Brush Cleaning Apparatus

A paint brush cleaning apparatus comprising one or more brush wheels that are rotated into the bristles of a paint brush in the presence of a cleaning solution or liquid to remove paint or other foreign material from the paint brush while urging the cleaning solution or liquid and/or foreign material to be retained in the paint brush cleaning apparatus housing.

FIELD

The present inventions relate to the field of painting and cleaning painting implements. The present inventions more specifically relate to the field of devices for cleaning a paint brush.

BACKGROUND

Paint brushes come in a variety of sizes, handle types, and bristle composition. Natural-bristle brushes are made with animal hair and apply oil-based paints, varnishes, shellac, and polyurethanes. Natural brush hairs split (flag) to hold more paint and help assure a smooth finish. Synthetic brushes are made of polyester, foam, or nylon. Synthetic brushes work best with all types of latex paints. Brushes can come in a variety of forms including sash, wall, varnish, chip, etc.

When properly used and maintained a paint brush can continue to provide good results and be used several times. Proper maintenance typically involves cleaning the brush's bristles during and/or after use as a brush's results can be hindered or unsatisfactory if the paint or other finish is allowed to remain in the bristles.

Paint brush bristles are typically cleaned by hand using a solution containing water and/or a solvent appropriate for the finish used. Often, the brush is cleaned by running water over the bristles and manually combing or brushing the bristles with a brush comb or steel or nylon brush.

Unfortunately, it is not always convenient to clean the brush during or immediately following use. In addition, cleaning the bristles is time consuming and reduces productivity. In addition, cleaning the bristles can be messy.

Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus that may be utilized to quickly and easily clean paint brush bristles immediately after use.

Accordingly, there is also a need for a brush cleaner that reduces splashing of water and/or solvent and reduces exposure time to solvent vapors.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus that may be utilized to quickly and easily clean paint brush bristles immediately after use.

Accordingly, it is also an object of the present disclosure to provide a brush cleaner apparatus that reduces splashing of water and/or solvent and reduces exposure time to solvent vapors.

Accordingly, it is also an object of the present disclosure to provide a brush cleaning apparatus comprising one or more counter rotatable brush wheels provided in a central space of a housing, each brush wheel having a spindle coupled to a sidewall of a housing and bristles coupled to the spindle; a liquid or solution source positioned and/or oriented to direct a liquid or solution toward the counter rotatable brush wheels; and an opening defined in the housing in communication with the central space of the housing.

Accordingly, it is also an object of the present disclosure to provide a brush cleaning apparatus comprising: counter rotatable brush wheels provided in a central space of a housing, each brush wheel having a spindle coupled to a sidewall of a housing and bristles coupled to the spindle; a liquid or solution source positioned and/or oriented to direct a liquid or solution toward the counter rotatable brush wheels; and an opening defined in the housing in communication with the central space of the housing.

Accordingly, it is also an object of the present disclosure to provide a method of cleaning a paint brush, the method comprising: providing at least a portion of a paint brush through an opening of a housing and into a central space defined by the housing and into contact with one or more multiple rotatable brush wheels provided in the central space; directing a liquid or solution toward at least one of the rotating brush wheels; and rotating the one or more rotatable brush wheels to clean and/or remove foreign material from the paint brush.

Accordingly, it is also an object of the present disclosure to provide a method of cleaning a paint brush, the method comprising: providing at least a portion of a paint brush through an opening of a housing and into a central space defined by the housing between multiple rotatable brush wheels provided in the central space; directing a liquid or solution toward at least one of the rotating brush wheels; and counter-rotating the rotatable brush wheels to clean and/or remove foreign material from the paint brush.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary to the understanding of the invention or render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the Figures, a brush cleaner apparatus and method for using same are provided.

Referring toFIG.1, a brush cleaning apparatus100, according to various examples of embodiments, is illustrated. Brush cleaning apparatus100includes a housing110defining a central space120, at least one brush or brush wheel130, and at least one liquid or solution source140. In various embodiments, brush cleaning apparatus100includes dual or multiple brushes130. In various embodiments, brush cleaning apparatus100includes one or more liquid or solution sources140.

In various embodiments, housing110includes a bottom112, at least one sidewall114and a top116. In various embodiments, bottom112, one or more sidewalls114and top116define central space120. In various embodiments, top116defines an opening118. In various embodiments, opening118communicates with central space120. In various embodiments, at least a portion of top116is sloped or curved toward opening118. Bottom may define or include a drain. Housing may be made of plastic, metal, other materials or combinations thereof.

Referring now toFIGS.1-3, in various embodiments, one or more brush wheels130are roller brushes, radial brushes, and/or drum brushes. In various embodiments, brush wheels130are provided within housing110and/or central space120. In various examples of embodiments, one of more brush wheels130are rotatable. In various embodiments, brush wheels130include grit or bristles122coupled to a spindle124that is rotatably coupled to one or more sidewalls114of housing110. Bristles of grit122may be of any grit number or type. The spindles124may be manually rotatable or rotatable by one or more electric motors coupled thereto. The spindles may rotate independently or may be rotatable together using gears coupled thereto.

While two brushes or brush wheels are illustrated in the figures, in various embodiments, the brush cleaning apparatus may include only one brush or brush wheel. In various embodiments, apparatus100includes multiple brush wheels130with bristles that counter turn or rotate or are counter turnable or rotatable (e.g., turn, rotate or are turnable or rotatable in opposite directions). For example, one or more brush wheels130may rotate or are rotatable in a clockwise direction, and one or more brush wheels130may rotate or are rotable in a counter clockwise direction.

Arrows126and128illustrate an example counterrotation of two or dual brush wheels130according to various examples of embodiments. As illustrated by arrows126and128, brush wheels130may be counterrotated such that bristles122of each brush wheel130near opening move away from opening118of housing110.

In various embodiments, apparatus100includes two brush wheels130, each brush wheel130having bristles122with or covering a rotational path that overlaps that of the other.

The bristles may be made of plastic, metal, wire, nylon, horsehair, or other materials or combinations thereof.

The one or more liquid or solution sources140may take a variety of forms. Referring again to, and as illustrated inFIG.1, for example, liquid or solution source140includes at least one jet, nozzle or sprayer142. In various embodiments, brush cleaning apparatus100includes a jet, nozzle or sprayer142provided in central space120and oriented and/or positioned to direct a liquid or solution144toward bristles122of at least one brush wheel130. In various embodiments, brush cleaning apparatus100includes multiple jets, nozzles or sprayers142provided in central space120and oriented and/or positioned to direct liquid or solution144toward bristles122of at least one brush wheel130.

In various embodiments, brush cleaning apparatus100includes a jet, nozzle or sprayer142provided in central space120and oriented and/or positioned to direct a liquid or solution toward bristles122of one or more brush wheels130. In various embodiments, brush cleaning apparatus100includes multiple jets, nozzles or sprayers142provided in central space120and oriented and/or positioned to direct liquid or solution1444toward bristles122of one or more brush wheels130.

In various embodiments, each liquid or solution source140is fluidly coupled to a liquid or solution supply (e.g., a pressurized liquid or solution supply). Liquid or solution144may be water, soap, vinegar, thinner, mineral spirits, or other solution or mixtures of solutions appropriate for the brushes to be cleaned by the brush cleaning apparatus.

In operation, and referring now toFIGS.4-5, a paint brush or other brush150is provided through opening in housing and into central space. The paint brush may be any type of brush including sash, wall, varnish, chip, etc. A handle of paint brush150may remain outside the central space. If the one or more brush wheels130are not rotating, or the liquid or solution source140is or has not provided liquid or solution144into the central space when paint brush150is provided into the central space, the brush wheels130are rotated (e.g., counter rotated relative to each other) and liquid or solution144is provided by liquid or solution source140toward brush wheels130or otherwise into the central space. In various embodiments, one or more brush wheels130helps strip or otherwise remove or loosen foreign material (e.g., paint or varnish) from paint brush150(e.g., the bristles of paint brush150), and the liquid or solution144helps draw the foreign material away from paint brush150and/or the rotating brushes.

In various embodiments, dual brush wheels130are rotated counter to each other to urge or draw solution, liquid, and/or paint or other material away from paint brush150and/or the opening. As desired, paint brush150may be removed from and/or reinserted into the central space and/or between dual brush wheels130as needed or desired until user is satisfied with amount or paint or other foreign material removed or loosened from paint brush150. Once the user is satisfied with the amount of paint and/or other material removed or loosened from paint brush150, the brush may be taken from the brush cleaning apparatus, the bristles smoothed, if desired, and the brush left to dry and/or stored.

It should be noted that references to relative positions (e.g., “top” and “bottom”) in this description are merely used to identify various elements as are oriented in the Figures. It should be recognized that the orientation of particular components may vary greatly depending on the application in which they are used.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the system, methods, and devices as shown in the various examples of embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements show as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied (e.g. by variations in the number of engagement slots or size of the engagement slots or type of engagement). The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various examples of embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present inventions.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the examples of embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently foreseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the examples of embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents.