Abstract:
Disclosed embodiments describe a device for facilitating the combing of hair. The device includes several teeth extending from a lower side of the device opposite a fluid tight reservoir. The reservoir is adapted to expel a fluid when compressed. During operation the fluid is made to exit the device by compressing the reservoir forcing the fluid out of apertures formed between the teeth the fluid facilitates moving the teeth through hair for easier combing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/409,317 filed Nov. 2, 2010. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Exemplary embodiments generally relate to a comb. More specifically, exemplary embodiments relate to a liquid dispensing comb that is able to store and continuously apply a liquid while being disposed through hair. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Combs and brushes used for grooming and styling of hair are known in the art. Additionally, fluid-dispensing devices used during the grooming and styling processes are also known in the art, particularly in medical, cosmetic and pet industries. However, there is still a need for a liquid dispensing comb that is able to store and apply a liquid while the comb travels through the hair of an individual. 
         [0004]    In one setting, adults often have to wet and wash a child&#39;s hair to detangle the unruly knots that may form, particularly in the case with a child that has longer hair. Furthermore, hair may knot or tangle during a night&#39;s sleep, wherein it is a difficult task for an individual to detangle the hair. As such, many different techniques have been employed to try and help detangle hair without causing a significant amount of pain that accompanies the detangling process. Also, it may be necessary to wet and condition hair to combat static problems or other hair conditions. Some known processes to detangle hair are to run a comb under a faucet or use a spray bottle with water to dampen the hair before an attempt to detangle. 
         [0005]    Devices are known relating to liquid dispensing hairbrushes involving a mechanism to spray liquid out of the bristles themselves. These hairbrushes utilize a disposable liquid cartridge and a vibrator that allows the user to spray a liquid and massage the scalp while brushing the hair. Another hairbrush includes absorbent feeds rods mounted into bores inside the hairbrush bristles. The feed rods connect to roller-ball nozzles located at the end of the bristles in which liquid disburses over the user&#39;s scalp only during contact of the roller-balls with the scalp. However, these devices relate to hairbrushes and not to combs. 
         [0006]    Device are also known relating to a combination brush and hairspray systems for the purpose of allowing a user to simultaneously brush and apply hairspray to the hair with only one hand. The devices typically incorporate a pump having an electric motor connected to it, which requires the use of batteries. However, these devices require many internal components that require maintenance and constant repair. 
         [0007]    Devices related to fluid dispensing combs, rather than brushes, are also known. Some known devices relate to a fluid dispensing comb that uses an absorbent pad-type reservoir for storing and dispensing hair products. Other devices are adapted to be used to groom animal hair or fur. With many of the known fluid dispensing combs, the combs are designed to include detachable or disposable parts, are difficult and costly to manufacture, and complicated to use. 
         [0008]    While the aforementioned devices may be useful for the purposes in which they were intended, these devices have some drawbacks. For a number of reasons, including ease of use and cost-effectiveness, it is becoming increasingly important to provide a liquid dispensing comb that remedies the shortcomings of the known art. Additionally, there is an unmet need of providing a comb that facilitates the application of a liquid, such as a conditioner, to an individual&#39;s hair. Furthermore, there is an unmet need of providing a comb that reduces the amount of time and pain an individual has to endure to detangle their hair, particularly in the case of children. 
         [0009]    It is therefore an unmet advantage of the prior art to provide a liquid dispensing comb that reliably stores and dispenses liquid to facilitate the application of liquid, such as conditioner, to detangle hair. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    This and other unmet advantages are provided by the device and method described and shown in more detail below. 
         [0011]    Disclosed embodiments describe a comb for facilitating the combing of hair. In an embodiment the comb comprises a comb body, a reservoir for storing a fluid, a plurality of teeth adapted to dispense the fluid when the reservoir is compressed. Operationally, the fluid is dispensed when the reservoir is compressed optimally while the hair is being brushed in order to effectively deliver the fluid (most likely a conditioner or detangler) where such fluids are most needed. 
         [0012]    Further embodiments describe a device for dispensing fluid while combing hair, including an elongate comb body, comprising: a backbone running the length of the comb body, the backbone comprising a top side and a bottom side, a distribution channel extending the length of the top side of the backbone; a reservoir comprised of a compressible material, in fluid communication with the distribution channel, the reservoir positioned on a top side of the comb operable to be compressed directly by a user; a plurality of teeth positioned along the backbone extending from the bottom side of the backbone in a parallel relation to one another, opposite the reservoir; and at least one aperture in fluid communication with the reservoir adapted to dispense a fluid. 
