| |
| United States Patent
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6,302,267 |
| Monahan |
October 16, 2001 |
Palette system
Abstract
A palette system for use in storing and holding substances such
as paint or glue, and for maintaining these substances in a usably
moist condition for extended periods of time, is provided. The
palette system is provided with a sealable open-top box structure
for containing a moisture-retaining structure (preferably a
substantially-wood-fiber flat sponge) whose cell structure provides
a "wick effect" thereby maintaining the paint or glue in a moist
condition. A water-permeable paper sheet, placed atop the
moisture-retaining structure, is provided for supporting a plurality
of paint or glue dabs. Also provided is a lid for sealing the
open-top box structure.
| Inventors: |
Monahan; William P.
(Glendale, AZ) |
| Appl. No.:
|
09/454,570 |
| Filed: |
December 7, 1999 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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165908 |
Oct., 1998 |
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| Current U.S.
Class: |
206/1.7 ;
206/1.8 |
| Current
International Class: |
B44D
3/02 (20060101); B05C 017/00 () |
| Field of
Search: |
206/1.7,1.8,1.9,204,213.1,205,557 220/319.1,318,380 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent
Documents
Primary Examiner: Luong; Shian
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Stoneman; Martin L.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
09/165,908, filed Oct. 2, 1998, abandoned in favor of this
application.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A palette system for holding and maintaining moisture in a
useable substance comprising paint dabs, or glue dabs, or the like,
comprising, in combination:
a) a substantially-flat wetting means, having a top surface and a
bottom surface, for providing a moisture supply;
b) atop and adjacent said top surface of said wetting means, a
moisture-permeable holding means for holding the useable substance;
and
c) a chamber means for containing said wetting means, said chamber
means having an interior space, said interior space having a lower
surface adjacent and below said bottom surface of said wetting
means;
d) said wetting means comprising a substantially-sponge-like
material whose cell structure provides a "wick effect";
e) wherein said wetting means is selected from the group consisting
of materials having substantially the same properties as a wood
fiber material; and
f) whereby, when said holding means and said wetting means are both
moist, and when moisture evaporates from said holding means, said
holding means thereby drawing off top moisture from said top surface
of said wetting means, replacement moisture from within said wetting
means "wicks up" to replace said top moisture, whereby said wetting
means dries from the bottom up.
2. The palette system according to claim 1 further comprising a
useable substance, atop said moisture-permeable holding means,
selected from the group consisting of paint and a glue-type
material.
3. The palette system according to claim 2 wherein said useable
substance comprises paint.
4. The palette system according to claim 2 wherein said useable
substance comprises a glue-type material.
5. The palette system according to claim 1 wherein said wetting
means has a dry thickness from about 1/16-inch to about 1/8-inch.
6. The palette system according to claim 5 wherein said wetting
means has a dry thickness of 1/16-inch.
7. The palette system according to claim 6 wherein said wetting
means has a water-saturated thickness of about 1/4-inch.
8. The palette system according to claim 1 wherein said wetting
means has a water-saturated thickness of about 1/4-inch.
9. A palette system for holding paint dabs, comprising, in
combination:
(a) a wetting means, having a top surface and comprising a porous
substantially-wood-fiber material, for providing a moisture supply;
(b) atop and adjacent said wetting means, a moisture-permeable
holding means for holding said paint dabs; and
(c) a chamber means for containing said wetting means, said chamber
means having an interior space, said interior space having a bottom
surface for supporting said wetting means;
(d) wherein said holding means comprises a substantially-flat pallet
means for holding said paint dabs; and
(e) whereby, when said holding means and said wetting means are both
moist, and when moisture evaporates from said holding means, said
holding means thereby drawing off top moisture from said top surface
of said wetting means, replacement moisture from within said wetting
means "wicks up" to replace said top moisture, whereby said wetting
means dries from the bottom up.
