CN1938200A - A paintbrush holder - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a brush holder (40) comprises a body portion (42) fold-lined to a lower closure portion (45) adjacent a front closure portion (46), a top closure portion (50) comprising an upper web (51) having a brush handle aperture (54) formed therein and a closure tab (52). The closure tab (52) is cut at (55) to form a securing tongue (56) adapted in use to engage a securing slot (48) in the front closure portion (46). A left closure leaf (57) is adjacent a tapered left wall portion (60) hinged to the body portion (42) at (43). A right closure leaf (65) is adjacent a tapered right wall portion (66) hinged to the body portion (42) at (43). The upper edge of the left and right closure leaves (57, 65) is provided with a respective integral hanging tab (63, 71) having hanging apertures (64, 72) which are aligned in use. The lower portions of each of the left (60) and right (66) side wall portions are provided with three solvent apertures (74). In use, the handle of a brush is inserted through the aperture (54), the bristle mass is rested on the body portion (42), the left closure (57) and left side wall portion (60) are folded up, the right closure (65) and right side wall portions (66) are folded up. The lower closure portion (45) and front closure portion (46) are folded up, and the securing tongue (56) is flexed to engage the securing slot (48) and retain the apparatus in its in-use form.

Description

paint brush holder

technical field

The invention relates to a brush holder.

The present invention has particular, but not exclusive application to paint brush stands, which application will be described for purposes of illustration. However, it should be understood that the present invention may be used in other applications, such as pastry brush holders, mop holders, and wet broom holders.

Background technique

Paint brushes are usually divided into commercial brushes (tradesmen's brush) and manual brushes (handymen's brush). Commercial brushes are of better quality and relatively expensive. Brushes should be washed and reused if possible. Some new paints often require expensive solvents to clean. There should be a compromise between restoring the brushes and cleaning costs. Other painting systems may only require that the brushes be kept with solvent or water between uses to prevent the paint in the brushes from setting. Washed brushes are usually hung to maintain the structure of the bristles. Hand brushes used in these applications are rarely cleaned and are therefore disposed of as single-use items.

The usable life of commercial and hand brushes can be greatly extended by dipping the brush in solvent between uses. However, the weight of the brush acts on the tips of the bristles of the brush standing upright in the solvent, thereby distorting the shape of the brush, as usual storage of the brush deforms the bristle body due to the storage. One solution is to suspend the brush in solvent. However, this requires a suspension arrangement at an appropriate height, which forces storage in a fixed position. This is not available for brushes with different hanging heights.

Contents of the invention

In one aspect, the invention resides broadly in a brush holder comprising a housing having a front wall portion and a rear wall portion spaced at their respective side edges by side wall portions. Open, the housing defines: an open-top chamber adapted to accommodate the bristle portion of the brush; positioning means adapted to engage with the handle of the brush; an aperture that engages with the housing The lower part of the body is associated and adapted to allow the solvent to enter; and suspension means whereby said brush holder and brushes in assembly can be suspended.

The housing and the positioning means may be integrally formed from a sheet blank which is foldable to form the brush holder.

The sheet may be a flexible material selected such that the folds provide form stability to the brush holder. Alternatively, the material may be a substantially rigid material having self-hinge lines formed thereon to allow the blank to be folded. The material may be selected from sheet metal or plastic, coated paper material, and the like. Preferably, the material is selected to be substantially unaffected by the paint medium, paint solvent or cleaning liquid used in the given paint system.

The positioning means may comprise a suitably constructed web formed adjacent the upper edge of one or both of the front and rear wall sections. Such positioning means may for example comprise an opening through which said handle of said brush can pass. Additionally or alternatively, the positioning means may comprise a brush handle gripping means selected for securing the brush at a selected location in the housing. For example, the gripping means may comprise a series of resilient fingers depending into an opening formed in said web and adapted to receive and retain said brush handle when inserted.

The aperture adapted to admit solvent may comprise an open bottom of the housing. Alternatively, the aperture may comprise one or more apertures through the wall of the housing.

The suspension means may comprise one or more lugs or the like associated with the upper portion of the housing having suspension hooks or loops formed therein. Alternatively, said suspension means may comprise a pair of spaced apart bosses about said positioning means and adapted to bear on shoulders of said brush, and wherein said brush and frame assembled together pass through the Hanging hole for brush to hang.

In another aspect, the invention broadly resides in a brush holder integrally formed from a sheet material and comprising: a main body portion defining a rear wall of said brush holder; a pair of transverse portions, said the transverse portions are each spaced from opposite sides of the body portion by webs defined by a pair of spaced apart folds; upper and lower closure portions, each of which is defined by a pair of An end defined by a spaced apart fold is spaced from an opposite end of the body portion, the upper end portion includes an aperture, the transverse and closure portions are adapted to be folded about the fold to form a shell around the paintbrush a body, the paintbrush is placed on the main body portion with a handle passing through the aperture; and securing means selectively retains the transverse portion and the closure portion in the folded configuration.

The sheet may be a flexible material, and wherein the pattern and folding parameters, as well as the folding sequence and securing means are selected such that the housing has sufficient shape stability to form a relatively rigid housing for a paintbrush. The material may be selected from sheet metal or plastic, coated paper material, and the like. Preferably, the material is selected to be substantially unaffected by the paint medium, paint solvent or cleaning liquid used in the given paint system.

The body portion may include a flat area bounded on four sides by a first fold line of each of the pair of lateral and closure portions. The fold lines can be produced by any suitable means and are largely determined by the sheet material chosen. In the case of thermoplastic materials, for example, the fold lines may take the form of conventional self-hinging embossed in the material.

The pair of transverse and closed portions may be the same or different, respectively. For example, the closed portion with the handle aperture may be a shorter portion and the other of the pair may be a relatively longer portion. Where said transverse portions are different, it may be provided that a first of said pair is adapted to be folded first so as to extend substantially on the surface of said brush opposite that on which it rests on said body portion, And the other can be exempted over a part of its considerable area, because there is no need to close the brush surface. Preferably, however, the folding sequence begins at the top and bottom, and at least these parts are adapted to cooperate to cover substantially the entire said surface of the body part, and thus substantially the entire major surface of the brush.

Said holes are also adapted to cooperate with lugs provided on the edge of each said transverse portion, thereby forming said fastening means, which, if necessary, cooperate with corresponding grooves. Alternatively, said securing means may be formed in said one or more pairs of corresponding parts in the form of press studs or the like, which are either self-forming or fastened by any suitable means, such as hook stakes, etc. Install.

One or more lower portions of the lower region of the corresponding portion may be provided with one or more holes to allow entry and exit of diluent or other solvent. In this way, the brush holder can be used to hold the brush in the solvent container.

Description of drawings

In order that the present invention may be more easily understood and carried out, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings showing preferred embodiments of the invention, in which:

Figure 1 is a view of the device according to the invention before folding; and

Figure 2 is a view of a replacement device according to the invention before folding.

Detailed ways

In FIG. 1 there is provided a brush holder assembly 10 which is cut from a flat sheet of solvent resistant thermoplastic material and formed into a generally rectangular main body portion 11 with a first The transverse portion 12 and the second transverse portion 13 are bordered. The first transverse portion 12 and the second transverse portion 13 are each spaced apart from the main body portion 11 by a web 14 defined by spaced apart inner 15 and outer 16 fold lines formed thermomechanically.

The main body portion 11 is bounded on each short side thereof by a first closing portion 17 and a second closing portion 20 . Both the first closure portion 17 and the second closure portion 20 are spaced apart from the main body portion 11 by respective upper and lower webs 21, 22 formed by thermomechanically formed spaced apart inner fold lines, respectively. 23 and outer fold line 24 defined.

The upper web 21 has an aperture 25 formed therein adapted to receive a handle of a paint brush whereby the first closure portion can be folded over the shoulder of said brush.

The upper edge of each of the first transverse portion 12 and the second transverse portion 13 is provided with an integral lug 26 which is adapted to engage the edge of the hole 25 to help align the transverse portion 12 and the second transverse portion 12 . The two transverse sections 13 are positioned in their folded configuration in use.

The upper closure portion 17 is thermoformed to provide an integral inner snap portion 27 . A corresponding thermoformed outer snap portion 30 is provided on the lower closure portion 20, the relative positions of the inner snap portion 27 and outer snap portion 30 being chosen such that the device remains in its folded configuration in use.

Solvent/thinner drain holes 31 pass through each of the web 14 and lower web 22 so that the shelf, in use, allows solvent/thinner to be injected into the bristle bodies of the brushes contained in the device.

In use, the paintbrush is first inserted with the handle through the aperture 25 so that the bristle body of the brush covers the body part 11 . The first transverse portion 12 is then folded over the bristle body, and at the finish this first transverse portion is deformed so that its lug 26 can enter in the hole 25 and be partially held in place by the elastic recovery of the material in the hole. Next, the second transverse portion 13 is folded over the first transverse portion and finally deformed so that the lugs 26 of the second transverse portion can enter the holes 25 and be partially restored by elastic recovery of the material. remain in the hole. The second transverse portion 13 is shaped so as not to extend beyond the edge of the first transverse portion 12 in its folded configuration.

The upper closure portion 17 is then folded down and held by the user's thumb against the stock of the brush, thereby presenting the inner snap portion 27 . The lower closure portion 20 is then folded up over the transverse portion 13 to meet the upper closure portion 17 , thereby compressing the outer snap portion 30 into engagement with the inner snap portion 27 .

In the embodiment of FIG. 2 , the brush holder 40 is formed from a sheet polymer blank 41 . A central, generally rectangular body portion 42 is defined between left and right self-hinging fold lines 43 and upper and lower self-hinging fold lines 44 . A lower closure portion 45 adjacent to the lower fold line 44 is formed adjacent to the front closure portion 46 by a self-hinging fold line 47 . The front closure portion 46 is provided with a retaining slot 48, the purpose of which will become apparent below.

Top closure portion 50 includes an upper web 51 self-hinged to body portion 42 at 44 and a closure lug 52 self-hinged to upper web 51 at fold line 53 . The upper web 51 has a brush handle aperture 54 formed therein and extending between respective fold lines 53 and 54 . The closure lug 52 is cut at 55 to form a securing tongue 56 adapted to engage the securing slot 48 in use.

A generally rectangular left closure leaf 57 is adjacent and connected by a fold line 61 to a wedge-shaped left wall portion 60 whose inner edge is hinged to the body portion 42 at 43 . The upper edge of the left wall portion is provided with folded reinforcing lugs 62 . An integral suspension lug 63 is provided on the upper edge of the left closing leaf 57 , and the suspension lug 63 passes through the suspension hole 64 to form a suspension ring.

A right closure leaf 65 is adjacent to and connected by a fold line 67 to a wedge-shaped right wall portion 66 , the inner edge of which is hinged to the body portion 42 at 43 . The upper edge of the right wall portion 66 is provided with folded reinforcing lugs 70 . The upper edge of the right closure leaf 65 is provided with an integral suspension lug 71 which passes through a suspension hole 72 to form a suspension loop, which is adapted to cover the left suspension lug 63 in use in use. , so that the corresponding holes 64, 72 are aligned.

The right flap is released by bending the edge 73 .

Three solvent holes 74 are provided at the lower portion of each of the left side wall portion 60 and the right side wall portion 66 .

