GB2453574A

GB2453574A - Painting accessory

Info

Publication number: GB2453574A
Application number: GB0719898A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Chapman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-10-11
Filing date: 2007-10-11
Publication date: 2009-04-15
Also published as: GB0719898D0

Abstract

A paint tool accessory for protecting a paint tool such as a brush 12 or roller 26 comprises a flexible material with a pressure sensitive adhesive 22, 33 provided thereon. The adhesive is adapted to be adhered to a body of the paint tool so as to form, in use, an air-tight chamber within which a paint applying portion of the paint tool is enclosed.

Description

Painting Accessonj This invention relates to a painting accessory and, more particularly, to a paint accessory which can be used to maintain a paint tool.

Background

The activity of painting, to protect and/or enhance the surface of an object is well established.

When a painter is painting, he/she may be required to stop painting for a period of time and set the paint tool (such as a brush, roller or pad) down with it still wet with paint. In such a situation, the painter must either clean the painting tool or allow it to stay in contact with the air in some type of holding position.

This may cause either a loss of productive painting time or potential damage to the brush as the paint on the brush dries permanently. It will be understood that it involves time and expense to clean a paint tool to a condition where it is free of the paint and ready for fresh use upon resuming painting.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention, there is provided a paint tool accessory for protecting a paint tool comprising a flexible material with a pressure sensitive adhesive provided thereon, wherein, in use, the adhesive is adhered to the body of the paint tool so as to form an air-tight chamber within which a paint applying portion of the paint tool is enclosed.

The invention therefore provides a protective holder/cover for a paint tool that eliminates the requirement for cleaning paint from the paint tool when interrupting the painting by providing an air-tight chamber which envelopes the paint applying portion of the paint tool (i.e. the bristles, roller portion or pad) so that the paint tool can be stored at a length of time, such as overnight, without residual paint on the tool drying and hardening.

Thus, a paint tool can be retained for short to medium periods of time, without drying or hardening, and that time may be sufficient for a break from painting, a change in shift or even an interval over one or more days, weeks, or months.

Embodiments of the invention may also be used to protect the paint applying portion of a paint tool from being damaged during short term storage or non-use, thereby extending the life of the paint tool and preventing accidental damage caused by the wet paint residue on the paint tool.

An embodiment of the invention lends itself as a protective wrapper for a paint tool of particular usefulness between painting intervals, and as a protective wrapper for when the paint tool is stored for a future paint job.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a method of protecting a paint tool with a flexible material having a pressure sensitive adhesive provided thereon, the method comprising: enveloping the paint applying portion of the paint tool with the flexible material; and adhering the adhesive to the body of the paint tool so as to form an air-tight chamber within which the paint applying portion of the paint tool is enclosed,

Detailed Description of the Invention

An example of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a paint tool accessory being used with a paint brush according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 illustrates a paint tool accessory being used with a paint roller according to an another embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 illustrates how a paint tool accessory according to yet another embodiment of the invention may be used with a paint brush; Figure 4 shows the embodiment of Figure 3 being used with a paint brush in an alternative way; Figure 5 is a close up view of a modification of the paint tool accessory of Figure 3; and Figure 6 illustrates a paint tool accessory according to another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the paint tool accessory comprises a pocket 10 of flexible, impermeable material for receiving a paint brush 12 therein. Reference to a flexible material also includes metal which, when in the form of a foil or web, is flexible. The paint brush comprises a body 14 supporting bristles 16, the bristles 16 being the portion of the brush used to apply paint to the surface of an object. Here, the body 14 comprises a head portion 18 to which the bristles are attached and a handle 20. The bristles 16 may be referred to as the paint applying portion of the paint brush.

The paint tool accessory receives the paint brush 12 such that the bristles 16 of the paint brush 12 are within the pocket 10, covered by the material, and such that at least part of the body 14 of the paint brush 12 protrudes out through the mouth of the pocket 10.

A paint tool accessory also comprises an adhesive portion 22 (indicated by the dot-filled region in Figure 1) provided along the adjacent lips of the pocket mouth. The adhesive portion 22 is an area of the flexible material having a pattern of pressure sensitive adhesive provided thereon such that it adheres to a contacting surface. Thus, with a paint brush 12 received therein, the pocket can be closed by adhering the adjacent lips together (where the body 14 of the brush 12 is not present between the adjacent lips) and by adhering the lips to the body 14 of the brush 12 (where the body 14 of the brush 12 is present between the adjacent lips). In other words, the mouth of the pocket 10 may be adhered to the body 14 of the brush 12 and closed to form an air-tight seal about the brush, thereby providing an air-tight chamber within which the bristles 16 of the brush are located.

It will be understood that the embodiment of Figure 1 provides a cover or holder for protecting a paint brush 12, the cover/holder having a mouth which enables a practically airtight closure of the cover/holder about the body 14 of the brush 12 (i.e. above the bristles 16) by adhesion of the mouth edge to the body 14 of the brush 12. Airtight closure of the cover/holder about paint tools of varying thickness and shape may therefore be attained.

Although not essential, it is preferable that the adhesive used for the adhesive portion 22 is of the type that is releasable so that the mouth of the cover/holder can be detached from the body 14 of the brush 12 and re-opened.

Referring now to Figure 2, an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown.

Here, the paint tool accessory comprises a sleeve 24 of flexible material that is sized and shaped to receive a paint roller 26. The paint roller 26 comprises a body 27 rotatably supporting a roller brush 28, the roller brush 28 being the portion of the paint roller used to apply paint to the surface of an object. Here, the body 27 comprises axle portion 30 on which the roller brush 28 is rotatably supported and a handle 32.

The sleeve 24 is provided with an open mouth 33 at either end so that the roller brush 28 of the paint roller 26 can be inserted in to the sleeve 24 through either end of the sleeve 24. Each mouth 33 of the sleeve 24 is provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive such that, in use, each mouth 33 of the sleeve is adhered closed with a portion of the adhesive (where the body 27 of the paint roller 26 is present between adjacent lips of a mouth) adhered to the body 27 of the paint roller 26 so as to form an air-tight chamber within which the roller brush 28 of the paint roller 26 is enclosed. For the avoidance of doubt, the adhesive in this embodiment is only provided on one lip of the two lips of each mouth.

In the embodiment of Figure 2, the sleeve 24 is formed of flexible material, such as paper, cellophane, polythene, etc., which is coated or impregnated with a chemical substance, rendering the material impermeable, moisture-proof and/or resistant to bleeding through of paint left on the paint roller 26.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 3, wherein the paint tool accessory consists of a single rectangular sheet of paper 34 with adhesive provided thereon. The sheet of paper 34 may be folded centrally (along dashed-cjofted line F-F) and adhesively fastened together along the side edges. Here, central fold line F-F defines first 36 and second 38 halves of the single sheet of paper 34, wherein the edges of each half of the sheet 34 are provided with adhesive 40 along their length.

In preparation for use of the accessory, a paint brush 12 (similar to that shown in Figure 1) is positioned adjacent the second half 38 of the sheet 34 such that the bristles 16 and at least a portion of the body 14 of the brush cover a region of the second half 38 of the sheet 34. The sheet of paper 34 is then folded centrally (along dasheci-ijofted line F-F), as illustrated by arrows labelled UA so that the first half 36 of the sheet 34 covers the second half 38 of the sheet.

Where the body 14 of the brush 12 is not present between the adjacent edges of the first 36 and second 38 halves, the adjacent edges are adhesively fastened together and, where the body 14 of the brush 12 is present between the adjacent edges of the first 36 and second 38 halves, the edges are adhesively fastened to the body 14 of the brush 12. Thus, in use, the sheet is folded and adhesively fastened together to form a envelop or chamber in which the bristles of the brush are positioned, and a portion of the adhesive 40 is adhered to the body 14 of the paint tool 12 so as to form an air-tight chamber within which the bristles 16 of the paint brush 12 are enclosed.

From Figure 4 it will be understood that the paint brush may be positioned over the second half 38 of the sheet 34 in a differing orientation. Thus, if the halves of the sheet 34 are rectangular in shape, paint brushes of differing size or length may be catered for.

Figure 5 is a close up view of a modification of the paint tool accessory of Figure 3. Here, a peel region 42 at the corner of the sheet 34 is not provided with adhesive so as to facilitate the separation of the adhesively fastened edges of the sheet 34. In such an embodiment, the edges at the peel region will not be adhesively fastened together in use, and such unfastened edges can easily be peeled apart from each other, as indicated by the arrow labelled "Ps.

Referring to Figure 6, another embodiment of the invention is in the form of a pocket 50 which can be wrapped around the paint applying portion 16 of a paint brush 12 inserted into the pocket. The pocket 50 is formed from front 60 and rear 62 rectangular sheets of flexible material overlying each other and joined at their left 64 and bottom 66 edges. The front sheet 60 of the pocket is of smaller area than the rear sheet 62 of the pocket so that an area (indicated generally by the dot-filled region 68) of the rear sheet 62 bordering the top and right edges of the front sheet 60 is not overlaid by the front sheet 60.

A pattern, shape or suitable arrangement of adhesive 22 is provided on the front facing side of the rear sheet 62 within the border region 68 (i.e. the dot-filled region 68not covered by the front sheet 60).

The pocket 50 is adapted to receive the paint brush 12 such that the bristles 16 of the paint brush 12 are within the pocket 50, covered by the front 60 and rear 62 sheets, and such that at least part of the body 14 of the paint brush 12 protrudes out through the mouth of the pocket 50.

With a paint brush 12 received therein, the pocket 50 by adhering the body 14 of the brush 12 to the rear sheet 62 of the pocket (where the body 14 of the brush 12 overlies the border region 68), and then rolling the paint brush around (from left to right to left in Figure 6). In this way, the pocket 50 is wrapped around the bristles of the brush 12, and the rear sheet 62 of the pocket adheres to the body 14 of the brush 12 (where the body 14 of the brush 12 comes into contact with the border region 68). The adhesive provided on the portion of the border region 68 along the right side of the rear sheet 68 is then used to close the pocket (by adhesion of the rear sheet 62 to the rear 62 sheet of the pocket 50), thereby forming an air-tight chamber within which the bristles 16 of the brush 12 are located.

S It will be understood that the embodiment of Figure 6 can cater for paint tools of differing size and/shape whilst providing, in use, an air-tight chamber of only the minimum necessary size to enclose the paint applying portion of a paint tool. This minimizes the amount of air that may be captured within the air-tight chamber when closed.

It will be appreciated that the invention can be used to protect the bristles of a paintbrush from contamination while the paintbrush is set-aside for a period of time. It may also protect the bristles of the painthrush from paint drying on the bristles during short/medium-term storage of a paint-laden paintbrush.

Once an air-tight seal has been provided around the body of the paint tool by the accessory, the paint tool may be handled and transported as if it was a clean and dry tool. This helps to eliminate accidental damage that may be otherwise caused by a paint-laden tool.

Embodiments provide an inexpensive cover for a paint tool, which is easy to manufacture, use and dispose of.

The invention provides an inexpensive yet durable cover that may be reusable.

It also enables savings to be made in paint tools, chemical cleaners, paint and material.

While specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications will be apparent to a person skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, it will be understood that the accessory should preferably be designed so as to provide, in use, an air-tight chamber of only the minimum necessary size to enclose the paint applying portion of a paint tool, thereby minimizing the amount of air that may be captured within the air-tight chamber when closed. Thus, the adhesive may be provided on the material in a shape and/or area which is adapted to correspond to a paint tool of a predetermined size and/or shape. Air extraction means may also be used to extract or expel air from the chamber prior to adhering the adhesive to the body of the paint tool.

Claims

Claims 1. A paint tool accessory for protecting a paint tool having a body and a paint applying portion, the paint tool accessory comprising a flexible material with a pressure sensitive adhesive provided thereon, wherein the adhesive is adapted to be adhered to the body of the paint tool so as to form, in use, a substantially air-tight chamber within which the paint applying portion of the paint tool is enclosed.
2. A paint tool accessory as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible material is substantially impermeable.
3. A paint tool accessory as claimed in 1 or 2, wherein the flexible material is adapted to form a sleeve for receiving the paint tool therein, the sleeve having at least one open mouth.
4. A paint tool accessory as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one open mouth of the sleeve is provided with the pressure sensftive adhesive.
5. A paint tool accessory as claimed in any preceding claim, formed from a single sheet of material.
6. A paint tool accessory as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the paint tool is a paint brush.
7. A paint tool accessory as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the paint tool is a paint roller.
8. A paint tool accessory as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the flexible material is adapted to form a pocket for receiving the paint tool therein, the pocket having an open mouth and being closed on a bottom edge and at least one side edge, and wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is provided along a lip of the open mouth and adjacent as side edge of the pocket, such I0 that the pocket is adapted to be wrapped around the received paint tool and that the adhesive is adapted to be adhered to the body of the paint tool and to a surface of the pocket so as to form an air-tight chamber within which the paint applying portion of the paint tool is enclosed.
9. A paint tool accessory as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the flexible material is coated or impregnated with a substance rendering the material impermeable.
10. A method of protecting a paint tool with a flexible material having a pressure sensitive adhesive provided thereon, the paint tool comprising a body and a paint applying portion and the method comprising: enveloping the paint applying portion of the paint tool with the flexible material; and adhering the adhesive to the body of the paint tool so as to form an air-tight chamber within which the paint applying portion of the paint tool is enclosed.
11. A paint tool accessory substantially as described hereinabove with reference to the accompanying diagrams.