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Paintbrush and roller head cover and method for manufacturing the sameRelated Patent Categories: Special Receptacle Or Package, For A Tool (e.g., Knife, Shaver), Brush (e.g., Swab, Sponge)Paintbrush and roller head cover and method for manufacturing the same description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070170079, Paintbrush and roller head cover and method for manufacturing the same. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a paintbrush and/or roller head cover and method for manufacturing the same; and more particularly, to a paintbrush and/or roller head cover appointed for receiving and storing bristles or a roller sleeve having paint thereon, in a sealed environment, that is dry and free of solvents or liquids, so that hardening of the bristles or the roller sleeve surface is mitigated and there is no solvent or liquid commingled with the paint, so that the brush or roller can readily be utilized at a later time with minimal preparation. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] After a paintbrush or paint roller is utilized, there is a significant amount of paint residing on the brush bristles or roller sleeve. Typically, this paint must be removed before storage to maintain the integrity of the brush or roller sleeve, even if the user intends on using the same paint at a later time. Solidification of the bristles or roller sleeve typically ensues as the residual paint begins to dry, causing deformation of the bristles or roller sleeve surface. Generally, removal of residual paint involves washing the brush or roller sleeve in a cleaning fluid, such as a solvent or water mixture. The cleaning fluid readily saturates the bristles or roller sleeve, and the fluid readily becomes retained integrally therein. When the paintbrush or roller head is used at a later time, the residual cleaning fluid has a tendency to mix with the paint to be applied. This thins the paint increasing the tendency for dripping and decreasing coverage. The ability to avoid washing the paintbrush or roller head after each use while preventing solidification of paint on a paintbrush or paint roller head during storage improves painting accuracy and affords time and economic savings. [0005] Various types of paintbrush and roller sleeve (or head) protectors are known in the art, but none of the known storage devices provide a dry, substantially air-tight environment, with a convenient two part construction for storage of a paintbrush or roller sleeve that is wetted with paint or used so that the brush or roller can readily be used at a later time. Moreover, none of the storage devices heretofore disclosed and utilized provides the ability to extend in length to accommodate varying sized roller sleeves. [0006] Many of the paintbrush and roller head protectors heretofore disclosed and utilized provide devices wherein the bristles of a paintbrush or the roller sleeve of a paint roller are suspended in a solvent, such as benzene, or water. Consequently, the bristles and/or roller sleeve become saturated with the solvent or water, and the bristles or roller sleeve must be either rinsed before use, further saturating the bristles or roller sleeve with water, or used directly; in any event, the solvent and/or the water from the saturated bristles or roller sleeve deleteriously mixes with the paint to be applied. [0007] Storage devices utilizing solvent or liquid suspension generally include a container body appointed for housing a solvent, and a lid having an aperture for receiving a handle of a paintbrush or paint roller, so that the painting surface (i.e. bristle portion) of the paintbrush or paint roller is suspended in the solvent or liquid. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,262,753 to T. F. Brennan discloses a container for holding liquids and for retaining a paintbrush. The container has a removable closure provided with an opening for the insertion of a brush handle so that the bristles of the brush are suspended in a liquid. U.S. Pat. No. 2,782,909 to P. E. M.sup.cNamara discloses a paintbrush storage device generally comprising a solvent container and a rubber insert adapted to maintain a paintbrush handle so that the brush is supported and the bristled end of the brush is suspended within the solvent container. U.S. Pat. No. 3,262,556 to D. J. Morrison discloses a storage device comprising a container means appointed to receive a solvent and a cap means for receiving a paintbrush's handle to thereby suspend the bristle portion of the brush in the solvent. U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,553 to Curtis discloses a container for a paintbrush including a body appointed for housing a solvent, and a lid having an aperture through which a handle of the paintbrush is received. The bristle portion of the paintbrush is suspended in the solvent (i.e. paint removing liquid). U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,274 to Long discloses a paint roller holder generally including a container having a reservoir to receive a paint roller, wet paint, or thinner, and a flat snap-on lid having a slot for accommodate a paint roller handle. These storage devices result in saturation of the bristles or roller sleeve with the liquid in the container. The very use of solvent or water housed within these protective devices nullifies the ability of the user to simply remove their painting tool from the protective device and immediately begin painting, without the necessity for rinsing or cleaning the brush or roller head, and without the risk of commingling the solvent or rinsing solution with the paint to be utilized. [0008] Other types of solvent containing paintbrush and/roller sleeve holders include a lid having an aperture for receiving a handle of a paintbrush or paint roller, wherein the lid is appointed to fit a standard size paint can, so that the bristle portion of the paint-brush (or roller sleeve portion of a paint roller) is suspended in paint, solvents, or other liquids housed within the can. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,533,355 to J. Comfort discloses a paint-brush holder generally including a cover that fits a standard paint can. The cover is appointed with notches adapted to receive a paintbrush handle while the bristle portion of paintbrush is suspended in the can containing paint, or other liquids. U.S. Pat. No. 3,955,670 to Buslik discloses a paintbrush holder generally comprising a lid having an opening to accommodate a handle of a paintbrush. The lid is appointed to tightly fit a can adapted to hold a liquid, so that the bristle's of the paintbrush are suspended in the liquid. U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,919 to Adams discloses a lid sized to fit standard size containers (preferably paint cans) and a lid system for suspending implements in a container. The lid generally comprises a rim engage-able with a container, and including a central portion circumscribed by the rim having at least one opening defined therein for receiving the handle of a painting implement. U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,329 to Dobson discloses a container lid adapted to fit over the opening of a standard paint container in place of an original lid, wherein the lid includes a container engaging periphery and a handle receiving aperture. U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,315 to Frisk discloses a paintbrush storage lid having a flat portion sized to cover a top portion of a liquid container. A hollow tapered neck portion projects above a flat portion, which is sized to receive a paintbrush handle portion therein, so that the bristles are suspended in the liquid in the container. [0009] Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,617 to Couch et al. discloses a paint implement storage device that acts in combination with a container, such as a paint can. The device generally comprises an insert of cellular material having an opening for receiving a handle of a painting implement. A cover extends upwardly from the insert and includes a foam sleeve for fitting around a handle of a painting implement. U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,576 to Onodera discloses a method of storing a brush used in substrate surface treatment. The method comprises the steps of (i) removing a brush from a scrubbing apparatus, and (ii) sealing the brush in a container so that the fibrous or spongy member of the brush is maintained in a wet and disinfectant condition. U.S. Pat. No. 3,918,582 to Wallace discloses a cylindrical container appointed for housing paint dissolving and cleaning fluids. The container is adapted to receive a paintbrush or paint roller sleeve for soaking and preserving the same. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,188 to Custeau discloses a paintbrush cleaning assembly for cleaning the bristles of a paintbrush, generally comprising a container for receiving a solvent, and a cover appointed for receiving a paintbrush handle and being interconnected via releasable sealing with the container so that the paintbrush is contained by the cover, and the bristles of the brush are suspended in the solvent. Like the container and solvent storage devices, these storage devices result in saturation of the bristles or roller sleeve with the liquid in the container upon which the disclosed lid assemblies are placed. This nullifies the ability of the user to simply remove the painting tool from the protective device and immediately begin painting, without the necessity for rinsing or cleaning the brush or roller head, and contamination of the paint when applied. [0010] Still another type of solvent containing paintbrush and/roller sleeve holders involves a storage device having a holder appointed with means for adding a small amount of liquid, which may include implementation of a foam insert, so that the bristle portion of the paint-brush (or roller sleeve portion of a paint roller) comes into contact with the foam/or liquid layer. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,363 to Wilson discloses a container formed from two hingedly attached shallow rectangular members having an opening in the tops thereof to receive a handle of a paintbrush, wherein each of the members includes a layer of closed cell foam material so that the foam can absorb paint drippings as well as contain a small amount of paint solvent. U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,301 to Couch et al. discloses storage devices for paint rollers, paint roller covers, and paintbrushes, generally comprising a cylindrical container having a circular opening, and a lid, also having a circular opening through which the handle of a roller frame can extend, the container has a foam insert that keeps the brush/roller head wet; the container is filled with paint so as to cover the painting surface of the painting implement. U.S. Pat. No. 6,530,470 to Roundy discloses a holding box having an interior space for receiving, longitudinally, a paint-applying roller, and an opening in one of the container walls for receiving and passing there-through a portion of the roller handle, and solvent absorbing material positioned in the box to receive and hold solvent therein and release solvent vapors into the box to help prevent drying of