Method for forming variable paint applicators

(19)

(11)

EP 1 153 555 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	12.11.2003 Bulletin 2003/46

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	14.11.2001 Bulletin 2001/46

(21)	Application number: 01710022.3

(22)	Date of filing: 11.04.2001

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: A46B 3/12, A46B 5/02, A46B 7/04

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30)

Priority:

11.04.2000 US 196513 P

(71)	Applicant: NEWELL OPERATING COMPANY
	Freeport Illinois 61032 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Woodnorth, Brian E. Whitefish Bay, WI 53217 (US) Kaminski, Darryl L. Greendale, Wisconsin 53129 (US) Morris, Kenneth R. Cornelius, North Carolina 28031 (US) Fortner, Christina L. Oak Creek, WI 53154 (US)

(74)	Representative: UEXKÜLL & STOLBERG
	Patentanwälte Beselerstrasse 4 22607 Hamburg 22607 Hamburg (DE)

(54)	Method for forming variable paint applicators

(57) A method for forming a plurality of distinct paint applicators having a common exterior head configuration and distinct paint applying medium configurations includes forming a plurality of handles and forming a plurality of paint carrying units. Each handle formed includes a head having an exterior configuration and an interior having a mouth and head thickness between the exterior configuration and the mouth. Each paint carrying unit includes at least one paint applying medium coupled to a mounting portion that is disposed within an interior of one of the plurality of handles. The mounting portion has a mounting portion exterior configuration and a mounting portion thickness between the mounting portion exterior configuration and the paint applying medium. To form the plurality of distinct paint applicators, the configuration of the paint applying medium is varied while at least one of the head thickness and the mounting portion thickness is also varied.

Search report