Abstract:
A paint brush storage and protection device includes an open well having an upstanding wall ending in an upper wall, the wall being continuous from one side of an opening to another; a top with an open channel extending around the perimeter of the top except at and end of an extension area; a hinge connecting the open well to the top; a seal located in the opening; a first latching mechanism associated with the open well and top opposite the hinge; and a second latching mechanism associated with the open well and top in the area of the opening. A paint brush may be placed within the well and the top closed over the well by deflection of the hinge so the upper wall forms a generally airtight connection with the open channel and the seal closes the opening to secure and protect a paint brush.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/638,017 entitled “Paint Brush Storage and Protection Device” filed Apr. 25, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Anyone who has painted, either professionally or as a do-it-yourselfer, knows that storage and protection of paint brushes is a major concern and warrants a great deal of attention. The present invention relates to the storage and protection of paint brushes, both new and used, when not in use, including paint brushes that have been used and are still covered with paint. 
     Storage and protection of paint brushes is particularly paramount in the case of used wet brushes. Often, painters must cease working without completing a particular task. This may be for an extended break or at the end of the work day. Conventionally the painter would have to clean the brush in copious amounts of water and then store the brush to dry. The use of so much water and the washing of paint down the drain presents obvious environmental issues. Moreover, storage and protection of the wet brush is problematic because one needs to ensure that it does not drip needlessly while also protecting the delicate bristles and metal ferrule. Because of simple laziness, some painters will discard a used brush instead of cleaning it. This presents both economic issues for the painter as well as environmental issues. 
     Even for new brushes protection is important. Brushes contain delicate bristles that may be bent, pulled out, or otherwise compromised in storage and transport. 
     It would therefore be highly beneficial to provide a novel and effective manner of storing and protecting paint brushes, both new and used, when not in use. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides this benefit by providing, in one embodiment, a paint brush storage and protection device with a base having an exterior upstanding wall ending in a shoulder, the exterior wall being discontinuous in an open stem area; a top surrounded by a U-shaped channel, the U-shaped channel being discontinuous in the open stem area; a living hinge connecting the base and the top; a first latching mechanism comprising a cantilevered tab extending from the U-shaped channel of the top, the cantilevered tab including a hook adapted to engage the shoulder of the base when the paint brush storage and protection device is closed; and a second latching mechanism comprising a pair of cantilevered tabs extending from the U-shaped channel of the top, the pair of cantilevered tabs each including a hook adapted to engage the shoulder of the base when the paint brush storage and protection device is closed. The paint brush storage and protection device may be closed by deflecting the living hinge and fitting the U-shaped channel over the shoulder of the base thereby forming an airtight seal. The paint brush storage and protection device further comprises a sealing member at the open stem area and at least one projection extending from the base toward the top when the paint brush storage and protection device is in a closed condition, the at least one projection adapted to engage a paint brush. 
     The paint brush storage and protection device may further comprise a magnet. 
     The magnet may be positioned on an exterior surface of the paint brush storage and protection device. 
     In accordance with a further embodiment, a paint brush storage and protection device includes an open well having an upstanding wall ending in an upper wall, the upstanding wall being continuous from one side of an opening to another; a top with an open channel, the open channel extending around the perimeter of the top except at and end of an extension area; a hinge connecting the open well to the top; a seal located in the opening; a first latching mechanism associated with the open well and top opposite the hinge; and a second latching mechanism associated with the open well and top in the area of the opening. A paint brush may be placed within the well and the top may be closed over the well by deflection of the hinge such that the upper wall forms a generally airtight connection with the open channel and the seal closes the opening to secure and protect a paint brush, the first and second latching mechanisms serving to secure the top to the open well. 
     The paint brush storage and protection device may further comprise a magnet. The magnet may be positioned on an exterior surface of the paint brush storage and protection device. 
     The paint brush storage and protection device may further comprise at least one projection extending from within the open well generally parallel to the upstanding wall, the projection adapted to engage a paint brush when placed in the open well. The at least one projection may be a linear projection. The at least one projection may be geometrically shaped or non-geometrically shaped. 
     The device may be generally translucent. 
     The second latching mechanism may comprise a pair of cantilevered tabs extending from the open channel of the top, the pair of tabs each including a hook adapted to engage the upstanding wall upper end when the paint brush storage and protection device is closed. The first latching mechanism may comprise a cantilevered tab extending from the open channel of the top, the cantilevered tab including a hook adapted to engage the upstanding wall upper end when the paint brush storage and protection device is closed. The seal may be open cell foam. 
     In a further embodiment, a method of protecting and storing a paint brush in a paint brush storage and protection device is provided, where the paint brush storage and protection device has a base forming a well; a top; first, second, and third locking mechanisms to secure the top against the base in an airtight manner; and an open stem area with a seal; the method comprises placing a paint brush in the well of the base of the paint brush storage and protection device; closing the top of the paint brush storage and protection device to enclose at least the bristles of the brush; securing the first locking mechanism; securing the second locking mechanism; securing the third locking mechanism; whereby the steps of closing and securing deform the seal around the stem of the paint brush. 
