GB2342572A

GB2342572A - Paint brushes : holder for cleaning

Info

Publication number: GB2342572A
Application number: GB9900522A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Magee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-07-21
Filing date: 1999-01-11
Publication date: 2000-04-19
Anticipated expiration: 2019-01-11
Also published as: GB2342572B

Abstract

A paint brush holder comprises wells connected by an integral sheet, the wells each snugly receiving a brush head, holding the brush upright, and receiving cleaning fluid. The holder has handles 12, and may be transparent. Rods, passing through holes in brush handles, may be supported by members which may be a snap fit on the holder, or such rods may be supported by recesses on opposite sides of the well rims. Alternatively, wells may be attached to an inclined surface, or single wells may stand alone or may be held in a frame.

Description

BRUSH HOLDER This invention relates to holders for paint brushes. As used herein the term paint brush is intended to include brushes used for the application of other protective or decorative substances than paint, for instance varnishes and preservatives.

After a paint brush has been used there is a need to clean the paint from the bristles of its head in order to preserve the brush for future use. In order to release the paint the brush is normally cleaned with a cleansing liquid such as a soap and water solution-for water based paints-or a solvent such as white spirit-for oil based paints. To help the cleaning process it is normal to soak the brush for a period of time in the cleansing liquid in a container such as a jam jar (for a smaller brush) or a tray (for a larger brush). Ad hoc containers such as these have been very widely used for many years. However, the inventor of the present invention has recognised that such containers have a number of problems: 1. If such containers are tall and thin (such as a jam jar) they are relatively unstable; alternatively if they are more stable (for example a tray) then they have a large surface area that encourages evaporation of the cleansing liquid.

2. When a brush is placed in such a container in an inverted orientation pressure is placed on the bristles of the brush that is not resisted by the container, and the bristles are deformed from their proper configuration.

3. It is often difficult to find a container for cleaning a brush of a particular size. If the container is too big then a wasteful amount of cleaning liquid may be used.

4. Arrays of containers of many brushes look untidy and occupy much space.

The present invention seeks to at least partially address these problems.

GB 428,578 describes a main paint can into which can be fitted two removable paint cans. Spaces for receiving paint brushes are defined between the removable paint cans when they are fitted into the main can.

GB 1,033,711 describes a holder for paint brushes having a receptacle comprising a V-shaped trough and a V-shaped brush supporting member dipping in the trough.

The receptacle can be filled with a liquid for preserving brushes and a brush can be inserted vertically into the brush supporting member so that its bristles are gripped between the walls of the brush supporting member. In another embodiment a plurality of brush supporting members are provided in the receptacle, formed from a folded strip of material.

US 4, 469,223 describes paint brushes whose heads can be removed from their handles. For storage the heads can be sealed together with thinning fluid in a lidded chamber. A storage container has a chamber for receiving the lidded chambers for shipping.

US 4,585,119 describes a tooth brush holder comprising necked-down tubular containers that can be held in a stand.

According to the present invention there is provided a paint brush holder comprising a plurality of wells in fluid isolation from each other and linked together by a sheet formed integrally with the wells, each well being dimensioned to snugly receive the head of a paint brush and hold the paint brush in a generally upright orientation.

The opening of each well is preferably generally of a rectangular shape. The aspect ratio of the well is preferably such that its length is between 1.1 and 4.4 times its width. Each well is preferably defined by side walls and a base. Each well is suitably sufficiently deep to receive at least the bristles, and preferably at least part of the ferrule of the paint brush for which it is dimensioned.

The wells are preferably linked, joined or connected together by a member formed integrally with the wells. Alternatively a separate article, such as a frame, may be provided for linking the wells together. The linking, connecting or joining member may suitably be in the form of a sheet, which is suitably substantially planar. A raised rim and/or one or more handles may be formed in the sheet.

The bases of at least some of the wells suitably lie generally in a plane. This plane preferably defines the base of the holder. The wells whose bases lie in that plane preferably include at least one well along each side of the holder and/or some or all of the wells at corners of the holder. Where the wells are joined by a sheet, that sheet preferably lies generally parallel with that plane and/or the wells open generally orthogonal to that plane-preferably with their lips in or near that plane. A partial or full skirt or wall could be provided as the sides of the holder, for example to conceal the walls of the wells when viewed from the side. The wall could extend in depth beyond the depth of the walls so that it, or a base surface closing the bottom of the holder, formed the base of the holder.

