CLEANING- AND STORAGE DEVICE FOR A PAINT BRUSH AND APPLICATION OF THE CLEANING- AND STORAGE DEVICE

Abstract: A gas-tight, closable container (10, 12) for the storing of a used paint brush (18, 20, 22). The brush bristles (18), or at least the outer portions thereof, are to be kept immersed in a cleaning liquid (16) which is prevented from escaping to the surroundings through evaporation. The container may be used for hanging up different, large brushes of different shapes. The container element (10) has internally a securing element (24) with a circumferential groove (26) open and directed radially inwards, which is formed for replaceably receiving an outer edge portion of one punched disc (28a) of a number or punched discs available, which have identical outer edge portions, but differing suspension holes (28a'). A punched disc (28a) may be slipped over a used paint brush (18, 20, 22) until it comes to sit so firmly on same that they may be inserted together into the container (10) until the outer circumferential portion of the punched disc (28a) enters into a position-fixating, securing engagement within the circumferential groove (26).

Description: CLEANING- AND STORAGE DEVICE FOR A PAINT BRUSH AND APPLICATION OF THE CLEANING- AND STORAGE DEVICE This invention relates to a cleaning and storing device for used paint brushes etc., whereby the paint brush etc. is wiped against an edge or similar, to be placed then in a container filled with liquid for dissolving paint residues and/or keeping the bristles of the brush soft during storage, and for the rest, of the kind specified in more detail in the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a particular application of the container in connection with suspension discs for brushes, arranged thereto. Used paint brushes etc. are normally cleaned roughly, preferably in a sink with running water if this is available. Then the brush is often dried by wiping it along a panel board in a basement or similar, after which it is placed in a container with water or white spirit, depending on whether the brush has been used in connection with water, plastic or oil based paint. This cleaning method results in spilling and soiling . Therefore, according to the unpublished NO patent application No. 974295, there is provided a cleaning an storing device for the rational cleaning of paint brushes and rollers, and subsequent suitable storing of same for reuse with soft brush bristles etc., whereby the surroundings are spared the evaporation of paint solvents and diluents, while at the same time the softness of the brush bristles may be maintained over time because of the maintained amount of liquid, so that used, cleaned and suitably stored paint brushes and rollers may be reused after some time, m a condition closest possible to that of a new brush. For this purpose there is suggested, according to said Norwegian patent application, a cleaning and storing device of the kind specified initially, which excels by the fact s that it comprises an upwards open, gas-tight, closable main container, m the bottom area of which there are several upwards open vessels which correspond vertically with the above-lying suspension holes of a releasably attachable horizontal plate. These suspension holes are formed different o from each other as to internal circumferential shapes adapted for different paint brush sizes and external circumferential shapes. An important feature by this previous, unpublished, closable main container is that along its upper free edge it is provided with a securing flange arranged for the gas- 5 tight, closable cooperation with a complementary securing flange formed along the edge of a lid. This cleaning and storing device comprises, then, an upwards open, gas-tight, closable mam container which in its empty state (as a sales product) accommodates a loose, removable o cleaning section with wiping/cleaning means for wiping/cleaning brush bristles etc., and a storing section which essentially receives said horizontally placeable, punched disc m which the holes are formed for the hanging up of differently sized paint brushes of differently shaped paint brush circumferences. Underneath each hole of the plate there is arranged an underlying individual chamber m the form of a cup-shaped vessel, and besides these chambers there may be further upwards open chambers m the mam container, for example for the rolling heads of paint rollers. This punched paint -brush- suspending plate is detachably mounted m a horizontal working position and releasably engages, by its edge or an edge portion, a groove formed the opposite internal wall of the mam container. Each of the suspension holes of the plate, or some of them, may be defined by serrated hole-edge-de mg plate portions, whose mward serrations are evenly distributed along the hole circumference and form holding means for the underside of a circular flange or similar between the brusn bristle body of the paint brush and the handle. The horizontal plate with the suspension holes is placed at such a level that the holding means, even by the longest brush bristles, prevent the outer end of the brush from reaching down to the internal bottom surface of the mam container. This free suspension prevents the brush body from getting an undesired bending m its longitudinal direction, as a consequence of having rested by its tip on the bottom surface, while at the same time the suspension favours the ability of very small paint particles leaving the body of bristles to land on the bottom of the underlying cup-like vessel. The serrated holes may be of different sizes and shapes, suited to standard paint brushes. The cleaning device and storing container described m the foregoing allows a tidy and also m other respects advantageous and suitable handling and storing of painting equipment the form of paint brushes and rollers. For the carrying principle of this construction to be exploited m full, with a gas-tight closing device made effective at the upper edge of the container by means of m part intricately formed flange structures along the edges of the container and the lid, and with suspension holes of different sizes said detachably mountable