     The paint brush storage and protection device may further comprise a projection on an interior thereof, the method therefore further comprising placing the bristles of the paint brush against the projection. 
     Inventive devices are particularly useful for protecting the bristles of a paint brush, whether wet or dry, and for storing a wet paint brush in an air-tight enclosure for preservation during painting projects. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with features, objects, and advantages thereof, will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings. It is intended that any additional organizations, methods of operation, features, objects or advantages ascertained by one skilled in the art be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
       With respect to the drawings, 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a paint brush storage and protection device in a fully open condition; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the paint brush storage and protection device of  FIG. 1  in the fully closed condition; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the paint brush storage and protection device of  FIG. 1  in a partially closed condition; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the paint brush storage and protection device of  FIG. 1  in the fully open condition; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the paint brush storage and protection device of  FIG. 1  in the fully open condition; 
         FIG. 6  is a left side view of the paint brush storage and protection device of  FIG. 1  in the fully open condition; 
         FIG. 7  is a right side view of the paint brush storage and protection device of  FIG. 1  in the fully open condition; 
         FIG. 8  is a frontal view of the paint brush storage and protection device of  FIG. 1  in the fully open condition; 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view of the paint brush storage and protection device of  FIG. 1  in the fully open condition; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the paint brush storage and protection device of  FIG. 1  in the fully open condition; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the paint brush storage and protection device of  FIG. 1  in the fully closed condition; and 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric view of a paint brush placed within the paint brush storage and protection device of  FIG. 1  in the open condition. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following are described the preferred embodiments of the vertically expandable receptacle of the present invention. In describing the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. Where like elements have been depicted in multiple embodiments, identical reference numerals have been used in the multiple embodiments for ease of understanding. 
     As shown in the numbered drawing figures, and beginning with  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment a paint brush storage and protection device  100  is comprised of an enclosure  102  and a two part seal consisting of a flat seal  104 A and a U-seal  104 B. The enclosure comprises a base  106  and a top  108  connected by hinge  110 . Preferably the hinge  110  is a living hinge formed from the same material as the remainder of the enclosure  102 . 
     The base  106  includes an upstanding wall  112  which is continuous from an open stem area  114 , around the perimeter of the base, and back to the open stem area. The upstanding wall  112  forms a shoulder  116  at the upper wall area thereof. As will be seen in further views, the shoulder  116  at the upper wall is formed as a built up area of material which serves to provide rigidity to the upstanding wall  112  as well as forming a portion of an airtight seal with other components of the enclosure  102 . 
     It will be appreciated that the base  106  is shaped to accommodate a standard paintbrush and includes a large main area  118  that tapers to an opening  120  in the open stem area  114 . Thus, the body and bristles of a paintbrush may be laid within the main area  118  while the handle of the paintbrush extends out of the opening  120  in the open stem area  114 . A paint brush P in such a configuration is shown in  FIG. 12 . The combination of the main area  118  and open stem area  114  may be referred to as a well for receiving a paintbrush, the well being formed by the upstanding wall  112 . 
     Also provided in the main area  118  are a series of raised projections  122 A,  122 B,  122 C. In the embodiment shown there are three such projections, however a greater or lesser number may also be provided. Also, in the embodiment shown the projections  122 A,  122 B,  122 C are generally cylindrical. In other embodiments the projections may take on other geometric or non-geometric shapes. The projections  122 A,  122 B,  122 C serve to cooperate with the paint brush, preferably in the bristle area just adjacent to the metal binding, to hold the paint brush securely within the base  106 . 
     As discussed, there is located a U-shaped seal  104 B in the open stem area  114  of the base  106 . The U-shaped seal  104 B is typically configured from open cell foam but may also be configured from closed cell foam, rubber, or other resilient materials. The principal function of the U-shaped seal  104 B is to cooperate with the flat seal  104 A to provide an airtight seal around the handle of a paintbrush when the paint brush storage and protection device is in a closed condition. The seal also helps to ensure that the paint brush does not shift within the enclosure  102  by fitting snugly around the handle of the paint brush. 
     The remainder of the enclosure  102 , including the base  106 , top  108 , and hinge  110 , are preferably formed as a unitary component from various plastics such as polyethylene. Most preferably, the material is transparent or translucent such that the within paintbrush can be viewed. In the situation where multiple paint brush storage and protection devices are utilized by a user, transparent or translucent cases permit the user to view the color of paint on the stored paint brush. 
     The top  108  is generally planar with a main area  124  tapering to a stem area  126 . It is at the stem area  126  where the flat seal  104 A is located. Appreciably, the main area  124  of the top  108  corresponds to the main area  118  of the base  106  while the stem area  126  of the top corresponds to the open stem area  114  of the base. The stem area  126  of the top  108  may also be referred to as an extension area. 
