METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PAINT BRUSH PRESERVATION AND STORAGE

Abstract: A paint brush cleaning or storage device is provided in the form of a sealed sachet (1) containing a predetmined quantity of a brush preserving or cleaning liquid (3), which sachet can be opened, for example by cutting along one edge or by means of a tear-off strip, to permit the brush head (5,6) to be inserted therein immediately after use either to prevent the brush drying out and keeping it ready for reuse, or to clean the brush. Preferably the sachet is of deformable foil which can be wrapped around (7) the brush handle (4) to reseal the sachet.

Description: FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to a device for the long or short term preservation and storage of used paint brushes. More particularly the invention relates to a device for the long or short term preservation and storage of used, uncleaned paint brushes under conditions such that any residual paint remaining thereon does not dry or harden, and the bristles of the brush retain their shape and flexibility for a long period of time, so that the brush can be re-used straight away without cleaning or further treatment of any sort, and substantially without regard to the length of storage, whether for a few minutes, a few hours, days or even months. BACKGROUND As is well known, many decorators, especially amateur or nonprofessional decorators, tend not to pay sufficient attention to the care and preservation of their paint brushes following completion of a painting job and/or during intervals ranging perhaps from a few hours to one or more weeks between decorating sessions. Typically, amateur decorators tend, during such intervals, to leave their brushes soaking in white spirit with the result that the brushes dip into a slurry consisting of paint and white spirit and are in an unsatisfactory condition when painting is resumed. The bristles of such brushes then tend irreversibly to loose their pliability and/or their shape and hence have to be discarded and replaced long before such replacement should be necessary owing to fair wear and tear. Even professional decorators frequently merely leave their brushes soaking in a bucket of water over-night and such treatment tends to damage the brushes if not through hardening then at least through deformation. PRIOR ART In the past various proposals have been made for paint brush storage devices, either as a means to protect and store new brushes, or to protect and store paint brushes after use, and including in some cases a liquid brush cleaning or preserving component. Amongst such prior art devices there may be mentioned: US Patent 1,934,316 which discloses a brush protecting device consisting of a wedge shaped sleeve designed to fit over the bristles of the brush to preserve the wedge shaped configuration and prevent paint thereon from drying out. No mention is made of any brush cleaning or preserving liquid. US Patent 2,485,068 which discloses an open ended elastic sleeve into which the brush can be inserted and the end of the sleeve turned up to seal the bristles in an air-tight environment. The sleeve is open at both ends and cannot contain any brush preserving or cleaning liquid. US Patent 2,533,829 which discloses a storage bag for paint brushes in the form of an envelope or bag open at one end and into which the head of the paint brush can be inserted after use. Means are provided for tying the open end of the bag tightly around the brush handle to prevent ingress of air and thereby to provide a substantially air-tight environment for the brush head which prevents drying out and hardening of any residual paint thereon. Alternatively it is suggested that the user may place some linseed oil or thinner into the bag prior to insertion of the brush into the bag. US Patent 2,776,050 which discloses a water-tight bag and a wire stand therefor, and which can be used to suspend a paint brush after use with its head immersed in a brush cleaning liquid, the nature of which is not specified. US Patent 3,167,178 which discloses an envelope into which the head of a paint brush can be inserted, and then used to suspend the brush from a suitable hook or nail. No liquid is used. US Patent 3,690,448 which discloses a sealable plastics bag into which the whole paint brush can be placed and sealed, optionally after wrapping the bristles in a plastics wrapper and sealed with a rubber band. US Patent 4,606,456 which discloses a prescored foldable cardboard or plastics wrapper which can be used to package paint brushes of different sizes. German Patent 33 06 181 and German Published Patent Application No. 35 20 378 which disclose a sealable transparent carrier or storage bag for paint brushes into which the whole paint brush is inserted and sealed. SUMMARY OF INVENTION In contrast to the foregoing, the present invention provides a simple device which may be used by the amateur or professional to avoid such neglect and which may be used to preserve their brushes, with the minimum of effort on their part, i.e. without involving the user in any cleaning of the brush, or the use of extraneous solvents or cleaning liquids. All the user has to do is open a sealed sachet containing a predetermined amount of brush preservative liquid, and insert the brush head therein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION According to this invention, there is provided a sealed sachet constructed of a material substantially impermeable to air and water, e.g. a metal or plastics foil, or water-proofed paper, or, more preferably, a multiply foil comprising