1. A container for shipping and displaying small bulk articles, comprising:
a blank of a sheet material, scored to define a top wall, a pair of opposing end walls, and a pair of opposing side walls, foldable on the scores to form an inverted container with an open bottom, the opposing side walls each having a bottom wall foldable on a respective score for closing the container after filing with contents and a pair of inside end walls each foldably attached along a respective score at opposing longitudinal ends of the side wall, and opposing edges of the inside end walls define a recess and an opposing tab, whereby in a stack of said containers, the tab of a container is received in the recess of an adjacent vertically higher container;
at least one of the top wall, side walls, or end walls defining an opening; and
a netting attached to an inner surface in overlying relation to the opening, whereby the contents within the closed container are visible through the netting but the netting restricts casual removal of the contents therefrom.
2. The container as recited in claim 1, wherein the bottom wall foldably attaches at an edge of the side walls outwardly of the top wall.
3. The container as recited in claim 2, wherein the bottom wall defines opposing locking tabs foldably attached along a score at longitudinal edges of the bottom wall, which locking tabs fold inwardly of the end walls upon folding the bottom wall parallel to the top wall.
4. The container as recited in claim 1, wherein the top wall defines two pairs of opposing slots spaced from the score defining the end wall, whereby folding the end walls on the scores defines tabs extending from the end walls adjacent the top wall.
5. The container as recited in claim 4, wherein the end walls further define recesses opposing the tabs for receiving the tabs of a vertically adjacent container when stacked.
6. The container as recited in claim 1, wherein the sheet comprises corrugated paperboard.
7. A container for shipping and displaying small bulk articles, comprising:
a blank of a corrugated paperboard sheet, scored to define a top wall, two opposing end walls, and two opposing side walls, foldable on the scores to form an inverted container with an open bottom, the opposing side walls each having a bottom wall foldable on a respective score outwardly of the top wall for closing the container after filing with contents;
the longitudinal ends of the side walls defined by scores that each define a foldably attached inside end wall that folds towards an opposing inside end wall on the opposing side wall, opposing edges of the inside end walls define a recess and an opposing tab, whereby in a stack of said containers, the tab of a container is received in the recess of a adjacent vertically higher container;
the top wall and two opposing side walls each defining an opening; and
a netting attached to an inner surface in overlying relation to the openings, whereby the contents within the closed container are visible through the netting but the netting restricts casual removal of the contents therefrom,
whereby a container forms by folding the side walls from the top wall, folding the inside end walls towards each other, and folding the end walls from the top wall for filling the container from the open bottom prior to folding the bottom walls parallel to the top wall.
8. The container as recited in claim 7, wherein the bottom wall defines opposing locking tabs foldably attached along a score at longitudinal edges of the bottom wall, which locking tabs fold inwardly of the end walls upon folding the bottom wall parallel to the top wall.
9. The container as recited in claim 7, wherein the top wall defines two pairs of opposing slots spaced from the score defining the end wall, whereby folding the end walls on the scores defines tabs extending from the end walls adjacent the top wall.
10. The container as recited in claim 9, wherein the end walls further define recesses opposing the tabs for receiving the tabs of a vertically adjacent container when stacked.
11. A container for shipping and displaying small bulk articles, comprising:
a blank of a sheet material, scored to define a top wall, a pair of opposing end walls, and a pair of opposing side walls, foldable on the scores to form an inverted container with an open bottom, the top wall defining two pairs of opposing slots spaced from the score defining the end wall whereby folding the end walls on the scores defines tabs extending from the end walls adjacent the top wall, the opposing side walls each having a bottom wall foldable on a respective score for closing the container after filing with contents;
at least one of the top wall, side walls, or end walls defining an opening; and
a netting attached to an inner surface in overlying relation to the opening, whereby the contents within the closed container are visible through the netting but the netting restricts casual removal of the contents therefrom.
12. The container as recited in claim 11, wherein the end walls further define recesses opposing the tabs for receiving the tabs of a vertically adjacent container when stacked.
13. The container as recited in claim 11, wherein the bottom wall foldably attaches at an edge of the side walls outwardly of the top wall.
14. The container as recited in claim 13, wherein the bottom wall defines opposing locking tabs foldably attached along a score at longitudinal edges of the bottom wall, which locking tabs fold inwardly of the end walls upon folding the bottom wall parallel to the top wall.
15. The container as recited in claim 11, wherein the blank further defines an inside end wall foldably attached along a score at opposing longitudinal ends of the side walls.
16. The container as recited in claim 11, wherein opposing edges of the inside end walls define a recess and an opposing tab, whereby in a stack of said containers, the tab of a container is received in the recess of a adjacent vertically higher container.
