Abstract:
A self-cleaning brush having a sliding cleaning element. The sliding cleaning element is received on the body of the brush such that when the brush becomes fouled with foreign material the cleaning element may slide along the length of the brush body and free any foreign material from the bristles of the brush.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to brushes, and more particularly to brushes that are self-cleaning. More particularly, the present invention relates to a self-cleaning styling brush, which contain bristles projecting circumferentially, which style of brush finds particular utility in hair-styling when used in combination with hair dryers and/or related types of styling techniques. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A brush, such as a hair brush, tends to pick up foreign material, such as hair, debris, etc., with use. The foreign material tends to foul the brush and to transfer the foreign material during subsequent uses. To prevent this problem the brush must be periodically cleaned such as by using another brush or a comb. This cleaning process is often time-consuming and inconvenient, and furthermore, it is seldom entirely effective. 
     In consideration of the problem of cleaning a brush, a number of disclosures have been put forward in an attempt to solve this problem. U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,542, to Norman, teaches a self cleaning hair brush that utilizes a plurality of perforated sheets disposed at the base of the bristles. As the bristles become fouled, the top most of the perforated sheets is removed from the brush, therein sweeping the bristles and pulling off any foreign material. 
     Along a similar line, U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,865, to Morrison, teaches a brush having a removable perforated plate disposed at the base of the bristles. Much the same as the Norman patent, when the brush becomes fouled the perforated plate is removed, therein carrying away any foreign material. Unlike Norman, however, the perforated plate of Morrison is then reattached to the brush by threading the bristles through the perforations and re-securing the perforated plate to the brush. 
     Along a different line is U.S. Pat. No. 4,225,997, to Thomas, et al. The brush of Thomas accomplishes the cleaning of the brush by retracting the bristles. By the teachings of Thomas, when the brush becomes fouled the bristles are retracted, therein releasing any foreign matter that has become ensnared in the bristles. 
     SUMMARY 
     A self cleaning brush comprising a body having a plurality of bristles extending from at least a portion of said body. A cleaning element is slidably disposed on said body, wherein the sliding element contains a plurality of projections which engage with said bristles. The cleaning element projections further define a space between the projections for the bristles to pass as the cleaning element slides along the brushy body. The space is of a size and geometry to engage said bristles and to clean said bristles as said cleaning element slides along said brush body. 
     In alternative embodiment, the present invention also relates to a self cleaning brush comprising a body having a plurality of bristles extending from at least a portion of said body including grooves positioned between said bristles and a cleaning element slidably disposed on said body, said sliding element containing a plurality of projections which slidably engage within said grooves. The cleaning element projections define a space between the projections for the bristles to pass as said cleaning element slides along said body, wherein said space is of a size and geometry to engage said bristles and to clean said bristles as said cleaning element slides along said brush body. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a self-cleaning brush consistent with the present invention, showing only the preferred brush design. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the the exemplary brush of FIG. 1, in addition to a cleaning element. 
     FIG. 3 shows the cross-sectional profile of an exemplary brush body. 
     FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary cleaning disc in end view profile. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the assembled arrangement of the exemplary cleaning disc of FIG. 4 with respect to the exemplary brush body of FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary self cleaning brush  10  consistent with the present invention is schematically illustrated. The brush  10  preferably comprises a brush body  14  and a handle  12  extending from the proximal end of the body  14 . The handle  12  and the body  14  may preferably be formed as a single unitary piece, or may alternately comprise a plurality of assembled pieces. 
     The body  14  of the brush  10  comprises a plurality of bristles  16  extending therefrom. Preferably the bristles  16  are arranged in a plurality of longitudinally oriented rows extending most of the length of the body  14  of the brush  10 . As illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, the longitudinally oriented rows of bristles  16  are preferably separated by longitudinal grooves  18  in the body  14  of the brush  10 . 
     The self-cleaning brush  10  consistent with the present invention further comprises a cleaning element  20  slidably retained on the body  14  of the brush  10 . In the exemplary brush  10 , the cleaning element  20  comprises an annular body having an inner diameter configured to receive the body  14  of the brush therethrough. Preferably the cleaning element  20  is secured against axial removal from the body  14  by an end cap  26  having a peripheral dimension greater than the inner diameter of the cleaning member. 
     The cleaning element  20  preferably comprises radially disposed finger projections  22  disposed on the forward face of the cleaning element  20 , i.e. the face opposite the handle  12 . Preferably fingers  22  are configured to be aligned with, and ride in the grooves  18  of the brush body  14  when the cleaning element  20  is received on the brush body  14 . It is further preferred that the fingers  22  are angled such that the longitudinal extension is greater at the inner diameter of the cleaning element  20  than at the outer diameter. 
     Furthermore, the finger projections define a space therebetween for the bristles to pass as the cleaning element slides along the brush body. Preferably, the space comprises a plurality of slot elements  24  disposed between each pair of adjacent fingers  22 . The slot elements  24  generally comprise an outwardly extending radial notch in the cleaning element  20 . 
     With reference to FIG. 2, the method of operation of the self cleaning brush  10  is illustrated. As the brush  10  is used, the bristles  16  will collect hair and other debris in the bristles  16  themselves, and spanning the space between the rows of bristles  16 . The brush  10  is cleaned by sliding the cleaning element  20  axially down the length of the body  14  of the brush  10 . As the cleaning element  20  travels down the length of the body  14 , the finger projections  22  will remove any hair or debris spanning adjacent rows of bristles  16 . The radially outwardly and rearwardly angle of the fingers  22  will force any hair or debris spanning the rows of bristles  16  to be forced away from the bristles and away from the body  14  of the brush. The hair and debris removed from the brush may be transferred to the outer circumference of the cleaning element  20 , from where it may be easily removed and discarded. 
     The cleaning action of the cleaning element  20  as it travels down the length of the body  14  of the brush  10  is further increased by the slot elements  24  disposed on the cleaning element. The notch of slot elements  24  preferably extends outwardly less than the height of the bristles  16 . Because of this configuration, as the cleaning element  20  travels down the body  14 , the bristles  16  will be caused to deflect toward the distal end of the body  14 , i.e., away from the cleaning element  20 . This deflection of the bristles  16  will aid in freeing any debris or hair ensnared in the bristles  16  and promote the transfer of any such debris away from the bristles  16  and the body  14  of the brush  10 . 
     While the invention has hereinabove been illustrated and described as having a round body  14  and annular cleaning member  20 , this should not be understood to be limiting. The use of alternate configurations are herein contemplated. Alternate configurations may comprise a generally planar body having bristles projecting from either one or both sides. When such a configuration is employed, the cleaning element may comprise a rectangular member having an opening therethrough configured in size and shape to be slidable on the body. 
     Therefore, while this invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, the principles involved are susceptible for the use in numerous other embodiments. The invention is, therefore, not to be limited by the exemplary embodiments described in detail hereinabove, but only by the claims appended hereto.