Abstract:
A brush having a head with a reservoir formed therein and at least one aperture formed in the head for opening the reservoir to the exterior of the head is provided. The inventive brush also includes a plurality of bristles mounted on the head for transferring material dispensed from the reservoir through the at least one aperture in the head as the brush is drawn through human or animal hair. The inventive brush includes a refill aperture formed in the head and a cap releasably engageable with the refill aperture. The brush may also include a cover movably mounted on the head for closing an aperture in the head with the cover movable between a first position for closing the aperture, and a second position for opening the aperture.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 60/871,535, filed Dec. 22, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a brush and a combination of bristles secured to the base. 
         [0003]    Various hair care utensils have been devised for grooming, cleaning, treating, medicating and otherwise taking care of human or pet hair, including utensils such as combs and brushes. 
         [0004]    Other hair grooming utensils include various spraying devices, such as manual pump sprays, pressurized aerosol containers, etc. These utensils are employed for applying hair coloring, cleansing solutions, medicinal compositions to treat various ailments, etc. 
         [0005]    Conventional brushes have a plurality of bristles arranged in various 2-dimensional patterns. While these brushes are effective for hair grooming, they cannot apply significant quantities of a liquid or other materials. Conventional brushes are also less than desirable for applying medicinal or other treatment compositions to hair and scalp. Moreover, most conventional brushes include a plurality of bristles of the same flexibility and stiffness. This is less than advantageous since transferring a particulate material to hair and scalp requires stiff bristles to part and separate the hair, and soft bristles to capture and deposit a particulate material to the hair and scalp. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a brush for stroking hair and collecting and depositing a particulate material on hair and scalp. It is also desirable to have a brush that is capable of applying medicine, cleaning solutions and other treatment material to the hair, skin or scalp, as the brush is drawn through the hair. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Generally speaking, and in accordance with the invention, a brush having a head with a reservoir formed therein and at least one aperture formed in the head for opening the reservoir to the exterior of the head is provided. The inventive brush also includes a plurality of bristles mounted on the head for transferring material dispensed from the reservoir through the at least one aperture in the head as the brush is drawn through human or animal hair. 
         [0008]    In particular, the inventive brush includes a fill and/or refill aperture formed in the head and a cap releasably engageable with the refill aperture. The brush may also include a cover movably mounted on the head for closing an aperture in the head with the cover movable between a first position for closing the aperture, and a second position for opening the aperture. 
         [0009]    In accordance with the invention, the inventive brush includes a plurality of soft flexible bristles mounted along the head and surrounding the at least one aperture. These bristles are suitable for receiving materials that are dispensed through at least one aperture. In addition, the brush of the invention preferably includes a second group of stiffer, more rigid bristles disposed about the soft flexible bristles. In one form, the inner disposed bristles protrude beyond the height of the outer bristles. 
         [0010]    In a further embodiment, the inventive brush may include a vibration mechanism for vibrating the head in order to enhance migration of material from the reservoir to the bristles during use of the brush. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved particulate dispensing hairbrush. 
         [0012]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved hairbrush having bristles of two or more different types. 
         [0013]    Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an improved hair brush that is capable of applying medicine, cleaning solutions, powders and other treatment to the hair, the skin or scalp, as the brush is being drawn through the hair. 
         [0014]    Still other objects and advantages of the invention will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, be apparent from the following description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of the hairbrush of the invention and depicting the movable cover mounted on the brush head and disposed in a first position for closing the apertures formed along the brush head; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the hairbrush depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged elevational view showing one construction of the outer bristles of the hairbrush of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is also an enlarged elevational view showing a second construction of the outer bristles of the inventive hairbrush; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of the cover used for closing the apertures formed on the head of the inventive hairbrush; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the cover depicted in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of the hairbrush of the invention, and depicting the cover of  FIG. 1  in a second position in order to open the apertures formed along the brush head; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of the hairbrush depicted in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the inventive hair brush; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a rear elevational view of the second embodiment; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a front elevational view of the second embodiment; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a side perspective view of the second embodiment; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged perspective view, partially cut away of the brush head of the second embodiment; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment showing the various component parts. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-8  of the drawing, there is depicted a particulate dispensing hairbrush with combination bristles denoted generally by reference  10 . 
         [0031]    The brush  10  may be formed of any suitable lightweight material, preferably a plastic, with polypropylene being useable by example. The brush  10  may be formed of a single-piece, molded body  12  or of multiple pieces joined together by adhesive, double shot molding, heat or sonic welding, etc. 
         [0032]    By way of example only, the body  12  includes a handle  14  with elongated shaft  16  extending from a first outer end  18  to a second end  20 . An aperture  22  may be formed in the shaft  16  adjacent the first end  18  to provide a convenient means for supporting the brush on a hook or other surface when not in use. 
