U.S. patent application number 13/223614 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-07 for branched hairbrush tines and a hairbrush incorporating branched tines.
The applicant listed for this patent is Herve F. Bouix, Christophe Jacob, Lynn Mazzella. Invention is credited to Herve F. Bouix, Christophe Jacob, Lynn Mazzella.
Application Number | 20130055518 13/223614 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47752013 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130055518 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jacob; Christophe ; et
al. |
March 7, 2013 |
Branched Hairbrush Tines And A Hairbrush Incorporating Branched
Tines
Abstract
A hairbrush has a plurality of molded tines, each with a main
shaft and a first branch extending from the shaft. The first branch
extends at a point between the base of the shaft and the free end
of the shaft, and is oriented on the shaft and dimensioned such
that the tine is adapted to comb and separate tangled or matted
hair. The tines may be arranged such that the first branch of one
tine is randomly oriented relative to the first branch of adjacent
tines. The tines may have a second branch extending from the shaft
at a point between the base of the shaft and the first branch. The
first and second branches extend in a radial direction from the
shaft at an angle of 5.degree. to 90.degree. relative to a
longitudinal axis of the shaft.
Inventors: |
Jacob; Christophe; (Saint
Denis le Thiboult, FR) ; Bouix; Herve F.; (New York,
NY) ; Mazzella; Lynn; (Summit, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Jacob; Christophe
Bouix; Herve F.
Mazzella; Lynn |
Saint Denis le Thiboult
New York
Summit |
NY
NJ |
FR
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47752013 |
Appl. No.: |
13/223614 |
Filed: |
September 1, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/160 ;
15/207.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 9/025 20130101;
A46B 2200/104 20130101; A46B 3/00 20130101; A46D 1/0292 20130101;
A46D 1/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/160 ;
15/207.2 |
International
Class: |
A46B 9/02 20060101
A46B009/02 |
Claims
1. A hairbrush comprising: a base adapted to be secured to a
handle; a plurality of molded tines extending from the base, each
of at least some of the plurality of molded tines having: a main
shaft having a first end secured to the base, and an opposite free
end, the main shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a length taken
from the first end to the free end; and a first branch extending
from the main shaft at a point between the first end and the free
end, the first branch extending in a radial direction from the main
shaft at an angle of 5.degree. to 90.degree. relative to the
longitudinal axis of the main shaft, the first branch being
oriented on the shaft and dimensioned such that the tine is adapted
to comb and separate tangled or matted hair.
2. The hairbrush of claim 1 further comprising a second branch
extending from the main shaft at a point between the first end and
up to and including a height of the first branch on the shaft, the
second branch extending radially from the main shaft at an angle of
5.degree. to 90.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis, the
second branch being oriented on the shaft and dimensioned such that
the tine is adapted to comb and separate tangled or matted
hair.
3. The hairbrush of claim 2 wherein the first branch extends from
the main shaft in a first radial direction and the second branch
extends from the main shaft in a second radial direction.
4. The hairbrush of claim 3 where in the second radial direction is
opposite the first radial direction.
5. The hairbrush of claim 2 wherein the angle of the first branch
is the same as the angle of the second branch.
6. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the first branch has a length
that is at least 5% of the length of the shaft.
7. The hairbrush of claim 2 wherein at least one of the first
branch or the second branch has a length that is at least 5% of the
length of the shaft.
8. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the
plurality of molded tines are made from a material selected from
one of silicone elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, vinyl
elastomer, thermoplastic polyester elastomer, thermoplastic
polyurethane elastomer, Nitrile and EPDM.
9. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the
plurality of molded tines are made from a material having a
hardness of from about 35 MPa to about 1180 MPa.
10. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the
plurality of molded tines are made from a material having a
hardness of from about 95 MPa to about 570 MPa.
11. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the
plurality of molded tines are made from a material having a
hardness of from about 200 MPa to about 280 MPa.
12. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the
plurality of molded tines have an average height ranging from about
1 mm to about 30 mm.
13. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the
plurality of molded tines have an average height from about 5 mm to
about 25 mm.
14. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the
plurality of molded tines have an average height from about 10 mm
to about 18 mm.
15. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the
plurality of molded tines have an average cross-sectional diameter
of from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm.
16. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the
plurality of molded tines have an average cross-sectional diameter
of from about 1 mm to about 3 mm.
17. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the
plurality of molded tines have an average cross-sectional diameter
of from about 1.5 mm to about 2 mm.
18. A tine for a hairbrush with a base, the tine comprising: a main
shaft having a first end adapted to be secured to the base, and an
opposite free end, the main shaft defining a longitudinal axis and
a length taken from the first end to the free end; and a first
branch extending from the main shaft at a point between the first
end and the free end, the first branch extending in a radial
direction from the main shaft at an angle of 5.degree. to
90.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis of the main shaft, the
first branch being oriented on the shaft and dimensioned such that
the tine is adapted to comb and separate tangled or matted
hair.
19. A hairbrush comprising: a base adapted to be secured to a
handle; a plurality of molded tines extending from the base, at
least some of the plurality of molded tines having: a main shaft
having a first end secured to the base, and an opposite free end,
the main shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a length taken from
the first end to the free end; a first branch extending from the
main shaft at a point between the first end and the free end, the
first branch extending in a radial direction from the main shaft at
an angle of 5.degree. to 90.degree. relative to the longitudinal
axis of the main shaft, the first branch being oriented on the
shaft and dimensioned such that the tine is adapted to comb and
separate tangled or matted hair; and a second branch extending from
the main shaft at a point between the first end and up to and
including a height of the first branch on the shaft, the second
branch extending radially from the main shaft at an angle of
5.degree. to 90.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis, the
second branch being oriented on the shaft and dimensioned such that
the tine is adapted to comb and separate tangled or matted
hair.
20. A hairbrush comprising: a base adapted to be secured to a
handle; a plurality of molded tines extending from the base, each
of the plurality of molded tines having: a main shaft having a
first end secured to the base, and an opposite free end, the main
shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a length taken from the
first end to the free end; and a first branch extending from the
main shaft at a point between the first end and the free end, the
first branch extending in a radial direction from the main shaft at
an angle of 5.degree. to 90.degree. relative to the longitudinal
axis of the main shaft, the first branch being oriented on the
shaft and dimensioned such that the tine is adapted to comb and
separate tangled or matted hair; wherein the first branch on one of
the plurality of tines is randomly oriented with respect to the
first branch on adjacent ones of the plurality of tines.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to molded hairbrush tines and
a hairbrush made with such tines for combing and brushing hair.
[0003] 2. Background
[0004] Hairbrushes with molded tines, bristles or teeth are known.
Hair brushes with molded tines (as opposed to, for example, brushes
with bundles or tufts of extruded fiber bristles secured by staples
in holes in a solid base, backbone, rod or core) generally comprise
several rows of tines either integrally molded, over-molded or
assembled onto a core. Each row typically has a plurality of tines.
Generally, the profile, shape or design of each of the tines is the
same throughout the brush head. Also each tine generally has a
circular or semi-circular cross-section.
[0005] Known molded tine hairbrushes have a limited capacity to
comb and separate tangled or matted hair.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a molded tine hairbrush
with improved ability to comb and separate hair.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A hairbrush has a plurality of molded tines, each with a
main shaft and a first and a second branch extending from the
shaft. The first branch extends at a point between the base of the
shaft and the free end of the shaft. The second branch extends from
the shaft at a point between the base of the shaft and up to and
including a height of the first branch. The first and second
branches extend in a radial direction from the shaft at an angle of
5.degree. to 90.degree. relative to the free end and to a
longitudinal axis of the shaft. The first and/or second branch are
oriented on the shaft and dimensioned to adapt the tine to comb and
separate tangled, matted hair.
