US20190313784A1

US20190313784A1 - Wire Wash Brush and Cleaning Method

Info

Publication number: US20190313784A1
Application number: US16/271,054
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Davison
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-04-15
Filing date: 2019-02-08
Publication date: 2019-10-17

Abstract

The present disclosure pertains to a wire wash brush with wire type tufts extending from a head and a handle. The brush can be connected to a water source at the handle of the brush, and when the water source is pressurized, water will flow through the handle of the brush, and out through the head of the brush, flowing through the wire type tufts. When the user wants to clean a paint brush, the user will connect the water source to the water connection via a hose and pressurize the water sources so that water flows through the channel extending through the brush body and through the plurality of micro channels, flowing water through the wire tufts. Once water is flowing through the wire wash brush, the user will grip the handle and run the wire tufts though the bristles of the paintbrush as water flows through the brush.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 62/297,416 filed Feb. 19, 2016. Said application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and cleaning method for cleaning excess paint from a paint brush after use.

BACKGROUND

Cleaning paint from paintbrushes has historically been a time-consuming task, and failure to properly clean paintbrushes results in unnecessary waste in replacing brushes. If, after use, paint is not removed from the paintbrushes and is allowed to dry, the bristles of the paintbrush may become stiff or stuck together thereby decreasing the utility and lifespan of the paintbrush.
Currently, paint brushes are often cleaned on a jobsite by hand running a wire wash brush with stainless steel bristles through the paint bristles under a faucet of running water and oftentimes soap. Unfortunately, cleaning techniques such as running water through the paintbrush, even with a wire wash brush, is not an efficient cleaning process on a worksite. Additionally, running a wire wash brush through a paint brush as water is flowing over the brush can be a messy process, as watered down paint will splatter off the wire wash brush and paintbrush, requiring additional cleanup after cleaning the paintbrush. Furthermore, while higher pressure water is more effective at removing paint from a paintbrush, the higher pressure water will cause additional splatter, and therefore, less likely to be used to clean the paint from the paintbrushes.
There have been a number of innovative approaches and inventions introduced to the market in previous years addressing paintbrush cleaning problems outlined above. The “paint brush cleaning funnel” outlined in U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,424 describes a funnel shaped device fitted to a garden hose wherein a contaminated or used paintbrush can be inserted into the large diameter end of the funnel to a point where pressurized water entering the funnel from the smaller end has to pass up through the bristles performing the flushing action, thus carrying paint and contaminants up and out of the large end of the funnel device. Although this device does address the desirability to be able to “flush” the bristle area with fresh water, the device does not allow the user to see where paint remains on the paintbrush, thereby not allowing the user to focus on cleaning only the areas of the brush where paint remains, thereby making it less efficient.
The “Water Jet Spray Nozzle” outlined in U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,964 depicts a somewhat different approach wherein a series of jet spray nozzles extending from a manifold type housing can be inserted directly into the bristles of a paint brush. However, a user would have to concern himself with the possibilities of traumatizing or damaging bristles with the digging, poking and scraping action that would be required for thorough flushing out of the problem areas.
A different approach to solving the paintbrush cleaning problem is offered in U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,535 “Paint brush cleaning device” wherein the invention provides for a single spray nozzle type probe to flush contaminants from the bristles. In this invention there is potential for effecting considerable bristle trauma or damage during cleaning. It is also required the device be manually operated by the user to perform the cleaning procedure.
Furthermore U.S. Pat. App. No. 2006/0213544 discloses a paintbrush cleaning and flushing device arranged to interface with a common household garden hose for unattended cleaning of a paintbrush comprises a hollow chamber formed by a clamshell enclosure for containment of a paintbrush containing an inlet side; wherein pressurized water enters the enclosure, directing water flow through paintbrush bristles, and an outlet side providing for a series of exit holes for paint contaminated water to exit clamshell enclosure. While this device allows for unattended paintbrush cleaning, it is not a useful tool if the painters do not have multiple paint brushes, and still requires the painter to monitor the tool and shut off water when cleaning is complete, thereby limiting its effectiveness as a “unattended” cleaning tool.
Therefore, a need exists for a novel tool and cleaning method that facilitates the cleaning of paint applicators such as paint brushes and the like in a more efficient manner than the prior arts.

