Abstract:
A cleaning apparatus, said apparatus combining mechanical combing action and liquid flow to remove detritus from frond-like structures.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates to the cleaning of items by controlled application of a stream of fluid and, more particularly, but not exclusively to the cleaning of paintbrushes and like items which have a strand-like structure. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The cleaning of items or structures made from strands or fronds can be difficult. 
         [0003]    For example the cleaning of paintbrushes after use is both a time consuming and inefficient process. Although various liquid and mechanical cleaning systems have been devised, in the case of the latter these may be complicated, relatively expensive, themselves difficult to clean and generally unsatisfactory. 
         [0004]    It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages or at least provide a useful alternative. 
       Notes 
       [0000]    
       
         1. The term “comprising” (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of “having” or “including”, and not in the exclusive sense of “consisting only of”. 
         2. The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country. 
       
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     Definitions 
       [0007]    In this specification the term “frond like structure” is to be taken to refer to a structure which incorporates strands or filaments usually in a substantially parallel alignment. Specific but not limiting examples of such structures include the bristles in a paintbrush or the aligned hair in a horse&#39;s tail. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention there is provided cleaning apparatus; said apparatus combining mechanical combing action and liquid flow to substantially remove detritus from structures incorporating frond-like structures. 
         [0009]    Preferably said frond like structures comprise the bristles of a paintbrush. 
         [0010]    Preferably said mechanical combing action is provided by a multi-tyned comb structure; tynes of said multi-tyned comb structure adapted for intrusion into, and longitudinal movement through or between bundles of said frond like structures. 
         [0011]    Preferably said liquid flow issues from at least one liquid flow orifice adjacent an outer end of each tyne of said multi-tyned comb structure. 
         [0012]    Preferably said at least one orifice is arranged so as to direct said liquid flow substantially parallel to each tyne of said multi-tyned comb structure. 
         [0013]    Preferably said liquid flow is arranged in a fine, narrow fan-shaped jet issuing from said orifice. 
         [0014]    Preferably said liquid is water. 
         [0015]    Preferably said tynes of said multi-tyned comb structure extend from a manifold body portion of said apparatus. 
         [0016]    Preferably said manifold body portion extends from a handle portion shaped for grasping by the hand of a user. 
         [0017]    Preferably each of said types of said multi-tyned structure is formed with hard edges so as to act as scrapers as said tyne moves between bristles of a said paintbrush. 
         [0018]    Preferably said manifold portion of said structure is formed with hard edges which act as scrapers as said tynes move through said frond like structure. 
         [0019]    Preferably said handle portion is provided with a connector spigot at one end of said handle portion said connector spigot adapted for connection to socket outlet fitting of a water supply hose. 
         [0020]    Preferably said handle portion, said manifold body portion, said tynes of said multi-tyned structure and said connector spigot, form an integral unitary structure. 
         [0021]    Preferably said integral unitary structure is formed by a blow moulding process. 
         [0022]    In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of substantially removing residual paint from the bristles of a paintbrush; said method including the steps of;
       (a) connecting a paintbrush cleaning apparatus to a water supply hose,   (b) pushing tynes of a multi-tyned structure of said paintbrush cleaning apparatus between bristle bundles of said paintbrush,   (c) repeatedly moving said tynes from an initial location adjacent the head of said paintbrush to the end of said bristle bundles, and   wherein fan-shaped jets of water issuing from an orifice located between said tynes act to dislodge said residual paint from said bristles.       
 
