Paintbrush container and method of using same

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and assembly for storing a paintbrush having a bristle portion and a handle portion. The bristle portion has an associated maximum width and a plurality of bristles having a plurality of ends. The invention involves (a) engaging an enclosable portion of the paintbrush including the bristle portion of the paintbrush using a first body portion; and, (b) moving a second body portion relative to the first body portion between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the first body portion and the second body portion provide an open side for inserting and removing the enclosable portion of the paintbrush. In the closed position, the first body portion engages the second body portion to enclose the open side, to closely enclose the enclosed portion of the paintbrush, and to provide a base portion for bordering and protecting the plurality of ends to the plurality of bristles.

1 . A paintbrush container assembly comprising: 
 a paintbrush having a bristle portion and a handle portion, the bristle portion having an associated maximum width and a plurality of bristles having a plurality of ends; and    a container having    (a) a first body portion for engaging an enclosable portion of the paintbrush, wherein the enclosable portion of the paintbrush includes the bristle portion of the paintbrush;    (b) a second body portion for engaging the enclosable portion of the paintbrush and for moving relative to the first body portion between an open position and a closed position, wherein 
 in the open position, the first body portion and the second body portion provide an open side for inserting and removing the enclosable portion of the paintbrush; and,  
 in the closed position, the first body portion engages the second body portion to close the open side, to closely enclose the enclosed portion of the paintbrush, and to provide a base portion for bordering and protecting the plurality of ends of the plurality of bristles.  
   
   
   
       2 . The assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein 
 the paintbrush has a maximum depth;    the first body portion and the second body portion in the closed position have a combined maximum depth; and,    the combined maximum depth of the first body portion and the second body portion in the closed position is less than 1.3 multiplied by the maximum depth of the enclosable portion of the paintbrush.    
   
   
       3 . The assembly as defined in  claim 2  wherein the combined maximum depth of the first body portion and the second body portion is less than 1.1 multiplied by the maximum depth of the enclosable portion of the paintbrush.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein, when the first body portion and the second body portion are in the closed position, the base is spaced from the plurality of ends to provide an enclosed space for protecting the plurality of ends.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly as defined in  claim 4  wherein the first body portion and the second body portion are resistant to deformation to protect the enclosable portion of the paintbrush.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein, when the first body portion and the second body portion are in the closed position, the enclosable portion of the paintbrush is clamped between the first body portion and the second body portion to impede movement of the base toward and away from the plurality of ends.  
   
   
       7 . A method of storing a paintbrush having a bristle portion and a handle portion, the bristle portion having an associated maximum width and a plurality of bristles having a plurality of ends, the method comprising 
 (a) engaging an enclosable portion of the paintbrush including the bristle portion of the paintbrush using a first body portion;    (b) moving a second body portion relative to the first body portion between an open position and a closed position, wherein 
 (i) in the open position, the first body portion and the second body portion provide an open side for inserting and removing the enclosable portion of the paintbrush; and,  
 (ii) in the closed position, the first body portion engages the second body portion to enclose the open side, to closely enclose the enclosed portion of the paintbrush, and to provide a base portion for bordering and protecting the plurality of ends to the plurality of bristles.  
   
   
   
       8 . The method as defined in  claim 7  wherein the method further comprises dimensioning the first body portion and the second body portion relative to the enclosable portion of the paintbrush such that the combined maximum depth of the first body portion and the second body portion in the closed position is less than 1.3 multiplied by the maximum depth of the enclosable portion of the paintbrush.  
   
   
       9 . The method as defined in  claim 8  wherein the step of dimensioning the first body portion and the second body portion comprises dimensioning the first body portion and the second body portion relative to the enclosable portion of the paintbrush such that the combined maximum depth of the first body portion and the second body portion is less than 1.1 multiplied by the maximum depth of the paintbrush.  
   
   
       10 . The method as defined in  claim 7  further comprising dimensioning the first body portion and the second body portion relative to the paintbrush such that when the first body portion and the second body portion are in the closed position, the base is spaced from the plurality of ends to provide an enclosed space for protecting the plurality of ends.  
   
   
       11 . The method as defined in  claim 10  further comprising making the first body portion and the second body portion resistant to deformation to protect the enclosable portion of the paintbrush.  
   
   
       12 . The method as defined in  claim 11  further comprising clamping at least a portion of the enclosable portion of the paintbrush between the first body portion and the second body portion to impede movement of the enclosable portion relative to the first body portion and the second body portion.