U.S. patent application number 16/361714 was filed with the patent office on 2019-09-26 for liquid dispensing hairbrush.
The applicant listed for this patent is Devaraj Thiruppathi. Invention is credited to Devaraj Thiruppathi.
Application Number | 20190289992 16/361714 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67983284 |
Filed Date | 2019-09-26 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190289992 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thiruppathi; Devaraj |
September 26, 2019 |
LIQUID DISPENSING HAIRBRUSH
Abstract
A liquid dispensing hairbrush that includes a body having a
bristle frame and a base which define a chamber between them. A
plurality of bristles extends outwardly from a face of the bristle
frame. A spraying member that includes a liquid reservoir, a pump,
and a nozzle is retained within the chamber. The nozzle is
positioned adjacent a support within the chamber. A trigger
provided on the body is operatively engaged with the liquid
reservoir of the sprayer. When the trigger is depressed a trigger
arm pivots and pushes the liquid reservoir through a region of the
chamber, actuating the pump as the nozzle is forced against the
support. Liquid from within the liquid reservoir is pumped through
the nozzle and sprays through one or more holes in the bristle
frame's face and between the bristles. The sprayed liquid is
applied to the user's hair as they use the hairbrush.
Inventors: |
Thiruppathi; Devaraj;
(Columbus, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Thiruppathi; Devaraj |
Columbus |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
67983284 |
Appl. No.: |
16/361714 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62647096 |
Mar 23, 2018 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 24/22 20130101;
A46B 11/0055 20130101; A46B 2200/104 20130101; A45D 34/042
20130101; A45D 24/28 20130101; A45D 19/02 20130101; A45D 2200/057
20130101; A46B 9/023 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A46B 11/00 20060101
A46B011/00; A45D 34/04 20060101 A45D034/04; A46B 9/02 20060101
A46B009/02 |
Claims
1. A liquid dispensing hairbrush, comprising: a body comprising a
bristle frame and a base, wherein the bristle frame and the base
define a chamber therebetween; a spraying member located within the
chamber; said spraying member comprising a liquid reservoir, a
spray nozzle and a pump; wherein a pipe connects the spray nozzle
and pump and extends into an interior of the liquid reservoir; a
trigger provided on the body, said trigger being operably coupled
to the spraying member; a plurality of bristles projecting from
said bristle frame; and wherein operating the trigger translates
the liquid reservoir within the chamber and actuates the pump.
2. The liquid dispensing hairbrush in claim 1, further comprising a
support provided within the chamber and positioned adjacent the
spray nozzle; wherein actuating the pump causes the liquid
reservoir to move toward the support.
3. The liquid dispensing hairbrush in claim 2, wherein the liquid
reservoir is in fluid communication with the pump.
4. The liquid dispensing hairbrush in claim 2, wherein the spray
nozzle is in fluid communication with the pump.
5. The liquid dispensing hairbrush in claim 1, wherein the body
further includes a head portion, a neck portion, and a handle
portion; and the bristle frame and base form the head portion.
6. The liquid dispensing hairbrush in claim 5, wherein the spraying
member is carried by the head portion, and the trigger is disposed
adjacent the neck portion of the hairbrush.
7. The liquid dispensing hairbrush in claim 1, wherein one or more
angled walls are provided on one of the bristle frame and the base,
and the one or more angled walls extend inwardly into the chamber;
and wherein one or more ribs are provided on the other of the
bristle frame and the base and extend inwardly into the
chamber.
8. The liquid dispensing hairbrush in claim 7, wherein the spraying
member is retained between the one or more angled walls and the one
or more ribs.
9. The liquid dispensing hairbrush in claim 1, wherein the trigger
includes a trigger surface, a trigger arm which is pivotally
connected to the body, and a trigger end which movably abuts the
liquid reservoir to push the liquid reservoir in a direction toward
a forward end of the body.
10. The liquid dispensing hairbrush in claim 9, wherein the trigger
further comprises a protruding ridge provided on the trigger arm,
wherein the ridge is complementary to a slot on a neck portion of
the hairbrush; and wherein engaging the ridge on the trigger arm in
the slot locks the trigger against movement toward the body.
11. The liquid dispensing hairbrush in claim 1, wherein the
spraying member includes a liquid reservoir and a bridge.
12. The liquid dispensing hairbrush in claim 11, wherein the liquid
reservoir is in fluid communication with the pump, and wherein the
bridge is located between the liquid reservoir and the spraying
member.
13. The liquid dispensing hairbrush in claim 12, wherein the
bristle frame includes a lock shaft that extends outwardly from one
end of the bristle frame.
14. The liquid dispensing hairbrush in claim 13, wherein the lock
shaft further includes a lip that extends outwardly from the lock
shaft.
15. The liquid dispensing hairbrush in claim 14, wherein the lip on
the lock shaft is selectively engaged within a slot defined in a
neck portion of the hairbrush, where the neck portion is located
between the bristle frame and the base.
