U.S. patent application number 11/560239 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-15 for finishing comb.
This patent application is currently assigned to GOODY PRODUCTS, INC.. Invention is credited to Kelly Chapman, Stan Chudzik, Joni M. Harrison, Kent Oliver.
Application Number | 20080110471 11/560239 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38996572 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080110471 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oliver; Kent ; et
al. |
May 15, 2008 |
Finishing Comb
Abstract
A finishing comb designed to meet the grooming needs of men is
disclosed. The finishing comb has an elongated body having three
parallel rows of bristles extending from end to end from the bottom
surface of the body. The rows of bristles are a combination of
natural bristles and synthetic bristles arranged so that the
synthetic bristles penetrate the hair pack and the natural bristles
distribute the natural sebum of the hair along the lengths of the
hair shafts. In one embodiment, the center row of bristles
comprises synthetic bristles and the outer rows of bristles
comprise tufts of natural bristles. In an alternative embodiment,
the inner row of bristles comprises tufts of natural bristles and
the outer rows of bristles comprise synthetic bristles.
Inventors: |
Oliver; Kent; (Atlanta,
GA) ; Chudzik; Stan; (Alpharetta, GA) ;
Harrison; Joni M.; (Atlanta, GA) ; Chapman;
Kelly; (Atlanta, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GARDNER GROFF GREENWALD & VILLANUEVA, PC
2018 POWERS FERRY ROAD, SUITE 800
ATLANTA
GA
30339
US
|
Assignee: |
GOODY PRODUCTS, INC.
Freeport
IL
|
Family ID: |
38996572 |
Appl. No.: |
11/560239 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/148 ;
132/150; 15/105; 15/160; 15/207.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 2200/104 20130101;
A46D 1/00 20130101; A46D 1/0207 20130101; A46B 9/023 20130101; A45D
24/02 20130101; A46B 9/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/148 ; 15/105;
15/160; 15/207.2; 132/150 |
International
Class: |
A45D 24/10 20060101
A45D024/10; A46B 15/00 20060101 A46B015/00; A46B 9/02 20060101
A46B009/02; A46D 1/00 20060101 A46D001/00; A45D 24/00 20060101
A45D024/00 |
Claims
1. A finishing comb comprising: a body having a top surface, a
bottom surface and oppositely disposed end surfaces; a single row
of synthetic bristles extending outwardly from the bottom surface
of the body, wherein the single row of synthetic bristles extends
from one end of the body to the opposite end of the body; a first
single row of natural bristles extending outwardly from the bottom
surface of the body, wherein the first single row of natural
bristles extends from one end of the body to the opposite end of
the body parallel to the single row of synthetic bristles and is
disposed on one side of the single row of synthetic bristles; and a
second single row of natural bristles extending outwardly from the
bottom surface of the body, wherein the second single row of
natural bristles extends from one end of the body to the opposite
end of the body parallel to the single row of synthetic bristles
and is disposed on the opposite side of the single row of synthetic
bristles from the first single row of natural bristles, wherein at
least some of the synthetic bristles extend farther from the bottom
surface of the body than the natural bristles, and wherein the body
and the rows of bristles cooperatively define the finishing
comb.
2. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
synthetic bristles are monofilament bristles.
3. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 1, wherein each
synthetic bristle comprises a monofilament bristle and an epoxy cap
disposed on an end of the monofilament bristle opposite the bottom
surface of the body.
4. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
synthetic bristles are tapered from a maximum diameter proximate
the bottom surface of the body to a minimum diameter at ends
opposite the bottom surface of the body.
5. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 1, wherein ends of all
of the synthetic bristles extend beyond ends of all of the natural
bristles.
6. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first
and second single rows of natural bristles comprise rows of tufts
of natural bristles extending outwardly from the bottom surface of
the body.
7. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 1, wherein the natural
bristles are boar hair bristles.
8. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 1, further comprising
a handle extending outwardly from one of the ends of the body.
9. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 1, wherein the body
comprises: a base having a top surface, a bottom surface,
oppositely disposed end surfaces, and an inner surface defining a
channel having an opening through the bottom surface of the base;
and an insert having a bottom surface with the single row of
synthetic bristles extending outwardly therefrom, the insert being
received by and slidable within the channel of the base such that
the insert slides into the channel and is received therein with the
row of synthetic bristles extending outwardly from the bottom
surface of the body of the finishing comb.
10. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 9, wherein the insert
is inserted through the opening in the bottom surface of the
base.
11. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 9, wherein the inner
surface of the base further defines an opening through one of the
ends of the base, and wherein the insert slides into the channel
through the opening in the end of the base.
12. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 11, wherein the
insert has outwardly extending longitudinal wings disposed on
either side of the insert and extending parallel to the single row
of synthetic bristles, and wherein the inner surface of the base
defines corresponding recesses of the channel configured to
slidably receive the wings of the insert when the insert is
inserted into the channel through the opening in the end of the
base.
13. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 9, wherein the insert
has outwardly extending detents on either side of the insert, and
wherein the inner surface of the base defines corresponding
recesses of the channel configured to receive the detents of the
insert when the insert is inserted into the channel to retain the
insert within the channel.
14. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 9, wherein the first
and second single rows of natural bristles extend outwardly from
the bottom surface of the insert.
15. A finishing comb comprising: a body having a top surface, a
bottom surface and oppositely disposed end surfaces; a first row of
bristles extending outwardly from the bottom surface of the body,
wherein the first row of synthetic bristles extends from one end of
the body to the opposite end of the body; a second row of bristles
extending outwardly from the bottom surface of the body, wherein
the second row of bristles extends from one end of the body to the
opposite end of the body parallel to the first row of bristles and
is disposed on one side of the first row of bristles; and a third
row of bristles extending outwardly from the bottom surface of the
body, wherein the third row of bristles extends from one end of the
body to the opposite end of the body parallel to the first row of
bristles and is disposed on the opposite side of the first row of
bristles from the second row of natural bristles, wherein the first
row of bristles is one of synthetic bristles and natural bristles,
and the second and third rows of bristles are the other of
synthetic bristles and natural bristles, and wherein the body and
the rows of bristles cooperatively define the finishing comb.
16. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 15, wherein the first
row of bristles comprises synthetic bristles and the second and
third rows of bristles comprise natural bristles.
17. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 15, wherein the first
row of bristles comprises natural bristles and the second and third
rows of bristles comprise synthetic bristles.
18. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 15, wherein the
synthetic bristles are monofilament bristles.
19. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 15, wherein ends of
the synthetic bristles extend beyond ends of the natural
bristles.
20. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 15, wherein the
natural bristles are boar hair bristles.
21. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 15, wherein the
synthetic bristles are tapered from a maximum diameter proximate
the bottom surface of the body to a minimum diameter at ends
opposite the bottom surface of the body.
22. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 15, wherein a row of
natural bristles comprises a row of tufts of natural bristles
extending outwardly from the bottom surface of the body.
23. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 15, wherein the
first, second, and third rows of bristles are the only rows of
bristles of the finishing comb.
24. A finishing comb comprising: a body having a top surface, a
bottom surface and oppositely disposed end surfaces, the body
comprising: a base having a top surface, a bottom surface,
oppositely disposed end surfaces, and an inner surface defining a
channel having an opening through the bottom surface of the base,
and an insert having a bottom surface, the insert being received by
and slidable within the channel of the base such that the insert
slides into the channel and is received therein with the bottom
surfaces of the base and the insert forming the bottom surface of
the body; and three rows of bristles extending outwardly from the
bottom surface of the body, wherein the rows of bristles are
parallel and extend from one end of the body to the opposite end of
the body, wherein the three rows of bristles comprise a center row
of bristles and two outer rows of bristles flanking the center row
of bristles, wherein the center row of bristles comprises synthetic
bristles and extends outwardly from the bottom surface of the
insert, wherein the outer rows of bristles comprise natural
bristles, and wherein the body and the rows of bristles
cooperatively define the finishing comb.
25. (canceled)
26. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 24, wherein the
insert is inserted through the opening in the bottom surface of the
base.
27. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 24, wherein the inner
surface of the base further defines an opening through one of the
ends of the base, and wherein the insert slides into the channel
through the opening in the end of the base.
28. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 27, wherein the
insert has outwardly extending longitudinal wings disposed on
either side of the insert and extending parallel to the row of
synthetic bristles, and wherein the inner surface of the base
defines corresponding recesses of the channel configured to
slidably receive the wings of the insert when the insert is
inserted into the channel through the opening in the end of the
base.
29. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 24, wherein the
insert has outwardly extending detents on either side of the
insert, and wherein the inner surface of the base defines
corresponding recesses of the channel configured to receive the
detents of the insert when the insert is inserted into the channel
to retain the insert within the channel.