10. The palette system according to claim 9 wherein said chamber
means comprises an open-top box structure, said open-top box
structure comprising a plurality of planar wall portions, each said
planar wall portion having a top wall end.
11. The palette system according to claim 10, further comprising a
sealing means for sealing said chamber means, said sealing means
being structured and arranged for attachment to each of said top
wall end of said planar wall portions.
12. The palette system according to claim 9 wherein said
moisture-permeable holding means comprises a sheet of paper-type
material.
13. The palette system according to claim 9 wherein said wetting
means is substantially flat.
14. The palette system according to claim 13 wherein said wetting
means has a dry thickness from about 1/16-inch to about 1/8-inch.
15. The palette system according to claim 14 wherein said wetting
means has a dry thickness of 1/16-inch.
16. The palette system according to claim 15 wherein said wetting
means has a water-saturated thickness of about 1/4-inch.
17. The palette system according to claim 13 wherein said wetting
means has a water-saturated thickness of about 1/4-inch.
18. A method of providing a palette system, comprising, in
combination, the steps of:
(a) providing an open-top box structure having a plurality of planar
wall portions, each said planar wall portion having a top wall end;
(b) providing for placement within said open-top box structure a
porous substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining structure having
a top surface;
(c) providing for placement atop said moisture-retaining structure a
moisture-permeable palette structure; and
(d) providing a sealing structure for sealing said open-top box
structure;
(e) whereby, when said palette structure and said moisture-retaining
structure are both moist, and when moisture evaporates from said
palette structure, said palette structure thereby drawing off top
moisture from said top surface of said moisture-retaining structure,
replacement moisture from within said moisture-retaining structure
"wicks up" to replace said top moisture, whereby said
moisture-retaining structure dries from the bottom up.
19. The method according to claim 18 wherein said step of providing
said porous substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining structure is
performed when said porous substantially-wood-fiber moisture
retaining structure is in a dry state.
20. The method according to claim 18 further comprising the
subsequent steps of:
(a) wetting said porous substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining
structure;
(b) placing said wetted porous substantially-wood-fiber
moisture-retaining structure in said open-top box structure;
(c) wetting said moisture-permeable palette structure; and
(d) placing said moisture-permeable palette structure atop and
adjacent said porous substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining
structure.
21. The method according to claim 20 further comprising the step of
placing at least one paint dab on said moisture-permeable palette
structure.
22. The method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of
sealing said open-top box structure by attaching said sealing
structure to said top wall end of each said planar wall portions.
23. The method according to claim 20 further comprising the step of
placing at least one glue dab on said moisture-permeable palette
structure.
24. The method according to claim 23 further comprising the step of
sealing said open-top box structure by attaching said sealing
structure to said top wall end of each said planar wall portions.
25. A method of making models comprising, comprising, in
combination, the steps of:
(a) providing an open-top box structure having a plurality of planar
wall portions, each said planar wall portion having a top wall end;
(b) providing for placement within said open-top box structure a
porous substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining structure having
a top surface;
(c) providing for placement atop said moisture-retaining structure a
moisture-permeable palette structure; and
(d) wetting said porous substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining
structure;
(e) placing said wetted porous substantially-wood-fiber
moisture-retaining structure in said open-top box structure;
(f) wetting said moisture-permeable palette structure;
(g) placing said moisture-permeable palette structure atop and
adjacent said porous substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining
structure;
(h) placing at least one dab of glue-type material atop said
moisture-permeable palette structure; and
(i) removing a portion of said dab of said glue with an applicator;
(j) wherein said porous substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining
structure comprises a substantially-sponge-like material whose cell
structure provides a "wick effect";
(k) whereby, when said moisture-permeable palette structure and said
porous substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining structure are
both moist, and when moisture evaporates from said
moisture-permeable palette structure, said moisture-permeable
palette structure thereby drawing off top moisture from said top
surface of said porous substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining
structure, replacement moisture from within said porous
substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining structure "wicks up" to
replace said top moisture, whereby said porous
substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining structure dries from the
bottom up.
