Paint Brush and Manufacturing Method

Abstract

A paint brush and method include a ferrule extending around and in contact with a plurality of bristles and a spacer apparatus positioned to space apart the plurality of bristles to provide at least one reservoir within the plurality of bristles. The spacer apparatus defines at least one opening extending through the spacer apparatus that allows fluid passage therethrough to the at least one reservoir to assist in removal of paint from the plurality of bristles when fluid is provided therein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A paint brush comprising:
 a brush handle comprising a handle portion and an attachment portion, wherein the attachment portion defines at least one channel extending from a distal outlet opening to a proximal inlet opening located closer to the handle portion than the distal outlet opening;   a plurality of bristles extending from a distal bristle end region to a proximal bristle end region;   a ferrule extending around and in contact with at least a portion of the plurality of bristles at the proximal bristle end region; and   a spacer apparatus extending from a proximal end to a distal end and positioned to space apart the plurality of bristles at the proximal bristle end region to provide at least one reservoir within the plurality of bristles, wherein the spacer apparatus defines a plurality of openings extending through the spacer apparatus from the proximal end to the distal end, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of bristles at the proximal bristle end region are coupled between the ferrule and the spacer apparatus, and further wherein the spacer apparatus is configured to restrict paint in the at least one reservoir from flowing past the proximal end of the spacer apparatus.   
     
     
         21 . The paint brush of claim  1 , wherein the plurality of openings comprises one or more structures defining small openings. 
     
     
         22 . The paint brush of claim  2 , wherein the one or more structures are selected from a honeycomb structure, a mesh, a screen, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The paint brush of claim  1 , wherein the spacer apparatus is configured with a valve within the apparatus to prevent the flow of paint from exiting one or more of the plurality of openings at the proximal end of the spacer apparatus. 
     
     
         24 . The paint brush of claim  1 , wherein the spacer apparatus is configured with a valve extending from the apparatus to prevent the flow of paint from exiting one or more of the plurality of openings at the proximal end of the spacer apparatus. 
     
     
         25 . The paint brush of claim  4 , wherein the valve is a one-way valve. 
     
     
         26 . The paint brush of claim  5 , wherein the valve is a one-way valve. 
     
     
         27 . The paint brush of claim  6 , wherein the one-way valve is a duck bill valve or a flap. 
     
     
         28 . The paint brush of claim  7 , wherein the one-way valve is a duck bill valve or a flap. 
     
     
         29 . The paint brush of claim  1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of openings are configured to function as part of the at least one reservoir. 
     
     
         30 . The paint brush of claim  1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of openings includes a restriction structure located proximally in the opening. 
     
     
         31 . The paint brush of claim  1 , wherein one or more the plurality of openings is configured to be larger at the distal end relative to the proximal end.