EP1708590B1 - Cap for protecting the bristles on the end of a paintbrush or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

The cap has a fixed shell (7) extended by a rigid cradle (6) for reception of a ferrule, where the cradle is equipped with grasping units (4, 5) for grasping the ferrule. A movable shell (8) is equipped with prongs (16) at distal end, where the prongs cooperate with respective prong reception recesses (17) in the fixed shell, while closing the shells. The shells jointly form potbellied cases to protect bristles of a brush.

Description

The invention is in the field of caps to protect the tip of a brush or the like. Its object is such an easily removable cap, yet providing effective and durable protection of the tip of the brush, especially for its transport.

It is recalled that a brush consists mainly of a carrying sleeve at its distal end bristles which are held on the handle via a ferrule. Here and in the following description of the invention, the term "bristles" must be understood in the generic sense and qualifies all types of fibers used to make the tip (also called tuft) of the brush, these fibers being natural and / or synthetic. A general problem posed lies in the brittleness and flexibility of bristles, which make their protection useful when the brush is not used, especially during its transport. For this purpose, it has been proposed by the prior art caps for the protection of bristles, reportable reversibly on the handle of the brush.

It will be noted at this stage of the description of the present invention that such a cap must satisfy a compromise between different qualities offered by its structure. These qualities reside in particular in an effective protection of the bristles, in a durability of the cap despite its frequent and regular handling, in its firm fixation on the handle of the brush which must not however hinder its easy removal, in its comfortable maneuverability necessary for not to make it unacceptable its use, and in its conformation and its external appearance pleasant likely to seduce a user deemed aesthetic sensitive by the field of application of the brush to painting of art, or even make-up or the like.

For example, it has been proposed a cap arranged in a cylindrical sleeve for styling the bristles from its threading on the handle. A disadvantage related to the use of such a cap resides in its passage on the handle from one or the other end of the brush. It appears, in fact, that a passage of the sleeve backward from the distal end of the brush inevitably causes a damaging deformation and / or alteration of the bristles, while a passage through the proximal end of the brush as proposed by the document FR2642283 (DA VINCI ), is inappropriate and tedious use. In addition, such cap installation methods make it impossible to advantageously equip the proximal end of the brush handle, an accessory having a consequent lateral size, such as a scraper, a palette or a paint knife for example .

It was also proposed by the document DE4215896 (FOERSTER and (b) arranging the cap into a housing consisting of hulls, which are hinged to one another and which are deformable for their interlocking overlap. Fixing the housing on the handle of the brush is effected by clamping the latter jointly by the shells in the closed position of the housing, by means of deformable sleeves slid into force on the handle. It will be noted the antagonism of the forces involved to first firmly lock the housing in the closed position and secondly fix the latter on the handle of the brush.

It was further proposed by the document DE206635 (MEIER ) to organize the extended spoon cap of a deformable cradle for its fixing by lateral interlocking on the handle of the brush. Such a cap provides only partial protection of the bristles and the manner of use for its fixing and its removal which make its delicate handling and its effectiveness perennial doubtful.

It appears that such caps do not respond satisfactorily to the aforementioned compromise, resulting in everyday use that tends to be neglected by users.

The object of the present invention is to provide a protective cap of a brush that satisfies the needs in the field, from a cap structure that best meets the requirements of the aforementioned compromise, to encourage its use in applications. satisfactory conditions for users.

1. 1) Le capuchon comporte, un boîtier associant d'une part des moyens pour sa fixation facilement réversible sur une virole ménagée à l'extrémité distale du manche du pinceau, et d'autre part deux coques articulées l'une à l'autre à l'une de leurs extrémités et rabattables l'une vers l'autre pour la fermeture du boîtier.
2. 2) L'une des coques, fixe, est prolongée par un berceau rigide de réception de la virole, ce berceau formant notamment une semelle de réception de l'autre coque, mobile, et étant équipé au moins au voisinage de ses extrémités respectives d'organes distants de prise respective de la virole par déformation élastique de ces derniers.
3. 3) Le boîtier étant équipé de moyens de verrouillage de sa fermeture par emboîtement des coques entre elles, la coque mobile est équipée à son extrémité distale d'un organe de verrouillage en position de fermeture du boîtier qui coopère par emboîtement avec un organe de verrouillage complémentaire que comporte la coque fixe, de sorte qu'en position de fermeture du boîtier, les coques soient maintenues en superposition juxtaposées l'une contre l'autre à la périphérie de leur débouché.

