Abstract:
A portable device for treating and grooming hair and head, the device has a reservoir for holding various treatment liquids, a flexible tube for delivery, and a brush with interchangeable hair contact means for application. The device also has a switched heater for the liquids and a switched pump for their forced delivery, along with a flow switch in the brush handle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to hair grooming devices and more specifically to a hair grooming device that applies grooming and styling liquids to hair via a brush or comb. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Prior art teaches several devices used in hair grooming, each of which differs significantly in design and application from the present invention. By way of example: 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,145,691 issued to Yates on Sep. 9, 1963 discloses a device for grooming dogs, specifically a device that includes forced air hair drying for dogs. The device does not target human use in its design or function and does not dispense liquids. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,721,250 issued to Walter et al. on Mar. 20, 1973 discloses a comb having a handle in which is situated a reservoir for water or other liquid, along with a hot air generating system for generating and blowing hot air on a user. While this device is intended for styling use, particularly style completion, it is not intended to perform the same functions as the present invention and does not have sufficient liquid storage nor the design to do so. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,889,851 issued to Kain on Jun. 17, 1975 discloses a shampoo dispensing device that mixes shampoo with incoming water. The device is not designed to utilize various hair treatments which may color, relax, or otherwise treat hair prior to or after water use, such functions being inherent in many hair treatments and styling endeavors now in use. The device is not equipped with a pump needed for dispensing various hair treatment fluids. 
   While the above-described devices fulfill their respective and particular objects and requirements, they do not describe a hair grooming device that provides for the advantages of the present invention. Therefore, a need exists for an improved hair grooming device, particularly one that includes all of the advantages of the present hair grooming device. In this respect, the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of hair grooming device now present in the prior art, the hair grooming device overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks or the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the hair grooming device, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a hair grooming device which has all of the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in an improved hair grooming device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in combination thereof. 
   To accomplish this, the present hair grooming device comprises a base and a brush connected via a delivery tube. The conveniently lightweight portable base is equipped with a carrying handle. From one end emanates the electrical power cord for plugging into any standard electrical outlet. In one embodiment, the electrical power of standard outlet voltage is utilized. In yet another embodiment, the power unit supplying power to the various functions of the invention is a transformer powered by standard electrical outlet voltage. The delivery tube exits the other end of the base and connects to the brush. The delivery tube is made of plastic tubing or the like or even surgical tubing. The brush handle is fitted with a flow switch for allowing or halting the flow of liquid from a plurality of outlet ports within and behind the bristles of the brush head. Inadvertent flow is prohibited by the spring loaded switch in the brush handle. The switch requires continuous user pressure in order to allow flow. The brush head is interchangeable with respect to a brush bristle fitting and a comb. 
   The rectangular base of the hair grooming device further comprises a reservoir for holding various liquids used in hair treatment and styling. In the preferred embodiment, the base is about 12 inches long, 4 inches wide and 4 inches high, with a small rectangular projection for delivery tube outlet that preferably rises up to 6 inches high. Other base sizes are utilized for holding less or more liquid or for providing for heavier usage. Liquids typically employed include dyes, conditioners, relaxers or any liquid preparation used for treatment or styling of hair. A further feature of a preferred embodiment is a collapsible bag that is removably inserted into the reservoir. The collapsible bag, similar to those used in some baby bottle dispensation, ensures that all liquid empties from the reservoir. The bags also provide for quick insertion of products utilized. Measurement of product utilized is also enabled by the bags. A depression exists within the top of the base for easy access to the reservoir lid. Downstream of the reservoir, within the base, the heating element that connects the reservoir to the pump, also within the base. The pump draws hair treatment liquid through the heating element and propels it through the delivery tube, then flow switch when open, and thence through the main artery of the brush handle, into the artery branches of the brush head and out the outlet ports. Treatment liquids are thereby be controlled more precisely, either by a professional or a home user. A recirculation line is provided for recirculating liquid flow back to the reservoir when the flow switch is in the off position. More even application is thereby achieved, and messes commonly made during hair treatments are diminished or negated. The reservoir is sufficiently sized to hold most treatments utilized. The heating element provides for not only more comfort but also for the warming needed in proper application of many treatments. Switches are incorporated into the base for controlling both the pump and the heating element. 
   The hair grooming device is portable, lightweight, inexpensively manufactured, and versatile. The basic design of the device provides for durability and longevity. 
   Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the hair grooming device so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
   Numerous objects, features and advantages of the hair grooming device will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the hair grooming device when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the hair grooming device in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the hair grooming device. It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   A primary object, then, of the hair grooming device is to provide for effectively and more exactly treating hair with a plurality of liquid products. 
   And, an added object of the hair grooming device is to provide a portable device that is neat, less wasteful, and that heats the liquids to be applied. 