horizontal plate, said plate should contain a fairly large number of differing holes. Consequently, the construction is expensive. Another drawback by the known cleaning device and storing container is due to the above mentioned condition that even brushes with the longest bristles should be allowed to be kept clear of the bottom of the cup-like vessel arranged thereto. This condition assumes that the suspension plate which of course is common for all the hung brushes etc. must be positioned at a rather high level, which increases the building height, space requirement and amount of cleaning liquid necessary. Therefore, according to the present invention, the aim has been to provide a cleaning and storing container formed to receive one paint brush at a time, but with the possibility of exchange to allow reception of other paint brushes of different sizes, l.a. different circumferential sizes and/or shapes. This novel container should be simpler and considerably cheaper than the one described above, and it should enable stable placing on a flat surface or simple, easily releasable hanging on a wall, portable stand or similar. Said purpose is realized according to the invention, by means of a construction exhibiting the features appearing from the characterizing part of the independent claim 1. A closable cleaning and storing container for cleanmgly storing one pamt brush at a time, comprises a container element and a lid element which can be πomed the establishing of a tightening m the ]omt area, and which are formed and sized for receiving together a pamt brush etc. of conventional size and shape. The container element which is liquid-tight for the reception of water, white spirit or other liquid for dissolving any pamt residues adhering to the bristles of the brush, has an internal, circular securing portion comprising a circumferential groove open radially inwards, for the releasable reception of an outer edge portion of a disc, i.e. one of several discs of identical outer edge portions. These discs are formed with a serrated hole each. The radially inward serrations/teeth form suspension means for the respective pamt brush. These serrations/teeth may be made sufficiently resilient, and at the same time so rigid and strong, that they will be able to maintain their points of attack on a pamt brush, for example m an area between the bristles and the handle, that a suitable suspension disc may be brought into position on a used pa t brush before the latter is placed m a storing container provided with an internally fixed securing element formed with an annular circumferential groove open radially inwards, without the grip of the suspension disc round the pamt brush loosening or being displaced by the fitting of the circumferential portion of the disc into said circumferential groove. However, the suspension disc formed for hanging up the particular pamt brush m question, may alternatively be brought separately into engagement with said circumferential groove internally of the storing container, after which the pamt brush is placed into the central hole of the mounted suspension disc, which hole is defined by said gripping and securing serrations/teeth. To a closable cleaning and storing container there will normally belong several discs of the same outer, circumferential size and shape. They may be manufactured of a somewhat flexible, but otherwise sufficiently rigid and shape-stable plastic material. Above the circumferential groove open radially inwards, the internal securing element of the container element is formed with guiding portion surfaces, of which the uppermost one slopes radially inwards from its top, and merges, at its bottom, with a sharply angled, lower guiding portion surface sloping radially outwards/ downwards and ending m a very narrow, horizontal circumferential portion defining the circumferential groove, from above. From the very narrow circumferential portion a groove-bottom-defmmg surface facing radially inwards, extends vertically downwards, corresponding to the groove depth. From below, this circumferential groove is defined by a horizontal annular surface at a certain distance above the lower annular portion of the securing element, which portion will normally be located above the liquid surface within the container element. To, for example, three closable containers configured m accordance with the invention, and with a suitable number of brush-suspending discs arranged thereto, there may be associated a strip shaped fitting with mounting holes for the securing to a vertical wall or similar and formed with three suspension means, one for each cleaning and storing container according to the invention, provided with a complimentary suspension means for releasable cooperation with the suspension means of the fixed fitting. Each suspension means of the fixed fitting may thereby, with advantage, consist of a vertically oriented body of a dovetail cross-sectional shape decreasing m size from the top downwards, the suspension means of each closable storing container consisting of a projection formed with a dove-tail groove of a groove width increasing evenly from its top downwards, complementary to and matching the size, form and course of said dove-tail groove. Whenever a storing container is to be placed m a vertically oriented, hanging, paintbrush-storing position, the suspension means of the container is hooked externally on one of the suspension means of the fitting by moving the container downwards from the top, and is released by a reverse vertical movement of the container, upwards . Non-limitmg examples of preferred embodiments are illustrated m the accompanying drawings, which: Fig. 1 shows a vertical, axial section through a storing container with a brush placed to be stored m a cleaning liquid; Fig. 1A shows a detailed view, showing better the cross- sectional shape of the internal securing element of the container element with its circumferential groove, open radially inwards, for the reception of an outer disc edge portion; Fig. 2 shows a perspective view, seen at an angle from above, of a first disc with a suspension hole for a round pamt brush; Fig. 3 shows a view corresponding to Fig. 