According to the present invention, a bristle protection cap of a brush tip has the following features, taken alone or in combination:

1. 1) The cap comprises a housing associating firstly means for its easily reversible attachment to a ferrule formed at the distal end of the brush handle, and secondly hulls hinged to each other at one of their ends and foldable towards each other for closing the housing.
2. 2) One of the hulls, fixed, is extended by a rigid cradle receiving the ferrule, this cradle forming in particular a receiving flange of the other hull, mobile, and being equipped at least in the vicinity of its respective ends of remote bodies of respective grip of the ferrule by elastic deformation of the latter.
3. 3) The housing being equipped with means for locking its closure by interlocking the shells together, the mobile shell is equipped at its distal end with a locking member in the closed position of the housing which cooperates by interlocking with a locking member complementary that includes the fixed shell, so that in the closed position of the housing, the shells are maintained in superposition juxtaposed against each other at the periphery of their outlet.

• Les organes de prise sont préférentiellement composés d'un organe proximal de prise au moins à butée axiale coopérant avec un relief complémentaire de la virole, et d'un organe distal de prise au moins à retenue radiale par prise périphérique localisée de la virole. Ces dispositions sont telles que l'accrochage de l'organe proximal de prise sur le manche du pinceau lui confère à cet organe une fonction de point pivot, autour duquel le berceau bascule jusqu'à la prise radiale de la virole par l'organe distal de prise.

In addition, the cap of the invention has the following secondary provisions:

• The gripping members are preferably composed of a proximal gripping member at least with axial abutment cooperating with a relief complementary to the ferrule, and a distal at least radial retaining member by localized peripheral grip of the ferrule. These arrangements are such that the attachment of the proximal gripping member on the handle of the brush gives it to this organ a pivot point function, around which the cradle tilts to the radial grip of the ferrule by the distal member of taking.

In addition, the gripping members of the cradle are advantageously organized in jaws whose jaws are arranged in at least one radial lip, whose profile is preferably faceted to grip the ferrule by remote points.

The cradle preferably has on its outer face a stiffening dorsal rib to reinforce its robustness. This dorsal rib extends in particular from the proximal end of the cradle to the junction zone of the latter with the fixed shell. Preferably, the outer face of the fixed shell and the dorsal rib are substantially flush.

The hull locking members are more specifically each constituted by a set of radial protruding lateral reliefs, which are respectively formed at the corresponding ends of the hulls in a substantially radially median zone of the housing.

Preferably, the housing is equipped with means for guiding the mobile shell between the opening and closing positions of the housing, which consist of cooperating guiding members that the shells respectively comprise at the periphery of their outlet. These members are advantageously formed by a positioning rabbet in superposition of the shells together, formed along the periphery of the outlet of at least one of the shells for receiving the edge of the other shell.

It will be noted that this rebate at least is preferably continuous for a regular and uninterrupted guidance of the mobile shell, otherwise it is discontinuous by being composed of successive successive elements.

The mobile shell advantageously comprises lateral gripping wings for its capture and the maneuvering at least the opening, if not also the closure, of the housing by the user. Preferably, the lateral gripping wings are formed in extension of the lateral reliefs of the movable shell. These arrangements also make it possible to reinforce the distal end of the movable shell forming an outlet for the passage of the handle, which is subjected to repeated deformation stresses for locking the closure of the housing, contrary to the corresponding end of the fixed shell. which is reinforced by the solidarity of the latter in the cradle.

At least one of the shells advantageously comprises ventilation openings, in particular shaped in axial slots, so that said openings allow a substantial circulation of air without significantly affecting the rigidity of the shell, through the wall of which hides the ventilation openings are formed.

