The present invention relates to a paint applicator, and the invention also relates to a paint applicator for applying paint to an arcuate or ridge shaped surface, for example, the tail of an animal, and in particular, though not limited to the tail of a bovine animal The invention also relates to a method for applying paint to an arcuate or ridge shaped surface, for example, the tail of an animal, and in particular, though not limited to the tail of a bovine animal. The painting of non-planar surfaces can be difficult, tedious and time consuming. For example, to paint a planar surface of a given transverse width, which, for example, is equal to the width of a paint brush or the length of a paint roller, in general, one or at most two strokes of the brush or roller is adequate to adequately cover the planar surface with the appropriate amount of paint. However, to paint a non-planar surface, particularly, a surface, the transverse cross-section of which defines a ridge, or an arcuate surface, of a similar width to that of a planar surface, many more brush strokes or roller strokes are required to adequately cover the non-planar surface with the appropriate amount of paint, than would be required to cover a planar surface of corresponding width. This is so even using a paint brush of a corresponding width or a paint roller of a corresponding length to that of the width of the non-planar surface. This, is a particularly serious problem in the painting of the tail of an animal, for example, a bovine animal, which is a common procedure in order to detect oestrous in an animal. Due to the transverse curvature of the tail of animals, in particular, bovine animals, many strokes of a brush or a roller are required in order to adequately coat the surface of the tail of an animal with an appropriate amount of paint, even In cases where only the top surface of the tail is to be coated with paint. This problem is further aggravated by the difficulty in maintaining an animal still and in particular, maintaining the tail of an animal still while the paint is being applied thereto. Accordingly, by virtue of the curvature of the tail of an animal, and the difficulty in maintaining an animal and its tail still while the paint is being applied, many strokes of a brush or a roller are required in order to adequately coat the relevant part of the surface of the tail of an animal with an appropriate amount of paint. There is therefore a need for a paint applicator, and a method for applying paint to the tail of an animalwhich addresses this problem.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a paint applicator and a method for applying paint to the tai! of an animal, and the invention is also directed towards providing a paint applicator and a method for applying paint to any non-planar surfaces, for exampla, a transversely curved surface of arcuate transverse cross-section or a ridge shaped surface of ridge shaped transverse cross-section.

According to the invention there is provided a paint applicator comprising a body member, the body member defining a bristle populated face, having a plurality of bristles projecting therefrom for applying paint to a surface, the bristles terminating in respective distal ends, the distal ends of the bristles being arranged so that together in combination the distal ends of the bristles define a trough shaped surface defining a trough of arcuate or ridge shape.

In one embodiment of the invention the trough shaped surface defined by the combination of the distal ends of the bristles defines a surface of an article to which paint is to be applied by the applicator.

Preferably, the trough shaped surface of the trough defined by the combination of the distal ends of the bristles is one of arcuate or ridge shaped cross-section.

In one embodiment of the invention the transverse cross-section of the trough defined by the combination of the distal ends of the bristles defines a transverse cross-section of the surface to which the paint is to be applied.

In another embodiment of the invention the bristle populated face defines a trough shaped surface, and preferably, the trough shaped surface defined by the bristle populated face is similar to the trough shaped surface defined by the distal ends of the bristles.

Preferably, the bristles are of equal length.

In one embodiment of the invention the trough defined by the combination of the distal ends of the bristles defines a central axis extending longitudinally through and parallel to the trough.

Preferably, the body member is configured so that the normal direction through which the brush is stroked on the surface to which paint is to be applied extends substantially parallel to the central axis defined by the trough. in one embodiment of the invention the body member defines an outer periphery of the bristle populated face.

In another embodiment of the invention the bristles are arranged on the bristle populated face in spaced apart rows.

In another embodiment of the invention the bristles in each row are spaced apart from each other.

Preferably, the bristles in each row of bristles are equi-spaced apart from each other. Advantageously, the rows of the bristles are equi-spaced apart from each other.