   An added object of the hair grooming device is to provide liquid storage sufficient for most treatments utilized. 
   And, it is an object of the hair grooming device to provide interchangeable hair and head contact means. 
   These together with additional objects of the hair grooming device, along with various novel features that characterize the invention are particularly pointed out in the claims forming a part of this disclosure. For better understanding of the hair grooming device, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, refer to the accompanying drawings and description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional top view of the invention base 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional top view of the invention brush. 
       FIG. 4   a  is cross sectional view of the flow switch in the off position. 
       FIG. 4   b  is cross sectional view of the flow switch in the on position. 
       FIG. 5  is an electrical schematic flow chart. 
       FIG. 6  is a liquid flow chart. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the drawings, and in particular  FIGS. 1 through 6  thereof, the preferred embodiment of the hair grooming device employing the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference number  10  will be described. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , substantially rectangular parallelepiped base  11  of invention  10  connects to brush  12  by delivery tube  13  that passes vertically out of one end of base  11  through grommet  17 . Delivery tube  13  exits base  11  from a seamlessly connected rectangularly elevated portion of base  11 . Typical plug  61  at opposite end of base  11  connects to and powers base  11  components via electrical cord  60  passing into base  11  through grommet  17 . Handle  14  on top of base  11  provides for transport of invention  10 . Distal end of base  11 , proximal to handle  14 , houses reservoir lid  41  and access depression  42  that provide for access to lid  41 . Lid  41  provides for filling of reservoir  40  ( FIG. 2 ). On one side of base  11  is pump switch  15 . Switch  15  is disposed directly above heating element switch  16 . Delivery tube  13  enters brush handle  20  of brush  12  to supply brush head  24  which contain outlet ports  23  ( FIG. 3 ). 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4   a , reservoir  40  is filled with liquid  50 . Liquid  50  is pumped by pump  46 . Pump  46  draws liquid  50  through area of heating element  47  that substantially surrounds pump input line  44 . Pump output line  45  exits pump  46  and supplies delivery tube  13 . Excess flow of liquid  50  from pump  46  is channeled back to reservoir  40  via recirculation line  43 . From delivery tube  13 , liquid  50  passes into main artery  21  of brush handle  20 . Tube  13  is connected to main artery  21  in handle  20  via flare/crimp fitting  32 . Artery  21  continues from handle  20  into brush head  24  where artery  21  therein feeds a plurality of artery branches  22 . Each branch  22  allows liquid  50  outflow via outlet ports  23 , when flow switch  26  is opened ( FIG. 4   b ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 4   b , lever  30  of switch  26  is held open by pressure of user (not shown). Spring  27  resists opening of gate  29  until activated by user. With activation pressure on lever  30 , gate/lever pivot  28  pulls gate  29  partially out of gate channel  31 , thereby permitting flow of liquid  50  pushed by pump  46  ( FIG. 2 ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , power unit  62  provides power to pump switch  15 , which in turn provides power to pump  46 . Power unit  62  also powers heat switch  16  which in turn powers heating element  47 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , reservoir  40  holds liquid  50 . On demand from pump  46 , liquid flows through pump input line  44  through pump  46  to brush  12  via pressure on manual activation lever  30 . Pressure on lever  30  opens gate  29 . Closure of gate  29  ( FIG. 4   a ) ceases flow through brush  12  and causes return flow of liquid  50  through recirculation line  43  to reservoir  40 . 
   In use, user inserts plug  61  into standard household outlet (not shown). Lid  41  is lifted from reservoir  40  for insertion of liquid  50 . Lid  41  is returned to reservoir  40 . User then turns pump  46  on by turning switch  15 . Should heated liquid be desired, switch  16  is twisted to on position. User then applies bristles  25  of brush head  24  to head of user or receiver (not shown) by grasping and guiding brush handle  20 . Delivery tube  13  flexes appropriately to allow movement of brush  12 . By pressing against lever  30  of flow switch  26 , liquid  50  flows through main artery  21  of brush handle  20 , then through artery  21  of brush head  24  and into artery branches  22 , then out of outlet ports  23  into hair of user (not shown). Cessation of pressure on lever  30  closes gate  29  within gate channel  31 , thereby ceasing flow of liquid  50  into brush head  24 . User utilizes bristles  25  of head  24  to spread or control liquid  50  as desired. Upon completion of chosen tasks, user turns off heat at switch  16  and pump at switch  15 . Head  24  of brush  12  is rinsed as desired. Invention  10  is transported via handle  14  for transport or storage. Reservoir  40  is selectively accessed and drained via lid  41  or may remain filled or partially filled. Reservoir  40  is selectively drained and rinsed with water (not shown), if advised for a given liquid  50 . Reservoir  40  is filled with water or other solvent (not shown) for rinsing entirety of invention  10 . 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the hair grooming device, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.