17. The container as recited in claim 11, wherein the sheet comprises corrugated paperboard.
18. A container for shipping and displaying small bulk articles, comprising:
a blank of a corrugated paperboard sheet, scored to define a top wall, two opposing end walls, and two opposing side walls, foldable on the scores to form an inverted container with an open bottom,
the top wall defines two pairs of opposing slots spaced from the score defining the end wall, whereby folding the end walls on the scores defines tabs extending from the end walls adjacent the top wall,
the end walls further define recesses opposing the tabs for receiving the tabs of a vertically adjacent container when stacked,
the opposing side walls each having a bottom wall foldable on a respective score outwardly of the top wall for closing the container after filing with contents,
the longitudinal ends of the side walls defined by scores that each define a foldably attached inside end wall that folds towards an opposing inside end wall on the opposing side wall;
the top wall and two opposing side walls each defining an opening; and
a netting attached to an inner surface in overlying relation to the openings, whereby the contents within the closed container are visible through the netting but the netting restricts casual removal of the contents therefrom,
whereby a container forms by folding the side walls from the top wall, folding the inside end walls towards each other, and folding the end walls from the top wall for filling the container from the open bottom prior to folding the bottom walls parallel to the top wall.
19. The container as recited in claim 18, wherein opposing edges of the inside end walls define a recess and an opposing tab, whereby in a stack of said containers, the tab of a container is received in the recess of a adjacent vertically higher container.
20. The container as recited in claim 18, wherein the bottom wall defines opposing locking tabs foldably attached along a score at longitudinal edges of the bottom wall, which locking tabs fold inwardly of the end walls upon folding the bottom wall parallel to the top wall.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A paint roller tray mounting device, comprising:
a paint roller tray, said paint roller tray consisting of a paint reservoir at a first end, an inclined surface beginning at an opposite second end, said inclined surface extending downwardly to said paint reservoir, first and second side walls disposed adjacent said inclined surface and a surrounding upper edge, said edge surrounding said reservoir and said inclined surface;
said paint roller tray adapted to retain a quantity of paint, provide an inclined surface for squeezing excess paint from a paint roller and returning excess paint to said paint reservoir;
a platform, said platform having a width sized to fit between first and second side rung supports of either a ladder or a step ladder, a length sufficient to support said paint roller tray and having a recess in an upper surface, said recess being sized and shaped to provide a gripping surface for a ladder rung;
at least two securing hooks, said hooks having a hooking end and an attaching end and being symmetrically attached at said attaching end adjacent opposite edges of said platform;
said securing hooks being sized and shaped to extend from at least a lower surface of said platform to said surrounding upper edge of said paint roller tray;
said hooks having a tightening device for urging said paint roller tray and said platform together; and
wherein said platform is disposed beneath either of said ladder rung or a top shelf of said step ladder, said paint roller tray inclined surface having a bottom disposed above and directly secures to and grips either a top surface of said rung of said ladder or said top shelf of said step ladder, said securing hooks are disposed over said surrounding upper edge, said tightening device is tightened and said bottom surface of said paint roller tray functions as a mating structural element to connect to said platform.
2. The paint roller tray mounting device, as described in claim 1, wherein said attaching end further comprises:
a threaded shaft, said threaded shaft beginning at said attaching end and extending upwardly for a first extended distance;
a mating nut, said mating nut having internal threads to fit said threaded shaft; and
wherein said threaded shaft is passed slidably through an aperture adjacent an edge of said platform and said mating nut is threaded onto said threaded shaft.
3. The paint roller tray mounting device, as described in claim 2, wherein said nut further comprises attached levers, said levers extending radially from a central axis of said nut to assist in hand tightening.
4. The paint roller tray mounting device, as described in claim 2, wherein said nut is a wingnut.
5. The paint roller tray mounting device, as described in claim 1, wherein each of said securing hooks further comprise:
an upper portion, said upper portion comprising said hooking end;
a lower portion, said lower portion comprising said attaching end;
a cam lock mechanism, said mechanism joining said upper portion and said lower portion and having an attached activating lever, said lever moving said mechanism from a first, extended position, to a second contracted position; and
wherein moving said cam handle from said first position to said second position shortens said securing hook and causes said bottom surface of said paint roller tray to bear against the top surface either said rung or said shelf and said platform to bear against a bottom surface of either said rung or said shelf, thereby securing said paint roller tray to said ladder or said step ladder.
6. The paint roller tray mounting device, as described in claim 1, wherein each of said securing hooks further comprise:
an upper portion, said upper portion extending from said hooking end to a vertical shaft to a flattened pin supporting plate, said plate having a cylindrical pin disposed orthogonally to said plate;
a lower portion, said lower portion having a flattened upper end, a pivot pin orthogonally mounted to said flattened upper end, a threaded shaft, said threaded shaft beginning at said attaching end and extending upwardly for a first predetermined distance;
a mating locknut, said locknut being attached to said threaded shaft after said shaft is inserted through an aperture adjacent an edge of said platform;
a cam plate, said cam plate having a central aperture, said aperture being sized to fit slidably about said pivot pin and having a curved, eccentric slot, said slot being sized to fit closely about said cylindrical pin;
a cam handle, said handle being attached to a side edge of said cam plate and rotating said cam plate about said pivot pin from a first, open position, moving said cylindrical pin upwardly, to a second closed position, moving said cylindrical pin downwardly;
wherein moving said cam handle from said first position to said second position shortens said securing hook and causes said bottom surface of said paint roller tray to directly grip the top surface of either said rung or said shelf and said platform to bear against a bottom surface of either said rung or said shelf, thereby securing said paint roller tray to said ladder or step ladder.
