Abstract:
A brush adapted for pet grooming consisting of one or more simulated cat tongues mounted on a hand graspable assembly and may further include a sound/vibration producing module for replicating the presence of a live animal during the grooming process.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This application relates generally to pet grooming products, and more specifically to a brush that includes one or more simulated cat tongues to help replicate a natural grooming process. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Various man-made and designed grooming brushes exist in the market. In general, these brushes can include a rigid brush head with multiple tines extending outward. The tines can be attached to the brush head, or the head and tines can be formed as a single assembly. The tines can vary in shape and are designed to travel through an animal&#39;s coat in an effort to remove excess hair and other debris. A potential drawback of such designs is that the tines can be too long or too ridged and thus can scratch the skin of the animal. It is also likely that using a brush of such a design creates an unnatural experience for the animal and may increase their discomfort during the grooming process. This can be particularly true for some domestic pets which have a reputation for being capricious in matters of human attention (i.e., cats). Many cats do not enjoy the grooming process for reasons only they are aware of It may be that this dislike stems from the exemplary drawbacks described above. A particular cat, however, may have no reason for disliking the grooming process. The reasons are exemplary only, and not a limitation, as cat behavior is difficult to determine. Nonetheless, there is motivation to provide a more natural experience for a cat during the grooming process. A natural grooming experience may provide comfort to a cat, and can improve their health and hygiene by removing dirt and excess hair (e.g., reducing hairballs). 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In accordance with aspects of the invention, one or more of the following capabilities may be provided. One or more simulated cat tongues can be affixed to a brush assembly. The brush assembly can include a fixed head or a removable head. The simulated cat tongues can include multiple rasps which replicate the papillae surface of an actual cats tongue. Debris and excess hair can be removed. The simulated cat tongue can be wetted to enhance the grooming. A vibrating option can be disposed in the brush assembly. A purring sound option can be disposed in the brush assembly. A more natural grooming process can be simulated. 
         [0006]    These and other capabilities of the invention, along with the invention itself, will be more fully understood after a review of the following figures, detailed description, and claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary brush assembly with multiple horizontally mounted simulated cat tongues. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an expanding diagram of an exemplary simulated cat tongue and rasps. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary brush shaft and removable head assembly. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  includes multiple views of an exemplary double paddle brush assembly with multiple cat tongues. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  includes exemplary configurations for different round and paddle type brush assemblies. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  includes exemplary embodiments of brush assemblies. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is an exemplary process for grooming a pet with a simulated cat tongue. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for simulating natural grooming with a brush assembly. This brush assembly is exemplary, however, and not limiting of the invention as other implementations in accordance with the disclosure are possible. 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary brush assembly  10  with multiple horizontally mounted cat tongues  12   a  is shown. The brush assembly  10  includes a plurality of simulated cat tongues  12  affixed to a casing  14 , and a handle portion  16 . The handle portion  16  can include an optional vibration module  18 . In an embodiment, the vibration module  18  can be activated while grooming a pet to simulate purring and/or provide soothing vibrations to the pet. In an embodiment, the brush assembly  10  can include a speaker and sound producing circuit configured to produce a purring sound, or other sounds that can comfort the pet (e.g., fish tank bubbles, wind chimes, ocean waves, crackling fire). The brush assembly  10  includes a shaft portion (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) and the casing  14  is configured to be removable from the shaft. For example, the casing  14  can be made of rubber or other pliant material (e.g., silicone, plastic, leather) and can slide over the shaft. The simulated cat tongues  12  can be affixed to the casing  14  (e.g., glued, fused, stitched, welded, pressure fitted), or the casing  14  and tongues  12  can be fabricated in one or more molds (e.g., sections of the casing  14  can be an integral assembly with one or more tongues  12 ). The casing  14  can include a raised section  15  at one end to facilitate the installation of the casing  14  over the shaft (e.g., the raised section  15  provides an area for a user to grip). In this way, the casing  14  and the affixed simulated cat tongues  12  can be removed from the handle portion for cleaning, disposal, or other reasons. The removable casing  14  is exemplary only, and not a limitation, as the brush assembly can include a non-removable casing affixed to, or otherwise integral with, the handle portion  16 . 
         [0016]    In an embodiment, the simulated cat tongues  12  can include a front side  12   a  and a backside  12   b.  The front side  12   a  is comprised of a collection of small rasps (e.g., tines) that simulate the papillae of the cat tongue. In an example, the tines are directionally biased towards the casing  14  and thus create a rasping effect (e.g., a rougher texture when the front side  12   a  is moved in one direction). The backside  12   b  can include a smoother surface (i.e., without rasps) and can be configured to allow the tongue  12  to curl backwards. That is, the simulated tongue  12  is comprised of a pliant material which will bend when the front face  12   a  is put into contact with another object (i.e., as when a cat licks an object). In an embodiment, the backside  12   b  can include a porous material configured to retain liquids if the simulated cat tongue  12  is wetted. For example, the brush assembly  10  can be used with water (or other liquids) while grooming a pet. 
         [0017]    The brush assembly  10  can include several simulated cat tongues  12  which extend around the brush  10  in longitudinal rows. The brush  10  can have 2, 3, 4 or more rows of tongues  12 , with each row including 4, 5, or 6 tongues  12 . The number of rows and the number of tongues in a row are exemplary only and not a limitation as the brush  10  can include different configurations for the cat tongues  12 . 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , with further reference to  FIG. 1 , an expanding diagram of the front side of an exemplary simulated cat tongue  12  is shown. The front side  12   a  includes a plurality of rasps  12   e.  In an embodiment, the rasps  12   e  can be assembled in small sections  12   c  and affixed to the front face  12   a.  For example, as depicted in  FIG. 2 , each section  12   c  can include 9 rasps  12   e  in a 3×3 matrix  12   d,  with each rasp  12   e  occupying an area  12   d - a.  This configuration is exemplary only and not a limitation as other rasp type assemblies may be used. 
         [0019]    In an embodiment, the simulated cat tongue  12  can be a polymer melt which is injection molded to form the semi-rigid rasps  12   e.  The injection molding process can be either a batch method using conventional injection molding or a continuous injection molding process. The batch method can produce individual sheets of rasps and the continuous process can produce rolls. The simulated cat tongue  12  can be comprised of, for example, thermoplastic polymers such as nylon (polyamide 66 or PA-66), polycarbonate (PC), polyester (polyethylene terephlalate or PET), polystyrene (PS), rigid polyvinylchloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and polypropylene (PP). Polymer blends can also be used. 
         [0020]    An exemplary front side  12   a  of a simulated cat tongue can include an areal density of the rasps in a range of 80 to 235 rasps (e.g., tines) per square centimeter. As an example, and not a limitation, the dimensions of each rasp can be 0.5±0.1 mm in diameter at the base  12   d - a  with a tapered profile, a length in the range of 500-800 μm, and a desired stiffness in the range of 2.5±1.5 GPa. Other dimensions may also be used. The rasps  12   e  can be inclined in the same direction at a 30°-60° angle between the underside of the rasp  12   e  and the top surface of the sheet or roll. The angle may be formed either with the shape of the mold or by a heat-setting process after the rasps  12   e  are formed. The sheets or rolls of rasps  12   e  can be cut or stamped into the tongue shaped pieces. In an embodiment, the tongue shaped rasp pieces can be glued, fused, or otherwise attached a side material to create the tongue shape tiles  12   a.  In general, the material used in the tiles  12   a  is more flexible than the rasps  12   e.  In an embodiment, the sheets or rolls of rasps can be glued or fused to a more flexible backing and then be stamped or cut into tongue shaped pieces  12   a.  Alternatively, in an embodiment, the rasp piece and the backing can be sequentially molded to form a composite piece. First the rasp mold would be used and then the sheet would be transferred to a second mold which would inject the backing material to form a more flexible sheet fused with the rasp sheet during processing. In an embodiment, the rasps and some or all of the casing  14  can be molded as a single assembly. Other manufacturing process may be used. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , an exemplary brush  30  with a shaft  34  and removable head assembly  36  is shown. The exemplary brush  30  includes a handle section  32 , a shaft  34 , and a removable head assembly  36 . An example, the shaft  34  is disposed within the handle  32  and extends outward from the handle  32  for approximately 5½ inches. The shaft  34  can be comprised of a rigid material (e.g. wood, plastic, metal) to provide stiffness to the brush assembly  30 . The shaft  34  can have a rectangular, hexagonal, or other cross-section designed to inhibit the head  36  from rotating around the shaft  34 . In an embodiment, the brush  30  includes a gasket  35  disposed between the handle  32  and the removable head assembly  36 . In operation, the removable head assembly  36  can include grooves or threads  38  which are configured to secure the head  36  onto the shaft  34 . Correspondingly, the shaft  34  can include contra grooves or threads to receive and secure the head  36 . The gasket  35  can provide friction to help ensure that the head  36  does not rotate about the shaft when the brush  30  is in use. In an embodiment, the handle  32  can include an optional vibration and/or sound producing module  33  configured to create vibrations along the shaft  34  and/or soothing sounds to be emitted through a speaker in the handle section  32  or the shaft  34 . 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , with further reference to  FIG. 2 , multiple views of an exemplary double paddle brush assembly  40  with multiple simulated cat tongues  44  are shown. The simulated cat tongues  44  include rasps  12   e  as previously described. The double paddle brush assembly  40  includes a handle  48  and a planar backing surface  46 . The planar backing surface  46  is generally rigid (e.g. wood, plastic, metal) and is configured to receive the pliant brushing surfaces  42  on one or both sides. The brushing surfaces  42  include a plurality of simulated cat tongues  44  that are partially affixed on one side of the surface  42 . In an example, the brushing surfaces  42  mount to the backing surface  46  via a tongue and groove assembly. Other permanent or removable mounting configurations may be used. The removable mount provides the ability to clean or replace the brushing surface  42  as needed. The simulated cat tongues  44  can be affixed to the brushing surface  42  such that only a portion of the tongue  44  is in contact with the brushing surface  42 . In an embodiment, the entire tongue  44  is affixed to the brushing surface  42 . The tongues  44  can be disposed on the brushing surface  42  to produce a rasping effect in one or more directions. As previously described, the tongues  44  include rasps  12   e  which are biased in one direction. Each brushing surface  42  can include a collection of tongues  44  which are aligned in one or more directions, with the result of producing a rasping effect by one or more tongues  44  when the brush  40  is moved in one of the corresponding directions. In an embodiment, the tongues  44  can be aligned and affixed to the brushing surfaces  42  such that the rasping effect occurs in a single direction. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , with further reference to  FIG. 2 , exemplary configurations for different round and paddle type brush assemblies are shown. In an embodiment, a removable head assembly  50  can include a plurality of double-ended simulated cat tongues  51  affixed to the outer surface. The double-ended simulated cat tongues  51  include rasps  12   e  on either end which are biased towards the center of the tongue  51 . 
         [0024]    The effect is to create a rasping effect with half of the tongue  51  when it is moved in opposing directions. In an embodiment, a removable head assembly  52  can include a plurality of simulated cat tongues  53  that have rasps in a single direction. The tongues  53  can be affixed to the head  52  such that each of the tongues  53  are aligned and the head  52  creates a rasping effect when moved in a single direction. In an example, the tongues  53  are disposed on the head  52  with more than one alignment scheme such that the head  52  creates a rasping effect in more than one direction. In an embodiment, a single paddle head  54  can include a plurality of simulated cat tongues  55  that are generally aligned in a single direction. The paddle head  54  can include a removable handle  56 . For example, the handle  56  can include a threaded bolt configured to extend into a threaded opening in the head  54 . The head can include a tightening or locking knob  57  to help prevent the head  54  from rotating when in use. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , with further reference to  FIG. 2 , exemplary embodiments of brush assemblies are shown. In an embodiment, the simulated cat tongues  61  can be affixed to a removable head  60  in a series of vertical rings, such that the font face  61   a  of the tongues  61  are facing a distal end of the brush  60 . The back side of the tongues  61   b  faces the handle end of the brush  60 . In an embodiment, the back side  61   b  can be generally pliant, but more rigid than the front face  61   a,  such that the tongues  61  maintain an outward extending position when in use. In an embodiment, a paddle brush  61  can include a large simulated cat tongue  63 . For example, the cat tongue  63  can be cut from a sheet of rasps and affixed to a backing material. In general, the large cat tongue  63  will have a single bias and thus create a rasping effect when the brush  62  is moved in a single direction. 
         [0026]    In operation, referring to  FIG. 7 , with further reference to  FIG. 1 , a process  70  for grooming a pet using the brush assembly  10  includes the stages shown. The process  70 , however, is exemplary only and not limiting. The process  70  may be altered, e.g., by having stages added, removed, or rearranged. The process may also be used with other embodiments of the brush assembly. 
         [0027]    The simulated cat tongues  12  on the brush assembly  10  can be used with water, or other liquids, during the grooming process  70 . Using a liquid, however, is optional and not required. As an optional step, stage  72  is outlined with a dashed line in  FIG. 7 . Liquid can be applied to the simulated cat tongues  12  with a spray bottle, or the brush  10  can be dunked in a container. For example, some or all of the head  14  of the brush assembly can be immersed in a liquid. The back side  12   b  of the tongue can include a porous material (e.g., sponge, cloth, foam) configured to absorb liquid and then release it as the brush  10  is used on the pet. For example, the back side  12   b  can include a sponge which releases the liquid as the tongue  12  bends when in use. 
         [0028]    At stage  72 , one or more of the simulated cat tongues  12  on the brush assembly  10  can be placed in contact with the pet to be groomed. The amount of pressure required can vary based on the nature of the pet and their coat. In general, the user is trying to simulate the amount of pressure that would be used if the pet were being groomed by a parent or litter mate. If the brush assembly  10  is configured with an optional vibration module  18 , it can be activated via an on/off button to provide more comfort to the pet. An optional sound module may also be activated. In an embodiment, the vibration and/or sound modules can be activated with a pressure switch located in proximity to one or more tongues  12 . 
         [0029]    At stage  74  the simulated cat tongues  12  can be moved in a direction that is appropriate for the bias of the rasps  12   e.  For example, the tongues  12  on the brush assembly  10  can includes rasps  12   e  that are angled inward toward the shaft of the brush. This configuration will create a rasping effect when the tongues  12  are generally moved in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis of the brush head  14 . For example, when placed in contact with the pet, the tongues  12  will trail the brush head  14  (i.e., they will be behind the head as compared to the destination of the movement). Since the rasps  12   e  are pointing toward the head  14 , they are pointing in the direction of movement and thus create a rasping effect. The brush assembly  10  may also be rotated as the tongues are in contact with the pet to create a more natural licking motion. For example, the brush assembly  10  can be rotated such that the front side  12   a  of a row of tongues accelerates towards the destination. Since the brush assembly  10  includes more than one row of tongues, as the brush head  14  rotates additional rows of tongues can come in contact with the pet. As a result, the pet can experience the soothing sensation of multiple simulated tongues  12  on a single stroke of the brush. 
         [0030]    At stage  78 , the simulated cat tongue  12  can be lifted from the pet when the brush assembly  10  reaches a desired destination (i.e., the brush stroke is completed). In an embodiment, the simulated cat tongues  12  are pliant but contain enough rigidity to return to an outward extending position when no longer in contact with the pet. The rasps  12   e  can trap loose hair and other debris during the grooming process. Such material can be removed from the tongues  12  by rinsing the tongues in water, rubbing the tongues  12  in a reverse direction (i.e., opposite the bias), or shaking the brush assembly  10  in an outward direction. Other cleaning processes may also be used. 
         [0031]    The invention is accordingly defined by the following claims.