         [0027]    Preferably steps (a) to (c) are repeated for each side of said paintbrush. 
         [0028]    Preferably said fan-shaped jets of water issue from one side of each of said tynes; said jets issuing substantially normal to said multi-tyned structure. 
         [0029]    Preferably said apparatus is moved along a side of said paintbrush in such a manner that said fan-shaped jets of water urge said residual paint towards the ends of said bristles. 
         [0030]    Thus in yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of substantially removing residue from a frond like structure; said method including the steps of;
       A) connecting a cleaning apparatus to a water supply,   B) pushing tynes of a multi-tyned structure of said cleaning apparatus between or through the fronds of said frond like structure   wherein fan-shaped jets of water issuing from an orifice located between said tynes act to dislodge said residue.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0034]    Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0035]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  is a further perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  showing a preferred spray pattern, 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIGS. 1 and 2  when applied to a paintbrush in use 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a cleaner according to a second preferred embodiment and 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the cleaner of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0040]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , in a first preferred embodiment of the invention, a cleaning apparatus  10  includes a manifold body portion  12  from which extends a multi-type comb structure  14 . Apparatus  10  further includes a handle portion  16  extending from manifold body portion  12 , and a spigot  18  to which may be connected a connection socket  20  of a water supply hose  22 , as can be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0041]    Preferably, manifold body portion  12 , the comb structure  14 , handle portion  16  and spigot  18  form a unitary integral whole, and are hollow. Thus the inside of each tyne  24  is in fluid communication with manifold body portion  12  which in turn is in fluid communication with the handle portion  14  and spigot  18 . Preferably, the apparatus  10  is blow moulded from a suitable polymer. 
         [0042]    In a preferred form the tynes  24  are arranged so as to be substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other as illustrated with arcuate grooves  24 A defined therebetween. 
         [0043]    Each arcuate groove  24 A is provided with an orifice  26  as shown in the inset of  FIG. 2 . Preferably, each orifice  26  is so formed as to create a fan-shaped jet  28  of water when water is caused to enter the apparatus  10  under pressure. Preferably, the jet  28  issues between the tynes  24  and substantially parallel to the comb structure  14 . 
         [0044]    Each type  24  of comb structure  14 , is adapted for intrusion into the fronds of a frond like structure such as bundles of bristles  30  of a paintbrush  32  as can be seen in  FIG. 3 . The leading edges  34  of the tynes may be hard or sharp edges, so formed to act as scrapers against the bristles  36  of the paintbrush  32  during longitudinal movement of the apparatus relative to the bristles of the paintbrush. 
         [0045]    In Use 
         [0046]    As soon as practicable after use of a paintbrush  32 , the apparatus  10  of a preferred embodiment of the invention is connected to a water supply hose  22  and, while holding the paintbrush  32  over a suitable waste water receptacle (not shown), the tynes  24  of the apparatus and the water jets  28  issuing from between the tynes, are insinuated between the bristles  36  from a first side of the paintbrush. In a preferred form insertion can be as close as possible to the head, or ferule  38  of the paintbrush with the water jets  28  directed towards the outer ends  40  of the bristles  36 . The apparatus  10  is then moved towards the ends  40  of the bristles, dragging the tynes  24  of the comb structure  14  through the bristles. The water jets  28  then urge paint residue dislodged by the force of the jets  28  and the scraping action of the edges  34  of the tynes  24 , towards and off the ends of the bristles. 
         [0047]    As can be seen in the inset of  FIG. 3  the bristles  36  become compacted against the arcuate structure  24 A in the region where the water jet first emerges from orifice  26  from where the water then flows along the path of least resistance between the tynes and away from body portion  12 . 
         [0048]    This action may be repeated a number of times before applying the same procedure to the other side of the paintbrush. The whole process of application to one side and then the other of the paintbrush, may be repeated a number of times until the residual paint is substantially removed from the bristles. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0049]    With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5  there is illustrated a cleaner  50  in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The structure is substantially the same as that for the first embodiment and like components are numbered accordingly. As can be seen in front view inset AA of  FIG. 4  a ridge structure  51  is defined on, each side of the line of tynes. This ridge structure  51  includes a hard edge  52  which acts to scrape against the bristles of the paintbrush so as to remove hardened paint or like detritus. 
         [0050]    The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, for example; although the above description has focused on the use of water, it will be understood that with a suitable pressurised source, other liquids such as detergents, thinners and other cleaning agents may be passed through the apparatus and otherwise in accordance with the method of the invention. 
         [0051]    Also, the handle portion  16  may receive alternative connections to it so as to allow, for example, connection to different kinds of hoses or connection to other accessories such as a soap dispenser.