Paint Roller Cleaning and Rinsing Platform

Abstract

In various representative aspects, a cleaning system for paint rollers that also recaptures a paint that is removed from the paint roller during cleaning. The system includes a platform that securely attaches to the top rim of an open paint can and provides a base for vertically fixing a standard paint roller on top of the base so that excess paint can be removed from the roller and recaptured back in the well of the paint can. The exemplary embodiments in this invention offers an improvement over existing systems and methods for 1) cleaning paint rollers and recapturing unused paint from the rollers more efficiently than existing products as well as 2) using the same system to rinse any residual paint from the roller so that the roller can be used again. Efficiently saving paint and rollers saves 1) our environment by reducing waste entering our sewer systems and landfills as well as 2) time and money for painters

Claims

1. A platform for securing a paint roller to a paint can for removing excess paint from the roller and returning it to the paint can comprising: a. a base, the base comprising: i. a pedestal; and ii. a support extending upward from the pedestal such that the width of the support is less than the width of the pedestal; b. a plurality of legs; each of the plurality of legs comprising: i. a first and second end with each leg being coupled to the pedestal at the first end and extending outward from the pedestal to the second end of the leg.

2. The platform of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of legs further comprises a first groove in the bottom surface of the leg.

3. The platform of claim 2 wherein the plurality of legs further comprise a second grove positioned at a radial distance from the pedestal that is less than the position of the first groove.

4. The platform of claim 1 wherein the bottom surface of the plurality of legs are co-planar with the bottom surface of the pedestal.

5. The platform of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of legs further comprises a flange extending downward from the bottom surface of the leg.

6. The platform of claim 5 wherein the flange extends downward from the bottom surface of the leg at the second end of the leg.

7. The platform of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of legs further comprises a top surface such that the top surface slopes downward toward the bottom surface of the leg.

8. The platform of claim 1 wherein the support is cylindrical.

9. The platform of claim 8 wherein the support is configured to conform to the inside of a paint roller frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the figures.

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fully assembled and operational paint roller system of the present invention that utilizes a squeegee as the paint removal element.

[0033] FIG. 1A illustrates an alternate perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 that utilizes a scraper as the paint removal element.

[0034] FIG. 1B illustrates an alternate perspective view the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with a smaller paint can.

[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a paint roller support platform that fits on top of a paint can.

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the paint roller support platform shown in FIG. 2.

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the paint roller support platform shown in FIG. 2.

[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the paint roller support platform shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are provided to thoroughly understand the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed embodiments may be applied. The full scope of the invention is not limited to the example(s) that are described below.

[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention as used. In this embodiment, a generic paint can 200 is shown that is open and includes paint 230 inside of it. The top of the paint can 200 will typically include an inner rim 210 and an outer rim 220 with each forming concentric rings that extend upward from the top of the paint can 200. A platform 300, as will be further described below, is placed on top of the paint can 200 and sits on top of the inner rim 210 and outer rim 220.

[0041] A generic cylindrical paint roller 100 is shown with a roller frame 120 and a roller cover 110. The roller cover 110 is typically comprised of a cloth or foam rubber exterior capable of absorbing paint. The paint roller 100 is typically attached to a handle or a rod and is inserted into a paint tray that is filled with paint 230 so that the roller cover 110 is saturated with the paint 230.

[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the platform 300. The platform 300 comprises a base 310. The base 310 shown serves as a pedestal and is generally disk-shaped but is not limited to any particular geometrical shape but has a diameter and shape that is sufficient to efficiently remove the paint roller from the roller handle and support the paint roller 100 on the platform 300. A roller support 320 extends upward from the base 310 in a sufficient size to support the paint roller 100. The support 320 is cylindrical and should be of sufficient diameter to fit securely within the roller frame 120. A plurality of platform legs 330 extend outward from the base 310. Each of the legs 330 have a length sufficient to enable the platform 300 to sit on top of the outer rim 220 of the paint can 200. The bottom surface of each leg 330 comprises a flange 385 that extends downward, but not beyond the bottom surface of 310, from the end 365 of the leg 330 and at least one groove 358 that is adjacent the flange 385. The groove 358 and flange 385 are generally curved and enable the leg 330 to fit securely on the paint can 200 with the flange 385 fitting on the outside of the inner rim 210 of the paint can 200 and the inner rim 210 fitting inside the groove 358. The leg end 365 sits on top of outer rim 220. Additional grooves 355 and 350 can also be included on the bottom surface of each leg 330. As shown in FIG. 1B, the additional grooves 355 and 350 can be used to enable the leg 330 to fit securely over the outer rim 420 and inner rim 410, respectively, of the smaller can 400. The top surface of the leg 330 comprises a downward slope 340. The slope 340 extends downward on two sides from an apex 345, but it is understood that the slope 340 can be a singular slope as well. FIGS. 3-5 illustrate different views of the platform 300.

[0043] In order to clean the paint roller 100, it is secured vertically on the platform 300. As shown in FIG. 1A, an exemplary paint scraper 152 that is used to clean the paint roller 100 is shown. A typical paint scraper 152 comprises a handle with hand grip 162 to hold the scraper and exert force on the curved scraper blade 172. The curved scraper blade 172 is held at a slight upward angle, pressed to the top edge of the paint roller cover 110, and forced down the side of the paint roller cover 110 until it meets a platform leg 300 or reaches the bottom of the paint roller cover 110—the cleaning stroke. Paint 230 is scraped from the paint roller cover 110 and deposited in the paint can 200 immediately below. At the bottom of the cleaning stroke, the paint scraper 172 is pulled or pushed across the apex 345 of a platform leg 330 to remove any paint 230 still residing on the paint scraper 152. The process is repeated until maximum paint 230 has been removed from the paint roller cover 110. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1, a paint scraper 150 comprises a sleeve 160 that is generally cylindrical with a frustoconical hand grip 170 that extends from the sleeve 160. The scraper 150 forms a tight fit around the roller cover 110 and is used by pushing downward on the roller cover 110 to squeeze excess paint 230 from the roller cover 110 and downward into the paint can 200.

[0044] A person with ordinary skill in the relevant art would know that any shape or size of the platform and its elements may be adopted as long as they enable the invention to operate as intended. Also, any materials suitable to achieve the objects of the current invention may be chosen.