In use, the reinforcing lugs 62, 70 are folded into the top closure portion 50 which is folded down at 44 and 53. The handle of the brush is inserted through the hole 54 until the shoulder of the brush rests against the web 51 and the bristle body rests against the body part 42 . The left closure portion 57 and left side wall portion 60 are folded upward about their respective fold lines 61 and 43 to generally surround the bristle body. The right closure portion 65 and right side wall portion 66 are folded upwardly about their respective fold lines 67 and 43 to generally enclose the left closure portion 57 . The reinforcing lugs 62 , 70 pass under the web 51 . The suspension lugs 63 , 71 overlap the aligned holes 64 , 72 . The lower closure portion 45 and the front closure portion 46 are folded upward about their respective fold lines 44 and 47 to complete the brush holder. Closure lug 52 covers front closure portion 46 and securing tongue 56 is bent to engage securing slot 48 and retain the device in its in-use configuration.

The device according to the above-described embodiments has the advantage that a thin flexible material can provide a suitable brush holder through the shape stability of the folded structure. The device is one-piece, mass-producible, and inexpensive and effective. The device can be used on a brush which can then be hung in the usual manner or placed in a container of thinner or solvent without deforming the bristles.

It will of course be appreciated that while the above has been presented by way of illustrative examples of the invention, all these and other modifications and variations to the invention which would be apparent to those skilled in the art are considered to fall within the scope of the appended claims within the broad scope and bounds of the claimed invention.

Claims (as amended under Article 19 of the Treaty)

CLAIMS 1. A brush holder comprising a unitary housing formed from a lacquer solvent impermeable sheet material having fold lines formed thereon, said fold lines defining a front wall portion and a rear wall portion, The front and rear wall portions are spaced at their respective side edges by side wall portions, a lower wall portion and an upper wall portion, the housing defines an open top chamber adapted to accommodate a brush a bristle portion; said upper wall portion selectively closing said top open chamber; a positioning means associated with said upper wall portion and adapted to engage with said handle of said brush; at least one aperture, It is located in the lower part of the side wall part and is adapted to let in the solvent; and a suspension means by which the assembled brush holder and brush can be suspended.

2. The brush holder of claim 1, wherein said sheet material is a flexible material selected such that folding provides shape stability to said brush holder.

3. The brush holder of claim 1 wherein said material is a substantially rigid material having self-hinge lines formed thereon to enable folding of said blank.

4. The brush holder of claim 1, wherein said positioning means includes an opening in said upper wall portion through which said handle of said brush passes.

5. The brush holder of claim 4, wherein said positioning means includes a brush handle grip selected to secure said brush within said housing. in the given location.

6. A brush holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the suspension means comprises one or more lugs associated with the upper part of the housing and having suspension hooks or loops formed therein wait.

7. A brush holder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said suspension means comprises a pair of brackets surrounding said positioning means and adapted to bear on shoulders of said brush. spaced apart bosses, and wherein the brush and frame assembled together are suspended through the suspension holes of the brush.

8. A brush holder integrally formed of a paint solvent impermeable sheet material and comprising: a main body portion; a pair of transverse portions each defined by a pair of spaced apart folds The side wall portion is spaced apart from the opposite side of the main body portion; at least one hole is located at the lower portion of the side wall portion and is adapted to allow solvent to enter; a pair of closure portions, each of the closure portions Spaced from the opposite end of the body portion by an end defined by a pair of spaced apart folds therearound, the upper portion of the end comprising an aperture, the transverse portion and closure portion adapted to wrap around the The folds are folded to form a housing around a paintbrush that is placed on said body portion and said handle passes through said aperture, a first of said transverse portions being adapted to be folded first so as to be approximately at the extending on the surface of said brush opposite to the surface on which the brush rests on said body portion, while the other of said transverse portions is spared over a part of its equivalent area,

And securing means selectively retains said transverse portion and said closure portion in said folded configuration.

9. A brush holder according to claim 8, wherein said sheet material is a flexible material, and wherein the pattern and folding parameters, as well as the folding sequence and fixing means are selected such that the housing has sufficient shape stability properties to form a relatively rigid shell for the paintbrush.