SUMMARY

To accomplish this object, a wire wash brush with wire type tufts extending from a head and a handle. The brush can be connected to a water source at the handle of the brush, and when the water source is pressurized, water will flow through the handle of the brush, and out through the head of the brush, flowing through the wire type tufts.
The brush body has a proximal end and a distal end, the brush body comprising: a head on the distal end of the brush body; a handle on the proximal end of the brush body; and a plurality of wire type tufts may extend downwardly from a bottom surface of the head. The wire type tufts form rows along the head on the distal end of the brush body with spaces between the rows.
A connection at the proximal end of the brush body has a connection for a water source. A channel travels longitudinally through the brush from the connection at the proximal end of the brush body, through the brush body, where the channel ends at the head on the distal end of the brush body. Within the brush head, and connected to the channel extending through the brush body, are a plurality of micro channels which travel perpendicularly downward from the longitudinal channel and extend to the bottom surface of the head between the rows of wire tufts.
When the user wants to clean a paint brush, the user will connect the water source to the water connection via a hose, and pressurize the water sources so that water flows through the channel extending through the brush body and through the plurality of micro channels, flowing water through the wire tufts.
Once water is flowing through the wire wash brush, the user will grip the handle and run the wire tufts though the bristles of the paintbrush as water flows through the brush. The cleaning method of flowing water through the head of the brush has several advantages over the prior arts, including: 1) reducing splatter during the cleaning process, 2) more uniform delivery of water to the brush bristles reduces cleaning time, and 3) more effective cleaning method conserves water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view drawing of the wire wash brush;

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view drawing of the wire wash brush;

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view drawings of the wire wash brush depicting tuft configuration and nozzle placement;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view drawings of the wire wash brush;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional drawing of the wire wash brush;

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view depicting the flow of water and the spray configuration of the nozzles in the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As depicted in the figures, the wire wash brush of the present invention comprises the following primary components: a brush handle 1, a brush head 2, and wire type tufts 3.
The brush handle 1 has a proximal end 4 and a distal end 5, the distal end 5 of the brush handle 1 connected to the proximal end 6 of the brush head 2; and a water connection 8 at the proximal end 4 of the brush handle 1. A handle channel 9 travels longitudinally through the brush handle 1 from the water connection 8 at the proximal end 4 of the brush handle 1, through the brush handle 1 through a valve 10 located at the distal end 5 of the brush handle 1.
The brush handle 1, a brush head 2 may be formed of any material and in any manner known of a person of skill in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the brush handle 1, a brush head 2 are constructed of molded thermoplastic polymers.
The valve is integrated into the brush handle 1 so that the valve body 21 and valve flow path are aligned with the handle channel 9, and the valve actuator 22 is located outside of the brush handle 1. The cross dimensional area of the flow path of the valve 10 should be the same as the cross dimensional area of the handle channel 9 so that flow is not impeded when the valve 10 is fully opened. The actuator 22 causes the cross dimensional area of the flow path to change from 0% open to 100% open. When the cross dimensional area of the flow path is 100% open, the cross dimensional area of the flow path will be equal to the cross dimensional area of the handle channel 9.
The valve 10 has a valve member that is a movable obstruction inside the valve body that adjustably causes the cross dimensional area of the flow path to change from 0% open to 100% open. The valve member is connected to the actuator 22 by a valve stem. Depending on the type of valve, a valve member can move linearly inside a valve, or rotate on the stem (as in a ball or butterfly valve).
The valve 10 provides two useful features to the wire wash brush. First, the existence of the valve 10 in the wire wash brush allows water to be turned on and shut off quickly and easily, making the cleaning method more efficient, and allowing multiple brushes to be utilized from a single hose bib, with a manifold. Secondly, the valve 10 serves to control the water pressure flowing through the nozzles 18 in the brush head 2. The more the valve 10 is opened, the greater the pressure, and the less the valve 10 is opened, the lower the pressure. This allows the user to vary the water pressure based on the type of brush being cleaned, and the type of latex or water based paint used. For example, a water based paint may need very little pressure, as the paint dissolves in the water, however, for a heavy latex paint, a greater pressure may be desired, to help impinge the paint off the brush.
In the preferred embodiment, the valve 10 is a ball style valve. The ball style valve is the preferred valve due to its effectiveness at varying flow control through the valve, and cost effectiveness. Other valves known to those skilled in the art, such as gate valves could be used as well.
In the preferred embodiment, the water connection 8 is a standard hose connection for a typical lawn and garden hose. This connection was selected as for the preferred embodiment due to the likelihood of a garden hose being available at most jobsites for cleaning, making it the most versatile option. However, this water connection 8 could be any number of diverse types of water connectors known to those skilled in the art, including hose barbs and quick-connects.
The brush head 2 has a proximal end 6 and a distal end 7, the proximal end 6 of the brush head 2 is connected to the distal end 5 of the brush handle 1 at the connection point 13. A head channel 12 travels longitudinally through the brush head 2 from the connection point 13 at the proximal end 6 of the brush head 2, through the brush head 2, ending at the distal end of the brush head 7. When the brush head 2 is connected to the brush handle 1, the head channel 12 and the handle channel 9 form a continuous flow path between the water connection 8 and the ending at the distal end 7 of the brush head 2, when the valve 10 is open.
A plurality of wire type tufts 3 extend downwardly from a bottom surface 14 of the head 2. The wire type tufts 3 form rows 15 along the bottom surface 14 of the head 2 aligned longitudinally along the head 2, with spaces 16 between the rows 15. In the preferred embodiment, the wire tufts 3 are constructed of stainless steel, for durability and rust resistance, however, the tufts 3 could be constructed of any number of materials known to those skilled in the art, including brass, aluminum, and nylon.
Within the brush head 2, and connected to the head channel 12, are a plurality of micro channels 17 which travel perpendicularly downward from the head channel 12 and extend to the bottom surface 14 of the head 1 into the spaces 16 between the rows 15 of wire tufts 3
Located at the ends of the micro channels 17, in the preferred embodiment nozzles 18 will be located. In the preferred embodiment, the nozzles 18 are fan pattern aligned with the spaces 16 between the rows 15 of wire tufts 3, which allow maximum impingement with the water, while minimizing the need for nozzles 18. While other nozzle patters would be known to those skilled in the art, other nozzle patterns would likely need more micro channels 17 and nozzles 18, which could increase the overall cost of the wire wash brush.
In the preferred embodiment, the aggregate cross-sectional area of all of the nozzle openings 20 combined should be less than the cross-sectional area of the head channel 12. Sizing the nozzle openings 20 so that aggregate cross-sectional area of all of the nozzle openings 20 combined is less than the cross sectional area of the head channel 12 ensures that there is back pressure in the brush head 2, so that water pressure from each of the nozzles 18 is uniform.
When the user wants to clean a paint brush, the user will connect the water source to the water connection 8 via a hose, close the valve 10, and pressurize the water source so that water flows through the hand channel 12, stopping at the valve 10. The user can slowly open the valve 10 to the desired water pressure so that the brush effectively removes paint from the paintbrush, but does not cause splatter on the user, and run the wire tufts 3 though the bristles of the paintbrush as water flows through the wire wash brush. As the nozzles 18 are flanked on the sides by the wire tufts 3, water spray 19 will be largely contained within the head 2 of the brush, thereby significantly reducing splatter during the paintbrush cleaning process.
The cleaning method of flowing water through the head of the brush has several advantages over the prior arts, including: 1) reducing splatter during the cleaning process, 2) more uniform delivery of water to the brush bristles reduces cleaning time, and 3) more effective cleaning method conserves water.
It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of removing paint from the bristles of a soiled paint brush comprising:

providing a brush with a brush handle, a brush head, a hose connector on the brush handle, a valve with a fluid passageway integrated into the brush handle, a main passageway travelling laterally through the brush from the hose connector, though the brush handle, the valve fluid passageway, into the brush head, and terminating in the head of the brush;

said brush having a plurality of wire type tufts extending downwardly from a bottom surface of the head;

said brush having a plurality of micro passageways located in the brush head extending downwardly from the main passageway to the bottom surface of the head;

said brush having nozzles located in the plurality of micro passageways;

said valve having an actuator with variable positions integrated into the valve that enables a cross dimensional area of the valve fluid passageway to change from 0% open to 100% open;

providing a water source which can be turned on and off, said water source being in the off position;

connecting the water source to the hose connector on the brush handle with a hose;

moving the actuator into a position where the valve fluid passageway to change is 0% open;

turning the water source on;

using the actuator, open the valve fluid passageway to a point between 0% open to 100% open so that water travels from the water source through the main passageway and ejects from the brush head through the nozzles;

while water is ejecting through the brush head nozzles, run the plurality of wire type tufts through the bristles of a paint brush soiled with paint;

once the paint has been removed from the bristles of the paint brush using the actuator to close the valve fluid passageway to 0% open.

2. The method of removing paint from the bristles of a soiled paint brush of claim 1 wherein the plurality of wire type tufts are oriented into linear rows aligned longitudinally along the head of the brush with linear rows of spaces aligned longitudinally along the head between the linear rows of wire tufts.

3. The method of removing paint from the bristles of a soiled paint brush of claim 2 wherein the nozzles are oriented between the linear rows of wire type tufts.

4. The method of removing paint from the bristles of a soiled paint brush of claim 3 wherein the nozzles emit water in a fan pattern and the fan pattern is aligned between the linear rows of spaces aligned longitudinally along the head.

5. A paintbrush cleaning apparatus comprising:

a brush handle, brush head, a hose connector on the brush handle, a valve with a fluid passageway integrated into the brush handle, a main passageway travelling laterally through the brush from the hose connector, though the brush handle, the valve fluid passageway, into the brush head, and terminating in the head of the brush;

said brush having nozzles located in the plurality of micro passageways;

6. The paintbrush cleaning apparatus of claim 5 wherein the plurality of wire type tufts are oriented into linear rows aligned longitudinally along the head of the brush with linear rows of spaces aligned longitudinally along the head between the linear rows of wire tufts.

7. The paintbrush cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein the nozzles are oriented between the linear rows of wire type tufts.

8. The paintbrush cleaning apparatus of claim 7 wherein the nozzles emit water in a fan pattern and the fan pattern is aligned between the linear rows of spaces aligned longitudinally along the head.