U.S. patent application number 14/224986 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-01 for liquid-dispensing hair brush.
This patent application is currently assigned to UMM AL-QURA UNIVERSITY. The applicant listed for this patent is UMM AL-QURA UNIVERSITY. Invention is credited to SALEH ALSALAMEH.
Application Number | 20150272313 14/224986 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54188607 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150272313 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ALSALAMEH; SALEH |
October 1, 2015 |
LIQUID-DISPENSING HAIR BRUSH
Abstract
The liquid-dispensing hair brush includes various embodiments,
each having an internal reservoir for a hair grooming liquid. The
liquid (oil, tonic, gel, etc.) is released from the reservoir to
pass through passages in the teeth or bristles of the brush, for
application to the hair and scalp simultaneously with the brushing
of the hair. Certain embodiments have controls upon the handles,
for releasing and/or pressurizing the contents of the reservoir to
flow from the reservoir and out through the teeth and/or bristles.
Another embodiment includes a pneumatic bulb for applying air
pressure to the reservoir. Yet another embodiment includes an
internal plate with a series of stops extending therefrom, the
stops corresponding to the internal pores of each of the teeth or
bristles. A handle extends from the plate through the back of the
brush for control of the flow of liquid from the reservoir.
Inventors: |
ALSALAMEH; SALEH; (QASSIM,
SA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
UMM AL-QURA UNIVERSITY |
Makkah |
|
SA |
|
|
Assignee: |
UMM AL-QURA UNIVERSITY
Makkah
SA
|
Family ID: |
54188607 |
Appl. No.: |
14/224986 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
401/28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 9/023 20130101;
A46B 11/002 20130101; A46B 11/0062 20130101; A45D 19/02 20130101;
A46B 11/0006 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A46B 11/00 20060101
A46B011/00; A45D 34/04 20060101 A45D034/04 |
Claims
1. A liquid-dispensing hair brush, comprising: a hollow head having
a back and a face, the back and the face defining a hair treatment
reservoir therebetween, the face having a plurality of pores
disposed therethrough; a plurality of elongate, hollow brush
elements extending from the face, each of the brush elements having
a passage extending therethrough and a pore at an end thereof, each
of the pores and the passages of the brush elements communicating
with the hair treatment reservoir, each of the pores of the face
corresponding with one of the brush elements; and a pressurizing
mechanism configured for pressurizing the hair treatment reservoir
to flow a liquid from the hair treatment reservoir through the
plurality of pores of the face and out the plurality of pores of
the brush elements of the liquid-dispensing hair brush.
2. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 1, further
comprising: a central plate disposed within the hair treatment
reservoir; a plurality of stops extending from the central plate
toward the pores of the face, each of the stops being aligned with
a corresponding one of the pores of the face; and a flow adjustment
handle extending from the central plate and outwardly through the
back, wherein the central plate is selectively adjusted by the flow
adjustment handle to open and close the pores of the face by
adjusting a position of the stops in relation to the pores of the
face, to control a flow of the liquid from the hair treatment
reservoir.
3. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 1, further
comprising: a hollow handle extending from the head, the handle
having a second reservoir therein, the second reservoir
communicating with the hair treatment reservoir of the hollow head;
and a pressure control disposed upon the handle for selectively
pressurizing the second reservoir in the handle to control flow of
liquid from the second reservoir in communication with the hair
treatment reservoir of the hollow head.
4. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 1, further
comprising a pneumatic bulb extending from the head, the pneumatic
bulb communicating pneumatically with the hair treatment reservoir
to selectively pressurize the hair treatment reservoir to control
flow of the liquid out from the hair treatment reservoir.
5. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 4, further
comprising a pneumatic line disposed between the pneumatic bulb and
the head.
6. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 1, further
comprising a hollow handle, the head being removably attached to
the handle.
7. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 1, wherein
the brush elements are selected from the group consisting of rigid
teeth and flexible bristles.
8. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 1, wherein
at least the head is made of a plastic material.
9. A liquid-dispensing hair brush, comprising: a hollow head having
a back and a face, the back and the face defining a hair treatment
reservoir therebetween, the face having a plurality of pores
disposed therethrough; a plurality of elongate, hollow brush
elements extending from the face, each of the brush elements having
a passage extending therethrough and a pore at an end thereof, each
of the pores and the passages of the brush elements communicating
with the hair treatment reservoir, each of the pores of the face
corresponding with one of the brush elements; a central plate
disposed within the hair treatment reservoir between the back and
the face; a plurality of stops extending from the central plate
toward the pores of the face, each of the stops corresponding to at
least one of the pores of the face; and a flow adjustment handle
extending from the central plate and outwardly through the back,
the central plate being selectively adjustable by the flow
adjustment handle to open and close the pores of the face by
adjusting a position of the stops in relation to the pores of the
face to control flow of the liquid from the hair treatment
reservoir.
10. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 9, further
comprising a pressurizing member to selectively pneumatically
pressurize the hair treatment reservoir.
11. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 10, wherein
the pressurizing member comprises a pneumatic bulb extending from
the head, the pneumatic bulb communicating pneumatically with the
hair treatment reservoir,
12. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 11, further
comprising a pneumatic line disposed between the pneumatic bulb and
the head.
13. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 9, further
comprising: a hollow handle extending from the head, the handle
having a second reservoir therein, the second reservoir
communicating with the hair treatment reservoir of the hollow head;
and a pneumatic pressure control disposed upon the handle to
selectively pressurize the second reservoir in the handle to flow
the liquid from the second reservoir in communication with the hair
treatment reservoir of the hollow head.
14. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 9, further
comprising a hollow handle, the head being removably attached to
the hollow handle.
15. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 9, wherein
the brush elements are selected from the group consisting of rigid
teeth and flexible bristles.
16. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 9, wherein
at least the head is formed of a plastic material.
17. A liquid-dispensing hair brush, comprising: a hollow head
having a back and a face, the face having a plurality of pores
disposed therethrough; a plurality of elongate, hollow brush
elements extending from the face, each of the brush elements having
a passage extending therethrough and a pore at an end thereof, each
of the pores and the passages of the brush elements communicating
with the hollow head, each of the pores of the face corresponding
with one of the brush elements; a hollow handle extending from the
head, the handle having a reservoir therein, the reservoir
communicating with the hollow head; and means disposed within the
handle for selectively pressurizing the reservoir in the handle to
flow liquid from the reservoir in communication with the hollow
head.
18. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 17, further
comprising: a central plate disposed within the hollow head; a
plurality of stops extending from the central plate toward the
pores of the face, each of the stops being aligned with a
corresponding at least one of the pores of the face; and a flow
adjustment handle extending from the central plate and outwardly
through the back, the central plate being selectively adjusted by
the flow adjustment handle to open and close the pores of the face
by adjusting a position of the stops in relation to the pores of
the face to control flow of the liquid from the reservoir.
19. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 17, wherein
the brush elements are selected from the group consisting of rigid
teeth and flexible bristles.
20. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 17, wherein
at least the head is made of a plastic material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to personal hygiene and
grooming aids, and particularly to a liquid-dispensing hair brush
for applying creams, oils, water, and/or other liquids to the hair
and/or scalp of the user.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Brushes, combs, and the like for care and upkeep of the hair
have been known for a considerable period of time. Generally, there
have been no major changes in the configurations or functions of
such devices since their earliest development. The principle
remains simple, i.e., to untangle and arrange the hair in an
attractive style.
[0005] However, it is generally necessary to provide additional
means to hold the hair in the style or coiffure arranged by the
brush or comb. Hair is often rather unruly and can be quite
difficult to retain in the initially combed or brushed style,
depending upon the dryness of the person's hair, the ambient heat
and humidity, wind, and perhaps other factors, as well.
[0006] Accordingly, the use of some form of hair gel, tonic, or oil
has been known for quite some time for use in retaining the hair in
the desired style. Conventionally, such oils and the like are
applied to the hair and then the hair is brushed or combed to the
desired style, with the oil assisting in securing the individual
strands of hair in place as desired. The oils, gels, and the like
may also contribute to the flexibility of the individual hair
strands, particularly in the case of dry hair in a hot and dry
climate, with such oils and the like thus being a desirable part of
the treatment of the hair during periodic grooming.
[0007] However, the use of some form of hair oil or tonic with
conventional brushing or combing typically requires a two-step
process, wherein the oil or other agent is initially applied to the
hair and the hair is then brushed or combed to the desired style.
As a result, various devices have been developed in the past for
the application of a hair grooming oil or the like with the
brushing or combing of the hair. An example of such a device is
found in Chinese Patent Publication No. 2852811 published on Jan.
3, 2007 to Ting Wang. This reference describes a brush having an
oil groove along one edge thereof. Also, Japanese Patent
Publication No. 2008-272,395 published on Nov. 13, 2008 to Reiko
Misaku describes a comb formed from a short length of bamboo, and
impregnated with oil.
