Paint can collar
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the past there have been various devices in order to overcome the problem of paint dripping down the side of the paint can. However, most of the devices have been limited to use with predetermined sized paint cans made from relatively expensive materials. The present invention overcomes the deficiencies in the prior art by providing a simple, inexpensive variable diameter paint can collar which prevents the dripping of paint down the sides of the can onto the surface to which the can rests. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, a simple inexpensive paint can collar is provided. The paint can collar comprises a generally circular body having a lower lip portion for engagement with the inner rim of a paint can, an intermediate portion which rests upon the inner rim of the can and an upper lip portion projecting outwardly and upwardly from the intermediate portion such that the spilled paint will eventually drip back into the paint can when spilled. The upper lip portion also includes a pair of bisymmetrical indentations designed to enable the handle of the paint can to be moved into a position to carry the paint can. The body is cut so that a first end portion and a second end portion are formed. The first end portion is designed to slideably engage with the second end portion in order that the inner diameter of the lower lip portion may be varied according to the size of the paint can being used. 
     It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide a simple, inexpensive paint can collar which may be adapted to fit various sized paint cans. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a paint can collar which enables the handle of the paint can to be placed in the functional position for carrying the paint can without having to remove the paint can collar. 
     In accordance with these and other objects which will be apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top elevational view of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom elevational view of the invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the invention taken across the line 4--4 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings and more particularly FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the paint can collar is shown generally at 10. The collar comprises a lower lip portion 12, intermediate portion 14 and an upper lip portion 16. 
     The lower lip portion 12 is generally parallel to the side wall of the paint can illustrated by 30 in FIG. 2 into which the paint can collar lower lip portion 12 is to be inserted and is maintained in engaging relation with the inner rim below the inwardly extending lip 34 of a paint can by way of plurality of tabs or flanges 20. The intermediate portion 14 is generally coplanar with the plane of the top surface 32 of the paint can and rests upon the rim portion of the paint can once the top is removed. The upper lip portion 16 extends outwardly and upwardly from the intermediate portion 14 in order that any paint drippings will eventually flow downwardly and inwardly towards the opening in the paint can without dripping along the side of the paint can. The upper lip portion 16 also includes a pair of bisymmetrical indentations 18, having abrupt angles 18a defined by abrupt abutting edges 18b and gradually tapering edges 18c, which enables the paint can collar to remain attached to the paint can when the paint can is being removed. It is therefore necessary to align the indentation 18 with the path of the paint can handle 40 shown in FIG. 3 when placing the paint collar on the can. 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the two end portions 22 and 24 are shown. The first end portion 22 is completely separated from the second end portion 24 so that the diameter of the lower lip portion 12 may be varied according to the size of the can. The second end portion 24 also includes an inwardly offset guiding lip 26 and an upwardly offset section 24A which allows the first end portion 22 to slide there along maintaining the lower lip portion 12, the intermediate portion 14 and the upper lip portion 16 in proper position. In this embodiment, it is suggested that a high impact styrene plastic be used in the manufacture of the collar as it gives the collar a resilient characteristic which expansively biases the diameter of the lower lip portion to maintain the collar in engagement with the inner rim of the paint can. It should be noted that other materials could be used which are nonresilient and a spring or set of springs could be used to expansively bias the diameter of the device to maintain the engagement with the paint can. A preferred material is a high impact styrene. 
     The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.