26. The method according to claim 25 further comprising the
subsequent step of using said applicator to apply said glue to the
model to be glued.
27. The method according to claim 26 further comprising the
subsequent step of providing a sealing structure for sealing said
open-top box structure when said dabs of said glue are not being
used.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to providing a palette system for use in
storing and holding substances such as paint or glue. More
particularly, this invention concerns providing a palette system
which maintains the paint in a workable condition longer than that
provided with current palette systems.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typically, paint palettes are used to provide a platform on which
dabs of acrylic-type paints may be placed. Since acrylic-type paints
are water-based emulsions, it is important to maintain the paint
dabs in a moist condition during use, transport, and short term
storage on the palette. To this end, prior art attempts have been
made to provide paint palettes which are structured and arranged to
maintain the paint dabs in a moist condition for extended periods of
time. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,933 issued to applicant
teaches the use of a stackable palette system consisting of a
plurality of box-like palettes. Within these palettes are disposed a
water-retentive layer, e.g., a sponge-like material, and, on the
upper surface of the water-retentive layer, a sheet of porous
material on which dabs of paint are placed. In operation, the
moisture in the water-retentive layer is absorbed by the porous
layer, thereby maintaining the paint dabs in a moist and useable
condition.
Applicant is aware of other prior art attempts to provide paint
palettes which are structured and arranged to maintain the paint
dabs in a moist condition for extended periods of time. For example,
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,638,909 and 4,444,306 issued to, respectively, Ford
and Benaquista teach paint palettes which use moisture reservoirs,
comprising sponge-like materials, to prevent rapid drying of the
paint. Although both of the above-referenced palette systems may be
adequate for their respective intended uses, neither teaches a
palette that provides a uniform moisture distribution to the entire
palette surface when the paints are being used. For example, both
teach the placement of their respective sponges at an end of the
palette, thereby providing non-uniform moisture distribution to the
paints when the respective lids are removed and the paints are used.
Applicant is further aware of one prior art attempt in which the
moisture reservoir is arranged in such manner as to provide uniform
moisture to the entire palette surface. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
3,874,499 issued to Barnett, Jr. teaches an artist's palette in
which the palette's base portion comprises a rigid water absorbent
material such as polyurethane or foam rubber. Although this system
may also be adequate for its intended purpose, it fails to teach
that its water absorbent material may comprise a wood-fiber or
cellulose material exhibiting "wicking" power or the ability to draw
and concentrate moisture to the absorbent material's surface
adjacent the paints.
Generally, in terms of availability and cost concerns, palette
systems which utilize a water-retentive layer typically use a
plastic sponge material. Although these types of sponges are
adequate to maintain the paint dabs in a useable condition for short
periods of time, they have a tendency to dry from the top of the
sponge, thereby necessitating the user to add water to the palette
in order to maintain the porous paper, and hence the paint dabs, in
a moist condition. In addition, paint palettes are often transported
to the various locations in which the painting activity will be
conducted. If the travel time is extensive, the user may even have
to stop to refill the palette, which is inconvenient.
Thus, there exists a need for a palette system which maintains such
substances as paint or glue in a moist and useable condition for
longer periods than has been accomplished by prior art paint
palettes.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to fulfill the
above-mentioned needs by the provision of an improved palette system
for maintaining paint or glue dabs in a moist condition. A further
primary object of the present invention is to provide such an
improved palette system which is efficient, easy to use, inexpensive
and easy to maintain. Other objects of this invention will become
apparent with reference to the following invention description.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, this
invention provides a palette system for holding useable substances
such as paint dabs, glue dabs, or the like, comprising, in
combination: a substantially-flat wetting means, having a top
surface and a bottom surface, for providing a moisture supply; atop
and adjacent such top surface of such wetting means, a
moisture-permeable holding means for holding such useable substance;
and a chamber means for containing such wetting means, such chamber
means having an interior space, such interior space having a lower
surface adjacent and below such bottom surface of such wetting
means; such wetting means comprising a substantially-sponge-like
material whose cell structure provides a "wick effect"; whereby,
when such holding means and such wetting means are both moist, and
when moisture evaporates from such holding means, such holding means
thereby drawing off top moisture from such top surface of such
wetting means, replacement moisture from within such wetting means
"wicks up" to replace such top moisture, whereby such wetting means
dries from the bottom up.