2, of a disc with a suspension hole for a rectangular brush; Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a closed storing container with an external suspension means for releasable hanging on one of three complementary suspension means carried by a fitting envisaged to be secured to a vertical wall; Fig. 5 shows a top view of the fitting according to Fig. 4, which there is hung, on each of its suspension means, a storing container, from which the lids have been removed to show the differing circumferential shapes of the brush- suspendmg-holes of the respective discs, one of the three container elements having a considerably smaller diameter than the two others . A gas-tight, closable storing container for the cleaning and softness-maintaining storing of a used pamt brush comprises, according to the invention, a container element 10 and a lid element 12, connectable thereto. The connection may be implemented by threads 14 or another known manner. The container element 10 as well as the lid element 12 are of a cup-like shape with a circularly cylindrical side wall 10' and 12', respectively, perpendicular to a plane bottom 10" and 12", respectively. The bottom 10" of the container element 10 should be plane, and oriented perpendicular to the axis of symmetry A-A of the container, because that will facilitate its stable placement on a plane, horizontal surface m its storing position. The "bottom" of the lid element 12, however, does not require a plane course, but might just as well be dome-shaped. The container element 10 is partly filled with a suitable liquid 16 which will keep the bristles 18 of the pamt brush soft during storage, and at the same time also be able to dissolve pamt residues which might adhere to the bristles. The annular metal holder of the pamt brush, immediately above the projecting portions 18 of the brush bristles and enclosing the bristle base, is indicated by 20, while 22 indicates the handle. The pamt brush 18,20,22 shown m Fig. 1, hangs m a perfect, vertical position with the major part of the brush bristles 18 immersed m the liquid 16. This possibility of vertical hanging is ensured by means of an internal securing element 24 of the container 10, with an annular groove 26, open radially inwards, Fig. 1A, and a punched suspension disc 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d or 28e, Figs. 2, 3 and 5, whose closed holes 28a', 28b', 28c', 28d' and 28e' are each defined by a serrated/toothed hole edge portion 28a", 28b", 28c", 28d" and 28e" of the respective disc. It is the serrated or toothed hole edge portion of the inner circumference that forms the suspension means for the pamt brush m the area of the metal ring 20, whose downward edge is indicated by 20', when the respective disc, for example 28a, releasably engages, by its outer edge portion, the circumferential groove 26 of the securing element 24. The outer edge portion of the disc is brought into engagement with the groove 26 and out of this engagement by a latch effect, either of the disc separately or with the disc placed externally on the pamt brush 18,20,22 before insertion into the storing container 10. Immediately above the groove 26 the securing element 24 has a downward guiding element, whose inner, free guiding surface 30 extends evenly, radially inwards a direction from its top. Just above the groove 26 this upper guiding surface 30 merges with an underlying guiding surface 31, sloping m the opposite direction, i.e. m towards the groove bottom, said guiding surface 31 sloping radially outwards from its top before merging with a horizontal surface defining the groove 26, from above. If a disc, for example 28a (with or without a pamt brush) , is to be brought from above into engagement by its outer edge portion with the groove 26, said edge portion will be guided radially inwards under the resilient deformation of the disc, until the outer edge portion finally comes to bear on the guiding surface 31 sloping radially outwards, whereby circumferential portions of the disc, ϋy latch effect, click into engagement with the groove 26 of the securing element 24. The hole 28a' will weaken the disc 28a and make it more easily deformable, so that it may easily be pulled up to be replaced by another disc, for example 28b. The annularly extending surface portion defining the groove 26 from above, is relatively narrow, whereas the opposite annular portion has a considerably larger width, so that the brush 18,20,22 is carried by a reliably supported disc. Alternatively, m the side wall 10 ' of the container, there may be arranged a further securing element 24 ' which may be used m the storing of brushes with shorter brush bristles 18. The downward supporting and stop face 20' of the annular brush part 20 against the disc 28a, may form, together with said disc 28a, a most sealing abutment, and the same may apply to the engagement of the disc edge m the groove 26. Thereby, the desired tightening towards the surroundings may be established, so that the liquid 16 does not evaporate away. The tightening at the threads 14 is therefore not critical . In Figs . 4 and 5 is shown a mounting device for three storing containers according to the invention. An elongate, strip-like, plate-shaped fitting 32 for the vertical suspension of three storing containers according to the invention, is formed, m each corner thereof, with a mounting hole 34 therethrough, for securing by screwing to a wall. The fitting 32 is provided with three vertically oriented suspension means 36 of a dove-tail cross-sectional shape, evenly narrowing from its bottom upwards. A complementary dove-tail groove 38 is formed m the external suspension means 40 of the storing container 10,12. The suspension means 36 and 38 of largely complementary shapes, provide a certain wedging effect when being brought into engagement, securing the container 28a m its suspended position, but being so moderate as not to resist release of the engagement . The reference numeral 24' of Fig. 1 indicates an alternative level of placement of the securing element 24 internally m the storing container 10, possibly that the storing container 10 may be provided with two securing elements 24, 24 ' .