In another embodiment of the invention the bristle populated face defines a substantially central portion of one of rectangular shape and square shape, and preferably, the central portion of the bristle populated face defines a pair of spaced apart opposite peripheral side edges, ideally, the peripheral side edges defined by the central portion of the bristle populated face extend parallel to each other, and preferably, transversely of the central axis defined by the trough shaped surface. Advantageously, the bristle populated face defines a pair of end portions adjacent and extending endwardly from respective opposite ends of the central portion, and advantageously, the end portions of the bristle populated face define respective opposite outer peripheral end edges of the bristle populated face. In one embodiment of the invention the end portions of the bristle populated face define arcuate outer peripheral end edges, and ideally, semi-circular peripheral end edges.

In another embodiment of the invention the outer peripheral end edge of each end portion defines a centre of radius, and preferably, the centre of radius is located equi-spaced apart from the peripheral side edges, and advantageously, the centres of radii coincide with the respective ends of the central portion of the bristle populated face.

Preferably, the peripheral side edges of the central portion of the bristle populated face and the outer peripheral end edges of the end portions thereof run contiguously around the periphery of the bristle populated face to define the outer periphery thereof.

Preferably, the bristles extending from the central portion of the bristle populated face are arranged in the spaced apart rows extending parallel to the peripheral side edges thereof.

Advantageously, the spaced apart rows of the bristles in the end portions of the bristle populated face are arranged in spaced apart arcuate rows, each row defining a centre of radius coinciding with the centre of radius of the outer peripheral end edge of the corresponding end portion of the bristle populated face,

In a further embodiment of the invention each bristle has a longitudinally elongated planar surface, and an opposite longitudinally extending elongated surface defining an arcuate cross-section, which preferably is contiguous with the planar surface. Advantageously, each bristle is of half-moon type transverse cross-section.

Advantageously, the planar surfaces of the respective bristles face outwardly towards the corresponding outer periphery of the bristle populated face, and preferably, the planar surface of each bristle faces outwardiy towards the portion of the outer periphery of the bristle populated face closest to the bristle.

Advantageously, the planar surfaces of the bristles in the respective rows of the central portion of the bristle populated surface define respective planes extending parallel to the corresponding adjacent side portion, and preferably, the planar surfaces of the bristles in the respective rows of each end portion of the bristle populated face define respective planes extending concentrically with the adjacent outer peripheral end edge.

In one embodiment of the invention each bristle comprises a semi-rigid materia!. in another embodiment of the invention each bristle comprises a resilient material. Preferably, each bristle comprises a resiliently bendable material.

In one embodiment of the invention the bristles are arranged in a comb like configuration.

In one embodiment of the invention the bristles are integrally formed with the body member, and preferably, the body member comprises a plastics material, and advantageously, the bristles comprise a plastics material. Ideally, the body member and the bristles are simultaneously formed, and ideally, are integrally formed by injection moulding. in another embodiment of the invention a distribution channel extends along the bristle populated face for distributing paint to the bristles, and preferably, at least one duct extends through the body member for delivering paint to the distribution channel.

Preferably, the distribution channel extends along the bristle populated face in a general direction transversely of the central axis defined by the trough, and preferably, the distribution channel extends substantially paralie! to the peripheral side edges of the central portion of the bristle populated face, and preferably, the distribution channel is equi-spaced apart from the respective side edges of the central portion of the bristle populated face.

In one embodiment of the invention the distribution channel extends into each end portion of the bristle populated face, and advantageously, the distribution channel terminates in respective opposite ends spaced apart from the outer peripheral end edges of the respective end portions of the bristle populated face.

In another embodiment of the invention a connecting means extends from the body member for connecting the body member to a container for paint, a communicating bore extending through the connecting means communicating with the distribution channel for accommodating paint to the distribution channel.

Preferably, the connecting means is configured for sealably engaging a container for paint.

In another embodiment of the invention the connecting means is threaded, the threads being adapted to engage corresponding threads of a container for paint for securing the body member to the container.

In another embodiment of the invention the connecting means is configured for securing to a neck of a container for paint.

Preferably, the connecting means comprises one of a socket and a plug member.

Advantageously, the at least one duct extends from the distribution channel to (he communicating bore for communicating the distribution channel with the communicating bore and in turn to a hollow interior region of a container for paint to which the body member is connected.

