Paint Brush with Protective Seal

Abstract

A paintbrush includes a handle and a brush extending from an end of the handle. A ferrule circumscribes the end of the handle and a portion of the bristles adjacent the end of the handle. A seal is disposed around an interface between the ferrule and the handle to reduce absorption of chemicals by the handle through the interface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A paintbrush, comprising:
 a) a handle having a grip end and an attachment end;   b) a brush having an attachment end coupled to the attachment end of the handle;   c) a sleeve circumscribing the attachment end of the handle and the attachment end of the brush to couple the brush to the handle; and   d) a seal disposed around an interface between the sleeve and the handle to reduce absorption of chemicals by the handle through the interface.   
     
     
         2 . A paintbrush in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the seal extends between distal ends of the sleeve and the grip of the handle without contacting the brush. 
     
     
         3 . A paintbrush in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the seal forms an outer surface of a portion of the paintbrush. 
     
     
         4 . A paintbrush in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the seal is formed by a coating on the sleeve and the handle. 
     
     
         5 . A paintbrush in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the coating includes a material selected from the group consisting of an elastomer, a polymer, polyurethane, a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a plastic, polyvinylchloride, a flouropolymer, polytetraflouroethylene, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A paintbrush in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a) a fastener disposed through an opening in the sleeve and into the handle; and   b) the seal covering the fastener to seal the sleeve to reduce chemical exposure to the handle via the opening for the fastener.   
     
     
         7 . A paintbrush in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the handle includes a recess corresponding in size to a thickness of the seal such that an outer surface of the seal is substantially level with an outer surface of the handle. 
     
     
         8 . A paintbrush, comprising:
 a) a handle;   b) a brush extending from an end of the handle;   c) a ferrule circumscribing the end of the handle and a portion of the bristles adjacent the end of the handle; and   d) a seal disposed around an interface between the ferrule and the handle to reduce absorption of chemicals by the handle through the interface.   
     
     
         9 . A paintbrush in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the seal extends between distal ends of the ferrule and the handle without contacting the brush. 
     
     
         10 . A paintbrush in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the seal forms an outer surface of a portion of the paintbrush. 
     
     
         11 . A paintbrush in accordance with  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a) a fastener disposed through an opening in the ferrule and into the handle; and   b) the seal covering the fastener to seal the ferrule to reduce chemical exposure to the handle via the opening for the fastener.   
     
     
         12 . A paintbrush in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the handle includes a recess corresponding in size to a thickness of the seal such that an outer surface of the seal is substantially level with an outer surface of the handle. 
     
     
         13 . A method for making a paint brush, comprising:
 a) coupling a plurality of filaments to a handle inside a sleeve with the handle extending out of the sleeve; and   b) placing a seal around an interface between the sleeve and the handle without contacting the plurality of filaments.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a) placing a coating on at least a portion of the handle and the sleeve to form the seal.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the coating forms a surface substantially impermeable surface to chemicals selected from the group consisting of paints, stains, solvents, soaps, water, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A paintbrush in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the coating includes a material selected from the group consisting of an elastomer, a polymer, polyurethane, a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a plastic, polyvinylchloride, a flouropolymer, polytetraflouroethylene, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the seal covers at least a portion of an outer surface of the handle and an outer surface of the sleeve to form an outermost surface of the paint brush. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the seal protects the handle from absorption of chemicals applied by the brush.