Lice comb

A lice comb (10) comprising a main housing (12) including a first aperture (15) at a first end (14) thereof and a second aperture (17) at a second end (16) thereof. A fan unit (18) draw airs in through the first aperture (15) and expels air outwardly through the second aperture (17). A comb module (38) is rotatably secured to a comb support unit (34) adjacent a first end of the main housing (12). The comb module (38) comprises a comb body (46) and a tine module (48) having a plurality of teeth (44). The comb body (46) includes a channel (52) extending from a first longitudinal side adjacent the tine module (48) to a second longitudinal side thereof and a tine slot (54) is located adjacent the first end of the channel (52) to receive the tine module (48) such that air drawn in through the channel (52) passes across a first surface of the teeth (44).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a comb for removing lice from hair.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Lice combs incorporating suction to capture lice are known. The present invention relates to such a lice comb having an improved construction aimed at making the device operate more efficiently and providing for more effective capture and disposal of lice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a lice comb comprising:

a main housing including a first aperture at a first end thereof and a second aperture at a second end thereof;

a fan unit having an impeller provided within the main housing to draw air in through the first aperture and expel air outwardly through the second aperture; and

a comb module rotatably securable to a comb support unit adjacent a first end of the main housing, the comb module comprising a comb body and a tine module having a plurality of teeth;

wherein the comb body includes a channel extending from a first longitudinal side adjacent the tine module to a second longitudinal side thereof and wherein a tine slot is located adjacent the first end of the channel to receive the tine module such that air drawn in through the channel passes across a first surface of the teeth.

Preferably the tine slot comprises an elongate slot located adjacent and parallel to the channel and the tine module comprises an elongate base from which the teeth extend such that the base is received within the tine slot.

Preferably a latching mechanism is provided such that the tine module is engaged in the tine slot.

Preferably the latching mechanism comprises notches adjacent ends of the tine slot which receive protrusions on ends of the base of the tine module.

In a preferred embodiment the second longitudinal side of the comb body is provided with a tube to divert air that has passed through the channel and wherein the tube is mounted for rotation relative to the main housing to allow the orientation of the teeth to be varied.

Preferably ends of the tube are rotatably mounted to end mounts, the end mounts having internal chambers to receive air that has passed through the tube.

In a preferred embodiment the comb support unit includes a comb support housing and the comb module is secured adjacent a first end of the comb support housing and wherein a first internal conduit is provided within the comb support housing to transfer air from the end mounts to a second end of the comb support housing.

In a preferred embodiment, the internal first conduit is Y-shaped and includes a pair of tube portions at a first end thereof to connect to the end mounts.

In one embodiment the end mounts each comprise a cylindrical tube being open at a first end and closed at a second end and having a port on a side thereof adjacent the second end which connects to ends of the tube portions.

Preferably the comb support unit includes also a latch member which is moveable to fix the comb module in a plurality of angular orientations relative to the comb support housing.

Preferably the latch member includes lugs which engage in holes on the tube and the latch member is spring biased to move towards the tube.

In one embodiment, an actuator extends outwardly through the comb support housing such that the actuator can be slid to move the latch member away from the tube, thereby disengaging the lugs from the holes to allow rotation of the comb module.

Preferably a filter bag is receivable in a first end of the main housing, the filter bag including a rim around the first end thereof to be received in a groove in the first end of the main housing such that the filter bag may be released from the main housing by tipping the main housing.

In a preferred embodiment the first internal conduit is received within the rim of the filter bag to engage with a lip portion on an inner surface of the rim.

Preferably the second end of the first conduit includes an outer flange having an annular channel therein on a side facing the main housing, the channel including a seal against which an end of the rim of the filter bag engages.

Preferably a flexible cover is provided across the open first end of the filter bag.

In a preferred embodiment the first end of the filter bag is provided with a cross member extending diametrically across the first end of the filter bag having a lug received through a hole in the flexible cover.

Preferably the flexible cover includes slots extending inwardly from opposed sides thereof such that the slots are located to extend above and along the cross member to allow the flexible cover to be drawn inwardly into the filter bag on either side of the cross member by the flow of air.

Preferably the periphery of the flexible cover is received under an inner rim provided on the filter bag.

In a preferred embodiment, the main housing includes an internal second conduit such that a first end thereof is integrally formed with the groove in the first end of the main housing and a second end is located adjacent the impeller.

Preferably a face plate is provided on a side of the impeller adjacent the second internal conduit, the face plate including an opening therein such that the second end of the second internal conduit engages around the periphery of the opening in the face plate.

Preferably an end plate provided in the second end of the main housing is set inwardly from the second end such that a cylindrical rim portion is defined around the second end, the rim portion including one or more notches such that the power cord may extend outwardly through one of the notches while the lice comb is standing on the cylindrical rim portion.

Preferably the main housing comprises a first housing portion adjacent the first end and a second housing portion located adjacent the second end and the first portion comprises a transparent material.