In another embodiment of the invention the bore of the connecting means forms the socket, and the at least one duct extends from a base of the socket to the distribution channel for communicating the socket with the distribution channel,

Advantageously, a pair of the ducts are provided spaced apart from each other, and preferably, the ducts extend parallel to each other.

In one embodiment of the invention a cover is provided for covering the bristles extending from the body member, the cover being engageable with the body member and being configured to define with the body member a chamber for accommodating the bristles therein. Preferably, the cover is configured to define with the body member a chamber for accommodating the bristles therein.

In one embodiment of the invention the cover is adapted to seaiably engage the body member to define the chamber as an airtight chamber.

Advantageously, the cover comprises a closure means extending therefrom for closing each duct: communicating with the distribution channel. Preferably, the closure means comprises a closure spigot, and advantageously, a closure spigot is provided corresponding to each duct in the body member.

In another embodiment of the Invention the cover comprises a base and a peripheral wall extending around the periphery of the base and engageable with the periphery of the body member.

Preferably, the peripheral wall is adapted for seaiably engaging the body member adjacent the periphery of the bristle populated face. in another embodiment of the invention the base of the cover is of trough shape corresponding to the trough shaped surface defined by the combination of the distal ends of the bristles.

In one embodiment of the invention the peripheral wall extending around and from the base of the cover is of length from the base of the cover such that when the side wall is seaiably engaged with the body member, the base of the cover is spaced apart from the distal ends of the bristles.

The invention also provides a combination of a paint applicator according to ths invention and a container for paint, the paint applicator being secured to the container for paint.

Preferably, the paint applicator is sealably secured to the container for paint, and preferably, is releasably secured to the container for paint, and advantageously, the distribution channel of the paint applicator communicates with a hollow interior region of the container for paint through the connecting means.

Additionally, the invention provides a method for painting an arcuate or ridge shaped surface, the method comprising providing a paint applicator according to the invention, connecting the paint applicator to a container defining a hollow interior region with the hollow interior region charged with paint, permitting paint to flow from the container to the bristles of the body member of the paint applicator, offering the paint applicator to the surface to be painted, with the trough shaped surface defined by the combination of the distal ends of the bristles aligned with the arcuate or ridge shaped surface to be painted, engaging the arcuate or ridge shaped surface to be painted with the bristles, and urging the applicator along the arcuate or ridge shaped surface to be painted with strokes extending parallel to the central axis defined by the trough shaped surface defined by the distal end of the bristles, so that the central axis defined by the trough shaped surface extends substantially parallel to the ridge or centre of radius of (he arcuate or ridge shaped surface to be painted.

In one embodiment of the invention the arcuate or ridge shaped surface to be painted comprises an arcuate surface defined by a tail of an animal.

In another embodiment of the invention the paint applicator is urged along the tail of the animal with strokes whereby the central axis defined by the trough of arcuate or ridge shape defined by the distal ends of the bristles extends substantially parallel to a longitudinally extending central axis defined by the tail of the animal. in a further embodiment of the invention the animal comprises a bovine animal.

In one embodiment of the invention the paint is applied to the tai! of the animal adjacent the top or proximal end thereof.

The invention further provides a method for painting an arcuate or ridge shaped surface, the method comprising providing a paint applicator according Io the invention, connecting the paint applicator to a container defining a hollow interior region with the hollow interior region containing paint, permitting paint to flow from the container through the at least one duct in the body member to the distribution channel and in turn to the bristles, offering the paint applicator to the surface to be painted with the trough shaped surface defined by the combination of the distal ends of the bristles aligned with the arcuate or ridge shaped surface and engaging the arcuate or ridge shaped surface, and urging the applicator along the arcuate or ridge shaped surface with the trough shaped surfaced defined by the combination of the distal ends of the bristles substantially continuously aligned with the arcuate or ridge shaped surface for applying the paint thereto.

The advantages of the invention are many. A particularly important advantage of the invention is that the paint applicator according to the invention allows paint to be applied to a curved surface of the tail of an anima! with a minimum number of strokes, and in many cases, by one stroke, and in general, at most by two strokes of the paint applicator. This is a particularly important advantage in applying paint to an anima! whereby in general, it is difficult to maintain an animal still and to maintain the tail of an animal still over any reasonable time period.