Additionally, it provides for such a palette system further
comprising a useable substance, atop such moisture-permeable holding
means, selected from the group consisting of paint and a glue-type
material; and, wherein such useable substance comprises paint; and,
further, wherein such useable substance comprises a glue-type
material. Also, it provides such a palette system wherein such
wetting means has a dry thickness from about 1/16-inch to about
1/8-inch. And, it also provides for such a palette system wherein
such wetting means has a dry thickness of 1/16-inch. This invention
also provides fir such a palette system wherein such wetting means
has a water-saturated thickness of about 1/4-inch; and, wherein such
wetting means has a water saturated thickness of about 1/4-inch.
Further, it provides for such a palette system wherein such wetting
means comprises a substantially-wood-fiber material.
Even further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof,
this invention provides for a palette system for holding paint dabs,
comprising, in combination: a wetting means, comprising a porous
substantially-wood-fiber material, for providing a moisture supply;
atop and adjacent such wetting means, a moisture-permeable holding
means for holding such paint dabs; a chamber means for containing
such wetting means, such chamber means having an interior space,
such interior space having a bottom surface for supporting such
wetting means. And, it provides for such a palette system wherein
such chamber means comprises an open-top box structure, such
open-top box structure comprising a plurality of planar wall
portions, each such planar wall portion having a top wall end. Also,
it provides for such a palette system further comprising a sealing
means for sealing such chamber means, such sealing means being
structured and arranged for attachment to each of such top wall end
of such planar wall portions.
Yet further still, this invention provides for such a palette system
wherein such moisture-permeable holding means comprises a sheet of
paper-type material; and, wherein such wetting means is
substantially flat. Also, it provides for such a palette system
wherein such wetting means has a dry thickness from about 1/16-inch
to about 1/8-inch; and, even further, wherein such wetting means has
a dry thickness of 1/16-inch. Additionally, this invention provides
for such a palette system wherein such wetting means has a
water-saturated thickness of about 1/4-inch; and, even further
still, wherein such wetting means has a water-saturated thickness of
about 1/4-inch.
In addition, in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, this
invention provides for a method of providing a palette system,
comprising, in combination, the steps of: providing an open-top box
structure having a plurality of planar wall portions, each such
planar wall portion having a top wall end; providing for placement
within such open-top box structure a porous substantially-wood-fiber
moisture-retaining structure; providing for placement atop such
moisture-retaining structure a moisture-permeable palette structure;
and providing a sealing structure for sealing such open-top box
structure. And, it provides for such a method wherein such step of
providing such porous substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining
structure is performed when such porous substantially-wood-fiber
moisture retaining structure is in a dry state.
Additionally, this invention provides for such a method further
comprising the subsequent steps of: wetting such porous
substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining structure; placing such
wetted porous substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining structure
in such open-top box structure; wetting such moisture-permeable
palette structure; and placing such moisture-permeable palette
structure atop and adjacent such porous substantially-wood-fiber
moisture-retaining structure. Also, it provides for such a method
further comprising the step of placing at least one paint dab on
such moisture-permeable palette structure. Furthermore, this
invention provides for such a method further comprising the step of
sealing such open-top box structure by attaching such sealing
structure to such top wall end of each such planar wall portions.
