U.S. patent application number 11/335988 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-26 for paintbrush and roller head cover and method for manufacturing the same.
Invention is credited to Joseph J. Gangemi.
Application Number | 20070170079 11/335988 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38284467 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070170079 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gangemi; Joseph J. |
July 26, 2007 |
Paintbrush and roller head cover and method for manufacturing the
same
Abstract
A painting implement cover appointed for temporarily housing a
used paintbrush or paint roller head so that the implement's
painting surfaces do not harden after use, thereby enabling the
brush or roller to be used at a later time. The painting implement
cover includes a container having a first member and a second
member removably connected together by way of a connection means to
form an air-tight seal in the container. The first member further
includes a handle aperture appointed for receiving a handle portion
of a painting implement. The handle aperture has a groove with a
handle seal member housed therein to form an air-tight seal between
the handle portion and the handle aperture when the handle portion
of the painting implement is received therein. The paintbrush
and/or roller head cover optionally includes an accordion portion
so that it is extendable and can accommodate varying sized
implements.
Inventors: |
Gangemi; Joseph J.;
(Denville, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ERNEST D. BUFF;ERNEST D. BUFF AND ASSOCIATES, LLC.
231 SOMERVILLE ROAD
BEDMINSTER
NJ
07921
US
|
Family ID: |
38284467 |
Appl. No.: |
11/335988 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/361 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 2200/202 20130101;
A46B 17/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/361 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/10 20060101
B65D083/10 |
Claims
1. A painting implement cover for storing a painting implement
having a handle portion and a body portion, comprising: a. a
container having a first member and a second member removably
connected together by way of a connection means to form a closed
and an open configuration; b. said first member having a back, a
front, two side walls, and a top wall forming an upper cavity
having an upper rim, said second member having a rear face, lateral
walls, and a bottom wall forming a lower cavity having an lower
rim; c. said connection means being located between said upper rim
of said first member and said lower rim of said second member, said
connection means causing said upper and lower rim to engage
together to form an air-tight seal between said first and second
member when said first and second member are in said closed
configuration; and d. said top wall of said first member having a
handle aperture appointed for receiving said handle portion of said
painting implement, said handle aperture having a groove with a
handle seal member housed therein to form an air-tight seal between
said handle portion and said handle aperture when said handle
portion of said painting implement is received therein.
2. A painting implement cover as recited by claim 1, wherein said
connection means further comprises a snap type construction wherein
said upper rim of said first member further comprises an inner
perimeter lip and said lower rim of said second member further
comprises an outer perimeter groove appointed to receive said inner
perimeter lip so that said first and second members are removably
joined together.
3. A painting implement cover as recited by claim 2, wherein at
least one of said inner perimeter lip or said outer perimeter lip
further comprises a perimeter groove appointed to receive a
perimeter seal portion housed therein so that said perimeter seal
portion engages to form an air-tight seal between said first and
second member when said first and second member are connected
together.
4. A painting implement cover as recited by claim 1, comprising a
hinge means located on a portion between said upper rim of said
first member and said lower rim of said second member.
5. A painting implement cover as recited by claim 1, wherein said
bottom wall of said second member has an angled edge.
6. A painting implement cover as recited by claim 1 comprising a
locking means engage-able when said first and second member are in
said closed configuration.
7. A painting implement cover as recited by claim 1, wherein said
first and said second member are further comprised of at least one
accordion portion so that said first and said second member can be
extended and contracted to accommodate said painting implements
having varying sizes.
8. A painting implement cover as recited by claim 1, wherein said
container is composed of a transparent material.
9. A painting implement cover as recited by claim 1, wherein said
painting implement is a paintbrush.
10. A painting implement cover as recited by claim 1, wherein said
container ranges from 1.27 cm (0.5 inches) to 6.35 cm (2.5 inches)
in width.
11. A painting implement cover as recited by claim 1, wherein said
first member substantially covers said body portion of said
painting implement so that said first member receives said handle
portion of said painting implement and slides over and receives
said body portion of said painting implement, and wherein said
second member is connected to said first member via said connection
means to form said closed configuration.
12. A painting implement cover as recited by claim 14, wherein said
handle aperture of said top wall of said first member is elongated
and has an open end and wherein said top wall of said first member
is hingedly connected to said front wall of said first member and
is further releaseably engage-able with said back wall of said
first member so that said top wall can be opened and closed.
13. A roller head cover, comprising: a. a container having a first
member and a second member removably connected together by way of a
connection means to form a closed and an open configuration; b.
said first member having a back, front, two side walls, and a top
wall forming an upper cavity having an upper rim, said second
member having a rear face, lateral walls, and a bottom wall forming
a lower cavity having an lower rim; c. said top wall of said first
member having a handle aperture appointed for receiving a handle of
a paint roller, said handle aperture having a groove with a handle
seal member housed therein to form an air-tight seal between said
handle and said handle aperture when said handle of said paint
roller is received therein; d. said connection means being located
between said upper rim of said first member and said lower rim of
said second member, said connection means causing said upper and
lower rim to engage together to form an air-tight seal between said
first and second member when said first and second member are in
said closed configuration; and e. said first member and said second
member further comprising at least one accordion portion integrated
with each member so that said container can be expanded and
contracted in length and thereby appointed to fit a plurality of
sizes of paint rollers.
14. A roller head cover as recited by claim 16, wherein said
connection means further comprises a snap type construction wherein
said upper rim of said first member further comprises an inner
perimeter lip appointed with a perimeter seal portion and said
lower rim of said second member further comprises an outer
perimeter groove appointed to receive said inner perimeter lip so
that said first and second members are removably joined together to
form an air-tight seal.
15. A roller head cover as recited by claim 16 comprising a hinge
means located on a portion between said upper rim of said first
member and said lower rim of said second member.
16. A roller head cover as recited by claim 16 comprising a locking
means engage-able when said first and second member are in said
closed configuration.
17. A roller head cover as recited by claim 16, wherein said
container is composed of a transparent material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a paintbrush and/or roller
head cover and method for manufacturing the same; and more
particularly, to a paintbrush and/or roller head cover appointed
for receiving and storing bristles or a roller sleeve having paint
thereon, in a sealed environment, that is dry and free of solvents
or liquids, so that hardening of the bristles or the roller sleeve
surface is mitigated and there is no solvent or liquid commingled
with the paint, so that the brush or roller can readily be utilized
at a later time with minimal preparation.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] After a paintbrush or paint roller is utilized, there is a
significant amount of paint residing on the brush bristles or
roller sleeve. Typically, this paint must be removed before storage
to maintain the integrity of the brush or roller sleeve, even if
the user intends on using the same paint at a later time.
Solidification of the bristles or roller sleeve typically ensues as
the residual paint begins to dry, causing deformation of the
bristles or roller sleeve surface. Generally, removal of residual
paint involves washing the brush or roller sleeve in a cleaning
fluid, such as a solvent or water mixture. The cleaning fluid
readily saturates the bristles or roller sleeve, and the fluid
readily becomes retained integrally therein. When the paintbrush or
roller head is used at a later time, the residual cleaning fluid
has a tendency to mix with the paint to be applied. This thins the
paint increasing the tendency for dripping and decreasing coverage.
The ability to avoid washing the paintbrush or roller head after
each use while preventing solidification of paint on a paintbrush
or paint roller head during storage improves painting accuracy and
affords time and economic savings.
[0005] Various types of paintbrush and roller sleeve (or head)
protectors are known in the art, but none of the known storage
devices provide a dry, substantially air-tight environment, with a
convenient two part construction for storage of a paintbrush or
roller sleeve that is wetted with paint or used so that the brush
or roller can readily be used at a later time. Moreover, none of
the storage devices heretofore disclosed and utilized provides the
ability to extend in length to accommodate varying sized roller
sleeves.
[0006] Many of the paintbrush and roller head protectors heretofore
disclosed and utilized provide devices wherein the bristles of a
paintbrush or the roller sleeve of a paint roller are suspended in
a solvent, such as benzene, or water. Consequently, the bristles
and/or roller sleeve become saturated with the solvent or water,
and the bristles or roller sleeve must be either rinsed before use,
further saturating the bristles or roller sleeve with water, or
used directly; in any event, the solvent and/or the water from the
saturated bristles or roller sleeve deleteriously mixes with the
paint to be applied.
[0007] Storage devices utilizing solvent or liquid suspension
generally include a container body appointed for housing a solvent,
and a lid having an aperture for receiving a handle of a paintbrush
or paint roller, so that the painting surface (i.e. bristle
portion) of the paintbrush or paint roller is suspended in the
solvent or liquid. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,262,753 to T. F.
Brennan discloses a container for holding liquids and for retaining
a paintbrush. The container has a removable closure provided with
an opening for the insertion of a brush handle so that the bristles
of the brush are suspended in a liquid. U.S. Pat. No. 2,782,909 to
P. E. M.sup.cNamara discloses a paintbrush storage device generally
comprising a solvent container and a rubber insert adapted to
maintain a paintbrush handle so that the brush is supported and the
bristled end of the brush is suspended within the solvent
container. U.S. Pat. No. 3,262,556 to D. J. Morrison discloses a
storage device comprising a container means appointed to receive a
solvent and a cap means for receiving a paintbrush's handle to
thereby suspend the bristle portion of the brush in the solvent.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,553 to Curtis discloses a container for a
paintbrush including a body appointed for housing a solvent, and a
lid having an aperture through which a handle of the paintbrush is
received. The bristle portion of the paintbrush is suspended in the
solvent (i.e. paint removing liquid). U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,274 to
Long discloses a paint roller holder generally including a
container having a reservoir to receive a paint roller, wet paint,
or thinner, and a flat snap-on lid having a slot for accommodate a
paint roller handle. These storage devices result in saturation of
the bristles or roller sleeve with the liquid in the container. The
very use of solvent or water housed within these protective devices
nullifies the ability of the user to simply remove their painting
tool from the protective device and immediately begin painting,
without the necessity for rinsing or cleaning the brush or roller
head, and without the risk of commingling the solvent or rinsing
solution with the paint to be utilized.