16. The liquid dispensing hairbrush in claim 1, wherein the bristle
frame further comprises a substantially rigid face and the bristles
extend outwardly from the substantially rigid face.
17. The liquid dispensing hairbrush in claim 1, wherein the bristle
frame further comprises a cushion face and the bristles extend
outwardly from the cushion face.
18. The liquid dispensing hairbrush in claim 17, further comprising
one or more walls that extend inwardly into the chamber; and
wherein the liquid reservoir is receivable within a channel that is
defined between the one or more walls.
19. The liquid dispensing hairbrush in claim 17, wherein the
cushion face includes a hole through which spray from the spray
nozzle will exit the bristle frame.
20. A method of applying a hair product to a user's hair, said
method comprising: providing a liquid dispensing hairbrush having a
body with a bristle frame and a base, wherein the bristle frame and
the base define a chamber therebetween; a spraying member
comprising a liquid reservoir, a spray nozzle and a pump; wherein a
pipe connects the spray nozzle and pump and extends into an
interior of the liquid reservoir; a trigger operably coupled to the
spraying member; a plurality of bristles extending outwardly from
said bristle frame; providing a quantity of a liquid within the
liquid reservoir; depressing the trigger; actuating the pump when
the trigger is depressed; spraying liquid through the spray nozzle
onto the bristles and into spaces defined between the bristles;
passing the bristles through a user's hair; and transferring the
liquid from the bristles and the spaces defined between the
bristles to the user's hair.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U. S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 62/647,096, filed on Mar. 23, 2018; the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to hairbrushes and more
particularly to a hairbrush having a mechanism that allows a user
to spray a liquid from the hairbrush while combing their hair.
Specifically, the present disclosure is directed to a hairbrush
having a spray nozzle that is in fluid communication with a liquid
pump, which in turn is in fluid communication with a liquid
reservoir that is movable with respect to the pump when a trigger
on the hairbrush is depressed. Depressing the trigger causes liquid
from the container to exit the hairbrush through the spray
nozzle.
BACKGROUND
Background Information
[0003] Hairbrushes are used to smooth down and groom a person's
hair. When a hairstylist is grooming a person's hair, it is
frequently necessary to dampen the hair since wet hair is generally
easier to brush or comb and is therefore easier to control and
position. A hairstylist will typically spray water onto the
person's hair from a spray bottle but the liquid will frequently
run off the person's hair or scalp without dampening the hair.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure relates to a hairbrush that makes it
easier to apply moisture to a person's hair during styling.
[0005] A liquid dispensing hairbrush that includes a body having a
bristle frame and a base which define a chamber between them is
disclosed herein. A plurality of bristles extends outwardly from a
face of the bristle frame. A spraying member that includes a liquid
reservoir, a pump, and a nozzle is retained within the chamber. The
nozzle is positioned adjacent a support within the chamber. A
trigger provided on the body is operatively engaged with the liquid
reservoir of the sprayer. When the trigger is depressed a trigger
arm pivots and pushes the liquid reservoir through a region of the
chamber, actuating the pump as the nozzle is forced against the
support. Liquid from within the liquid reservoir is pumped through
the nozzle and sprays through one or more holes in the bristle
frame's face and between the bristles. The sprayed liquid is
applied to the user's hair as they use the hairbrush.
[0006] In one aspect, a liquid dispensing hairbrush may comprise a
body including a bristle frame and a base, wherein the bristle
frame and the base define a chamber therebetween; a spraying member
located within the chamber; wherein the spraying member includes a
liquid reservoir, a spray nozzle and a pump; wherein a pipe
connects the spray nozzle and pump and extends into an interior of
the liquid reservoir; a trigger provided on the body and operably
coupled to the spraying member; a plurality of bristles projecting
from said bristle frame; and wherein operating the trigger
translates the liquid reservoir within the chamber and actuates the
pump.
[0007] In another aspect, the present disclosure may provide a
method of applying a hair product to a user's hair, said method
comprising providing a liquid dispensing hairbrush having a body
with a bristle frame and a base, wherein the bristle frame and the
base define a chamber therebetween; a spraying member comprising a
liquid reservoir, a spray nozzle and a pump; wherein a pipe
connects the spray nozzle and pump and extends into an interior of
the liquid reservoir; a trigger operably coupled to the spraying
member; a plurality of bristles extending outwardly from said
bristle frame; providing a quantity of a liquid within the liquid
reservoir; depressing the trigger; actuating the pump when the
trigger is depressed; spraying liquid through the spray nozzle onto
the bristles and into spaces defined between the bristles; passing
the bristles through a user's hair; and transferring the liquid
from the bristles and the spaces defined between the bristles to
the user's hair.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A sample embodiment of the disclosure is set forth in the
following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly
and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.
The accompanying drawings, which are fully incorporated herein and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various
examples, methods, and other example embodiments of various aspects
of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that the illustrated
element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes)
in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. One of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in some examples one
element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple
elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an
element shown as an internal component of another element may be
implemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore,
elements may not be drawn to scale.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of a liquid
dispensing hairbrush in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the liquid dispensing
hairbrush of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the liquid dispensing
hairbrush when a cover of the hairbrush is in a locked
position;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a partial bottom plan view of the liquid
dispensing hairbrush when the cover of the hairbrush is in an
unlocked position;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along line 5-5 of FIG.
1;
[0014] FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of the highlighted area of FIG.
5;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a transverse cross-section taken along line 6-6 of
FIG. 2;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a partial bottom view of the hairbrush with a
support shown without the cover and with the trigger in an
un-pressed or at rest position;
[0017] FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial bottom view of the hairbrush
with the support when the trigger is in a pressed position (with
the hairbrush shown without the cover);
[0018] FIG. 8A is an enlarged partial bottom view of the handle
portion with the trigger fully depressed (shown without the liquid
reservoir);
[0019] FIG. 8B is a side view taken along line 8B-8B of FIG. 8A and
with part of the trigger shown in phantom for clarity;
[0020] FIG. 8C is a cross-section taken along line 8C-8C of FIG.
8B;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a partial longitudinal cross-section of a second
embodiment of the hairbrush with a bridge engaged with the
nozzle,
[0022] FIG. 10 is a partial bottom view of the hairbrush of FIG. 9
shown with the cover removed;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a third embodiment of
the hairbrush that includes a cushion face; and
[0024] FIG. 11A is a bottom plan view of the hairbrush of FIG. 11
with the base removed and showing a plurality of walls within the
interior of the hairbrush that are positioned to support the liquid
reservoir.
[0025] Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The present disclosure relates to a hairbrush that is able
to be utilized to apply moisture to a person's hair while their
hair is being brushed. A first embodiment of a liquid dispensing
hairbrush in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure is
depicted in FIGS. 1-8. A second embodiment of a liquid dispensing
hairbrush in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure is
depicted in FIGS. 9-10. A third embodiment of the liquid dispensing
hairbrush in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure is
depicted in FIGS. 11-11A.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, the first embodiment of the
liquid dispensing hairbrush in accordance with an aspect of the
present disclosure is indicated by the numeral 10. Hairbrush 10
includes a body 12 having a substantially solid appearance from the
exterior that approximates the appearance of a conventional
hairbrush. Body 12 comprises a base 14, a handle 16 extending
outwardly from one end of base 14, a bristle frame 18 provided on a
first surface of base 14, and a plurality of bristles 20 that
extend outwardly from bristle frame 18.
[0028] Body 12 includes a head portion (comprised of base 14 and
bristle frame 18), a neck portion (comprising a handle connector
15), and a handle portion (comprised of handle 16). Base 14, handle
connector 15, handle 16, and bristle frame 18 may be separately
molded and secured together in any suitable manner. In some
examples, handle 16 may be integrally molded with base 14 and neck
portion 15, and bristle frame 18 may be subsequently engaged with
base 14.
[0029] As depicted in FIGS. 4, 5, and 5A, base 14 has a forward end
14a and a rear end 14b and bristle frame 18 has a forward end 18a
and a rear end 18b. Forward end 14a of base 14 is convexly shaped
and is complementary to forward end 18a of bristle frame 18 so that
forward end 14a and forward end 18a are able to engage each other.
As best seen in FIG. 2, a region of forward end 14a of base 14
extends upwardly beyond the side edges of base 14; said side edges
being located along the line "A" in FIG. 2. This region of greater
height of forward end 14a is designed to interlock with a
complementary shaped recess in forward end 18a of bristle frame 18.
Rear end 18b of bristle frame 18 may be slightly tapered, narrowing
towards a longitudinal centerline of hairbrush 10. The longitudinal
centerline runs along a longitudinal axis "Y" of hairbrush 10 as
shown in FIG. 1. Rear end 14b of base 14 is slightly tapered in a
similar manner to rear end 18b of bristle frame 18. Handle
connector 15 may be positioned to circumscribe the rear end 14b of
base 14 and the rear end 18b of bristle frame 18 when base 14 and
bristle frame 18 are engaged with each other. Handle connector 15
may be rigidly engaged with bristle frame 18 and may be located
generally around a mid-section of hairbrush body 12.
[0030] Base 14 defined a plurality of base openings 14c therein
that extend between an exterior surface and interior surface of the
base 14. Openings 14c are provided at spaced-apart intervals from
each other from a location proximate forward end 14a to a location
proximate rear end 14b. Similarly, bristle frame 18 may define a
plurality of bristle frame openings 18c therein that extend between
an exterior surface and an interior surface of bristle frame 18.
Openings 18c are provided at spaced-apart intervals from each other
from a location proximate forward end 18a of bristle frame 18 to a
location proximate rear end 18b. The spacing between adjacent
openings 14c may be such that each opening 14c is vertically
aligned with one of the openings 18c in bristle frame 18.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 4, an exterior surface of the rear end 14b
of base 14 includes a plurality of ridges 14d formed thereon.
Ridges 14d may be located a short distance forwardly of rear end
14b and may be oriented generally at right angles to longitudinal
axis "Y". Ridges 14d act as a gripping surface that aids in
preventing an operator's hands from slipping and accidentally
sliding base 14 relative to bristle frame 18. FIG. 4 also shows
that a lock shaft extension 14e extends outwardly and rearwardly
from rear end 14b of base 14. A lip 14f is provided proximate an
end of lock shaft extension 14e and lip 14f extends outwardly from
extension 14e.
[0032] FIG. 6 shows that bristle frame 18 and base 14 have
complementary interlocking edge walls engage each other to
interlock bristle frame 18 and base 14 together. In particular,
FIG. 6 shows that the edges of bristle frame 18 and base 14 are
engaged with each other via a type of tongue and groove connection.
Base 14 defines a pair of longitudinally extending grooves 14g and
bristle frame 18 defines a plurality of longitudinally extending
ridges 18d that are complementary to and received within grooves
14g. Grooves 14g and ridges 18d keep base 14 and bristle frame 18
interlocking engaged with each other but still allows them to slide
relative to each other. FIG. 4 shows that base 14 is able to
selectively slidably move relative to bristle frame 18 along a path
indicated by arrow "C" and in the opposite direction to arrow "C".
FIG. 3 shows base 14 in a closed and attached position relative to
handle connector 15 and bristle frame 18, and FIG. 4 shows base 14
in an open and detached position relative to handle connector 15
and bristle frame 18.
[0033] Interior surfaces of base 14 and bristle frame 18 together
bound and define a chamber 19. One or more angled walls 18e (FIGS.
5 and 6) provided on bristle frame 18 and one or more opposed ribs
14h provided on base 14 may extend inwardly into chamber 19. The
purpose of walls 18e and ribs 14h will be described later herein.
The purpose of chamber 19 will be discussed later herein. (It will
be understood that in other examples, the angled walls may be
provided on the base 14 and the ribs may be provided on bristle
frame 18.)
[0034] Handle connector 15 has a front end 15a and a rear end 15b.
Front end 15a is located proximate rear ends 14b, 18b of base 14
and bristle frame 18. Rear end 15b is located proximate a front end
16a of handle 16 and remote from rear end 16b of handle 16. A slot
15c is defined in handle connector 15 (FIGS. 3 and 5) a short
distance forwardly of rear end 15b. Slot 15c may be oriented at
right angles to longitudinal axis "Y". Slot 15c is in fluid
communication with a bore 15d (FIG. 5A) defined in handle connector
15. Handle connector 15 may be permanently attached to front end
16a of handle 16 but may be selectively detachable from rear ends
14b, 18b of base 14 and bristle frame 18. When base 14 and bristle
frame 18 are engaged with handle connector 15, base 14 and bristle
frame are moved towards handle 16, extension 14e deflects slightly
and slides into bore 15d (FIG. 5) of handle connector 15 and
continues to move inwardly until lip 14f aligns with slot 15c. Lip
14f of extension 14e is designed to fit into slot 15c and as soon
as lip 14f aligns with slot 15c, lip will snap-fittingly engage in
slot 15c, locking base 14, and handle connector 15 together. As
shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A, slot 15c may have a tapered entrance 15c'.
When it is desired to disengage base 14 and bristle frame 18 from
handle connector 15, lip 14f is easily disengaged from slot 15c by
pressing lip 14f inwardly toward bore 15d of handle connector 15
and then sliding base 14 and bristle frame 18 in a direction away
from front end 15a of handle connector 15.
[0035] A locking mechanism may be used to secure handle connector
15 and handle 16 together. The locking mechanism includes a
protrusion 15e (FIG. 5) provided on handle connector 15 and a
complementary recess 16c defined in handle 16. Protrusion 15e
extends outwardly for a distance beyond rear end 15b of handle
connector 15. Recess 16c extends inwardly from an opening in front
end 16a of handle 16 and for a distance toward rear end 16b.
Protrusion 15e is complementary shaped to interlockingly engage in
recess 16c so that handle connector 15 becomes firmly connected to
handle 16. Protrusion 15e may be provided with a plurality of
annular ribs 15f that engage in complementary grooves 16d defined
in the interior handle wall that defines recess 16c. Protrusion 15e
is pushed inwardly into recess 16c until the ribs 15f engage in the
grooves 16d and snap-fittingly lock handle connector 15 and handle
16 together.
[0036] A plurality of bristles 20 extend from a bristle surface 22
provided in bristle frame 18. Bristle surface 22 may be fabricated
out of hard, reasonably rigid plastic materials. Bristle surface 22
as shown in FIGS. 1-10 may be substantially rigid and
inflexible.
[0037] A trigger 24 may be movably mounted on bristle frame 18 in a
location that is convenient for a person to depress while holding
hairbrush 10 in one hand. As illustrated in the attached figures,
trigger 24 extends rearwardly from bristle frame 18 and is
positioned adjacent the narrower neck of the hairbrush, i.e.,
adjacent handle connector 15. Locating trigger 24 adjacent the
handle connector 15 helps to ensure that the trigger 24 does not
project outwardly to too great an extent from the side of the
hairbrush 10. As depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 6 trigger 24 may
comprise a trigger surface 24A that is contactable by the user's
finger, thumb, or palm; a trigger arm 24B, a hinge pin 24C, and a
trigger end 24D. Trigger 24 is pivotally fixed by hinge pin 24C to
bristle frame 18 so that trigger 24 is able to rotate around hinge
pin 24C. (Alternatively, trigger 24 may be mounted on handle 16 and
be positioned closely adjacent handle connector 15.) Trigger 24 may
be depressed by pushing trigger surface 24A inwardly towards handle
connector 15 by a user applying a force to trigger 24 using a thumb
or a finger or the user's palm. The depression of trigger 24 is
illustrated by the reference number "P" in FIG. 8. When depressed,
trigger 24 is able to move along a path shown by the arrow "B" in
FIG. 1 and towards handle connector 15. Trigger 24 may be depressed
inwardly in a first direction toward handle connector 15 and when
released trigger may move back in a second direction to its
original undepressed position when pressure from the user's thumb,
finger, or palm is released.
[0038] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a
liquid reservoir 34 is received within chamber 19 defined between
base 14 and bristle frame 18. As shown in FIG. 6, liquid reservoir
34 sits on and contacts one or more ribs 14h of base 14 and also
contacts angled walls 18e of bristle frame 18 at points 14j and
18f, respectively. Liquid reservoir 34 is longitudinally and
transversely captured between and centered by walls 18e and 14h.
Liquid reservoir 34 has a front end 34a and a rear end 34b. Liquid
reservoir 34 includes a chamber 34c that is designed to retain a
quantity of liquid 36 therein. The liquid may be any one of a
number of substances such a water, hair straightening liquid,
anti-frizz liquid, hair conditioner, liquids that impart shine to
the hair or any other desired hair care product. It is contemplated
that even dye might be retained within liquid reservoir 34.
[0039] Liquid reservoir 34 forms part of a first spraying member 50
that is shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8. In addition to liquid reservoir
34, first spraying member 50 includes a removable lid 51, a pump
56, a pipe 52, a spray body 53, and a spray nozzle 54. Pump 56 is
in fluid communication with an interior of liquid reservoir 34 and
with spray nozzle 54. Spray nozzle 54 protrudes through a spray
nozzle hole 18g defined by bristle surface 22 (of bristle frame 18.
Liquid ejected from spray nozzle 54 sprays outwardly through hole
18g and is dispersed through and onto bristles 20 and into the air
between bristles 20. When hairbrush 10 is used, the liquid sprayed
from hairbrush 10 will be brushed substantially evenly along the
strands of the user's hair engaged by bristles 20 It will be
understood that one or more holes 4 may be defined in bristle frame
18 and through which liquid may be sprayed from first spraying
member 50 to more evenly distribute liquid from liquid reservoir
34.
[0040] Liquid reservoir 34 has removable lid 51 from which a
delivery pipe 42 extends and connects lid 51 to a spray body 53. A
spray nozzle 54 extends outwardly from spray body 53 and through a
spray hole 18g defined in bristle frame 18. Spray body 53 may be at
least partially surrounded by a support 55 that may be integrally
formed with bristle frame 18. Support 55 aids in keeping spray body
53 in the correct location within chamber 19 so that nozzle 54
remains aligned with hole 18g. FIG. 5 shows that spray body 53 may
include a plurality of ridges 53a that may be complementary to and
fit into a plurality of corresponding grooves 55A defined in
support 55. Grooves 55A and ridges 53a help retain spray body 53 in
the correct position within support 55.
[0041] Removable lid 51 may include a pump 56 (not specifically
illustrated in the attached figures). Pump 56 may be any of a
variety of manual pumps known in the art that operate to dispense
relatively small quantities of liquid with a relatively short pump
stroke. Spray body 53 is directly connected with removable lid 51
and pump 56 via delivery pipe 52. Lid 51 and pump 56 seal liquid
reservoir 34 such that any liquid within reservoir 34 may only exit
reservoir 34 via pump 56 and delivery pipe 52.
[0042] As depicted in FIG. 8, hairbrush 10 is operated by applying
a force to trigger surface 24A of trigger 24 as indicated by arrow
"P" using a user's thumb, finger, or palm, pushing trigger surface
24A inwardly toward handle connector 15. The depressing of trigger
24 causes trigger end 24D on trigger arm 24B to rotate about hinge
pin 24C in the direction indicated by arrow "T". Since trigger end
24D abuts end 34b of liquid reservoir 34, when trigger end 24D
rotates about pin 24C, trigger end 24D pushes on end 34b of liquid
reservoir 34 and causes reservoir 34 to move forwardly within
chamber 19 and toward support 55. The forward movement of reservoir
34 is depicted in FIG. 8 by arrow "D". Support 55 acts as a stop
that limits the degree to which liquid reservoir 34 is able to move
longitudinally forwardly within chamber 19. The movement of liquid
reservoir 34 in the direction "D" causes pump 56 to be compressed,
thus causing a spray of liquid to exit liquid reservoir 34 through
delivery pipe 52, through spray body 53 and subsequently through
spray nozzle 54. More particularly, as depicted in FIG. 8, the
translational movement of liquid reservoir 34 within chamber 19 in
the direction of arrow "D" caused by pressing trigger 24, causes
pump 56 to draw and dispense liquid by compressing pump 56 against
support 55. As pump 56 is compressed, pump 56 causes liquid to be
forced through liquid pipe 52 and out of spray nozzle 54. The user
may therefore depress trigger 24 every time he or she wishes to
spray some of the liquid 36 into the hair of a person whose hair is
being brushed.
[0043] It should be noted that trigger 24 is not part of liquid
reservoir 34 and consequently reservoir 34 may be removed from
hairbrush 10 and replaced without affecting trigger 24. FIGS. 4,
8A, 8B, and 8C show how liquid reservoir 34 may be removed from
hairbrush 10. Typically, the user will remove liquid reservoir 34
from hairbrush 10 when trigger 24 is in a non-depressed rest
position (FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 8A, trigger 24 has a protruding
ridge 24E and handle connector 15 includes a depression 15g and a
notch 15h. As trigger 24 is pushed to a locked-down position,
protruding ridge 24E on trigger 24 snap fits into notch 15h on
handle connector 15, thus securing trigger 25 to handle connector
15. When trigger 24 is locked-down in this manner, a region of
trigger arm 24B is snuggly positioned within depression 15g on
handle connector 15. Once trigger 24 is locked-down, lip 14f of
base 14 that is received in slot 15c of handle connector 14 is
pushed inwardly to disengage lip 14f from slot 15c. Base 14 is then
able to move relative to bristle frame 18 as indicated by arrow "C"
in FIG. 4. The user will slide base 14 in the direction of arrow
"C" and will then lift liquid reservoir 34 out of chamber 19. Lid
51 may be removed from liquid reservoir 34, additional liquid 36
may be poured into the interior of reservoir 34, and lid 51 may be
replaced. Alternatively a replacement reservoir filled with liquid
may be engaged with lid 51. Reservoir 34 may then be repositioned
within chamber 19. When a filled or new liquid reservoir 34 is
inserted into chamber 19, base 14 is moved relative to bristle
frame 18 in the opposite direction to arrow "C" and until lip 14f
engages in slot 15c, locking base 14, and handle connector 15 back
together. Trigger 24 may then be pushed upwardly in the opposite
direction to arrow "P" (FIG. 8A) and back into an "at rest"
position. Hairbrush 10 is then again ready for use.
[0044] In a second embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 9-10, a second
liquid dispensing hairbrush is indicated by the numeral 110.
Hairbrush 110 is substantially identical to hairbrush 10 except for
a few features that are discussed hereafter. Similar to the
hairbrush 10, hairbrush 110 includes a body indicated by the
numeral 12. Body 12 comprises a base 14, a handle connector 15, a
handle 16 and a bristle frame 18, all of which are substantially
identical in structure and function to the same components found in
hairbrush 10.
[0045] The hairbrush 110 includes a spraying member 150 that
includes a liquid reservoir 34, removable lid 51, delivery pipe 52,
a spray body 53, a spray nozzle 54 and a pump 56 that are
substantially identical to the same components found in spraying
member 50. Spraying member 150, however, also includes a bridge 162
that is received within a bridge holder 164. Bridge holder 164 is
integrally molded with the interior surface of bristle frame 18 and
extends for a distance into chamber 19. Bridge holder 164 is a
support that is integral with the bristle frame 18. Bridge 162 has
a set of exterior ridges 162a and bridge holder 164 includes a set
of corresponding grooves 164a. When bridge 162 is positioned within
bridge holder 164, ridges 162a on bridge 162, engage within grooves
164a on bridge holder 164. Bridge holder 164 is arranged on bristle
frame 18 in such a way that bridge 162 is held in a particular
location and orientation within chamber 19. This configuration
helps to stabilize liquid reservoir 34 within chamber 19. When
actuated by trigger 24, liquid reservoir 34 translates within
chamber 19 and moves toward the support, i.e., towards bridge
holder 164.
[0046] Hairbrush 110 is used in substantially the same manner as
the hairbrush 10. When trigger 24 is pressed inwardly by a force
acting thereon, liquid reservoir 34 is translated forwardly in the
direction of arrow "D" (FIG. 10), thereby compressing pump 56
against bridge 162, and actuating the spray of liquid through spray
nozzle 54. In other words, the translational movement of reservoir
34 causes pump 56 to draw and dispense liquid by compressing pump
56 against bridge 162. The compression and decompression of pump 56
causes liquid to be forced through liquid pipe 52 and out of spray
nozzle 54 and onto the hair of the person whose hair is being
groomed.