         [0033]    The shaft  16  is provided in a convenient hand grip size and may optionally be provided with ergonomic surfaces  24 , such as soft, flexible ribs, which extend along some or substantially all of the exterior surface of the shaft  16 . 
         [0034]    The body  12  of the brush  10  also includes a head  30  which may be integrally joined to the shaft  16 . The head  30  has a generally cubical, hollow shape, with the illustrated rectangular shape being by way of example only. The head  30  has a first end  32  and an opposed second end  34 . The second end  34  of the head  30  is joined to the second end  20  of the shaft  16  of the handle  14  by a connector  36 . 
         [0035]    The head  30  is formed with a hollow interior chamber or reservoir  38  which opens to an aperture  40  at the first end  32  of the head  30 . The aperture  40  is releasably closable by a cap  42 . 
         [0036]    The cap  42  may be affixed to the first end  32  of the head  30  by a snap-on, friction fit, a threaded connection, etc. 
         [0037]    Dispensable materials, i.e., particulate solids, such as powder, or even fluid materials, may be introduced into the reservoir  38  in the head  30  through the aperture  40 . 
         [0038]    At least one aperture, with two pairs of spaced apertures  44  being shown by way of example only, are formed in one major surface of the head  30 . The apertures  44  open to the reservoir  38  to allow transfer or migration of the material contained within the reservoir  38  through the apertures  44  and onto the bristles mounted on the head  30  as described hereafter for dispensing to human or pet hair. 
         [0039]    A cover  50  is in the form of an elongated, generally flat rod having a first end  52  and an opposed second end  54 . The second end  54  is enlarged, such as by a bent flange  58 , to provide a finger engageable edge for moving the cover  50  between a first position shown in  FIG. 1  wherein apertures  56 , which are provided in substantially the same size and the same number as the aperture(s)  44  in the head  30 , are spaced from the apertures  44  in the head  30  by solid portions of the cover  50  to close off the apertures  44  to the transfer of the material within the reservoir  38  to the bristles on the head  30  and a second position, shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , wherein the apertures  56  in the cover  50  are aligned with the apertures  44  and the head  30  allowing dispending of material from the reservoir  38  to the brush bristles. 
         [0040]    The cover  50  may be mounted interiorally or exteriorally on the major surface  31  of the head  30  and may slide within a groove formed in the major surface  31  of the head  30 . The groove  60  slidably captures the cover  50  in the head  30 . 
         [0041]    A plurality of bristles are mounted on the major surface  31  of the head  30 . Although all of the bristles can be of the same type of material and substantially the same height, by way of example only, a first group of bristles  70  are fixedly mounted on the major surface  31  of the head  30  by suitable mounting means, such as molding in the major surface  31 , adhesive, staples, etc. The first group of bristles  70  may be formed of soft, densely arranged, boars hair bristles. A second group of bristles  74  are arranged about substantially the entire outer periphery of the first group of bristles  70 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 . The bristles  74  forming the second outer peripheral group of bristles generally have a more rigid construction that the softer bristles  70  in the first group of bristles  70 . 
         [0042]    The outer peripheral bristles  74 , which are illustrated as being disposed only along the two longitudinal sides of the inner bristles  70 , may comprise individual, flexible nylon or polypropylene bristles which are joined by means of molding, hooking or other fastening means such as molding to the major surface  31  of the head  30 . The bristles  74 , as shown in detail in  FIG. 4 , have a shaft  76 , a spherical ball-shaped end  78 , and an attachment end  80  which is illustrated by example only as being in the form of a bent hook for mounting in the first major surface  31  of the head  30 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  depicts an alternate construction for the outer bristles in which the outer bristles are formed of clumps or groups  84  of a plurality of flexible plastic, such as nylon, bristles. The bristles  84  are flexible, but more rigid than the inner disposed, softer bristles  70 . 
         [0044]    Although not shown, the outer bristles may also be formed of metal, joined at one end to the head  30  for used with brushing pet undercoats. The height of the inner bristles  70  may be of the same height as the outer peripheral bristles  74 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 8 , the outer peripheral bristles  74  may also be provided in different heights, one set of which may be of the same height as the inner bristle  70  or both sets may be shorter in height than the overall height of the inner bristles  70 . 
         [0045]    In use, the brush  10  may be used as a conventional brush on human or pet hair or undercoats when the cover  50  is in the first closed position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The more rigid outer peripheral bristles  74 ,  84 , etc., gently stroke hair, and, in particular, braids, without detangling or untwisting the braids. In loose, unbraided or untied hair, the outer peripheral bristles separate and detangle the hair as the brush  10  is drawn through the hair in a sideways direction of the brush  10 . That is, the brush  10  is urged through human or pet hair or pet undercoats in a sideways motion from left to right or right to left in the brush orientation shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0046]    When it is desired to dispense the particulate or other material stored in the reservoir  38 , the cover  50  is urged to the second open position. While the brush  10  is moved through the human or pet hair or pet undercoat, gravity causes the particulate material or other material stored within the reservoir  38  in to migrate or transfer from the reservoir  38  to the soft, inner bristles  70  and then onto the human or pet hair. 
         [0047]    The brush  10  may be vibrated by shaking the brush during each brushing stroke to promote or enhance migration of material from the reservoir  38  to the inner bristles  70 . Alternately, a vibratory means, such as a small battery powered motor, may be mounted in the brush  10 , such as in the handle  14 , to provide vibration of the head  30  during brush strokes. 
         [0048]    It is also contemplated that the brush  10  may be constructed without the slidable cover  50 . In this aspect, the apertures  44  in head  30  remain open at all times. Due to the slightly clinging nature of powder or other particulate material typically applied to human hair, or pet hair or fur, while a small amount of the particulate material may migrate from the interior reservoir  38  through the apertures  44  onto the bristles  70  when the major surface  31  is oriented in a downward facing position, substantial transfer of the particulate material is achieved during a brush stroke by means of vibration, i.e., by either manual shaking of the brush or a motor aided vibration as described above. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 9-14  of the drawings, there is depicted a second embodiment of a particulate dispensing hairbrush with combination bristles denoted generally by reference  110 . 
         [0050]    Brush  110  may also be formed of any suitable lightweight material, preferably a plastic, with polypropylene being useable by example. Brush  110  may be formed of a single-piece, molded body  112  or of multiple pieces joined together by adhesive, double shot molding, heat or sonic welding, etc. 
         [0051]    Body  112  includes a handle  114  with an aperture  122  which may be formed in handle  114  adjacent to one end to provide a convenient means for supporting the brush on a hook or other surface when not in use. 
         [0052]    Handle  114  is provided with an over-grip having an ergonomic surface  124 , such as soft, flexible ribs, which extend along some or substantially all of the exterior surface of handle  114 . 
         [0053]    Body  112  of the brush  110  also includes a head  130  which is joined to handle  114 . Head  130  includes a top  144  and a bottom  146  and has a first end and an opposed second end. The second end of the head  130  is joined to the other end of handle  114  by means of fingers  148   a ,  148   b  extending from top  144  and bottom  146 , respectively. 
         [0054]    Head  130  is formed with a hollow interior chamber or reservoir  138  (defined by reservoir top  154  and reservoir bottom  156 ) which opens to an access aperture at the end of the head  130  (see  FIGS. 13 and 14 ). The aperture is releasably closable by a cap  142 . 
         [0055]    As in the first embodiment, dispensable materials, i.e., particulate solids, such as powder, or even fluid materials, may be introduced into reservoir  138  in head  130  through the aperture. 
         [0056]    Apertures  151  are shown in  FIG. 11  along one surface of the head  130 . Apertures  151  open to reservoir  138  to allow transfer or migration of the material contained within the reservoir  138  through the apertures  151  and onto the bristles mounted on the head  130 , as described hereafter, for dispensing to human or pet hair. 
         [0057]    A plurality of bristles are mounted along said one surface of the head  130 . Particularly, a first group of bristles (not shown) may be fixedly mounted along the surface of head  130  at location  161  comprising soft, densely arranged, boar or horse hair bristles. A second group of bristles  141  are arranged about substantially the entire outer periphery of location  161 . Bristles  141  forming the second outer peripheral group of bristles are typically made of a plastic material and generally have a more rigid construction than the softer bristles of the first group. 
         [0058]    In use, brush  110  may be used as a conventional brush on human or pet hair or undercoats. As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a load dial  131  is provided along the neck region of head  130  in order to turn a shaft  133  to which the load dial is connected, which subsequently turns a load dial fin  135  connected to shaft  133  and located within brush head  130 . When fin  135  turns or moves, it engages and depresses an internal piston/plunger unit  137 . Piston/plunger unit  137  includes a plurality of pistons  139  and urges the material held in reservoir  138  through apertures  151  where the material is ultimately trapped by the soft, densely arranged horse or boar hair bristles for subsequent transfer. Piston/plunger unit  137  then springs back into its original position (by means of springs  159 ) so that it is ready for additional dispensing of said material. 
         [0059]    When it is desired to dispense the particulate or other material stored in the reservoir  138 , brush  110  is moved through the human or pet hair or pet undercoat, with gravity causing the particulate or other material stored within reservoir  138  to migrate or transfer from reservoir  138  to the brush and then onto the human or pet hair.