[0008] Other types of solvent containing paintbrush and/roller
sleeve holders include a lid having an aperture for receiving a
handle of a paintbrush or paint roller, wherein the lid is
appointed to fit a standard size paint can, so that the bristle
portion of the paint-brush (or roller sleeve portion of a paint
roller) is suspended in paint, solvents, or other liquids housed
within the can. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,533,355 to J. Comfort
discloses a paint-brush holder generally including a cover that
fits a standard paint can. The cover is appointed with notches
adapted to receive a paintbrush handle while the bristle portion of
paintbrush is suspended in the can containing paint, or other
liquids. U.S. Pat. No. 3,955,670 to Buslik discloses a paintbrush
holder generally comprising a lid having an opening to accommodate
a handle of a paintbrush. The lid is appointed to tightly fit a can
adapted to hold a liquid, so that the bristle's of the paintbrush
are suspended in the liquid. U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,919 to Adams
discloses a lid sized to fit standard size containers (preferably
paint cans) and a lid system for suspending implements in a
container. The lid generally comprises a rim engage-able with a
container, and including a central portion circumscribed by the rim
having at least one opening defined therein for receiving the
handle of a painting implement. U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,329 to Dobson
discloses a container lid adapted to fit over the opening of a
standard paint container in place of an original lid, wherein the
lid includes a container engaging periphery and a handle receiving
aperture. U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,315 to Frisk discloses a paintbrush
storage lid having a flat portion sized to cover a top portion of a
liquid container. A hollow tapered neck portion projects above a
flat portion, which is sized to receive a paintbrush handle portion
therein, so that the bristles are suspended in the liquid in the
container.
[0009] Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,617 to Couch et al.
discloses a paint implement storage device that acts in combination
with a container, such as a paint can. The device generally
comprises an insert of cellular material having an opening for
receiving a handle of a painting implement. A cover extends
upwardly from the insert and includes a foam sleeve for fitting
around a handle of a painting implement. U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,576 to
Onodera discloses a method of storing a brush used in substrate
surface treatment. The method comprises the steps of (i) removing a
brush from a scrubbing apparatus, and (ii) sealing the brush in a
container so that the fibrous or spongy member of the brush is
maintained in a wet and disinfectant condition. U.S. Pat. No.
3,918,582 to Wallace discloses a cylindrical container appointed
for housing paint dissolving and cleaning fluids. The container is
adapted to receive a paintbrush or paint roller sleeve for soaking
and preserving the same. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,188 to Custeau
discloses a paintbrush cleaning assembly for cleaning the bristles
of a paintbrush, generally comprising a container for receiving a
solvent, and a cover appointed for receiving a paintbrush handle
and being interconnected via releasable sealing with the container
so that the paintbrush is contained by the cover, and the bristles
of the brush are suspended in the solvent. Like the container and
solvent storage devices, these storage devices result in saturation
of the bristles or roller sleeve with the liquid in the container
upon which the disclosed lid assemblies are placed. This nullifies
the ability of the user to simply remove the painting tool from the
protective device and immediately begin painting, without the
necessity for rinsing or cleaning the brush or roller head, and
contamination of the paint when applied.
[0010] Still another type of solvent containing paintbrush
and/roller sleeve holders involves a storage device having a holder
appointed with means for adding a small amount of liquid, which may
include implementation of a foam insert, so that the bristle
portion of the paint-brush (or roller sleeve portion of a paint
roller) comes into contact with the foam/or liquid layer. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,363 to Wilson discloses a container
formed from two hingedly attached shallow rectangular members
having an opening in the tops thereof to receive a handle of a
paintbrush, wherein each of the members includes a layer of closed
cell foam material so that the foam can absorb paint drippings as
well as contain a small amount of paint solvent. U.S. Pat. No.
5,709,301 to Couch et al. discloses storage devices for paint
rollers, paint roller covers, and paintbrushes, generally
comprising a cylindrical container having a circular opening, and a
lid, also having a circular opening through which the handle of a
roller frame can extend, the container has a foam insert that keeps
the brush/roller head wet; the container is filled with paint so as
to cover the painting surface of the painting implement. U.S. Pat.
No. 6,530,470 to Roundy discloses a holding box having an interior
space for receiving, longitudinally, a paint-applying roller, and
an opening in one of the container walls for receiving and passing
there-through a portion of the roller handle, and solvent absorbing
material positioned in the box to receive and hold solvent therein
and release solvent vapors into the box to help prevent drying of
the paint on the roller. Like the aforementioned solvent suspending
storage devices, these storage devices result in saturation of the
bristles or roller sleeve through fluid transport from the foam
material to the bristles or roller sleeve. Again, the very use of
solvent or water housed within these protective devices nullifies
the ability of the user to simply remove their painting tool from
the protective device and immediately begin painting, without the
necessity for rinsing or cleaning the brush or roller head, and
without the risk of commingling the solvent or rinsing solution
with the paint to be utilized.
[0011] Yet another type of paintbrush and/paint roller storage
device heretofore disclosed and utilized provides a protective
cover including apertures in the body thereof. The cover is
appointed to be placed in a container so that solvent can enter the
apertures and clean or moisten the bristles or roller sleeve of a
paintbrush or paint roller, respectively. In particular, U.S. Pat.
No. 1,239,638 to H. S. Throckmorton discloses a paintbrush
protector generally comprising a box-like member having a covering
hingedly connected thereto, wherein the box-like member includes
perforations that so that when the protector is placed in a trough
containing oil, benzene, or water, the bristles remain wetted. U.S.
Pat. No. 1,951,576 to H. Lehr discloses a brush protective device
generally comprising a pair of jaws that are pivotally joined
together and have openings therein. The jaws are adapted to receive
the bristles of a wet paintbrush and be placed in a container
having a liquid therein. U.S. Pat. No. 2,051,267 to M. Mezey
discloses a brush holder having a perforated bottom part and a
perforated cover part hingedly joined together. The brush holder is
placed in a container having oil therein in order to permit a
constant circulation of oil through the brush, to clean the brush.
Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 2,562,482 to A. F. Weisser discloses a
paint-brush jacket having a bottom opening. When the jacket is
inserted into a preservation liquid, the liquid acts to keep the
bristles of the brush in a soft and pliable condition. These
storage devices result in saturation of the bristles or roller
sleeve with the liquid in the container. This nullifies the ability
of the user to simply remove the painting tool from the protective
device and immediately begin painting.
[0012] Even where storage devices heretofore disclosed and utilized
do not provide for interaction of solvent within the container,
many of the devices merely disclose protective devices having
apertures in order to allow air to pass over the bristles or roller
sleeve. Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 1,437,822 to F. A. Seymour
discloses an improved protector for brushes generally comprising a
body portion, further including a pair of projections appointed to
pass through the handle of a paint-brush, and wherein the body
portion is composed of a wire mesh material, thereby resulting in
apertures for air flow. U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,361 to Wolcott, et al.
discloses a paint roller cleaner and remover having two
semi-cylindrical halves hingedly connected that close around a
roller in order to scrape the roller sleeve, and to provide a grip
for removal of the roller sleeve off of a mandrel; the
semi-cylindrical halves are open on both sides, and they do not
prevent air exposure. U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,453 to Landmeier
discloses a protective cover generally comprising a flexible cover
having a plurality of flaps and a plurality of vent openings that
allow the bristles of the paintbrush to breathe during storage, and
a hard cover that fits over the flexible cover. These non-solvent
interactive paintbrush and/paint roller storage devices generally
provide a container having apertures for the entry of air flow. As
a result, these devices fail to prevent the hardening of bristles
or a roller sleeve as the used paint solidifies due to air
exposure.
[0013] In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,167 to Conrad discloses a
paintbrush container including a first or upper tray and a second
or lower tray connected together by a hinge. The container is
provided with an opening to receive a paintbrush handle; but the
opening is not provided with a seal, and therefore air entry
results. U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,694 to Van Diest et al. discloses a
paintbrush protection device in the form of a sheath, including a
bristle-holding portion having a plurality of vent holes adapted to
expose the bristles of the brush to ambient air to hasten the
drying of the bristles. U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,406 to Zagar discloses
a brush protection device generally comprising a first cover member
and a second cover member, each having a plurality of holes therein
and an arcuate slot collectively forming a hole for receiving a
handle of a brush. The entry of air into the storage chamber
results in solidification of the used paintbrush or roller. These
devices fail to prevent the hardening of bristles or a roller
sleeve since unused paint thereon tends to solidify due to air
exposure.
[0014] Moreover, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2003/0135945 to Nordstrom discloses a paintbrush holder generally
comprising a sleeve having a liner therein. The liner and sleeve
receive the body of a paintbrush in a nesting relation so that the
handle of the paintbrush protrudes through the aligned apertures of
the sleeve. The sleeve does not have a bottom portion, with the
result that the bottom of the bristles is exposed to air. U.S.
Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0050732 to Baker discloses
a paintbrush protective cover comprised of a single body member
made from a semi-rigid material and having a body section with
front and rear surfaces appointed with a plurality of small
openings to allow air to circulate within the cover. Like the
aforementioned devices, the entry of air into the storage chamber
results in solidification of the used paintbrush or roller.
Consequently, the devices fail to prevent the hardening of bristles
or a roller sleeve since unused paint thereon solidifies due to air
exposure.
[0015] Even where storage devices heretofore disclosed and utilized
do not provide apertures for solvent or air interaction within the
container, but do provide for a substantially sealed environment,
these devices nonetheless fail to provide an efficient two piece
paintbrush and/or paint roller storage device that readily receives
the bristles or roller sleeve in an efficient manner. That is to
say, a number of the storage devices heretofore disclosed and
utilized require three separate pieces that attach together when
the brush or roller is inserted therein. Specifically, U.S. Pat.
No. 1,202,355 to A. L. Bernhardt discloses a paintbrush container
generally comprising three portions, including a cylindrical body
portion open on both ends, a head portion having an opening
appointed to receive a paintbrush handle and being adapted to
attach to one end of the cylindrical body, and a cap adapted to be
received by the other end of the cylindrical body portion. U.S.
Pat. No. 3,981,399 to Crouch discloses a paintbrush keeper
generally comprising a box assembly with a movable wall and top
wall appointed with a hole through which the handle of a paintbrush
projects, and further having a pair of diverging walls, wherein the
bristles of a brush are received and held in a tapered
configuration. These devices generally require assemblage of three
or more portions. As a result, the devices present a cumbersome,
oftentimes slipshod, application to the paintbrush or paint roller
having used paint wetted thereon. This enhances the risk of paint
contamination on surfaces where it is unintended.
[0016] Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,098 to Filipchuk discloses a
container for storing a wet paint roller generally comprising a
cylindrical sleeve. The sleeve has a slot and two end caps (one
having a slot) that close to form a cylindrical container. A wet
paint roller is inserted into the container with a portion of the
handle. The handle extends from an axial rod that in turn passes
through a slot in the sleeve and in the end cap. U.S. Pat. No.
5,244,090 to Keith discloses a protective sheath and comb assembly
capable of protecting a paintbrush and maintaining bristles of the
paintbrush in good condition. The comb is secured to the sheath and
the paintbrush bristles are maintained by combing the bristles with
the comb. Like the aforementioned devices, these devises generally
require assemblage of three or more portions, as a result, the
devices present a cumbersome, oftentimes slapdash, application to
the paintbrush or paint roller having used paint wetted thereon.