30. A finishing comb in accordance with claim 24, wherein the outer
rows of bristles extend outwardly from the bottom surface of the
insert.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure is generally directed to finishing
combs and, more particularly, to finishing combs and brushes having
alternating rows of synthetic and natural bristles.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] In the area of male grooming, men do not currently possess
away to "touch-up" their hair before going out. "Touching-up" one's
hair involves checking that the hair is positioned and distributed
the way the man or woman would want and adding a "shine" to the
hair to give the hair a styled salon look. Some men experience
frustration using currently available combs because such combs do
not provide the "shine" to the hair they would like before going
out. Another issue identified by women is "smoothing" out the look
of the hair for any "Up-doo" hair style.
[0003] Currently, one way to provide "shine" in the hair is through
the use of a 100% boar hair bristle brush or a mixture of
nylon/boar hair bristles in a brush. The boar hair has been shown
to distribute the natural sebum of the hair along the length of the
hair shaft providing the "shine" to the hair follicle that is
desired by both men and women. Boar hair bristle brushes usually
come in paddle style brush heads where the design of the brush head
is rectangular and possesses many rows of tufted boar hair bristles
in cushion flexible pad or in a solid piece of material such as
wood, plastic or metal. The rectangular brush head size can vary
but often is large enough to cover more surface area of the hair
quickly. The size (often 3.25'' width by 4.75'' length) is
attributable to the brush being designed for use by women, who
often have long hair. Other boar hair bristle brush head designs,
such as oval, narrower-rectangular, or triangular head types, are
used when a "quick" finishing brush is needed to provide shine.
These smaller brush head designs having fewer tufted boar bristles
attached to a cushion flexible pad or a solid material are often
utilized by women. Boar hair is also used in conjunction with other
bristles made of other materials such as nylon, polypropylene,
polyethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene,
thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), and the like. The use of the
secondary bristles is mainly for penetrating the hair to allow the
boar hair to come in contact with hair shafts deeper into the
"hair-pack" or scalp. For example, many brushes use a mixture of
boar hair bristles surrounded by monofilament nylon bristles in
varying percentages of bristle amounts within a tuft of bristles.
One will often hear many brushes of this type called a 50/50 boar
brush, where 50% of the bristle tuft is boar hair bristles and the
other 50% of the bristle tuft is bristles formed from nylon or
other plastic materials. Another term often used in the trade is
"porcupine brush." A porcupine brush possesses a single
monofilament (alternate material) bristle centered among a tuft of
boar hair bristles. As with the brush discussed above, the
porcupine brush allows the boar hair bristles to penetrate deeper
into the "hair pack," thereby allowing the boar hair bristles to
contact hair shafts below the surface level. This penetration
allows the boar hair bristle to distribute the sebum of the hair
follicle/scalp and provide the desired "shine" within the hair at
many levels giving the appearance of a healthier hair
condition.
[0004] "Club" and "military" brushes are men's tufted brushes that
are often used by multicultural consumers. These brushes can
possess many rows of tufted bristles secured in a wood, plastic, or
metal substrate. "club" brush is typically a tufted boar hair
bristle brush with a smaller rectangular head design, and often
times with a smaller handle. A "military" brush is typically a
rectangular boar hair bristle brush without a handle. The boar hair
bristle concentration can be 100% boar hair, or a mixture of boar
hair and nylon bristles. These brushes are designed mainly for the
African-American customer due to their specific hair needs, such as
the special attention that must be paid to the hair shafts due to
the coiled, fragile structure of their hair type. The ability of
boar hair to be cut from the animal in varying lengths and with
varying rigidities provides a range of bristle rigidity such that
boar hair brushes may be offered with "softer" feeling boar hair
bristles or "stiffer" feeling boar hair bristles to satisfy the
customers' particular needs and preferences. However, despite this
flexibility, the club and military type brushes presently known and
offered for men do not provide the penetration into the hair pack
offered by the 50/50 boar brushes and porcupine brushes described
above and are designed primarily for use by women.
[0005] Men can use a boar brush if they so choose, but often times
they believe that the amount of boar bristles in a brush are not
necessary since they have less amounts of hair and length of the
individual hair shafts in comparison to the average woman's amount
and length of hair. For these reasons, a need exists for a
finishing brush designed to meet men's grooming needs since most
brush head designs are engineered for use by women, who usually
possess a greater amount of hair than most men.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect, the invention is directed to a finishing comb
having a body, a single row of synthetic bristles, and first and
second single rows of natural bristles. The body may include a top
surface, a bottom surface and oppositely disposed end surfaces. The
single row of synthetic bristles may extend outwardly from the
bottom surface of the body, and may extend from one end of the body
to the opposite end of the body. The first single row of natural
bristles may extend outwardly from the bottom surface of the body,
may extend from one end of the body to the opposite end of the body
parallel to the single row of synthetic bristles, and may be
disposed on one side of the single row of synthetic bristles. The
second single row of natural bristles may extend outwardly from the
bottom surface of the body, may extend from one end of the body to
the opposite end of the body parallel to the single row of
synthetic bristles, and may be disposed on the opposite side of the
single row of synthetic bristles from the first single row of
natural bristles.