Preferably the a tine module recess is provided in a side surface of the comb support unit for receiving a further tine module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, there is shown a lice comb10comprising a main housing12having a first end14and a second end16. The main housing12is circular in transverse cross section and includes a first aperture15at the first end16and a second aperture17at the second end16.

The main housing12in the embodiment shown comprises a first housing portion24adjacent the first end14and a second housing portion26located adjacent the second end16. Each of the first and second housing portions24and26comprises a tubular member of circular transverse cross section.

The second housing portion26is formed of two semi-cylindrical portions (as can be seen inFIG. 6) secured together by appropriate fasteners. The second housing portion26of the main housing12includes a fan unit18therein. The fan unit18comprises an impeller20driven by a motor22. The impeller20is rotatable about a central longitudinal axis of the main housing12and oriented such that rotation of the impeller20draws air in through the first aperture15and out through the second aperture17. That is, air is drawn by the fan unit18through the main housing12from the first end14to the second end16.

The second end16of the main housing12includes an end plate28. The end plate28is secured across the second aperture17to prevent access to the fan unit18and includes a plurality of holes to allow air flow. A power cord (not shown) extends through the end plate28and connects to the motor22to provide power to drive the motor22.

A power button90is provided extending through the second housing portion26. The power button90activates operation of the motor22.

The first housing portion24comprises a tubular member having a circular transverse cross section. The main housing12includes a tapered portion such that the first end14is of a reduced cross sectional area relative to the second end16. In the embodiment shown, the second housing portion26includes a tapered portion adjacent the first housing portion24and the first housing portion24is cylindrical in shape. The first housing portion24may be formed of a transparent material.

The lice comb10comprises a comb support unit34connectable to the first end14of the main housing12. The comb support unit34comprises a comb support housing36and a comb module38. The comb support housing36is hollow and includes a circular first end40securable to the first end14of the main housing12. A second end of the comb support housing36includes an elongate aperture42therein. The comb module38is mounted adjacent the elongate aperture42in the second end of the comb support housing36.

The comb module38includes a comb body46and a tine module48. The tine module48is securable to the comb body46and includes a plurality of teeth44extending outwardly from a base49. The comb module38is rotatable relative to the comb support housing36.

The comb body46comprises an elongate member having a channel52extending from a first longitudinal side to a second longitudinal side. The elongate comb body46is mounted across and parallel to the elongate aperture42in the comb support housing36. The first longitudinal side of the comb body46includes also a tine slot54. The tine slot54comprises an elongate slot to receive the base49of the tine module48. As can be seen inFIG. 7, the tine tine slot54is located adjacent and parallel to the channel52in the comb body46.

A latching mechanism is provided such that the tine module48is engaged in the tine slot54. The latching mechanism in the embodiment shown comprises notches68(as best seen inFIG. 14a) adjacent ends of the tine slot54which receive protrusions69on ends of the base49of the tine module48.

When the tine module48is received in the tine slot54, the teeth44extend outwardly away from the first side of the comb body46. As can be seen inFIG. 7, the channel52is adjacent and parallel to a first surface of the teeth44on the tine module48such that air drawn inwardly through the channel52passes across the first surface of the teeth44.

Multiple tine modules48may be provided having different sizes and dimensions of teeth44. The most appropriate size of teeth44may be selected and attached to the lice comb10by connecting an appropriate tine module48. Different dimensioned teeth44may be used for hair of different coarseness. As can be seen for example inFIG. 14b, the comb support housing36is provided with a tine module recess66in a side surface thereof. The tine module recess66is provided for receiving a tine module48such that one tine module48may be in use in the comb module38while a second tine module48is stored in the tine module recess66.

The second longitudinal side of the comb body46is provided with a tube60which is provided to divert air that has passed through the channel52. The tube60is secured to the second longitudinal side of the comb body46and comprises a cylindrical tube having a longitudinal axis oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the comb body46. The tube60incudes a slot in a side thereof aligned with the end of the channel52such that air drawn through the channel52enters the tube60, where it is diverted to flow outwardly towards the ends of the tube60.

End mounts58are provided at each end of the tube60. The end mounts58comprise tubular members which engage into ends of tube60such that the tube60is rotatable relative to the end mounts58. Air exiting the ends of the air tube60enters the end mounts58. The comb module38is thereby rotatably mounted within the end of the comb support housing36such that the teeth44can move between a position in which the teeth are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main housing12(as can be seen inFIG. 18) and one or more positions in which the teeth44are at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the main housing12(for example as shown inFIG. 19).

The comb module38is mounted for rotation relative to the comb support housing36. The comb support unit34includes also a latch member56which is moveable to fix the comb module38in a plurality of angular orientations relative to the comb support housing36. The latch member56is provided within the comb support housing36and includes lugs57which engage in holes59on the tube60. The latch member56is spring biased to move towards the tube60and includes an actuator62which extends outwardly through the comb support housing36such that the actuator62can be slid to move the latch member56away from the tube60, thereby disengaging the lugs57from the holes59to allow rotation of the comb module38.

The comb support housing36includes also an internal first conduit70. The internal first conduit70comprises a tube having a pair of tube portions72at a first end thereof. The tube portions72extend away from each other at an angle such that the first conduit70is Y-shaped. The first conduit70includes a circular second end74provided adjacent the first end40of the comb support housing36. The tube portions72each attach to one of the end mounts58. Each of the end mounts58comprises a cylindrical tube being open at a first end and closed at a second end. The first end connects to the tube60such that air flowing from the tube60enters an internal chamber of the end mount58. The end mounts58include also ports61on sides thereof adjacent the second ends. The ports61connect to ends of the tube portions72such that air flowing into the end mount58passes into the tube portions72and then outwardly from the second end of the first conduit70. The first conduit70thereby funnels any matter passing through the channel52of the comb body46to the first end40of the comb support housing36.

The lice comb10includes also a filter bag64received in the main housing12adjacent the first end14thereof. The filter bag64includes an open first end and a closed second end. In the embodiment shown, the filter bag64tapers inwardly towards the second end thereof. The filter bag64is received in the first aperture15such that the first end thereof is located adjacent the first aperture15and the filter bag64is contained within the first housing portion24.

The filter bag64includes a outer rim80around the first end thereof. The first end of the main housing12includes a circular groove82complementary in shape to the outer rim80such that the outer rim80may be received into the groove82. The second end74of the internal first conduit70of the comb support unit34is dimensioned to be received within the outer rim80of the filter bag64. The outer rim80includes a lip portion86on an inner surface thereof on which the second end74of the internal first conduit70engages when the comb support unit34is attached to the main body12.

Also, the second end74of the first conduit70includes an outer flange84having an annular channel therein on a side facing the main housing12. A circular seal87is provided within the channel of the outer flange84. The seal87is positioned such that an end of the outer rim80of the filter bag64engages with the seal87. With this arrangement, all air drawn in through the first conduit70passes through the filter bag64.

The lice comb10includes a gate valve provided to restrict lice captured within the filter bag64exiting the filter bag64. The gate valve comprise a flexible cover88provided across the open first end of the filter bag64. The first end of the filter bag64is provided with a cross member92extending diametrically across the first end of the filter bag64. The cross member92includes a lug94received through a hole96in the flexible cover88.

The flexible cover88includes slots98extending inwardly from opposed sides thereof such that the slots98are located to extend above and along the cross member92. The arrangement of the slots98aids in allowing the flexible cover88to be drawn inwardly into the filter bag64on either side of the cross member92by the flow of air. The flexible cover member88therefore opens when the lice comb10is operating to allow captured lice to enter the filter bag64.

As can be seen inFIG. 11b, the lip portion86of the outer rim80of the filter bag64includes an inner rim89extending towards an interior of the filter bag64. The periphery of the flexible cover88is located under this inner rim89(as can be seen inFIG. 11b) such that sides of the flexible cover88either side of the cross member92are flexed downwardly. The flexible cover88is formed from a resilient material such that it will tend to move towards a planar state. The flexible cover88therefore pushes upwardly against the lower edge of the inner rim89to seal around the periphery of the flexible cover88.

The main housing12includes also an internal second conduit100. The second conduit100includes a first end being integrally formed with the groove82in the first end of the main housing12and extending through the first housing portion24and to a second end within the second housing portion26adjacent the impeller20. The second conduit100therefore directs air flowing outwardly through the surface of the filter bag64to adjacent the impeller20. The second internal conduit100tapers inwardly from the first end to the second end thereof.

A face plate102is provided on a side of the impeller20adjacent the second internal conduit100. The face plate102includes an opening therein such that the second end of the second internal conduit100engages around the periphery of the opening in the face plate102. The face plate102thereby cooperates with the second internal conduit100to improve the flow of air through from the lice comb10.

The end plate28provided in the second end16of the main housing12is set inwardly from the second end16such that a cylindrical rim portion104is defined around the second end16. The rim portion104includes one or more notches106therein. The notches106are provided such that the power cord extending outwardly through the end plate28can pass through one of the notches106while the lice comb10is standing on a surface on the cylindrical rim portion104.

In use, a filter bag64is inserted into the first housing portion24and the blade unit38of the comb module38moved to the most appropriate orientation for use. The fan unit18is activated and air is drawn across the surface of the teeth44and into the channel52. The air drawn in through the channel52passes through the filter bag64and out through the second end16of the main housing12. Any lice captured on the surface of the teeth44are thereby drawn into the filter bag64and trapped. When the filter bag64is to be replaced, the comb support unit34is disconnected from the main housing12. The arrangement of the filter bag64means it can simply be tipped from the main housing12by tilting the main housing12. The filter bag64can therefore be tipped directly into a bin without the need for the operator to touch it and a new filter bag64simply dropped into place.

It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.