Liner For Construction Material Container

Abstract

A liner for protecting the interior of a construction material container is provided to have a shape complementary to that of a joint compound container. The liner is formed of a lightweight, flexible and disposable material and can be positioned directly within the joint compound container. In use, the joint compound is placed directly within the liner disposed within the container. After one or more uses of the container including the liner, the liner, along with the build-up of hardened joint compound or other construction material placed within the liner, can be removed from the container and disposed of. A subsequent liner can then be positioned within the container to enable continued use of the container without the need for removing and remaining construction material therefrom.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A liner for a construction material container the liner comprising:
 a) a body; and   b) at least one engagement structure disposed on the body and adapted to engage a portion of the construction material container.   
     
     
         2 . The liner of  claim 1  wherein the at least one engagement structure includes a clip engageable with the construction material container. 
     
     
         3 . The liner of  claim 2  wherein the clip is engageable with an interior surface of the container. 
     
     
         4 . The liner of  claim 2  wherein the clip is engageable with an exterior surface of the container. 
     
     
         5 . The liner of  claim 4  wherein the clip is biased with respect to the container. 
     
     
         6 . The liner of  claim 5  wherein the clip is joined to the body by a living hinge. 
     
     
         7 . The liner of  claim 4  wherein the clip includes tapered edges. 
     
     
         8 . The liner of  claim 2  further comprising engagement structures disposed on each side wall of the body. 
     
     
         9 . The liner of  claim 2  wherein the clip includes a tab disposed opposite the body. 
     
     
         10 . The liner of  claim 1  wherein the engagement structure is integrally formed with the body. 
     
     
         11 . The liner of  claim 1  wherein the liner is formed of a plastic material. 
     
     
         12 . The liner of  claim 1  further comprising an adhesive disposed on the at least one engagement structure. 
     
     
         13 . A method for positioning a protective liner within a construction material container, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a liner comprising:
 i) a body; and 
 ii) at least one engagement structure disposed on the body and adapted to engage a portion of the construction material container; 
   b) placing the body within an interior of the container; and   c) engaging the at least one engagement structure with the construction material container.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of placing the body within the container and engaging the at least one engagement structure with the container occur simultaneously. 
     
     
         15 . A construction material container comprising:
 a) a container including a number of side walls defining an interior; and   b) a liner positioned at least partially within the interior of the container, the liner comprising:
 i) a body; and 
 ii) at least one engagement structure disposed on the body and engageable with a portion of the construction material container. 
   
     
     
         16 . The liner of  claim 15  wherein the at least one engagement structure includes a clip engageable with the construction material container. 
     
     
         17 . The liner of  claim 16  wherein the clip is engageable with an interior surface of the container. 
     
     
         18 . The liner of  claim 16  wherein the clip is engageable with an exterior surface of the container. 
     
     
         19 . The liner of  claim 18  wherein the clip is biased with respect to the container.