Abstract:
An shaving brush is provided having synthetic bristles arranged in a tuft, the bristles having the appearance, texture and feel of badger fur and antibacterial properties. The bristles may be attached at a first end to a ferrule. Advantageously, a shaving brush according to the present invention features improved durability and hygienics while maintaining the appearance of genuine badger fur.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to brushes and, more particularly, to applicator brushes with natural-looking bristles that provide improved hygienic application of skin products, such as shaving cream. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Brushes made with natural and/or synthetic bristles are used for a variety of activities involving the application of various products and substances. Specially designed brushes may be employed where specific control is needed during application of e.g., cosmetic/hygienic substances and materials. In the cosmetics industry, bristles which comprise or resemble genuine beaver, badger, mink, etc. are highly valued. However, many of such animals are protected species, and thus their furs are not legally or commercially obtainable. 
         [0003]    There are numerous cosmetic and/or hygienic substances and materials provided in an array of forms designed for application to various surfaces, especially human skin. Regardless of the form of a cosmetic/hygienic material, e.g., whether in liquid, semi-liquid or solid forms, a primary object involves achieving application of the desired product(s) in a specific amount and at a particular location. 
         [0004]    Brushes having specialized forms for facilitating certain applicator effects have been introduced. For example, a brush having pillared bristles is disclosed in U.S. Published Application 200410003478 that is designed for use with a stencil mask as a fabric paintbrush or as an artist&#39;s paintbrush. Brushes having angular tips have also been introduced, e.g., to facilitate various artistic and coverage effects and designs. 
         [0005]    However, such brushes are generally limited in their long-term use as applicators, especially, e.g., with respect to the application of wet products (liquid or semi-solid substances). For example, repeated contact with liquid or semi-solid materials and skin over time may create an ideal environment in the bristles of such brushes for the harboring and proliferation of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses and/or fungi. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, a brush, in particular, an applicator brush for providing improved hygienic application of a variety of products, especially wet products, is highly desirable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides an improved applicator brush instrument having bristles which resemble genuine natural fibers (e.g., badger fur) yet are fully antimicrobial and configured for use in a shaving brush The bristles may be arranged in any formation (e.g., in a substantially cylindrical formation and secured at a first end via a cylindrical unitary ferrule or bushing). Advantageously, a brush according to the present invention provides improved hygienic qualities and durability via bristles having antimicrobial properties imparted therein. Furthermore, a brush according to the present invention has the texture, feel and appearance of costly and difficult-to-acquire badger fur, yet is comprised of synthetic materials. 
         [0008]    The bristles of a brush head according to an aspect of the present invention may be comprised of a single or multiple lengths and proportions and arranged and distributed in a tuft having any desired density. Accordingly, maximum take-up and effective application of various substances, while optimizing hygienic properties of the brush head, is facilitated. 
         [0009]    According to one aspect, a shaving brush is provided comprising synthetic bristles arranged in a tuft, the bristles having the appearance, texture and feel of badger fur and antibacterial properties. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect, a method of providing and using a shaving brush is provided comprising the steps of providing a tuft comprised of synthetic bristles having the appearance, texture and feel of badger fur and antimicrobial properties, providing alternating light and dark colored areas along the tuft, contacting the bristle arrangement with at least one of water and shaving cream and contacting the bristle arrangement to the human skin. 
         [0011]    These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described or become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a brush head according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a front view of a brush head  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. A tuft  102  according to one aspect of the present invention is comprised of a plurality of bristles  101  having a first end secured to a ferrule or bushing  107 . A second end of the bristles may be caused to terminate at or near a substantially hemispherical plane to form a rounded head, e.g., as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0014]    The tuft  102  may be of any shape and size, though in one exemplary embodiment (as shown) is preferably generally cylindrical in shape when secured to the ferrule  107 . In one embodiment, the bristles  101 , though collectively forming a generally rounded head profile, can be non-uniform in length (e.g., comprised of varied lengths, some bristles being longer or shorter than others). For example, the bristle ends may be configured to terminate in a plurality of planes which collectively follow a curved plane or outline. 