[0007] In another aspect, the invention is directed to a finishing
comb having a body and three rows of bristles. The body may include
a top surface, a bottom surface and oppositely disposed end
surfaces. The first row of bristles may extend outwardly from the
bottom surface of the body, and may extend from one end of the body
to the opposite end of the body. The second row of bristles may
extend outwardly from the bottom surface of the body, may extend
from one end of the body to the opposite end of the body parallel
to the first row of bristles, and may be disposed on one side of
the first row of bristles. The third row of bristles extending
outwardly from the bottom surface of the body, wherein the third
row of bristles may extend from one end of the body to the opposite
end of the body parallel to the first row of bristles, and may be
disposed on the opposite side of the first row of bristles from the
second row of natural bristles. The first row of bristles may be
one of synthetic bristles and natural bristles, and the second and
third rows of bristles may be the other of synthetic bristles and
natural bristles.
[0008] In a further aspect, the invention is directed to a
finishing comb having a body and three rows of bristles. The body
includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and oppositely disposed
end surfaces, and the body comprises a base and an insert. The base
includes a top surface, a bottom surface, oppositely disposed end
surfaces, and an inner surface defining a channel having an opening
through the bottom surface of the base. The insert includes a
bottom surface, and may be received by and slidable within the
channel of the base such that the insert slides into the channel
and is received therein with the bottom surfaces of the base and
the insert forming the bottom surface of the body. The three rows
of bristles may extend outwardly from the bottom surface of the
body, with the rows of bristles being parallel and extending from
one end of the body to the opposite end of the body, with the
center row of bristles extending outwardly from the bottom surface
of the insert.
[0009] Additional aspects of the invention are defined by the
claims of this patent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Objects, features, and advantages of the present device will
become apparent upon reading the following description in
conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a finishing
comb having a single row of synthetic bristles between rows of
natural bristles;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of the finishing comb of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an end view of the finishing comb of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the finishing comb of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the finishing comb of
FIG. 1 taken along lines 5-5 of FIGS. 2 and 4;
[0016] FIG. 6 is an end view of an alternative embodiment of the
finishing comb of FIG. 1 having a single row of natural bristles
between rows of synthetic bristles;
[0017] FIG. 7 is an side view of another alternative embodiment of
the finishing comb of FIG. 1 having an outwardly extending
handle;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a end view of a further alternative embodiment of
the finishing comb of FIG. 1 having alternative synthetic
bristles;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of yet another alternative
embodiment of the finishing FIG. 1 having a slidable insert for the
synthetic bristles that is slidably received in a through an end of
the body of the finishing comb; and
[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a still further alternative
embodiment of the finishing comb of FIG. 1 having a slidable insert
for the synthetic bristles that is slidably received in a channel
through the top of the body of the finishing comb.
[0021] While the method and device described herein are susceptible
to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain
illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings
and will be described below in detail. It should be understood,
however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the
specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to
cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents
falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0022] Although the following text sets forth a detailed
description of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it
should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is
defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this
patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary
only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the
invention since describing every possible embodiment would be
impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments
could be implemented, using either current technology or technology
developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still
fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention.
[0023] It should also be understood that, unless a term is
expressly defined in this patent using the sentence "As used
herein, the term `______` is hereby defined to mean . . . " or a
similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that
term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or
ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be
limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this
patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that
any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is
referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single
meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse
the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited,
by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally,
unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word "means" and
a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended
that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the
application of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, sixth paragraph.
[0024] A finishing comb designed to meet the grooming needs of men
is disclosed. The finishing comb has an elongated body having three
parallel rows of bristles extending from end to end from the bottom
surface of the body. The rows of bristles are a combination of
natural bristles and synthetic bristles arranged so that the
synthetic bristles penetrate the hair pack and the natural bristles
distribute the natural sebum of the hair along the lengths of the
hair shafts. In one embodiment, the center row of bristles
comprises synthetic bristles and the outer rows of bristles
comprise tufts of natural bristles. In an alternative embodiment,
the inner row of bristles comprises tufts of natural bristles and
the outer rows of bristles comprise synthetic bristles. To
facilitate manufacturing of the finishing comb, the body may
comprise a base having an inner surface defining an interior
channel, and an insert having at least the center row of bristles
extending outwardly from a bottom surface thereof. After the
bristles are connected to the insert and/or the base, the insert
may slide into the channel of the base to form the completed body
of the finishing comb.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, an embodiment of a finishing comb 10
in accordance with the disclosure is illustrated. The finishing
comb 10 includes an elongated body 12 having a top surface 14, a
bottom surface 16, and oppositely disposed end surfaces 18, 20. The
bottom surface 16 of the finishing comb 10 includes a plurality of
openings 22 therethrough configured in three rows extending between
the end surfaces 18, 20 of the body 12 parallel to a longitudinal
axis 24 of the body 12. The openings 22 are configured to receive
the ends of bristles as discussed further below such that the
bristles extend outwardly from the bottom surface 16 of the body
12.
[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, three rows 26, 28, 30 of
bristles extend outwardly from the bottom surface 16 of the body
12. The center row 26 of bristles extends along the centerline of
the bottom surface 16 of the body 12 between the end surfaces 18,
20. The center row 26 of bristles is formed by a plurality of
synthetic bristles 32 extending from the openings 22 in the bottom
surface 16 along the center row 26. The synthetic bristles 32 may
be any type of synthetic bristles currently known by those skilled
in the art such as those discussed further below, or that may later
be developed, and may be connected to the body 12 of the finishing
comb 10 within the corresponding openings 22 in any appropriate
manner so that the synthetic bristles 32 extend outwardly from the
bottom surface 16 of the body 12.
[0027] Disposed on either side of the center row 26 of synthetic
bristles 32, single outer rows 28, 30 of bristles extend parallel
to the center row 26 of synthetic bristles 32 between the end
surfaces 18, 20. The outer rows 28, 30 are formed by pluralities of
tufts 34 of natural bristles extending from the openings 22 in the
bottom surface 16 along the outer rows 28, 30. The natural bristles
in the tufts 34 may be any type of natural bristles commonly used
in hair brushes, such as boar hair bristles. The synthetic bristles
32 and the tufts 34 of natural bristles may be dimensioned so that
the tips of the synthetic bristles 32 extend beyond the ends of the
tufts 34 of natural bristles to improve the penetration of the
synthetic bristles 32 into the hear pack. However, the synthetic
bristles 32 may be the same length or shorter than the tufts 34 of
natural bristles if necessary, such as for the finishing comb 10 to
provide a desired grooming performance. The tufts 34 of natural
bristles may be connected to the body 12 of the finishing comb 10
within the corresponding openings 22 in any appropriate manner so
that the natural bristles of the tufts 34 extend outwardly from the
bottom surface 16 of the body 12. For example, FIG. 5 illustrates
one mechanism for connecting the tufts 34 within the corresponding
openings 22. Before inserting the tufts 34 of natural bristles into
the openings 22, the ends of the natural bristles may be inserted
into anchors 36 having openings for receiving the natural bristles
and being sized such that the anchors 36 must be forced into the
openings 22. After the ends of the natural bristles are inserted,
the anchor 36 may be pressed into the corresponding opening 22 such
that the anchor 36 is compressed within the opening 22 and crimped
around the natural bristles so that the anchor 36 is retained
within the opening 22 and the natural bristles of the tuft 34 are
retained within the anchor 36. Of course, other methods and
mechanisms for securing the tufts 34 of natural bristles within the
openings 22 of the body 12 are known to those skilled in the art
and are contemplated by the inventors as having use in finishing
combs in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0028] While the finishing comb 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5
includes a single center row 26 of synthetic bristles 32 and outer
single rows 28, 30 of tufts 34 of natural bristles, it is
contemplated that the finishing comb 10 may be implemented with the
types of bristles in the rows 26, 28, 30 reversed. Such variation
in the configuration of the rows 26, 28, 30 may be implemented to
meet a particular customer preference or grooming requirement. An
alternate embodiment of a finishing comb 40 having such a reverse
bristle configuration is shown in FIG. 6. The finishing comb 40 may
have the same general configuration as the finishing comb 10,
including the body 12 as described above with three rows 26, 28, 30
of openings 22 with bristles extending outwardly from the bottom
surface 16 of the body 12. However, in this embodiment, the single
center row 26 of bristles is formed by tufts 34 of natural bristles
such as those described above. Further, the outer single rows 28,
30 of bristles are formed by synthetic bristles 32 extending from
the openings 22 in the bottom surface 16 along the outer rows 28,
30.
[0029] The use of three alternating rows of natural and synthetic
bristles is exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand
that finishing combs in accordance with the present disclosure may
have alternate row configurations depending on the particular
grooming needs and user preferences to be met by a particular
finishing comb. For example, a finishing comb may be provided with
two rows of synthetic bristles surrounded by outer rows of natural
bristles, or vice versa. Further, a finishing comb may be provided
with two rows of synthetic bristles alternated with two rows of
natural bristles such that the outer row on one side is a row of
synthetic bristles and the outer row on the opposite side is a row
of natural bristles. A finishing comb having this configuration of
rows of bristles may be provided, for example, where one grooming
need is met when the synthetic bristles are in the outermost row
and another grooming need is met when the natural bristles are in
the outermost row, and both needs may be met by a single finishing
comb. Other finishing comb configurations having combinations of
rows of natural and synthetic bristles will be apparent to those
skilled in the art and are contemplated by the inventors as having
use in finishing combs in accordance with the present
disclosure.
[0030] Returning back to FIGS. 1-5, the components of the finishing
comb 10 may be in any manner necessary to achieve the desired
grooming performance and to facilitate manufacturing. The body 12
of the finishing comb 10 may be fabricated from wood with the
openings 22 in the bottom surface 16 being drilled out.
Alternatively, the body 12 may be molded from a resin material into
the shape of the body 12, with the openings 22 either being formed
during the molding process or being drilled into the body 12 after
the body 12 is molded. Examples of resins that may be used to form
the body 12 may include ABS, styrene, polypropylene, polyethylene,
kostrate, propianate, high impact polystyrene (HIPS), TPEs,
thermoplastic urethane (TPU), thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV, such
as santoprene/neoprene), nylon, ABS/polycarbonate mixture, acetate,
acrylic, and the like. Additionally, the body 12 of the finishing
comb 10 may have alternate configurations, such as the additional
of a handle 42 (FIG. 7) extending outwardly from one of the end
surfaces 20 of the body 12. Where the body 12 is molded from the
same material as the synthetic bristles 32, the synthetic bristles
32 may be integrally molded with the body 12 to form the row or
rows of synthetic bristles 32. Integral molding of the body 12 and
the synthetic bristles may eliminate the need for separate
fabrication of the synthetic bristles 32, drilling of the
corresponding openings 22, and attachment of the synthetic bristles
32 to the body 12, thereby leaving only the drilling or molding of
the openings 22 for the tufts 34 of natural bristles and the
attachment of the tufts 34 once the base 12 and synthetic bristles
32 are formed. As a further alternative, the body 12 and, if
desired, the synthetic bristles 32 may be formed from an
appropriate metal.
[0031] As previously discussed, the synthetic bristles 32 may be
any appropriate type of synthetic bristle capable of penetrating
the hair pack of the user. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.
1-5, the synthetic bristles 32 may include an elongated
monofilament bristle 44 extending outwardly from the corresponding
opening 22, and having a rounded end cap 46 disposed on the end of
the monofilament bristle 44 opposite the bottom surface 16 of the
base 12. The synthetic bristles 32 may be integrally formed from a
single material, such as a molded nylon or plastic resin such as
the resins discussed above, or a formed metal wherein the elongated
monofilament bristle 44 has the rounded tip or cap 46 integrally
formed on the end. Alternatively, the synthetic bristles 32 may
have a multi-piece construction, with the monofilament bristle 44
being formed from nylon, resin or metal and the cap 46 being formed
by dipping the end of the monofilament bristle 44 in an epoxy
compound to deposit a rounded comfort tip on the end of the
monofilament bristles 44. In a further embodiment shown in FIG. 8,
the synthetic bristles 32 may be replaced in a finishing comb 50 by
a tapered synthetic bristle 52. The tapered synthetic bristle 52
may have a larger diameter proximate the bottom surface 16 of the
body 12, taper down as the bristle 52 extends away from the bottom
surface 16, and terminate in a rounded comfort tip. As with the
synthetic bristle 32, the tapered bristle 52 may extend beyond the
tufts 34 of natural bristles to improve the penetration of the
tapered bristles 52 into the user's hair pack.
[0032] The synthetic bristles may be formed from homogeneous
materials, or the material from which the synthetic bristles are
fabricated may also include other materials such as tourmaline,
anti-static additives, anti-bacterial additives, silicone, carbon,
silver, copper, and the like that have therapeutic properties when
the finishing comb 10 is used on the hair. In some implementations,
the therapeutic materials may be mixed with the resin forming the
synthetic bristles 32, 52 so that the therapeutic materials are
integrally formed within the bristles 32, 52. Alternatively, the
synthetic bristles 32, 52 may be pre-formed and materials such as
silver, copper and other metals may be deposited on the exterior of
the formed synthetic bristles by a plating process or by dipping
the bristles 32, 52 into the material to be disposed thereon.