The wells are preferably dimensioned to snugly receive the heads of a range of sizes of paint brushes. Preferably the wells are dimensioned to receive the heads sufficiently snugly that the paint brushes can be supported substantially vertically in the wells in an inverted orientation, and most preferably with sufficient clearance around the head to avoid lateral compression of the bristles when the brushes are supported in this way. This latter feature suitably provides for relatively free fluid circulation around the head of the brush when it is in place in the well.

The depths of the wells could be deeper than the heads of the corresponding paint brush (es). It is preferred merely that, at the lower limit, the wells are deep enough to allow some, most or all of the bristles of the head to be submerged.

The holder is preferably stable when placed on its base on a flat surface. To provide for stability even when one or more paint brushes are in place in the wells the holder is preferably dimensioned so that its centre of gravity under those conditions is relatively low. This can suitably be achieved by the width and/or length of the holder (measured at its base) being at least twice or three times its height. To make efficient use of these preferred dimensions the holder preferably includes at least two or more preferably three wells across its width and/or across its length. Altematively or in addition the holder may be provided with stabilising means, for example laterally extending structures such as wings that increase its effective length and/or width at the base.

The paint brushes are suitably of the type and size typically used for decorating.

Suitably the said sizes lie between' inch and 6 inches. Other sizes of brush, e. g.

1/8", 8", 9", 10"or 12"or larger or smaller sizes, could be provided for.

The paint brush holder is preferably formed of transparent material, although nontransparent materials can be used. The paint brush holder is preferably formed of plastics material.

Preferably the wells are individual fluid containers. Some or more preferably all of the wells are not in fluid communication with each other (i. e. are in fluid isolation from each other). This can preferably allow the amount of cleaning fluid that is needed to be minimised or at least reduced because only the wells that contain brushes need be provided with cleansing liquid. Where the wells are connected together by a member formed integrally with the wells the wells are preferably not in fluid communication below the level of that member. Thus, each well is capable of individually retaining paint brush cleansing liquid, such as white spirit and/or water.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a paint brush holding unit comprising a well dimensioned to snugly receive the head of a paint brush and means for supporting the well in an orientation in which it opens generally upwardly. Such wells may have any of the essential or optional features of the first aspect of the invention. For example, the holding unit may include means intended to improve the holding unit's stability such as wings extending from the unit for increasing the unit's effective length and/or width.

In either aspect of the invention the rim of each well may define a recess for receiving a paint brush suspending rod. Such a rod could, for example, be suitable for passing through the handle of a paintbrush and then lying in the recess. Preferably there are two recesses, suitably on opposite sides of the well, and most preferably each recess is located at the mid-point of the corresponding well. Where such recesses are provided each well is preferably sufficiently deep to receive at least the bristles, ferrule and part of the handle of the paint brush for which it is dimensioned.

The paint brush holder may comprise a structure raised above the rim of a well for suspending a paint brush in the well. Such a structure may be integral with or removable from the remainder of the holder. The structure may comprise a paint brush suspending rod for engaging a hole in a paint brush or a recess for receiving a paint brush suspending rod. The rod or the recess is preferably located at the midpoint of the corresponding well.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a paint brush holder comprising a plurality of wells in fluid isolation from each other and linked together by a sheet formed integrally with the wells, each well being dimensioned to receive the head of a paint brush and hold the paint brush in a generally upright orientation, and the rim of each well defines a recess for receiving a paint brush suspending rod.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: figure 1 shows a first embodiment of paint brush holder ; figure 2 shows a plan view of the paint brush holder of figure 1; figure 3 shows a front of the paint brush holder of figure 1; figure 4 shows a side view of the paint brush holder of figure 1, the view from the other side corresponds; figure 5 shows a second embodiment of paint brush holder; figure 6 shows a third embodiment of paint brush holder ; figure 7 shows a fourth embodiment of paint brush holder; figure 8 shows a fifth embodiment of paint brush holder ; figure 9 shows a paint brush holder having detachable siderails ; figure 10 shows a paint brush holder having individual brush suspending pegs ; figures 11 and 12 show paint brush holders having recesses for use in suspending brushes.