[0008] Thus, a liquid-dispensing hair brush addressing the
aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The liquid-dispensing hair brush includes various
embodiments of a device that can apply at the same or approximately
the same time a hair treatment liquid (oil, gel, tonic, etc.) to
the hair and scalp as the hair is being brushed. A first embodiment
of a liquid-dispensing brush includes an internal reservoir for a
hair grooming liquid (oil, tonic, gel, etc.), with the liquid
passing from the reservoir out through passages formed through the
hollow teeth or bristles of the brush. A second embodiment of a
liquid hair dispensing brush is similar to the first embodiment,
but includes a pressurizing member to pressurize the internal
reservoir to more effectively force the liquid from the reservoir
and through the teeth or bristles of the brush. A third embodiment
of a liquid-dispensing hair brush includes an internal plate with a
plurality of stops extending therefrom, the stops corresponding to
the internal openings or pores corresponding to each of the teeth
or bristles. The plate may be adjusted by an external handle
extending through the back of the brush, to open or close the
internal pores or openings. A fourth embodiment of a
liquid-dispensing hair brush includes a reservoir within the
handle, with a pressurizing control disposed upon the handle or at
the base of the brush where it meets the handle to pressurize the
liquid contents of the reservoir. The handle may separate from the
brush head to enable the hollow handle to be filled. Additional
embodiments comprise various mechanical systems disposed within the
handle of the brush, for selectively dispensing liquid from a
reservoir contained within the handle.
[0010] These and other features of the present invention will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a first
embodiment of a liquid-dispensing hair brush according to the
present invention, illustrating various features thereof.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an environmental perspective view of a second
embodiment of the liquid-dispensing hair brush according to the
present invention, illustrating a filler neck to fill the internal
reservoir of the hairbrush with liquid and a pressurizing member to
pressurize the reservoir.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment
of the liquid-dispensing hair brush according to the present
invention, illustrating the various components thereof and their
mutual relationship.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an environmental perspective view of the
embodiment of the liquid-dispensing hair brush of FIG. 3 according
to the present invention, illustrating a filler neck to fill the
internal reservoir of the hairbrush with a liquid.
[0015] FIG. 5 is an environmental perspective view of the
embodiment of the liquid-dispensing hair brush of FIGS. 3 and 4
according to the present invention, illustrating a flow adjustment
member to control the flow of a liquid therefrom.
[0016] FIG. 6 is an environmental perspective view of a fourth
embodiment of the liquid-dispensing hair brush according to the
present invention, illustrating a pressurizing control disposed
upon the handle thereof, the handle including an internal
reservoir.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a
liquid-dispensing hair brush according to the present invention,
illustrating the assembled brush head and its separable handle.
[0018] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the
liquid-dispensing hair brush of FIG. 7, showing the brush head and
handle components separated from one another.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a
liquid-dispensing hair brush according to the present invention,
broken away and in partial section, illustrating a spring mechanism
in the brush handle for dispensing liquid from a reservoir
contained within the handle.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of a
liquid-dispensing hair brush according to the present invention,
shown with a portion of the handle omitted to show details thereof,
illustrating a spring and draw cable mechanism in the brush handle
for dispensing liquid from a reservoir contained within the
handle.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of a
liquid-dispensing hair brush according to the present invention,
shown with a portion of the handle omitted to show details thereof,
illustrating an elastomer band and draw cable mechanism in the
brush handle for dispensing liquid from a reservoir contained
within the handle.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of a
liquid-dispensing hair brush according to the present invention,
shown in partial section, illustrating a manually actuated pump
mechanism in the brush handle for dispensing liquid from a
reservoir contained within the handle.
[0023] Unless otherwise indicated, similar reference characters
denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] The liquid-dispensing hair brush includes various
embodiments, with each of the embodiments providing for the
application of a hair treatment liquid (oil, gel, tonic, etc.) into
the hair and onto the scalp of the user simultaneously or at
approximately the same time as the hair is brushed. FIG. 1 provides
an environmental perspective view of a first embodiment of the
liquid-dispensing hair brush, designated as hair brush 110. The
hair brush 110 includes a hollow head portion 12 formed by a back
14 and a face 16, with an exemplary face being illustrated in FIG.
3 for a different embodiment of a liquid-dispensing brush. The
hollow head 12 generally including the back 14 and the face 16
defines a reservoir 15 for a liquid 29, such as a hair treatment
reservoir for a hair treatment liquid. The embodiment of the
liquid-dispensing hair brush 110 of FIG. 1 includes a filler tube
or neck 18 atop the back 14 to fill the internal reservoir 15 with
the liquid 29, such as a hair treatment liquid, as desired. A cap
19, or other suitable closing member, is provided to selectively
close or open the filler tube or neck 18 to respectively fill or
contain the liquid 29 in the reservoir 15.
[0025] The face 16 of the brush 110 includes a relatively large
number of elongate, hollow brush elements 20 extending outwardly
therefrom. The brush elements 20 can include relatively short,
large diameter teeth 21, as shown in FIG. 1, or can alternatively
include relatively long, thin, flexible bristles, such as provided
in the embodiment of the liquid-dispensing hair brush 410 of FIG.