And, it provides such a method further comprising the step of
placing at least one glue dab on such moisture-permeable palette
structure. Also, this invention provides for such a method further
comprising the step of sealing such open-top box structure by
attaching such sealing structure to such top wall end of each such
planar wall portions.
Yet further still, in accordance with a preferred embodiment
thereof, this invention provides for a method of making models
comprising, comprising, in combination, the steps of: providing an
open-top box structure having a plurality of planar wall portions,
each such planar wall portion having a top wall end; providing for
placement within such open-top box structure a porous
substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining structure having a top
surface; providing for placement atop such moisture-retaining
structure a moisture-permeable palette structure; and wetting such
porous substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining structure;
placing such wetted porous substantially-wood-fiber
moisture-retaining structure in such open-top box structure; wetting
such moisture-permeable palette structure; placing such
moisture-permeable palette structure atop and adjacent such porous
substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining structure; placing at
least one dab of glue-type material atop such moisture-permeable
palette structure; and removing a portion of such dab of such glue
with an applicator; wherein such porous substantially-wood-fiber
moisture-retaining structure comprises a substantially-sponge-like
material whose cell structure provides a "wick effect"; whereby,
when such moisture-permeable palette structure and such porous
substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining structure are both
moist, and when moisture evaporates from such moisture-permeable
palette structure, such moisture-permeable palette structure thereby
drawing off top moisture from such top surface of such porous
substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining structure, replacement
moisture from within such porous substantially-wood-fiber
moisture-retaining structure "wicks up" to replace such top
moisture, whereby such porous substantially-wood-fiber
moisture-retaining structure dries from the bottom up.
Yet additionally, this invention provides for such a method further
comprising the subsequent step of using such applicator to apply
such glue to the model to be glued. Also, it provides for such a
method further comprising the subsequent step of providing a sealing
structure for sealing such open-top box structure when such dabs of
such glue are not being used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the palette system of the present invention, including an
illustration of the wetting means embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 2 is a top plan-view, partially cut-away, of a preferred
embodiment of the palette system with the lid installed.
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view, in elevation, illustrating
the arrangement of the various component parts comprising the
palette system.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the
palette system showing an alternate preferred use of the palette
system for holding dabs of glue.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND THE BEST MODE OF
PRACTICE
In FIG. 1 is shown a perspective view of the preferred palette
system 20 of the present invention. As shown, the palette system 20
comprises an open-top box structure or container 21 having a
plurality of planar wall portions 22 defining an interior portion 23
therein. Disposed upon the inner bottom surface 24 of container 21
is the wetting element 27 of the present invention. Wetting element
27 is structured to be used in conjunction with paint palettes which
utilize a sponge-type medium, on or in which the paint dabs are
placed, such as the type fully disclosed in applicant's U.S. Pat.
No. 5,715,933. The wetting element 27 is preferably made of a
porous, substantially-flat substantially-wood-fiber material
commercially available from the 3M Company, Tonawanda, N.Y. (product
code 2419-4) which preferably comprises about 33% regenerated
cellulose sponge material, about 0.1% pigment, and about 67% water.
The compositions of, and ways to enhance user-desired
characteristics of, the cellulose sponge material for use in the
substantially-wood-fiber material of the type herein described are
well-known to those skilled in such art and can be found in, for
example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,910,275 and 3,997,647 and the various
patents referenced therein (which teachings are herein incorporated
by reference). In addition, the construction of cellulose sponges of
the type described herein is also well-known to those skilled in
such art and may consist of any conventional process for producing
cellulose-type sponges such as, for example, the viscose process or
the process of producing such sponges from cellulose esters. Such
conventional processes are well-known and are further described in
the abovementioned referenced patents and will not be further
described in detail herein. The wetting element 27 embodies herein a
wetting means, comprising a porous substantially-wood-fiber
material, for providing a moisture supply.