7. The paint roller tray mounting device, as described in claim 1, wherein said platform further comprises a tool tray, said tool tray being disposed along an edge orthogonal to said length and providing any of holders apertures and brackets for painting tools.
8. A method of mounting the paint roller tray of claim 1 to a ladder or a step ladder, comprising the steps of:
providing said paint roller tray, said paint roller tray consisting of a paint reservoir at a first end, an inclined surface beginning at an opposite second end, said surface extending downwardly to said paint reservoir, first and second side walls disposed adjacent said inclined surface and a surrounding upper edge, said edge surrounding said reservoir and said inclined surface;
providing a platform, said platform having a width sized to fit between first and second side rung supports of either a ladder or a step ladder, a length sufficient to support said paint roller tray and having a recess in an upper surface, said recess being sized and shaped to provide a gripping surface for a ladder rung;
providing at least two securing hooks, said hooks having a hooking end and an attaching end and being symmetrically attached at said attaching end adjacent opposite edges of said platform;
said securing hooks being sized and shaped to extend from at least a lower surface of said platform to said surrounding upper edge of said paint roller tray;
providing a tightening device for said hooks for urging said paint roller tray and said platform together; and
disposing said platform beneath either said ladder rung or a top shelf of said step ladder;
disposing a bottom surface of said paint roller tray inclined surface having a bottom disposed above and directly secures to and gripping either said rung of said ladder or said top shelf of said step ladder;
disposing said securing hooks over said surrounding upper edge;
tightening said tightening device and said bottom surface of said paint roller tray functioning as a mating structural element to connect to said platform.
9. The method of mounting the paint roller tray of claim 1 to a ladder or a step ladder, as described in claim 8, comprising the further steps of:
providing said attaching end with:
a threaded shaft, said threaded shaft beginning at said attaching end and extending upwardly for a first extended distance;
a mating nut, said mating nut having internal threads to fit said threaded shaft; and
passing said threaded shaft slidably through an aperture adjacent an edge of said platform; and
threading said mating nut onto said threaded shaft.
10. The method of mounting the paint roller tray of claim 1 to a ladder or a step ladder, as described in claim 9, comprising the further step of providing said mating nut with attached levers, said levers extending radially from a central axis of said nut to assist in hand tightening.
11. The method of mounting the paint roller tray of claim 1 to a ladder or a step ladder, as described in claim 9, comprising the further step of providing a wingnut as said mating nut.
12. The method of mounting the paint roller tray of claim 1 to a ladder or a step ladder, as described in claim 8, comprising the further steps of:
providing said securing hooks that further comprise:
an upper portion, said upper portion comprising said hooking end;
a lower portion, said lower portion comprising said attaching end;
a cam lock mechanism, said mechanism joining said upper portion and said lower portion and having an attached activating lever, said lever moving said mechanism from a first, extended position, to a second contracted position; and
moving said cam handle from said first position to said second position, thereby shortening said securing hook and causing said paint roller tray to bear against the top surface of either said rung or said shelf and said platform to bear against a bottom surface of either said rung or said shelf, thereby securing said paint roller tray to said ladder or said step ladder.
13. The method of mounting the paint roller tray of claim 1 to a ladder or a step ladder, as described in claim 8, comprising the further steps of:
providing said securing hooks that further comprise:
an upper portion, said upper portion extending from said hooking end to a vertical shaft to a flattened pin supporting plate, said plate having a cylindrical pin disposed orthogonally to said plate;
a lower portion, said lower portion having a flattened upper end, a pivot pin orthogonally mounted to said flattened upper end, a threaded shaft, said threaded shaft beginning at said attaching end and extending upwardly for a first predetermined distance;
providing a mating locknut, said locknut being attached to said threaded shaft after said shaft is inserted through an aperture adjacent an edge of said platform;
providing a cam plate, said cam plate having a central aperture, said aperture being sized to fit slidably about said pivot pin and having a curved, eccentric slot, said slot being sized to fit closely about said cylindrical pin;
providing a cam handle, said handle being attached to a side edge of said cam plate and rotating said cam plate about said pivot pin from a first, open position, moving said cylindrical pin upwardly, to a second closed position, moving said cylindrical pin downwardly;
moving said cam handle from said first position to said second position thereby shortening said securing hook and causing said paint roller tray to bear against the top surface of either said rung or said shelf and said platform to bear against a bottom surface of either said rung or said shelf, thereby securing said paint roller tray to said ladder or said step ladder.
14. The method of mounting the paint roller tray of claim 1 to a ladder or a step ladder, as described in claim 8, comprising the further step of providing a tool tray, said tool tray being disposed adjacent said platform along an edge orthogonal to said length and providing any of holders apertures and brackets for painting tools.