Another particularly important advantage of the invention is that the applicator consistently applies a coating of paint to surfaces to which paint is to be applied in a consistent uniform manner. This is a particularly important advantage when the applicator is being used to apply paint to the tails of a plurality of animals of a herd for the detection of oestrous. For example, when the paint Is being applied to the tails of a plurality of cows of a herd of cows for the detection of oestrous in such animals, by virtue of the fact that the applicator applies the coating of the paint in a consistent uniform manner to the tails of the respective animals, a farmer can readily identify an animal which has been mounted, and therefore possibly in oestrous, due to smudging, disturbing, wearing or removal of the paint coating as a result of the animal having been mounted, since the paint on that animal will look clearly different to the uniform coating of paint on the other animals of the herd.

It has been found that by providing the bristles of a semi-rigid or a resilient or resiliency bendabiy material and spacing the bristles apart in a comb like configuration whereby the bristles in each row are spaced apart in the comb like configuration provides two particularly important advantages of the invention. Firstly, by virtue of the bristles being provided semi-rigid or resiliency bendable material, the paint applicator can be readily urged along the tail of an animal on which hairs grow, since the bristles tend to act on the hairs of the tail of the animal in a comb like manner, thereby avoiding hairs on the tail of the animal becoming tangled with the bristles, which would otherwise occur with hair type bristles of the type used in a conventional paint brush. Secondly, by virtue of the bristles being spaced apart from each other and particularly, being arranged in spaced apart rows in which the bristles of each row are spaced apart in the comb like manner, results in the paint being applied to the tai! of an animal as a consistent uniform coat from animal to animal.

The paint applicator according to the invention also allows paint to be applied to any curved or ridge shaped surface as a consistent uniform coat with the minimum number of strokes of the paint applicator,

The advantages of the method according to the invention are similar to the advantages achieved by the paint applicator.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, In which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a paint applicator according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the paint applicator of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a further perspective view of the paint applicator of Fig. 1 , rig. 4 is a still further perspective view of the paint applicator of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the paint applicator of Fig. 1,

Fig, 6 is an end elevational view of the paint applicator of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 7 is an end elevational view of the paint applicator of Fig. 1 from the opposite end to that of Fig. 6,

Fig. 8 Is a plan view of the paint applicator of Fig. 1,

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the paint applicator of Fig. 1 on the line IX-IX of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the paint applicator of Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is an exploded cross-sectional side elevational view of the paint applicator of Fig. 1 also on the line IX-IX of Fig. 8,

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a part of the paint applicator of Fig. 1,

Fig. 131s another perspective view of the part of Fig. 12 of the paint applicator of Fig. 1,

Fig. 14 is another perspective view of the part of Fig. 12 of the paint applicator of Fig. 1,

Fig. 15 is a: further perspective view of the part of Fig, 12 of the paint applicator of Fig. 1.

Fig. 16 is a side elevational view of the part of Fig. 12 of the paint applicator of Fig. 1,

Fig. 17 is an end elevational view of the part of Fig. 12 of the paint applicator of Fig. 1,

Fig. 18 is an end elevational view from the opposite end to that of Fig. 17 of the part of Fig. 12 of the paint applicator of Fig. 1,

Fig. 19 is a plan view of the part of Fig. 12 of the paint applicator of Fig. 1,

Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the part of Fig. 12 of the paint applicator of Fig. 1 on the line XX-XX of Fig. 19,

Fig. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the paint applicator,

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a combination also according to the invention of the paint applicator of Fig. 1 connected to a container for paint, and Fig. 23 is a perspect ive view of the combination of the paint applicator and the container for paint, in use, applying paint to a taii of a bovine animal.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a paint applicator according to the invention indicated generally by the reference humeral 1 for securing: to a container for paint, namely, a paint container 2 to form a combination, also according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 4 of the paint applicator 1 and the container 2, as will be described in more detail below; The paint applicator 1 is adapted for applying paint to an arcuate shaped surface, for example, for applying paint to a curved type surface 6 of the tail 8 of an animal, such as a bovine animal, only a rear part 13 of which is illustrated in Fig, 23, adjacent a proximal or top end 18 of the tail 8 for facilitating the detection of oestrous in the animal.