The paint brush holder of figure 1 is generally in the form of a tray that comprises a rectangular upper sheet 1 and nine wells or receptacles 2-10 dependant from the sheet. Each well has a generally rectangular horizontal cross-section and a generally rectangular opening and is sized to receive the head of a particular size of paint brush. In the example shown in figure 1, the wells are sized to receive the heads of a range of standard sizes of paint brush: well 2 is sized to receive a 1/2 inch paint brush, wells 3 and 6 are sized to receive the head of a 2 inch paint brush, well 4 is sized to receive the head of a 1 inch paint brush, well 5 is sized to receive the head of a 3 inch paint brush, well 7 is sized to receive the head of a 4 inch paint brush, well 8 is sized to receive the head of a 1'/2 inch paint brush, well 9 is sized to receive the head of a 6 inch paint brush and well 10 is sized to receive the head of a 21/2 inch paint brush. The wells are all of the same depth so that the tray can stand stably on a flat surface with the upper sheet 1 generally horizontal.

To clean a paint brush a user pours a cleansing liquid into the appropriate well and inserts the paintbrush into the well in an inverted orientation, with its handle uppermost and its bristles lowermost, so that the head of the brush dips into the cleansing liquid. Alternatively, the liquid could be added after the brush has been inserted. After an appropriate time the brush can be removed from the cleansing liquid. The tray is relatively stable, so that there is little risk of it tipping over. Each well is dimensioned to fit closely to the dimensions of the head of the corresponding paint brush, so there is little evaporation from the well once a paint brush is inserted and there is no need to use an excessive amount of cleansing liquid. Also, the side walls of the wells resist spreading of the bristles of the brush, even though the paint brush is inverted. A range of sizes of wells is provided to accommodate the common sizes of paint brush.

The side walls are tapered so that a series of the trays can be stacked on top of each other in a mated arrangement, with the wells of one tray receiving those of the next tray. This allows for compact storage of a number of the trays, for example in a shop. This tapering may assist in the snug holding of the brushes as a brush may be guided by the taper into a snug position at the base of a well.

The upper sheet 1 has a rim 11 to hold excess cleaning liquid that is split from the wells, and handles 12,13 to allow it to be carried easily. Holes could be provided in the upper sheet to allow lengths of string to be tied to the tray to act as handles. The rim 11 could be hollow underneath to act as a handle. Other types of handle are possible, for example handles that can be folded out from the upper sheet of the tray or handles mounted on rods that are slideable through holes in the upper sheet of the tray to allow the handle to be elevated to an in-use position. In the embodiment of figure 1 the wells are arranged in rows with the longer sides of the wells of each row parallel. Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment. In this embodiment the wells 20-23 are arranged in order of length, with their long sides parallel. The edges of the trapezoidal top sheet 24 of the tray taper to match the sizes of the wells. As in the embodiment of figure 1, the top sheet of the tray could be sloped so that the wells of smaller length are also shallower ; alternatively the wells could all be the same depth.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment in which the wells are set at an angle on the outer edges of a frame constituted by two sloped walls 30,31. Each of the walls can carry one or more of the wells.

In the embodiments of figures 7 and 8 each well is provided by an individual boxshaped unit, only one of which is shown in each figure. The unit could be a solid block 40, with the opening of the well 41 defined in its upper surface (see figure 7), or could comprise peripheral walls 50,51 that act to steady a well defined by side walls 52 and a base (see figure 8). The units could be used individually or a frame could be provided to hold the units together and allow them to be carried together. Various types of unit could be provided, each having wells dimensioned to receive a certain size of paintbrush. In the embodiment of figure 8 it is preferred that the peripheral walls are splayed as shown so as to give it more stability. The unit shown in figure 8 could have peripheral walls generally orthogonal to those shown, so that peripheral walls surround the sides of the well, giving the appearance of a solid box. If the side walls were sloped then a similar unit, or a similar unit with a smaller size of well, could be stacked over the unit of figure 8.