As will be more fully disclosed herein, it has been found that the
use of a wood-fiber wetting element 27 with a container 21
(embodying herein a chamber means for containing such wetting means,
such chamber means having an interior space, such interior space
having a bottom surface for supporting such wetting means) of the
type described herein have succeeded in maintaining the paint dabs
28 in a moist and useable condition for a substantially greater
period of time than that obtained by the use of conventional
plastic-type sponge materials. The use of a wood-fiber wetting
element 27 is particularly advantageous when used with palette
systems in which the paint dabs 28 are located adjacent the wetting
element upper surface 29. It has been found that moisture within the
wood-fiber wetting element 27 of this invention tends to move, or
"wick", towards the wetting element upper surface 29. This is
believed to be caused by most of the evaporation from the wetting
element 27 being in the area of this upper surface 29.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in such art, this tendency
for moisture to "wick" towards the wetting element upper surface 29
results in a maximum utilization of the wetting element 27 moisture,
thereby maintaining the paint dabs 28 in a useable condition for
longer periods of time. This arrangement is embodied by a wetting
means comprising a substantially-sponge-like material whose cell
structure provides a "wick effect", whereby, when such holding means
and such wetting means are both moist, and when moisture evaporates
from such holding means, such holding means thereby drawing off top
moisture from such top surface of such wetting means, replacement
moisture from within such wetting means "wicks up" to replace such
top moisture, whereby such wetting means dries from the bottom up.
To provide an appropriate moist surface on which to place paint dabs
28, a moisture-permeable palette structure or paper sheet 30 is
placed upon the wetting element upper surface 29. This arrangement
allows moisture from the wetting element 27 to be absorbed by the
paper sheet 30 thereby maintaining the paint dabs 28 in a usably
moist condition. The paper sheet 30 embodies herein a
moisture-permeable holding means for holding such paint dabs. In
order to most effectively be used with acrylic paints, the paper
sheet 30 is preferably of a type which is water-permeable and has
sufficient wet strength to prevent rapid disintegration in use. To
prevent moisture loss from the container 21 and wetting element 27
when the palette system is not in use, the present invention
provides for a lid 34 which is structured and arranged to attach to
the top ends 36 of each of the planar wall portions 22. The
construction of lid 34 and corresponding attachment methods are as
described fully in applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,933 and will not
be elaborated upon in any greater detail herein. The lid 34 embodies
herein a sealing means for sealing such chamber means, such sealing
means being structured and arranged for attachment to each of such
top wall end of such planar wall portions. Lid 34 further provides
the benefit of allowing the palette system 20 to be safely
transported with the paint dabs 28 stored therein without risk of
contaminating the paint by accidental contact with the users
clothing or other outside contaminants. Tabs 37 and 38 may be
provided on, respectively, the container 21 and lid 34 to facilitate
removal of the lid 34.
Shown in FIG. 2, in partial cut-away, is a top view of the preferred
embodiment of the palette system 20 of the present invention. Shown
is the box-like container 21 having a plurality of planar wall
portions 22. Disposed within container 21 is the paper sheet 30
arranged for placement on the wetting element upper surface 29 (not
shown in FIG. 2). Also shown are a plurality of paint dabs 28
arranged on the paper sheet upper surface 39. The lid 34 is
preferably made of a semi-flexible plastic (in well-known ways) for
easier attachment and removal. In order to most efficiently maximize
the number and size of the paint dabs 28 stored within the container
21, it is preferred that and the paper sheet 30 have a surface area
approximately equal to the surface area of the interior portion 23,
as shown.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, in elevation, of the palette
system 20 of the present invention illustrating the arrangement of
the various herein described components. For use with the container
21 herein illustrated and described, the preferred wood-fiber
wetting element 27 has a preferred "dry" thickness range of about
1/16-inch to about 1/8-inch. The dry thickness is defined herein as
the measured thickness when the wetting element 27 is in a dry
state. Upon saturation, the preferred wetting element 27 expands to
a "wet" thickness of approximately 1/4 inch. The wet thickness is
defined herein as the measured thickness when the wetting element 27
is in a water-saturated state. Although other dry thicknesses may be
used, it is recommended that the dry thickness be chosen so as to
maintain an adequate clearance height between a useable paint dab 28
and the means used to seal the container 21, e.g., lid 34, when the
wetting element 27 is in a water-saturated state.