This increases the risk of paint contamination on surfaces where it
is unintended.
[0017] Other paintbrush covers heretofore disclosed and utilized
provide a case generally having a top and bottom part which is
hingedly attached together. Such covers have wedge shaped
configurations, with the tip where the bristles of a paintbrush
would rest coming to a point. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,869,753
to R. Kamm discloses a case for preserving the bristle portion of a
brush therein. The case generally comprises two members hinged
together to form a wedge-shaped container. The two members' walls
overlap, and an opening is provided for receiving the brush handle
therein in a substantially air-tight case. The wedge-shaped
conformation of the container results in the user trying to fit a
bristle portion, wet with paint, into a wedge or angled area. As a
result, oftentimes the bristle portion will not fit within the tip
area of the wedge-shaped cover without causing the bristles, wet
with paint, from becoming caught between the top and bottom parts
of the case. Over time, residual paint can build up between the top
and bottom parts, and thereby minimize the ability of the device to
properly create a sealed environment.
[0018] Still other paintbrush and or roller head storage devices
heretofore disclosed and utilized teach containers appointed to
hold the entire paintbrush or paint roller, rather than a portion
of these tools. These devices generally include containers that
house the entire handle of the paintbrush (or paint roller) while
at the same time housing the bristle portion (or roller sleeve) of
the paintbrush (or paint roller). As a result, the devices present
a cumbersome, oftentimes slipshod, insertion and removal of the
paintbrush or paint roller wetted with used paint. This increases
the risk of paint contamination on surfaces where it is unintended.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,679,315 to R. Zegers discloses a
paint-brush holder generally comprising a body member having a
chamber within which an entire paintbrush may be disposed in a
stored position; the brush may be sealed in the holder and stored
with cleaning fluid, such as turpentine or the like for cleaning
and preservation of the brush. U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,576 to Kern
discloses a storage container for a paint roller having a bottom
member and a cover member configured as half-shell type hollow
bodies having semi-cylindrical recesses for receiving the paint
roller and a further recess to accommodate the handle, and wherein
the members are connected together via "film hinges" and close in a
sealed condition. U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,164 to Hocking discloses a
one-piece paint roller tray with cover designed to accommodate
paint tools, such as a standard paintbrush and a paint roller with
handle, within a standard paint tray body. These storage devices
house the paintbrush or paint roller in their entirety, so that
both the handle portion and the bristle portion of the paintbrush
are fully housed within the device. As a result, insertion and
removal of the brush from these devices can become burdensome and
messy, as the bristles (and possibly some leakage onto the handle)
are wetted with paint when housed in the device.
[0019] Other paintbrush and/or paint roller storage devices
heretofore disclosed and utilized provide housing for a paint
roller, but fail to provide the ability to expand and contract the
holder so that it can hold a variety of sized roller sleeves. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,617 to Von Flatern discloses a paint
roller sleeve storage container having a flexible resilient tubular
housing including a sealed end and an open end. The open end is
appointed to engage with the paint roller sleeve by way of a
plurality of sleeve retaining bosses that abut the sleeve holder.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,950 to Zar et al. discloses a protective
housing for a roller cover having a unitarily fabricated body with
two half, hollow cylinder portions hingedly connected and having a
perimeter seal means and a channel for receiving a roller handle
shaft. U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,552 to Kim et al. discloses a paint
roller protective device including an elongated shell having an end
wall and an open end for receiving a roller portion, and a cap for
covering an open end of the elongated shell having a holder means
for engaging and holding a portion of the roller portion's handle.
These storage devices fail to provide the ability to expand and
contract the holder size, and as a result, these devices cannot be
expanded or contracted to accommodate varying sized roller
sleeves.
[0020] Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,902 to Korycki discloses a
paint roller cover including an upper and lower half section joined
by a hinge that, when the halves are closed upon one another,
define an enclosed elongate chamber to accommodate a roller
element. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0188980 to
Myers discloses a paint roller case, including a molded plastic
housing with an integral plastic hinge that opens to receive a wet
paint roller cover and roller handle assembly, and includes a hole
to allow the paint roller handle shaft to protrude out of the
housing; a relatively air-tight environment is created via
overlapping edges. U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2004/0188276 to Petrehn discloses a paint roller preserver
including an upper portion and a lower portion hingedly connected
and both having a rounded interior surface, and an aperture in the
housing, which couple together to form a cavity appointed for
housing a standard roller cover and to receive a shaft of a roller
applicator. Like the devices mentioned hereinabove, these storage
devices fail to provide the ability to expand and contract the
holder size, and as a result, these devices cannot be expanded or
contracted to accommodate varying sized roller sleeves.
[0021] Notwithstanding the efforts of prior art workers to
construct a paintbrush or paint roller storage device that houses a
used painting implement, such as a paintbrush or paint roller, so
that the implement can be later re-used, there remains a need in
the art for a painting implement storage device that stores the
implement in a dry, sealed environment. In particular, there is a
need in the art for a paintbrush and/or paint roller storage device
that provides a sealed, clean environment to store a used
paintbrush or roller head, so that hardening of the bristles or
roller surface is avoided, and the brush or roller head can be
readily utilized at a later time. Through use of such a novel
paintbrush and/or paint roller storage device, the consumer or
painter can save both time and money by minimizing damage to the
paintbrush or roller during storage, while at the same time
minimizing damage that can result from washing and drying.
