peripheral upturn in sizes to fit the internal diameters of standard production containers commonly in use for domestic and commercial purposes. The disc is implanted on the liquid's surface, preventing evaporation and formation of a skin on oil paints, and acting as a complete substitute for the lid on emulsion paint tins, thereby protecting both from contamination by solids over short and long periods of storage. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Paintsaver This invention relates to providing a means for preserving paints and other solidifying liquids stored in their containers for short or long periods.

Most oil-based paints acquire a skin on their surface even over very short periods when left in the tin with its lid replaced. The skin can be so thin as to be impossible to cut round and remove, but to stir-in spoils the consistency of the paint. Such paints stored in their tins over long periods form a thicker skin which is wasteful and awkward to remove cleanly.

Emulsion paints rapidly cause internal rusting of their tins which falls down into the paint contaminating it. This is caused by evaporation and condensation within the container. Rusting over longer periods usually corrodes the lid completely through, removal of which deposits the heaviest rust particles around the rim into the paint.

Container lids generally become distorted with regular removal, often difficult to seal effectively when paint is required for colour match at future time. Upon removal, dried particles fall into the paint.

According to this invention there is provided a means of preventing evaporation and surfacehardening, and protection of the liquid from contamination by virtue of a thin flexible disc placed on its surface having means for the disc to be picked up, held, and flexed to permit insertion into the container.

Shown in the accompanying drawing are: Figure 1. A perspective diagram of the disc.

Figure 2. Insertion of the disc by hand into the open container.

Referring to the drawing, the disc is of paintresistant plastic such as polypropylene or similar material, injection-moulded to a gauge and specification to give sufficient flexibility to allow it to be pinched and inserted into the open container by means of two finger-pulls on its upper surface.

The disc has a slight upturn to its periphery for reasons described in Claim 4.

When the paint or liquid is required for use after storage, removal of the disc is by reverse procedure utilising the finger-pulls to pinch the disc to break its seal and lift it slightly tilted out of the container as shown in Figure 2.

Containers too small to permit access by hand in this attitude would require a disc with one fingerpull.

1. A paintsaving device in the form of a flexible paint-resistant plastic disc implanted on the surface of the liquid in the container to preventcontamina- tion by solids.

2. Once implanted on the surface of oil paint in its container the paintsaver, in effect, substitutes the skin that would form without it. Where the paint is in day-to-day use the paintsaver can freely be removed and cleaned for re-use. After longer periods its edge may be eased from the sides of the container with a blade.

3. Once implanted on the surface of emulsion paint, the sole purpose of the paintsaver is to prevent evaporation and condensation within the metal container avoiding contamination of its contents by rust.

4. In the cases of Claim 2 and Claim 3 the paintsaver can serve as a complete substitute for the lid of the container, and in Claim 3 it is essential that the metal lid is not firmly replaced.

5. Provision of a slight upturn at the circumference of the disc allows it to float on the meniscus of the liquid and assists sealing its edge with the sides of the container without spilling over its surface upon insertion. The upturn serves better as a tray to collect unwanted particles that might otherwise contaminate the liquid when the disc is lifted out.

6. Provision of two spaced finger-pull rings projecting from the upperface enables the disco be pinched free of its peripheral adhesion and lifted out of the container.

7. A paint-saving device substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Paintsaver This invention relates to providing a means for preserving paints and other solidifying liquids stored in their containers for short or long periods. Most oil-based paints acquire a skin on their surface even over very short periods when left in the tin with its lid replaced. The skin can be so thin as to be impossible to cut round and remove, but to stir-in spoils the consistency of the paint. Such paints stored in their tins over long periods form a thicker skin which is wasteful and awkward to remove cleanly. Emulsion paints rapidly cause internal rusting of their tins which falls down into the paint contaminating it. This is caused by evaporation and condensation within the container. Rusting over longer periods usually corrodes the lid completely through, removal of which deposits the heaviest rust particles around the rim into the paint. Container lids generally become distorted with regular removal, often difficult to seal effectively when paint is required for colour match at future time. Upon removal, dried particles fall into the paint. According to this invention there is provided a means of preventing evaporation and surfacehardening, and protection of the liquid from contamination by virtue of a thin flexible disc placed on its surface having means for the disc to be picked up, held, and flexed to permit insertion into the container. Shown in the accompanying drawing are: Figure 1. A perspective diagram of the disc. Figure 2. Insertion of the disc by hand into the open container. Referring to the drawing, the disc is of paintresistant plastic such as polypropylene or similar material, injection-moulded to a gauge and specification to give sufficient flexibility to allow it to be pinched and inserted into the open container by means of two finger-pulls on its upper surface. The disc has a slight upturn to its periphery for reasons described in Claim 4. When the paint or liquid is required for use after storage, removal of the disc is by reverse procedure utilising the finger-pulls to pinch the disc to break its seal and lift it slightly tilted out of the container as shown in Figure 2. Containers too small to permit access by hand in this attitude would require a disc with one fingerpull. CLAIMS

1. A paintsaving device in the form of a flexible paint-resistant plastic disc implanted on the surface of the liquid in the container to preventcontamina- tion by solids.

2. Once implanted on the surface of oil paint in its container the paintsaver, in effect, substitutes the skin that would form without it. Where the paint is in day-to-day use the paintsaver can freely be removed and cleaned for re-use. After longer periods its edge may be eased from the sides of the container with a blade.

3. Once implanted on the surface of emulsion paint, the sole purpose of the paintsaver is to prevent evaporation and condensation within the metal container avoiding contamination of its contents by rust.

4. In the cases of Claim 2 and Claim 3 the paintsaver can serve as a complete substitute for the lid of the container, and in Claim 3 it is essential that the metal lid is not firmly replaced.

5. Provision of a slight upturn at the circumference of the disc allows it to float on the meniscus of the liquid and assists sealing its edge with the sides of the container without spilling over its surface upon insertion. The upturn serves better as a tray to collect unwanted particles that might otherwise contaminate the liquid when the disc is lifted out.

6. Provision of two spaced finger-pull rings projecting from the upperface enables the disco be pinched free of its peripheral adhesion and lifted out of the container.

7. A paint-saving device substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.