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(11) | EP 1 535 533 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| published in accordance with Art. 158(3) EPC |
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| (54) | BRUSH COMPRISING A HANDLE AND A BRISTLE-BEARING HEAD |
| (57) Brush comprising a handle (6) and a bristle-bearing head (5) in which the handle
(6) and the bristle-bearing head (5) are connected by means of an intermediary flexible
element (3, 3a, 3b) (Fig. 1) |
[0002] Traditionally, classic brushes have been used in which the handle is rigidly attached to the bristle-bearing head, comprising a collar (generally metal), resin (for example epoxy resin) and bristles. The join between the head and the handle can include rigid teeth joined to the handle and immersed in the resin or else tacks that attach the collar to the handle.
[0003] The disadvantages of the traditional system lies in the fact that the handle is slippery and does not allow firm grip in conditions of use in which, for example, the user has sweaty hands; and moreover the rigidity of the brush is a common cause of blister formation on the hands of said user (though this is infrequent) and in any case, it causes notable tiredness during the operation of painting.
[0004] Thus, the main aim of the present invention is to produce a less slippery brush that allows a more comfortable and surer hold which reduces the drawbacks in its use, such as tiredness and the formation of blisters on the skin of the occasional user and which, moreover, can be used as a multifunctional tool.
[0005] This aim, along with others that will be better clarified for the expert in the art in the detailed presentation that follows, is achieved with a brush in accordance with the technical teachings of the attached claim 1, whether by itself or in combination with one or more of the subordinate claims.
[0006] The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description that is provided merely by way of example and relates to the attached design in which:
Figures 1, 6 and 9 show a side view of a detachable brush in which the handle and head can be separated in three different embodiments;
Figures 2, 7, 10 and 12 show a side view of the brush in which the handle and head are immovably connected to one another in four different embodiments;
Figures 3, 8 and 13 show a frontal view of the bristle-bearing head in three different embodiments;
Figures 4 and 11 show a frontal view of the brush in the position of use in two different embodiments;
Figures 5a and 5b show an open side sectional view of the bristle-bearing head;
Figure 14 shows a perspective view of the handle-flexible element set in the embodiment of Figures 11, 12 and 13;
Figure 15 shows a perspective view of the flexible element 3b joined to the embodiments of Figures 11, 12, 13 and 14;
Figure 16 shows a view of the brush in position of use, lying on once side on a supporting surface.
[0007] In a first embodiment, the head 5 is formed from bristles 1, collar 2 and a flexible element 3 (Figures 1, 2 and 3) which is joined to the handle, for example by immersion of one of-its ends into the epoxy resin 10 (Figure 5a), which in addition is attached to the collar itself of the bristles 1.
[0008] Alternatively, the flexible element can be attached to the collar 2 by means of tacks 14 that are introduced through the holes made for that purpose in the collar 2 and in the appendage of the flexible element 3 (Figure 5b).
[0009] The flexible element 3 is laminar and a buttonhole 12 can be made in it that facilitates the flexibility of the element itself and which lightens its structure. Its end part forms a T such that it is possible to fit the head into its corresponding niche 4 made in the end part of the handle 6 (Figure 2).
[0010] The handle 6, for its part, is formed from a grip 11 that ends in a part in the form of a ridge 8 with which the aforementioned coupling niche 4 such that the bristle-bearing head is immovably attached to the handle 6. It can be seen that the two opposite surfaces 7 of the ridged element 8 are appropriate to allow a firm grip, and as low as possible, of the brush with the fingers, and above all, to limit movement of the bristle-bearing head during use.
[0011] The opening 9 is made in the end of the handle 6 and its purpose is to allow attachment of the handle itself 6 with a generic attachment hook (Figure 4).
[0012] In a second embodiment, in contrast, the head 5 is formed of bristles 1, collar 2 and a coupling niche 4, so that the flexible element 3 is now joined to the handle 6 and with the ridged element 8 (Figures 6, 7 and 8).
[0013] In a third embodiment, the laminar element 3b is equipped, respectively, with two (Figures 14 and 15) or four (Figure 13) small ratchets 15, which fix the ridged element 8 by means of appropriate openings 16 made in the grip 11 and immediately adjacent to the base thereof (Figure 14).