In each embodiment the paint brush holder could be formed of any suitable material. Examples are plastics materials, preferably ones that are resistant to typical paint brush cleansers, or metals such as aluminium or stainless steel. The material could be transparent to make it easier to observe the liquid in the wells. It is preferred that the material is corrosion-resistant, durable and shatterproof. The paint brush holder could be formed by moulding or (in the embodiments other than that of figure 7) could be pressed from a flat sheet. It is preferred that the paint brush holder has a smooth finish for easy cleaning.

It is preferred that wells are provided in a range of sizes to fit common sizes of paint brush used for decorating. Typical paint brush sizes range from 1/2"brushes used for fine painting of woodwork to 6"brushes (commonly known as wall brushes) used for varnishing floors and painting walls. Typical widths of such brushes are 0.375" for a /21 brush, 0.825" for a 4"brush and 1"for a 6"brush. Of course, smaller brushes could be placed in wells that are dimensioned to receive larger brushes, but they might not be held so well and excess cleaning liquid might be used. To assist a user it is useful to provide in or near each well an indication of the size of paint brush for which the well is adapted.

The sides of each well are arranged to give a clearance of approximately a quarter of an inch around each side of the corresponding brush. This clearance allows for easy insertion of the brush, allows enough cleansing liquid to be held and ensures that the walls are close enough to hold the brush sufficiently snugly that it is retained in the correct orientation in the well. A roughly suitable length for each well is therefore the nominal brush size plus half an inch, and a suitable width is 11/2 inches. A larger clearance may be needed for larger brushes, and more clearance may be tolerated at the shorter sides of the wells since a longer brush is unlikely to tip towards one of its short sides. Each well should be deep enough to allow the bristles of the corresponding brush to be submerged in the cleaning liquid in the well when the brush is inserted to the base of the well, e. g. lapping the ferrule which typically binds the handle of the brush to the bristles, although this could be achieved with wells of greater depth than the length of the corresponding brush head. Generally suitable depths are in the range from 3 to 6 inches. Each well should also have enough volume to give clearance for the insertion of a paint-laden brush (this may call for more than the quarter of an inch clearance described above-especially in the width of the wells) and to accommodate sufficient cleansing liquid to take up all the paint on the brush (dependant on the brush's load). Clearances of from around half or threequarters of an inch to 11/2", 2"or 3"could therefore be needed in some circumstances. The wells could be wider at the top and could hold brushes snugly only nearer the base. It is preferred that each well opens generally upwardly when the paint brush holder is orientated as in use.

Each well may include a marking to indicate a suitable depth to which it may be filled with cleansing liquid so that the liquid is not displaced out of the well when the head of a paint brush of the size for which the well is dimensioned is inserted in the well.

A suitable clearance between the wells of the embodiments of figures 1 and 2 is approximately half an inch.

The corners of the wells and of the other parts of the holder are preferably rounded to allow for easier cleaning and to help avoid scratching a user.

In order to improve the appearance of the holder and optionally to make it more stable one or more side walls could be provided partially or fully around the holder.

For example, in the embodiment of figure 1, four side walls could depend from the upper sheet 1 to screen the walls of the wells. The side walls could extend downwardly beyond the bases of all the wells so that the wells themselves did not form the base of the holder. A horizontal basal wall could be provided to extend between the bases of the side walls and thus enclose the wells from below.

Various brush manufacturers recommend that a brush should be cleaned by being suspended via its handle (i. e. so that there is no weight placed on the bristles themselves) in an appropriate cleaning solution. This is intended to avoid deformation of the bristles whilst the brush is soaking in the solution. Many brushes are therefore manufactured with a hole placed centrally in the handle at some point above the metal ferrule (usually towards the end of the handle). This enables them to be suspended via some kind of rod threaded through the handle on, for example, the rim of a container such as a jar.

As specified in the disadvantages listed in using such ad-hoc containers in the description on page 1, any user wishing to clean paint brushes in this way may not have a container available for this purpose, nor of the correct size for the brush which requires cleaning. Additionally, the user may not have a device by which to suspend the brush in the required fashion. A nail would be the among the most commonplace objects to use for such a purpose, but would have to be longer than the diameter of the vessel used, and being a light circular object resting on a circular planar rim, would be vulnerable to displacement.