     Around the perimeter of the top  108  is formed a U-shaped channel or open channel  128 . The U-shaped channel  128  is most clearly shown in  FIG. 10  where one will appreciate that the U-shaped channel includes a bridge section  130  between two walls  132 A,  132 B. As shown in  FIG. 11 , when the paint brush storage and protection device  100  is in a closed condition, the U-shaped channel  128  fits snugly over the shoulder  116  of the upstanding wall  112 . This arrangement provides an airtight seal between the two components. 
     In order to aid in the closure process, the paint brush storage and protection device  100  includes latching means. In the embodiment shown, the latching means come in two forms, a first latching mechanism  130  and a second latching mechanism  133 . The first latching mechanism  130  comprises a cantilevered tab  134  extending from the U-shaped channel  128  of the top  108 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the cantilevered tab  134  extends from a portion of wall  132 B and culminates in a hook  136  that is shaped and configured to clasp the underside of the shoulder  116  as shown in  FIG. 11  when the paint brush storage and protection device  100  is closed. For ease in opening and closing the first latching mechanism  130 , the mechanism is provided with a handle  138 . As shown in the figures, the first latching mechanism  130  is preferably associated with the main area  124  of the top  108 . 
     The second latching mechanism  133  comprises a pair of cantilevered tabs  140 A,  140 B, best shown in  FIG. 9  (it will be appreciated that the cantilevered tabs  140 A,  140 B may also be referred to separately as second and third latching mechanisms). The cantilevered tabs  140 A,  140 B operate in a manner similar to that of cantilevered tab  134  and include a hook section that clasps with the underside of shoulder  116 . The second latching mechanism  133  is preferably located on either side of the stem area of the top  108  and aid in compressing the flat seal  104 A and U-shaped seal  104 B against the handle of a paintbrush when the paint brush storage and protection device  100  is closed. In some embodiments, not all of the locking mechanisms need be included. 
     In order to properly close the paint brush storage and protection device it is preferred that a user begin by latching the first latching mechanism  130  and then separately latch the two parts of the second latching mechanism  133 . Thus the top  108  can first be properly positioned over the base  106  before the second latching mechanism  133  is fully secured. Of course, the second latching mechanism  133  can be latched first or simultaneously. 
     In some embodiments of the paint brush storage and protection device  100 , there may be included one or more magnets  142 . Preferably, the magnet(s)  142  is located on the backside of the base  106 . The magnet(s)  142  may be formed from known ferromagnetic materials such as iron, nickel, cobalt or rare earth metal alloys and are provided so the paint brush storage and protection device  100  may be magnetically attached to a metal object such as a paint can, ladder, or the like. 
     The paint brush storage and protection device  100  functions to store paint brushes and protect the bristles thereof from fraying. When storing a wet brush, it also aids in lessoning rusting of the metal bristle band encasing the base of the bristles. It may also be utilized as a temporary holding bin for brushes in use. In order to use the device, one simply inserts the bristles and lower portion of the brush handle into the well of the base  106  and closes the top  108  cover. For proper closure, one must provide sufficient force to cause the U-shaped channel  128  to seal against the shoulder  116  and for the latch mechanism  130  to latch. If so provided, the user may also have to separately ensure that the second latch mechanism  133  is secured by squeezing the mechanisms together at the open stem area  114 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts an isometric view of the paint brush storage and protection device  100  of  FIG. 1  in the fully closed condition. Here, the top  108  is closed over the base  106  with the latching mechanisms  130 ,  133  fully closed. In the view shown, a paint brush handle would protrude from the opening  120  if a paint brush were in use. 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the paint brush storage and protection device  100  of  FIG. 1  in a partially closed condition. Notably, the top  108  is ajar from the base  106  and the latching mechanisms  130 ,  133  are fully open. 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the paint brush storage and protection device of  FIG. 1  in the fully open condition. 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the paint brush storage and protection device of  FIG. 1  in the fully open condition. Shown in this view is a magnet  142 . Such a magnet is optional and may not be included in all embodiments. 
       FIG. 6  is a left side view of the paint brush storage and protection device of  FIG. 1  in the fully open condition. 
       FIG. 7  is a right side view of the paint brush storage and protection device of  FIG. 1  in the fully open condition. 
       FIG. 8  is a frontal view of the paint brush storage and protection device of  FIG. 1  in the fully open condition. 
       FIG. 9  is a rear view of the paint brush storage and protection device of  FIG. 1  in the fully open condition. 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the paint brush storage and protection device of  FIG. 1  in the fully open condition. 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the paint brush storage and protection device of  FIG. 1  in the fully closed condition. 
       FIG. 12  is an isometric view of a paint brush placed within the paint brush storage and protection device of  FIG. 1  in the open condition. 
     Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.