[0033] The natural bristles in the tufts 34 may be any appropriate
type of animal hair bristles typically used in brushes and known to
those skilled in the art to fulfill the grooming requirements of
the finishing comb 10, 40, 50. For example, as discussed above,
boar hair bristles may be used where it is desired to distribute
the natural sebum of the hair along the length of the hair shaft
thereby providing "shine" to the hair follicles. Other animal hair
bristles may be used to derive other benefits provided thereby.
Moreover, the tufts 34 may include a mix of natural bristles types
to provide a desired feel to the finishing comb 10, 40, 50 or to
provide a desired combination of grooming benefits in the finishing
comb 10, 40, 50. In addition to the tufting method discussed above,
those skilled in the art will understand that other tufting methods
may be used to connect the tufts 34 of natural bristles to the body
12 of the finishing combs 10, 40, 50. For example, boar bristles
can be tufted into the openings 22 of the body 12 using a bristle
tufting machine known in the art. The bristle tufting machine may
take a designated length of boar bristles and insert the bristles
into the openings 22 of the body 12 by folding the boar bristles in
half with a "striker" of the bristle tufting machine. The tip of
the "striker" holds an "anchor" or staple that assists in folding
the boar bristles, with the "anchor" or staple being used to secure
the tuft 34 of boar bristles within the openings 22 of the body 12.
In a further alternative, the body 12 may be injection molded, and
the boar bristles may be secured therein without using anchors,
such as by directly tufting the boar bristles into the openings 22
and securing the bristles therein with an appropriate adhesive, or
by positioning the boar bristles during the molding process such
that the bristles are captured in the body 12 of the finishing comb
10 as the body 12 is being molded.
[0034] To facilitate manufacturing of the finishing combs,
alternate configurations of the body of the finishing comb are
contemplated by the inventors. FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative
embodiment of a finishing comb 60 having a body 62 with a two-piece
construction comprising a base 64 and an insert 66. The base 64 has
a top surface 68, a bottom surface 70, and oppositely disposed end
surfaces 72, 74. The base 64 further includes an inner surface
defining a channel 76 having openings through the bottom surface 70
and one of the end surfaces 72. In the illustrated embodiment, the
bottom surface 70 of the base 64 includes a plurality of openings
78 similar to the openings 22 discussed above forming outer rows
80, 82 disposed in either side of the channel 76 extending between
the end surfaces 72, 74 of the base 64 parallel to the longitudinal
axis of the body 62.
[0035] The insert 66 is configured to be slidably received into the
channel 76 of the base 64 through the opening in the end 72 of the
base 64 defined by the inner surface of the base 64. To facilitate
alignment and retention of the insert 66 within the channel 76, the
insert 66 may include outwardly extending longitudinal rails or
wings 84 disposed on either side of the insert 66. The wings 84 of
the insert 66 are accommodated by the channel 76 of the base 64 by
corresponding recesses 86 defined by the inner surface in which the
wings 84 are disposed when the insert 66 slides into the channel
76. To further retain the insert 66, the insert 66 may have
outwardly extending raised surface portions or detents 88 on either
side thereof, and the inner surface of the base 64 may further
define corresponding dimples or recesses 90 of the channel that are
configured to receive the detents 88 when the insert 66 slides
fully into the channel 76. The insert 66 has a bottom surface 92
having a plurality of openings 94 similar to the openings 22, 94
discussed above forming the center row 96 disposed between the
outer rows 80, 82 when the insert 66 is disposed within the channel
76, at which time the bottom surfaces 70, 92 of the base 64 and
insert 66, respectively, combine to define the bottom surface of
the body 62.
