Temporary paint can rim cover

Abstract

The invention is a temporary cover for a paint can's rim, for protecting the rim from paint or liquid while pouring. The invention is substantially similar lengthwise/an extruded part. An embodiment's cross-section (FIG. 15 ) can be a substantially C-shaped portion ( 27 ) plus a substantially narrow-tipped elongated flat portion (from 24 to 26 ), for a total shape like a “b”, with the b's circular section being open on the front like a “c”. When the cup portion is pressed/secured on to a paint can rim: the cup's open side faces substantially peripherally and/or downward and the tip of the elongated portion faces substantially upwardly (FIG. 23 ). The invention can be made a size and shape to also be stored on a can's metal wire paint can handle (handle positioned inside of the C-shaped cup). Placed on the can handle, the cover can add handle cushioning for carrying the paint can.

1 . A rim cover, for protecting a prior art paint can's rim from a can's liquid contents while pouring liquid from that can; and for storing on and padding a can handle;
 said cover being a size and shape to substantially be manufactured by extrusion.   
   
   
       2 . The rim cover, according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said cover having a length;   said cover having a substantially fixed cross-sectional profile;   said profile having a cup portion;   and said profile having a substantially elongated portion having a bottom portion, said elongated portion having a top portion; said bottom end fixedly attached to said cup portion;   said profile cup portion being of a size and shape to be secured on to a cross-sectional portion of a prior art paint can rim;   and said length being of a size, shape, and flexibility to curve least 90° around a portion of a paint can rim;   such that, when said cover attached to a prior art paint can and liquid contents are poured from that can,   said elongated portion being of a size and shape to keep a substantial portion of poured liquid off the exterior side of the can.   
   
   
       3 . The rim cover, according to  claim 2 , wherein said prior art can rim having an interior lip;
 said cup portion being of a size and shape to be secured onto a paint can interior lip; and said elongated portion being of a size and shape to keep a substantial portion of liquid contents, during and after being poured from that can, off the rim of that can.   
   
   
       4 . The rim cover, according to  claim 3 , further including said cup portion being closed to an O shape by a tear portion; closed said tear portion for securing said cover on a can handle prior to said cover use as a rim cover; and said tear portion being tearable along its length if a user pulls said cover from a handle on a can. 
   
   
       5 . The rim cover, according to  claim 3 , wherein said profile being substantially b-shaped, wherein said b shape's front circular portion being slit open on the front side forming said cup portion. 
   
   
       6 . The rim cover, according to  claim 3 , wherein said elongated portion being substantially 0.5″ to 4″ tall. 
   
   
       7 . The rim cover, according to  claim 3 , wherein said cup portion having an interior diameter substantially 0.04″ to 0.3″. 
   
   
       8 . The rim cover, according to  claim 3 , wherein, in use, said cover being 3″ to 18″ long. 
   
   
       9 . The rim cover, according to  claim 3 , wherein said top portion further including a bent portion; said bent portion for guiding liquid medially and and for helping break surface tension when viscous liquid is poured from a paint can. 
   
   
       10 . The rim cover, according to  claim 1 , wherein said length being flexible enough to substantially conform circumferentially around a paint can rim. 
   
   
       11 . The rim cover, according to  claim 1 , wherein liquid contents being paint. 
   
   
       13 . A method of keeping liquid off of the metal rim of a paint can, comprising the steps of pressing a length of a flexible extrusion onto a paint can rim; such that, said extrusion is of a size and shape to secure onto a rim enough to allow liquid contents to pour from that can without said extrusion detaching from that can rim and substantially without getting liquid on that can rim or that can's exterior wall. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein poured liquid substantially having the viscosity of paint.