Method and device for protecting paint in a paint container

A method for protecting a liquid contained in a liquid container comprising the steps of:

• providing a flexible bag and a liquid container, the flexible bag having an open edge, a sidewall, and a bottom region opposite the open edge, the sidewall being connected to the bottom region at one end and defining the open edge at an opposite end, the sidewall extended substantially perpendicular to the bottom region, the liquid container including an outer surface, an inner surface defining an interior containing the liquid, an opening through which the liquid is removed, a lid mating surface having an upwardly-opening circumferential channel surrounding the opening, and a lid having a downwardly-extending circumferential lip configured to matingly engage the (lid mating surface) circumferential channel, the liquid in the liquid container having a free surface;
• draping the open edge of the flexible bag over the liquid container so that the open edge and sidewall are adjacent the outer surface and the bottom region of the bag is positioned over the opening;
• pressing the bottom region of the flexible bag into contact with the free surface of the liquid;
• registering the circumferential lip with the circumferential channel with the bag therebetween;
• and
• sealing the opening by capturing the bag between the lid and the circmferential channel with the circumferential lip engaged within the circumferential channel, the draping step preventing outward splashing of any liquid from the circumferential channel.

A method for protecting paint contained in a paint container comprising the steps of:

• providing a flexible bag and a paint container, the flexible bag having an open edge, a sidewall, and a bottom region opposite the open edge, the sidewall being connected to the bottom region at one end and defining the open edge at an opposite end, the sidwall extended substantially perpendicular to the bottom region, the paint container including an outer surface, an inner surface defining an interior containing the paint, an opening through which paint is removed, a lid mating surface having an upwardly-opening circumferential channel surrounding the opening, and a lid having a downwardly-extending circumferential lip configured to matingly engage the circumferential channel, the paint in the paint container having a free surface,
• selecting a material for the flexible bag which is substantially impermeable to air;
• draping the open edge of the flexible bag over the paint container so that the open edge is adjacent the outer surface and the bottom region of the bag is positioned over the opening;
• pressing the bottom region of the flexible bag through the opening and into contact with the free surface of the paint;
• pushing the bottom region of the bag into the paint so that paint rises up the in a space between the inner surface of the paint container and the bag, thereby expelling air from the space;
• releasing the bag so that the paint reestablishes the free surface with the bag adhering to substantially the entire free surface of the paint;
• registering the circumferential lip with the circumferential channel with the bag therebetween;
• and
• sealing the opening by pressing the lid onto the lid mating surface, the draping step preventing outward splashing of any paint from the upwardly opening circumferential channel during the sealing step.