The paint applicator 1 comprises a paint applicator part 3 and a cover 5. The paint applicator part 3 comprises a body member? forming a plate member 9 which defines a bristle populated face 10 from which a plurality of bristles 11 extend for applying paint to the surface 6 of the tail 8 of the animal. A connecting means comprising a connecting member 12 extends from the plate member 9 from the opposite side thereof to that of the bristle populated face 10, and defines a communicating bore 16, which in turn defines a socket 14 for seaiably engaging a neck 19 of the paint container 2. An internal screw thread 15 formed in the socket 14 is engageable with a corresponding screw thread (not shown) formed on the neck 19 of the paint container 2 for release bly securing the applicator part 3 to the paint container 2.

The paint container 2 defines a hollow interior region (not shown) for containing the paint. The hollow interior region (not shown) of the paint container 2 may be of any suitable capacity, and typically, is of capacity of approximately 500ml The paint container 2 typically is of circular transverse cross-section, typically of 75mm diameter, and typically is of length 220mm. Ideally, the paint container 2 is of size and shape suitable for gripping by hand, so that the paint container 2 acts as a handle for the combination 4 of the paint applicator part 3 and the paint container 2. However, it will be appreciated that the paint container 2 may be of any suitable capacity and shape, and in general, may be of capacity in the range of 250ml to 2,000ml.

An elongated distribution channel 20 for distributing paint to the bristles 11 is formed in the plate member 9 and extends into the plate member 9 from the bristle popuiated face 10. A pair of spaced apart parallel ducts 22 of circular transverse cross-section extending from the connecting member 12 through the plate member 9 to the distribution channel 20 deliver paint from the paint container 2 to the distribution channel 20, The ducts 22 extend from a base 23 of the communicating bore 16 in the connecting member 12 io the distribution channel 20.

The bristles 11 extending from the bristle populated face 10 terminate in distal ends 24 which are arranged so that the distal ends 24 together in combination define a trough shaped surface 25 of arcuate shape. The trough shaped surface 25 defines a trough 21 , which in turn defines a central axis 26 extending longitudinally through the trough 21. The trough shaped surface 26 defines the transverse cross-section of the surface to which paint is to be applied, in this embodiment of the invention the trough shaped surface 25 defines an arcuate surface of curvature substantially similar to the transverse curvature of the surface 6 of the tail 8 adjacent the proximal end 18 thereof of the bovine animal 13, such as a cow, for painting the cow’s tail 8, However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the distal ends 24 of the bristles 11 may be arranged so that in combination the distal ends 24 of the bristles 11 would define a trough shape of any other suitable or desired cross-section , which ideally, would substantially define the transverse cross-section of the surface to which paint is to be applied, which may be of arcuate trough shape or ridge trough shape.

In this embodiment of the invention the bristle populated face 10 defined by the plate member 9 defines a trough shaped surface similar to end corresponding So the trough shaped surface 25 defined by the distal ends 24 of the bristles 11 , and the bristles 11 are of equal length to each other.

The plate member 9 defines an outer periphery 27 of the bristle populated face 10. The bristle populated face 10 comprises a central portion 28 and a pair of end portions 29, The central portion 28 is of rectangular shape, while the two end portions 29 are of arcuate shape, in this embodiment of the invention semi-circular shape, but may be of any other suitable shapes. The central portion 28 defines opposite parallel peripheral side edges 30 of the outer periphery 27 defined by the plate member 9, and the end portions 29 define semi-circular outer peripheral end edges 32 of the outer periphery 27 defined by the plate member 9, The peripheral side edges 30 and the semi-circular outer peripheral end edges 32 run contiguously to form the outer periphery 27 defined by the plate member 9, Each semi-circular outer peripheral end edge 32 defines a centre of radius 34 which coincide with a corresponding end boundary between the central portion 28 and the end portion 29. The centres of radii 34 defined by the respective end portions 29 are equl-spaced apart from the peripheral side edges 30 of the central portion 28.

