To enable paint to be effectively transferred from a solid pad to the bristles of a paintbrush, the bristles are normally immersed in water.

Conventionally, water is simply retained within an open-ended pot. On many occasions this is entirely satisfactory. There are situations, however, where pots containing water are unacceptable or inadvisable. Young children have a tendency to spill the contents of water pots with unpleasant consequences particularly if the water is contaminated with a quantity of paint. Also, when travelling in, say, a motorcar or an aircraft, the likelihood of spillage from a separate pot is increased significantly.

Paintbrushes are known in which a reservoir of water is contained within the brush stem or handle produced from a flexible material such as plastics. These brushes avoid the problems discussed above concerning open-topped water pots. In use, water is conveyed from the stem or handle to the brush bristles simply by squeezing the stem or handle. The rate at which water flows to the bristles depends upon the force applied to the stem or handle. This means that on occasions the water flow is excessive; the consequence of this is a reflection of the problem discussed above in the context of water pots.

Furthermore, these known paintbrushes cannot satisfactorily be used by young children (especially those in the 3 to 6 age group) because of a lack of the manual dexterity required to squeeze the stem or handle to apply a sufficient amount of water to the bristles while seeking to apply paint to a surface.

The present invention sets out to provide a paintbrush, which overcomes, or at least alleviates, the disadvantages discussed above.

According to the present invention in one aspect, a paintbrush comprises a fluid receptacle having a body which is open at one end, a releasable plug for closing this open end which is formed with at least one aperture of an area equivalent to a diameter of between 0.5mm and 2. 0mm (typically l. Omm) through which fluid can leave the receptacle, a brush head connectable to the plugged end of the receptacle and including an open- ended ferrule for retaining a plurality of bristles and whose base is formed with one or more apertures for the flow of fluid from the receptacle to the bristles, and a chamber positioned between the apertures of the plug and the ferrule to receive fluid passing between the receptacle and the brush head.

The fluid is preferably water or a water-based fluid.

The bristles may be produced from a synthetic material such as nylon.

The nominal diameter of the bristles may be between 0. 1mm and 0.2mm. A preferred bristle diameter approximates to 0. 15mm.

The packing density of the bristle ends within the ferrule is typically between 1. 0 and 3.0 grams per square cm for a nominal bristle diameter of 0. 15mm, an effective bristle length of around 21. 0mm and a mean internal ferrule diameter of 6.5mm. A preferred packing density approximates to 1. 66 grams per square cm. Folded bristles having an overall length of 55. 0mm may be employed. The effective length of such bristles will be, however, 21.0 to 22. 0mm.

In another aspect, the invention provides a paintbrush comprising a receptacle open at one end for retaining a quantity of fluid, a plug separable from and connectable to the open end of the receptacle, a brush head comprising a plurality of bristles secured within the open end of a ferrule and a skirted collar to which the underside of the ferrule is secured, means for attaching the receptacle to the collar of the brush head, and a chamber positioned between the upper surface of the plug and the undersurface of the ferrule, the plug and the undersurface of the ferrule including apertures for the flow of fluid from the receptacle to the bristles of the brush head with the diameter of the aperture or each aperture formed in the plug being between 0.5mm and 2. 0mm.

According to the present invention in a further aspect, a paintbrush comprises a fluid receptacle having a body which is open at one end, a plug for closing this open end which is formed with at least one aperture through which fluid can leave the housing, a brush head connectable to the plugged end of the housing and including an open-ended ferrule for retaining a plurality of bristles whose base is formed with an aperture for the flow of fluid from the receptacle to the bristles, and a porous member positioned between the apertures of the plug and the ferrule to restrict the flow of fluid from the housing to the brush bristles.

The fluid receptacle may be produced from a flexible material to enable the receptacle to be squeezed.

In a preferred arrangement, the porous member comprises a block of relatively inflexible material. A preferred material is that marketed underthe trade mark POREX. This is multiple porous material produced by or on behalf of Porex Technologies Corporation. Essentially it comprises a sintered mass of thermoplastic polymer pellets, especially micro-pellets made by rapid water quenched pelletising of the polymers. The pellets are generally of uniform size and shape, each having approximately equal dimensions along three mutually perpendicular axes, have smooth surfaces, narrow pore size distributions, greater strength and other improved characteristics.

In a still further aspect, the invention provides a paintbrush comprising a receptacle open at one end for retaining a quantity of fluid, a plug separable from and connectable to the open end of the receptacle, a brush head comprising a plurality of bristles secured within the open end of a ferrule and a skirted collar to which the underside of the ferrule is secured, means for attaching the receptacle to the collar of the brush head, and a porous member positioned between the upper surface of the plug and the undersurface of the ferrule, the plug and the undersurface of the ferrule, including apertures for the flow of fluid from the receptacle to the bristles of the brush head.