6, for example. In both cases the brush elements 20, such as the
teeth 21 or bristles, are generally hollow, with their hollow cores
27 communicating with the hollow head 12 and the reservoir 15 by
corresponding passages or pores 22 disposed through the face 16 of
the liquid-dispensing hair brush 110, as shown in the embodiment of
FIG. 3 of the drawings, for example.
[0026] The hair treatment reservoir 15 can be pressurized in order
to assist the liquid 29 in the reservoir 15 to flow from the
reservoir 15 and outward through the brush elements 20, such as
through openings or pores 23 in the ends 25 of the brush elements
20, such as from the ends 25 of the teeth 21. In FIG. 1, a
pressurizing member, such as a pushbutton pneumatic control 24, is
provided at a suitable location along the handle 26 extending from
the head 12 of the embodiment of the liquid-dispensing brush 110.
The pneumatic control 24 can be any of various known types, e.g.,
pushing the control member 24 operates a small one-way pneumatic
valve to force air into the internal reservoir 15 of the head 12 of
the liquid-dispensing brush 110 to force or assist the liquid 29 in
the reservoir 15 to flow out from the pores 23 at the ends 25 of
the brush elements 20, such as the teeth 21.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 2, another embodiment of a
liquid-dispensing hair brush is illustrated, designated as a
liquid-dispensing hair brush 210. The liquid-dispensing hair brush
210 also includes a hollow head portion 12 formed by the back 14
and face 16, with the back 14 and the face 16 defining the hair
treatment reservoir 15 for the containment of the liquid 29, such
as a hair treatment liquid, therein. A plurality of elongate,
hollow brush elements 20, such as the teeth 21, extend from the
face 16 of the brush head 12 with their hollow cores 27
communicating with the reservoir 15 of the head by the
corresponding passages or pores 22 (shown in FIG. 3) through the
face 16 of the brush head 12, similar to the embodiment of the
liquid-dispensing hair brush 110 of FIG. 1.
[0028] However, rather than placing the filler neck 18 and cap 19
at some point on the back 14 of the brush 210, the filler neck 18
and the cap 19 are relocated to a point generally at the juncture
of the head 12 and the base of the handle 26 extending from the
head 12. The cap 19 is removed in FIG. 2, to allow the hair
treatment reservoir 15 to be replenished with the liquid 29 from
the container C. However, an area on the back 14, such as the area
used for the filler neck 18 and cap 19 in the liquid-dispensing
hair brush 110 of FIG. 1, serves as a pneumatic inlet port 28.
[0029] A pneumatic bulb 30 or other suitable pressurizing member,
communicates with the inlet port 28, and thus with the internal
reservoir 15, either directly or by a flexible pneumatic line 32,
for example, as shown in FIG. 2. Applying a pressure to the
reservoir 15 by manipulation of the pneumatic bulb 30 acts to force
or assist, and can assist in controlling, the liquid 29 in the
reservoir 15 to flow out from the pores 23 at the ends 25 of the
brush elements 20, such as the teeth 21, similar to the flow of
liquid 29 from the liquid-dispensing hair brush 110 of FIG. 1. This
pneumatic pressurizing system of the liquid-dispensing hair brush
210, such as including the pneumatic bulb 30, can be used in
conjunction with a pressurizing member on the handle 26, such as
the pneumatic control 24, or can avoid including a separate
pneumatic button-type pump 24 on the handle 26, such as provided in
the liquid-dispensing hair brush 110 of FIG. 1, for example.
[0030] FIGS. 3 through 5 of the drawings provide illustrations of
yet another embodiment of a liquid-dispensing hair brush,
designated as liquid-dispensing hair brush 310. The hair brush 310
includes a head 312 formed of a back 314 and a face 316, with the
back 314 and the face 316 each having a handle portion,
respectively 26a and 26b, extending therefrom. Disassembly of the
handle portions 26a and 26b can assist in cleaning of the
liquid-dispensing hairbrush 310. Also, embodiments of the
liquid-dispensing hair brush, such as the liquid-dispensing hair
brushes 110 and 210, can also be formed of discrete handle
portions, similar to the handle portions 26a and 26b, which can be
similarly assembled and disassembled, for example. The back 314,
the face 316, and the two handle portions 26a and 26b are assembled
to one another in forming the liquid-dispensing hair brush 310, as
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0031] Also, the handle portions 26a and 26b can also include a
hollow cavity, when assembled, to provide or define a second
reservoir 15a, as a second hair treatment reservoir, for holding
the liquid 29, such as a hair treatment liquid. The reservoir 15a
can be separate from, integral with, or communicate with the
reservoir 15 that is formed or defined by the back 314 and the face
316 for the containment of the liquid 29, such as a hair treatment
liquid. Also, the embodiments of the liquid-dispensing hair brush
110 and 210 can similarly include the reservoir 15a, for example. A
filler neck 18 and cap 19 are provided on the back 314 of the
liquid-dispensing hair brush 310 to receive the liquid 29, such as
a hair treatment liquid, from a container C1, generally in the same
location as in the embodiment of the liquid-dispensing brush 110 of
FIG. 1.
