Paint container

Abstract

A container for holding paint comprising, a base; a wall extending from the base and being closed so as to define a contained area and an opening; a gripping means comprising at least one recess in the wall; a tongue portion extending from the wall to permit a brush to be dabbed thereon for removing excess liquid. The wall tapers outward as the wall extends from the base, such that the cross-sectional area of the opening exceeds the cross-sectional area of the base, the wall and the at least one recess being sized, shaped and positioned to permit the container to be stacked within another said container.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A container for holding paint, stain, varnish or other similar substances, the container comprising: 
 a base;    a wall extending from the base in a generally upstanding direction, the wall being closed so as to define a contained area and an opening;    a gripping means positioned on the wall, the gripping means comprising at least one recess in the wall;    an excess-liquid-removal means comprising a tongue portion extending from the wall, the tongue portion being sized, shaped and positioned to permit a brush to be dabbed thereon for removing excess liquid.    
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , the tongue portion extending generally outwardly from the wall.  
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , the tongue portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the wall.  
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , the gripping means comprising a first recess in the wall and a second recess in the wall, the first recess being spaced from the second recess so as to permit the container to be gripped by the placement of a thumb of a hand in the first recess and at least one finger of the hand in the second recess.  
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , the wall comprising a bottom portion extending from the base and a top portion extending from the bottom portion, the at least one recess being positioned on the bottom portion.  
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 4 , the wall comprising a bottom portion extending from the base and a top portion extending from the bottom portion, the first recess and the second recess being positioned on the bottom portion.  
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 5 , the at least one recess extending to the base.  
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 6 , the first recess and the second recess extending to the base.  
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the wall tapers outward as the wall extends from the base, the wall and the at least one recess being sized, shaped and positioned to permit the container to be stacked within another said container.  
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , the tongue portion extending generally outwardly from the wall.  
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 9 , the tongue portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the wall.  
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 9 , the gripping means comprising a first recess in the wall and a second recess in the wall, the first recess being spaced from the second recess so as to permit the container to be gripped by the placement of a thumb of a hand in the first recess and at least one finger of the hand in the second recess.  
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 9 , the wall comprising a bottom portion extending from the base and a top portion extending from the bottom portion, the at least one recess being positioned on the bottom portion.  
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 12 , the wall comprising a bottom portion extending from the base and a top portion extending from the bottom portion, the first recess and the second recess being positioned on the bottom portion.  
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 13 , the at least one recess extending to the base.  
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 14 , the first recess and the second recess extending to the base.  
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 1  or  claim 9 , wherein the container is composed of molded plastic.  
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 1  or  claim 9 , wherein the tongue portion is at least about 2.8 inches in width.  
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 1  or  claim 9 , wherein the tongue portion is at least about 3.8 inches in width.