According to a particular case of the invention, the cap comprises an air passage to allow, in the closed position, a flow of air, particularly through its distal end, this passage preventing the risk of suffocation in case of accidental ingestion of the cap. More particularly, said air passage is formed by apertures facing each other through respectively the fixed shell 7 and the movable shell 8.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said protective cap is made of an elastically deformable plastic material. Advantageously, said plastic material is transparent. As transparent plastic materials, there may be mentioned for example polypropylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymer (ABS) and polyamide. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said protective cap is made of polyamide. This last transparent and elastically deformable plastic material has the advantage of retaining its mechanical characteristics of elasticity and therefore allows the cap according to the invention to be able to easily adapt to different diameters of brushes. In addition, polyamide is a material which has the particularity of being resistant to solvents and thus proving to be a material which is particularly suitable for the invention.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the protective cap made of transparent plastic material is made by molding.

• La fig.1 et la fig.2 sont des illustrations en perspective d'un pinceau équipé d'un capuchon selon la présente invention, respectivement en position d'ouverture et en position de fermeture de ce dernier.
• La fig.3 et la fig.4 sont des illustrations en perspective du capuchon représenté sur les figures précédentes, respectivement en position d'ouverture et en position de fermeture de ce dernier.
• La fig.5 et la fig.6 sont des illustrations en perspective d'une coque mobile participante du capuchon illustré sur les figures précédentes, respectivement en vue de dessus et vue de dessous.
• La fig.7 est une illustration en perspective vue de dessus d'un berceau prolongé d'une coque fixe pour former un élément monobloc participant d'un capuchon illustré sur les fig.1 à fig.4.
• La fig.8 est une illustration en perspective, vue de bout proximal, d'un capuchon selon une variante préférée de réalisation de l'invention.
• La fig.9 est une illustration en perspective d'une coque mobile du capuchon représenté sur la fig.8.
• La fig.10 est une illustration en perspective d'une coque fixe du capuchon représenté sur la fig.8.

The present invention will be better understood, and details will arise from the description which will be made of a preferred embodiment, in relation to the figures of the attached plates in which:

• The fig.1 and the fig.2 are perspective illustrations of a brush equipped with a cap according to the present invention, respectively in the open position and in the closed position of the latter.
• The fig.3 and the fig.4 are perspective illustrations of the cap shown in the preceding figures, respectively in the open position and in the closed position of the latter.
• The fig.5 and the fig.6 are perspective illustrations of a participating mobile shell of the cap illustrated in the preceding figures, respectively in top view and bottom view.
• The fig.7 is an illustration in perspective from above of an extended cradle of a fixed shell to form a monobloc element participating a cap illustrated on the fig.1 to fig.4 .
• The fig.8 is a perspective view, proximal end view, of a cap according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
• The fig.9 is a perspective illustration of a moving shell of the cap shown on the fig.8 .
• The fig.10 is a perspective illustration of a fixed shell of the cap shown on the fig.8 .

On the fig.1 and fig.2 , a brush 1,2,3 is equipped with a cap to protect the bristles 1 that he wears at the distal end of his sleeve 2, to which the bristles are fixed by means of a ferrule 3 set on the handle 2 in the usual manner in the field.

The cap is constituted in all and for all of two separate monoblock elements 6,7 and 8 hinged to each other. A first element 6,7 is fixed on the shell 3 of the brush while the proximal end of a second element 8 is mounted to move on the distal end of the first element 6,7. It will be noted that the two elements 6, 7 and 8 are advantageously made by molding and assembled in articulation with one another by interlocking.

The first element 6,7 is composed of a longiform cradle 6 integral with a fixed hinged shell 7, on the distal end of which the fixed hull 7 is hinged the second element 8, itself arranged in a bulging hull 8 rendered The fixed hulls 7 and mobile 8 together form a housing 7.8 protecting the bristles 1 of the brush 1,2,3. It will be noted at this stage of the description that the mobile shell 8 comprises at least partly a wall 21 made of a transparent material, to allow visual access to the bristles 1 of the brush by the user through the movable shell 8 notwithstanding the closure of the case 7.8.