[0032] The face 316 of the liquid-dispensing hair brush 310
includes brush elements 20, such as the teeth 21, extending
therefrom as in other embodiments, with the passages or pores 22
extending through the face 316 being plainly visible in the
exploded view of FIG. 3. The passages or pores 22 communicate with
the reservoir 15 in the head 312 and also communicate with the
hollow cores 27 of the brush elements 20, such as the teeth 21.
Applying a pressure or a force to the reservoir 15 acts to force or
assist a liquid 29 in the reservoir 15 and in the reservoir 15a to
flow out from the pores 23 at the ends 25 of the brush elements 20,
such as the teeth 21, similar to the flow of the liquid 29 from the
liquid-dispensing hair brushes 110 and 210 of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0033] The embodiment of the liquid-dispensing hair brush 310 of
FIGS. 3 through 5 differs from other of the illustrated embodiments
in that it includes a central plate 34 captured or moveably
positioned within the head 312 between the back 314 and face 316,
such as shown in FIG. 3. A series of stops 36 extend from the plate
34 toward an internal surface 316a of the face 316, with each of
the stops 36 being aligned with or in a corresponding relation to
at least one of the passages or pores 22 through the face 316 of
the liquid-dispensing hair brush 310.
[0034] A flow adjustment member, such as a flow adjustment handle
38, extends through a handle passage 40 formed through the back
314, allowing the user of the liquid-dispensing hair brush 310 to
manipulate or position the central plate 34 within the brush head
312 to control a flow of the liquid 29 from the reservoirs 15 and
15a, as desired. Lifting, moving or positioning the flow adjustment
handle 38 in a direction away from the brush head 312 removes,
moves or adjusts a position of the stops 36 in relation to the
passages or pores 22 in a direction away from their corresponding
passages or pores 22 through the face 316, to allow and control the
liquid 29, such as a hair treatment liquid, to flow from the
interior of the head 312 out through the passages or pores 22 and
from the pores 23 at the ends 25 of the corresponding brush
elements 20, such as the teeth 21, and can assist in creating a
pressure or a force to assist the flow of the fluid 29 from the
interior of the head 312, to treat the hair and/or scalp of the
user. Pushing the handle 38 toward the brush head 312 moves,
positions or adjusts a position of the stops 36 to engage or
position the stops 36 in relation to or with their corresponding
pores or passages 22, to control, limit or shut off flow of the
liquid 29 from the internal reservoir 15 and the reservoir 15a
through the passages 27 of the brush elements 20, such as to the
teeth 21.
[0035] Also, the embodiment of the liquid-dispensing hair brush 310
can include a pneumatic pressure control, such as the pneumatic
control 24, located on at least one of the handle portions 26a and
26b of the liquid-dispensing hair brush 310, such as the pneumatic
control 24 described with respect to FIG. 1, or can include a
pneumatic control 30 located on the back 314 of the
liquid-dispensing hair brush 310 and the pneumatic line 32, such as
the pneumatic bulb 30 and pneumatic line 32 described with respect
to FIG. 2. The addition of the pneumatic control 24 or the
pneumatic bulb 30 to the liquid-dispensing hair brush 310 can
assist in controlling a flow of the liquid 29 and can assist the
liquid 29 in the reservoirs 15 and 15a to flow out from the pores
23 at the ends 25 of the brush elements 20, such as the teeth 21,
similar to the flow of liquid 29 from the liquid-dispensing hair
brushes 110 of FIGS. 1 and 210 of FIG. 2, for example.
[0036] FIG. 6 provides an illustration of still another embodiment
of a liquid-dispensing hair brush, designated as liquid-dispensing
hair brush 410. The liquid-dispensing hair brush 410 includes a
head 412 having a configuration similar to the brush head 12 of the
liquid-dispensing hair brush 110 of FIG. 1, i.e., having a back 414
and a face 416. However, rather than having a plurality of rigid
teeth 21 as in FIG. 1 extending from the face of the
liquid-dispensing hair brush 410, the liquid-dispensing hair brush
410 includes a relatively large number of generally hollow flexible
bristles 420 as the brush elements extending from the face 416
thereof. Each of the bristles 420 extends from a corresponding
passage or pore 417 through the face 416. The passages or pores 417
of the brush face 416 are similar to the passages or pores 22 shown
through the brush face 316 of the embodiment of the
liquid-dispensing hair brush embodiment 310 of FIG. 3, although the
passages or pores 417 are generally smaller in diameter, or are
generally smaller in a cross dimension, and also are typically
greater in number than the passages or pores 22, for example. The
bristles 420 include hollow cores or passages 427 communicating
with the head 412 by the corresponding passages or pores 417 and
also include a passage or pore 423 at an end 425 of each of the
bristles 420, for example, to provide for a flow of the liquid 29
from the head 412 through the passages or pores 417 and the
passages 427 and out through the passages or pores 423 at the ends
425 of the bristles 420.
[0037] The liquid-dispensing hair brush 410 of FIG. 6 further
includes a reservoir 428, as a hair treatment reservoir, for the
liquid 29, such as a hair treatment liquid, disposed within the
hollow handle 426, rather than within the head 412 of the brush.
However, the liquid-dispensing hair brush 410 can also include a
reservoir or cavity for the liquid 29 in the head 412, similar to
the reservoir 15 of the liquid-dispensing hair brushes 110, 210 and
310, for example, which can communicate with the reservoir 428, for
example.
[0038] A filler passage 418 is provided at the base of the handle
426, where it joins the head 412 of the brush 410 to receive the
liquid 29 from a dispenser D. The hollow internal volume of the
handle 426, such as can include the reservoir 428, can communicate
with the hollow internal volume of the head 412, or the head 412
may contain a series of small passages extending from the hollow
handle 426 to the various passages or pores 417 through the face
416 to deliver the liquid 29, such as a hair treatment liquid, to
the hollow bristles 420. The reservoir 428 in the hollow handle
426, and the liquid 29 therein, can be pressurized by a
pressurizing control, such as a pneumatic pressure control, such as
a pushbutton pump 24 located at a suitable point on the handle 426,
essentially as that provided by the pushbutton pneumatic control 24
of the embodiment of the liquid-dispensing hair brush 110 of FIG.
1, as described. The pneumatic control 24 pressurizes the reservoir
428 to force or assist, and can assist in controlling the flow of,
the liquid 29 in the reservoir 428 to flow to the head 412 through
the pores 417 and out from the passages or pores 423 at the ends
425 of the bristles 420.
[0039] FIGS. 7 and 8 provide illustrations of yet another
embodiment of the liquid-dispensing hair brush, designated as
liquid-dispensing hair brush 510. The brush 510 of FIGS. 7 and 8
includes a hollow brush head 512 having a large number of hollow
bristles 520 having hollow cores communicating with the hollow
brush head 512 in the manner of the brush embodiment 410 of FIG. 6.
The bristles 520 may have distal pores at their ends, and/or
lateral pores to permit fluid outflow at points along the lengths
of the bristles, if desired. A hollow handle 526 is releasably
attached to the base of the brush head 512, e.g., by the
cooperatively threaded neck 518 of the handle 526. The hollow
interior of the handle 526 is adapted to contain a supply of fluid,
e.g., hair oil, gel, etc. The hollow handle interior communicates
with the hollow brush head 512, and thus with the hollow bristles
520, to allow fluid to flow from the handle 526 outward through the
bristles 520. A pneumatic pushbutton pump 524 is disposed at some
convenient location on the brush 510, e.g., at the base of the
brush head 512 at its juncture with the handle 526, to pressurize
the interior volumes of the handle 526 and brush head 512 and
thereby expel fluid contained therein from the bristles 520. An
elongate pickup tube 528 extends from the brush head 512 through
the hollow handle 526 to the interior of the base thereof to draw
fluid from the handle and into the brush head 512.
[0040] FIG. 9 provides an illustration of yet another embodiment of
a liquid-dispensing hairbrush, designated as liquid-dispensing
hairbrush 610. Certain aspects of the brush 610 of FIG. 9 are
similar to those of the brushes 410 and 510 of FIGS. 6 through 8,
although the various corresponding components have been designated
using a different series of reference numerals,
[0041] The liquid-dispensing hairbrush 610 includes a hollow brush
head 612 having a large number of flexible brush elements or
bristles 614 extending therefrom, similar to the brush head 512 and
brush elements or bristles 520 of the liquid-dispensing hairbrush
510 of FIGS. 7 and 8. The brush elements or bristles 614 are hollow
tubular elements to allow liquid to flow therethrough from the
hollow brush head 512, as in the liquid-dispensing hairbrushes 410
of FIGS. 6 and 510 of FIGS. 7 and 8. A hollow shank 616 extends
from the head 612, and a hollow handle 620 extends from the shank
616 and communicates with the head 612 by means of the shank
616.