[0047] FIGS. 11 and 11A show a third embodiment of a hairbrush in
accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, generally indicated at
210. Hairbrush 210 is substantially identical in structure and
function to hairbrush 10 and hairbrush 110 except for the features
discussed hereafter.
[0048] Instead of having a substantially hard or rigid bristle
frame surface 22 from which bristles 20 extend as found in
hairbrushes 10 and 110, hairbrush 210 includes a flexible or at
least partially flexible cushion face 20 from which bristles 20
extend. Cushion face 200 may be, for example, fabricated out of
soft plastic or rubber materials. Because of this softer, more
flexible face 200, the structure that retains liquid reservoir 34
within chamber 19 preferably is a little more substantial. (Liquid
reservoir 34 is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 11A as part of a
spraying member that is substantially identical in structure and
function to the spraying member 50 discussed with respect to
hairbrush 10.) Liquid reservoir 34 is retained in place within
chamber 19 by walls 211 and 213 that are integrally formed with one
or both of base 14 and bristle frame 18.
[0049] Walls 211 may be two transversely spaced-apart curved walls
that define a bore 211a therebetween and within which a portion of
liquid reservoir 34 is received. Alternatively, wall 211 may be a
generally cylindrical wall that is oriented substantially parallel
to and circumscribing longitudinal axis "Y" of hairbrush 210. The
cylindrical wall 211 may bound and define bore 211a within which
the portion of liquid reservoir 34 is received. Walls 213 are
spaced a distance longitudinally forwardly of walls 211 such that a
gap is defined therebetween. Walls 213 may include a first portion
213a and a second portion 213b. First portion 213a may comprise two
transversely spaced-apart curved walls 213a or a cylindrical wall
similar to wall 211. The curved walls or cylindrical wall 213a may
be oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal axis "Y" and may
circumscribe the same. The second portion 213b may comprise an end
wall that is oriented at right angles to longitudinal axis "Y". The
first portion 213a bounds and defines a bore 213c therein that
receives a second portion of liquid reservoir 34 therein. A central
aperture 213d is defined in second end 213b. The delivery pipe 52
of spraying member 50 is received through aperture 213d. Walls 211,
213 may be separated by a gap that can accept a fingertip of a user
therein in order to lift liquid reservoir 34 from a channel formed
by the bores 211a, 213c when it is desired to refill or replace
liquid reservoir 34. Second end 213b may be provided to aid in
limiting the travel of liquid reservoir 34 within channel 211a,
213c when trigger 24 is depressed. When actuated by trigger 24,
liquid reservoir 34 translates within chamber 19 and moves toward a
support, i.e., towards second portion 213b.
[0050] The hairbrush 210 shown in FIGS. 11 and 11A is used in
substantially the same manner as either of the hairbrushes 10, 110.
Cushion face 200 may include one or more holes (not shown) through
which the spray from the nozzle will exit the bristle frame 18 of
hairbrush 10.
[0051] It will be understood that the specific shape or
configuration of hairbrushes 10, 110, 210 depicted in FIGS. 1 to
11A are by way of example only and other differently shaped
hairbrushes may incorporate the features disclosed herein. It
should further be understood that the principles described herein
may be used with any shape, style or size of hairbrush and the
particular shape and size of the hairbrush illustrated in the
attached figures should not be construed as limiting the present
disclosure. It will further be understood that the shape, type, and
size of bristle shown in FIGS. 1-11A should not be construed as
limiting the disclosure as any bristle fabricated from any material
and of any shape may be provided on hairbrush 10, 110, 210. For
example, a roller type body (i.e., one of substantially circular
cross-section and including bristles radiating outwardly therefrom
through about 360.degree.) could also be fabricated to be a liquid
dispensing hairbrush in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0052] The method of using any of the hairbrushes 10, 110, 210
comprises providing a liquid dispensing hairbrush comprising a body
12 having a bristle frame 18 and a base 14, wherein the bristle
frame 18 and the base 14 define a chamber 19 therebetween; a
spraying member 50 comprising a liquid reservoir 34, a spray nozzle
54 and a pump 56; wherein a pipe 52 connects to the spray nozzle 54
and pump 56 and extends into an interior of the liquid reservoir
34; a trigger 24 operably coupled to the spraying member 50; a
plurality of bristles 20 projecting from said bristle frame 18;
providing a quantity of a liquid hair care product in the liquid
reservoir 34; depressing the trigger 24; actuating the pump 56 when
the trigger 24 is depressed; spraying liquid hair care product from
within the liquid reservoir 34 through the spray nozzle 54 and
outwardly onto the bristles 20 and into spaces defined between the
bristles 20; passing the bristles 20 through the user's hair; and
transferring the sprayed liquid hair care product from the bristles
20 and the spaces defined between the bristles 20 to the user's
hair.
[0053] Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more
methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed
as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way.
Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are
performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include
performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as
sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.