[0008] The invention also relates to a tine adapted to be secured
to a base of a hairbrush. The tine has a main shaft with a first
end adapted to be secured to the base of the hairbrush, and an
opposite free end. The main shaft defines a longitudinal axis and
has a length taken from the first end to the free end. At least a
first branch extends from the main shaft at a point between the
first end and the free end. The first branch extends in a radial
direction from the main shaft at an angle of 5.degree. to
90.degree. relative to the free end of the shaft and to the
longitudinal axis of the shaft. A second branch may extend from the
main shaft at a point between the first end and up to and including
a height of the first branch on the shaft. The second branch may
extend radially from the shaft at an angle of 5.degree. to
90.degree. relative to the free end and to the longitudinal axis of
the shaft. The first branch is oriented on the shaft and
dimensioned to adapt the tine to comb and separate tangled, matted
hair. The second branch may be similarly mounted on the shaft in an
orientation and dimension adapted to comb and separate tangled,
matted hair.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hairbrush incorporating
the brush head with molded tines of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the brush head with
molded tines of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 1 partially
assembled;
[0011] FIG. 3A is an elevation view of a first embodiment of a
molded tine of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3B is an elevation view of a second embodiment of a
molded tine of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3C is an elevation view of a third embodiment of a
molded tine of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an elevation view illustrating assembly of molded
tines into the brush head of the hairbrush of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is an elevation view illustrating molded tines after
installation into the brush head of the hairbrush shown in FIG.
4;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the brush head of the present
invention illustrating an orientation of the tine branches relative
to one another;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevation view illustrating
assembly of a molded tine into the brush head of the hairbrush of
the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional elevation view illustrating a
molded tine after installation into the brush head of the hairbrush
shown in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, a hairbrush 2 incorporating a brush
head 4 with molded tines 6 of the present invention is shown. The
hairbrush includes a handle 8 (shown in broken lines) adapted to be
grasped by the user. The handle 8 is connected to a base 10 that is
adapted to support at least one molded tine 6, and preferably a
plurality of molded tines 6, that extend from the base 10.
[0020] For clarity, "tines" are generally understood to be prongs
extending from an implement. "Bristles" are generally understood to
be stiff, hair-like structures. "Teeth" are generally understood to
be projecting parts each resembling a tooth in shape or function,
as on a comb, gear, or saw. As used herein, the terms "tines",
"bristles" or "teeth" in singular or plural form are used
interchangeably to designate any thin, stiff prong, projection,
projecting part or structure extending from a supporting backbone,
rod, core or base. The molded tines, bristles and teeth having at
least a first branch oriented and dimensioned to adapt the tine to
comb and separate tangled, matted hair.
[0021] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, each tine 6 has a main shaft 12
with a base end or first end 14. The first end 14 is adapted to be
secured to the base 10 of the brush head 4 by, for example,
integrally molding, over-molding, bi-injection molding, adhering,
welding, staking, friction fit or other well know means or method.
In the illustrations, the first end 14 of the shaft 12 is staked to
the base 10 by way of a bayonet 24. The bayonet 24 is comprised of
an enlarged collar 26 and a flared nib 28 connected by a reduced
diameter portion 30. As illustrated in FIGS. 4-5 and 7-8, the base
10 has a surface 34 with a plurality of bores 32 for receiving the
tines 6. The bayonet 24 of a tine is secured to the base 10 by
forcing the flared nib 28 through one of the bores 32. Each bore 32
is dimensioned to receive in close fit the reduced diameter portion
30 of the bayonet 24. A shoulder 36 formed by the intersection of
the side and bottom of the collar 26 abuts the surface 34 of the
base.
[0022] The shaft 12 has an opposite free end 16. The shaft 12
defines a longitudinal axis 18, and the shaft 12 has a length LL
taken from the point on the shaft 12 where the shaft 12 emerges
from the surface 34 at the first end 14 to the free end 16. A first
branch 20 extends from the shaft 12 at a point between the first
end 14 and the free end 16. The first branch 20 extends in a radial
direction from the shaft 12 at an angle AA of 5.degree. to
90.degree. relative to the free end 16 and to the longitudinal axis
18 of the shaft 12. The first branch 20 is oriented on the shaft
and dimensioned to adapt the tine, and thereby a brush including
the tine, to comb and separate tangled, matted hair. It is believed
that this improved action of the brush tine is because at least
some portion of the hair being brushed or combed is captured by the
branch 20 above the surface 34, thus lifting and separating it from
portions of the hair being brushed or combed that pass closer to or
touch the surface 34. In effect, the tine with a branch 20 divides
hair into smaller, more manageable portions as the brush is drawn
through tangled, matted hair.
[0023] At least some of the tines 6 may have a second branch 22
extending from the shaft 12 at a point between the first end 14 and
up to and including a height Y of the first branch 20 on the shaft
12 taken from the point on the shaft 12 where the shaft 12 emerges
from the surface 34. The second branch 22 extends radially from the
shaft 12 at an angle BB of 5.degree. to 90.degree. relative to the
free end 16 and to the longitudinal axis 18. The second branch 22
further adapts the tine, and thereby the brush head 4, to better
comb and separate tangled, matted hair in a manner similar to the
first branch 20.
