U.S. patent application number 11/926667 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-26 for particulate material dispensing hairbrush with combination bristles.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Hartz Mountain Corporation. Invention is credited to William D. McKay.
Application Number | 20080149124 11/926667 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39562930 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080149124 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McKay; William D. |
June 26, 2008 |
PARTICULATE MATERIAL DISPENSING HAIRBRUSH WITH COMBINATION
BRISTLES
Abstract
A brush having a head with a reservoir formed therein and at
least one aperture formed in the head for opening the reservoir to
the exterior of the head is provided. The inventive brush also
includes a plurality of bristles mounted on the head for
transferring material dispensed from the reservoir through the at
least one aperture in the head as the brush is drawn through human
or animal hair. The inventive brush includes a refill aperture
formed in the head and a cap releasably engageable with the refill
aperture. The brush may also include a cover movably mounted on the
head for closing an aperture in the head with the cover movable
between a first position for closing the aperture, and a second
position for opening the aperture.
Inventors: |
McKay; William D.; (Grand
Blanc, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GOTTLIEB RACKMAN & REISMAN PC
270 MADISON AVENUE, 8TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10016-0601
US
|
Assignee: |
The Hartz Mountain
Corporation
|
Family ID: |
39562930 |
Appl. No.: |
11/926667 |
Filed: |
October 29, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11834355 |
Aug 6, 2007 |
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11926667 |
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60871535 |
Dec 22, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/116 ;
132/112; 132/120 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61P 37/00 20180101;
A61K 47/68 20170801; C07D 471/04 20130101; A61K 47/6801 20170801;
A46B 2200/104 20130101; A61K 47/66 20170801; A01K 13/002 20130101;
A46B 11/0013 20130101; A46B 11/0055 20130101; C07D 513/04 20130101;
A01K 13/003 20130101; A61K 47/556 20170801; A46B 11/0079 20130101;
A46B 11/0062 20130101; A61K 31/437 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/116 ;
132/112; 132/120 |
International
Class: |
A45D 24/22 20060101
A45D024/22; A45D 24/16 20060101 A45D024/16 |
Claims
1. A brush for dispensing material, the brush comprising: (a) a
body having a handle and a head defining a brushing surface; (b) a
reservoir for containing said material formed within the head; and
at least one aperture formed along said brushing surface of the
head and opening the reservoir to the exterior of the head; (c) a
cover movably relative to the head for selectively closing the at
least one aperture, the cover movable between a first position for
closing said at least one aperture and a second position for
opening the at least one aperture; (d) a plurality of soft, inner
disposed flexible bristles mounted on the head and depending from
said surface, said inner bristles substantially surrounding the at
least one aperture in the head for receiving material dispensed
from the reservoir through the at least one aperture and
transferring said material onto another surface as the brush is
selectively engaged with the other surface; and (e) a plurality of
stiffer outer disposed bristles mounted on the head and depending
from said surface, said outer bristles disposed about at least a
portion of the outer periphery of said plurality of soft, inner
disposed bristles.
2. The brush of claim 1, wherein particulate material is disposed
within the reservoir.
3. The brush of claim 1, further comprising: a refill aperture
formed in the head; and a cap releasable engageable with the refill
aperture.
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. The brush of claim 1, wherein the soft bristles are formed of
boars hair or horse hair.
9. (canceled)
10. The brush of claim 1, wherein the inner disposed bristles
protrude beyond the height of at least some of the outer disposed
bristles.
11. The brush of claim 1, wherein the outer disposed bristles are
formed of a rigid flexible material.
12. The brush of claim 11, wherein the outer disposed bristles have
an enlarged spherical shaped end.
13. The brush of claim 1, further comprising: vibration means,
carried in the brush, for vibrating the head to enhance migration
of the material from the reservoir to the bristles during use of
the brush.
14. The brush of claim 1, wherein said cover has a finger
engageable surface to facilitate moving said cover between said
first and second positions.
15. The brush of claim 1, wherein said cover includes at least one
opening which is in corresponding alignment with said at least one
aperture when said cover is in said second position.
16. The brush of claim 1, wherein said cover is slidable within a
groove formed in said head surface to enable movement between said
first and second positions.
17. The brush of claim 1, wherein the outer disposed bristles are
selected from the group consisting of nylon, polypropylene and
polyethylene.
18. The brush of claim 1, wherein the outer disposed bristles are
mounted on the brush head by means of one of molding and
hooking.
19. The brush of claim 1, wherein the outer disposed bristles are
in the form of clumps substantially surrounding an aperture.
20. The brush of claim 10, wherein the height of all of the inner
disposed bristles is substantially the same.
21. The brush of claim 20, wherein some of the outer disposed
bristles have a height substantially the same as that of the inner
disposed bristles and wherein the remainder of said outer disposed
bristles have a height that is substantially less than that of said
inner disposed bristles.
22. The brush of claim 1, wherein said cover comprises an elongated
rod element having at least one opening which is aligned with said
at least one aperture of said head only when said cover is in said
second position.
23. The brush of claim 1, wherein said cover is mounted
interiorally of said brushing surface.
24. The brush of claim 1, wherein said cover is mounted
exteriorally of said brushing surface.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to Provisional Application
No. 60/871,535, filed Dec. 22, 2006 and incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a brush and a combination of
bristles secured to the base.
[0003] Various hair care utensils have been devised for grooming,
cleaning, treating, medicating and otherwise taking care of human
or pet hair, including utensils such as combs and brushes.
[0004] Other hair grooming utensils include various spraying
devices, such as manual pump sprays, pressurized aerosol
containers, etc. These utensils are employed for applying hair
coloring, cleansing solutions, medicinal compositions to treat
various ailments, etc.
[0005] Conventional brushes have a plurality of bristles arranged
in various 2-dimensional patterns. While these brushes are
effective for hair grooming, they cannot apply significant
quantities of a liquid or other materials. Conventional brushes are
also less than desirable for applying medicinal or other treatment
compositions to hair and scalp. Moreover, most conventional brushes
include a plurality of bristles of the same flexibility and
stiffness. This is less than advantageous since transferring a
particulate material to hair and scalp requires stiff bristles to
part and separate the hair, and soft bristles to capture and
deposit a particulate material to the hair and scalp.
[0006] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a brush for
stroking hair and collecting and depositing a particulate material
on hair and scalp. It is also desirable to have a brush that is
capable of applying medicine, cleaning solutions and other
treatment material to the hair, skin or scalp, as the brush is
drawn through the hair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Generally speaking, and in accordance with the invention, a
brush having a head with a reservoir formed therein and at least
one aperture formed in the head for opening the reservoir to the
exterior of the head is provided. The inventive brush also includes
a plurality of bristles mounted on the head for transferring
material dispensed from the reservoir through the at least one
aperture in the head as the brush is drawn through human or animal
hair.
[0008] In particular, the inventive brush includes a fill and/or
refill aperture formed in the head and a cap releasably engageable
with the refill aperture. The brush may also include a cover
movably mounted on the head for closing an aperture in the head
with the cover movable between a first position for closing the
aperture, and a second position for opening the aperture.
[0009] In accordance with the invention, the inventive brush
includes a plurality of soft flexible bristles mounted along the
head and surrounding the at least one aperture. These bristles are
suitable for receiving materials that are dispensed through at
least one aperture. In addition, the brush of the invention
preferably includes a second group of stiffer, more rigid bristles
disposed about the soft flexible bristles. In one form, the inner
disposed bristles protrude beyond the height of the outer
bristles.
[0010] In a further embodiment, the inventive brush may include a
vibration mechanism for vibrating the head in order to enhance
migration of material from the reservoir to the bristles during use
of the brush.
[0011] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an
improved particulate dispensing hairbrush.
[0012] Yet another object of the invention is to provide an
improved hairbrush having bristles of two or more different
types.
[0013] Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an
improved hair brush that is capable of applying medicine, cleaning
solutions, powders and other treatment to the hair, the skin or
scalp, as the brush is being drawn through the hair.
[0014] Still other objects and advantages of the invention will, in
part, be obvious and will, in part, be apparent from the following
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is
made to the following description, taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the hairbrush of the
invention and depicting the movable cover mounted on the brush head
and disposed in a first position for closing the apertures formed
along the brush head;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the hairbrush depicted
in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view showing one
construction of the outer bristles of the hairbrush of the
invention;
[0019] FIG. 4 is also an enlarged elevational view showing a second
construction of the outer bristles of the inventive hairbrush;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the cover used for
closing the apertures formed on the head of the inventive
hairbrush;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the cover depicted in
FIG. 5;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the hairbrush of the
invention, and depicting the cover of FIG. 1 in a second position
in order to open the apertures formed along the brush head; and
[0023] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the hairbrush depicted
in FIG. 7.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of
the inventive hair brush;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the second
embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the second
embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the second embodiment;
and
[0028] FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view, partially cut away
of the brush head of the second embodiment; and
[0029] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the second
embodiment showing the various component parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1-8 of the drawing, there is depicted a
particulate dispensing hairbrush with combination bristles denoted
generally by reference 10.
[0031] The brush 10 may be formed of any suitable lightweight
material, preferably a plastic, with polypropylene being useable by
example. The brush 10 may be formed of a single-piece, molded body
12 or of multiple pieces joined together by adhesive, double shot
molding, heat or sonic welding, etc.
[0032] By way of example only, the body 12 includes a handle 14
with elongated shaft 16 extending from a first outer end 18 to a
second end 20. An aperture 22 may be formed in the shaft 16
adjacent the first end 18 to provide a convenient means for
supporting the brush on a hook or other surface when not in
use.
[0033] The shaft 16 is provided in a convenient hand grip size and
may optionally be provided with ergonomic surfaces 24, such as
soft, flexible ribs, which extend along some or substantially all
of the exterior surface of the shaft 16.
[0034] The body 12 of the brush 10 also includes a head 30 which
may be integrally joined to the shaft 16. The head 30 has a
generally cubical, hollow shape, with the illustrated rectangular
shape being by way of example only. The head 30 has a first end 32
and an opposed second end 34. The second end 34 of the head 30 is
joined to the second end 20 of the shaft 16 of the handle 14 by a
connector 36.
[0035] The head 30 is formed with a hollow interior chamber or
reservoir 38 which opens to an aperture 40 at the first end 32 of
the head 30. The aperture 40 is releasably closable by a cap
42.
[0036] The cap 42 may be affixed to the first end 32 of the head 30
by a snap-on, friction fit, a threaded connection, etc.
[0037] Dispensable materials, i.e., particulate solids, such as
powder, or even fluid materials, may be introduced into the
reservoir 38 in the head 30 through the aperture 40.
[0038] At least one aperture, with two pairs of spaced apertures 44
being shown by way of example only, are formed in one major surface
of the head 30. The apertures 44 open to the reservoir 38 to allow
transfer or migration of the material contained within the
reservoir 38 through the apertures 44 and onto the bristles mounted
on the head 30 as described hereafter for dispensing to human or
pet hair.
[0039] A cover 50 is in the form of an elongated, generally flat
rod having a first end 52 and an opposed second end 54. The second
end 54 is enlarged, such as by a bent flange 58, to provide a
finger engageable edge for moving the cover 50 between a first
position shown in FIG. 1 wherein apertures 56, which are provided
in substantially the same size and the same number as the
aperture(s) 44 in the head 30, are spaced from the apertures 44 in
the head 30 by solid portions of the cover 50 to close off the
apertures 44 to the transfer of the material within the reservoir
38 to the bristles on the head 30 and a second position, shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8, wherein the apertures 56 in the cover 50 are aligned
with the apertures 44 and the head 30 allowing dispending of
material from the reservoir 38 to the brush bristles.
[0040] The cover 50 may be mounted interiorally or exteriorally on
the major surface 31 of the head 30 and may slide within a groove
formed in the major surface 31 of the head 30. The groove 60
slidably captures the cover 50 in the head 30.
[0041] A plurality of bristles are mounted on the major surface 31
of the head 30. Although all of the bristles can be of the same
type of material and substantially the same height, by way of
example only, a first group of bristles 70 are fixedly mounted on
the major surface 31 of the head 30 by suitable mounting means,
such as molding in the major surface 31, adhesive, staples, etc.
The first group of bristles 70 may be formed of soft, densely
arranged, boars hair bristles. A second group of bristles 74 are
arranged about substantially the entire outer periphery of the
first group of bristles 70, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. The bristles
74 forming the second outer peripheral group of bristles generally
have a more rigid construction that the softer bristles 70 in the
first group of bristles 70.
[0042] The outer peripheral bristles 74, which are illustrated as
being disposed only along the two longitudinal sides of the inner
bristles 70, may comprise individual, flexible nylon or
polypropylene bristles which are joined by means of molding,
hooking or other fastening means such as molding to the major
surface 31 of the head 30. The bristles 74, as shown in detail in
FIG. 4, have a shaft 76, a spherical ball-shaped end 78, and an
attachment end 80 which is illustrated by example only as being in
the form of a bent hook for mounting in the first major surface 31
of the head 30.
[0043] FIG. 3 depicts an alternate construction for the outer
bristles in which the outer bristles are formed of clumps or groups
84 of a plurality of flexible plastic, such as nylon, bristles. The
bristles 84 are flexible, but more rigid than the inner disposed,
softer bristles 70.
[0044] Although not shown, the outer bristles may also be formed of
metal, joined at one end to the head 30 for used with brushing pet
undercoats. The height of the inner bristles 70 may be of the same
height as the outer peripheral bristles 74. As shown in FIGS. 2 and
8, the outer peripheral bristles 74 may also be provided in
different heights, one set of which may be of the same height as
the inner bristle 70 or both sets may be shorter in height than the
overall height of the inner bristles 70.
[0045] In use, the brush 10 may be used as a conventional brush on
human or pet hair or undercoats when the cover 50 is in the first
closed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The more rigid outer
peripheral bristles 74, 84, etc., gently stroke hair, and, in
particular, braids, without detangling or untwisting the braids. In
loose, unbraided or untied hair, the outer peripheral bristles
separate and detangle the hair as the brush 10 is drawn through the
hair in a sideways direction of the brush 10. That is, the brush 10
is urged through human or pet hair or pet undercoats in a sideways
motion from left to right or right to left in the brush orientation
shown in FIG. 1.
[0046] When it is desired to dispense the particulate or other
material stored in the reservoir 38, the cover 50 is urged to the
second open position. While the brush 10 is moved through the human
or pet hair or pet undercoat, gravity causes the particulate
material or other material stored within the reservoir 38 in to
migrate or transfer from the reservoir 38 to the soft, inner
bristles 70 and then onto the human or pet hair.
[0047] The brush 10 may be vibrated by shaking the brush during
each brushing stroke to promote or enhance migration of material
from the reservoir 38 to the inner bristles 70. Alternately, a
vibratory means, such as a small battery powered motor, may be
mounted in the brush 10, such as in the handle 14, to provide
vibration of the head 30 during brush strokes.
[0048] It is also contemplated that the brush 10 may be constructed
without the slidable cover 50. In this aspect, the apertures 44 in
head 30 remain open at all times. Due to the slightly clinging
nature of powder or other particulate material typically applied to
human hair, or pet hair or fur, while a small amount of the
particulate material may migrate from the interior reservoir 38
through the apertures 44 onto the bristles 70 when the major
surface 31 is oriented in a downward facing position, substantial
transfer of the particulate material is achieved during a brush
stroke by means of vibration, i.e., by either manual shaking of the
brush or a motor aided vibration as described above.
[0049] Referring to FIGS. 9-14 of the drawings, there is depicted a
second embodiment of a particulate dispensing hairbrush with
combination bristles denoted generally by reference 110.
[0050] Brush 110 may also be formed of any suitable lightweight
material, preferably a plastic, with polypropylene being useable by
example. Brush 110 may be formed of a single-piece, molded body 112
or of multiple pieces joined together by adhesive, double shot
molding, heat or sonic welding, etc.
[0051] Body 112 includes a handle 114 with an aperture 122 which
may be formed in handle 114 adjacent to one end to provide a
convenient means for supporting the brush on a hook or other
surface when not in use.
[0052] Handle 114 is provided with an over-grip having an ergonomic
surface 124, such as soft, flexible ribs, which extend along some
or substantially all of the exterior surface of handle 114.
[0053] Body 112 of the brush 110 also includes a head 130 which is
joined to handle 114. Head 130 includes a top 144 and a bottom 146
and has a first end and an opposed second end. The second end of
the head 130 is joined to the other end of handle 114 by means of
fingers 148a, 148b extending from top 144 and bottom 146,
respectively.
[0054] Head 130 is formed with a hollow interior chamber or
reservoir 138 (defined by reservoir top 154 and reservoir bottom
156) which opens to an access aperture at the end of the head 130
(see FIGS. 13 and 14). The aperture is releasably closable by a cap
142.
[0055] As in the first embodiment, dispensable materials, i.e.,
particulate solids, such as powder, or even fluid materials, may be
introduced into reservoir 138 in head 130 through the aperture.
[0056] Apertures 151 are shown in FIG. 11 along one surface of the
head 130. Apertures 151 open to reservoir 138 to allow transfer or
migration of the material contained within the reservoir 138
through the apertures 151 and onto the bristles mounted on the head
130, as described hereafter, for dispensing to human or pet
hair.
[0057] A plurality of bristles are mounted along said one surface
of the head 130. Particularly, a first group of bristles (not
shown) may be fixedly mounted along the surface of head 130 at
location 161 comprising soft, densely arranged, boar or horse hair
bristles. A second group of bristles 141 are arranged about
substantially the entire outer periphery of location 161. Bristles
141 forming the second outer peripheral group of bristles are
typically made of a plastic material and generally have a more
rigid construction than the softer bristles of the first group.
[0058] In use, brush 110 may be used as a conventional brush on
human or pet hair or undercoats. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a
load dial 131 is provided along the neck region of head 130 in
order to turn a shaft 133 to which the load dial is connected,
which subsequently turns a load dial fin 135 connected to shaft 133
and located within brush head 130. When fin 135 turns or moves, it
engages and depresses an internal piston/plunger unit 137.
Piston/plunger unit 137 includes a plurality of pistons 139 and
urges the material held in reservoir 138 through apertures 151
where the material is ultimately trapped by the soft, densely
arranged horse or boar hair bristles for subsequent transfer.
Piston/plunger unit 137 then springs back into its original
position (by means of springs 159) so that it is ready for
additional dispensing of said material.
[0059] When it is desired to dispense the particulate or other
material stored in the reservoir 138, brush 110 is moved through
the human or pet hair or pet undercoat, with gravity causing the
particulate or other material stored within reservoir 138 to
migrate or transfer from reservoir 138 to the brush and then onto
the human or pet hair.
* * * * *