         [0015]    In one exemplary embodiment, the ferrule  107  according to the present invention may be integrated with and comprise a handle for a user to grasp and manipulate the brush  100 . The ferrule/handle  107  may be comprised of any material(s) in any shape, length, diameter, etc., and e.g., may be tapered and/or ergonomically shaped to facilitate grip, balance and ease of use. The handle/ferrule  107  and tuft  102  may preferably share a common central axis. The bristles may be secured to the ferrule  107  in any suitable manner, for example, by being potted in epoxy. The tuft  107  may be provided in any length, as per the desired application (e.g., shaving brush, makeup applicator brush, etc.). By way of non-limiting examples, the handle can be of any shape and can be made from wood, plastic, synthetic materials, natural materials, acrylic, or any other material that is suitable for forming a brush handle. 
         [0016]    The bristles  101  preferably comprise synthetic fibers (e.g., extruded thermoplastic materials), which are formed to resemble natural fibers, in particular, badger fur. The bristles  101  are preferably shaded to exhibit lighter and darker areas in succession along the length of the tuft. For example, tuft  102  may be comprised of lighter areas  103  with a darker area  105  in between or vice versa. 
         [0017]    In a preferred embodiment, the bristles  101  are treated to impart antimicrobial characteristics therein; that is, the bristles  101  may comprise, e.g., synthetic bristles treated or impregnated with an antimicrobial agent or compound, such as silver in colloidal form, sulphur, or various chemicals. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,108,847 to Microban Products Company, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. Exemplary thermoplastic materials include polypropylene, styrene, polystyrene, polyethylene, ABS, PVC, PBT, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyester, polyurethane, etc. Thermoset plastics may also be used. 
         [0018]    The thickness of each individual bristle  101  may comprise any desired amount or be within any desired range. A number of bristles in tuft  102  of the brush  100  may be any amount so as to meet any desired tuft bristle density. For example, a blend of bristles having different diameters may be incorporated. 
         [0019]    It is to be noted that a ferrule  107  according to the present invention may comprise any diameter in accordance with various desired brush sizes. Depending on the diameter of the ferrule  107  more or less bristles may be provided to preferably at least meet the above-disclosed minimum bristle density. 
         [0020]    The present invention advantageously provides a new use of synthetic bristles, namely providing a brush adapted for use as a shaving brush having a bristle arrangement preferably in an alternating shaded pattern which mimics the texture, feel and appearance of badger fur, yet is comprised of synthetic materials. Further, a brush according to the present invention is also antimicrobial, and thus able to endure repeated wet/dry periods, such as exposure to liquids and foams, such as water and shaving cream for application of same to the human skin, while resisting microbial growth. Therefore, advantageously, while having the appearance of genuine badger fur, a brush according to the present invention is extremely durable as well as hygienic, and resists and prevents contamination and growth of microorganisms, thus having a longer life during which the brush may be safely used applying substances to the human skin. 
         [0021]    Exemplary new use steps of a simulated badger hair or badger fur bristle tuft according to an aspect of the present invention may comprise: 
         [0022]    providing a tuft comprised of synthetic bristles having physical properties including the appearance, texture and feel of badger fur and antimicrobial properties; 
         [0023]    providing alternating light and dark colored areas along the tuft; 
         [0024]    transferring water and shaving cream or shaving soap via the tuft onto human skin; 
         [0025]    wherein the antimicrobial properties of the synthetic bristles of the tuft resist environmental and organic degradation thereby preserving cleanliness. 
         [0026]    Although the embodiment which incorporates the teachings of the present invention has been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings. Having described preferred embodiments for an improved shaving brush (which are intended to be illustrative and not limiting), it is noted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments of the invention disclosed which are within the scope and spirit of the invention as outlined by the appended claims. Having thus described the invention with the details and particularity required by the patent laws, what is claimed and desired protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.