The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:- Figure 1 is an exploded side view partly in section of a paintbrush in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a side view in section of a brush head forming part of the paintbrush shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view partly in section of an assemble paintbrush in accordance with the invention; Figure 4 is an exploded side view of an alternative paintbrush in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 is a section taken through a plug which forms part of the paint brush illustrated in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a plan view from above of the plug shown in Figure 5, Figure 7 is a section taken through a brush head which forms part of the paint brush illustrated in Figure 4; Figure 8 is a first view of the underside of the brush head illustrated in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a second view of the underside of the brush head of Figure 7; and Figure 10 is a perspective view of a display tray including inter alia three of the illustrated paintbrushes.

The paintbrush illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 includes a flexible-walled water-containing receptacle 1 produced, for example, from a thermoplastics material, which is closed at one end 2 and has extending from its other end an open-ended neck 3. A screw thread 4 is formed about the external periphery of the neck 3. The neck is spaced from the main body of the receptacle by a tapered shoulder 5. The upper open end of the neck is closed by a plug 6 whose downwardly extending annular wall 7 is dimensioned to project within the neck 3 to define a tight fit therewith. The plug 6 may be removable or permanently located within the neck 3 of the receptacle 1. In a preferred arrangement the plug is a force fit within the neck to prevent or discourage removal. The plug 6 is formed with a circular through-hole 8 whose diameter is between 0.5mm and 2. 0mm. More than one such through-hole may be provided each having a diameter of between 0.5mm and 2. 0mm. The contour of the or each through-hole may be other than circular. In such cases, the area of the or each through-hole is equivalent to that of a circular through-hole having a diameter in the range 0.5mm to 2. 0mm. Typically, the diameter of the or each through-hole is 1. 0mm.

Secured to the neck of the receptacle is a brush head 9 formed with an internally threaded collar 10. The threads of the collar compliment those of the neck 3 and co-operate to secure the brush head to the receptacle. A tapered ferrule 11 for receiving a quantity of bristles 12 is upstanding from an internal surface of the ferrule base 14. The base of the ferrule is formed with one or more through-holes 15.

As shown in Figure 3, the downwardly extending skirt of the collar overlies the neck 3 of the receptacle and the annular wall 7 of the plug 6 projects into the open end of the neck 3. An annular projection 16 is dependent from the underside of an annular step 17, which forms part of the collar 10. As will be seen from Figure 3, this projection abuts against the upper surface of the plug 6 on assembly to define a chamber 18 bordered by the upper surface of the plug and the underside of the ferrule base 14. When the collar 10 is screwed down tight these abutting surfaces form a leak free seal to ensure that water only passes through the chamber and not around the outside of the collar. This chamber 18 receives small quantities of water passing between the receptacle and the brush head.

Typically the bristles 12 are simply stapled to the internal surface of the base 14 of the ferrule 11. Effectively, the staple forms a know with the folded bristles. These are secured by punching the staple through the base 14 of the ferrule and/or by the interface fit of the densely packed bristles with the interior of the ferrule. In a preferred arrangement the bristles comprise folded strands of a synthetic material, typically nylon of nominal diameter between 0. 1mm and 0.2mm. A preferred bristle diameter is 0.15mm. The nylon strands are densely packed into the ferrule. Typically, the packing density is between 1. 0 and 3.0 grams per cm2 for a nominal bristle diameter of 0.15mm, a ferrule diameter of 6.5mm and an effective bristle length of 21mm. By"effective bristle length"is meant the height of the bristles along the base of the ferrule. Thus, before folding, these bristles are of a length equal to 42mm.

The selection of the diameter (or corresponding area) of the or each through-hole 8 within the range 0.5mm and 2. 0mm is important. If the diameter is less than 0.5mm no or insufficient water will pass through the through-hole 8 and enter the chamber 18 for reasons of surface tension. If, on the other hand, the diameter of the or each through-hole is more than 2. 0mm, too much water will pass through the hole or holes and into the chamber 18 and produce a flooding effect. A preferred through-hole diameter is around 1. 0mm. It is an important feature of the invention that only controlled amounts of water pass from the receptacle and into the chamber 18.

The selection of the bristle thickness is also important. Trials have shown that a bristle thickness of less than 0. 10mm produces a choking effect on the required flow of water thereby inhibiting the flow of water whereas a bristle thickness of greater than 0.20mm produces an excessive water flow.

In use, quantities of water are evenly and controllably dispensed to the brush bristles simply by inverting and shaking or squeezing the receptacle.

