Patent Publication Number: US-2022232966-A1

Title: Paint brush with integrated hanger and packaging therefor

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/825,483 filed Mar. 20, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/823,838 filed Mar. 26, 2019, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/889,255 filed Aug. 20, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/966,248 filed Jan. 27, 2020, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to paint brushes, and more particularly to a paint brush having an integrated hanger for hanging the paint brush on an object. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is generally known to provide a hanger on a paint brush handle to hang the paint brush from an object, such as to prevent the paint brush from falling into the paint. Conventional paint brushes utilizing such hangers often require numerous assembly steps and/or additional parts to manufacture the paint brush. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     An aspect of the present invention provides a paint brush having a handle with an integrated hanger that is pivotably movable between a retracted position for unobtrusively stowing the hanger within a groove of the handle, and an extended position for extending the hanger outwardly from the groove to enable the paint brush to be hanged on an object such as a paint bucket, tray, ladder, or the like. 
     The paint brush may be configured such that the hanger is assembled to the handle with fewer parts and/or fewer (or simpler) assembly steps, thereby minimizing costs. 
     The integrated hanger and groove of the paint brush also may provide a more ergonomic design. For example, when stowed in the retracted position the hanger may be flush with an outer surface of the handle thereby providing improved comfort in the user&#39;s hand while painting. The portion of the handle having the groove may be made of a flexible material which also may improve comfort and may better secure the hanger in the groove when stowed. In addition, the hanger and groove may be configured to enable ease of deployment of the hanger from the retracted to extended position simply with a one-handed operation by the user. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a paint brush includes: a handle having a flexible portion having a groove; bristles operatively attached to the handle; and a hanger hinged to the handle for pivotable movement between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the groove, and an extended position for extending the hanger from the groove for hanging the paint brush from an object; wherein the hanger has a hanger portion and a journal that is unitary with the hanger portion; wherein the flexible portion has a socket that opens to a sidewall of the groove, and wherein the journal of the hanger is received and pivotably retained in the socket to enable the hanger to move between the retracted and extended positions; and wherein the flexible portion of the handle has sufficient flexibility to enable the groove to be spread apart for inserting the journal of the hanger into the socket through the sidewall of the groove. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a paint brush includes: a handle having a surface groove; bristles operatively attached to the handle; and a hanger hinged to the handle with a hinge connector for pivotable movement between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the surface groove and an extended position for extending the hanger from the surface groove for hanging the paint brush from an object; wherein a first hinge part of the hinge connector includes a resilient snap-in receiver, and wherein a second hinge part of the hinge connector includes a pivot that is received and pivotably retained in the snap-in receiver such that the hanger is pivotably movable between the retracted and extended positions. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a paint brush includes: a handle having a head portion and a grip portion that at least partially overlies the head portion, the grip portion having a surface groove; bristles operatively attached to the handle; and a hanger hinged to the handle such that the hanger is pivotably movable between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the surface groove and an extended position for extending the hanger from the surface groove for hanging the paint brush from an object. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a paint brush includes: a handle having a head portion and a grip portion that at least partially overlies the head portion, the grip portion having a surface groove, and the head portion extending inwardly through the grip portion such that a part of the head portion is exposed in the surface groove; and a hanger operatively coupled to the part of the head portion exposed in the surface groove, such that the hanger is pivotably movable between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the surface groove and an extended position for extending the hanger from the surface groove for hanging the paint brush from an object. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a paint brush includes: a handle having a head portion and a grip portion that at least partially overlies the head portion, the grip portion having a surface groove; bristles operatively attached to the head portion of the handle; and a hanger hinged to the handle with a hinge connector for pivotable movement between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the surface groove and an extended position for extending the hanger from the surface groove for hanging the paint brush from an object; wherein the head portion has a first hinge part of the hinge connector, the head portion extending inwardly through the grip portion such that the first hinge part is exposed in the surface groove; and wherein the hanger has a second hinge part of the hinge connector, the second hinge part of the hanger being received and pivotably secured to the first hinge part of the head portion such that the hanger is pivotably movable between the retracted and extended positions. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a paint brush includes: a handle having a surface groove; bristles operatively attached to the handle; and a hanger hinged to the handle for pivotable movement between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the surface groove and an extended position for extending the hanger from the surface groove for hanging the paint brush from an object; wherein the paint brush includes an integrally-formed and permanently-linked hinge assembly having a first linkage part that forms a first loop and a second linkage part that forms a second loop, wherein the first and second loops are non-removably and pivotably interlinked together; wherein the hanger includes the first linkage part that forms the first loop, and wherein the hinge assembly includes a hinge body having the second linkage part that forms the second loop, the hinge body and the hanger being pivotably interlinked together by the respective first and second loops such that the hanger is pivotably movable relative to the hinge body between the retracted and extended positions. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a paint brush includes: a handle having a head portion and a grip portion that at least partially overlies the head portion, the grip portion having a surface groove; bristles operatively attached to the head portion of the handle; and a hanger hinged to the handle with a hinge connector for pivotable movement between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the surface groove and an extended position for extending the hanger from the surface groove for hanging the paint brush from an object; wherein the head portion has a first hinge part of the hinge connector, the head portion extending inwardly through the grip portion such that the first hinge part is exposed in the surface groove; and wherein the hanger has a second hinge part of the hinge connector, the second hinge part being pivotably secured to the first hinge part with a third hinge part of the hinge connector, such that the hanger is pivotably movable between the retracted and extended positions. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a paint brush includes: a handle having a surface groove; bristles operatively attached to the handle; and a hanger hinged to the handle for pivotable movement between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the surface groove and an extended position for extending the hanger from the surface groove for hanging the paint brush from an object; wherein the surface groove opens to an edge of the handle, and the hanger when in the retracted position extends to the edge such that a corner of the hanger is exposed at the edge for enabling pivoting of the hanger from the retracted to extended position. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a method of forming a paint brush handle includes: providing a handle having a grip portion that at least partially overlies a head portion adapted for operatively coupling to a plurality of bristles; wherein the grip portion includes a surface groove; and operatively connecting a hanger to the handle such that the hanger is hinged to the handle for pivotable movement between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the surface groove and an extended position for extending the hanger from the surface groove for hanging the paint brush from an object. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a method of forming a paint brush handle includes: forming a surface groove in the handle such that the surface groove opens to an edge of the handle; and operatively connecting a hanger to the handle such that the hanger is hinged to the handle for pivotable movement between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the surface groove and an extended position for extending the hanger from the surface groove for hanging the paint brush from an object, and such that the hanger when in the retracted position extends to the edge such that a corner of the hanger portion is exposed at the edge for enabling pivoting of the hanger from the retracted to extended position. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a method of forming a paint brush handle includes: providing a main body portion of the handle; forming a notch in an edge of the main body portion; inserting an insert assembly into the notch; wherein the insert assembly includes an insert body having a surface groove, and a hanger hinged to the insert body for pivotable movement between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the surface groove and an extended position for extending the hanger from the surface groove. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, display packaging is provided including a box having sidewalls that enclose a space, the box being configured to at least partially contain a paint brush having a handle and a hanger hinged to the handle; wherein the box includes at least one opening that is configured to permit at least a portion of the hanger to extend therethrough when the hanger is deployed to its extended position. 
     The following description and the annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. Other objects, advantages and novel features according to aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The annexed drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, show various aspects of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a front plan view of an exemplary paint brush according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the paint brush shown being held in a user&#39;s hand while deploying an exemplary hanger of the paint brush. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the paint brush shown being hanged from a bucket. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the paint brush handle with the hanger shown in an exemplary retracted or stowed position. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the paint brush handle with the hanger shown in an exemplary extended or deployed position. 
         FIG. 6  is a right side view of the paint brush handle with the hanger in the retracted position. 
         FIG. 7  is a left side view of the paint brush handle with the hanger in the extended position. 
         FIG. 8  is a right side view of the paint brush handle with the hanger in the extended position. 
         FIG. 9  is a front plan view of the paint brush handle with the hanger in the extended position. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the paint brush handle taken about the line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a front plan view of the paint brush handle with the hanger in the retracted position. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the paint brush handle taken about the line  12 - 12  in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective front view of the paint brush handle with hanger. 
         FIG. 14  shows an exemplary method of attaching the hanger to the paint brush handle. 
         FIG. 15  is a rear cross-sectional view of the paint brush. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view another exemplary handle of another exemplary paint brush shown without another exemplary hanger. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the paint brush handle in  FIG. 16  with an exemplary hanger shown in an exemplary extended position. 
         FIG. 18  is a left side view of the paint brush handle with the hanger in the extended position. 
         FIG. 19  is a right side view of the paint brush handle with the hanger in the extended position. 
         FIG. 20  is a right side view of the paint brush handle with the hanger in the retracted position. 
         FIG. 21  is a front plan view of the paint brush handle with the hanger in the extended position. 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of the paint brush handle taken about the line  22 - 22  in  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 23  is a front plan view of the paint brush handle with the hanger in the retracted position. 
         FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of the paint brush handle taken about the line  24 - 24  in  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 25  is an exploded perspective front view of the paint brush handle with hanger. 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective view of a head portion of the paint brush handle shown with the hanger detached. 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the head portion of the paint brush handle shown with the hanger assembled. 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective bottom view another exemplary handle of another exemplary paint brush with another exemplary hanger. 
         FIG. 29  is a left side view of the paint brush handle with the hanger in the extended position. 
         FIG. 30  is a right side view of the paint brush handle with the hanger in the extended position. 
         FIG. 31  is a right side view of the paint brush handle with the hanger in the retracted position. 
         FIG. 32  is a front plan view of the paint brush handle with the hanger in the extended position. 
         FIG. 33  is a cross-sectional view of the paint brush handle taken about the line  33 - 33  in  FIG. 32 . 
         FIG. 34  is a front plan view of the paint brush handle with the hanger in the retracted position. 
         FIG. 35  is a cross-sectional view of the paint brush handle taken about the line  35 - 35  in  FIG. 34 . 
         FIG. 36  is a perspective view of an exemplary hinge body of an exemplary integrally-formed hinge assembly shown without the exemplary hanger. 
         FIG. 37  is a perspective view of the integrally-formed hinge assembly shown with the hanger interlinked with the hinge body. 
         FIG. 38  is a perspective front view of the paint brush handle showing the installation of the integrally-formed hinge assembly. 
         FIG. 39  is a perspective front view of the paint brush handle without the integrally-formed hinge assembly installed. 
         FIG. 40  is an exploded perspective front view of the paint brush handle with integrally-formed hinge assembly. 
         FIG. 41  is a perspective view of a head portion of the paint brush handle shown with the integrally-formed hinge assembly detached. 
         FIG. 42  is a perspective view of the head portion of the paint brush handle shown with the integrally-formed hinge assembly assembled. 
         FIG. 43  is a partially exploded perspective bottom view another exemplary handle of another exemplary paint brush with another exemplary hanger. 
         FIG. 44  is a partially exploded perspective bottom view of the handle in  FIG. 43  with the exemplary hanger shown in a groove of the handle. 
         FIG. 45  is a bottom perspective view of the handle with the hanger assembled to the handle with a hinge connector, and with the hanger shown in an exemplary stowed position. 