[0022] Specifically, there is a need in the art for a paintbrush
and/paint roller storage device that does not require the addition
of solvent therein; as such would deleteriously introduce the
solvent into the paint when the paintbrush/roller is later used.
Moreover, there is a need in the art for a paintbrush and/or paint
roller storage device that does not have perforations, or any other
type of air circulation; as such air contact would result in
hardening of the bristles or roller sleeve, rendering the brush or
roller no longer useful. A paintbrush and/or paint roller storage
device that is constructed having two portions that close to seal
an air tight environment in a convenient, easy to use two piece
construction in order to prevent hardening of the bristles or
roller sleeve, has long been needed in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The present invention provides a painting implement cover,
or paintbrush and/or roller head cover, that securely houses a
painting implement therein in a dry, air-tight environment so that
the painting implement is ready for immediate use. The paintbrush
and/or roller head cover is an apparatus appointed for temporarily
housing a used paintbrush or paint roller head so that the bristles
or roller head surfaces do not harden after use, thereby enabling
the brush or roller to be used at a later time.
[0024] The painting implement cover for storing a painting
implement having a handle portion and a body portion includes a
container having a first member and a second member removably
connected together by way of a connection means to form closed and
open configurations. The first member further includes a back,
front, two side walls, and a top wall forming an upper cavity
having an upper rim. The second member further includes a rear
face, lateral walls, and a bottom wall forming a lower cavity
having a lower rim. The connection means is located between the
upper rim of the first member and the lower rim of the second
member. The connection means causes the upper and lower rims to
engage together to form an air-tight seal between the first and
second members when the first and second members are in the closed
configuration.
[0025] The top wall of the first member further comprises a handle
aperture appointed for receiving the handle portion of the painting
implement. The handle aperture has a groove with a handle seal
member housed therein to form an air-tight seal between the handle
portion and the handle aperture when the handle portion of the
painting implement is received therein. Preferably, the painting
implement is a paintbrush.
[0026] In another embodiment, the painting implement is a roller
head. In this embodiment the roller head cover comprises a
container having a first member and a second member removably
connected together by way of a connection means to form a closed
and an open configuration. The first member includes a back, front,
two side walls, and a top wall forming an upper cavity having an
upper rim. The second member includes a rear, face, lateral walls,
and a bottom wall forming a lower cavity having a lower rim. The
top wall of the first member further comprises a handle aperture
appointed for receiving a handle of a paint roller. The handle
aperture has a groove with a handle seal member housed therein to
form an air-tight seal between the handle and the handle aperture
when the handle of the paint roller is received therein.
[0027] The connection means is located between the upper rim of the
first member and the lower rim of the second member. The connection
means causes the upper and lower rims to engage together to form an
air-tight seal between the first and second members when the first
and second members are in the closed configuration.
[0028] Additionally, the first member and the second member of the
roller head cover further comprise at lest one accordion portion
integrally associated with each member so that the container can be
expanded and contracted in length and thereby appointed to fit a
plurality of sizes of paint rollers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0029] The invention will be more fully understood and further
advantages will become apparent when reference is had to the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the
invention and the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates schematic views of the painting implement
cover appointed to be utilized as a paintbrush cover, showing the
first and second members in the opened and closed
configurations;
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrate a schematic view of an alternative
embodiment of the painting implement cover appointed to be utilized
as a paintbrush cover, showing the container having accordion
portions;
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of an alternative
embodiment of the painting implement cover wherein the first member
substantially covers the body portion of the painting
implement;
[0033] FIG. 4a illustrates a schematic view of an alternative
embodiment of the painting implement cover, wherein the apparatus
is a roller head cover and the apparatus opens on the horizontal
plane; and
[0034] FIG. 4b illustrates a schematic view of an alternative
embodiment of the painting implement cover, wherein the apparatus
is a roller head cover and the apparatus opens on the vertical
plane.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] The present invention provides a painting implement cover,
or paintbrush and/or roller head cover, that securely houses a
painting implement therein in a dry, air-tight environment so that
the painting implement is ready for immediate use. The paintbrush
and/or roller head cover is an apparatus appointed for temporarily
housing a used paintbrush or paint roller head so that the bristles
or roller head surfaces do not harden after use, thereby enabling
the brush or roller to be used at a later time. The paintbrush
and/or roller head cover readily snaps onto a paintbrush, or roller
head, and protects the brush's bristles or roller head from air
exposure and preventing the residual paint from hardening and
causing the bristles to remain flexible. Moreover, when the user
intends to use the same paint color, the brush or roller can be
conveniently placed in the paintbrush and/or roller head cover
without washing or cleaning of the brush or roller. As a result,
the paint bristles or roller head does not become saturated with
water, which can cause watering down of the paint as it is applied
when the brush or roller is used later. Advantageously, the
paintbrush and/or roller head cover has particular applications in
providing a sealed, clean environment to store a used paintbrush or
roller head, so that hardening of the bristles or roller surface is
avoided, and the brush or roller head can be readily utilized at a
later time.