The holes 8 of the correct diameter ensure that only a predetermined and controlled amount of water can pass from the receptacle 1 to the chamber 18. The dense packing of the brush bristles also assists in controlling the amount and rate of flow of water to the free ends of the bristles.

If the plug 6 is removable from the end of the neck 3, filling of the receptacle 1 is simply achieved by removing the plug and then introducing water or other fluid in the receptacle through the neck 3. The plug is replaced and the collar is then screwed onto the receptacle and the paintbrush is ready for use. If the plug 6 is permanently or securely located within the neck, squeezing of the receptacle and placing the plug end in water causes water to flow by suction into the interior of the receptacle. To wet the bristles 12, the receptacle is shaken to cause a controlled flow of water to the through-holes 27 of the plug 6 into the chamber 18. As the brush is applied to a surface (i. e. a paint pad) water flows through the holes 15 and then by capillary action to the bristle ends.

Turning now to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 to 9, the paintbrush illustrated includes a squeezable water-containing receptacle 21 produced from a thermoplastics material which is closed at one end 22 and has extending from its other end an open-ended neck 23. A screw-thread 24 is formed about the external periphery of the neck 23. The neck is spaced from the main body of the receptacle by a shoulder 25. The upper open end of the neck is closed by a removable plug 26. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the plug 26 is formed with a through-hole 27. The plug includes a peripheral lip 28 which seats against the upper end of the neck 23. Typically, the diameter of each through-hole is of the order of 0.5mm to 3mm. More typically, the diameter is around 1. 0 to 2. 0mm. One or more through-holes may be present in the plug.

Securable to the neck of the receptacle is a brush head 29 formed with an internally threaded collar 30. A tapered ferrule 31 for receiving a quantity of bristles 32 is upstanding from the upper surface of the ferrule. As will be seen from Figures 7 and 8, the base of the ferrule is formed with one or more through-holes 33.

The threads of the neck 23 and collar 30 cooperate to secure the brush head 29 to the receptacle 21. The downwardly extending skirt of the collar overlies the neck of the receptacle.

Typically the bristles 32 are simply stapled to the base of the ferrule.

Effectively, the staple forms a knot with the folded bristles. These are secured by punching the staple through the base 14 of the ferrule and/or the interface fit of the densely packed bristles with the interior of the ferrule. In a preferred arrangement they comprise folded strands of a synthetic material, typically nylon of nominal diameter between 0.1 and 0.2mm. The nylon strands are densely packed into the ferrule. Typically, the packing density is between 1. 0 and 3.0 grams per cm2 for a nominal bristle diameter of 0.15mm and an effective bristle length of 21mm.

As will be seen from Figures 7 and 9, a block of a porous material 34 is located within a recess formed in the collar below the underside of the base of the ferrule 31. Typically the material is one marketed under the trade mark POREX.

In use, quantities of water are evenly and controllably dispensed to the brush bristles simply by squeezing the receptacle. The small diameter holes formed in the cap and the ferrule and the presence of the porous block 34 ensure that only a predetermined and controlled amount of water can flow from the receptacle to the brush bristles. The dense packing of the brush bristles also assists in controlling the amount and rate of flow of water to the free ends of the bristles. This arrangement enables users to control the rate of flow of water by squeezing and shaking the receptacle 21.

A packaged display of paintbrushes in accordance with the invention is illustrated in Figure 10. This comprises a tray 36 including a plurality of paintbrushes 37 and paint pads 38.

Each paint pad is encompassed by a pad 39 of absorbent material, e. g. a sponge.

In use, the plug 26 is removed temporarily from the end of the neck 23 and the receptacle partially filled. The plug is then replaced prior to the collar being screwed onto the receptacle. Alternatively, the receptacle with the plug 26 in place is squeezed and then the end of the receptacle is immersed in water to cause water to flow into the receptacle by suction effect. The collar is then screwed onto the receptacle and the paintbrush is ready for use. To wet the bristles 32, the receptacle is squeezed to cause a controlled flow of water to flow through the through-hole of the plug 26 and ferrule 31, and through the porous block to the bristles 32. The diameters of the through- holes, the density of the porous block and the packing density of the bristles effectively control the amount and rate of water to the bristles.

Typically, the complete length of the nylon strands folded around the staple of a knot that weighs 0.55 grams are between 40 and 42mm. This gives a finished brush length of between 20 and 21mm of which approximately 16mm protrudes above the upper edge of the ferrule 21 and approximately between 4 and 5mm resides within the ferrule.

It will be appreciated that the bristle weight per square centimetre will change according to the length of nylon used. Therefore, expressing the packing density in grams per square centimetre is relevant to the selected length of 20 to 21mm (16mm above the edge of the ferrule).

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of paintbrushes in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.