The distribution channel 20 extends aiong the central portion 28 of the plate member 9 parallel to and equi-spaced apart from the peripheral side edges 30 thereof, and extends into the end portions 29 of the plate member 9. The distribution channel 20 terminates in respective opposite ends 37 in the end portions 29 of the plate member 9 spaced apart from the corresponding semi-circular outer peripheral end edges 32. The provision of the distribution channel 20 enhances the delivery and the uniformity of delivery of paint to the bristles 11.

The bristles 11 in the central portion 28 of the bristle populated face 10 are arranged in spaced apart rows 39 parallel to the peripheral side edges 30 of the central portion 28. The bristles 11 in the end portions 29 of the bristle populated face 10 are arranged in spaced apart semi-circular rows 40 of semi-circular shape of radius coinciding with the centre of radius 34 of the semi-circular outer peripheral end edges 32 of the corresponding end portion 29. The semi-circular rows 40 of the bristles 11 in the end portions 29 are aligned with corresponding rows 39 of the bristles 11 in the centra! portion 28 of the bristle populated face 10. The bristles 11 are equi-spaced apart from each other in the respective rows 39 and 40 in a comb like configuration, and the rows 39 and 40 of the bristles 11 are substantially equi-spaced apart from each other.

Each bristle 11 comprises a semi-rigid material, which while being semi-rigid, is also resiliently bendable. Each bristle is also of a half-moon type transverse cross-section having an elongated longitudinally extending planar side face 42 and an opposite elongated longitudinally extending arcuate side face 43 extending from the planar side face 42, see Fig, 21. The bristles 11 are arranged in the rows 39 and 40 with the planar side faces 42 thereof facing outwardly from the distribution channel 20 and: towards the corresponding part of the outer periphery 27 of the bristle populated face 10, and with the arcuate side faces 43 thereof facing inwardly towards the distribution channel 20. it has been found that by providing the bristles 11 haying a planar side face 42 and an opposite arcuate side face 43 with the planar side faces 42 thereof, facing outwardly from the distribution channel 20 towards the outer periphery 27 of the bristle populated face 10 optimum even paint distribution throughout the bristles 11 is achieved, thereby enhancing the consistent application of the paint to the surface to be painted as a consistent, uniform and even coat, particularly when the surface being painted is the tail of an animal. in this embodiment of the invention the paint applicator portion 3 including the bristles 11 and the connecting member 12 are of plastics material and are integrally formed in one piece by injection moulding.

Returning now to the cover 5, the cover 5 comprises a base 45 of arcuate trough shape, which defines inner and outer surfaces 46 and 47, respectively, of corresponding arcuate trough shape. The arcuate trough shape of the base 45 of the cover 5 corresponds to the trough shaped surface 25 defined by the combination of the distal ends 24 of the bristles 11. The base 45 defines an outer periphery 48 which corresponds with the outer periphery 27 defined by the plate member 9. A side wall 49 extends around and from the periphery 48 of the base 45. The side wail 49 terminates in a peripheral edge 50, and an inner edge portion 51 extending around the side wall 49 adjacent the peripheral edge 50 is adapted to sealably engage a peripheral stepped receiving recess 52 defined by a step 54 extending around the outer periphery 27 of the plate member 9, so that when the inner edge portion 51 of the side wall 49 of the cover 5 is sealably engaged in the receiving recess 52 of the plate member 9, the cover 5 defines with the plate member s an airtight chamber 53 for accommodating the bristles 11 therein. The spacing of the peripheral edge 50 of the side wall 48 from the inner surface 46 of the base 45 of the cover 5 is such as to provide clearance: between the distal ends 24 of the bristles 11 and the inner surface 46 of the base 45 of the cover 5 when the side wall 49 of the cover 5 is sealably and securely engaged in the receiving recess 52 of the plate member 9.

A closure means, in this embodiment of the invention provided by a pair of spaced apart closure spigots 55 extend from the inner surface 46 of the base 45 of the cover 5, and are aligned with the corresponding ducts 22 in the body member 7 for sealably engaging and closing the ducts 22 when the cover 5 is sealably engaged with the plate member 9. The closure spigots 55 are of circular transverse cross- section of diameter substantially similar to the diameter of the ducts 22 for sealably closing the ducts 22, so that when the cover 5 is sealably engaged with the plate member 9, the chamber 53 is fully seated and is airtight.

In this embodiment of the invention the cover 5 and the spigots 55 are of plastics material and ere integrally formed together by injection moulding, but may be of any other suitable material and may be formed by any other suitable forming process.

The advantage of configuring the cover 5 to form an airtight seal with the applicator part 3 is that there is no need to clean or wash out residual paint on the bristles after use and between uses of the applicator 1 , since by maintaining the chamber 53 airtight between uses of the applicator 1, any residual paint remaining on the bristles 11 and on the bristle populated face 10 of the applicator part 3 after use of the applicator 1 does not dry, and thus remains in liquid form on the bristles 11 and the bristle populated face 10. In use, to apply paint to the surface 6 of the fail 8. and in particular, to the surface 6 adjacent the top or proximal portion 18 of the fail 8, the cover 5 is removed from the applicator part 3 of the applicator 1. If the applicator 1 is not already secured to the neck of the paint container 2 charged with the paint, the applicator 1 is secured to the paint container 2 to form the combination 4 thereof. With the cover 5 removed from the applicator part 3, and using the container 2 as a handie, the container 2 is gripped by hand, and the combination 4 of the paint container 2 and the applicator part 3 is inverted, so that paint flows viscously from the container 2 to the applicator part 3, and in turn to the bristles 11. The bristles 11 are then brought into engagement with the surface 6 of the tail 8 adjacent the proximal end 18 thereof with the trough shaped arcuate surface 25 defined by the distal ends of the bristles 11 aligned with the transverse curvature of the surface 6 of the tali 8, in other words, with the central axis 26 defined by the trough shaped arcuate surface 25 defined by the distal ends 24 of the bristles 11 extending parallel to the tail 8. The applicator part 3 is then drawn with an elongated stroke parallel to the central axis 26 defined by the trough shaped arcuate surface 25 defined by the distal ends 24 of the bristles 11 and longitudinally along the tail 8 from the proximal end 18 thereof, while maintaining the central axis 26 defined by the trough shaped arcuate surface 25 substantially parallel to the tail 8 to apply the paint to the transversely curved surface 6 of the top proximal portion 18 of the tail 8.

On completion of painting the surface 6 of the tail 8, if there are no other animals, the surfaces of the tails thereof are to be painted, the cover 5 is engaged with the applicator part 3 to form the airtight chamber 53 forthe bristles 11. If desired, the paint container 2 may be disengaged from the applicator 1. However, in general, it is envisaged that the applicator 1 will remain secured to the paint container 2, since the connecting member 12 of the paint applicator 1 is seaiabiy secured to the neck 19 of the container 2. Since the bristles 11 and the bristle populated surface 10 of the plate member 9 of the applicator part 3 are retained airtight by the cover 5, any residua! paint remaining on the bristles 11 or on the bristle populated surface 10 remains liquid. Furthermore, since the paint container 2 is seaiabiy closed by the applicator 1 , and since the communicating bora 16 of the connecting member 12 is also retained airtight by the combination of the cover 5 being seaiabiy: secured to the applicator part 3 and the applicator part 3 being seaiabiy secured to the container 2, any residual paint remaining in the communicating bore 16 of the connecting member 12 likewise remains in liquid form. Therefore, there is no need to remove the applicator 1 from the container 2 for cleaning thereof on completion of painting of the fail or tails of animals to be painted.