It appears more particularly on the fig.2 the overall ovoid conformation of the casing 7.8, resulting from the ventric conformations of the shells 7.8 and their maintenance juxtaposed superposition. This conformation of the casing 7,8 confers on the cap a particular aesthetic to which the user is deemed to be sensitive, and gives the cap a structure free from sharp edges that may constitute untimely zones of attachment of surrounding objects and retention of objects. fouling in the light of the field of application of the invention.

On the fig.3 and fig.4 , the cradle 6 is equipped with two gripping members 4,5 on the ferrule 3, which are arranged in an open collar, giving them an elastically deformable character. A first proximal engagement member 4 cooperates by interlocking with a complementary crimping relief 9 which the ferrule 3 comprises for its gripping at least axial, if not radial, engagement. A second distal gripping member 5 provides a radial grip of the ferrule 3 by the cradle in a distal zone thereof 3, or even an axial engagement in the case where the ferrule is provided with a second crimping relief in this area.

The gripping members 4,5 are organized in jaws for a firm grip of the shell 3. The jaws of the jaws consist of a pair of radial lips 12, which are faceted to each provide a median finger 10 and two stops 11 support peripherals, to optimize the use of gripping efforts of the handle generated by the elastic deformation of the grippers 4,5.

It will be noted that the latter 4,5 are derived from the cradle 6 of which they are jointly formed by molding, being separated therefrom 6 by grooves 13 promoting their deformation without impairing the overall rigidity of the cradle 6.

These provisions facilitate the ease of positioning the cap on the brush, and a firm hold thereof on the shell 3 which does not prevent easy removal by the user.

It should be noted that the handling of the cap is likely to be carried out by the user without risk of altering the bristles 1 protected by the housing 7.8. Indeed, when the cap is placed on the shell 3, the proximal engagement member 4 advantageously constitutes an axial abutment member and attachment of the cap on the brush, around which proximal member 4 pivots the cap to the capture of the distal zone of the ferrule 3 by the distal grip member 5.

The cradle 6 has on its outer face a stiffening rib 14 which extends from its proximal end to its junction zone with the fixed shell 7. This rib 14 gives the cradle 6 a suitable robustness, without in any way preventing the deformability of the gripping organs, particularly against a longitudinal bending of the cradle may cause spontaneous disengagement of the cap beyond the shell 3.

More particularly on the fig.3 the hulls 7, 8 comprise longitudinal antagonistic projections 16, 17 with a radial projection, associating claws 16 formed on the mobile hull 8 and recesses 17 for receiving these claws 16 formed in the fixed hull 7. These reliefs 16, 17 constitute means for locking the closure of the casing 7.8 by flap of the movable shell towards the fixed shell until they are superimposed juxtaposed. These antagonistic reliefs 16, 17 are preferentially arranged in the vicinity of the mouth of the hulls 7, 8 through which the handle 2 of the brush extends. Moreover, a rabbet 19 is formed on the periphery of the outlet of the fixed shell 7 to guide the movable shell 8 during its operation and avoid its setting of crooked can alter its articulated connection with the fixed shell 7.

The movable shell 8 also has lateral gripping wings 20 for the maneuver on opening and closing the casing 7, 8 by the user. These wings 20 are formed in lateral extension of the claws 16 of the movable shell 8, with which they cooperate to form a reinforcement member of the outlet of the latter.

On the fig.7 the fixed shell 7 has ventilation slots 15 to allow a substantial air flow between the interior volume of the housing 7.8 and its external environment. The axial extension of these slots, of small width, allows such a flow of air without significantly affecting the rigidity of the fixed shell 7.

On the embodiment variant illustrated on the fig.8 to fig.10 , the cap further comprises an air passage to allow, in the closed position, a flow of air through its distal end. These provisions are intended to secure the use of the cap, especially with regard to its inadvertent ingestion by a child, the air flow through the distal end of the cap allowing the case appropriate for the child to breathe. This air passage is formed by openings arranged facing respectively through the fixed shell 7 and the movable shell 8. More specifically, the fixed shell 7 has at its distal end a yoke 22 for the articulated reception of a ring 23 which comprises the movable shell 8. The hinged connection between the ring 23 and the yoke 22 is formed by means of lateral lugs 24 that includes the yoke 22 of the fixed shell 7, for receiving by engagement of the ring 23. It will be noted that these articulated connection arrangements of the movable shell 8 on the fixed shell 7 are similar to those corresponding to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. fig.1 to fig.7 .

