BUCKET AND PAINT BRUSH HOLDER COMBINATION

Abstract

A paint and brush holder comprises a primary compartment with an open top end and a closed bottom end wherein the top end and the bottom end are connected by substantially parallel walls such that the primary compartment is substantially cylindrically shaped, and a secondary compartment coupled to the primary compartment for holding a brush. In use, the paint and brush holder apparatus allows a user to transfer paint from a primary compartment to a surface or structure with a brush and store the brush in a secondary compartment while the brush is not being used.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 (e) of the co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/289,961, filed Dec. 23, 2009, and entitled “Bucket and Paint Brush Holder Combination.” The Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/289,961, filed Dec. 23, 2009, and entitled “Bucket and Paint Brush Holder Combination” is also hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to paint and paint brush tools. More particularly, the present invention relates to a paint bucket and paint brush holder combination,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Paint, varnish, and stains are used to coat and cover wood and other surfaces to protect and bring out the natural beauty of a surface. An implement such as a paint brush or roller is typically used to transfer the paint, varnish, or stain from a receptacle to the surface. Particularly, as a user moves between paint surfaces or switches to a different task, it is desirable to store the brush where it is able to be accessed later without transferring paint, stain or varnish to an unwanted surface or structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A paint and brush holder comprises a primary compartment with an open top end and a closed bottom end wherein the top end and the bottom end are connected by substantially parallel walls such that the primary compartment is substantially cylindrically shaped. The paint and brush holder further comprises a secondary compartment coupled to the primary compartment for holding a brush. In use, the paint and brush holder apparatus allows a user to transfer paint from a primary compartment to a surface or structure with a brush and store the brush in a secondary compartment while the brush is not being used.

In one aspect, a paint and brush holder comprises a primary compartment and a secondary compartment for holding a brush, wherein the primary compartment and the secondary compartment are attached at a top portion and separated by a gap at a bottom portion. In some embodiments, the secondary compartment is removably attached to the primary compartment. In some embodiments, the primary compartment and the secondary compartment are different sizes. In further embodiments, a top of the primary compartment is the same shape as a bottom of the primary compartment. In still further embodiments, the paint and brush holder is stackable. In some embodiments, the secondary compartment is sized to tightly hold the brush and a handle of the brush remains above an interior of the secondary compartment. In some embodiments, the primary compartment is substantially cylindrical in shape. In further embodiments, the paint and brush holder comprises a handle. In some embodiments, the secondary compartment is located outside an interior space of the primary compartment.

In another aspect, a stackable paint and brush holder comprises a primary compartment and a secondary compartment, wherein when the paint and brush holder is stacked, the primary compartment is placed within an additional primary compartment of an additional paint and brush holder and the secondary compartment is placed within an additional secondary compartment of the additional paint and brush holder. In some embodiments, the primary compartment and the secondary compartment are different sizes. In some embodiments, the primary compartment and the secondary compartment are attached at a top portion and separated by a gap at a bottom portion. In further embodiments, the primary compartment and the secondary compartment are different sizes. In still further embodiments, a top of the primary compartment is the same shape as a bottom of the primary compartment. In some embodiments, the secondary compartment is sized to tightly hold a brush and a handle of the brush remains above an interior of the secondary compartment. In some embodiments, the primary compartment is substantially cylindrical in shape. In further embodiments, the stackable paint and brush holder comprises a handle. In some embodiments, the secondary compartment is located outside an interior space of the primary compartment.

In a further aspect, a combination paint and brush holder comprises a first compartment and a second compartment integrally coupled to the first compartment, wherein the first compartment and the second compartment do not have a common side, and further wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are different sizes. In some embodiments, the first compartment is substantially cylindrical in shape. In some embodiments, the second compartment is sized to tightly hold a brush and a handle of the brush remains above an interior of the second compartment. In further embodiments, a top of the first compartment is the same shape as a bottom of the primary compartment. In some embodiments, the combination paint and brush holder is stackable. In further embodiments, the combination paint and brush holder comprises a handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a paint and brush holder apparatus in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a paint and brush holder apparatus in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a paint and brush holder apparatus holding a paint brush in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4A illustrates a brush holder of a paint and brush holder apparatus in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4B illustrates a brush holder of a paint and brush holder apparatus in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a plurality of stacked paint and brush holder apparatus in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous details are set forth for purpose of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the invention may be practiced without the use of these specific details. Particularly, throughout the application the terms paint, varnish, stain, and viscous substance are used interchangeably.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the paint and brush holder apparatus is depicted therein. As shown in FIG. 1, the paint and brush holder apparatus 100 comprises a continuously formed primary compartment 102 and a continuously formed secondary compartment 106. The primary compartment 102 and the secondary compartment 106 are separated by a divider 140. The primary compartment 102 comprises an open top end 104 and a closed bottom end 114. The open top end 104 and the closed bottom end 114 are the same continuous symmetrical shape. For example, in some embodiments the top end 104 and the bottom end 114 are circles. In some embodiments, the top end 104 and the bottom end 114 are squares or rectangles. As further shown in FIG. 1, the top end 104 and the bottom end 114 are connected by substantially parallel walls such that the primary compartment 102 is substantially cylindrically shaped. Consequently, as the primary compartment is filled with a viscous substance, it is filled in a uniform manner. Particularly, the continuous structure ensures that the weight of the viscous substance is able to be added without the primary compartment spilling or tipping over. In some embodiments, the primary compartment 102 is shaped like a typical 2-gallon paint bucket. The top end 104 and the bottom end 114 of the primary compartment 102 are able to be any symmetrical shape known in the art.

