Patent Publication Number: US-6213660-B1

Title: Dual brush system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a brush system having a larger brush that contains a smaller brush therein. 
     2. The Prior Art 
     When using a bottle of correction fluid, for example, it may be necessary to use a brush that has a smaller diameter than the brush provided for fine corrections. This is especially necessary when correcting technical drawings and diagrams. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,816,305 to Kravitt discloses a paint brush that contains a smaller brush within it. The smaller brush slides down through the handle of the larger brush by a button-screw mechanism. This connecting mechanism allows the smaller brush to slide out through the bristles of the larger brush. When not in use, the smaller brush retracts up into the middle of the larger bristles. Therefore, the brushes can be used together or the smaller brush can be used alone. 
     The disadvantage of this brush system is that the smaller brush can not be disconnected from the larger brush. Therefore, control of the brush is difficult due to the length of the brush arm. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,270 to Gueret discloses a device for storing and applying a makeup product. This invention consists of a first applicator that contains a hollow portion. A second applicator fits into the hollow portion of the first applicator. The walls of the first applicator contain at least one slot at the level of the brush of the second applicator so that the second brush can be used to apply the same substance in the container. Another embodiment of this invention shows the hollow portion of the first applicator containing a different substance so that the second brush can be used to apply another type of makeup. 
     The disadvantage of this system is that the two brushes can not be used together, and the user is limited to using one brush at a time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by providing a dual brush system having a first brush system and a second brush system within the first brush system. The first brush system contains a cannulated rod with a cannulated cap attached at one end and a set of bristles at the opposite end. The second brush system contains a second cap attached to one end of a second rod and a second set of bristles attached to the other end. The second rod fits into the cannulated rod so that the two sets of bristles align with one another. The first and second set of bristles can be used together or individually. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
     In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: 
     FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a bottle having the dual brush system according to the invention; 
     FIG. 2 a  shows an exploded view of the dual brush system; 
     FIG. 2 b  shows a side perspective view of the bottle; 
     FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the attachment of the dual brush system; and 
     FIGS. 4 a  - 4   d  show perspective views of various embodiments for the second cap of the dual brush system. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now in detail to the drawings and, in particular in FIGS. 1,  2   a  and  2   b , there is shown a bottle  10  having a dual brush system  40 . Dual brush system  40  contains a first brush system  20  and a second brush system  30 . First brush system  20  contains cannulated cap  22  connected to cannulated rod  24 . A first set of bristles  26  attaches to cannulated rod  24  at the opposite end of cannulated cap  22 . First set of bristles  26  contains a passageway into which second set of bristles  36  enters so that the two sets of bristles are aligned with one another. 
     Cannulated cap  22  contains a first set of internal threads  14  for attaching to threads  12  of bottle  10 . 
     The second brush system  30  contains a second cap  32  connected to second rod  34  and contains a second set of bristles  36  at the opposite end from second cap  32 . Second rod  34  has a smaller diameter than that of first rod  24 . This allows for second rod  34  to easily slide through first rod  24 . Additionally, second rod  34  is of a length that allows the first set of bristles  26  and second set of bristles  36  to align with one another. 
     FIG. 3 shows second brush system  30  attaching to first brush system  20  by a second set of internal threads  28  in cannulated cap  22  and external threads  38  on second cap  32 . However, second cap  32  could attach to cannulated cap  22  by another mechanism, such as snap-on cap. 
     In operation, second brush system  30  slides into first brush system  20  such that they are coaxially aligned with one another. Second rod  34  extends throughout cannulated rod  24  so that first set of bristles  26  and second set of bristles  36  combine and are coaxially aligned with one another. Therefore, both sets of bristles are used together. If a smaller diameter brush is needed, second brush system  30  can be separated from first brush system  20  by detaching second cap  32  from cannulated cap  22 . 
     Since second rod  34  travels through first rod  24  there may be a tendency for the fluid contained in bottle  10  to dry up and clog the passageway in first rod  24 . Therefore, it is advantageous to have first rod made of or coated with a material such as TEFLON®, to resist this build up. 
     FIGS. 4 a ,  4   b ,  4   c , and  4   d  show various embodiments of second cap  32 . FIG. 4 a  shows second cap  32  having an hour glass shape. FIG. 4 b  shows second cap  32  having a flat oval shape. FIG. 4 c  shows second cap  32  having an angled hourglass shape. FIG. 4 d  shows second cap  32  having a oval shape. Each embodiment having a different ergonomic effect, depending on the needs of the user. 
     This brush system is advantageous when different brush sizes are needed to effectively perform a task. For instance, painting touch ups, nail polishing or applying cosmetics. This dual brush system provides the user with a diverse choice of brush sizes for various needs. The larger dual brush can be used for larger surface areas, wherein the smaller brush can be used for tighter, harder to reach surface areas. 
     Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.