US3004661A

US3004661A - Display and storage package for brushes

Info

Publication number: US3004661A
Application number: US856488A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lawrence R Schnmann
Original assignee: STAR BRUSH Manufacturing CO Inc
Current assignee: STAR BRUSH Manufacturing CO Inc
Priority date: 1959-12-01
Filing date: 1959-12-01
Publication date: 1961-10-17
Anticipated expiration: 1978-10-17

Description

Oct. 17, 1961 R. SCHUMANN DISPLAY AND STORAGE PACKAGE FOR BRUSHES Filed D60. 1. 1959 III, 1

FIG 3 FIG. 2

FIG. I

INVENTOR. LAWRENCE R. SCHUMANN KENWAY. JENNEY, WITTER & HILDRETH ATTORNEYS rye-Q 3,004,661 DISPLAY AND'STORAGE PACKAGE FOR BRUSHES Lawrence R. Schumann, Boston, Mass., assiguor to Star Brush Manufacturing Co., Inc., Boston, Mass., a corporation of New York a 7 Filed Dec. 1, 1959, Ser. No. 856,488

1 Claim. (Cl. 206-78) This invention relates to display packages for brushes and more particularly comprises a novel combination vending package and reusable storage container for paint brushes.

Most paint brushes sold today are available either in an unwrapped condition or in a disposable carton or wrapper. If a brush, is sold without any packaging whatsoever the exposed bristles are subject to damage while a brush sold in a conventional, disposable package may be protected only so long as the package remains intact. Since the package is usually destroyed upon opening, the protection available is limited to the period before first use of the brush. After the brush has been used and cleaned means must be sought to store the brush properly lest the bristles become bent, splayed or otherwise damaged. For lack of immediate storing means a brush is frequently left aside to gather dirt and dust or stacked upright against a corner or in a jar so that the bristles become bent and permanently deformed and rendered unsuitable for further use.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the handling and packaging of paint brushes and the like by providing a package that will find utility both in vending the brush and in storing the brush after it has been later used.

Another object of this invention is to provide a paint brush display package, the contents of which are visible and which is not destroyed by removal of the brush.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a lightweight, reusable package that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture yet convenient to use..

More particularly, the package of my invention is characterized by a fiat card on the front surface of Which there is applied a transparent cover forming a closed chamber for enclosing the bristle end of a brush with a constricted opening for the passage of the brush handle. A flap is formed in the back portion of the card and when this is opened a passage for removal of the brush is provided. I

But these and other features and objects will appear more readily upon a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in front elevation of a package made according to my invention and showing the brush in its normal position,

\FIG. 2 is a view in rear elevation of the package, and

FIG. 3 is a view of the package in longitudinal section, showing the brush partially removed.

Referring now to the drawing, the reference character indicates a generally flat rectangular card made of relatively stiff paperboard, plastic sheet or like material. Attached to the front surface of the card 10 is a transparent, open-ended, semi-sleeve or cover member 12 made of relatively stiff cellulose acetate or other transparent resinous plastic.

The cover member 12 is formed with a flanged margin 14 which is cemented or otherwise bonded to the surface of the card 10. The margin 14 merges into a generally rectangular, elongated enclosure or brush chamber comprising a flat front wall 16 and flat sidewalls 18 and a top end wall 19. The enclosure generally conforms to the tates vate t ice giitburs of the bristle end of a brush 20 as shown in The dimensions of the cover member 12 may, of course, be altered to accommodate various size brushes so that in the case of a wide brush the enclosure will be more square-shaped than that shown. In any event the handle portion of the brush 20 projects out through a constricted handle-fitting opening 22 formed in the lowermost end of the enclosure as viewed in the drawings. This opening is slightly larger than the neck 24 of the handle and smaller than the shoulder portion 26. The walls adjacent the opening 22 are inwardly curved as at 28 and roughly follow the curved lines of the handle at the neck so that the enclosed brush hangs in the opening with its handle upon the face of the card.

The rear side of the card 10 has a series of perforations 32 defining a flap 34 which generally follows the line of contact of the sidewalls 18 with the card 10. A tab 36 is provided at the upper end of the flap whereby it may be gripped between the fingers and the flap pulled back and partially broken out of the card to create an opening 38 behind the bristles through which the brush 20 may be removed with its bristles foremost. This may be done easily by pulling the brush handle away from the front of the card as seen in FIG. 3 so that the bristle end will be moved at least partially out of the opening 38.

The lower portion of the flap 34 forms a narrow hinge and extends somewhat below the cover 12 so that the wider portion of the brush handle may be accommodated. The cellulose acetate of the cover member is somewhat resilient and, if necessary, the opening 22 may be temporarily enlarged as the handle is passed through.

The opening or passage 38 is in the nature of a back door to the brush chamber which is formed on the front of the card and is, of course, not visible when the package is used for display or advertising purposes.

A small hole 30 is provided at the top of the card so that one or more of the packages may be hung from a hook for display purposes. Likewise the package may be subsequently stored in the home or shop in similar fashion.

Once the brush has been used and cleaned in a suitable solvent, it may be returned to the package for storage until such time as it is again needed. The cellulose acetate of the cover is generally not afiected by moisture so that a brush may be returned to the package when still damp without the cover becoming soft or soggy. The flap may be pressed back into its original position to prevent the entry of dust and dirt that might otherwise reach the bristles. Also since the enclosure generally follows the contours of the bristle end of the brush the shape of the brush is maintained and the bristles will not become splayed. Obviously, a brush that is sold and stored in a package of this sort will have a substantially longer life than one that is completely unprotected.

It will also be obvious because of the transparency of the cover and the exposed position of the handle that prospective purchasers may examine the brush without handling or mutilating the bristles. This will virtually eliminate losses to the retailer through shop worn goods.

The package is durable yet quite simple and inexpensive to produce and may be easily manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes as desired. A number of changes will appear to those skilled in the art. For instance, the front wall 12 of the cover may be suitably curved to accommodate brushes that are round in cross-section.

What I claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent of the United States is:

A combination display and storage package for a paint brush, comprising a flat display card having a cover member of transparent sheet material attached to its front face and forming therewith an elongated outwardly projecting chamber shaped to receive the bristle and ferrule portions of a brush, said cover member being formed with a restricted opening in its lower end for passage of the brush handle to an exposed position upon the front face of the card, thereby presenting the entire brush to View, the walls of the restricted opening supporting the brush in said chamber without contact with the bristles thereof, a hinged door outlined in the card behind said chamber by a line of perforations whereby the door may be bent out of the card by manipulating the exposed handle of the brush thus producing an opening in the back of said chamber through which a brush may be withdrawn with its bristles foremost.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Publication: Modern Packaging, September 1957, page 119, Trap-Door Blister.