[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates schematic views of the painting implement
cover appointed to be utilized as a paintbrush cover, showing the
first and second members in the opened and closed configurations,
both shown generally at 10. In addition, FIG. 1 further illustrates
the paintbrush cover's second member, the bottom wall of which is
shown in an angled configuration, generally at 40. A paintbrush is
shown at 11, having a handle 12, handle bottom 15, body 13, and
bristles 14. A painting implement cover 10 for storing a painting
implement, preferably paintbrush 11, comprises a container having a
first member 16 and second member 17 removably connected together
by way of a connection means 22 to form closed and open
configurations. The first member 16 includes a back wall 18, front
wall 19, two side walls 20, and a top wall 21 arranged to form an
upper cavity 23 and an upper rim 24. Upper cavity 23 is appointed
for accommodating body portion 13 of paintbrush 11. In an
alternative embodiment, upper cavity 23 is appointed for
accommodating body portion 13 and bristles 14 of paintbrush 11 (see
discussion concerning FIG. 3). The second member 17 includes a rear
wall 25, face wall 26, lateral walls 27, and a bottom wall 28
arranged to form a lower cavity 29 having a lower rim 30.
[0037] Connection means 22 is located between the upper rim 24 of
the first member 16 and the lower rim 30 of the second member 17.
The connection means 22 engages the upper rim 24 and lower rim 30
to form an air-tight seal between the first member 16 and second
member 17 when the first and second members, 16 and 17,
respectively, are in the closed configuration (shown with
paintbrush 11 in phantom lines).
[0038] The top wall 21 of the first member 16 includes a handle
aperture 31 appointed for receiving the handle bottom 15 of handle
portion 12 of paintbrush 11. The handle aperture 31 is appointed
with a groove having a handle seal member housed therein, a gasket
or the like, to form an air-tight seal between the handle bottom 15
of handle portion 12 of paintbrush 11 and the handle aperture 31
when the handle bottom 15 is received therein. In operation, the
handle 12 of paintbrush 11 passes through upper cavity 23 and
traverses into the handle aperture 31. The handle 12 continues
until handle bottom 15 of handle portion 12 engages with handle
aperture 31 and the paintbrush 11 comes to a rest. The body portion
13 of paintbrush 11 is received in upper cavity 23 of the first
member 16. The bristle portion 14 of paintbrush 11 is received by
the lower cavity 29 of second member 17. Optionally, as discussed
in FIG. 3, first member 16 substantially receives both the body
portion 13 and the bristle portion 14 of the paintbrush 11.
[0039] Optionally, the connection means 22 of the painting
implement cover, shown as a paintbrush cover in FIG. 1, further
comprises a snap type construction. In this embodiment, upper rim
24 of first member 16 further comprises an inner perimeter lip.
Lower rim 30 of second member 17 further comprises an outer
perimeter groove appointed to receive the inner perimeter lip so
that the first and second members, 16 and 17, respectively, are
removably joined together to form an air-tight seal when the
container is in the closed configuration. In addition, at least one
of the inner perimeter lip or outer perimeter lip may further
comprise a perimeter groove appointed to receive a perimeter seal
portion housed therein. Perimeter seal portion then engages to form
an air-tight seal between the first and second members, 16 and 17,
respectively, when the container is in the closed configuration.
Alternatively, the painting implement/paintbrush cover may further
include a hinge means located on a portion between the upper rim 24
of first member 16 and the lower rim 30 of second member 17.
[0040] The bottom wall 28 of the second member 17 may have a
straight edge, as shown at 10, or may have an angled edge, as shown
at 40. The angled edge configuration of bottom wall 28 of second
member 17 has particular applications in storing paintbrushes
having angled bristles. The optional angled configuration allows
the angled bristles to more conveniently fit within the second
member 17 when the paintbrush having angled bristles is being
stored. The angled orientation provides an efficient fit so that
the angled bristles of the paintbrush having angled bristles do not
become deformed. As a result, the angled brush retains its angled
bristle configuration.
[0041] The paintbrush cover 10 may further comprise a locking means
34. The optionally locking means 34 is engage-able when the first
and second members, 16 and 17, respectively, are in the closed
configuration. This provides an extra security measure, ensuring
that the container does not open while the wetted paintbrush is
housed therein. In addition, the locking means 34 further ensures
that the first and second members, 16 and 17, respectively, remain
tightly connected together via the connection means 22, further
preventing seepage of air into the container. Such seepage of air
or opening of the container would render the bristles hardened and,
subsequently deformed. The locking means 34 mitigates this risk by
ensuring the seal is maintained and the container's closed position
is maintained.
[0042] The painting implement cover's container, or as shown herein
in FIG. 1 as a paintbrush cover, preferably is composed of a
transparent material. That is to say, the first member 16 and the
second member 17 may be composed of a transparent material
(preferably plastic). Alternatively, second member 17 may be
composed of a transparent material while first member 16 may be
composed of an opaque material. The transparent material allows the
user to readily see the color of the paint wetted on the stored
paintbrush, without the necessity of opening the container. This
has special significance when the user has paintbrushes stored that
have been used for different paint colors. Advantageously, the
transparent feature of the container provides the user with the
ability to immediately ascertain the specific paintbrush used for a
specific color.
[0043] Preferably, the painting implement cover is constructed for
storing a paintbrush or a foam brush. The painting implement
cover's container may range from 1.27 cm (0.5 inches) to 6.35 cm
(2.5 inches) in width. This width range provides increased ability
for the user to place the paintbrush into the first and second
members, 16 and 17, respectively, so that the bristles 14 or body
13 of the paintbrush 11 readily slides into the container. In
addition, the painting implement cover's container may range from
1.27 cm (0.5 inches) to 17.8 cm (7 inches) in width. The painting
implement cover's container may range from 5 cm (2 inches) to 25.4
cm (10 inches) in length. These ranges are advantageous to
accommodating standard paintbrush or foam brush sizes so that the
same readily fits into the container with minimal risk of paint
contamination or drip-age in the surrounding environment when the
paintbrush is being inserted in the container.
[0044] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of an alternative
embodiment of the painting implement cover appointed to be utilized
as a paintbrush cover, showing the container having accordion
portions, shown generally at 50. The painting implement cover shown
at 50 alternatively includes at least one accordion portion 51
integrally constructed within first member 16; herein there are
shown two accordion portions 51. In addition, second member 17
includes at least one accordion portion 52 integrally constructed
within second member 17; herein there are shown two accordion
portions 52. These accordion portions, 51 and 52, allow the
members, 16 and 17, to be expanded in length so that the device can
be utilized for varying sized paintbrushes.
[0045] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of an alternative
embodiment of the painting implement cover wherein the first member
substantially covers the body portion of the painting implement,
shown generally at 60. First member 61 of paintbrush cover 60
receives the handle portion 12 of paintbrush 11 and engages with
the handle bottom 15 of the paintbrush 11. In this embodiment,
bristle portion 14, body portion 13, and handle bottom 15 of
paintbrush 11 are received and housed within the upper cavity of
first member 61. Second member 62 is herein a shallower portion and
seals with first portion 61, via connection means, to form an
air-tight container to form the closed configuration.
[0046] Continuing with FIG. 3, shown generally at 70, first member
61 includes a top wall 74 having a handle aperture 71 having an
elongated construction, with an optional opening 72. In this
embodiment, first member 61 has an open end 73 constructed by way
of a top wall 74 being hingedly connected to a back wall 75 of
first member 61. The top wall 74 is releaseably engageable with
front wall 76 of first member 61 so that the top wall 74 can be
opened and closed. When top wall 74 is opened, the paintbrush 11
housed therein can be readily pulled upward in manner, while first
member 61 is pulled in a downward direction. In this manner, the
paintbrush is readily removed without risk of splashing of the
paint on the bristles. Moreover, such downward removal allows the
removal to take place along with the grain of the bristles, so that
the conformation of the bristles is not disrupted.
[0047] FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate schematic views of alternative
embodiments of the painting implement cover, wherein the apparatus
is a roller head cover, shown generally at 80, and 100,
respectively. In FIGS. 4a and 4b, a paint roller tool 81 having
handle 82, arm 83, and roller head 84 encased in the roller head
cover 80. Cover 80 includes a first member 85 and a second member
86 each appointed with an accordion portion 85a and 86a. Both the
first member 85 and the second portion 86 have a notch 87 and 88,
respectively, for receiving arm 83, so as to form an aperture when
the first and second members, 85 and 86, are closed together.
Connection means 89 is provided in order to form an air-tight seal
between the first and second members, 85 and 86, respectively.
Optionally, the first and second members, 85 and 86, respectively,
are attached via hinge 90 so that the members can readily open and
close. In FIG. 4a, at 80, the first and second members, 85 and 86,
respectively, are in a horizontal relation on horizontal plane V to
one another; in FIG. 4b, at 100, the first and second members, 85
and 86, respectively, are in a vertical relation on vertical plane
X to one another. Moreover, at 100 only the second member 86
includes the accordion portion 101; while first member 85 is solely
appointed with handle aperture 102.
[0048] Optionally, the roller head cover's connection means 89
further comprises a snap type construction wherein an upper rim of
the first member 85 further comprises an inner perimeter lip
appointed with a perimeter seal portion. In addition, a lower rim
of second member 86 further comprises an outer perimeter groove
appointed to receive the inner perimeter lip of first member 85 so
that the first and second members, 85 and 86, respectively, are
removably joined together to form an air-tight seal. The roller
head cover may further comprise a hinge means 90 located on a
portion between the first member 85 and second member 86.
[0049] The roller head cover may further include a locking means
engage-able when the first and second members, 85 and 86,
respectively, are in the closed configuration. This provides an
extra security measure, ensuring that the container does not open
while the wetted roller head/sleeve is housed therein. In addition,
the locking means further ensures that the first and second
members, 85 and 86, respectively, remain tightly connected together
via the connection means 89, further preventing seepage of air into
the container. Such seepage of air or opening of the container
would render the roller head/sleeve hardened and, subsequently
deformed. The locking means 89 mitigates this risk by ensuring the
seal is maintained and the container's closed position is
maintained.
[0050] Optionally, the roller head cover 80 may be composed of a
transparent material. That is to say, the first member 85 and the
second member 86 may be composed of a transparent material
(preferably plastic). Alternatively, second member 86 may be
composed of a transparent material while first member 85 may be
composed of an opaque material; and vice versa. The transparent
material allows the user to readily see the color of the paint
wetted on the stored roller head/sleeve, without the necessity of
opening the container. This has special significance when the user
has numerous roller heads stored that have been used for different
paint colors. Advantageously, the transparent feature of the
container provides the user with the ability to immediately
ascertain the specific roller head used for a specific color.
[0051] Having thus described the invention in rather full detail,
it will be understood that such detail need not be strictly adhered
to, but that additional changes and modifications may suggest
themselves to one skilled in the art, all falling within the scope
of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.
* * * * *