Placed on the wetting element upper surface 29 is a paper sheet 30,
the upper surface 39 of which holds a plurality of paint dabs 28.
For the type of palette system 20 disclosed herein, it is
recommended that paper sheet 30 be immersed in water for
approximately 30-45 minutes prior to use. In addition, wetting
element 27 is to be water-saturated prior to placement within
container 21. It is recommended that the wood-fiber wetting element
27 be sized accordingly to fit the applicable container 21 size. For
the wood-fiber wetting element 27 disclosed herein, sizing should
take into account expansion of the sponge material when saturated
with a liquid. It has been found that a wetting element 27 with
preferred dry dimensions of 63/8 in..times.77/8 in. expands to wet
dimensions of 7 in..times.81/2 in. when saturated. It has further
been found that the resulting wet dimensions of wetting element 27
substantially fills the interior portion 23 of the preferred
container 21 described herein.
Accordingly, as illustrated in the drawings, the preferred method of
practicing the present invention is embodied by the steps of:
providing an open-top box structure having a plurality of a
plurality of planar wall portions, each such planar wall portion
having a top wall end; providing for placement within such open-top
box structure a porous substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining
structure; providing for placement atop such moisture-retaining
structure a moisture-permeable palette structure; providing a
sealing structure for sealing such open-top box structure; and,
wherein such step of providing such porous substantially-wood-fiber
moisture-retaining structure is performed when such porous
substantially-wood-fiber moisture retaining structure is in a dry
state.
In addition, the preferred method consists of the additional steps
of: wetting such porous substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining
structure; placing such wetted porous substantially-wood-fiber
moisture-retaining structure in such open-top box structure; wetting
such moisture-permeable palette structure; placing such
moisture-permeable palette structure atop and adjacent such porous
substantially-wood-fiber moisture-retaining structure; placing at
least one paint dab on such moisture-permeable palette structure;
and sealing such open-top box structure by attaching such sealing
structure to such top wall end of each such planar wall portions.
Comparative Test Results
Trial 1
To determine the relative drying times between the wood-fiber sponge
and a conventional plastic-fiber sponge, 1/3 cup of water was placed
into two properly sized palette holders. Into palette holder 1 was
placed a wetting element comprising a wood-fiber sponge of the type
previously described. Into palette holder 2 was placed a
conventional plastic sponge-type wetting element having the same
surface area as the wood-fiber wetting element. Both wetting
elements were moistened prior to insertion into their respective
palette holders. Similarly placed over each wetting element was
placed a moistened paper sheet of the type illustrated and described
previously with respect to FIGS. 1-3. Time trials were then
conducted to determine the elapsed time from time zero (each wetting
element inserted into a respective palette holder) to when no
perceivable moisture (as determined from manual touching) remained
in the two wetting elements. The relevant data and conclusions are
tabulated as follows:
Trial 1 Thickness Elapsed time (inches) (Hours) Wood-fiber 1/16 44
Plastic-fiber 1/16 2
As shown in the tabulated results, the wood-fiber sponge maintained
a sufficient amount of moisture so as be able to maintain a paint
dab in a moist and useable condition for a period of approximately
22 times longer than the plastic-fiber sponge. Mainly accounting for
these results was the fact that the wood-fiber sponge exhibited a
"wick effect" in that the top surface of the sponge dried at a
slower rate than the sponge bottom surface. In comparison, the
plastic-fiber sponge dried from the top down. Particularly for those
palette systems in which the paint dabs are placed adjacent the top
surface of the wetting element, this is an important distinction.
