GB2378640A

GB2378640A - Container for cleaning paint brushes

Info

Publication number: GB2378640A
Application number: GB0119847A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sidney Defriend
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-08-15
Filing date: 2001-08-15
Publication date: 2003-02-19
Also published as: GB0119847D0

Abstract

A unit for use in cleaning paint brushes comprises a container (10) for solvent solution and an insert (20) for positioning across the container adjacent its top, leaving space (16) along one or both edges of the insert, the insert being formed with a number of openings, open to the edge of the insert, to receive and hold the handles of brushes inserted through the or a space (16) alongside the insert.

Description

UNIT FOR CLEANING PAINT BRUSHES The present invention relates to a unit for use in cleaning paint brushes.

In order to clean paint brushes, generally these are stood with their bristles immersed in a solvent solution in a suitable vessel. Commonly the brushes stand on the bottom of the vessel such that, over time, their bristles become distorted and damaged. Various arrangements have been proposed for supporting the brushes with their bristles clear of the bottom of the vessel, but such arrangements have suffered various drawbacks, generally being of complex construction or difficult to use or of limited effectiveness.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a unit for use in cleaning paint brushes, the unit comprising a container or vessel for solvent solution, and an insert for positioning across the container adjacent the top thereof, leaving space along at least one edge thereof, the insert being formed with a number of openings, open to said one edge thereof, to receive and hold the handles of brushes inserted through said spaces alongside the insert.

It will be appreciated that the brushes are easily located into the openings in the insert, which then supports the brushes with their bristles clear of the bottom of the container.

Preferably the openings through the insert narrow towards the edge of the insert. Preferably each opening is formed to grip the brush handle in a spring or resilient manner, so that the opening will locate brush handles of a range of sizes. Preferably each opening is formed with a spring finger extending along one side thereof.

Preferably the insert locates within the container in a manner resistant to sideways movement of the insert, so that the brush handles can be engaged into or removed from the insert without the insert itself moving.

Preferably the underside of the insert is formed with

projections at its opposite ends, for engagement in a groove formed in a shoulder on the inside surface of the container at its opposite ends.

Preferably the container is provided with a carrying handle. The container may also be provided with a lid or cover.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a unit in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a similar view of the unit shown with the brush-holding insert removed ; FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the manner in which the brush-holding insert locates within the outer container; and FIGURE 4 is an isometric view of the insert shown holding two paint brushes.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a unit for use in cleaning paint brushes, the unit comprising an outer container or vessel 10 having an open top into which a brushholding insert 20 is fitted.

The container 10 is generally rectangular in shape and is provided with a carrying handle 12 of inverted U-shape. The handle 12 has projections 13, formed with enlarged heads, at its opposite ends, which engage in key-hole shaped slots in lugs 14 formed on the outside of the opposite ends of the container. The container 10 is formed with a shoulder 16 around its inner surface, adjacent its top edge, the top edge of the shoulder 16 being formed with a groove 18.

The insert 20 is generally rectangular in shape and of length corresponding to the internal length of the container 10, but of width substantially less than the internal width of the container. The underside of the insert 20 is formed, at its opposite ends, with projections 22 which fit, in

interference manner, into the groove 18 on the shoulder 16 on the inside surface of the container 10, thus locating the insert 20 in position. The insert 20 is formed with two rows of key-hole shaped openings 24, which are open to the opposite longitudinal edges of the insert. Each opening 24 is provided with a springy or resilient finger 26 which extends along one side of the opening, from its narrow outer end, the finger being curved to follow the contour of the adjacent side of the opening.

The insert 20 is formed in one-piece of plastics material and its underside is hollowed-out, as shown in Figure 3: thus, the insert comprises a flat top wall and a depending side wall which extends around the periphery of the insert and around the peripheries of the openings 24.

In use, the container 10 is partly filled with a paint solvent solution for cleaning paint brushes. The insert 20 is fitted into the open top of the container 10, its underside projections 22 engaging into the groove 18 of the shoulder 16 at the opposite ends of the container. The insert 20 lies generally along the centre of the container 10, with spaces either side of it to permit paint brushes e. g. B to be inserted, then displaced sideways to locate in respective openings 24.

The brushes B are held, by means of the spring fingers 26 gripping their handles, in a suspended manner, with their bristles clear of the bottom of the container 10. Accordingly, the bristles of the brushes will not become distorted or damaged.

Claims

Claims 1) A unit for use in cleaning paint brushes, the unit comprising a container or vessel for solvent solution, and an insert for positioning across the container or vessel adjacent the top thereof, leaving space along at least one edge thereof, the insert being formed with a number of openings, open to said one edge thereof, to receive and hold the handles of brushes inserted through said space alongside the insert.
2) A unit as claimed in Claim 1, in which said openings through the insert narrow towards said edge of the insert.
3) A unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which each said opening is formed to grip the brush handle in a spring or resilient manner.
4) A unit as claimed in Claim 3, in which each said opening is formed with a spring finger extending along one side thereof.
5) A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said insert locates within the container or vessel in a manner to resist sideways movement of said insert.
6) A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the underside of said insert is formed with projections at its opposite ends, for engagement in a groove formed in a shoulder provided on the inside surface of the container or vessel at its opposite ends.
7) A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the container or vessel is provided with a carrying handle.
8) A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the container or vessel is provided with a lid or cover.

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9) A unit for use in cleaning paint brushes, the unit being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.