[0036] Once assembled, the finishing comb 60 may be substantially
similar to the finishing combs 10, 40, 50 with alternating rows of
synthetic bristles 32 and tufts 34 of natural bristles extending
from the bottom surfaces 70, 92 of the base 64 and insert 66,
respectively. The base 64 and insert 66 are fabricated separately,
and the corresponding rows of bristles are attached to the bottom
surfaces 70, 92 before the base 64 and insert 66 are assembled,
which may facilitate the disparate attachment process that may be
required for attaching the natural and synthetic bristles. Further,
the two-piece construction of the base 62 may allow the body 64 to
be fabricated from one material, such as wood to give the finishing
comb 60 a desired appearance, and the insert 64 to be fabricated
from a different material, such as a plastic resin or rubber that
may be more conducive to attachment of the particular bristles
being attached thereto. Further, where the synthetic bristles 32
form the center row 96 of bristles on the bottom surface 92 of the
insert 66, the insert 66 may be fabricated from the same synthetic
material as the synthetic bristles 32 such that the insert 66 and
synthetic bristles 32 may be integrally molded as a single
component, thereby eliminating the steps of forming the openings 94
in the bottom surface 92 of the insert and attaching the synthetic
bristles 32 to the insert 66.
[0037] Those skilled in the art will understand that other
variations of the finishing comb 60 and the process by which the
finishing comb 60 is fabricated are possible and are contemplated
by the inventors as having use in finishing combs in accordance
with the present disclosure. For example, as discussed above with
respect to FIG. 6, the center row 96 may be formed by tufts 34 of
natural bristles, and the outer rows 80, 82 may be formed by
synthetic bristles 32. Further, if desired, both the center row 96
of bristles and the outer rows 80, 82 of bristles may extend
outwardly from the bottom surface 92 of the insert 66 instead of
being split across both bottom surfaces 70, 92. Such a construction
may be desired where the bristles may not be easily attached to the
material from which the base 64 is formed.
[0038] FIG. 10 shows a further alternative embodiment of the
finishing comb 60 wherein the insert 66 may be inserted into the
channel 76 of the base 64 through the opening in the bottom surface
70 of the base 64. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the
base 64 does not define an opening through the end surface 72 of
the base 64 or recesses 86, and the insert 66 does not include the
longitudinal rails or wings 84. During assembly, the insert 66
slides downwardly into the channel 76 of the base 64, and is
retained therein when the detents 88 on either side of the insert
66 are disposed within the corresponding recesses 90 of the channel
76. FIG. 10 further illustrates that insert 66 may be configured to
deflect when sufficient force is applied to the tips 46 of the
synthetic bristles 32. The insert 66 may be provided with a slot 98
passing therethrough and being dimensioned so that the spine
portion of the insert 66 above the slot 98 and to which the
synthetic bristles 32 are attached deflects inwardly when the
finishing comb 60 is used to comb a user's hair and sufficient
force is applied to the synthetic bristles. Such a configuration
allows the synthetic bristles 32 to contour to the shape of the
user's scalp, thereby increasing the comfort of the user while
brushing in comparison to similar combs that do not flex to conform
to the scalp. Similar combs having the ability to flex and conform
to a user's scalp are disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/339,210 filed Jan. 25, 2006, entitled
"Ouchless Comb," the specification of which is expressly
incorporated by reference herein for all purposes
[0039] The finishing combs according to the present disclosure
address the particular grooming needs of men by combining the
attributes of a boar brush with the attributes of a comb. The
attributes borrowed from a boar brush include the use of a boar
bristle in its various bristle combinations (e.g., 100% boar
bristles, 50/50 boar/nylon bristle mixture, "porcupine"
boar/monofilament bristle mixture) tufted into a flexible pad or a
solid material such as wood, plastic, or metal. The attributes
borrowed from a comb include the use of monofilament resin or metal
bristles in a single row or multiple rows that are used in
conjunction with the boar bristles and penetrate the hair pack of
the user.
[0040] Finishing combs according to the present disclosure can also
be used for mustache and beard combs. Moreover, finishing combs
having metal monofilament bristles may be useful in wig grooming
where both natural and synthetic hair is used in wigs. The
finishing comb can be used to detangle the hair of the wig and to
assist in providing the "shine" desired in the hair of the wig.
Alternatively, in the commercial environment, the bristling pattern
and method of the finishing comb may be applied in push brooms,
dustpan brooms, vacuum sweeper broom cylinders and the like.
[0041] The finishing combs in accordance with the present
disclosure may be an improvement over existing combs and brushes in
that they allow for more controlled styling of a user's hair with
fewer rows of bristles in a smaller selected area. The dual bristle
system of boar and monofilament allows for the advantageous
features of both bristle systems to work in conjunction with one
another providing a "combing" experience that is very favorable to
the male consumer in particular. At the same time, the finishing
comb also allows women to create a smooth look to finished "Up-doo"
hair styles.
[0042] While the preceding text sets forth a detailed description
of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it should be
understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the
words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The
detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does
not describe every possible embodiment of the invention since
describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not
impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented,
using either current technology or technology developed after the
filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope
of the claims defining the invention.
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