The wood-fiber sponge effectively "pumps" the remaining moisture in
the sponge to the sponge's top surface (in the direction in which
the major evaporation surfaces are removing water), thereby
maximizing the use of the sponge's moisture to maintain the paint
dabs in a moist condition for a maximum amount of time.
Trial 2
A second comparative test was conducted without the use of the paper
sheet to determine if the paper sheet was producing a possible wick
effect when used in conjunction with the wood fiber wetting element.
According to this trial, 1/3 cup of water was again placed into two
palette holders. Into palette holder 1 was placed a wetting element
comprising a wood-fiber sponge of the type previously described and
used in Trial 1. Into palette holder 2 was placed a conventional
plastic sponge-type wetting element (like that used in Trial 1)
having the same surface area as the wood-fiber wetting element. Both
wetting elements contained no moisture prior to being placed into
their respective palette holders. Initially, it was shown that the
wood-fiber sponge exhibited a greater absorption capacity than the
plastic sponge as evidenced by the observation that less
free-standing water remained in the palette when the wood-fiber
sponge was placed therein. Time trials were then conducted to
determine the elapsed time from time zero (each wetting element
inserted into a respective palette holder) to when no perceivable
moisture (as determined from manual touching)remained in the two
wetting elements. The relevant data and conclusions are tabulated as
follows:
Trial 2 Thickness Elapsed time (inches) (Hours) Wood-fiber 1/16 44
Plastic-fiber 1/16 4
At the expiration of 30 hours, a further trial was conducted to
determine if any remaining moisture in the two sponges would "wick"
to the sponge surface if a water-permeable material, e.g., a napkin,
were placed on each of the sponge top surfaces. Upon placing a
typical napkin on the surface of the wood-fiber sponge, the napkin
became saturated due to the remaining water in the sponge. For the
plastic sponge, no such effect was apparent even after only a four
hour drying time. The results obtained from the test trials show
that a more efficient palette system may be obtained by using a
wetting element comprising a substantially wood-fiber material. This
increase in efficiency translates into a more versatile and a lower
maintenance palette system thus enabling the user to use, or be away
from, the palette system for longer periods of time than previously
experienced with conventional palette systems.
In FIG. 4 is shown a perspective view of the preferred palette
system 20 of the present invention as substantially illustrated and
described previously with respect to FIGS. 1-3. Shown is the palette
system 20 of this invention holding both glue dabs 42 and paint dabs
43 for use by the user 44 for purposes of, for example, constructing
a model 46. As shown, the user is using an applicator 48 such as a
toothpick or the like to remove a portion of the glue dab 42 for
application to the model 46. As will be appreciated by those skilled
in such art, especially the art of model building, applicant has
discovered that the palette system 20 of the present invention also
provides the useful function of preserving other useable substances
such as glue dabs 42 in a workable condition for longer periods of
time with the result that less glue need be consumed for a
particular project. In addition, for those model building
applications which often require that a part be painted prior to
installation, the palette system 20 of this invention allows the
paint dabs 43 to remain in a workable condition while the user 44
glues the model part 49 to the model 46. As will be apparent to
those skilled in such art, the glues to be used with the palette
system 20 of the present invention preferably comprise those glues
or other suitable adhesives having a natural or synthesized polymer
structure which do not react adversely to the presence of moisture.
For exemplary purposes, such suitable glues may comprise those
nonreactive synthetic glues such as White or polyvinyl acetate (PVA)
type glues.
In addition, to maintain the glue and paint dabs 42 and 43 in a
useable condition when not in use, the user 44 may attach the lid 34
to the top ends 36 of each of the planar wall portions 22 in the
manner fully described above.
Although applicant has described applicant's preferred embodiment of
this invention, it will be understood that the broadest scope of
this invention includes such modifications as diverse shapes and
sizes and materials. Such scope is limited only by the below claims
as read in connection with the above specification. Further, many
other advantages of applicant's invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from the above descriptions and the below claims.
* * * * *
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