[0054] While various inventive embodiments have been described and
illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily
envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing
the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the
advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or
modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive
embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the
art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions,
materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be
exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials,
and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or
applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those
skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no
more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific
inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be
understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of
example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and
equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced
otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive
embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each
individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method
described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such
features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if
such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods
are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive
scope of the present disclosure.
[0055] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be
understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in
documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of
the defined terms.
[0056] The articles "a" and "an," as used herein in the
specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the
contrary, should be understood to mean "at least one." The phrase
"and/or," as used herein in the specification and in the claims (if
at all), should be understood to mean "either or both" of the
elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively
present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases.
Multiple elements listed with "and/or" should be construed in the
same fashion, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so conjoined.
Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements
specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether related or
unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a
non-limiting example, a reference to "A and/or B", when used in
conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising" can
refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements
other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally
including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to
both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. As used
herein in the specification and in the claims, "or" should be
understood to have the same meaning as "and/or" as defined above.
For example, when separating items in a list, "or" or "and/or"
shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at
least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of
elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms
clearly indicated to the contrary, such as "only one of" or
"exactly one of," or, when used in the claims, "consisting of,"
will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or
list of elements. In general, the term "or" as used herein shall
only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. "one
or the other but not both") when preceded by terms of exclusivity,
such as "either," "one of," "only one of," or "exactly one of."
"Consisting essentially of," when used in the claims, shall have
its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.
[0057] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the
phrase "at least one," in reference to a list of one or more
elements, should be understood to mean at least one element
selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of
elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and
every element specifically listed within the list of elements and
not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements.
This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present
other than the elements specifically identified within the list of
elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related
or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a
non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently,
"at least one of A or B," or, equivalently "at least one of A
and/or B") can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one,
optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and
optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment,
to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A
present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet
another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than
one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B
(and optionally including other elements); etc.
[0058] When a feature or element is herein referred to as being
"on" another feature or element, it can be directly on the other
feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also
be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to
as being "directly on" another feature or element, there are no
intervening features or elements present. It will also be
understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being
"connected", "attached" or "coupled" to another feature or element,
it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other
feature or element or intervening features or elements may be
present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as
being "directly connected", "directly attached" or "directly
coupled" to another feature or element, there are no intervening
features or elements present. Although described or shown with
respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described
or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be
appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a
structure or feature that is disposed "adjacent" another feature
may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent
feature.
[0059] Spatially relative terms, such as "under", "below", "lower",
"over", "upper", "above", "behind", "in front of", and the like,
may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element
or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as
illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the
spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different
orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the
orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in
the figures is inverted, elements described as "under" or "beneath"
other elements or features would then be oriented "over" the other
elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "under" can
encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be
otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations)
and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted
accordingly. Similarly, the terms "upwardly", "downwardly",
"vertical", "horizontal", "lateral", "transverse", "longitudinal",
and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only
unless specifically indicated otherwise.
[0060] Although the terms "first" and "second" may be used herein
to describe various features/elements, these features/elements
should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates
otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one
feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first
feature/element discussed herein could be termed a second
feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed
herein could be termed a first feature/element without departing
from the teachings of the present invention.
[0061] An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present
disclosure. Reference in the specification to "an embodiment," "one
embodiment," "some embodiments," "one particular embodiment," or
"other embodiments," or the like, means that a particular feature,
structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not
necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various
appearances "an embodiment," "one embodiment," "some embodiments,"
"one particular embodiment," or "other embodiments," or the like,
are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments.
[0062] If this specification states a component, feature,
structure, or characteristic "may", "might", or "could" be
included, that particular component, feature, structure, or
characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification
or claim refers to "a" or "an" element, that does not mean there is
only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to
"an additional" element, that does not preclude there being more
than one of the additional element.
[0063] As used herein in the specification and claims, including as
used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all
numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word "about" or
"approximately," even if the term does not expressly appear. The
phrase "about" or "approximately" may be used when describing
magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or
position described is within a reasonable expected range of values
and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value
that is +/-0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/-1% of
the stated value (or range of values), +/-2% of the stated value
(or range of values), +/-5% of the stated value (or range of
values), +/-10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any
numerical range recited herein is intended to include all
sub-ranges subsumed therein.
[0064] Additionally, any method of performing the present
disclosure may occur in a sequence different than those described
herein. Accordingly, no sequence of the method should be read as a
limitation unless explicitly stated. It is recognizable that
performing some of the steps of the method in a different order
could achieve a similar result.
[0065] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all
transitional phrases such as "comprising," "including," "carrying,"
"having," "containing," "involving," "holding," "composed of," and
the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean
including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases
"consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" shall be closed or
semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the
United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining
Procedures.
[0066] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0067] Moreover, the description and illustration of various
embodiments of the disclosure are examples and the disclosure is
not limited to the exact details shown or described.
* * * * *