Interchangeable container cover

Abstract

A plastic container set for holding paint is disclosed. The plastic container set comprises a first plastic container having a body with a first transverse cross dimension and a threaded upstanding collar defining an opening to the interior of the first container body. The plastic container set also comprises a second plastic container having a body with a second transverse cross dimension and a threaded upstanding collar defining an opening to the interior of the second container body. Further, the plastic container set comprises a cover having a top portion, a substantially circular annulus coupled to the top portion, the annulus defining the outer perimeter of the cover, the annulus having a diameter, and a thread inside the cover for coupling with the collar of both of the first plastic container and the second plastic container. The first transverse cross dimension is substantially the same as the diameter and the second transverse cross dimension is substantially greater than the diameter.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A plastic container set for holding paint, comprising: 
 a first plastic container having a body with a first transverse cross dimension and a threaded upstanding collar defining an opening to the interior of the first container body;    a second plastic container having a body with a second transverse cross dimension and a threaded upstanding collar defining an opening to the interior of the second container body; and    a cover having a top portion, a substantially circular annulus coupled to the top portion, the annulus defining the outer perimeter of the cover, the annulus having a diameter, and a thread inside the cover for coupling with the collar of both of the first plastic container and the second plastic container,    wherein the first transverse cross dimension is substantially the same as the diameter and the second transverse cross dimension is substantially greater than the diameter.    
     
     
         2 . The plastic container set of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 paint in the first and second plastic containers.    
     
     
         3 . The plastic container set of  claim 1 , wherein the first plastic container holds approximately one quart of paint and the second plastic container holds approximately one gallon of paint.  
     
     
         4 . The plastic container set of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the first container is substantially D-shaped.  
     
     
         5 . The plastic container set of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the second container is substantially D-shaped.  
     
     
         6 . The plastic container set of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an integral handle configured in the body of the first plastic container.    
     
     
         7 . The plastic container set of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a bail-type handle coupled to the second plastic container.    
     
     
         8 . The plastic container set of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the collar of the first and second plastic containers are at most approximately 4.5 inches each.  
     
     
         9 . The plastic container set of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a pour spout coupled to the collar of the second plastic container.    
     
     
         10 . The plastic container set of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an integral handle configured in the body of the first plastic container;    a bail-type handle coupled to the second plastic container; and    a pour spout coupled to the collar of the second plastic container,    wherein the cross-sectional shape of the first container is substantially D-shaped and the cross-sectional shape of the second container is substantially D-shaped.    
     
     
         11 . A cover for a plastic container for holding paint, comprising: 
 a top portion;    a substantially circular annulus coupled to the top portion, the annulus defining the outer perimeter of the cover, and the annulus having a diameter;    a thread inside the cover,    wherein the cover is interchangeable with a first plastic container for holding paint, the first plastic container having a body with a transverse cross dimension that is substantially the same as the diameter and with a second plastic container for holding paint, the second plastic container body having a body with a transverse cross dimension that is substantially greater than the diameter.    
     
     
         12 . The cover of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a gripping portion coupled to the annulus, the gripping portion having at least one indentation provided for gripping the cover.    
     
     
         13 . The cover of  claim 12 , wherein there are a plurality of indentations spaced evenly around the gripping portion.  
     
     
         14 . The cover of  claim 11 , wherein the top portion is substantially flat.  
     
     
         15 . The cover of  claim 11 , wherein the top portion is curved.  
     
     
         16 . The cover of  claim 11 , wherein the top portion is domed.  
     
     
         17 . The cover of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a contour in the top portion for holding a brush.    
     
     
         18 . The cover of  claim 11 , wherein the cover is a different color than the body of at least one of the first plastic container and the second plastic container.  
     
     
         19 . The cover of  claim 11 , wherein the second plastic container has a pour spout.  
     
     
         20 . A method of storing paint in containers of different sizes, comprising: 
 providing a first plastic container having a body with a first transverse cross dimension and a threaded upstanding collar defining an opening to the interior of the first container body, the first plastic container having a first volume;    providing a second plastic container having a body with a second transverse cross dimension and a threaded upstanding collar defining an opening to the interior of the second container body, the second plastic container having a second volume;    coupling a first cover on the first plastic container, the first cover having a top portion, a substantially circular annulus coupled to the top portion, the annulus defining the outer perimeter of the cover, and the annulus having a diameter, and a thread inside the cover for coupling with the collar of both of the first plastic container and the second plastic container; and    coupling a second cover on the second plastic container, the second cover being of the same size as the first cover,    wherein the first transverse cross dimension is substantially the same as the diameter and the second transverse cross dimension is substantially greater than the diameter.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 filling paint in the first and second plastic containers.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the first volume is approximately one quart and the second volume is approximately one gallon.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the first container is substantially D-shaped.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the second container is substantially D-shaped.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 screwing the first cover onto the first plastic container collar.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 screwing the second cover onto the second plastic container collar.    
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 coupling a pour spout to the second plastic container collar.