[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 1, each of the tines 6 can be
identical in size, branch configuration and branch orientation
(though branch orientation is illustrated as random in FIG. 1), or
branched tines can be mixed with non-branched tines. The branches
20, 22 may be straight (as shown) or curved (not illustrated). Each
tine 6 and respective branch or branches 20, 22 may be provided
with any cross-section suitable to the intended purpose of the
brush head. The distribution of the branches 20, 22 along the shaft
12 may be at the same height relative to the first end 14, or may
be located at different heights along the shaft 12. Adjacent tines
6 on a brush head 4 may have branches 20, 22 located at the same
height, or adjacent tines 6 on a brush head 4 may have branches 20,
22 located at different heights. Adjacent tines 6 may be identical
in shape, configuration and dimensions, or may be different in at
least one of shape, configuration and dimensions. Similarly,
branches 20, 22 on the same tine 6, or on adjacent tines 6, may be
identical in shape, configuration and dimensions, or may be
different in at least one of shape, configuration and dimensions.
Each brush head 4 may have all identical tines 6 or may have
different tines 6 and/or different branches 20, 22 mixed together.
Rows of branched tines may be alternated with rows of tines having
no branches. Alternatively, within each row, tines with branches
20, 22 may be alternated with tines having no branches. The
possible variations and combinations are infinite.
[0025] The brush head 4 may be further adapted to comb and separate
tangled and matted hair by randomly orienting at least the first
branch 20 or second branch 22 of one tine 6 relative to the first
branch 20 or second branch 22 of an adjacent tine or tines 6.
Preferably, the first branch 20 on each of the plurality of tines 6
is randomly oriented with respect to the first branch 20 or the
second branch 22 on adjacent ones of the remainder of the plurality
of tines 6. The random orientation is best illustrated, for
example, in the top plan view of FIG. 6 looking down at the surface
34 of the brush head 4 wherein a tine 6 has a first branch 20
oriented in a first direction, and tines 6' and 6'' have first
branches 20' and 20'', respectively, oriented in second and third
directions relative to the first direction. Similarly, the second
branch 22 of a tine 6 may also be randomly oriented relative to the
first branch 20 or the second branch 22 of adjacent ones of the
remainder of the tines 6. It is believed that this random
arrangement of the branches of the tines may further facilitate
combing and separation of matted and tangled hair by further
separating hair into even smaller portions as the brush is drawn
through tangled, matted hair.
[0026] While the embodiments described herein are illustrated with
each tine 6 of the plurality of tines having at least a first
branch 20, it will be understood that the brush head may include
some tines with two or more branches (for example, first and second
branches 20, 22, respectively) and/or some tines with no branches
at all. It is the intention of the inventors that as long as at
least some of the tines 6 of the brush include a first branch 20,
or a first branch 20 and second branch 22, the invention is
embodied in the brush. For example, each row of tines can include
the branched tines of the invention alone, or alternatively, a mix
of the branched tines of the invention and conventional tines
(e.g., no branches).
[0027] The first branch 20 and second branch 22 may extend from the
shaft 12 in the same direction. Alternatively, the first branch 20
may extend from the shaft 12 in a first radial direction and the
second branch 22 may extend from the shaft 12 in a second radial
direction. The second radial direction may, for example, be
opposite the first radial direction as illustrated in the
Figures.
[0028] The angle of the first branch 20 relative to the
longitudinal axis 18 may be the same as the angle of the second
branch 22, or the angles of the first branch 20 and second branch
22 may be different angles. The angle AA, BB is 5.degree. to
90.degree. relative to the free end 16 and to the longitudinal axis
18 of the shaft 12. At least one of the first branch 20 or the
second branch 22 has a length that is at least 5% of the length LL
of the shaft 18. Adjacent tines 6 may be equally spaced or the
tines may be offset from each other or randomly spaced.
[0029] While brush head 4 with a plurality of tines 6, at least
some of which have at least a first branch 20, is described above
as embodying the invention, the invention is also embodied in the
individual tines 6 as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 3A-3C.