         [0013]    Further embodiments describe a comb including an aperture formed through an end of the reservoir and a removable body engaged in the aperture, dispensing holes formed through a surface on at least one of teeth wherein the teeth are substantially hollow and define a void in fluid communication with the distribution channel, wherein the reservoir and the comb body form a substantially fluid-tight seal when functionally joined. 
         [0014]    Further embodiments describe a comb wherein the dispensing holes are positioned along the interior sides of teeth, such that fluid is dispensed between teeth and/or further including apertures along the bottom surface of the backbone. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    A better understanding of the disclosed embodiments will be obtained from a reading of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings wherein identical reference characters refer to identical parts and in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of an embodiment of the comb; 
           [0017]      FIG. 1   a  is an expanded view of a portion of the comb; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a front elevated view of an embodiment of the comb; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a back elevated view of an embodiment of the comb, with the screw cap engaged; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged side elevation view of an embodiment of the teeth of the comb. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  shows an elevation view of an embodiment of a comb  10  for storing and dispensing liquid. The comb is comprised of a reservoir  20  that is adapted to store a liquid, such as hair conditioner, the reservoir is functionally attached to the comb body  30 . The reservoir is a compressible chamber adapted to release stored liquid into the comb body when compressed. In exemplary embodiments, the reservoir  20  may run substantially the length of the comb body  30 . However, in other embodiments, the reservoir  20  may only run a portion of the length of the comb body  30 , or the reservoir  20  may protrude from either end if more liquid is desired to be stored within the comb for use. Although the reservoir  20  may have any number of dimensions, in one particular embodiment, the reservoir  20  is approximately 6 inches long, 1 and ¾ inches wide and 1 ½ inches tall. 
         [0023]    Exemplary embodiments of the reservoir may be generally attached along the length the backbone  35 . The backbone of the comb body extends laterally along a length of the comb body and includes a common distribution channel  36  running along its length where the reservoir meets the backbone. As aforementioned, the reservoir  20  may be in fluid connection with at least a portion of the backbone  35 . In some embodiments, the backbone  30  may be in fluid connection along substantially the entire length and/or width of the reservoir  20 . 
         [0024]    Many materials will be known as useful for the reservoir  20 . As molding, and especially injection molding, is an effective manner of forming devices such as this, thermoplastic materials that are suitable for injection molding may be preferred. Other aspects of the design decision as to material will be influenced by further considerations, such as the desired amount of impact resistance (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers providing exemplary impact resistance), the desired flexibility of the reservoir (polypropylene providing an exemplary flexibility) or the desired amount of transparency/opacity of the material (wide amount of materials useful). As such, in some exemplary embodiments, the reservoir  20  may be fabricated from materials that are substantially clear so that an individual may be able to see the amount of liquid stored in the comb. However, in other embodiments, the reservoir may be fabricated from materials that are substantially opaque for liquids that may break down or deteriorate when exposed to sunlight or UV rays. 
         [0025]    In exemplary embodiments, a removable body  40  may be reversibly mounted to an aperture  50  to permit the insertion of liquids, such as conditioner, within the reservoir  20 . In one particular embodiment, the removable body is a screw cap that rotatably engages with threading in the aperture. In another example, a cap may be provided with an interference fit of the aperture  50  to facilitate the insertion and following storage of the liquid within the reservoir  20  during use of the comb  10 . Other conventional means for securing the removable body may be used to allow access of fluid insertion within the reservoir. Exemplary embodiments of the removable body and corresponding aperture may be positioned at different sites on the reservoir, although one example has the aperture located on the distal end of the reservoir and backbone. Additionally, in some exemplary embodiments more than one aperture and corresponding removable body may be used. 
         [0026]    As aforementioned, exemplary embodiments of the comb  10  include a backbone  30 . In exemplary embodiments, the backbone  30  is attached with the reservoir  20  by a press fit or other means of attachment. However, in other exemplary embodiments, the backbone may be integral with the reservoir. The comb body further includes a plurality of substantially parallel teeth  60  that extend from the comb body opposite the reservoir. Exemplary embodiments of the comb body include one or more apertures  32  through which the liquid stored in the in reservoir may dispense. In exemplary embodiments, the apertures may be located on the bottom face of the backbone  30  between sets of teeth that extend from the backbone  30 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 1   a  shows a view of a section of the teeth. In an embodiment the teeth may further include dispensing holes  64 . Exemplary embodiments of the dispensing holes  64  may be positioned on the internal sides of the external teeth and on both sides of the remaining teeth. Optionally, the apertures are oriented to deliver fluid between the teeth and in a direction perpendicular to the axis defined by the length of the teeth. However, in other embodiments, the dispensing holes may be positioned upwardly to inhibit the flow of the liquid during the non-use of the comb. In other exemplary embodiments, the dispensing holes may be positioned to face downwardly to promote the flow of liquid during use of the comb. The dispensing holes may be substantially round in cross-sectional area, but may also be other shapes or geometries, if desired. 
         [0028]    The size of the dispensing holes may be substantially similar or may vary, depending upon the amount of liquid desired to be dispensed at various locations on the comb. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of an embodiment of the comb. In this embodiment, the removable body  40  is fitted in an aperture  40  formed through the reservoir  20 . 
         [0030]      FIGS. 3 and 4  together show opposite ends of the comb  10  as seen from the side.  FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of the removable body  40  fitted into an aperture (not shown). In an embodiment the reservoir  20  and the comb body  30  come together to form a substantially fluid-tight seal along a length of the comb. In an embodiment, the reservoir and backbone  35  come together to define a substantially rectangular cross-section. Further, the teeth  60  have a substantially pyramidal cross-section. 
         [0031]    As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , embodiments of the comb  10  include teeth  60  which substantially define hollowed voids  62  that are in fluid communication with the distribution channel of the backbone. The hollowed cores are in fluid communication with the distribution channel of the backbone. In operation, when the reservoir is compressed, the fluid within the reservoir is forced into the common distribution channel and along the backbone. Once in the channel, the fluid will distribute among the plurality of hollow cores. The fluid may also exit the comb via the apertures  32 .  FIGS. 3-5  show that embodiments of the one or more teeth  60  may be substantially pyramidal in geometry. The pyramidal geometry may allow extra capacity of the liquid to be supplied to an individual&#39;s hair. Additionally, the pyramidal geometry may facilitate the application of the liquid by forcing a hair to contact a larger surface area of the teeth from which the liquid is dispensing during use of the comb  10 . Although exemplary embodiments are pyramidal, other embodiments of the teeth  60  may be substantially round, conical or other geometries and shapes. 
         [0032]    Many materials will be known as useful for the comb body  30  and teeth  60 . As molding, and especially injection molding, is an effective manner of forming devices such as this, thermoplastic materials that are suitable for injection molding may be preferred. Other aspects of the design decision as to material will be influenced by further considerations, such as the desired amount of impact resistance (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers providing exemplary impact resistance), the desired flexibility of the backbone and teeth (polypropylene providing an exemplary flexibility) or the desired amount of transparency/opacity of the material (wide amount of materials useful). As such, in some exemplary embodiments, the backbone and teeth may be fabricated from materials that are substantially clear so that an individual may be able to see the amount of residual liquid stored in the comb. However, in other embodiments, the backbone and teeth may be fabricated from materials that are substantially opaque for liquids that may break down or deteriorate when exposed to sunlight or UV rays. 
         [0033]    During use of the comb, a user may introduce a liquid within the reservoir by disengaging the screw cap. Once liquid is in the reservoir, an opening at the bottom surface of the backbone allows the contents within to empty. In one example, the liquid is dispensed by squeezing the reservoir laterally in the direction of the teeth when the comb is held upright and when the teeth are held downward further aided by gravity. Additionally, a user may facilitate the dispensing of the liquid by squeezing at least a portion of the reservoir to induce the dispersion of liquid from the holes of the teeth and/or the apertures of the backbone. In one example, an individual may fill the comb  10  with a form of conditioner, wherein the individual may use the comb in a shower setting. The individual may use the comb in a normal technique and only dispense conditioner whenever the individual encounters a knot or other tangle in the hair. The conditioner may aid the detangling of the hair. 
         [0034]    Having shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations and modifications may be made to affect the described invention and still be within the scope of the claimed invention. Thus, many of the elements indicated above may be altered or replaced by different elements which will provide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimed invention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by the scope of the claims.