the paint on the roller. Like the aforementioned solvent suspending storage devices, these storage devices result in saturation of the bristles or roller sleeve through fluid transport from the foam material to the bristles or roller sleeve. Again, the very use of solvent or water housed within these protective devices nullifies the ability of the user to simply remove their painting tool from the protective device and immediately begin painting, without the necessity for rinsing or cleaning the brush or roller head, and without the risk of commingling the solvent or rinsing solution with the paint to be utilized. [0011] Yet another type of paintbrush and/paint roller storage device heretofore disclosed and utilized provides a protective cover including apertures in the body thereof. The cover is appointed to be placed in a container so that solvent can enter the apertures and clean or moisten the bristles or roller sleeve of a paintbrush or paint roller, respectively. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 1,239,638 to H. S. Throckmorton discloses a paintbrush protector generally comprising a box-like member having a covering hingedly connected thereto, wherein the box-like member includes perforations that so that when the protector is placed in a trough containing oil, benzene, or water, the bristles remain wetted. U.S. Pat. No. 1,951,576 to H. Lehr discloses a brush protective device generally comprising a pair of jaws that are pivotally joined together and have openings therein. The jaws are adapted to receive the bristles of a wet paintbrush and be placed in a container having a liquid therein. U.S. Pat. No. 2,051,267 to M. Mezey discloses a brush holder having a perforated bottom part and a perforated cover part hingedly joined together. The brush holder is placed in a container having oil therein in order to permit a constant circulation of oil through the brush, to clean the brush. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 2,562,482 to A. F. Weisser discloses a paint-brush jacket having a bottom opening. When the jacket is inserted into a preservation liquid, the liquid acts to keep the bristles of the brush in a soft and pliable condition. These storage devices result in saturation of the bristles or roller sleeve with the liquid in the container. This nullifies the ability of the user to simply remove the painting tool from the protective device and immediately begin painting. [0012] Even where storage devices heretofore disclosed and utilized do not provide for interaction of solvent within the container, many of the devices merely disclose protective devices having apertures in order to allow air to pass over the bristles or roller sleeve. Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 1,437,822 to F. A. Seymour discloses an improved protector for brushes generally comprising a body portion, further including a pair of projections appointed to pass through the handle of a paint-brush, and wherein the body portion is composed of a wire mesh material, thereby resulting in apertures for air flow. U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,361 to Wolcott, et al. discloses a paint roller cleaner and remover having two semi-cylindrical halves hingedly connected that close around a roller in order to scrape the roller sleeve, and to provide a grip for removal of the roller sleeve off of a mandrel; the semi-cylindrical halves are open on both sides, and they do not prevent air exposure. U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,453 to Landmeier discloses a protective cover generally comprising a flexible cover having a plurality of flaps and a plurality of vent openings that allow the bristles of the paintbrush to breathe during storage, and a hard cover that fits over the flexible cover. These non-solvent interactive paintbrush and/paint roller storage devices generally provide a container having apertures for the entry of air flow. As a result, these devices fail to prevent the hardening of bristles or a roller sleeve as the used paint solidifies due to air exposure. [0013] In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,167 to Conrad discloses a paintbrush container including a first or upper tray and a second or lower tray connected together by a hinge. The container is provided with an opening to receive a paintbrush handle; but the opening is not provided with a seal, and therefore air entry results. U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,694 to Van Diest et al. discloses a paintbrush protection device in the form of a sheath, including a bristle-holding portion having a plurality of vent holes adapted to expose the bristles of the brush to ambient air to hasten the drying of the bristles. U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,406 to Zagar discloses a brush protection device generally comprising a first cover member and a second cover member, each having a plurality of holes therein and an arcuate slot collectively forming a hole for receiving a handle of a brush. The entry of air into the storage chamber results in solidification of the used paintbrush or roller. These devices fail to prevent the hardening of bristles or a roller sleeve since unused paint thereon tends to solidify due to air exposure. [0014] Moreover, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0135945 to Nordstrom discloses a paintbrush holder generally comprising a sleeve having a liner therein. The liner and sleeve receive the body of a paintbrush in a nesting relation so that the handle of the paintbrush protrudes through the aligned apertures of the sleeve. The sleeve does not have a bottom portion, with the result that the bottom of the bristles is exposed to air. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0050732 to Baker discloses a paintbrush protective cover comprised of a single body member made from a semi-rigid material and having a body section with front and rear surfaces appointed with a plurality of small openings to allow air to circulate within the cover. Like the aforementioned devices, the entry of air into the storage chamber results in solidification of the used paintbrush or roller. Consequently, the devices fail to prevent the hardening of bristles or a roller sleeve since unused paint thereon solidifies due to air exposure. [0015] Even where storage devices heretofore disclosed and utilized do not provide apertures for solvent or air interaction within the container, but do provide for a substantially sealed environment, these devices nonetheless fail to provide an efficient two piece paintbrush and/or paint roller storage device that readily receives the bristles or roller sleeve in an efficient manner. That is to say, a number of the storage devices heretofore disclosed and utilized require three separate pieces that attach together when the brush or roller is inserted therein. Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 1,202,355 to A. L. Bernhardt discloses a paintbrush container generally comprising three portions, including a cylindrical body portion open on both ends, a head portion having an opening appointed to receive a paintbrush handle and being adapted to attach to one end of the cylindrical body, and a cap adapted to be received by the other end of the cylindrical body portion. U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,399 to Crouch discloses a paintbrush keeper generally comprising a box assembly with a movable wall and top wall appointed with a hole through which the handle of a paintbrush projects, and further having a pair of diverging walls, wherein the bristles of a brush are received and held in a tapered configuration. These devices generally require assemblage of three or more portions. As a result, the devices present a cumbersome, oftentimes slipshod, application to the paintbrush or paint roller having used paint wetted thereon. This enhances the risk of paint contamination on surfaces where it is unintended. [0016] Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,098 to Filipchuk discloses a container for storing a wet paint roller generally comprising a cylindrical sleeve. The sleeve has a slot and two end caps (one having a slot) that close to form a cylindrical container. A wet paint roller is inserted into the container with a portion of the handle. The handle extends from an axial rod that in turn passes through a slot in the sleeve and in the end cap. U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,090 to Keith discloses a protective sheath and comb assembly capable of protecting a paintbrush and maintaining bristles of the paintbrush in good condition. The comb is secured to the sheath and the paintbrush bristles are maintained by combing the bristles with the comb. Like the aforementioned devices, these devises generally require assemblage of three or more portions, as a result, the devices present a cumbersome, oftentimes slapdash, application to the paintbrush or paint roller having used paint wetted thereon. This increases the risk of paint contamination on surfaces where it is unintended. [0017] Other paintbrush covers heretofore disclosed and utilized provide a case generally having a top and bottom part which is hingedly attached together. Such covers have wedge shaped configurations, with the tip where the bristles of a paintbrush would rest coming to a point. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,869,753 to R. Kamm discloses a case for preserving the bristle portion of a brush therein. The case generally comprises two members hinged together to form a wedge-shaped container. The two members' walls overlap, and an opening is provided for receiving the brush handle therein in a substantially air-tight case. The wedge-shaped conformation of the container results in the user trying to fit a bristle portion, wet with paint, into a wedge or angled area. As a result, oftentimes the bristle portion will not fit within the tip area of the wedge-shaped cover without causing the bristles, wet with paint, from becoming caught between the top and bottom parts of the case. Over time, residual paint can build up between the top and bottom parts, and thereby minimize the ability of the device to properly create a sealed environment. [0018] Still other paintbrush and or roller head storage devices heretofore disclosed and utilized teach containers appointed to hold the entire paintbrush or paint roller, rather than a portion of these tools. These devices generally include containers that house the entire handle of the paintbrush (or paint roller) while at the same time housing the bristle portion (or roller sleeve) of the paintbrush (or paint roller). As a result, the devices present a cumbersome, oftentimes slipshod, insertion and removal of the paintbrush or paint roller wetted with used paint. This increases the risk of paint contamination on surfaces where it is unintended. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,679,315 to R. Zegers discloses a paint-brush holder generally comprising a body member having a chamber within which an entire paintbrush may be disposed in a stored position; the brush may be sealed in the holder and stored with cleaning fluid, such as turpentine or the like for cleaning and preservation of the brush. U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,576 to Kern discloses a storage container for a paint roller having a bottom member and a cover member configured as half-shell type hollow bodies having semi-cylindrical recesses for receiving the paint roller and a further recess to accommodate the handle, and wherein the members are connected together via "film hinges" and close in a sealed condition. U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,164 to Hocking discloses a one-piece paint roller tray with cover designed to accommodate paint tools, such as a standard paintbrush and a paint roller with handle, within a standard paint tray body. These storage devices house the paintbrush or paint roller in their entirety, so that both the handle portion and the bristle portion of the paintbrush are fully housed within the device. As a result, insertion and removal of the brush from these devices can become burdensome and messy, as the bristles (and possibly some leakage onto the handle) are wetted with paint when housed in the device. [0019] Other paintbrush and/or paint roller storage devices heretofore disclosed and utilized provide housing for a paint roller, but fail to provide the ability to expand and contract the holder so that it can hold a variety of sized roller sleeves. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,617 to Von Flatern discloses a paint roller sleeve storage container having a flexible resilient tubular housing including a sealed end and an open end. The open end is appointed to engage with the paint roller sleeve by way of a plurality of sleeve retaining bosses that abut the sleeve holder. U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,950 to Zar et al. discloses a protective housing for a roller cover having a unitarily fabricated body with two half, hollow cylinder portions hingedly connected and having a perimeter seal means and a channel for receiving a roller handle shaft. U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,552 to Kim et al. discloses a paint roller protective device including an elongated shell having an end wall and an open end for receiving a roller portion, and a cap for covering an open end of the elongated shell having a holder means for engaging and holding a portion of the roller portion's handle. These storage devices fail to provide the ability to expand and contract the holder size, and as a result, these devices cannot be expanded or contracted to accommodate varying sized roller sleeves. [0020] Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,902 to Korycki discloses a paint roller cover including an upper and lower half section joined by a hinge that, when the halves are closed upon one another, define an enclosed elongate chamber to accommodate a roller element. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0188980 to Myers discloses a paint roller case, including a molded plastic housing with an integral plastic hinge that opens to receive a wet paint roller cover and roller handle assembly, and includes a hole to allow the paint roller handle shaft to protrude out of the housing; a relatively air-tight environment is created via overlapping edges. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0188276 to Petrehn discloses a paint roller preserver including an upper portion and a lower portion hingedly connected and both having a rounded interior surface, and an aperture in the housing, which couple together to form a cavity appointed for housing a standard roller cover and to receive a shaft of a roller applicator. Like the devices mentioned hereinabove, these storage devices fail to provide the ability to expand and contract the holder size, and as a result, these devices cannot be expanded or contracted to accommodate varying sized roller sleeves. [0021] Notwithstanding the efforts of prior art workers to construct a paintbrush or paint roller storage device that houses a used painting implement, such as a paintbrush or paint roller, so that the implement can be later re-used, there remains a need in the art for a painting implement storage device that stores the implement in a dry, sealed environment. In particular, there is a need in the art for a paintbrush and/or paint roller storage device that provides a sealed, clean environment to store a used paintbrush or roller head, so that hardening of the bristles or roller surface is avoided, and the brush or roller head can be readily utilized at a later time. Through use of such a novel paintbrush and/or paint roller storage device, the consumer or painter can save both time and money by minimizing damage to the paintbrush or roller during storage, while at the same time minimizing damage that can result from washing and drying. [0022] Specifically, there is a need in the art for a paintbrush and/paint roller storage device that does not require the addition of solvent therein; as such would deleteriously introduce the solvent into the paint when the paintbrush/roller is later used. Moreover, there is a need in the art for a paintbrush and/or paint roller storage device that does not have perforations, or any other type of air circulation; as such air contact would result in hardening of the bristles or roller sleeve, rendering the brush or roller no longer useful. A paintbrush and/or paint roller storage device that is constructed having two portions that close to seal an air tight environment in a convenient, easy to use two piece construction in order to prevent hardening of the bristles or roller sleeve, has long been needed in the art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Continue reading about Paintbrush and roller head cover and method for manufacturing the same... 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