The paint and brush holder 100 also comprises a secondary compartment 106 coupled to the primary compartment 102. The secondary compartment 106 is configured for holding a brush for transferring paint from the primary compartment 102 to a surface. The secondary compartment 106 comprises a closed bottom end 110 and an open top end 108. As shown in FIG. 1 the top end 108 of the secondary compartment 106 is coupled to the primary compartment 102. In some embodiments, the top end 108 of the secondary compartment 106 is coupled to the top end 104 of the primary compartment 102. In some embodiments, the secondary compartment 106 is integrally coupled to the primary compartment 102. In some embodiments, the secondary compartment 106 is substantially rectangular in shape. The secondary compartment 106 is shaped such that a gap 120 between the bottom of the secondary compartment 110 and the primary compartment 102 is created. This shape allows a paint brush to be placed within the secondary compartment 106 without the paint and brush holder tipping over and also ensures that the holder is easily stackable.

In some embodiments, the primary compartment 102 and the secondary compartment 106 are manufactured of plastic. In some embodiments, the primary compartment 102 and the secondary compartment 106 are manufactured from metal, ceramic, or any other appropriate material known in the art. As further shown in FIG. 1, in some embodiments the paint and brush holder comprises a handle 112 for carrying the apparatus.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the paint and brush holder in accordance with some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2 the primary compartment 202 comprises an open top end 204 and a closed bottom end 214 which are the same symmetrical shape. The top end 204 and the bottom end 214 are connected by substantially parallel walls such that the primary compartment 202 is substantially cylindrically shaped. The secondary compartment 206 comprises an open top end and is coupled to the primary compartment 202. As further shown in FIG. 2, the primary compartment 202 and the secondary compartment 206 are separated by a divider 240. In some embodiments, the secondary compartment 206 is coupled to the primary compartment 202 by the divider 240.

FIG. 3 illustrates the paint and brush holder apparatus holding a paint brush 330 in accordance with some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3, the paint and brush holder comprises a primary compartment 302 and a secondary compartment 306. The top end 308 of the secondary compartment 306 is substantially flush with the top end 304 of the primary compartment 302. When a brush 330 is placed in the secondary compartment 306, the bristles of the brush are placed within the secondary compartment 306 and the handle of the brush remains above the interior of the secondary compartment 306. Consequently, a user is able to grasp and remove or place the brush 330 within the secondary compartment 306 without reaching into the secondary compartment 306 or the primary compartment 302. This ensures that excess paint stays within the secondary compartment 306 and the primary compartment 302 and is not transferred to the hands or clothes of the user or any other undesired surface. Additionally, the secondary compartment 306 is sized to tightly hold the brush 330 to prevent the brush 330 from drying out when placed within the secondary compartment 306. Particularly, the secondary compartment 306 is able to be constructed to tightly hold brushes of varying sizes and shapes as known in the art.

FIG. 4A illustrates a close-up view of the secondary compartment 406 holding a brush 430. As shown in FIG. 4A, the brush 430 is tightly held within the secondary compartment 406 to prevent the brush from drying out during storage. The secondary compartment 406 is able to be constructed in any size and configuration to hold brushes. As further shown in FIG. 4A, when a brush 430 is placed in the secondary compartment 406, the bristles 437 of the brush are placed within the secondary compartment 406 and the handle of the brush 435 remains above the interior of the secondary compartment 406. Consequently, when placing or removing the brush 430 in the secondary compartment 406 a user is able to grasp the brush 430 by the handle 435 without reaching into the secondary compartment 406. As shown in FIG. 4A, in some embodiments, the bottom of the secondary compartment 406 is square. In some embodiments, the square bottom enables the secondary compartment 406 to tightly and securely hold the brush 430 and enable paint located on the bristles of the brush to pool within the bottom of the compartment 406 in order to prevent excess spilling and mess, as well as prevent the bristles from fraying and drying out.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4B, in some embodiments, the secondary compartment 406 has a round bottom. In some embodiments, the round bottom enables the secondary compartment 406 to tightly and securely hold the bristles of the brush 430 and prevent the bristles from fraying, tearing, and drying out. As will be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, the bottom of the secondary compartment 406 is able to be constructed in any size and configuration to hold brushes. For example, in some embodiments, the bottom of the secondary compartment 406 is perforated to allow the brush to slowly dry and wick excess moisture.