Claims: C L A I M S 1. A closable container (10,12) for storing a paint brush (18,20,22) with its brush bristles immersed in a suitable liquid filled into the container element (10) of the container, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said container element (10) has a cup-like shape, and its, preferably, circularly cylindrical side wall (10') carries, on its inside, one or more securing elements (24, 24') with a circumferential groove (26) open radially inwards and formed for the preferably exchangeable reception of an outer edge portion of a disc (28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, 28e) corresponding to the circumferential groove (26) and provided with a suspension hole (28a', 28b', 28c', 28d', 28e) for the respective paint brush. 2. A closable container according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the largely horizontal, annularly extending surface portion of said securing element (24), defining the circumferential groove (26) from above, has a considerably smaller radial extent than the opposite surface portion defining the circumferential groove (26) from below, so that the respective disc of a number of available discs, all of the same size and shape along the outer circumferential portion, may be inserted relatively easily from above into the circumferential groove (26) , and out of it upwards . 3. A closable container according to claim 1 or 2 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that each disc (28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, 28e) is formed, along its inner circumference, i.e. at the edge of the suspension hole, with serrations, teeth or other projections directed radially inwards by their free ends. 4. A closable container according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the side wall (10') of the container element (10), which is formed circularly cylindrical, is provided at its upper end with external threads, a cup-like lid element (12) with a circularly cylindrical side wall (12') being provided with corresponding, internal threads at its, m its position of use, lower end. 5. A closable container according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the container (10) carries externally a vertically oriented suspension body (40) exhibiting a dove-tail groove (38) , which suspension body (40) or its groove (38) may be brought to co-operate with a stationary, complementarily formed suspension means (36) for example on a wall, on which it is desired to hang, m a vertical position, the closed container (10,12) containing the liquid and the pamt brush (18,20,22). 6. A closable container according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the outer bottom surface (10") of the container element (10) is plane and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the straight, circularly cylindrical side wall (10 ' ) . . A closable container according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that above the three surfaces defining the circumferential groove, said securing element (24; 24') has two relatively angled guiding surface portions (30, 31) for guiding the outer circumferential portion of a disc (for example 28a) into engagement with the circumferential groove (26) and out of this engagement, said uppermost guiding surface portion (30) extending radially inwards from its top downwards to the vicinity of the uppermost one of the horizontal surfaces defining the circumferential groove, and merging at its lower end with the other guiding surface portion (31) which has the opposite course, i.e. from its top downwards it extends radially outwards, m the direction of the bottom of the circumferential groove (26), then. 8. Use of a closable container with several suspension discs (28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, 28e) which are arranged thereto and have essentially identical, outer, circumferential portions, formed m accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, whereby a suitable disc is slipped over a used pamt brush until it sits firmly on same, so that a pamt brush with a firmly sitting suspension disc (28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, 28e) may be brought, as a unit, by its disc circumference portion into engagement with the radially open circumferential groove (26) of the internal securing element (24; 24') of the storing container (10) .

Inventors: AUTHEN HANS PETTER, AUTHEN, HANS, PETTER
Applicants: AUTHEN HANS PETTER, AUTHEN, HANS, PETTER
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B44D3
IPC codes: A46B17, B44D3