Abstract:
The present invention relates to a pet brush cleaning system and method for using the same. The system provides at least a first bristle-contact surface for aiding the removal of strands, fibers, or filaments from entraining bristle members on a pet brush. An alternative construction involves a readily transportable brush cleaning kit incorporating a region for storing a pet brush and a removed-pet-hair retaining region that readily facilitates the use of multiple pet-brush cleanings proximate the bristle-contact surface and prevents the detrimental build-up of removed hair during repeated use.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE AND RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/823,106 filed Aug. 22, 2006 (pending), the entire contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0002]    This application relates to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/733,833, filed Nov. 7, 2005 (now abandoned), the contents of which are incorporated herein fully by reference. This application also relates to earlier U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,633, to Patsy Ogden, present applicant, entitled “Pet Brush with Hair Removal Feature”, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates to a system and method for cleaning a brush. In particular, the present invention relates to a pet brush cleaning system and method for employing the same. More specifically, it relates to a method and system that provide improved and efficient removal of hair from a pet brush. Further, in a preferred embodiment, a brush cleaning kit is provided for storing and transporting the same. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    The related art involves a plurality of pet brushes conventionally incorporating a single handle and a bristle head. The bristle heads are frequently of a generally rectangular shape and incorporate a plurality of metal bristles projecting therefrom on a common side. 
         [0007]    While many of the brush-bristles represented in the conventional arts are shown as straight place-holding bristle members this illustration is used merely to illustrate as a more complex feature. In fact, a common implementation process that is visible throughout the world of conventional pet-brush bristles involves the use of bent-metal brush bristles. Common conventional bristles are constructed of metal or stiff polymeric materials and importantly frequently incorporate a bend point or joint at approximately one-third of its exposed bristle-length. This bend angle is commonly 5-25 degrees off the linear bristle-axle and acts to more easily allow a user to apply a variable angle of brush-attack relative to the coat and skin of a pet throughout a brushing motion, thereby improving hair removal from the pet and minimizing pet-skin discomfort. As a consequence, those of skill in the art will recognize that conventional pet brush bristles may be shown at any angle from 180 degrees (linear) to roughly 145 degrees (45 degrees off linear). 
         [0008]    One example of a conventionally known pet brush construction is found in Applicant&#39;s earlier U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,633, to Ogden, entitled “Pet Brush with Hair Removal Feature”. Here, the pet removal feature involves a mechanical stripper-plate movable along the length of the bristles. As noted from the &#39;633 Ogden disclosure, a wide variety of previously known brush cleaning systems exist that are principally based on a hand-held pet brush. These types of brush-based cleaning systems involve some form of bristle shield or movable bristle guard that slides along the length of one or more bristles during a stripping-use. 
         [0009]    As also noted in U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,633, an additional feature on many related pet brushes is some form of broadly describable bristle-length adjustment feature, wherein the feature effectively adjusts the length of usable bristle for the brush. Such conventional bristle-length adjustment features allow a user to employ a single or common pet brush with a variety of pet-hair lengths without having to purchase several individually sized pet brushes. Unfortunately, to date none of these earlier proposed bristle-length features have been operably successful or commercially successful and the industry awaits a solution. 
         [0010]    However, what is not appreciated by any of the previously hair removal features or constructions known in the conventional art is the need for a hair-removal system or kit that is readily adaptable to all forms of pet brush forms and which functions differently then the sliding stripper-plate embodiments in the related art. 
         [0011]    What is also not appreciated by the conventional arts is the need for a brush cleaning system that is not incorporated into a known pet brush, thereby allowing a user combine the presently-proposed system with currently-owned pet products of varying manufacturers and varying designs for maximum user convenience. 
         [0012]    Accordingly, there is a need for an improved brush cleaning system and method for operating the same in an effort to overcome at least one of the detriments noted above. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    A proposed goal of the present invention is to provide a brush cleaning method and system for operating the same that overcomes at least one of the detriments noted above. 
         [0014]    Another desire of the present invention is to provide a brush cleaning system that is readily adapted for use with conventional pet brushes and removes pet hear swiftly and completely in a single removal-stroke. 
         [0015]    Another desire of the present invention is to provide a brush cleaning kit that is inexpensive to construct, readily transportable, and easily storable in a reasonably convenient or small size while allowing for the temporary storage of pet hair removed from a pet brush, thereby allowing multiple brush-cleanings in a pet-grooming cycle without having to take multiple trips to a pet-hair waste receptacle. 
         [0016]    Another desire of the present invention is to provide a brush cleaning system and kit that may be inexpensively constructed and incorporate variable brush-angle design features enabling use with a variety of pet-brush bristles. 
         [0017]    The present relates to a pet brush cleaning system and method for using the same. The system provides at least a first bristle-contact surface for aiding the removal of strands, fibers, or filaments from entraining bristle members on a pet brush. An alternative construction involves a readily transportable brush cleaning kit incorporating a region for storing a pet brush and a removed-pet-hair retaining region that readily facilitates the use of multiple pet-brush cleanings proximate the bristle-contact surface and prevents the detrimental build-up of removed hair during repeated use. 
         [0018]    According to an object of the present invention there is provided a system, for aiding the separation of hair or fur fibers from a plurality of entraining members (brush bristles), the system comprising: contact surface means for engaging at least end segments of the entraining members proximate the fibers, means for deflecting the entraining members relative to the contact surface means, thereby contacting at least portions of the fibers onto the contact surface during a use, means for moving the end segments along at least a portion of the contact surface means during the use, and the contact surface means being elastomericlly resilient, whereby during the use the fibers frictionally engage the resilient and elastomeric contact surface means during the deflection and slide along the entraining members and off the end portions, thereby separating the fibers from the entraining members. 
         [0019]    According to another object of the present invention, there is provided a system, wherein: the contact surface means for engaging includes at least one of a smooth elastomeric surface and an elastomeric protuberant surface. 
         [0020]    According to another object of the present invention, there is provided a system, wherein: the contact surface means for engaging includes the protuberant surface and a corresponding plurality of protuberances, and the plurality of protuberances being at least ones of regular and irregular protuberances. 
         [0021]    According to another object of the present invention, there is provided a system, wherein: the plurality of protuberances decrease a contacting angle between respective the end segments and the contact surface during a contact incidence, thereby improving the frictional contact engagement between the respective fibers and the contact surface means. 
         [0022]    According to another object of the present invention, there is provided a system, wherein: the contact surface means is at least one of a substantially planar surface and a surface including at least one curve. 
         [0023]    According to another object of the present invention, there is provided a system, wherein: the contact surface includes at least one curve, wherein during the use the curve decrease an contact angle defined between the end segments and the contact surface, thereby improving the frictional engagement between the respective fibers and the contact surface means. 
         [0024]    According to another object of the present invention, there is provided a system, further comprising: means for positionally securing the contact surface relative to an external support surface, whereby the system enables a user to secure the contact surface in a convenient location prior to the use. 
         [0025]    According to another object of the present invention, there is provided a system, wherein: the means for positionally securing further comprises: at least one of a suction cup means, a leg-based stabilization means, and means for securing the system proximate a rim of a receptacle for receiving the fibers removed from the entraining members following the use. 
         [0026]    According to another object of the present invention, there is provided a system, wherein: the contact surface means for engaging is positioned on a support member, a handle projecting away from the support member, whereby the handle enables an external user to readily position the contact surface means for an advantageous use. 
         [0027]    According to another object of the present invention, there is provided a system, further comprising: a hairbrush element. 
         [0028]    According to another object of the present invention, there is provided a system, further comprising: a body, a plurality of entrailing/raining members supported by the body and a second handle supported by the body, a cleaning element means including a plurality of openings positioned relative to the entrailing/brustles and a tongue supported by the plate and disposed within the handle of the body, and a control element engaged with the tongue of the cleaning element and mounted with sliding movement along the handle. 
         [0029]    According to another object of the present invention, there is provided a system, further including: releasable affixing means for securely fixing the hair brush element proximate the handle. 
         [0030]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conduction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present brush cleaning system. 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 2A  is a partial cross-sectional view of  FIG. 2  along section line  2 A- 2 A. 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is a front plan view of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is a first perspective view of an alternative construction of the presently proposed brush cleaning system with a hair disposal member detachably affixed thereto. 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is a second proposed view of the alternative embodiment noted in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 5A  is a simplified side-view of the alternative constructions in  FIGS. 4 and 5  noting a direction of brushing. 
           [0038]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of an alternative brush cleaning kit having multiple portions with a hair brush and a sealing retaining cover door. 
           [0039]      FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C are side views of a brush motion along arrow A in  FIG. 5A  showing the bristle engagement with the elastomeric surface. 
           [0040]      FIG. 7  is a cut-away side view of the kit shown in  FIG. 5  incorporating a height adjustment mechanism. 
           [0041]      FIG. 7A  is a bottom view of  FIG. 7  noting alternative engagement points for a height adjustment mechanism. 
           [0042]      FIG. 7B  is a partial exploded view of a second alternative height adjustment mechanism showing leg engagement portions. 
           [0043]      FIG. 7C  is a view of a third alternative height adjustment mechanism. 
           [0044]      FIG. 8  is another alternative construction of the present invention wherein a contact surface is positioned on a hand held member. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0045]    Reference will now be made in detail to several alternative constructions of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale or shape. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as top, bottom, up, down, over, above, and below may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. Furthermore, the words “connect,” “couple,” and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes do not necessarily denote direct and immediate connections, but also include connections through mediate elements or devices. 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a brush cleaning system  100  includes at least a first brush contact surface  102  and a preferred contact surface support member  101  spacing the contact surface  102  from an external support surface such as a table top or bench top. 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , contact surface  102  includes a relatively higher contact surface portion  102 B and a relatively lower contact surface portion  102  spaced apart by a sloped or undulating region  103 . Those of skill in the art of designing consumer products shall recognize that while the particular embodiment shown in brush cleaning system  100  includes an undulating brush contact surface  102 , nothing herein shall prohibit brush contact surface  102  from following any geometric form, including; a generally planar form, a generally concave or convex form, and a generally undulating or waved form, the shown “saw-toothed” form in  FIGS. 6A-6C , and any non-uniform and uniform variant thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0048]    Support member  101  includes, in this preferred embodiment, a continuous boarder member  105  that incorporates a sloped region  104  proximate an edge of contact surface  102  to prevent unintended catching of brush bristles or entraining members, as will be discussed. 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  2 A, and  3 , it will be recognized that the preferred contact surface  102  has a thickness and contains a plurality of ridge members  102 A′ arrayed cross a width direction. As shown, ridge members  102 A′ are a series of angles having a top point and inter-connecting valleys. The present system positions respective ridge member top points just below a top level of boarder member  105  to provide a pleasing appearance. 
         [0050]    A plurality of support legs  106  space support member  101  from the external support surface and may incorporate a series of additional gripping members (not shown) such as pointed pin members to positively engage a support surface or suction-cups enabling engagement with a smooth support surface. 
         [0051]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , an adaptive brush cleaning system  110  incorporates optionally a curved or undulating contact surface  100 A and a flat contact surface  100 AB. Attendant to contact surfaces  100 A,  100 AB, at one end thereof is a waste receiving member  100 B shown as a supporting outer frame  111  for supporting an external bag or pouch member  112  for receiving waste hair and materials removed from an external pent brush. 
         [0052]    As see most clearly in  FIGS. 4 and 5A , waste receiving member  100 B with pouch or bag  112  is fixed to an end of a brush cleaning member  110  and contact surface  100 A. During a use of brush cleaning system  110 , a user moves a pet brush along direction arrow A toward external bag  112  and in this process contacts bristles of the external brush with ridges  102 A′ thereby removing hair and depositing the same in bag  112 . A snap fit female member  113  projecting from an end of each respective contact surface  100 A,  100 AB receives a male member  114  in a snap-fit engagement allowing sturdy support of outer frame  111  during a use. 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6 ,  6 A,  6 B, and  6 C, a brush cleaning kit  150  includes a contact surface  154 , shown sloped relative to a contact surface support or container  152  although alternative positions are envisioned including parallel to the support or container surface  152 . A brush  153  is provided with a handle and a plurality of bent-metal bristles or filaments, and may be of constructions known to the pet-brush industry. An optional lid or cover  151  is removably-engageable or pivotable with container  152  to secure brush  153  within a spent-hair receiving region  156  when kit  150  is not in use. 
         [0054]    As seen in series, from  FIGS. 6A-6C , as brush  153  contacts the contact surface  154 , bristles or hair entraining members  155  including bent portions  156  contact respective protuberances or ridges on contact surface  154  shaped in any manner depending upon a manufacturer&#39;s desired deflection for contacting and retaining pet hair or fibers  160 . As shown the undulations will cause, upon bristle deflection, the bristle length end member  156  to become approximately parallel to the contact surface plane, thereby improving hair stripping. Additionally, since the present invention recognizes that hair (animal and human) contains a series of growth rings and outwardly apparent rough surfaces, the contact surface is desirably softer (has a hardness lower) than the hardness of the hair, so as to allow the rough hair surface itself to grip the contact surface. As a result, it is essential to understand that the contact surface must be softer or have a hardness less than that of the elemental hair surface itself so as to allow engagement (gripping) between the hair and the surface. 
         [0055]    As shown, contact surface  154  is constructed from a preferred elastomeric material have an elastic response to contact, such as neoprene, SBR, PVC etc. or any other suitable formulation, composition, or material known to those of skill in the art and suitable for the purposes identified herein. During operation, it is shown that a single pass is necessary to separate fibers  160  from bristles  155  and this is reflective of the inventor&#39;s common experience employing the kit. For example, as seen in  FIGS. 6A-6C , such a single-pass collection flow is discussed. 
         [0056]    In detailed operation, as bent portions  156  first contact the contact surface  154  under pressure, they deflect inversely to the direction of travel (direction A) and the brush head member (shown but not numbered) and generally begin to approach a parallel orientation with the contact surface depending upon the pressure applied and the particular head/handle orientation. The deflection of bent portions  156  generally brings hair entrained within bristles  155  into contact with portions of contact surface  154  and, contact surface  154  being an elastomeric surface, the contact surface elastically deforms (slightly) to “grip” the entrained hair due to it&#39;s roughness and pull it from entraining members  155 . The protuberances in the preferred embodiment shown, are not required for operation of the present invention but provide an enhancement of the hair-removal function beyond that provided by a smooth elastomeric surface. Each protuberance, undulation, or design (saw-tooth undulation or protuberances shown only shown in the figs) of the contact surface, due to their respective relative shapes, functions to enhance (reduce or increase based on the respective design) the contact angle between the protuberance and each bent portion  156  of bristles  155  at the point of contact. For example, the saw-tooth protuberances shown bend each bristle so that it is nearly parallel (180 degrees) with the top of each saw-tooth, yet as the bristles move between saw-teeth this angle varies between 0 degrees and 180 degrees allowing multiple gripping chances for each hair and each bristle. While employing a smooth contact surface the contact angle would be more consistent (for example at a 45 degree angle). Thus applicant employs the phrase enhancement to note the enhanced ability to contact hair on each bristle during the sweeping motion along direction A. 
         [0057]    With the enhancement of the contact angle, a greater quantity of hair is gripped (and removed), and a greater griping function is provided as a larger contact surface is provided to elastomerically receive each bent portion surface area during the motion. As a consequence of such constructions involving ridges or protuberances relative to the direction of motion brush cleaning, namely removal of hair from entraining members  155 , is improved. 
         [0058]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7 ,  7 A,  7 B, and  7 C, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is provided employing kit assembly  150  with internal contact surface  154  for flexibly engaging bristles  154 . As can be seen, a height or angle adjustment system  171  includes a series of engagement or receiving slots or fingers  174  projecting from a bottom region of assembly  150  for engaging a respective engagement member  175  having a “T-shaped” end. Engagement member  175  is pivotally engaged with a first leg member  173  and a safety or reserve leg member  172  is similarly pivotally engaged thereof. During use, a user may select a height adjustment by positioning engagement member  175  in a respective slot or finger  174 . 
         [0059]    An alternative embodiment of adjustment system  171  is shown including a removable engagement member  175  and a separable leg member  173 A, allowing kit assembly  150  to assume a contact shape for traveling and allowing a user to securely store adjustment system  171  within kit  150  during transport. In a further alternative embodiment, a simple pivot leg member  172 A pivots downward from a rear end of kit  150  opposite a front foot member  170  thereby also establishing a tilt angle for kit  150  during a use. 
         [0060]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an alternative construction of the present invention involves an alternative configuration  104 A having an easy-grip configuration typified by a paddle or hand mirror shape with a handle portion  100 A′ and a head portion  101 A, wherein a contact surface  103 A is positioned on head portion  101 A as shown. 
         [0061]    In the configuration  104 A, the specified shape provides a convenient portability and utility. Whereas the earlier-discussed alternative constructions operate relative to a support surface such as a table, the present configuration in  FIG. 8  allows users to orient contact surface  103 A via handle  100 A′ to any convenient angle for use. As a consequence, users with disabilities, of differing heights and differing ranges of motion, may utilize the convenience provided by the present invention. 
         [0062]    As discussed herein, the present invention provides a plurality of adaptive variables that a manufacturer may incorporate in a design without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. These variables include:
       (a) A contact surface that is flat or incorporates protuberances, undulations, or other waves to improve hair or filament engagement.   (b) A contact surface plane that is optionally flat or incorporates one or more undulations allowing variable hair-separation angles relative to a brush bristle throughout a hair-removal stroke. For example the contact surface in  FIG. 8  is flat (and has protuberances), while the contact surface in  FIG. 1  has an undulation (a curve) and also has a number of protuberances.   (c) A kit assembly providing a contact surface or hair removal surface and a receptacle for catching hair removed from brush bristles.   (d) A system for varying a tilt-angle of a contact surface relative to a support surface.   (e) A system for affixing a contact surface relative to the rim or edge of an external waist receptacle, thereby allowing a completed brush-stroke to remove hair and providing for the gravitational fall of the removed hair into the external waist receptacle.   (f) A system incorporating a lid, a contact surface, and a brush holding region, whereby a completed hair removal kit may be readily stored in a sealed condition preventing removed-hair loss and simple storage of at least one conventional hair removal brush.       
 
         [0069]    Those of skill in the art should similarly recognize that the use of the phrase “elastomeric” or “elasticity” should be interpreted broadly here to mean any item, surface, property, parameter or element having a measure of resilience, common to but not restricted to various polymers having the elastic properties of rubber, the measure of resilience allowing the item to return to an original or substantially state from a deformed state. 
         [0070]    Additionally, as employed herein, elastomeric shall also describe a surface (wither rigid or possessing a measure of elasticity and in any shape) as having a coefficient of friction sufficient to engage a respective surface of a filament, strand, fiber, or hair and enable it&#39;s speedy removal from an entraining, entrailing, or engaging bristle or restraining member. As a representative example then, even a flat and a rigid surface may provide a sufficiently “gripping” coefficient of friction to frictionally engage and or grip a fiber or hair on a passing bristle and aid their removal therefrom, such that as used herein this surface can be described as elastomeric. As a further detail, those of skill in the art will recognize that the use of the phrases entraining, entailing, and engaging members refer broadly to the interference between a filament, strand, fiber, or hair etc. and a respective series of bristles, darts, fingers, elements, prickles, prongs, quills, shafts, spikes, spurs, or other member extending from a support surface for similar fiber-engagement purposes. 
         [0071]    Those of skill in the art should recognized that as used herein, the phrase protuberance, in the singular or plural tense indicates the occurrence of some element, such as a bulge, knob, swelling, ridge, undulation, bend, bow, or other element that protrudes relative to a reference position or surface, wherein the reference surface itself may be either planar (flat) or curved (rounded or sloped). Thus, as an example, the curved surface of a golf ball contains protuberances from rounded outer surfaces, wherein the protuberances are represented by the plurality of interconnecting ridges separating the hemispherical depressions. In a similar manner, the outer curved surface of a basketball may have a plurality of extending bumps extending to improve a user&#39;s handgrip. In this manner, the surfaces of both the golf ball and the basketball may be described as protuberant surfaces, meaning a surface containing protuberances. 
         [0072]    Additionally, as employed herein the phrase undulation or undulating should be interpreted broadly to encompass all common used meanings without restriction, referring to but not limited to (1) a regular or irregular rising and falling of a surface relative to a reference position, (2) a wavelike form, outline, or appearance wherein the wave shapes have occurrence but no restriction or required regularity, or (3) one of a series of waves or wavelike segments that may or may not have a common shape or profile but contain nadir&#39;s and apexes. 
         [0073]    Finally, while the alternative constructions discussed herein employ the use of hair—animal or human—and the removal of hair from bristles of a brush, the invention herein is not restricted to the same, but may be and should be understood broadly to be a system or apparatus to ease the removal of any strand, fiber, or filament from an entraining, engaging, or entrailing member. As a consequence, the present invention may be useful in many areas of industry involving the manufacture, use, or manipulation of such fibers, filaments, or strands. 
         [0074]    In the claims, means- or step-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described or suggested herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, for example, although a nail, a screw, and a bolt may not be structural equivalents in that a nail relies on friction between a wooden part and a cylindrical surface, a screw&#39;s helical surface positively engages the wooden part, and a bolt&#39;s head and nut compress opposite sides of a wooden part, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail, a screw, and a bolt may be readily understood by those skilled in the art as equivalent structures. 
         [0075]    Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise alternative constructions, and that various changes, modifications, and adaptations may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.