As shown in FIG. 5, the paint and brush holder is able to be stacked for easy transportation and storage. To stack the paint and brush holder, the primary compartment 502 and the secondary compartment 506 of a first paint and brush holder is placed within the primary compartment 502′ and secondary compartment 506′ of a second paint and brush holder, respectively. In this manner, a user is able to stack and store or move a desired number of paint and brush holders.

In use, the paint and brush holder is configured to hold paint, varnish, stain and other viscous substances within a primary compartment and a brush for transferring the viscous substance to a surface within a secondary compartment. The design of the primary and secondary compartments ensures that the paint and brush holder provides a sturdy, inexpensive and easy to use apparatus that allows a user to safely store a brush and move between painting surfaces and tasks. Particularly, the shape is substantially cylindrical to provide stability when the primary compartment is full of paint or partially full of paint, without the necessity for any additional devices to provide stability. Accordingly, the paint and brush holder has numerous advantages.

The invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications area able to be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the device of the invention is able to be implemented in several different ways and have several different appearances.

Claims

1. A paint and brush holder, comprising:

a. a primary compartment; and

b. a secondary compartment for holding a brush;

wherein the primary compartment and the secondary compartment are attached at a top portion and separated by a gap at a bottom portion.

2. The paint and brush holder of claim 1, wherein the secondary compartment is removably attached to the primary compartment.

3. The paint and brush holder of claim 1, wherein the primary compartment and the secondary compartment are different sizes.

4. The paint and bush holder of claim 1, wherein a top of the primary compartment is the same shape as a bottom of the primary compartment.

5. The paint and brush holder of claim 1, wherein the paint and brush holder is stackable.

6. The paint and brush holder of claim 1, wherein the secondary compartment is sized to tightly hold the brush and a handle of the brush remains above an interior of the secondary compartment.

7. The paint and brush holder of claim 1, wherein the primary compartment is substantially cylindrical in shape.

8. The paint and brush holder of claim 1, further comprising a handle.

9. The paint and brush holder of claim 1, wherein the secondary compartment is located outside an interior space of the primary compartment.

10. A stackable paint and brush holder, comprising:

a. a primary compartment; and

b. a secondary compartment;

wherein when the paint and brush holder is stacked, the primary compartment is placed within an additional primary compartment of an additional paint and brush holder and the secondary compartment is placed within an additional secondary compartment of the additional paint and brush holder.

11. The stackable paint and brush holder of claim 10, wherein the primary compartment and the secondary compartment are different sizes.

12. The stackable paint and brush holder of claim 10, wherein the primary compartment and the secondary compartment are attached at a top portion and separated by a gap at a bottom portion.

13. The stackable paint and brush holder of claim 10, wherein the primary compartment and the secondary compartment are different sizes.

14. The stackable paint and brush holder of claim 10, wherein a top of the primary compartment is the same shape as a bottom of the primary compartment.

15. The stackable paint and brush holder of claim 10 wherein the secondary compartment is sized to tightly hold a brush and a handle of the brush remains above an interior of the secondary compartment.

16. The stackable paint and brush holder of claim 10, wherein the primary compartment is substantially cylindrical in shape.

17. The stackable paint and brush holder of claim 10, further comprising a handle.

18. The stackable paint and brush holder of claim 10, wherein the secondary compartment is located outside an interior space of the primary compartment.

19. A combination paint and brush holder, comprising:

a. a first compartment; and

b. a second compartment integrally coupled to the first compartment,

wherein the first compartment and the second compartment do not have a common side, and further wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are different sizes.

20. The combination paint and brush holder of claim 19, wherein the first compartment is substantially cylindrical in shape.

21. The combination paint and brush holder of claim 19, wherein the second compartment is sized to tightly hold a brush and a handle of the brush remains above an interior of the second compartment.

22. The combination paint and brush holder of claim 19, wherein a top of the first compartment is the same shape as a bottom of the primary compartment.

23. The combination paint and brush holder of claim 19, wherein the paint and brush holder is stackable.

24. The combination paint and brush holder of claim 19, further comprising a handle.