The opening of the movable shell 8 is composed of two orifices 25 and 26 formed in opposition to the periphery of the ring 23, whereas the opening of the fixed shell 7 is in turn formed of a radial clearance 27 formed on a partition distal from the fixed shell 7, partition which delimits the bottom of the yoke 22.

Claims (14)

1. A cap for protecting the bristles (1) on the end of a paintbrush (1,2,3), this cap including a housing (7,8) with means (4,5) for its easily reversible fixing on a ferrule (3) provided at the distal end of the handle (2) of the paintbrush, with two shells (7,8) articulated together at one of their ends and capable of being folded down one toward the other in order to close the housing (7,8), the latter being provided with means for locking its closure by means of mutual nesting of the shells (7,8), characterized in that one (7) of the shells, which is fixed, is extended by a rigid cradle (6) for receiving the ferrule (3), this cradle being provided, at least in the vicinity of its respective ends, with members (4,5) for respective gripping of the ferrule (3) by means of elastic deformation of the members (4,5), while the other shell (8), which is movable, is provided at its distal end with a member (16) for locking in the closed position of the housing (7,8) by means of juxtaposed superimposition, which interacts by means of nesting with a complementary locking member (17) of the fixed shell (7).
2. The cap as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the gripping members (4,5) are composed of a proximal member (4) for gripping at least with an axial stop interacting with a complementary relief (9) of the ferrule (3), and of a distal member (5) for gripping at least with radial retention by means of localized peripheral gripping of the ferrule (3), such that the attachment of the proximal gripping member (4) on the ferrule (3) of the paintbrush gives this member a pivot-point function, about which the cradle (6) tilts as far as radial gripping of the ferrule (3) by the distal gripping member (5).
3. The cap as claimed in either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping members (4,5) of the cradle (6) are organized in the form of jaws of which the clamping parts are arranged as at least one radial lip (12).
4. The cap as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the profile of the radial lip (12) is faceted in order to grip the ferrule via distant points (10,11).
5. The cap as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cradle (6) includes, on its outer face, a dorsal stiffening rib (14) extending from its proximal end toward the area where it joins the fixed shell (7).
6. The cap as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the dorsal rib (14) and the outer face of the fixed shell (7) are substantially flush.
7. The cap as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking members (16,17) of the shells (7,8) each consist of a set of antagonistic lateral reliefs with radial extension, which are, respectively, provided at the corresponding ends of the shells (7,8) in a substantially radially median area of the housing (7, 8).
8. The cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (7,8) is provided with means (19) for guiding the movable shell (8) toward the closed position of the housing (7,8), formed from interacting guide members of the shells (7,8), respectively, at the periphery of their orifice.
9. The cap as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the interacting members (19) for guiding the shells (7,8) are formed by a rabbet (19) for mutual superimposed positioning of the shells (7,8), this rabbet (19) being provided along the periphery of the orifice of at least either one of the shells (7,8) in order to receive the edge of the other shell.
10. The cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable shell (8) includes lateral gripping wings (20) enabling it to be gripped and handled at least when the housing (7,8) is opened by the user.
11. The cap as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the lateral gripping wings (20) are provided as an extension of the lateral reliefs (16,17) of the movable shell (8) in order to strengthen the distal end of the latter (8) forming an orifice for the passage of the handle (2).
12. The cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least either one of the shells (7,8) includes ventilation openings (15), particularly shaped as axial slots, such that said openings (15) allow a sizeable circulation of air, without thereby significantly adversely affecting the stiffness of the shell, through the wall of which the ventilation openings (15) are provided.
13. The cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes an air passage to allow, in the closed position, a circulation of air via its distal end.
14. The cap as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that said air passage is formed by opposite openings made, respectively, through the fixed shell (7) and the movable shell (8).

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