superimposed laminae of metal or plastics foil or paper, and into which the brush head can be inserted, immediately after use and without any prior cleaning, except perhaps for allowing undue excess of paint to run or drip off, or be scraped back into the paint container, the sachet containing a small quantity, e.g. 10-20 ml, depending on the size of the brush, of an aqueous brush preservative liquid consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of a water-soluble hygroscopic compound which serves to prevent any paint remaining on the bristles from drying or hardening thereon, and which keeps the bristles in a soft, flexible condition. Preferably the sachet is sealable around the brush handle, or is provided with means for sealing the open mouth of the sachet around the brush handle, when the brush head is inserted therein, in order to restrict access of air into the sachet. When it is desired to recommence painting, it is a simple matter to withdraw the brush head from the sachet, preferably at the same time squeezing the sachet gently as the bristles are withdrawn, so that excess preservative liquid is squeezed out of the bristles and drains back into the sachet, either for disposal or perhaps re-use. The brush is then immediately ready for re-use. Using this technique, it has been found that paint brushes can be preserved uncleaned, but immediately re-usable, for periods ranging from a few minutes upto several months. Besides preventing the drying and hardening of the paint on the bristles of the brush, and preserving the softness and flexibility of the bristles, the fact that the brush head is closely engaged by the walls of the sachet, ensures that the brush head is kept in optimum shape, i.e. with the bristles in a general wedge-shaped configuration. Surprisingly, it has also been found that paint brushes which have been temporarily stored in this way are substantially easier to clean using conventional brush cleaner when painting has finally finished. The reason for this is not entirely clear, but is presumably due to the fact that the residual paint on the bristles is kept in a substantially undried condition, and at no time has had an opportunity to harden. In a second and slightly broader aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of preserving a used paint brush in a substantially ready-to-reuse condition during interruptions in painting, which comprises inserting the head and bristles of the paint brush into an individual pre-sealed sachet containing a predetermined quantity of a preservative liquid which prevents residual paint on the bristles of the brush from drying out during the interruption, said sachet being openable along one edge to permit the paint brush head to be inserted therein during the interruption, and being of a size to accommodate a single brush head as a close fit therein. The sachets according to this invention will usually be of a size to accommodate just a single brush head, and a variety of different sized sachets will be available for different size brushes. Preferably the dimensions of the sachet are such that the individual brush head (including the bristles and the ferrule) is a close fit therein, in order to minimise air space within the sachet. The amount of preservative liquid sealed within each sachet will be just enough to impregnate the bristles and keep them in a softened condition. Obviously this amount will depend upon the size of the brush, and the corresponding size of the sachet, but for brushes in the size range 1 to 10 cms amounts in the range 10 to 20 ml are found to be quite adequate. Usually the sachets will be rectangular, but other shapes can be envisaged. Preferred materials for the sachet are plastics and metal foil laminates, particularly laminates which can be heat sealed or welded around the periphery of the sachet. Especially preferred are paper, plastics and metal foil laminates, whether single or multiply, which are deformable and which can be twisted around the projecting handle of the paint brush to seal the open end of the sachet around the brush handle to prevent ingress of air, dirt and moisture. Alternatively, other means may be provided for sealing the mouth of the sachet around the brush handle, e.g. a wire tie, tape or string, which can be tied around the brush handle or an adhesive tape or strip. In either case such a tie, tape or string can be integral with the sachet, or supplied separately. As indicated, the sachet is initially sealed around its periphery, and contains a predetermined quantity of preservative liquid sealed therein. To insert the brush head the sachet has to be opened along one edge. This can be done quite simply by the user cutting open the sachet along one edge with a pair of scissors or a knife. Alternatively, the sachet can be provided with an in-built line of weakness along which the sachet can be torn open by the user, or provided with a tear-off sealing strip. For the temporary or long term storage of the paint brushes, the individual sachets may be provided with means for suspending the sachet from a suitable hook, or perhaps from the rungs of a ladder, during short term breaks in the decorating process. According to the present invention an aqueous brush preserving liquid is used which is innocuous to the bristles of the brush, maintains the bristles in a soft flexible condition, and which prevents any residual paint remaining on the bristles from drying or hardening thereon. Particularly preferred are aqueous glycerin solutions, although aqueous solutions of other hygroscopic compounds such as propylene glycol, dipropyl glycol