10. A brush holder according to claim 9, wherein said material is selected from sheet metal or plastic, coated paper material and the like.

11. A brush holder according to claim 8, wherein said securing means comprises one or more pairs of complementary tongue-and-groove, self-forming or fitted snaps, hook posts associated with said pair of closure portions fastening etc.

12. A brush holder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Claims (22)

CLAIMS 1. A brush holder comprising a housing having a front wall portion and a rear wall portion spaced at their respective side edges by side wall portions, said housing defining: a chamber open at the top adapted to receive the bristle portion of the brush; positioning means adapted to engage the handle of said brush; an aperture associated with the lower portion of said housing and adapted to allow solvent access; and a suspension arrangement by which the assembled brush holder and brush may be suspended. 2. The brush holder according to claim 1, wherein the housing and the positioning device are integrally formed by a sheet blank that can be folded to form the brush holder. 3. The brush holder of claim 2, wherein said sheet material is a flexible material selected such that folding provides shape stability to said brush holder. 4. The brush holder of claim 2 wherein said material is a substantially rigid material having self-hinge lines formed thereon to allow said blank to be foldable. 5. A brush holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said positioning means comprises a web formed adjacent the upper edge of one or both of said front and rear wall portions. 6. The brush holder of claim 5, wherein said web includes an opening through which said handle of said brush passes. 7. A brush holder according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said positioning means comprises brush handle gripping means selected for securing said brush at a selected position in said housing. 8. A brush holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aperture comprises an open bottom of the housing. 9. A brush holder according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the aperture comprises one or more apertures through the wall of the housing. 10. A brush holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said suspension means comprises one or more lugs associated with the upper part of said housing and having suspension hooks or loops formed therein wait. 11. A brush holder according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said suspension means comprises a pair of brackets surrounding said positioning means and adapted to bear on shoulders of said brush. spaced apart bosses, and wherein the brush and frame assembled together are suspended from the suspension holes of the brush. 12. A brush holder integrally formed of sheet material, comprising: a main body portion; a pair of transverse portions, each said transverse portion being connected to said transverse portion by a web defined by a pair of spaced apart folds. a pair of closure portions, each of which is spaced from opposite ends of the body portion by an end defined by a pair of spaced apart folds around it, a The end portion includes an aperture, the transverse portion and the closure portion are adapted to be folded about the fold to form a housing around a paintbrush placed on the body portion with the handle through through said aperture; and securing means for selectively retaining said transverse portion and said closure portion in said folded configuration. 13. A brush holder according to claim 12, wherein said sheet material is a flexible material, and wherein the pattern and folding parameters, as well as the folding sequence and fixing means are selected such that the housing has sufficient shape stability properties to form a relatively rigid shell for the paintbrush. 14. A brush holder according to claim 13, wherein said material is selected from sheet metal or plastic, coated paper material and the like. 15. A brush holder according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein said body portion includes a flat area on four sides defined by each of said pair of transverse and closed portions. The first fold line of the section is the border. 16. The brush holder of claim 15, wherein the pair of transverse portions and the closure portion are distinct. 17. The brush holder of claim 16, wherein the upper closure portion having the handle hole is a shorter portion and the lower closure portion is relatively longer. 18. A brush holder according to claim 16, wherein a first one of said transverse portions is adapted to be folded first so as to be substantially opposite the surface of said brush on which it rests on said body portion. extended superficially, while the other of said transverse portions is spared over a portion of its equivalent area. 19. A brush holder according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein said holes are adapted to further cooperate with lugs provided on the edge of each of said transverse portions to form said securing device. 20. The brush holder according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that, the fixing device is formed on one or more pairs of the in the corresponding section. 21. A brush holder according to any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein one or more lower parts of said lower region of said corresponding part are provided with one or more holes to allow diluent or Other solvents can be injected and effluxed. 22. A brush holder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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