         FIG. 46  is a rear view of the handle without the hanger assembled thereto. 
         FIG. 47  is a right side view of the handle without the hanger assembled thereto. 
         FIG. 48  is a top view of the handle without the hanger assembled thereto. 
         FIG. 49  is a front view of the handle without the hanger assembled thereto. 
         FIG. 50  is a cross-sectional view taken about the line  50 - 50  in  FIG. 49 . 
         FIG. 51  is a perspective view of an exemplary hinge part of the hinge connector of the handle in  FIG. 45 . 
         FIG. 52  is a top view of the hinge part. 
         FIG. 53  is a side view of the hinge part. 
         FIG. 54  is a perspective view of another exemplary hinge part of the hinge connector of the handle in  FIG. 45 . 
         FIG. 55  is a top view of the other hinge part. 
         FIG. 56  is a side view of the other hinge part. 
         FIG. 57  is a perspective view of an exemplary subassembly of another exemplary handle of another exemplary paint brush. 
         FIG. 58  is a perspective view of the subassembly in  FIG. 57  with an exemplary insert. 
         FIG. 59  is a perspective view of the subassembly in  FIG. 58  with an exemplary hanger. 
         FIG. 60  is a perspective view of an exemplary paint brush handle assembly for an exemplary paint brush according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 61A-61H  show an exemplary ornamental design for an exemplary paint brush, or paint brush handle, in which an exemplary hanger is shown in an exemplary stowed position, and in which the broken line showing illustrates portions of the paint brush that are presently not intended to form of part of the ornamental design. 
         FIGS. 62A-62H  show another exemplary ornamental design for an exemplary paint brush, or paint brush handle, in which an exemplary hanger is shown in an exemplary deployed position, and in which the broken line showing illustrates portions of the paint brush that are presently not intended to form of part of the ornamental design. 
         FIGS. 63A-63D  show another exemplary ornamental design for an exemplary paint brush, or paint brush handle, in which the dot-dash broken line showing is for illustrating an imaginary boundary line, and the other broken line showing is for illustrating portions of the paint brush or paint brush handle that are presently not intended to form of part of the ornamental design. 
         FIGS. 64A-64H  show different views of an exemplary display packaging in combination with the paint brush shown in  FIG. 61A , for example, in which the exemplary hanger is shown in a stowed position. 
         FIGS. 65A-65H  show different views of the exemplary display packaging in combination with the paint brush, in which the exemplary hanger is shown in a deployed position. 
         FIGS. 66A-66H  show different views of the exemplary display packaging in  FIGS. 64A-64H  without an exemplary paint brush. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-15 , an exemplary embodiment of a paint brush  10  having an integrated hanger  12  is shown. Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-12 , the paint brush  10  generally includes a handle  14  and bristles  16  (also referred to as filaments  16 ) that are operatively coupled to the handle  14 . The handle  14  may be a relatively flat design, having opposite front and rear flat sides  18 ,  19 , with opposite edges  20 ,  21  connecting the flat sides  18 ,  19 . The filaments  16  may be coupled to the handle  14  with a metal ferrule  22  in a conventional manner. For example, the filaments  16  may be set in a suitable adhesive  24 , such as an epoxy, that extends into one or more outwardly protruding annular grooves  25  in the inner wall of the ferrule  22  for securely fastening the filaments  16  to the ferrule  22  (as shown in the rear cross-sectional view of  FIG. 15 , for example). In the illustrated embodiment, the lower ends of the filaments  16  are progressively longer across the lateral width of the brush  10  to provide an angled brush, such as typically used for trim work. However, it will be appreciated that the lower ends of the filaments  16  may all be of substantially the same length if desired. 
     The handle  14  has a groove  26  in an outer surface  28  of the handle, and the hanger  12  is hinged to the handle  14  for pivotable movement between a retracted position for stowing the hanger  12  in the groove  26  (as shown in  FIGS. 4, 6, 11 and 12 , for example), and an extended position for extending the hanger  12  from the groove  26  (as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7-10 , for example). For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the paint brush  10  is adapted to fit in a user&#39;s hand, and the exemplary hanger  12  and groove  26  are configured to enable easy single-handed deployment of the hanger  12  from the retracted position to the extended position to allow the user to hang the paint brush  10  from an object  30 , such as a tray or bucket (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), or any other suitable object, such as a paint can, ladder, or the like as may be desired. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the hanger  12  has a hanger portion  32  (or main body) and a journal  34  that is unitary with the hanger portion  32 . The journal  34  forms a pivot, such as a pivot pin, that extends from the hanger portion  32  to provide a pivot axis  36  for the hanger  12 . In exemplary embodiments, the hanger  12  includes a second journal  35  which forms a second pivot opposite the first journal  34 , and which may improve the stability of the hanger  12  during pivotal rotation of the hanger and/or hanging of the paint brush  10 . The journal(s)  34 ,  35  cooperate with the groove  26  so that the hanger  12  may be flush with the outer surface  28  of the handle  14 , as discussed below. Also as shown, the hanger portion  32  includes a first segment  32   a  that extends in a direction transverse to the pivot axis  36 , and includes a second segment  32   b  that extends transverse to the first segment  32   a  to form a hook  38  that enables the hanger  12  to be securely hanged on an object. The hook  38  may be so dimensioned to hang on the edge of conventional (e.g., one-gallon or five-gallon) paint cans, paint cups, paint trays, or the like. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the handle  14  has at least one socket  40  that opens to a sidewall  42  of the groove  26 . The socket  40  is configured to receive and retain the journal  34  of the hanger  12  for enabling pivotable movement of the hanger  12  between the retracted and extended positions. In exemplary embodiments, the groove  26  includes a second socket  41  that opens to an opposing sidewall  43  of the groove  26 . The second socket  41  opposes the first socket  40  and is configured to receive and pivotably retain the second journal  35 . The socket(s)  40 ,  41  may be formed or machined into the sidewall(s)  42 ,  43  of the groove  26  so as to be surrounded by the material forming the portion of the handle  14  having the groove  26 . As shown in the illustrated embodiment, for example, the portion of the outer surface  28  of the handle juxtaposed to the groove  26  is a continuous outer surface that extends along at least a portion of the groove  26 , and the socket(s)  40 ,  41  are inwardly spaced apart from this continuous outer surface to open to the sidewall(s)  42 ,  43  of the groove at a depth below the continuous surface. Such a configuration may reduce or eliminate the need for additional assembly parts, such as plates or other coverings, that otherwise might be required to retain the journal(s)  34 ,  35  of the hanger  12  in the handle  14 . 
     As shown, the groove  26  has a shape that corresponds to a shape of the hanger portion  32  of the hanger  12 , such that when the hanger  12  is pivotably moved to the retracted position the hanger portion  32  is stowed within the groove  26 . In this manner, the groove  26  includes a first groove segment  26   a  that is configured to receive the first segment  32   a  of the hanger portion, and includes a second groove segment  26   b  that is transverse to the first groove segment  26   a  and is configured to receive the second segment  32   b  of the hanger portion. In exemplary embodiments, the hanger  12  is configured to be flush with the outer surface  28  of the handle  14  when in the retracted and stowed position. This enhances the ergonomics of the paint brush  10  and makes the brush more comfortable for the user. It is understood that in this stowed flush state, the hanger  12  may have some minor variation in elevation relative to the outer surface  28  so as to be slightly recessed or protrude from the outer surface  28  without affecting the comfort to the user. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the hanger  12  and groove  26  are disposed on the front side  18  of the handle  14 , such that the length of the groove  26  and hanger  12  (when stowed) extend in a lateral direction across the front side  18 , with the depth of the groove  26  extending in a transverse direction, and the pivot axis  36  being generally centrally located and extending in the longitudinal direction. In exemplary embodiments, the groove  26  and the hanger  12  extend laterally to the edge  21  of the handle  14  for facilitating deployment of the hanger  12  by the user. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, for example, the groove  26  may open to the edge  21  of the handle such that a corner  32   c  of the hanger portion  32  (when stowed) is exposed at the edge  21  for improving access of the hanger  12  to the user. The exposed corner  32   c  of the hanger portion  32  may be located along the edge  21  of the handle at the curved transition  21   a  between the upper portion of the handle  14  and the lower portion of the handle  14 , where the user&#39;s thumb or forefinger are likely to be placed during painting, which further enhances the ergonomics of the design. Also as shown, the transition between the edge  21  of the handle and the front side  18  may have a curved surface  44 . The corner  32   c  of the hanger  12  may be contoured to the shape of a curved surface  44  that connects the edge  21  of the handle with the front side  18  of the handle, and the corner  32   c  also may be contoured to the shape of the curved transition  21   a  along the edge  21  between the upper and lower portions of the handle  14 . Such contouring of the hanger  12  provides a continuous flush interface between the outer surface  28  of the handle  14  and the hanger  12 . In addition, the edge  21  of the handle  14  may include an indent  46  below the hanger  12  (when stowed), such as below the corner  32   c  of the hanger  12 , to further provide an access point for enabling the user to deploy the hanger  12 . As shown, a bottom surface  47  of the indent  46  may be formed by a deeper part of the bottom surface  45  of the groove  26  such that the bottom surface  47  of the indent  46  is spaced apart from the hanger portion  32  when in the retracted and stowed position. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the portion of the handle  14  having the groove  26  may be made of a flexible material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material, including thermoplastic rubber (TPR), thermoplastic olefin (TPO), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), or any other suitable material. The hanger  12 , on the other hand, may be made of a rigid material having an elastic modulus that is less than that of the flexible material of the handle  14 . For example, the hanger  12  may be made of a thermoset or thermoplastic polymer, such as polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), polyoxymethylene (POM), or polycarbonate (PC), or any other suitable material. 
     The use of the flexible material for the handle  14  may provide several advantages. For example, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the flexible material may have sufficient flexibility to enable the groove  26  to be spread apart for inserting the journal(s)  34 ,  35  of the hanger into the socket(s)  40 ,  41  through the sidewall(s)  42 ,  43  of the groove  26 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , for example, the unitary hanger  12  is discrete with respect to the handle  14 , and the journal(s)  34 ,  35  extend from the hanger portion  32  to provide a width that is wider than the width of the groove  26  in the longitudinal direction. In exemplary embodiments, the width of the groove  26  may be spread apart by about the width between the end(s) of the journal(s)  34 ,  35 . In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the width between the ends of the journals  34 ,  35  is about 15 mm and the width of the groove  26  is about 7 mm. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the flexible portion of the handle  14  is bent or stretched to spread apart the groove  26  in preparation for inserting the hanger  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the groove  26  is spread apart from the 7 mm original width to a width of up to about 15 mm, although a greater or lesser spread may be employed. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the journals  34 , 35  of the hanger  12  are inserted into the opposing sockets  40 ,  41  of the handle  14 , which is facilitated by the spreading apart of the groove  26 . As shown, the flexible material of the handle  14  is then relaxed and springs back to its original shape such that the journals  34 ,  35  are now pivotably retained within the sockets  40 ,  41  and the paint brush  10  is ready for use. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the flexible material of the handle  14  is molded, such as via injection molding, and the socket(s)  40 ,  41  and groove  26  are pre-molded with the handle  14 . This minimizes the number of assembly steps for machining the sockets  40 ,  41  and/or the groove  26 , and also makes it easier to provide the opposing sockets  40 ,  41  within the relatively narrow groove  26 . The flexible material of the handle  14  also may improve the usability of the hanger  12 . For example, the resiliency provided by the flexible material may deformably grip the hanger  12  when stowed to prevent inadvertent deployment of the hanger  12  to the extended position. The flexible material of the handle  14  may provide such grip via the socket(s)  40 ,  41  engaging the journal(s)  34 ,  35  and/or via the sidewalls  42 ,  43  engaging the hanger portion  32 . 