and higher propylene glycols, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and higher polymeric ethylene glycols, hexylene glycol, polyhydric alcohols and sugars can be used. Inorganic hygroscopic salts can also be used provided they do not adversely affect the paint, or the bristles or ferrule of the brush. The organic hygroscopic agents are, however, preferred. Preferably the solution also contains an antioxidant, for example, sodium nitrite, and a bactericide or fungicide. Aqueous solutions containing upto 50% w/v of hygroscopic agent, e.g. glycerin may be used without detriment to the paint or the brush, but more usually upto 25% w/v. A particularly preferred aqueous preservative composition, by way of example is: Almost any commercially available fungicide or bactericide may be used, a preferred example being the proprietary fungicide sold under the designation "AF-10" by Fernox Limited, of Clavering, Essex. The invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a general view of the sealed sachet according to the invention; Figure 2a is a general view, part broken away, and showing a paint brush inserted into the sachet; Figure 2b is a side view of Figure 2a, again with the sachet part broken away; and Figure 3 shows an alternative method of sealing the sachet around the brush handle. Referring to Figure 1, the sealed sachet comprises two multiply lamina (1) of metal, paper and plastics foil, such as is commercially available for a variety of different purposes in the packaging art, heat sealed one to the other around the periphery to form a sealed sachet (2) containing a small quantity, e.g. 10-15 ml, of a preservative liquid (3), preferably an aqueous glycerin solution as previously described, sealed therein. Preferably the inner surfaces of the sachet are of metal foil, the outer layer or layers being of paper or plastics, and suitably printed with advertising matter or instructions or both. To use the sachet, for example, during a break in the decorating process, the painter or decorator opens the sachet, for example by cutting along the top edge with a pair of scissors, and inserts the paint brush (4) into the open sachet so that the bristles (5) are immersed in and soak up the preservative liquid (3), i.e. the aqueous glycerin solution. Preferably the amount of liquid is such that the liquid (3) does not actually contact the metal ferrule (6) of the brush (4). This is simply to prevent unnecessary corrosion or dirtying of the ferrule. Finally, the open mouth of the sachet is twisted around the brush handle as at (7), thereby to seal the sachet as tightly as possible around the brush handle. In Figure 3, the sachet is sealed around the brush handle by means of a separately applied self adhesive strip 8. Alternatively, of course, other sealing means may be used such as a wire tie, string or tape which may or may not be provided as an integral part of the sachet. It may be emphasized here that the brush is simply inserted into the sachet immediately after use, and without any prior cleaning or treatment, except perhaps the removal of any undue excess of paint by scraping the brush against the rim of the paint container, or allowing excess paint to run or drip from the bristles. It is the function of the preservative liquid, i.e. the aqueous glycerin solution, to prevent any residual paint on the brush from drying out or hardening, and it has been found that aqueous media, particularly aqueous solutions of a hygroscopic component such as glycerin, are equally effective whether the paint is an oil-based paint, a water-based emulsion paint, a gloss paint or undercoat, or a gloss or matte or semi-matte varnish. The device of the invention is therefore useable almost irrespective of the type of paint. Once inserted into the sachet, and the sachet preferably sealed, the brush can be stored it would seem almost indefinitely, and certainly for periods ranging from a few minutes to several hours or days or weeks. In test trials brushes have been preserved in this way for several months without deterioration, and are immediately reusable after withdrawal from the sachet. Upon withdrawal from the sachet prior to recommencement of painting, the mouthof sachet is unsealed, and the brush withdrawn, preferably with lateral simultaneous squeezing of the walls of the sachet, so that the preservative liquid is squeezed out of the bristles and drains back into the sachet. The sachet can then be re-used, but preferably, a fresh sachet is used on each occasion. Following withdrawal, the brush can be used to recommence painting straightaway, without any washing or cleaning, the old paint remaining thereon still being undried, and the bristles still soft and pliable. Moreover, as will be seen in Figure 2b, the configuration of the sachet during storage helps to maintain the bristles 5 in a desired wedge-shaped configuration, rather than splayed out, which is what happens if the brush is simply stood in a container of water, or even worse, white spirit, this being the traditional method of temporary storage of used paint brushes. The desired wedge formation of the bristles is further accentuated by the action of squeezing the sachet as the brush is withdrawn and in order to squeeze the preservative liquid out of the bristles. Although not shown, the sachet may be provided with means for suspending the sachet containing the brush from any convenient hook or even the rung of a ladder. This and numerous other modifications will be apparent to the reader and can be practiced without deparing from the general scope and concept of the invention as described herein.

Claims: A device for the temporary storage of used paint brushes during interruptions in painting, comprising a flexible container (2) constructed of a flexible sheet material which is substantially impermeable to air and water and which is openable to permit the insertion therein of the head (6) and bristles (5) of an individual paint brush during said interruption, the bristles (5) being immersed therein in a quantity of preservative liquid (3) contained in the container (2), characterised in that a) the container (2) is in the form of a sealed sachet (2), openable along one edge to permit the insertion therein of said paint brush head during said interruption, b) the brush preservative liquid comprises an aqueous solution of a water-soluble hygroscopic compound and c) the brush preserving liquid is present sealed in the sachet in a predetermined amount. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the preservative liquid is an aqueous glycerin solution. A device according to claim 2, characterised in that the preservative liquid is an aqueous solution of glycerin and sodium nitrite. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that after opening, the open end of the sachet is sealable around the brush handle after insertion of the brush head into the opened sachet thereby to reduce ingress of air into the opened sachet around the brush handle. A device according to claim 4, characterised in that the sachet is provided with a separate sealing means for sealing the sachet, when opened, around the brush handle, said separate sealing means comprising a wire tie, string, tape or self-adhesive strip. A device according to claim 4, characterised in that the sachet is constructed of a deformable material which, when the paint brush has been inserted therein, can be twisted around the brush handle thereby to form said seal. A device according to claim 6, characterised in that the sachet is constructed of two laminated foils of metal and plastics laminate sealed one to the other around the periphery of the sachet. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the sachet is openable by means of a tear-off strip. A method of preserving a used paint brush in a substantially ready-to-reuse condition during interruptions in painting, which comprises inserting the head (6) and bristles (5) of the paint brush as a close fit into a flexible container of flexible sheet material impermeable to air and water and containing a quantity of a preservative liquid which prevents residual paint on the bristles of the brush from drying out during the interruption and which together serve to preserve the shape of the bristles of the brush during the interruption, and maintaining the brush therein throughout the period of the interruption, characterised in that there is used for that purpose a sealed sachet (2) containing a predetermined quantity of an aqueous solution (3) of a hygroscopic compound presealed therein, and which sachet, when required for use, is opened by tearing along one edge to provide an opening therein, such opening permitting the insertion of the head (6) and bristles (5) of a single paint brush into the sachet as a close fit therein and into said predetermined quantity of liquid. A method according to claim 9, wherein the presaturated liquid is an aqueous glycerin solution. A method according to claim 10, wherein the presaturated liquid is an aqueous solution of glycerin and sodium nitrite. A method according to claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein after insertion of the brush head into the opened sachet, the open edge of the sachet is sealed around the brush handle to reduce ingress of air into the sachet during the period of said interruption. A method according to claim 12, wherein the sachet is a metal foil sachet and the opened sachet is sealed around the brush handle, after insertion of the brush head into the opened sachet, by twisting the opened edges of the sachet around the brush handle.

Inventors: ALLEN, DAVID WILLIAM, KETTLE, MORRIS ERNEST GODFREY
Applicants: HUNTING SPECIALISED PRODUCTS (UK) LIMITED
Application year: 1987
Main classification: B44D3
IPC codes: B44D3, A46B17