[0042] The hollow handle 620 includes an internal liquid storage
cavity 622 therein. A plunger 624 of elastomer or other suitable
material is slidingly disposed within the handle storage cavity
622, the edges of the plunger 624 making a good seal with the
internal walls of the hollow handle 620. A spring 626 is seated in
the distal end 628 of the hollow handle 620 and compressively urges
the plunger 624 through the storage cavity 622 toward the head 614
of the liquid-dispensing hairbrush 610. The plunger 624 may be
retained near the distal end 628 of the handle 620 by latches 630
extending inwardly from the inner walls of the hollow handle 620
near the distal end 628 thereof. The latches 630 may be selectively
released by pressure on the external tabs 632 that extend from the
handle 620 near the distal end 628 thereof, thereby allowing the
spring 626 to push the plunger 624 through the internal cavity 622
of the handle 620 to expel any fluid therein from the pores of the
bristles or brush elements 614. A retraction lever 634 extends from
the edge of the plunger 624, the extension or connection between
the plunger 624 and lever 634 traveling in a slot 636 formed along
the side of the handle 620.
[0043] The liquid-dispensing hairbrush 610 is used by first
retracting the spring 626 and plunger 624 by means of the
retraction lever 634 and capturing the plunger 624 with the
internal latches 630 to maximize the internal volume 622 of the
handle 620 between the plunger 624 and the shank portion 616. A
filler port and cap 638 for filling the handle 620 is provided at
the juncture of the handle 620 and shank 616. The cap 638 is
removed and the internal volume 622 of the handle 620 is filled
with shaving cream, foam, gel, or other liquid. The cap 638 is then
replaced, and the plunger 624 is released by manipulating the
external release tabs 632 adjacent the distal end 628 of the handle
620 to pressurize the contents of the handle 620 by means of the
spring 626 and plunger 624. A dispensing control valve 640 of
conventional configuration is provided at the juncture of the
handle 620 and shank 616. Operation of the valve 640 opens the
passage from the internal volume 622 of the handle 620 through the
shank 616 to the dispensing pores of the brush head 614, thereby
dispensing the liquid from the pores as the spring 626 and plunger
624 urge the liquid within the internal volume 622 of the handle
620 toward the brush head 612.
[0044] FIG. 10 provides an illustration of a further embodiment of
a liquid-dispensing hairbrush, comprising a hairbrush 710 having a
hollow handle for the containment of water, hair tonic or gel,
and/or other liquid. The hairbrush 710 includes a porous head 712
having hollow bristles 714 extending therefrom and a hollow handle
portion 720 connected to the head 712 by a shank 716.
[0045] The liquid-dispensing hairbrush 710 includes a hollow handle
portion 720 extending from the head 712, as noted above. The handle
720 includes an internal liquid storage cavity 722 therein. A
plunger 724 of elastomer or other suitable material is slidingly
disposed within the handle storage cavity 722, the edges of the
plunger 724 making a good seal with the internal walls of the
hollow handle 720. A spring 726 is seated in the distal end 728 of
the hollow handle 720 and compressively urges the plunger 724
through the storage cavity 722 toward the head 712 of the hairbrush
710.
[0046] The dispensing mechanism of the hairbrush 710 differs from
that of the hairbrush 610 in that the lever or slide 734 along the
side of the handle 720 is not directly connected to the plunger 724
within the handle. The slide or lever 734 rides or slides in a slot
736 through the side of the handle 720 and is connected to a cable,
cord, or the like 742 that extends toward the distal end 728 of the
handle to pass around a pair of rollers or pulleys 744 disposed
within the distal end 728 of the handle, thence continuing up to
attach to the bottom of the plunger 724, i.e., to the same side of
the plunger that bears against the spring 726. The at-rest
positions of the plunger 724 and slide or lever 734 are shown in
broken lines in FIG. 10, and the compressive spring 726 is also
shown in broken lines in its fully extended state.
[0047] The hairbrush 710 is used by first retracting the spring 726
and plunger 724 by sliding the slide or lever 734 from its rest
position near the distal end 728 of the handle 720 to its position
as shown in solid lines near the shank 716 of the hairbrush 710.
This draws the cable or cord 742 upward along the slot 736, thereby
drawing the cable 742 around the rollers or pulleys 744 to draw the
plunger 724 to a position shown in solid lines toward the distal
end 728 of the handle 720, thereby compressing the spring 726, as
shown in solid lines in FIG. 10. The internal volume 722 of the
handle 720 may then be filled with shaving cream, foam, gel, or
other liquid through the cap 738. The cap 738 is then replaced, and
the plunger 724 is released by releasing the slide or lever 734
from its position shown in broken lines to allow the spring to push
the plunger 724 toward the hairbrush head 712, thereby forcing the
liquid contained within the handle 720 up through the shank 716 and
hairbrush head 712 and out through the pores of the hairbrush
bristles 714 to moisten the hair of the user of the
liquid-dispensing hairbrush 710.
[0048] FIG. 11 provides an illustration of a further embodiment of
a liquid-dispensing hairbrush, comprising a hairbrush 810 having a
hollow handle for the containment of water, hair cream, and/or
other liquid. The hairbrush 810 includes a porous head 812 having a
brush or hollow bristles 814 extending therefrom and a hollow
handle portion 820 connected to the head 812 by a shank 816.
[0049] The hairbrush 810 includes a hollow handle portion 820
extending from the shank 816. The handle 820 includes an internal
liquid storage cavity 822 therein. A plunger 824 of elastomer or
other suitable material is slidingly disposed within the handle
storage cavity 822, the edges of the plunger 824 making a good seal
with the internal walls of the hollow handle 820. One or more
elastic bands or cords 826 extend from the plunger 824 to the upper
end 830 of the hollow cavity or chamber 822 and draw the plunger
824 through the storage cavity 822 toward the head 812 of the
hairbrush 810.
[0050] The dispensing mechanism of the hairbrush 810 differs from
that of the brush 710. Rather than using a compressive spring, the
brush 810 uses one or more elastomer bands or cords in tension. The
slide or lever 834 rides or slides in a slot 836 through the side
of the handle 820 and is connected to a cable, cord, or the like
842 that extends toward the distal end 828 of the handle to pass
around a pair of rollers or pulleys 844 disposed within the distal
end 828 of the handle, thence continuing up to attach to the bottom
of the plunger 824, i.e., to the opposite side of the plunger from
that connected to the elastomer cord(s) 826.
[0051] The hairbrush 810 is used by first extending the elastomer
cord(s) 826 and drawing the plunger 824 toward the distal end 828
of the handle 820 by sliding the slide or lever 834 from its rest
position near the distal end 828 of the handle 820 to a position
nearer the head 812 of the brush 810. (The slide or lever 834 and
plunger 824 are illustrated at an intermediate position in FIG.
11.) This draws the cable or cord 842 upward along the slot 836,
thereby drawing the cable 842 around the rollers or pulleys 844 to
draw the plunger 824 toward the distal end 828 of the handle 820,
thereby extending the elastomer cord(s) 826. The internal volume
822 of the handle 820 may then be filled with shaving cream, foam,
gel, or other liquid through the cap 838. The cap 838 is then
replaced, and the plunger 824 is released by releasing the slide or
lever 834 from its position shown in broken lines to allow the
elastomer cord(s) 826 to draw the plunger 824 toward the hairbrush
head 812, thereby forcing the liquid contained within the handle
820 up through the upper end 830 of the hollow handle cavity 822
and hairbrush head 812 and out through the pores of the hollow
bristles or brush elements 814 to moisten the hair of the user of
the hairbrush 810.
[0052] FIG. 12 provides an illustration of a further embodiment of
a liquid-dispensing hairbrush, comprising a hairbrush 910 having a
hollow handle for the containment of water, hair cream, and/or
other liquid. The hairbrush 910 includes a porous head having a
brush or hollow bristles 914 extending therefrom and a hollow
handle portion 920 connected to the head 912 by a shank 916.
[0053] The liquid-dispensing hairbrush 910 includes a hollow handle
portion 920 attached to the head 912 via the intermediate
connecting shank 916. The handle 920 includes an internal liquid
storage cavity 922 therein. Rather than using a plunger and other
mechanism to urge or force liquid within the handle up toward the
brush head, the hairbrush 910 uses a small manually operated
pneumatic pump 924 of conventional mechanism to pressurize the
interior volume 922 of the handle 920. The pump 924 may be operated
by using the thumb or finger to operate a lever 934. Prior to
pressurizing the internal volume 922 of the handle 920, the
internal volume 922 of the handle 920 may be filled with hair
cream, foam, gel, or other liquid through the cap (similar to e.g.,
to the cap 638 of the hairbrush embodiment 610 of FIG. 9). The cap
is then replaced, and the pump 924 is actuated by means of the
lever 934, thereby pressurizing the interior volume 922 of the
handle 920 and forcing the liquid contained within the handle 920
up to the hairbrush head 912 and out through the hollow porous
bristles 914 of the hairbrush head 912 to moisten the hair of the
user of the hairbrush 910. Control of the amount of liquid
dispensed is provided by means of a dispensing control valve 940 of
conventional configuration disposed at the pump 924, at the
juncture of the handle 920 and shank 916. The control valve 940 may
be of similar configuration to that of the valve 640 of the
hairbrush 610 of FIG. 9.
[0054] The various embodiments of the liquid-dispensing hair brush
can be used to apply a number of various liquids to the hair and/or
scalp of the user, e.g., water, hair oil, hair tonic, and/or even
some thicker hair gels, depending upon the diameters of the pores
or passages in the face of the brush and brush elements, for
example. Embodiments of the liquid-dispensing hair brush can be
economically manufactured of a plastic material or other economical
material. Moreover, the embodiments of a liquid-dispensing hair
brush can be manufactured so as to allow the handle to be removed
from the head to facilitate cleaning of the various components.
[0055] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *