GB2485272A

GB2485272A - Bristle cover

Info

Publication number: GB2485272A
Application number: GB1118982.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Powell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-11-04
Filing date: 2011-11-03
Publication date: 2012-05-09
Also published as: GB201018595D0; GB201118982D0

Abstract

A brush support 1, suitable for use with paint brushes 2, to assist in forming straight uniform edges at the interface of intersecting surfaces and to allow application of paint to the intended surface while preventing unintended smearing of paint on the other surface, comprises a handle portion 10 which receives and retains the handle 21 of the brush 2, and a bristle portion 15 connected by a living hinge 11, and which in use when attached to a brush, masks one side of the bristles 20. The device may be constructed of a cost effective, environmentally friendly recyclable and/or biodegradable material.

Description

BRISTLES COVEN

Field of the lnventbn

The present invention relates to a bristles cover, wOtG'ii would daally b tivade out ocr racydllabfl and/or lModa radalla Oa tic matsrliaI More particularly, an vonnentally friendly ftecycabOe arijdlor biodegradabie, bristles cover for use with a rana of? nthruüü &zca for the prevention of paint overspill orrito adoinflnj urI?aca of? a dNs®nt colow during painting and decorating, wood staininj o varMMngj.

Baclçground Redecoration of homes is an increasingly popular pastime for homeowners, and painting is a key component of redecoration as a freshly painted wall or woodwork can easily alter the complexion and style of a room, changing the ambience for some work and less money.

Painting is however a time consuming task, especially when a good finish is required. In particular it is time-consuming to raire ar®a ffOT tiut, taiutiut o varnfllthiij around areas that require a different colour or finish; such as where a wall is adjacent to woodwork, for instance skirting boards or door frames S &mila intancas.

It is difficult to get a clean finish along straight or curved lines such as these, as the brush or roller being used needs to follow the line exactly, requiring a very steady application.

Prior Art

Professional painters and decorators use a method called cutting in' which vauiira a tSy, tuiit hand or aainj multiple semi-circular strokes with a brush loaded with paint in order to achieve one largely continuous line. This method requires many brush strokes to paint a single line, and is therefore time-consuming. Frequently the locations in which the line to be painted is found are difficult to access or work in, such as at the bottom of a wall, hence requiring crouching.

United States patent application US 2009 0 078 602 (WHITE) discloses a brush holder including a unitary housing formed of a paint solvent-impermeable sheet material having fold lines formed thereon defining front and rear wall portions spaced at their respective side edges by side wall portions, a lower wall portion and an upper wall portion, said housing defining an open-topped cavity adapted to receive the bristles portion 01 a brush, said upper wall portion selectively closing said open-topped cavity, locating means associated with said upper wall portion and adapted to engage the handle of the brush, at least one aperture located at a lower portion of a side wall portion and adapted to admit a solvent, and suspension means whereby the brush holder and brush in assemb!y may be suspended.

United States patent application US 3 930 278 (NASCA) discloses a device in combination with a brush having a flat handle with a flat sheet of material having an elongated central portion with an enlarged coplanar foot portion depending from one end thereof, said foot portion having a straight bottom edge disposed at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said central portion, and a pair of bendable position able resilient tab members extending transversely from the opposite sides of said central portion at a location !! tau uiieiuiucia uuuiy ueuiuauuc LU 0 pauaiiCi L'VuIIt9UIdLuuII iivrtiicii LU LII tCIILIOI pOILIUII Lu engage opposite sides of the enlarged bristles engaging portion of the handle and maintain the central portion and foot disposed along the edge of the bristles to act as an edge guide and a shield against unintended smearing while maintaining both faces of the bristles unobstructed, and with the extension of the central portion acting as an extension arm to pivot the foot out of contact with the bristles to allow for dipping into paint.

United States patent application US3049741 (BESSETTE et al) discloses a paint brush guide comprising a body member with a portion extending longitudinally on one side of the bristles substantially the width of the paint brush with portions folded from the opposite edges thereof to embrace the brush at a location spaced from the ends of the bristles, a tongue member to engage the opposite side of the paint brush also embraced by said body krngitudinally of the UllLlV LU DUUlt LIIV 1), IL1CD 1)11 UJJUILe DIUC /-tuVauitayauuai LIUC jJICbCllt iflvcuitiuui provides a flexible, single use cover for the bristles of a brush, such that the cover may help with the painting of straight lines and cleaning may be avoided.

Summaryoflhe Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a muthue recycflthfle aSI©r ojrSfle bristles cover for a brush, for attachment on one or cO elongated fface of the brush.

In the preferred embodiment the brush is used to apply solvents, euch a S or water based gloss and emulsion paints, wood oer or varmfla.

Ideally the cover is constructed of a cost effective recyc ® arudIor boSSe material such as cardboard, or platc ucRt a poflyproyeroe pollyutter c lleüte), or a ©erSSDe pBaSc etiicDt a ©© a pDaScSr$ree th mopaSc itflriaD.

Preferably S aterae will be provided with a war aS/or oLl resistant finish such as wax.

This may be utilised in the same way historically as wax or waxed paper.

Aaernatively glassine, o5coirte eaauiit nifl may be used, such as applied to the surface oth cover.

In any event a{ maeria© are thereby provided with a moisture resistant surface, such that the ingress and degrading effects of S or water are resisted.

In this way where cardboard is used the cover can withstand contact with the paint or other solvent to be applied with the bristles. In this way the within a single use the cover will not be degraded, buckled, deformed or otherwise impaired in its function, Other embodiments of the invention may involve further tot or research materials such as wood9 quantum foam, polyurethane foam (foam rubber), Polystyrene, phenolic, or other manufactured foam.

The cover is capable of being reversibly attached to the brush, such that after use the cover may be easily removed and disposed of, ideally with minimum contact, such that any paint, or othr eoilverte loaded on the brush will not affect the user or be otherwise a hindrance in disposal of the used cover. In addition the cover is additionally capable of being partially removed or opened from the bristles or flexible in use, such that the cover may be opened and bristles may be exposed for loading of pautt, etairer or varrüñfl and/or specific application procedures, for example application of paint under pressure from the user, said application flexing the brush between the handle and bristles, and deforming the bristles.

Brief Description of Figures 1, 2, 3,4, s

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the cover and a paintbrush; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the cover attached to a paintbrush, with the cover being closed; Figure 3 shows an isometric view, of the cover attached to a paintbrush, with the cover being partially open; i3 Gto nn ur iS vtw ©f? 1tfit ©i® pflv©Q S S S diloS l©©S Ni©w n omec c©© ac©o V®W & 2S 3W SJr® c©nr v©t (1 Ut hiSth OSiled Description of Preferred Embocilment of the Invention The preferred embodiment of the cover I in Figure 1 is shown alongside the paintbrush 2.

The cover is attached to the brush 2 by means of ridges 12 within the handle portion 10 of the cover 1. The brush handle 21 thereby is held in place icnn the ridges 12 and outer surface of the cover I, such that the brush 2 is inserted into (A-B) and removed from (B-A) cover I in the direction of the arrows and prevented from movement in largely perpendicular directions.

In addition, in some embodiments the cover I is disposed to wiSat in direction A-B, such that the brush 2 is further held in place once fully inserted into the cover 1, with further movement along direction A-B causing a tightening of grip of cover on brush.

In preferred embodiments the ridges 12 may be adjustable or otherwise user activated or controlled, such as by provision of multiple push-out portions or cut out portions which may be pushed out, extended, wñSotS or utilised as required, and in order to accommodate varying brushes.

In further embodiments other means may be provided of affixing or attaching or seating the brush 2 in the cover 1. These may include such as, additional portions such as pegs, pi� or clips, or mechanical methods such as grub screws.

The cover is split into two portions, the brush handle (21) portion 10 and the brush bristles (20) portion 15. The bristles portion 15 is hinged in order to facilitate paint application by allowing a user to expose the bristles so that the cover does not interfere with loading paint onto the brush, and in addition the brush may flex in all directions.

The hinge ii may be formed from or benefit from a perforated or otherwise weakened line/area/section on or in the cover. In alternative embodiments a separate hinge (11) may be provided and/or embedded in the cover I or may connect two parts to form the cover 1.

In preferred embodiments a mechanism is provided in order to maintain the cover 1 in a dosed position. A dosed position is defined as the handle portion 10 and bristles portion 15 defining largely a single plane.

In the pictured embodiment the mechanism for maintaining the cover closed provides for this is at least one raised stud 14, cooperating with at least one channel 13. In use, in a closed position the stud 14 inserts into the channel 13, such that the cover is prevented or dissuaded from hinging or opening by the stud(s) 14 being disposed to remain in place in the channel(s) 13.

Other means of achieving this may be utilised, such as 3©© degEre secSutj flot pb aS thaSb 4U 1flb autd ©ouwauuflsntlly ant the mar or other pM of the cover. In Figure 2 a clip 14 is provided, such that the clip 14 is fitted to the handle portion 10 and may be flexibly constructed of plastic material or similar, such that the clip 14 may be fitted into the channel 13 as appropriate, and/or may run in the channel 13 as the hinge is operative.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operaUon, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Tharafnra fh fnrcnninn ía rnncir4cra4 a liii uctrtjia rinki ant tha nrinrinlact ant thc inticantirin Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

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