Each tine 6 has a main shaft 12 defining a longitudinal axis 18. A
first end 14 of the shaft 12 is adapted to be secured to the base
10 of the brush head 4. The shaft 12 has an opposite free end 16. A
length LL of the shaft 12 is taken from the point on the shaft 12
where the shaft 12 emerges from the surface 34 at the first end 14
to the free end 16. A first branch 20 extends from the shaft 12 at
a height Y, i.e., a point on the shaft 12 between where the shaft
12 emerges from the surface 34 and the free end 16. A second branch
22 extends from the shaft 12 at a height Z, i.e., between a point
on the shaft 12 where the shaft 12 emerges from the surface 34 and
up to and including the height Y of the first branch 20 on the
shaft 12. The first branch 20 and a second branch 22 extend in a
radial direction from the shaft 12 at an angle AA, BB,
respectively, of 5.degree. to 90.degree. relative to the free end
16 and the longitudinal axis 18 of the shaft 12. The first branch
20 and/or the second branch 22 are oriented on the shaft and
dimensioned to adapt the tine, and thereby a brush including the
tine, to comb and separate tangled, matted hair. It is believed
that this improved action of the tine is because at least some
portion of the hair being brushed or combed is captured by the
branch 20 or 22 above the surface 34, thus lifting and separating
it from portions of the hair being brushed or combed that pass
closer to or touch the surface 34 of the brush head. In effect, the
tine with at least one branch 20 divides hair into smaller portions
for processing. The tine may be assembled in a brush head such that
the first branch is randomly oriented relative to the first branch
of adjacent tines to further facilitate the ability to comb and
separate tangled or matted hair.
[0030] Whether in a plurality of tines or as an individual tine,
the first branch 20 may extend from the shaft 12 in a first radial
direction and the second branch 22 may extend from the shaft 12 in
the same radial direction (see FIG. 3C) or in a second different
radial direction (FIG. 3B). The second radial direction may be
opposite the first radial direction. The angle AA of the first
branch 20 may be the same as the angle BB of the second branch 22,
or the angles of the first branch 20 and second branch 22 may be
different. Preferably, at least one of the first branch 20 or the
second branch 22 has a length that is at least 5% of the length LL
of the shaft 12.
[0031] The brush head tines 6 and the brush head 4 may be made by
injection molding (or any other suitable molding means) from any
suitable plastic material. Preferred materials are, such as, for
example, polymers including silicone elastomers, thermoplastic
elastomers (e.g., styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block
copolymer--SEBS), vinyl elastomers (EVA), thermoplastic polyester
elastomers (e.g., Hytrel.RTM. from DuPont de Nemours),
thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (Pelethane.RTM. from Dow
Plastic), Nitrile or EPDM. Hardness of the material is preferably
from about 35 MPa (35 Shore D Hytrel.RTM. from DuPont de Nemours)
to about 1180 MPa (82 Shore D Hytrel.RTM. from DuPont de Nemours).
More preferably, tensile modulus ranges from about 95 MPa (45 Shore
D Hytrel.RTM. from DuPont de Nemours) to about 570 MPa (72 Shore D
Hytrel.RTM. from DuPont de Nemours). Most preferably, tensile
modulus ranges from about 200 MPa (55 Shore D Hytrel.RTM. from
DuPont de Nemours) to about 280 MPa (63 Shore D Hytrel.RTM. from
DuPont de Nemours).
[0032] The tines 6 may have any size, shape and spacing suitable
for intended purposes and functions, e.g., arrangement and/or
separation of matted or tangled hair. Preferably, but not
necessarily, the tines 6 have an average height LL ranging from
about 1 mm to about 30 mm. More preferably, the tines 6 have an
average height from about 5 mm to about 25 mm and, most preferably,
from about 10 mm to about 18 mm. The average cross-sectional
diameter of the tines 6 preferably ranges from about 0.5 mm to
about 5 mm. More preferably, the cross-sectional diameter of the
tines ranges from about 1 mm to about 3 mm and most preferably from
about 1.5 mm to about 2 mm.
[0033] The brush head and tines of the invention may be used for
any hair combing, brushing or styling operation.
[0034] While the invention has been described and illustrated as
embodied in preferred forms of construction, it will be understood
that various modifications may be made in the structure and
arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and the
scope of the invention recited in the following claims.
* * * * *