When the combination 4 of the paint applicator 1 and the container 2 is next required, the cover 5 is removed from the applicator 1 , and with the container 2 forming a handle and gripped by hand, the combination of the container 2 and the applicator 1 are again inverted to allow paint to flow viscously from the container 2 to the applicator part 3, and in turn: to the bristles 11. The combination 4 of the container 2 and the applicator 1 is used again as already described. While the combination 4 of the paint applicator 1 and the paint container 2 have been described for applying paint to the surface of the tail of a bovine animal, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the combination of the paint applicator and the paint container may be used for applying paint to the tail of any animal, be it a bovine animal or otherwise. It will also be appreciated that, while the combination 4 of the applicator 1 and the container 2 have been described for applying paint to the surface of the tail of an animal, the combination of the paint applicator and the paint container may be used for applying paint to any curved surface, and in which case, it is envisaged that the distal ends of the bristles of the paint applicator will be configured to define a trough shaped arcuate surface corresponding to the transverse curvature of the surface to which paint is to be applied. Such a surface, for example, may be the outer arcuate surface of a pipe, for example, the circular circumferential surface of a pipe, and In which case, it is envisaged that the trough shaped surface defined by the distal ends of the bristles would define a partly circular or semi-circular trough shaped surface to correspond with the curvature of the surface to be painted. Heedless to say, the combination of the paint applicator and the paint container may be used for painting any such arcuate surface, it is also envisaged that the combination of the paint applicator and the paint container may be used for painting a ridge shaped surface having two faces joined along and defining a ridge, and in which case, it is envisaged that the distal ends of the bristles would define a ridge shaped trough shaped surface substantially defining the ridge shaped surface to be painted. When applying paint to such a ridge shaped surface, the applicator would be offered-up to the ridge shaped surface with the ridge defined by the ridge shaped surface of the trough defined by the distal ends of the bristles aligned with and extending parallel to the ridge of the ridge shaped surface to be painted. The applicator would then be drawn in an elongated stroke parallel to the ridge of the ridge shaped surface to which paint is to be applied,

White the paint: applicator has been described as being provided to be secured to a paint container of a specific capacity and shape, it is envisaged that the paint applicator may be provided for use with any type of paint container, including proprietary type paint containers.

While the paint applicator has been described as comprising bristles of a particular cross-sectional shape and arrangement, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other suitable shapes and arrangements of bristles may be used. It will also be appreciated that while in this embodiment of the invention the bristles have been described as being of plastics material integrally formed with the paint applicator part, the bristles may be of a different material, and may be inserted into the paint applicator part subsequently, or may be insert moulded into the applicator part during formation of the applicator part. It will also be appreciated that while the trough shaped surface 25 defined by the combination of the distal ends 24 of the bristles 11 has been illustrated as being of curved shape of a particular radius, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the trough shaped surface 25 defined by the combination of the distal ends of the bristles rnay be of any other suitable shape, and indeed, may be of trough shape other than an arcuate shape or ridge shape, and typically, would be of shape corresponding to the shape of the surface to be painted.

While the connecting means for connecting the paint applicator to a container has been described as comprising a socket, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the connecting means may be provided as a plug member which would extend into a socket part of a neck or other suitable part of the container. When provided by a plug member, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the plug member may be externally screw threaded, or in certain embodiments of the invention, the plug member may define a distally tapering surface which would sealably engage a bore In the neck of a container. While the paint applicator has been described as comprising a cover, in some embodiments of the invention, it is envisaged that the cover may be dispensed with.

Needless to say. while the paint applicator and cover have been described as being of plastics material, any other suitable material may be used.

While the paint applicator has been described for use in conjunction with a paint container and secured to the paint container, which forms a handie for the combination of the paint applicator and the paint container, it is envisaged in some embodiments of the invention the paint container may be omitted, and a handle or other such hand grip system would be located on the paint applicator. In cases where the paint applicator was to be used without a paint container, it is envisaged that paint would be supplied to the paint applicator through the connecting member from a paint source through for example, a flexible tube. Alternately, it is envisaged that the paint applicator may be provided as a disposal paint applicator, and would be non-releasabiy secured to a paint container, which would be recharged with paint prior to supplying the paint applicator.

It will also be appreciated that white a single distribution channel has been described, any number of distribution channels: may be formed into the bristle populated face, and the distribution channels may be inter-connected or not inter-connected, it is also envisaged that where more than one distribution channel is provided, the distribution channels may be each connected to the communicating bore in the connecting member by one or more ducts. It is also envisaged that where the distribution channels are inter- connected, paint may be supplied from one distribution channel to another distribution channel. While the distribution channel has been described as communicating with the communicating bore of the connecting member through two ducts 22, any number of ducts from one upwards may be provided communicating the distribution chan nel or channels to the communicating bore of the connecting member.