System and method for preserving paintbrush bristles

Abstract

A system and method for protecting bristles that includes a sleeve sized and shaped to be slideably received over a handle attached to the bristles, the sleeve formed of breathable material to facilitate drying of the bristles, and the sleeve formed of rigid material to support the handle and the bristles in a vertical orientation and to protect the bristles, the sleeve formed of a length sufficient to cover the bristles, and to cover at least a portion of the handle. In accordance with the method, the sleeve is slid over the proximal end of the handle and moved down the handle to a position where the sleeve covers the bristles and a first end of the sleeve extends beyond the bristles, and the handle is placed in a vertical orientation so that the first end of the sleeve bears against a supporting surface to hold the handle and the bristles in a vertical orientation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 461,179, filed Jun. 12, 2003, now pending, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention pertains to preserving and enhancing the life of bristles used in painting, and more particularly, to a tubular device and method of use that protects the bristles, aids in drying the bristles, and enables storing of the bristles in a vertical orientation. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] High quality artists' brushes have bristles that are made from very fine hair of animals' sophisticated synthetic fiber, a combination of animal hair and synthetic fiber, or even human hair. These bristles may, for example, be obtained from the hair of camels, goats, horses, badger, and even squirrels. Guard hair, which is a longer, stiffer hair that protects animals...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] In accordance with a method for protecting bristles, a handle is provided that has the bristles attached at a distal end, the handle having an elongate shape. In one embodiment, the handle has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape with an increased diameter between a distal end and a midpoint and a reduce diameter at a proximal end. The method further includes sliding a resilient sleeve configured to stretch, i.e., expand and contract in diameter and having openings to permit air to pass therethrough, over the handle and bristles, the sleeve having a sufficient length to at least cover the bristles and to be stable when holding the handle in the upright position.

[0013] As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing description, the present invention provides a lightweight, compact, and inexpensive protection for bristles. The sleeve is easily and quickly slid down the handle from the proximal end so as not to bend or damage the bristles. The sleeve expands and contracts to accommodate any shape of handle. In addition, the sleeve has a sufficient length to cover the bristles, extend slightly beyond the longest bristle, and to bear against at least the ferrule portion to protect the bristles and to be stable enough to hold the handle and bristles in a vertical orientation with the bristles pointing down. Openings in the sleeve facilitate drying of the bristles.

Problems solved by technology

Regardless of the source, high quality bristles are expensive and require care to maintain their useful life.

Allowing paint or cleaning material to dry on the bristles can shorten their useful life.

However, even new bristles can be ruined if improperly stored, such as when they are dried or placed in a bent or twisted position.

Allowing bristles to dry by laying the brush on its side can result in bending of the bristles as they droop downward.

Moreover, wooden handles can deteriorate in the area where bristles are attached, and moisture can cause the wood encased by the ferrule to expand, causing the connection between the ferrule and the handle to loosen and bristles to be lost.

Although devices have been provided that hold paintbrushes in a vertical orientation with the bristles pointing downward to aid in proper drying and storage, these devices can be expensive, cumbersome, and not easily portable.

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