The wells of the holders of figures 1 to 8 are tailored to receive an appropriate brush snugly, so that deformation is resisted even if the weight of the brush is placed on the bristles. However, a user may want to take extra precautions to relieve the bristles of weight. There are a number of ways in which this function could be achieved.

1. Adding siderails. As shown in figure 9, detachable siderails 60 could be provided which could'snap'on and off the rim of each of the long parallel edges of a holder similar to that shown in figure 1. The snap fixing could be by means of a resilient fastening arrangement on the siderails. The siderails could then be stored flat and stacked separately to the main holder units, which would retain the storing advantage of the ability to stack the holder units together. The siderails elevate the edges of the holder to a height where brushes can be suspended via a rod passed through a hole at or near the end of the brushes'handles. To maintain the brushes in position in the appropriate well for their size grooves may be cut or moulded into the top of each siderail. The grooves are so positioned as to be aligned with the centre of each well, to resist movement of a rod from that position, thus enabling all the brushes for which there are wells to be dangled from the rods. Since the length of the brush from the hole in its handle to the end of its bristles varies according to brush manufacturer and brush size it may be advantageous to make the wells deeper to allow for more variation in the vertical positioning of the brushes, or by having two or more levels or tiers of supporting grooves cut into each siderail.

2. Individual pegs above each well. As shown in figure 10 a vertical strip 62 with a horizontal'peg'63 at its top, adjacent to the centre of each well, could be provided in a design of holder otherwise similar to that shown in figure 1. The loaded paintbrush would be inserted into the well at a slight angle in order to avoid the peg which lies in the plane directly over the well, and then simply hooked over the peg via the hole in the paint brush handle. If such a device were rigidly fixed to the holder base it might make manufacture more complicated, restrict ease of use, and prevent stacked storage of multiple units. Therefore, it may be preferred for the device to be removable from the holder base, for example by means of a snap fixing.

3. Recesses in well rims. A preferred alternative to enable brushes to be suspended within the context of the design shown in figure 1 is to provide a recess either side of each well (see figure 12). An appropriate depth for such a recess 70 is approximately 1/4", an appropriate width approximately 1/4"and an appropriate length for each recess approximately 1/2". An appropriate position for each recess is from a 90 degree angle to the straight line of the side of the well, at the centre of its width, on each side. Such a recess enables a'rod' (either a suitably sized nail or a specifically manufactured item that could supplie with the holder unit) to be threaded through the paintbrush handle and placed to sit securely at each end within the appropriate recesses. This arrangement allows brushes to be suspended without the need for additional supporting members, and maintains the stacking ability of the holder. In a holder having this arrangement it is preferred that each well is slightly deeper than that of the free-standing brush holder described with reference to figure 1, but only so deep as to accommodate the length of a paintbrush head (i. e. the bristles and the ferrule) plus a small clearance between the tip of the bristles and the bottom of the well. The paintbrush can therefore be suspended from a point just above its head, not to include the length of the handle. The hole in the handle of the paintbrush through which the'rod'is to be threaded should therefore be in the centre of the handle just above the head, not at the end of the handle. Where paintbrushes are not already manufactured like this and the user wishes to suspend the brush, a hole of a diameter sufficient to accommodate the rod could be drilled in the handle just above the brush head. This approach retains the essential features of the holder of figure 1 and is therefore equally effective for use in cleaning of free-standing brushes and in suspending brushes in a cleaning solution if so required.

Additionally, such units could also be used to suspend and store clean brushes (thereby placing no weight on the bristles) of varying sizes when not in use. Single paint brush holders such as those shown in figures 7 and 8 could be easily modified in order to accommodate brushes being suspended (see figure 11). The walls of the single brush holder could be vertically extended to the length of the relevant-sized paintbrush, effectively creating a trough for the whole brush. Across the centre of its width, on each rim, could be cut two grooves 65 in order to hold in place a'rod'-either manufactured and supplie with the holder or a commonplace object such as a long nail-through which can be threaded the paint brush handle and then placed to rest in the grooves on either side of the rim. The holder-in transparent plastic-is then filled with cleaning solution to the required level until the bristles of the brush are covered.

Note that where a brush is suspended in a well, there is less need for that well to fit the head of a paint brush as snugly as when the brush weight rests on the bristles.

Consequently, it is feasible that the wells or individual holders may be of slightly larger dimensions where a brush is suspended. Nevertheless, each well is still modelled to approximately the same shape and proportions as the brush head.

The present invention may include any feature or combination of features disclosed herein either implicitly or explicitly or any generalisation thereof, irrespective of whether it relates to the presently claimed invention. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A paint brush holder comprising a plurality of wells in fluid isolation from each other and linked together by a sheet formed integrally with the wells, each well being dimensioned to snugly receive the head of a paint brush and hold the paint brush in a generally upright orientation.
2. A paint brush holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein each well has a generally rectangular opening.
3. A paint brush holder as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each well is defined by side walls and a base.
4. A paint brush holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sheet is substantially planar.
5. A paint brush holder as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bases of the wells lie generally in a plane and the sheet is generally parallel with that plane.
6. A paint brush holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the bases of the wells lie generally in a plane and the wells open generally orthogonally to that plane.
7. A paint brush holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the wells are dimensioned to snugly receive the heads of a range of sizes of paint brushes.
8. A paint brush holder as claimed in claim 7, wherein the wells are dimensioned to snugly receive the heads of a range of sizes of paint brushes with clearance around the heads.
9. A paint brush holder as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the said sizes lie between 1/2 inch and 6 inches.
10. A paint brush holder as claimed in any preceding claim, formed of transparent material.
11. A paint brush holder as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising indicia in or near each well that indicate the size of the paint brush that that well is dimensioned to receive.
12. A paint brush holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each well is sufficiently deep to receive at least the bristles of the paint brush for which it is dimensioned.
13. A paint brush holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each well is capable of retaining paint brush cleansing liquid.
14. A paint brush holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rim of each well defines a recess for receiving a paint brush suspending rod.
15. A paint brush holder as claimed in claim 14, wherein each well is sufficiently deep to receive at least the bristles, ferrule and part of the handle of the paint brush for which it is dimensioned.
16. A paint brush holder as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein the rim of each well defines two recesses on opposite sides of the well.
17. A paint brush holder as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16, wherein each recess is located at the mid-point of the corresponding well.
18. A paint brush holder as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a structure raised above the rim of a well for suspending a paint brush in the well.
19. A paint brush holder as claimed in claim 18, wherein the structure comprises a paint brush suspending rod for engaging a hole in a paint brush.
20. A paint brush holder as claimed in claim 19, wherein the rod is located at the mid point of the corresponding well.
21. A paint brush holder as claimed in claim 18, wherein the structure defines a recess for receiving a paint brush suspending rod.
22. A paint brush holder comprising a plurality of wells in fluid isolation from each other and linked together by a sheet formed integrally with the wells, each well being dimensioned to receive the head of a paint brush and hold the paint brush in a generally upright orientation, and the rim of each well defining a recess for receiving a paint brush suspending rod.
23. A paint brush holder as claimed in claim 20, wherein the recess is located at the mid-point of the corresponding well.
24. A paint brush holding unit comprising a well dimensioned to snugly receive the head of a paint brush and means for supporting the well in an orientation in which it opens generally upwardly.
25. A paint brush holding unit as claimed in claim 24, wherein the well has a generally rectangular opening.
26. A paint brush holding unit as claimed in claim 24 or 25, wherein the length of the opening is between 1.1 and 4.4 times the width of the opening.
27. A paint brush holding unit as claimed in any of claims 24 to 26, wherein the rim of the well defines a recess for receiving a paint brush suspending rod.
28. A paint brush holding unit as claimed in claim 27, wherein the well is sufficiently deep to receive at least the bristles, ferrule and part of the handle of the paint brush for which it is dimensioned.
29. A paint brush holding unit as claimed in claim 27 or 28, wherein the rim of the well comprises two recesses on opposite sides of the well.
30. A paint brush holding unit as claimed in any of claims 27 to 29, wherein each recess is located at the mid-point of the corresponding well.
31. A paint brush holding unit comprising a plurality of wells in fluid isolation from each other and linked together by a sheet formed integrally with the wells, each well being dimensioned to snugly receive the head of a paint brush and hold the paint brush in a generally upright orientation.
32. A paint brush holder substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.