[0014] The laminar element 3b presents a buttonhole 16 which lightens the structure and two appendages 17 for coupling by immersion in epoxy resin in the collar (Figure 15).
[0015] A possible variation of the first embodiment (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4) consists of making the flexible element 3 in a serpentine form (Figures 9 and 10, where it is indicated as 3a) such that the flexibility is even greater and the action of painting is facilitated.
[0016] Another variation consists of a co-formed device in the upper end of the handle 6 which can be different on each occasion, such as for example tin-openers, scrapers, screwdrivers (see in particular Figures 11 and 12, where it is indicated as 20), corkscrews, cutters, knives, saws.
[0017] Said device can also be made separately in the different aforementioned forms and inserted into the corresponding niche of the head of the handle according to the usage needs.
[0018] In all embodiments of the brush, during its use, it can be left on its side in a safe position on a flat surface. If the immobile bristle-bearing head 5 is wider than the ridged part 8, the side parts 21 of the laminar element 3b will be flat, such that they guarantee the stability of the brush when it is left lying on a flat surface (Figures 14 and 15); if on the other hand the bristle-bearing head 5 is narrower, the stability of the brush lying on a surface is ensured by the flat form of the side part of the ridged part 8.
1. A brush with handle (6) and bristle holder head (5) characterized in that said handle (6) and said bristle holder head (5) are connected by a flexible intermediate
element (3, 3a, 3b).
2. A brush according to claim 1, presents the intermediate flexible element (3) which
is joined to the bristle holder head (5) and can be inserted in the corresponding
niche (4) located in the handle (6) such that the bristle holder head (5) can be separated
from the handle (6).
3. A brush according to claim 1, in which the intermediate flexible element (3) is joined
to the handle (6) and can be inserted in the corresponding niche located in the head,
such that the bristle holder head (5) can be separated from the handle (6).
4. A brush according to claim 1, in which the head (5), handle (6) and intermediate flexible
element (3) form a single piece.
5. A brush according to one or more of the previous claims in which the intermediate
flexible element (3) is laminar.
6. A brush according to one or more of the previous claims in which the intermediate
flexible element (3a) is laminar and with a serpentine form (fig. 9, 10).
7. A brush according to one or more of the previous claims in which the flexible element
(3b) is equipped with ratchets (15) appropriate for coupling under pressure in the
openings (16) located in the handle (6).
8. A brush according to one or more of the previous claims in which said ratchets (15)
are at the opposite ends of the intermediate element (3b).
9. A brush according to one or more of the previous claims in which the openings (16)
are located such that they correspond with the ridged base (8) of the handle (6).
10. A brush according to one or more of the previous claims in which the intermediate
element (3b) is equipped with appendages (17) opposite the ratchets (15) for coupling
by immersion in resin (10) contained in the collar 2.
11. A brush according to claim 1, in which the end of the handle (6) nearest to the bristle
holder head (5) presents, at opposite ends, appendages (7) of easy grip for the ends
of the figures and for limiting the displacement of the bristle holder head (5).
12. A brush according to one or more of the previous claims in which the handle (5) is
covered, at least partially, by soft, anti-slip material.
13. A brush according to one or more of the previous claims in which the handle (6) is
equipped, in the upper part, with an opening (9) for hanging the handle or entire
brush.
14. A brush according to one or more of the previous claims in which the handle (6) is
hollow.
15. A brush according to one or more of the previous claims in which the handle (6) is
of synthetic material.
16. A brush according to one or more of the previous claims in which it is foreseen to
locate a single body utensil in the end of the handle (6) opposite the ridged part
(8).
17. A brush according to one or more of the previous claims in which the utensil (20)
is coupled immovably to the handle (6) in the appropriate niche located in the end
thereof.
18. A brush according to one or more of the previous claims in which the utensil can be
a scraper, tin-opener, corkscrew, screwdriver, cutter, knife or saw.
19. A brush according to one of more of the previous claims in which the side parts (21)
of the flexible element (3, 3a, 3b) are flattened, such that they allow the brush
to lie on its side on a flat surface during its use (Figures 14, 15) when the bristle
holder head (5) is wider than the ridged element (8).
20. A brush according to one or more of the previous claims in which the side profile
of the ridged element (8) is flattened such that it allows the brush (Figure 16) to
be lain flat on its side on a flat surface when the bristle holder head (5) is narrower
than the ridged element (8).