     Referring particularly to the exploded perspective view of  FIG. 13  and the rear cross-sectional view of  FIG. 15 , in exemplary embodiments the handle  14  may include a head portion  48  and a grip portion  50  that at least partially overlies the head portion  48 . The grip portion  50  may be made of the relatively soft, flexible material described above, which may be over-molded onto the head portion  48  to secure the grip portion  50  to the head portion  48 . 
     The head portion  48  may be pre-molded out of a relatively rigid plastic, such as polypropylene, which is impervious to most paint solvents. The lower end  48   a  of the head portion  48  is shaped to provide a close fit within the upper end of the metal ferrule  22 . On opposite sides of the head portion  48  intermediate the width thereof are pockets  48   b  which reduce the thickness of the head portion to provide more even cooling of the head portion during injection molding of the head portion. Extending transversely through the center of each pocket  48   b  is a cross web  48   c  that provides additional support for the brush ferrule  22  when the head portion  48  is fitted within the brush ferrule. 
     At opposite ends of the pockets  48   b  on each side of the head portion  48  are land areas  48   d  each containing a crimp slot  48   e  to allow portions of the ferrule  22  to be crimped into the slots  48   e  for securing the ferrule  22  to the head portion  48 . Alternatively or additionally, suitable fasteners, such as nails, may be driven through the ferrule  22  into the land areas  48   d  next to the crimp slots  48   e  to securely attach the brush ferrule  22  to the head portion  48  without the need for crimping the ferrule  22  into the crimp slots  48   e . Extending around the periphery of the upper end of the head portion  48  is a raised band  48   f  to provide a stop and transition point for the ferrule  22  when the lower end of the head portion is fitted within the ferrule. 
     At the upper end of the head portion  48  is a transverse end wall  48   g  having an integral web portion  48   h  protruding axially outwardly/upwardly from the axial center of the transverse end wall about which the inner end of the grip portion  50  is over-molded to secure the grip portion  50  to the head portion  48  with the grip portion  50  extending axially outwardly of the web portion  48   h . In exemplary embodiments, the thermoplastic material of the grip portion  50  is desirably compatible with the thermoplastic material of the head portion  48 , whereby during the over-molding operation, the grip portion  50  forms a chemical bond with the web portion  48   h  and transverse end wall  48   g  of the head portion  48 . Also, one or more openings  48   j  (two being shown) are provided in the web portion  48   h  through which the material of the grip portion  50  is molded during the over-molding operation to provide a mechanical connection between the head portion  48  and grip portion  50 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, the grip portion  50  desirably has an overall length of approximately two to three inches and substantially flat opposite sides  18 ,  19  and curved opposite edges  20 ,  21  that terminate in a rounded upper end  52 . Such an overall shape allows the grip portion  50  to be held in a variety of ways including the way shown in  FIG. 2  in which the thumb and middle finger of the user&#39;s hand engage opposite sides of the ferrule and the index finger rests on the upper edge of the ferrule. Gripping the brush  10  this way provides added control and maneuverability of the brush which is particularly advantageous when painting corners and tight spaces and the like. Also, providing the brush handle  14  with such a relatively short grip portion  50  allows the grip portion to fit in the palm of the user&#39;s hand when the ferrule  22  is gripped between the thumb and middle finger and the index finger is placed on the top edge of the ferrule. As noted above, the hanger  12  and the groove  26  also may extend laterally to the curved transition  21   a  between the upper and lower portion of the grip portion  50  where the thumb and/or forefinger are placed to facilitate ease of deployment of the hanger  12  by the user with only one hand. It is understood that although the grip portion  50  is shown as being a relatively short grip, that the grip portion  50  could be made longer, for example, up to six inches, and still provide greater control and maneuverability of the brush  10  due to the increased flexibility of the grip portion. 
     The exemplary paint brush  10  provides one or more of the following advantages. The unitary hanger  12  and groove  26  design provides few parts and a simple assembly process. The groove  26  and socket(s)  40 ,  41  may be pre-molded into the handle  14  (e.g., flexible grip portion  50 ) thereby minimizing machining and assembly time. The flexible material of the handle  14  (e.g., grip portion  50 ) may allow for spreading apart of the groove  26  for facilitating installation of the hanger  12 . The resiliency of the flexible material, such as via the socket(s)  40 ,  31  and/or the sidewalls  42 ,  43 , also may improve the grip on the hanger  12 , which may help to selectively maintain the hanger  12  in either the extended (deployed) or retracted (stowed) positions. The hanger portion  32  (when stowed) may extend to and be exposed at the edge  21  of the handle  14  to improve accessibility to the user, and the indent  46  may be provided below the stowed hanger  12  to provide an access point to deploy the hanger  12  with only one hand. When in the stowed position, the hanger  12  may be flush with the outer surface  28  of the handle (e.g., flexible grip portion  50 ), and the hanger  12  also may have contoured surfaces, such as at the corner  32   c , to provide a continuous flush surface, thereby enhancing the ergonomic design. 
       FIGS. 16-27  show another exemplary embodiment of a paint brush  110  having an integrated hanger  112 , in which only the handle  114  is shown. The paint brush handle  114  is similar to the above-referenced paint brush handle  14 , and consequently the same reference numerals but in the 100-series are used to denote structures corresponding to similar structures in the paint brush handles  14 ,  114 . In addition, the foregoing description of the paint brush  10  is equally applicable to the paint brush  110 , except as noted below. For example, although the paint brush  110  is not shown with the ferrule or filaments, it is understood that such features of the paint brush  10  may be employed with the paint brush  110 . In addition, it is understood that other aspects of the paint brushes  10 ,  110  may be substituted for one another or used in conjunction with one another where applicable. 
     As shown, the exemplary paint brush handle  114  has an outer surface  128  with a groove  126 , and an exemplary hanger  112  hinged to the handle  114  with a hinge connector  154  disposed in the groove  126  for providing pivotable movement of the hanger  112  between a retracted position (as shown in  FIGS. 20, 23 and 24 ), and an extended position (as shown in  FIGS. 18, 19, 21 and 22 ). In exemplary embodiments, the hinge connector  154  includes a first hinge part  156  having a pivot  157 , and a second hinge part  158  having a pivot receiver  159  that receives and retains the pivot  157  to enable the pivotal movement of the hanger  112  between the retracted and extended positions. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the hanger  112  has the pivot  157  and the handle  114  has the pivot receiver  159 . It is understood, however, that in alternative embodiments the handle  114  could have the pivot  157  and the hanger  114  could have the pivot receiver  159 . As shown in the illustrated embodiment, particularly with reference to  FIGS. 25-27 , the pivot  157  is formed as a pivot rod that extends between opposing arms  160  at an end portion of the hanger  112  to form a loop  161  that is received by the receiver  159 . In exemplary embodiments the hanger  112  has a unitary construction, in which the pivot  157  is unitary with a hanger portion  132  of the hanger  112 . Similarly to the above-described hanger  12 , the hanger portion  132  of hanger  112  includes respective first and second segments  132   a ,  132   b  that form a hook  138  which may be so dimensioned to hang the paint brush on an object such as a paint can, or the like. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the pivot receiver  159  is configured as a resilient snap-in receiver  159  that receives and pivotably secures the pivot  157  of the hanger  112 . As best shown in  FIG. 26 , for example, the snap-in receiver  159  may include opposing first and second prongs  162 ,  163  that form a concave, generally U-shaped receiver barrel  164 . In exemplary embodiments, at least one of the prongs  162 ,  163  is resiliently movable relative to the other prong for receiving the pivot  157 , and in the illustrated embodiment both prongs  162 ,  163  are resiliently movable. As shown, one or more of the prongs  162 ,  163  also includes a catch  165 , such as a curve or abutment at the end of the prong  162 , 163 , for gripping the pivot  157 . In exemplary embodiments, the back of the receiver barrel  164  is flush with the bottom surface  145  of the groove  126 , and the pivot receiver  159  does not protrude beyond the outer surface  128  from within the groove  126  (as shown in  FIG. 19 , for example). Such feature(s) enhance the ergonomics of the handle  114  by not having the hinge connector  154  protrude from the groove. 
     Similarly to the above-described handle  14 , the groove  126  of the handle  114  has a shape that corresponds to a shape of the hanger portion  132  of the hanger  112 , and the hanger  112  is configured to be flush with the outer surface  128  of the handle  114  when in the retracted and stowed position. Also similarly to the above-described handle  14 , the hanger  112  and groove  126  are disposed on the front side  118  of the handle  114  with the pivot axis  136  generally centrally located and extending in the longitudinal direction. Similarly, the groove  126  and the hanger  112  may extend to the edge  121  of the handle  114  such that a corner  132   c  of the hanger portion  132  (when stowed) is exposed at the edge  121  for improving access of the hanger  112  to the user. The corner  132   c  of the hanger  112  may be contoured to the shape of a curved surface  144  that connects the edge  121  of the handle with the front side  118  of the handle, and the corner  132   c  also may be contoured to the shape of the curved transition  121   a  along the edge  121  between the upper and lower portions of the handle  114 . Such contouring of the hanger  112  provides a continuous flush interface between the outer surface  128  of the handle  114  and the hanger  112 . In addition, the edge  121  of the handle  114  may include an indent  146  below the hanger  112  (when stowed), such as below the corner  132   c  of the hanger  112 , to further provide an access point for enabling the user to deploy the hanger  112 . 
     Also similarly to the above-described handle  14 , the portion of the handle  114  having the groove  126  may be made of a flexible material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer material, and the hanger  112  and/or hinge connector  154  may be made of a rigid material, such as a thermoplastic polymer. Similarly to the handle  14 , the use of the flexible material for the handle  114  may provide several advantages. For example, the resiliency provided by the flexible material may deformably grip the hanger portion  132  via the sidewalls  142 ,  143  when the hanger  112  is stowed to prevent inadvertent deployment of the hanger  112  to the extended position. In addition, the handle  114  (e.g., flexible portion) may be pre-molded with the groove  126  and other features formed therein for minimizing the number of manufacturing steps. 
     Similarly to the handle  14 , in exemplary embodiments the handle  114  may include a head portion  148  and a grip portion  150  that at least partially overlies the head portion  148 . The grip portion  150  may be made of the relatively soft, flexible material described above, which may be over-molded onto the head portion  148  to secure the grip portion  150  to the head portion  148 . As shown, the head portion  148  and/or grip portion  150  may be substantially similar to the above-described head portion  48  and grip portion  50 , and consequently the same reference numerals are used to refer to similar structures between the head portions  48 ,  148  and grip portions  50 ,  150 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, the head portion  148  of the handle  114  has the second hinge part  158  of the hinge connector  154  (e.g., pivot receiver  159 ), in which the head portion  148  extends inwardly through the grip portion  150  such that this second hinge part  158  is exposed within the surface groove  126  of the handle  114 . More particularly, the grip portion  150  may be over-molded onto the head portion  148  to secure the grip portion  150  onto the head portion  148  (as discussed above), but is over-molded around the second hinge part  158  and with the groove  126  formed therein to provide the exposed hinge part  158  of the hinge connector  154 . As shown in the illustrated embodiment, particularly with reference to  FIGS. 25-27 , the second hinge part  158  (e.g., snap-in receiver  159 ) is integral with the web portion  148   h  of the head portion  148  that extends from the end wall  148   g . As noted above, it is understood that although the head portion  148  is shown having the pivot receiver  159  (e.g., resilient snap-in receiver), in other embodiments the head portion  148  may include the pivot  157 , such as a pivot rod, that is received with a pivot receiver  159  (e.g., snap-in receiver) of the hanger  112 . 
     The exemplary paint brush  114  provides one or more of the following advantages. The hinge connector  154  provides a simple assembly process in which the first hinge part  156  (e.g., pivot  157 ) of the hanger  112  may be connected with the second hinge part  158  (e.g., pivot receiver  159 ) disposed within the groove  126  of the handle  114 . More particularly, the groove  126  may be pre-molded into the handle  114  (e.g., flexible grip portion  150 ) with the second hinge part  158  (e.g. pivot receiver  159 ) connected to the head portion  148  and already accessible within the groove  126  for connection to the hanger  112 , thereby minimizing machining and assembly time. The grip portion  150  may be made of a flexible material, which may improve the grip on the hanger  112  to maintain the hanger  112  in the retracted (stowed) position. The hanger portion  132  (when stowed) may extend to the edge  121  of the handle  114  to improve accessibility to the user, and an indent  146  may be provided below the stowed hanger  112  to provide an access point to deploy the hanger  112  with only one hand. When in the stowed position, the hanger  112  may be flush with the outer surface  128  of the handle  114  (e.g., flexible grip portion  150 ), and also may have contoured surfaces, such as at the corner  132   c , to provide a continuous flush surface, thereby enhancing the ergonomic design. 
       FIGS. 28-42  show another exemplary embodiment of a paint brush  210  having an integrated hanger  212 , in which only the handle  214  is shown. The paint brush handle  214  is similar to the above-referenced paint brush handle(s)  14 ,  114 , and consequently the same reference numerals but in the 200-series are used to denote structures corresponding to similar structures in the paint brush handles  14 ,  114 ,  214 . In addition, the foregoing description of the paint brush(es)  10 ,  110  are equally applicable to the paint brush  210 , except as noted below. For example, although the paint brush  210  is not shown with the ferrule or filaments, it is understood that such features of the paint brush  10  may be employed with the paint brush  210 . In addition, it is understood that other aspects of the paint brushes  10 ,  110 ,  210  may be substituted for one another or used in conjunction with one another where applicable. 
     As shown, the exemplary paint brush handle  214  has an outer surface  228  with a groove  226 , and an exemplary hanger  212  operatively connected to the handle  214  with a hinge connector  270 . The hanger  212  is pivotably movable between a retracted position (as shown in  FIGS. 31, 34 and 35 ), and an extended position (as shown in  FIGS. 28-30, 32 and 33 ). In exemplary embodiments, the paint brush  210  includes an integrally-formed hinge assembly  272  having a first linkage part  274  that forms a first loop  275  and a second linkage part  276  that forms a second loop  277 , wherein the first and second loops  275 ,  277  are permanently (non-removably) and pivotably interlinked together. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the hanger  212  includes the first linkage part  274  that forms the first loop  275  of the hinge assembly  272 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment the hanger  212  includes a pivot  280 , such as a pivot rod, that extends between opposing arms  281  at an end portion of the hanger  212  to form the first loop  275  that is linked with the second loop  277  of the second linkage part  276  (as best shown in  46 , for example). In exemplary embodiments, the hanger  212  has a unitary construction, in which the first loop  275  is unitary with a hanger portion  232  of the hanger. Similarly to the above-described hanger(s)  12 ,  112 , the hanger portion  232  of hanger  212  has respective first and second segments  232   a ,  232   b  that form a hook  238  which may be so dimensioned to hang the paint brush on an object such as a paint can, or the like. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the second linkage part  276  of the integrally-formed hinge assembly  272  includes a hinge body  282  that is discrete with respect to the hanger  212  (e.g., first linkage part  274 ). As best shown in  FIG. 36 , for example, the hinge body  282  includes a hinge barrel portion  284  that continuously encompasses the pivot  280  of the hanger  212  to form the second loop  277  that permanently (i.e., non-removably) interlinks with the first loop  275  formed by the hanger  212 . As shown, the hinge body  282  may include a back wall  285  that may serve as stop and/or anchor when the hinge assembly  272  is connected to the handle  214 , as discussed below. The hinge body  282  also may include a side wall  286  that may restrict over-rotation of the hanger  212  when deployed to its extended position. In exemplary embodiments, the hinge body  282  further includes a connector  287 , such as a resilient snap-in connector  287 , for connecting the hinge assembly  272  to the handle  214 , as discussed in further detail below. 
     The integrally-formed hinge assembly  272  may be formed as a single assembled unit by any suitable process, such as an injection molding process or an additive manufacturing process. For example, both the hanger  212  (including the pivot  280  formed by the first loop  275 ) and the hinge body  282  (including the hinge barrel  284  formed by the second loop  277 ) may be together formed by injection molding. In such a process, the hinge body  282  may be injection molded as a first shot thus forming loop  277 , and then via the configuration of the mold tooling, after the first shot has cooled, the hanger  212  may be molded as the second shot thus forming loop  275 , whereby the first and second loops  275 ,  277  are interlinked together directly in the mold during the injection molding process, commonly referred to as an in-mold assembly. Alternatively, the integrally-formed hinge assembly  272  may be formed by a suitable additive manufacturing process, such as fused filament fabrication, powder bed fusion, or the like. In such process(es) as described above, the integrally-formed hinge assembly  272  is molded or additively formed into a single structure, which reduces the need for multiple parts and/or post-machining processes. Moreover, since the hanger  212  and hinge body  282  are permanently interlinked during the process, these components cannot be disassembled from each other without destroying the hinge. This reduces the risk associated with disassembly and losing parts during use of the paint brush  210 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, the integrally-formed hinge assembly  272  is a separate part that is connected to the handle  214  via any suitable connection. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the hinge body  282  includes the resilient snap-in connector  287  which constitutes a first part of the hinge connector  270  for connecting the hinge assembly  272  to a second part  288  of the connector  270  disposed in the handle  214 , which may be any suitable structure. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the second part  288  of the connector  270  is a post  288  that is configured to receive the snap-in connector  287  of the hinge assembly  272 . As shown, the post  288  may be disposed in a deeper portion  289  of the groove  226 , and is spaced apart from surfaces of the groove  226  to enable the snap-in connector  287  to connect with the post  288 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 36 and 37 , the resilient snap-in connector  287  of the hinge body  282  may include opposing first and second prongs  290 ,  291  that form a concave, generally U-shaped, connector. In exemplary embodiments, at least one of the prongs  290 ,  291  is resiliently movable relative to the other prong for connecting to the post  288  or other suitable structure in the handle  214 . In the illustrated embodiment both prongs  290 ,  291  of the snap-in connector  287  are resiliently movable. As shown, one or more of the prongs  290 ,  291  also includes a catch  292 , such as an abutment at the end of the prong, for gripping the post  288  or other suitable structure in the handle. Also as shown, one or more of the prongs  290 ,  291  may have a tapered surface  293  which is configured to interface with the post  288  (which also may have tapered surfaces  294 ) to facilitate insertion of the snap-in connector  287  onto the post  288 . It is understood that although the hinge assembly  272  may be connected to the handle  214  in this manner, in other exemplary embodiments the integrally-formed hinge assembly  272  may be provided directly as part of the handle  214  by suitable techniques (e.g., additive manufacturing or injection molding), in which the interlinking between the first linkage (hanger  212 ) and second linkage (hinge body  282 ) would constitute the hinge connector  270 . 
     Similarly to the above-described handles  14 ,  114 , the groove  226  of the handle  214  has a shape that corresponds to a shape of the hanger portion  232  of the hanger  212 , and the hanger  212  is configured to be flush with the outer surface  228  of the handle  214  when in the retracted and stowed position. Also similarly to the above-described handles  14 ,  114 , the hanger  212  and groove  226  are disposed on the front side  218  of the handle  214  with the pivot axis  236  generally centrally located and extending in the longitudinal direction. Similarly, the groove  226  and the hanger  212  may extend to the edge  221  of the handle  214  such that a corner  232   c  of the hanger portion  232  (when stowed) is exposed at the edge  221  for improving access of the hanger  212  to the user. The corner  232   c  of the hanger  212  may be contoured to the shape of a curved surface  244  that connects the edge  221  of the handle with the front side  218  of the handle, and the corner  232   c  also may be contoured to the shape of the curved transition  221   a  along the edge  221  between the upper and lower portions of the handle  214 . Such contouring of the hanger  212  provides a continuous flush interface between the outer surface  228  of the handle  214  and the hanger  212 . Likewise, the hinge assembly  272  including the hinge body  282  may be configured to not protrude beyond the outer surface  228  of the handle  214  to enhance the ergonomics of the design. In addition, the edge  221  of the handle  214  may include an indent  246  below the hanger  212  (when stowed), such as below the corner  232   c  of the hanger  212 , to further provide an access point for enabling the user to deploy the hanger  212 . 
     Also similarly to the above-described handles  14 ,  114 , the portion of the handle  214  having the groove  226  may be made of a flexible material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer material, and the hanger  212  and/or hinge body  282  may be made of a rigid material, such as a thermoplastic polymer. Similarly to the handles  14 ,  114 , the use of the flexible material for the handle  214  may provide several advantages. For example, the resiliency provided by the flexible material may deformably grip the hanger portion  232  via the sidewalls  242 ,  243  when the hanger  212  is stowed to prevent inadvertent deployment of the hanger  212  to the extended position. In addition, the handle  214  (e.g., flexible portion) may be pre-molded with the groove  226  and other features formed therein for minimizing the number of manufacturing steps. 
     Similarly to the handles  14 ,  114 , in exemplary embodiments the handle  214  may include a head portion  248  and a grip portion  250  that at least partially overlies the head portion  248 . The grip portion  250  may be made of the relatively soft, flexible material described above, which may be over-molded onto the head portion  248  to secure the grip portion  250  to the head portion  248 . As shown, the head portion  248  and/or grip portion  250  may be substantially similar to the above-described head portion  48 ,  148  and grip portion  50 , 150 , and consequently the same reference numerals are used to refer to similar structures between the head portions  48 ,  148 ,  248  and grip portions  50 ,  150 ,  250 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, the head portion  248  of the handle  214  has the second part  288  of the connector  270  (e.g., post  288  or other suitable structure) for connecting the integrally-formed hinge assembly  272  to the handle  214 . As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the head portion  248  may extend inwardly through the grip portion  250  such that the connector second part  288  (e.g., post  288 ) is exposed within the groove  226  of the handle  214 . More particularly, the grip portion  250  may be over-molded onto the head portion  248  to secure the grip portion  250  onto the head portion  248  (as discussed above), but is over-molded around the post  288  and with the groove  226  formed therein to provide the exposed second part (e.g., post  288 ) of the hinge connector  270 . As discussed above, the groove  226  may be pre-molded with a deeper portion  289  to provide spacing around the post  288 , thereby enabling insertion of the prongs  290 ,  291  of the hinge assembly  272 . As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connector second part (e.g., post  288 ) is integral with the web portion  248   h  of the head portion  248  via a main support structure  295 . In exemplary embodiments, the post  288  is spaced apart from the main support structure  295  such that the prongs  290 ,  291  of the snap-in connector  287  may better grip and secure onto the post  288 . It is understood that although the integrally-formed hinge assembly  272  is shown having the resilient snap-in connector  287 , in other embodiments the head portion  248  may include the snap-in connector  287  for receiving a post  288  or other suitable structure of the integrally-formed hinge assembly  272 . 
     The exemplary paint brush  210  provides one or more of the following advantages. The integrally-formed hinge assembly  272  provides a more secure pivotable connection for the hanger  212  which cannot be disassembled without destroying the hinge assembly  272 . In addition, the integrally-formed hinge assembly  272  may be connected to the handle via a simple assembly process in which the connector first part (e.g., snap-in connector  287 ) of the hinge-assembly  272  may be connected with the connector second part (e.g., post  288  or other suitable structure) disposed within the groove  226  of the handle  214 . More particularly, the groove  226  may be pre-molded into the handle  214  (e.g., flexible grip portion  250 ) with the connector second part (e.g. post  288 ) already accessible for connection to the integrally-formed hinge assembly  272  via snap-in connector  287 , thereby minimizing machining and assembly time. The handle  214  (e.g., grip portion  250 ) may be made of a flexible material, which may improve the grip on the hanger  212  to maintain the hanger  212  in the retracted (stowed) position. The hanger portion  232  (when stowed) may extend to the edge  221  of the handle  214  to improve accessibility to the user, and an indent  246  may be provided below the stowed hanger  212  to provide an access point to deploy the hanger  212  with only one hand. When in the stowed position, the hanger  212  may be flush with the outer surface  228  of the handle  214  (e.g., flexible grip portion  250 ), and also may have contoured surfaces, such as at the corner  232   c , to provide a continuous flush surface, thereby enhancing the ergonomic design. 
       FIGS. 43-56  show another exemplary embodiment of a paint brush  310 , or components thereof. Similarly to the foregoing embodiments, the paint brush  310  includes an integrated hanger  312  that is hinged to the handle  314  for pivotable movement of the hanger  312  between retracted and stowed positions. In the figures, only the handle  314  with the hanger  312  of the paint brush  310  is shown. The handle  314  is similar to the above-referenced paint brush handle(s)  14 ,  114 ,  214  and consequently the same reference numerals but in the 300-series are used to denote structures corresponding to similar structures in the paint brush handles  14 ,  114 ,  214 . In addition, the foregoing description of the paint brush  10 ,  110 ,  210  is equally applicable to the paint brush  310 , except as noted below. For example, although the paint brush  310  is not shown with the ferrule or filaments, it is understood that such features of the paint brush  10  may be employed with the paint brush  310 . In addition, it is understood that other aspects of the paint brushes  10 ,  110 ,  210 ,  310  may be substituted for one another or used in conjunction with one another where applicable. 
     As shown, the exemplary paint brush handle  314  has an outer surface  328  with a groove  326 , and an exemplary hanger  312  hinged to the handle  314  with a hinge connector  354  for providing pivotable movement of the hanger  312  between a retracted position (as shown in  FIGS. 45, 47, 48  for example), and an extended position (e.g.,  FIGS. 62A-62H , described below). In exemplary embodiments, the hinge connector  354  includes a first hinge part  356  having a pivot  357 , and second and third hinge parts  358 ,  366  that cooperate with each other to pivotably secure the first hinge part  356  to the handle  314 , such that the hanger  312  is pivotably movable between the retracted and extended positions. 
     As shown in the illustrated embodiment, particularly with reference to  FIGS. 54-56 , the pivot  357  is formed as a pivot rod that extends between opposing arms  360  at an end portion of the hanger  312  to form a loop that is pivotable interlinked between the second hinge part  358  and the third hinge part  366  (as shown in  FIG. 45 , for example). In exemplary embodiments the hanger  312  has a unitary construction, in which the pivot  357  is unitary with a hanger portion  332  of the hanger  312 . Similarly to the above-described hanger(s)  12 ,  112 ,  212  the hanger portion  332  of hanger  312  includes respective first and second segments  332   a ,  332   b  that form a hook  338  which may be so dimensioned to hang the paint brush on an object such as a paint can, or the like. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the second hinge part  358  includes at least one receiver  367  that is configured to receive at least one portion of the third hinge part  366  to pivotably secure the pivot  357  of the hanger  312  to the handle  314 . In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one receiver is configured as a socket  367 , and the at least one portion of the third hinge part  366  received by the socket  367  is configured as at least one pin  368 . As shown, the first hinge part  358  includes a pair of laterally spaced apart sockets  367  that open to a mounting face  369  of the second hinge part  358  for receiving corresponding laterally spaced apart pins  368 . As shown, the pins  368  extend from a cross-member portion  371  of the third hinge part  366 , in which the cross-member portion  371  may mate with the mounting face  369  of the second hinge part  358 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cross-member portion  371  includes a lateral portion  371   b . The lateral portion  371   b  has a width that spans between the opposing arms  360  of the first hinge part  356  to permit pivotable movement of the hanger  312  relative to the third hinge part  366 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver(s)  367  (e.g., sockets  367 ) of the second hinge part  358  receive and secure the portion(s) (e.g. the pins  368 ) of the third hinge part  366  with a friction fit. For example, the pins  368  may be slightly oversized relative to the sockets  367  such that the pins  368  and/or sockets  367  slightly deform (e.g., either with elastic or plastic deformation) to frictionally and/or resiliently engage each other with sufficient force to hold the third hinge part  366  to the second hinge part  358 . In this manner, the third hinge part  366  may be press-fit into second hinge part  358 . In exemplary embodiments, the sockets  367  have a polygonal-shaped cross-section, such as a hexagonal shaped cross-section, that receive pins  368  with a round cross-section. Such hexagonal-shaped sockets  367  may be easier to displace (deform) and frictionally hold the pins  368  compared to round sockets with round pins. The second hinge part  358  and the third hinge part  366  may be made of the same material (e.g., polypropylene), or one of the hinge parts  358 ,  366  may be made of a more resilient material to facilitate insertion and holding of the hinge parts  358 ,  366  together. It is understood that although in the illustrated embodiment, the second hinge part  358  has the receiver(s) (e.g., sockets  367 ) for receiving portion(s) (e.g., pins  368 ) of the third hinge part  366 , that in alternative embodiments the third hinge part  366  could have the receiver(s) (e.g., sockets) for receiving portion(s) (e.g., pins) of the second hinge part  358 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, the mounting face  369  of the second hinge part  358  is flush with the bottom surface  345  of the groove  326 , and the pin(s)  368  are inserted deep enough into the socket(s)  367  such that the third hinge part  366  does not protrude beyond the outer surface  328  of the handle  314  from within the groove  326  (as shown in  FIG. 44  or  FIG. 50 , for example). Such feature(s) enhance the ergonomics of the handle  314  by not having the hinge connector  354  protrude from the groove. As shown, the mounting face  369  of the second hinge part  358  may have a curved, generally U-shaped recess  378  that may receive a portion of the pivot  357 . The cross-member portion  371  also may have a U-shaped recess  379  for receiving a portion of pivot  357 . Such U-shaped features may further facilitate the flushness and ergonomics of the design while further facilitating the pivoting function of the hanger  312 . 
     Similarly to the above-described handle(s)  14 ,  114 ,  214 , the groove  326  of the handle  314  has a shape that corresponds to a shape of the hanger portion  332  of the hanger  312 , and the hanger  312  may be configured to be flush with the outer surface  328  of the handle  314  when in the retracted and stowed position. Also similarly to the above-described handle(s)  14 ,  114 ,  214 , the hanger  312  and groove  326  are disposed on the front side  118  of the handle  114  with the pivot axis  336  generally centrally located and extending in the longitudinal direction. Similarly, the groove  326  and the hanger  312  may extend to the edge  321  of the handle  314  such that a corner  332   c  of the hanger portion  332  (when stowed) is exposed at the edge  321  for improving access of the hanger  312  to the user. The corner  332   c  of the hanger  312  may be contoured to the shape of a curved surface  344  that connects the edge  321  of the handle with the front side  318  of the handle. The corner  332   c  also may be contoured to the shape of the curved transition  321   a  along the edge  321  between the upper and lower portions of the handle  314 . Such contouring of the hanger  312  provides a continuous flush interface between the outer surface  328  of the handle  314  and the hanger  312 . In addition, the edge  321  of the handle  314  may include an indent  346  below the hanger  312  (when stowed), such as below the corner  332   c  of the hanger  312 , to further provide an access point for enabling the user to deploy the hanger  312 . 
     Also similarly to the above-described handle(s)  14 ,  114 ,  214 , the portion of the handle  314  having the groove  326  may be made of a flexible material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer material, and the hanger  312  and/or hinge connector  354  may be made of a rigid material, such as a thermoplastic polymer. Similarly to the handle(s)  14 ,  114 ,  214 , the use of the flexible material for the handle  314  may provide several advantages. For example, the resiliency provided by the flexible material may deformably grip the hanger portion  332  via the sidewalls  342 ,  343  when the hanger  312  is stowed to prevent inadvertent deployment of the hanger  312  to the extended position. In addition, the handle  314  (e.g., flexible portion) may be pre-molded with the groove  326  and other features formed therein for minimizing the number of manufacturing steps. 
     Similarly to the handle(s)  14 ,  114 ,  214 , in exemplary embodiments the handle  314  may include a head portion  348  and a grip portion  350  that at least partially overlies the head portion  348 . The grip portion  350  may be made of the relatively soft, flexible material described above, which may be over-molded onto the head portion  348  to secure the grip portion  350  to the head portion  348 . As shown, the head portion  348  and/or grip portion  350  may be substantially similar to the above-described head portion(s)  48 ,  148 ,  248  and grip portion(s)  50 ,  150 ,  250 , and consequently the same reference numerals are used to refer to similar structures between the head portions  48 ,  148 ,  248 ,  348  and grip portions  50 ,  150 ,  250 ,  350 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, the head portion  348  of the handle  314  has the second hinge part  358  of the hinge connector  354 , in which the head portion  348  extends inwardly through the grip portion  350  such that this second hinge part  358  is exposed within the surface groove  326  of the handle  314 . More particularly, the grip portion  350  may be over-molded onto the head portion  348  to secure the grip portion  350  onto the head portion  348  (as discussed above). The grip portion  350  may be over-molded around the second hinge part  358  and with the groove  326  formed therein to provide the exposed second hinge part  358  of the hinge connector  354 . As shown in the illustrated embodiment, particularly with reference to  FIG. 50 , the second hinge part  358  (e.g., having the receivers  159 ) may be integral with the web portion  348   h  of the head portion  348 . 
     Also shown in the illustrated embodiment, the head portion  348  may have a rearward portion  348   k  that extends through the rear surface of the grip portion  350  opposite the groove  326 . Because the grip portion  350  (e.g., second shot) may be over-molded onto the head portion  348  (e.g., first shot), such a rearward portion  348   k  may help to prevent the head portion material from re-melting and flowing into the groove  326  formed in the grip portion material during the second shot. In other words, the rearward portion  348   k  may help to hold the head portion  348  (e.g., first shot) in the cavity when forming the grip portion  350  (e.g., second shot), thereby enabling more precision in the formation of the hinge connector  354 . 
     The exemplary paint brush  314  provides one or more of the following advantages. The hinge connector  354  provides a simple assembly process in which the first hinge part  356  (e.g., pivot  357 ) of the hanger  312  may be connected within the groove  326  via the second hinge part  358  (e.g., having receiver  367 ) and the third hinge part  366  (e.g., having the pin(s)  368 ). More particularly, the groove  326  may be pre-molded into the handle  314  (e.g., flexible grip portion  350 ) with the second hinge part  358  connected to the head portion  348  and already accessible within the groove  326  for connection to the first hinge part (e.g., pivot  357 ) with the third hinge part  366 , thereby minimizing machining and assembly time. The third hinge part  366  may be easily inserted or press-fit into connection with the second hinge part  358  to facilitate such connection of the hanger  312 . The grip portion  350  may be made of a flexible material, which may improve the grip on the hanger  312  to maintain the hanger  312  in the retracted (stowed) position. The hanger portion  332  (when stowed) may extend to the edge  321  of the handle  314  to improve accessibility to the user, and an indent  346  may be provided below the stowed hanger  312  to provide an access point to deploy the hanger  312  with only one hand. When in the stowed position, the hanger  312  may be flush with the outer surface  328  of the handle  314  (e.g., flexible grip portion  350 ), and also may have contoured surfaces, such as at the corner  332   c , to provide a continuous flush surface, thereby enhancing the ergonomic design. 
       FIGS. 57-60  show another exemplary embodiment of a paint brush  410 , or components thereof. Similarly to the foregoing embodiments, the paint brush  410  includes an integrated hanger  412  that is hinged to the handle  414  for pivotable movement of the hanger  412  between retracted and stowed positions. In the figures, only the handle  414  with the hanger  412  of the paint brush  410  is shown. The handle  414  is similar to the above-referenced paint brush handle(s)  14 ,  114 ,  214 ,  314  and consequently the same reference numerals but in the 400-series are used to denote structures corresponding to similar structures in the paint brush handles  14 ,  114 ,  214 ,  314 . In addition, the foregoing description of the paint brush  10 ,  110 ,  210 ,  310  is equally applicable to the paint brush  410 , except as noted below. For example, although the paint brush  410  is not shown with the ferrule or filaments, it is understood that such features of the paint brush  10  or  310  may be employed with the paint brush  410 . In addition, it is understood that other aspects of the paint brushes  10 ,  110 ,  210 ,  310 ,  410  may be substituted for one another or used in conjunction with one another where applicable. 
     As shown, similarly to the paint brushes  10 ,  110 ,  210 , and  310 , the paint brush  410  includes a surface groove  426  in a front side  418  of the handle, in which the groove  426  extends laterally (horizontally) to open to an edge  421  of the handle  414 . The hanger  412  when in the retracted position extends to the edge  421  such that a corner  432   c  of the hanger  412  is exposed at the edge  421  for enabling pivoting of the hanger from the retracted to extended position. The corner  432   c  of the hanger  412  may be contoured to the shape of a curved surface  444  that connects the edge  421  of the handle with the front side  418  of the handle. The corner  432   c  also may be contoured to the shape of the curved transition  421   a  along the edge  421  between the upper and lower portions of the handle  414 . Such contouring of the hanger  412  provides a continuous flush interface between the outer surface of the handle  414  and the hanger  412 . In addition, the edge  421  of the handle  414  may include a recess or indent  446  below the hanger  412  (when stowed), such as below the corner  432   c  of the hanger  412 , to further provide an access point for enabling the user to deploy the hanger  412 . Similarly to the foregoing embodiments of paint brushes  10 - 310 , the recess or indent  446  may be formed by a deeper part of the groove  426 , such that the bottom surface of the indent portion  446  is spaced apart from the corner  432   c  of the hanger  412  when in the retracted position. 
     The paint brush  410  differs from the embodiments illustrated as paint brushes  10 ,  110 ,  210  and  310  in that the surface groove  426  is formed in a body portion  401  of an insert assembly  402  (e.g., cartridge assembly) (shown in  FIGS. 58-60 ) that is inserted into a notch  403  ( FIG. 57 ) in a main body portion  404  of the handle to thereby form the handle  414 . As shown in  FIG. 57 , for example, the notch  403  is formed in the edge portion  421  of the major body portion  404  of the handle  414 . The body portion  401  of the insert assembly  402  is operatively attached within the notch  403  as shown in  FIG. 58 , such as with a press fit, via fasteners, and/or via adhesive such as glue. As shown in  FIG. 59 , the hanger  412  may be placed in the groove  426 , and a cover portion  405  of the insert assembly  402  operatively couples the hanger  412  to the body portion  401 , and thus the handle  414  (as shown in  FIG. 60 ). The cover portion  405  may be inserted into one or more holes, such as hole  407   a  in the main body portion  404  and hole  407   b  in body portion  401 . As shown, the hanger  412  is substantially the same as hanger  312 , including pivot  457  and arms  460 , and thus the coupling of the hanger  412  to the handle  414  may be similar as that described above for brush  310 . As shown, the notch  403  may have tapered and/or recessed surfaces  403   a , which may facilitate the insertion and/or attachment of the insert assembly  402 , including components thereof, into the notch  403 . 
     When installed, the insert assembly  402  preferably has a flush interface with the main body portion  404  of the handle. For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the edge portion  421   a  of the insert assembly  402  flushingly mates with the edge portion  421  of the major body portion  404  of the handle to provide a continuous curved transition from an upper portion of the handle to a lower portion of the handle  414 . In addition, the insert assembly  402  is flush with the front and back sides of the major body portion  404  of the handle. In exemplary embodiments, the major body portion  404  is made of wood and the insert assembly  402 , including body  401 , cover  405 , and hanger  412  is made of a different material, such as plastic. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 61A-61H  and  FIGS. 62A-62H , the exemplary paint brush  310  is shown with the paint brush handle  314 , and more particularly the head portion  348  (hidden from view), operatively coupled to a plurality of bristles  316  via a ferrule  322 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bristles  316  form a tapered edge, but also could form a straight edge or any other suitable edge. Likewise, the ferrule  322  could have a tapered portion or straight portion to match the bristle edge.  FIGS. 61A-61H  show the hanger  312  stowed in the groove  326 .  FIGS. 62A-62H  show the hanger  312  deployed from the groove  326 . 
     In exemplary embodiments,  FIGS. 61A-61H  also show an exemplary ornamental design for a paint brush, or paint brush handle, as shown and described herein.  FIG. 61A  is a top, right front perspective view of the paint brush showing the new design;  FIG. 61B  is a bottom, right, front perspective view thereof;  FIG. 61C  is a top plan view thereof;  FIG. 61D  is a bottom plan view thereof;  FIG. 61E  is a front elevation view thereof;  FIG. 61F  is a rear elevation view thereof;  FIG. 61G  is a left side elevation view thereof;  FIG. 61H  is a right side elevation view thereof. The broken line showing in  FIGS. 61A-61H  is for the purpose of illustrating portions of the paint brush that are presently not intended to form of part of the ornamental design. It is understood that in  FIGS. 61A-61H , one or more portions of the paint brush  310  generally, and more particularly the handle  314 , hanger  312 , bristles  316  and/or ferrule  322  may or may not be intended to form a part of the ornamental design. 
     In exemplary embodiments,  FIGS. 62A-62H  also show an exemplary ornamental design for a paint brush, or paint brush handle, as shown and described herein.  FIG. 62A  is a top, right front perspective view of the paint brush showing the new design;  FIG. 62B  is a bottom, right, front perspective view thereof;  FIG. 62C  is a top plan view thereof;  FIG. 62D  is a bottom plan view thereof;  FIG. 62E  is a front elevation view thereof;  FIG. 62F  is a rear elevation view thereof;  FIG. 62G  is a left side elevation view thereof;  FIG. 62H  is a right side elevation view thereof. The broken line showing in  FIGS. 62A-62H  is for the purpose of illustrating portions of the paint brush that are presently not intended to form of part of the ornamental design. It is understood that in  FIGS. 62A-62H , one or more portions of the paint brush  310  generally, and more particularly the handle  314 , hanger  312 , bristles  316  and/or ferrule  322  may or may not be intended to form a part of the ornamental design. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 63A-63D , another exemplary ornamental design for a paint brush, or paint brush handle, is shown and described herein.  FIG. 63A  is a bottom, right, front perspective view of the paint brush showing the new design;  FIG. 62B  is a front elevation view thereof;  FIG. 63C  is a right side elevation view thereof;  FIG. 63D  is a top plan view thereof. The dot-dash broken line showing in  FIGS. 63A-63D  is for the purpose of illustrating an imaginary boundary line of the paint brush or paint brush handle. The other broken line showing in  FIGS. 63A-63D  is for the purpose of illustrating portions of the paint brush that are presently not intended to form of part of the ornamental design. It is understood that in the illustrated embodiment, the left side view, the rear view and the bottom view are entirely in broken line and thus not shown. It is also understood that the paint brush (or components thereof) shown in  FIGS. 63A-63D  is the same as the paint brush (or components thereof) shown in  FIGS. 61A-61H  and  FIGS. 43-56  and therefore these views may be combined with each other or derived from each other for further understanding as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art. Specifically, the ornamental design shown in  FIGS. 63A-63D  may include bristles  316  and/or ferrule  322  (as shown in  FIGS. 61A-61H , for example), which said bristles  316  and/or ferrule  322  may or may not be intended to form a part of the ornamental design. In addition, the location of the dot-dash imaginary boundary and corresponding portions that are, or are not, presently intended to form a part of the ornamental design may be applied to any of the embodiments shown and described in the present disclosure. 
     Generally, it is understood that  FIGS. 43-56 ,  FIGS. 61A-61H ,  FIGS. 62A-62H , and/or  FIGS. 63A-63D  may be combined in any manner to form an ornamental design for a paint brush or paint brush handle as shown and described herein. It is furthermore understood that although the foregoing ornamental design(s) are shown as having a “right-hand” hanger (i.e., the hanger extending toward the right edge in the illustrated embodiment(s)), the ornamental design(s) according to the foregoing may instead include a “left-hand” hanger in which the hanger would be mirrored about the longitudinal axis of the handle and extend toward the left edge. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 64A-64H ,  FIGS. 65A-65H , and  FIGS. 66A-66H , exemplary packaging  500  is shown for displaying a paint brush with a hinged hanger, such as the paint brushes  10 ,  110 ,  210 ,  310 ,  410 . Other paint brushes with a hinged hanger also could be utilized with display packaging  500 .  FIGS. 64A-64H  show the display packaging in combination with the paint brush in which the hanger  312  is stowed in the groove  326 .  FIGS. 65A-65H  show the display packaging in combination with the paint brush in which the hanger  312  is deployed from the groove  326 .  FIGS. 66A-66H  show the display packaging without the paint brush contained therein. 
     Generally, the display packaging  500  includes sidewalls  502  that enclose a space for containing at least a portion of the paint brush, in which the sidewalls  502  include one or more openings  504  for one or more portions of the paint brush to extend therethrough. As shown, the packaging  500  may include at least one of front, back, left, right, top and bottom sidewalls  502  to form at least a portion of a box that encloses the space containing at least a portion of the paint brush (shown with paint brush  310  in the illustrated embodiment). In exemplary embodiments, the bottom sidewall  502   c  or top sidewall  502   b  may be formed as a flap for opening the box to remove the paint brush  310 . The packaging  500  also may include a tab portion (not shown) with a hole for hanging the combined packaging  500  and paint brush  310  on a display rack. 
     As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the packaging  500  includes a first opening  504   a  in front sidewall  502   a . The first opening  504   a  is configured to permit at least a portion of the hanger  312  to extend therethrough when the hanger is deployed to its extended position. In the illustrated embodiment, the first opening  504   a  is configured as a notch in the front sidewall  502   a  of the packaging  500 . The notch  504   a  has an edge that corresponds with the hook portion of the hanger  312 . As shown, the first opening  504   a  may extend to top sidewall  502   b  of the packaging to permit an upper portion of the handle  314  to extend therethrough. It is understood, however that separate openings could be provided for the hanger  312  and handle  314 . The opening(s)  504  are bounded by portions of the respective sidewall  502  on which the opening is located. 
     In exemplary embodiments,  FIGS. 64A-64H  also show an exemplary ornamental design for a combination display packaging and paint brush as shown and described herein.  FIG. 64A  is a top, right front perspective view of the paint brush showing the new design;  FIG. 64B  is a bottom, right, front perspective view thereof;  FIG. 64C  is a top plan view thereof;  FIG. 64D  is a bottom plan view thereof;  FIG. 64E  is a front elevation view thereof;  FIG. 64F  is a rear elevation view thereof;  FIG. 64G  is a left side elevation view thereof;  FIG. 64H  is a right side elevation view thereof. It is understood that in  FIGS. 64A-64H , one or more portions of the display packaging  500  and/or paint brush  310  generally, and more particularly the handle  314 , hanger  312 , bristles  316  and/or ferrule  322 , may or may not be intended to form a part of the ornamental design. 
     In exemplary embodiments,  FIGS. 65A-65H  also show an exemplary ornamental design for a combination display packaging and paint brush as shown and described herein.  FIG. 65A  is a top, right front perspective view of the paint brush showing the new design;  FIG. 65B  is a bottom, right, front perspective view thereof;  FIG. 65C  is a top plan view thereof;  FIG. 64D  is a bottom plan view thereof;  FIG. 65E  is a front elevation view thereof;  FIG. 65F  is a rear elevation view thereof;  FIG. 65G  is a left side elevation view thereof;  FIG. 65H  is a right side elevation view thereof. It is understood that in  FIGS. 65A-65H , one or more portions of the display packaging  500  and/or paint brush  310  generally, and more particularly the handle  314 , hanger  312 , bristles  316  and/or ferrule  322 , may or may not be intended to form a part of the ornamental design. 
     In exemplary embodiments,  FIGS. 66A-66H  also show an exemplary ornamental design for display packaging as shown and described herein.  FIG. 66A  is a top, right front perspective view of the paint brush showing the new design;  FIG. 66B  is a bottom, right, front perspective view thereof;  FIG. 66C  is a top plan view thereof;  FIG. 66D  is a bottom plan view thereof;  FIG. 66E  is a front elevation view thereof;  FIG. 66F  is a rear elevation view thereof;  FIG. 66G  is a left side elevation view thereof;  FIG. 66H  is a right side elevation view thereof. It is understood that in  FIGS. 66A-66H , one or more portions of the display packaging  500  may or may not be intended to form a part of the ornamental design. 
     A paint brush has been described herein, having a handle with an integrated hanger that is pivotably movable between a retracted position for stowing the hanger within a groove of the handle, and an extended position for extending the hanger outwardly from the groove to hang the paint brush on an object. When stowed in the retracted position the hanger may be flush with an outer surface of the handle to enhance the ergonomic design. The hanger and groove may be configured to enable ease of deployment of the hanger from the retracted to extended position simply with a one-handed operation. The portion of the handle having the groove may be made of a flexible material which may better secure the hanger in the groove when stowed and/or may facilitate installation of the hanger. The handle may include a grip portion having the flexible material which is over-molded onto a rigid head portion. 
     According to an aspect, a paint brush includes: a handle having a flexible portion having a groove; bristles operatively attached to the handle; and a hanger hinged to the handle for pivotable movement between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the groove, and an extended position for extending the hanger from the groove for hanging the paint brush from an object; wherein the hanger has a hanger portion and a journal that is unitary with the hanger portion; wherein the flexible portion has a socket that opens to a sidewall of the groove, and wherein the journal of the hanger is received and pivotably retained in the socket to enable the hanger to move between the retracted and extended positions; and wherein the flexible portion of the handle has sufficient flexibility to enable the groove to be spread apart for inserting the journal of the hanger into the socket through the sidewall of the groove. 
     Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following or foregoing additional features, alone or in any combination. 
     In some embodiments, an outer surface of the flexible portion juxtaposed to the groove includes a continuous outer surface that continuously extends along at least a portion of the groove. 
     In some embodiments, the socket is inwardly spaced apart from the continuous outer surface and opens to the sidewall of the groove at a depth below the continuous outer surface. 
     In some embodiments, the groove has a shape that corresponds to a shape of the hanger portion of the hanger, such that when the hanger is pivotably moved to the retracted position, the hanger portion is stowed within the grove and is flush with an outer surface of the flexible portion having the groove. 
     In some embodiments, the hanger portion includes a first segment that extends in a direction transverse to the journal, and the hanger portion includes a second segment that extends transverse to the first segment to form a hook. 
     In some embodiments, the recessed groove includes a first groove segment that is configured to receive the first segment of the hanger portion, and includes a second groove segment that is transverse to the first groove segment and is configured to receive the second segment of the hanger portion. 
     In some embodiments, the socket is a first socket and the sidewall of the groove is a first sidewall. 
     In some embodiments, the handle includes a second socket that opens to a second sidewall of the groove that opposes the first sidewall, the second socket opposing the first socket. 
     In some embodiments, the journal of the hanger is a first journal, the hanger having a second journal opposite the first journal, the second journal being received and pivotably secured in second socket. 
     In some embodiments, the groove opens to an edge of the handle, and the hanger portion when in the retracted position extends to the edge such that a corner of the hanger portion is accessible at the edge for enabling pivoting of the hanger from the retracted to extended position. 
     In some embodiments, the edge of the handle has an indent portion having a bottom surface that is formed by a deeper part of the groove, such that the bottom surface of the indent portion is spaced apart from the hanger portion when in the retracted position. In some embodiments, a curved surface connects the edge of handle to a front side of the handle having the groove. 
     In some embodiments, the corner of the hanger portion is contoured to the curved surface of the handle the such that corner of hanger is flush with the curved surface when the hanger is in the retracted position. 
     In some embodiments, the flexible portion is made of an elastomer material and the hanger is made of a rigid polymer material. 
     In some embodiments, the handle includes a head portion and a grip portion at least partially overlying the head portion. 
     In some embodiments, the grip portion includes the flexible portion of the handle having the groove. 
     In some embodiments, the socket and groove are pre-molded into the grip portion. 
     In some embodiments, the head portion is made of a rigid polymer, and wherein the bristles are attached to the head portion with a ferrule. 
     According to another aspect, a paint brush includes: a handle having a surface groove; bristles operatively attached to the handle; and a hanger hinged to the handle with a hinge connector for pivotable movement between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the surface groove and an extended position for extending the hanger from the surface groove for hanging the paint brush from an object; wherein a first hinge part of the hinge connector includes a resilient snap-in receiver, and wherein a second hinge part of the hinge connector includes a pivot that is received and pivotably retained in the snap-in receiver such that the hanger is pivotably movable between the retracted and extended positions. 
     Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following or foregoing additional features, alone or in any combination. 
     In some embodiments, the hanger has the pivot and the handle has the snap-in receiver. 
     In some embodiments, the pivot is formed as a pivot rod that extends between opposing arms at an end portion of the hanger to form a loop that is received by the snap-in receiver. 
     In some embodiments, the snap-in receiver includes opposing first and second prongs, and at least one of the first and second prongs is resiliently movable relative to the other prong. 
     In some embodiments, the handle includes a head portion and a grip portion at least partially overlying the head portion; the head portion includes the snap-in receiver; and wherein the head portion extends inwardly through the grip portion such that the snap-in receiver is exposed in the surface groove. 
     According to another aspect, a paint brush includes: a handle having a head portion and a grip portion that at least partially overlies the head portion, the grip portion having a surface groove; bristles operatively attached to the head portion of the handle; and a hanger hinged to the handle with a hinge connector for pivotable movement between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the surface groove and an extended position for extending the hanger from the surface groove for hanging the paint brush from an object; wherein the head portion has a first hinge part of the hinge connector, the head portion extending inwardly through the grip portion such that the first hinge part is exposed in the surface groove; and wherein the hanger has a second hinge part of the hinge connector, the second hinge part of the hanger being received and pivotably secured to the first hinge part of the head portion such that the hanger is pivotably movable between the retracted and extended positions. 
     Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following or foregoing additional features, alone or in any combination. 
     In some embodiments, the first hinge part of the head portion includes a resilient snap-in receiver, and wherein the second hinge part of the hanger includes a pivot that is received and pivotably retained by the snap-in receiver. 
     According to another aspect, a paint brush includes: a handle having a surface groove; bristles operatively attached to the handle; and a hanger hinged to the handle for pivotable movement between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the surface groove and an extended position for extending the hanger from the surface groove for hanging the paint brush from an object; wherein the paint brush includes an integrally-formed and permanently-linked hinge assembly having a first linkage part that forms a first loop and a second linkage part that forms a second loop, wherein the first and second loops are non-removably and pivotably interlinked together, wherein the hanger includes the first linkage part that forms the first loop, and wherein the hinge assembly includes a hinge body having the second linkage part that forms the second loop, the hinge body and the hanger being pivotably interlinked together by the respective first and second loops such that the hanger is pivotably movable relative to the hinge body between the retracted and extended positions. 
     Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following or foregoing additional features, alone or in any combination. 
     In some embodiments, the hinge body is discrete with respect to the hanger. 
     In some embodiments, the hanger includes a pivot, and wherein the hinge body includes a hinge barrel portion that continuously encompasses the pivot. 
     In some embodiments, the integrally-formed hinge assembly is made by additive manufacturing or injection molding. 
     In some embodiments, the handle includes a head portion and a grip portion at least partially overlying the head portion; wherein the head portion includes a post that forms one part of a hinge connector for connecting the integrally-formed hinge assembly to the handle; wherein the integrally-formed hinge assembly includes a second part of the hinge connector, the hinge assembly having a resilient snap-in connector that couples to the post to secure the hinge assembly to the handle. 
     According to another aspect, a paint brush includes: a handle having a head portion and a grip portion that at least partially overlies the head portion, the grip portion having a surface groove; and a hanger hinged to the handle such that the hanger is pivotably movable between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the surface groove and an extended position for extending the hanger from the surface groove for hanging the paint brush from an object. 
     Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following or foregoing additional features, alone or in any combination. 
     In some embodiments, the head portion extends inwardly through the grip portion such that a part of the head portion is exposed in the surface groove; and wherein the hanger is operatively coupled to the part of the head portion exposed in the surface groove, such that the hanger is pivotably movable between the retracted position and the extended position. 
     In some embodiments, the head portion has a first hinge part of the hinge connector, the head portion extending inwardly through the grip portion such that the first hinge part is exposed in the surface groove; and wherein the hanger has a second hinge part of the hinge connector, the second hinge part being pivotably secured to the first hinge part with a third hinge part of the hinge connector, such that the hanger is pivotably movable between the retracted and extended positions. 
     In some embodiments, the second hinge part includes a pivot operatively coupled to a hook portion of the hanger; wherein the first hinge part includes at least one receiver; and wherein at least one portion of the third hinge part is received by the at least one receiver of the second hinge part to pivotably secure the hanger on the handle. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one receiver includes a socket, and wherein the at least one portion of the third hinge part includes a pin that is received in the socket. 
     In some embodiments, the pin is frictionally secured in the socket. 
     In some embodiments, the socket has a polygonal cross-section and the pin has a round cross-section. 
     In some embodiments, the pivot is formed as a pivot rod that extends between opposing arms at an end portion of the hanger to form a loop that is pivotably interlinked between the first hinge part and the third hinge part. 
     In some embodiments, the third hinge part includes a pair of pins laterally spaced apart and extending from a cross-member portion of the third hinge part; and wherein the first hinge part includes a pair of sockets laterally spaced apart and configured to receive the pair of pins. 
     In some embodiments, the cross-member portion includes an enlarged portion that is sized to engage sidewalls of the surface groove, and a narrow portion that is sized to fit between the opposing arms of the hanger. 
     In some embodiments, first hinge part includes a mounting face that is flush with a bottom surface of the surface groove. 
     In some embodiments, the surface groove has a shape that corresponds to a shape of a hanger portion of the hanger, such that when the hanger is pivotably moved to the retracted position, the hanger portion is stowed within the surface grove and is flush with an outer surface of the handle having the surface groove. 
     In some embodiments, the hanger portion includes a first segment that extends in a direction transverse to a pivot axis of the pivot, and the hanger portion includes a second segment that extends transverse to the first segment to form a hook. 
     In some embodiments, the surface groove includes a first groove segment that is configured to receive the first segment of the hanger portion, and includes a second groove segment that is transverse to the first groove segment and is configured to receive the second segment of the hanger portion. 
     In some embodiments, the surface groove opens to an edge of the handle, and the hanger portion when in the retracted position extends to the edge such that a corner of the hanger portion is accessible at the edge for enabling pivoting of the hanger from the retracted to extended position. 
     In some embodiments, the edge of the handle has an indent portion having a bottom surface that is formed by a deeper part of the surface groove, such that the bottom surface of the indent portion is spaced apart from the hanger portion when in the retracted position. 
     In some embodiments, a curved surface connects the edge of the handle to a front side of the handle having the groove, and wherein the corner of the hanger portion is contoured to the curved surface of the handle the such that corner of hanger is flush with the curved surface when the hanger is in the retracted position. 
     In some embodiments, the grip portion is made of a flexible material, such as an elastomer material, and the head portion is made of a rigid polymer material. 
     In some embodiments, the surface groove is pre-molded into the grip portion. 
     In some embodiments, the head portion is made of a rigid polymer, and wherein bristles are attached to the head portion with a ferrule. 
     According to another aspect, a paint brush includes: a handle having a head portion and a grip portion that at least partially overlies the head portion, the grip portion having a surface groove; bristles operatively attached to the head portion of the handle; and a hanger hinged to the handle with a hinge connector for pivotable movement between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the surface groove and an extended position for extending the hanger from the surface groove for hanging the paint brush from an object; wherein the head portion has at least a first portion or part of the hinge connector, the head portion extending inwardly through the grip portion such that the first portion or part of the hinge connector is exposed in the surface groove; and wherein the hanger is pivotably secured to the handle via at least the first portion or part of the hinge connector, such that the hanger is pivotably movable between the retracted and extended positions. 
     Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following or foregoing additional features, alone or in any combination. 
     In some embodiments, the bristles are operatively attached to the handle with a ferrule. 
     According to another aspect, a paint brush includes: a handle having a surface groove; bristles operatively attached to the handle; and a hanger hinged to the handle for pivotable movement between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the surface groove and an extended position for extending the hanger from the surface groove for hanging the paint brush from an object; wherein the surface groove opens to an edge of the handle, and the hanger when in the retracted position extends to the edge such that a corner of the hanger is exposed at the edge for enabling pivoting of the hanger from the retracted to extended position. 
     Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following or foregoing additional features, alone or in any combination. 
     In some embodiments, the handle has opposite front and rear flat sides with the edge connecting respective portions of the flat sides, the surface groove being in the front flat side and extending laterally to open to the edge. 
     In some embodiments, the edge of the handle has a recessed portion having a bottom surface that is formed by a deeper part of the surface groove, such that the bottom surface of the recessed portion is spaced apart from the corner of the hanger when in the retracted position. 
     In some embodiments, the edge of the handle has a curved transition extending from an upper portion of the handle to a lower portion of the handle; and wherein the corner of the hanger is contoured to the curved transition such that the corner of the hanger is flush with the curved transition when the hanger is in the retracted position. 
     In some embodiments, a curved surface connects the edge of the handle to a front side of the handle having the surface groove, and wherein the corner of the hanger portion is contoured to the curved surface of the handle the such that corner of hanger is flush with the curved surface when the hanger is in the retracted position. 
     In some embodiments, the surface groove is formed in a body portion of an insert assembly that forms a portion of the handle. 
     In some embodiments, the insert assembly is disposed in a notch formed in an edge portion of a major body portion of the handle. 
     In some embodiments, the hanger is hingedly connected to the body portion of the insert assembly with a cover portion of the insert assembly. 
     In some embodiments, the insert assembly has an edge portion that flushingly mates with another edge portion of the major body portion of the handle to provide a continuous curved transition from an upper portion of the handle to a lower portion of the handle. 
     In some embodiments, the insert assembly is flush with the front, back and edge of the major body portion of the handle. 
     In some embodiments, the major body portion is made of wood and the insert assembly is made of a different material, in particular plastic. 
     In some embodiments, the entirety of the hanger is contained within the groove when in the stowed position; and/or wherein an outer face of the hanger is flush with an outer face of the handle. 
     According to another aspect, a method of forming a paint brush handle, includes: providing a handle having a grip portion that at least partially overlies a head portion adapted for operatively coupling to a plurality of bristles; wherein the grip portion includes a surface groove; and operatively connecting a hanger to the handle such that the hanger is hinged to the handle for pivotable movement between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the surface groove and an extended position for extending the hanger from the surface groove for hanging the paint brush from an object. 
     According to another aspect, a method of forming a paint brush handle, includes: forming a surface groove in the handle such that the surface groove opens to an edge of the handle; and operatively connecting a hanger to the handle such that the hanger is hinged to the handle for pivotable movement between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the surface groove and an extended position for extending the hanger from the surface groove for hanging the paint brush from an object, and such that the hanger when in the retracted position extends to the edge such that a corner of the hanger portion is exposed at the edge for enabling pivoting of the hanger from the retracted to extended position. 
     According to another aspect, a method of forming a paint brush handle, includes: providing a main body portion of the handle; forming a notch in an edge of the main body portion; inserting an insert assembly into the notch; wherein the insert assembly includes an insert body having a surface groove, and a hanger hinged to the insert body for pivotable movement between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the surface groove and an extended position for extending the hanger from the surface groove. 
     According to another aspect, a method of forming a paint brush includes any of the foregoing, and further comprising operatively attaching a plurality of bristles to the paint brush handle. 
     According to another aspect, a display packaging is in combination with the paint brush according to any of the foregoing, wherein the display packaging at least partially encloses a portion of the paint brush. 
     Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following or foregoing additional features, alone or in any combination. 
     In some embodiments, the display packaging having one or more openings, in which one or more portions of the paint brush extend therethrough. 
     In some embodiments, the display packaging having a first opening that is configured to permit at least a portion of the hanger to extend therethrough when the hanger is deployed to its extended position. 
     In some embodiments, the first opening is configured as a notch in a front face of the packaging. 
     In some embodiments, the first opening extends to a top of the packaging to permit an upper portion of the handle to extend therethrough. 
     According to another aspect, a display packaging, includes: a box having sidewalls that enclose a space, the box being configured to at least partially contain a paint brush having: a handle and a hanger hinged to the handle; wherein the box includes at least one opening that is configured to permit at least a portion of the hanger to extend therethrough when the hanger is deployed to its extended position. 
     In some embodiments, the display packaging is in combination with the paint brush. 
     According to another aspect, a paint brush handle is provided according to any of the foregoing. 
     Another aspect includes an ornamental design for a paint brush hanger as shown and described with respect to any of  FIGS. 1-63D . 
     Another aspect includes an ornamental design for a paint brush handle as shown and described with respect to any of  FIGS. 1-63D . 
     Another aspect includes an ornamental design for a paint brush as shown and described with respect to any of  FIGS. 1-63D . 
     Another aspect includes an ornamental design for a paint brush, or a paint brush handle, as shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 61A-61H  and/or  FIGS. 62A-62H , in which the broken line showing is for illustrating portions of the paint brush that are not intended to form a part of the claimed design. 
     Another aspect includes an ornamental design for a paint brush, or a paint brush handle, as shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 63A-63D , in which the dot-dash broken line showing is for illustrating an imaginary boundary line, and the other broken line showing is for illustrating portions of the paint brush or paint brush handle that are not intended to form a part of the claimed design. 
     Another aspect includes an ornamental design for a combination display packaging and paint brush as shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 64A-64H  and/or  FIGS. 65A-65H . 
     Another aspect includes an ornamental design for display packaging as shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 66A-66H . 
     Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “front,” “rear” and the like as used in this disclosure should be understood as referring to an arbitrary frame of reference (as shown in  FIG. 1 , for example), rather than to the ordinary gravitational frame of reference. Thus, a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, and a rear surface may extend upwardly, downwardly, diagonally, or horizontally in a gravitational frame of reference. 
     As used herein, an “operative connection,” or a connection by which entities are “operatively connected,” is one in which the entities are connected in such a way that the entities may perform as intended. An operative connection may be a direct connection or an indirect connection in which an intermediate entity or entities cooperate or otherwise are part of the connection or are in between the operatively connected entities. 
     The phrase “and/or” should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified unless clearly indicated to the contrary. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B,” when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A without B (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B without A (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. 
     Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described elements (components, assemblies, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe such elements are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any element which performs the specified function of the described element (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiment or embodiments of the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been described above with respect to only one or more of several illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other embodiments, as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.