Apparatus and method for brush cleaning

Abstract

There is provided apparatus for retaining liquid for cleaning brushes. The apparatus comprises: a first receptacle means ( 20; 120 ) for retaining liquid; a second receptacle means ( 22; 122 ) for retaining liquid when the second receptacle means ( 22; 122 ) is in a first disposition, and for receiving an end of a brush for cleaning in the liquid; and mounting and operating means ( 30 a, 30 b, 32; 130 a, 130 b ) for mounting the second receptacle on the first receptacle means so that the second receptacle is in the first disposition. The mounting and operating means is also for operating the apparatus to reconfigure the second receptacle to a draining disposition in which liquid in the second receptacle means drains into the first receptacle means, and to return the second receptacle means to the first disposition. The first receptacle is configured to retain more liquid than the second receptacle.

1 . An apparatus for retaining liquid for cleaning brushes, comprising:
 a first receptacle adapted to retain liquid and having a rim;   a second receptacle adapted to retain liquid when the second receptacle is in a liquid-retaining disposition, and to receive a fibrous end of a brush for cleaning in retained liquid;   at least one mounting and operating part adapted to mount the second receptacle on the first receptacle so that the second receptacle is in the liquid-retaining disposition, and to be operated to: reconfigure the second receptacle to a draining disposition in which liquid in the second receptacle drains into the first receptacle, and return the second receptacle to the liquid-retaining disposition, wherein the first receptacle is configured to retain more liquid than the second receptacle;   a liquid blocker that extends, in use, upwardly from the rim to prevent or impede egress of liquid in the second receptacle from the apparatus during cleaning of a brush, including egress between the liquid blocker and the first receptacle, wherein the liquid blocker provides an opening through which a fibrous end of a brush can be inserted into the second receptacle.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid blocker extends upwardly from the rim above a level of liquid in the second receptacle, to provide a space for spinning of a brush for drying thereof and to block spray resulting from the spinning from leaving the apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first receptacle has a base arranged so that the apparatus can be stably located for use on a horizontal surface. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mounting and operating part comprises:
 first and second coupling members coupling the first receptacle and the second receptacle on respective opposing sides of the second receptacle, wherein the first and second coupling members are arranged to permit angular motion of the second receptacle so that liquid in the second receptacle can be tipped into the first receptacle;   a handle fixedly coupled to the first coupling member and operable to cause said angular motion via the first coupling member.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the handle extends around the liquid blocker and is also fixedly coupled to the second coupling member, and operable to cause said angular motion also via the second coupling member. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second coupling members are mounted on a rim of the first receptacle. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first coupling member comprises a first pivot member fixedly coupled to the second receptacle, wherein the handle is fixedly attached to the first pivot member and operable to cause the angular motion of the second receptacle. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the second coupling member comprises a second pivot member fixedly coupled to the second receptacle and coupled to the first receptacle to permit the angular motion. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the liquid blocker has a first recess therein through which the first pivot member extends, wherein the handle is fixedly attached to a portion of the pivot member located outside of the liquid blocker. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the liquid blocker has a first recess therein through which the first pivot member extends, wherein the handle is fixedly attached to a portion of the pivot member located outside of the liquid blocker, and wherein the liquid blocker has a second recess therein through which the second pivot member extends. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the second receptacle extends to shield the first recess from spray. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the second receptacle extends to shield the second recess from spray. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first receptacle is configured to retain at least twice the volume of liquid retained by the second receptacle. 
     
     
         14 . A method for cleaning a plurality of brushes, comprising:
 providing a brush cleaning facilitating device, including:
 a first receptacle adapted to retain liquid and having a rim; 
 a second receptacle adapted to retain liquid when the second receptacle is in a liquid-retaining disposition, and to receive a fibrous end of a brush for cleaning in retained liquid; 
 at least one mounting and operating part adapted to mount the second receptacle on the first receptacle so that the second receptacle is in the liquid-retaining disposition, and including a handle to be operated to reposition the second receptacle wherein the first receptacle is configured to retain more liquid than the second receptacle; 
 a liquid blocker that extends, in use, upwardly from the rim to prevent or impede egress of liquid in the second receptacle from the apparatus during cleaning of a brush, and wherein the liquid blocker provides an opening; 
   adding cleaning liquid into the second receptacle;   moving a fibrous end of a first one of the brushes through the opening and into the cleaning liquid and cleaning the brush in the cleaning liquid;   removing the end of the brush from the liquid;   operating the handle to reposition the second receptacle from the liquid-retaining disposition, to tip the cleaning liquid into the first receptacle, and to then return the second receptacle to the liquid-retaining disposition;   adding further cleaning liquid to the second receptacle to enable cleaning of a further brush.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein, after the removing of the end of the first one of the brushes from the liquid, locating the end of the brush above the liquid and within the liquid blocking shield, and spinning the brush about a length thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein after the plurality of brushes are cleaned, moving the handle until the second receptacle is upside down, relative to the liquid retaining disposition, and thereby closing the brush cleaning facilitating device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of brushes each further includes a stem, and the first brush is held by its stem by a brush spinning device that spins the brush in the liquid, during the step of cleaning the brush. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for retaining liquid for cleaning brushes, comprising:
 a first receptacle means for retaining liquid and having a rim;   a second receptacle means for retaining liquid when the second receptacle means is in a liquid-retaining disposition, and for receiving an end of a brush for cleaning in retained liquid;   mounting and operating means for mounting the second receptacle means on the first receptacle means so that the second receptacle means is in the liquid-retaining disposition, and for operating to reconfigure the second receptacle means to a draining disposition in which liquid in the second receptacle means drains into the first receptacle means, and to return the second receptacle means to the liquid-retaining disposition, wherein the first receptacle means is configured to retain more liquid than the second receptacle means;   liquid blocking means that extends, in use, upwardly from the rim to prevent or impede egress of liquid in the second receptacle means from the apparatus during cleaning of a brush, including egress between the liquid blocking means and the first receptacle means, wherein the liquid blocking means provides an opening through which a fibrous end of a brush can be inserted into the second receptacle means.