Abstract:
A pneumatic hairbrush for people and pets releases a powder mixture containing perfume, fragrance and/or other active compositions directly onto the hair or fur during brushing. Delivery of the powder mixture is activated during brushing or through manually depressing the brushes cover. The powder mixture contains perfumes, fragrances and/or other active compositions including insect repellant, shampoo, hair conditioning composition, dye composition, moisturizing ingredients, or antibacterial compounds. The brush includes a flexible deformable membrane that carries brush bristles and has a plurality of apertures for delivery of the active composition and is fitted within a first opening of an internal cavity in a brush base. The powder mixture containing the active ingredient is poured into the internal cavity and disseminates over the flexible deformable membrane. A cover is inserted through a second opening. Brushing action deforms the flexible deformable membrane and compresses the internal cavity causing the powder mixture to be pneumatically forced within the plurality of apertures of the brush bristles into direct contact with the skin of an animal, or around the outside surfaces of the bristles, and released. Manually depressing the cover also pneumatically forces the powder mixture to be released, even though the bristles may not be in direct contact with the hair at that time.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This is a Continuation-In-Part of application bearing attorney docket number 0200-41 CIP2, filed of even date herewith, for “Direct Application Brush For Horses And Livestock That Releases Active Ingredients” which, in turn, is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 11/349,638, filed Feb. 8, 2006, for “Hairbrush for Pets and People that Releases Active Ingredients” which, in turn, is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 11/186,583, filed Jul. 21, 2005, for “Hairbrush for Pets and People that Releases Active Ingredients”, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference thereto. 
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a hairbrush for pets and people; and more specifically to a pneumatic hairbrush that releases during brushing a powder mixture containing active ingredients which include fragrance, therapeutic or moisturizing compounds, antibacterial compounds, insect repellant, flea and/or tic compounds, hair shampoos, hair conditioning products, dye compositions or other hair-related products. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Many patents address issues related to hairbrush designs that incorporate a number of bristles for providing desired brushing action. Brushes for pets typically incorporate stiff bristles, while those for humans are typically provided with softer bristles. Several patents disclose coating bristles with desired compositions in order to deliver these compositions to the brushed hair. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,076 to Meyer discloses a method and forming tool for the fabrication of a bristle support for a brush, especially a hairbrush. This method is for attaching pin-like bristles to a bristle support or carrier for a hairbrush. In a first step the rows of bristle pins are interconnected with one another at their rear end by means of a web. The individual bristle pin rows are retained in their position by the web. In a next step the bristle pins, at the region of their rear end, together with the webs, are cast in the material of the bristle support, so that the bristle pin rows are embedded in the bristle support. In this method, the bristle pins are molded into a cast support that is rigid and solid and therefore is incapable of directly delivering a powder mixture containing perfume or other active compositions to the hair being brushed. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,491 to Ikemoto discloses a hairbrush. A hairbrush is adapted to prevent static charging of the bristles and hair. It has a multiplicity of small holes formed in a conductive brush base that carries a row of antistatic members. The antistatic members are made stiff and are prevented from bending down, rendering the brush easy to draw through hair for smooth brushing. The conductive brush base is solid and cannot deliver perfume or other active compositions to hair, but merely eliminates the static present in the hair and bristles by conducting charges that are present. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,426 to Kellett, et al. discloses a hydrophilic foam pad for hair styling. The hair conditioning and styling pad is a shaped body of a resilient, open-celled, hydrophilic polyurethane foam matrix integrally incorporating an aqueous phase incorporating about 70-90% water, about 5-25% of a hair conditioning agent, and a nonionic surfactant. The bristles or tines of a brush contact the resilient pad and transfer the aqueous hair styling composition to the brush so that the composition is subsequently transferred to the hair as it is being styled. This styling device requires periodic contact with the resilient pad to recharge the bristles, and does not by itself deliver a powder mixture containing perfume or other active compositions to hair. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,099 to Staller, et al. discloses a therapeutic groomer. This hand-held grooming device grooms, massages, and provides magnetic therapy for animals. The device has a base that is configured to be hand-held. On the base, there is formed a grooming pad having projections adapted for grooming and massaging. The grooming pads are formed by either a plurality of parallely arranged strips each having magnetic properties or a single magnetic sheet. Each strip has its magnetic poles aligned uniformly so that its longitudinal ends are polar opposites. This therapeutic groomer does not deliver a powder with perfume or active compositions to the hair being groomed. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,450,127 and 6,543,388 to Willinger, et al. disclose an ergonomic handle for a grooming brush. This brush handle is formed with a continuously arched upper surface portion and a lower surface portion separated by a humped semicircular ridge. One of the lower arched portions forms a trigger grip for a single finger held in either a forehand or backhand grip. The handle is covered with a high friction material in the form of a contoured rubber or elastomeric sleeve, which is stretched over a molded plastic handle. These patents relate only to the shape of a handle of a hairbrush and do not disclose a hairbrush that delivers a powder mixture containing perfumes or other active ingredients to brushed hair. 
         [0011]    A hairbrush commercially marketed by JW Pet Company (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.) incorporates an ergonomic handle disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,450,127 and 6,543,388. It uses a polymeric molded closed elliptical cavity which includes a thick elliptical rubber element carrying multitudes of metallic bristle pins with rounded tips. The distal end of the bristle pins opposed to the rounded tips carries a nail heads, which rests against and is glued to a thick rubber element using rubber cement or similar glue. The bristle pins in the rubber element form an air leak tight seal. The elliptical rubber element has a single hole appointed for discharging air. This elliptical rubber element with attached pins is squeezed into the closed elliptical cavity of a polymeric molded brush and the rubber element adopts a concave shape with the pins sticking out in a non-planar configuration. During use, pressure is applied to the pins in the middle portion of the elliptical rubber element of the brush. The air entrapped in the cavity formed by the rubber element and elliptical cavity is squeezed by the pressure applied thereby providing a springy feel, while the entrapped air is released through the single hole present in the elliptical rubber element. This brush has a single air outlet and discharges air entrapped in the elliptical cavity of the brush. It has no means available for delivering a powder mixture containing perfume or other active ingredients to the brushed hair. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,174 to Lee discloses a hair grooming brush. This hair grooming brush has a plurality of rows of curved wavy bristles, rather than traditional straight bristles commonly found on brushes and combs. The curvature of the bristles produces a springiness to the bristles when pressure is applied during the combing action. The springiness of the numerous rows of bristles translates into a massaging effect upon the hair and scalp. These springy bristles do not deliver a powder with perfumes or other active compositions to the hair being brushed. 
         [0013]    There remains a need in the art for an easy-to-use hairbrush for brushing human or pet hair that delivers to the hair being brushed a powder that contains one ore more active ingredients, such as perfume or other active compositions. Further needed in the art is a hairbrush wherein the powder mixture containing perfume or other active compositions is released on demand. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention discloses a lightweight brush comprising a brush base constructed with an internal cavity having a cavity area, a bottom surface having a first opening, and top surface having a second opening, respectively. The first cavity opening is located on the bottom surface of the brush base, facing the bristles of the brush. The second cavity opening is located on the top surface of the brush base, opposed to the bristles. A flexible, deformable membrane, preferably made from rubber, carries a multitude of bristles, and covers and tightly fits within the first opening of the internal cavity. The flexible, deformable membrane has a number of holes or apertures positioned between the bristles. The second cavity opening is fitted with a back cover, arranged so that it can be manually pushed or compressed inward and flexes back outward. A powder mixture is poured into the internal cavity, and disseminates therein over the flexible deformable membrane. 
         [0015]    The powder mixture contains a desired perfume or fragrance and/or other active compositions such as insect repellants, hair shampoo, hair conditioning products, dye compositions, moisturizing ingredients, antibacterial compounds, and the like. When hair is brushed with the brush of the subject invention, the flexible membrane is deformed, causing the area of the internal cavity to lessen as the internal cavity is compressed. Compression of the internal cavity and air pressure causes the powder mixture to travel into the plurality of apertures of the deformable membrane and enter the bristles for delivery and release of the powder mixture and visa vie the fragrance or perfume and/or other active compositions, to the hair being brushed. 
         [0016]    Alternatively, the back cover, which is positioned over the second opening, may be manually pushed inwards towards the bristles, thereby squeezing the internal cavity and pneumatically releasing the powdered mixture containing fragrance, or perfume and/or other active compositions through the apertures in the flexible deformable member. This method of releasing the fragrance and/or active compositions does not require the bristles to be in contact with the hair being brushed, and can therefore be used to treat selected areas of hair prior to vigorous brushing. 
         [0017]    The bristles may be attached to the flexible deformable membrane by a number of methods. The bristles may be molded together with the deformable membrane, as a unitary body. In another embodiment, the bristles may be in the form of metallic pins with rounded ends that contact hair and may have a nail-like structure on the opposite end of the pin. In this embodiment, the pins are inserted through the flexible membrane through previously made holes with the rounded end penetrating the membrane, and each pin being inserted sufficiently to contact the nail head against the flexible deformable membrane. The nail heads of the metallic pins may be further held in place by the application of glue cement. 
         [0018]    The brush is assembled first by inserting the flexible, deformable membrane with brush elements attached thereto into the first opening of the internal cavity of the brush base. The deformable membrane is entirely contained within the first opening, wherein the perimeter of the membrane rests against the inner wall which is defined by the internal cavity. Next, the powdered mixture containing perfume and/or active compositions is poured into the internal cavity, either directly through the second opening, or by way of engagement with the handle wherein the handle contains the powder mixture within a handle chamber therein. Upon entering the internal cavity, the powder mixture become disseminated and rests against the flexible deformable membrane. Where the back cover is removable, and when the powder mixture is poured into the internal cavity by way of the second opening, the back cover is inserted over the second opening and rests against the powder mixture mass within the internal cavity. When the powder mixture is exhausted, it is replaced in one embodiment, by removing the back cover, and pouring new powder mixture within the internal cavity, and again returning the back cover onto the brush base. 
         [0019]    The powder mixture containing perfume and/or other active compositions including insect repellant, hair shampoo, hair conditioning products, dye compositions, moisturizing ingredients, antibacterial compounds, and the like is marketed as a replacement product. The powder mixture is sealed in a polymeric wrapper, or other packaging, and the user opens the packaging and pours the powder mixture directly into the internal cavity, or into the handle, depending on the embodiment of the brush structure of the subject invention being utilized. 
         [0020]    Powder may be pneumatically released by compressing the internal cavity through compression of the flexible deformable membrane. Bristles display a springy action due to the flexible deformable membrane, which traps air within the internal cavity. Pushing the back cover in to release the fragrance, perfume and/or other active composition is resisted by the flexible deformable membrane, wherein the back cover is constructed so that it returns to the original position after release of the powder mixture containing fragrance perfume and/or other active composition. The powder mixture may be manually pneumatically released by compressing the internal cavity through compression of the back cover. 
         [0021]    Significant advantages are realized by practice of the present invention. The key features of the pneumatic pet/people brush, include, in combination, the features set forth below: 
         [0022]    1) a brush base with an internal cavity with a bottom surface having a first opening and top surface having a second opening, respectively; 
         [0023]    2) the first opening appointed to receive a flexible deformable membrane; 
         [0024]    3) the second opening appointed to receive a back cover; 
         [0025]    3) the flexible deformable membrane having several rows of bristle elements and a plurality of apertures; 
         [0026]    4) a powder mixture containing perfume, fragrance and/or other active compositions including insect repellants, shampoos, hair conditioning products, dye compositions, moisturizing ingredients, antibacterial compounds, and the like, being housed between the flexible deformable membrane and the back cover, respectively, within the internal cavity when the powder mixture is appointed to be released; 
         [0027]    5) wherein the brushing action deforms the flexible deformable membrane, thereby squeezing the internal cavity and releasing the powder mixture containing perfume, fragrance and/or other active compositions through the apertures in the flexible deformable membrane; 
         [0028]    6) wherein the user at any time may manually depress the back cover to squeeze the internal cavity, causing the area therein to become compressed and the powder mixture containing fragrance, perfume and/or other active compositions through the apertures in the flexible deformable membrane; and 
         [0029]    7) wherein the user may periodically replace the powder mixture when same is exhausted; 
         [0030]    whereby the user of the hairbrush of the subject invention is provided with the capability to saturate the hair being brushed with a perfume, fragrance and/or other active compositions including insect repellant, shampoos, hair conditioning products, dye compositions, moisturizing ingredients, antibacterial compounds, and the like through direct application of the powder mixture. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]    The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages will become apparent when reference is had to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0032]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of an embodiment of the hairbrush of the subject invention showing the brush base, the internal cavity, the flexible deformable membrane with brush elements, the powder mixture containing perfume, fragrance and/or other active compositions therein, and the back cover; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2   a  is an illustration showing the flexible deformable membrane with attached bristles having a central aperture according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2   b  shows the cross section of an individual bristle showing the central aperture; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  is a cross section of the assembled hairbrush of the subject invention along cross section XX of  FIG. 1  showing the relative locations of the flexible deformable membrane, the powder mixture, and the back cover; 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  is a cross section of an embodiment of the assembled hairbrush of the subject invention wherein the powder is housed within the handle of the brush; 
           [0037]      FIG. 5   a  is a top view of an embodiment of the hairbrush of the subject invention showing the brush base, handle, the flexible deformable membrane with brush elements, and the back cover; 
           [0038]      FIG. 5   b  is a top view of the back cover of the embodiment of the hairbrush shown in  FIG. 5   a;    
           [0039]      FIG. 5   c  is a top view of the brush base, the internal cavity, the flexible deformable membrane with apertures for bristle elements of the embodiment of the hairbrush shown in  FIG. 5   a;    
           [0040]      FIG. 6   a  is a top view of another embodiment of the hairbrush of the subject invention showing the brush base, the flexible deformable membrane with brush elements, back cover, and removable handle for housing the powder mixture; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 6   b  is a top view of the removable handle of the embodiment of the hairbrush shown in  FIG. 6   a.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0042]    This invention relates to a hairbrush for use with pets and humans. The hairbrush of the subject invention releases a powder mixture containing fragrance, perfume and/or other active compositions including insect repellent compositions, shampoo, hair conditioning and grooming products or dye compositions, moisturizing ingredients, antibacterial compounds, or the like. 
         [0043]    The hairbrush is provided with a brush base that has an internal cavity with a bottom surface having a first opening and top surface having a second opening, respectively. The first opening receives a flexible deformable membrane which carries the bristle elements and has several apertures designed to release a powder mixture containing fragrance, perfume and/or active compositions during brushing or at the desire of the user at any time. The first opening receives the flexible deformable membrane with the bristles extending from the brush base, wherein the perimeter of the flexible deformable membrane rests against the interior wall defined by the internal cavity, thereby forming a leak tight seal. A powder mixture containing fragrance, perfume and/or other active compositions is poured within the internal cavity and disseminates and rests on the flexible deformable membrane. A back cover is inserted through the second opening. In another embodiment, the back cover is fixed to the brush base, and the handle is removable therefrom so that the powder mixture is received and housed within a chamber located inside the handle. When engaged, the powder mixture is released from the handle and enters the internal cavity of the brush base for further release into the bristles and onto the hair or fur being brushed. 
         [0044]    Generally stated, the invention consists of a hairbrush which delivers a powder mixture containing fragrance, perfume and/or other active compositions to hair or fur during brushing or at any time by the user pressing the back cover. During the brushing action the bristles apply pressure against the central portion of the flexible deformable membrane flattening the membrane configuration. This flattening action directly compresses the internal cavity and applies pressure to the powder mixture so that the powder enters the apertures in the flexible deformable membrane and is released from the bristle elements onto the hair or fur being brushed. Alternatively, the powder mixture containing fragrance, perfume and/or other active compositions may be released at will by manually depressing the back cover which squeezes the internal cavity, decreasing the area thereof, and causes the powder mixture to enter the apertures in the flexible deformable membrane and, subsequently, the bristle elements for release onto the hair or fur. 
         [0045]    The first opening may take any shape including elliptical, circular, rectangular, or square-shaped. The second opening may take any shape including elliptical, circular, rectangular, or square-shaped. The flexible, deformable membrane may take any shape including elliptical, circular, rectangular, or square-shaped. The back cover may take any shape including elliptical, circular, rectangular, or square-shaped. Any other suitable geometric shapes are within the scope of the present invention. Preferably, each of the first opening, second opening, flexible membrane, and back cover has the same general shape, respectively. 
         [0046]    The flexible deformable membrane is preferably made from rubber typically with a thickness of 1/32 inch to 3/32 inch. The bristles are preferably metallic pins with a rounded end contacting hair and a nail head provided on its other end. These pins are inserted through previously made apertures in the flexible deformable membrane pushing the rounded end through the aperture until the nail head contacts the rubber surface. A glue cement may be applied to attach the bristles permanently to the flexible deformable membrane. Alternatively, the flexible deformable membrane and the bristles with the central aperture may be molded by an injection molding processes in one step to create a one piece unit which contains both the flexible deformable membrane and the bristles with central aperture. 
         [0047]    In one embodiment, assembly of the hairbrush of the subject invention involves the steps comprising:
       1. The flexible deformable membrane is inserted through the first opening in the internal cavity of the brush base. Since the flexible deformable membrane has a slightly larger dimension than the first opening in the brush base, it has to be flexed to insert the flexible deformable membrane. At this stage, the bristles incorporated in the flexible deformable membrane point away from the internal cavity of the brush base. The perimeter of the flexible deformable membrane rests against the interior walls defined by the internal cavity.   2. The powder mixture containing fragrance, perfume and/or other active composition may be inserted from the second opening in the internal cavity of the brush base, and disseminates so that it rests on the flexible deformable membrane.   3. The back cover is slidably inserted over the second opening.   4. Now the assembled brush is ready to use. It delivers a perfume, fragrance and/or other active compositions via delivery of the powder mixture when the hairbrush is used to brush human or pet hair. Alternatively, the powder mixture containing the fragrance, perfume and/or other active composition may be released at will by manually depressing the slidable back cover. Once the perfume, fragrance and/or active composition is exhausted, the powder mixture is replaced with fresh powder by removing the back cover, pouring the powder mixture into the internal cavity, and re-inserting the back cover (wherein the cover is removable for addition of the powder mixture; as opposed to another embodiment wherein the handle is removable and receives and houses the powder mixture while the back cover is fixedly attached to the brush base).       
 
         [0052]      FIG. 1  illustrates at  10  the hairbrush of the subject invention with a handle  11  and showing the brush base  12  with an internal cavity  13 . The internal cavity  13  has a first opening generally marked  15  and a second opening generally marked  14 . A flexible deformable membrane  16  with bristle elements  17  having apertures  18  is inserted within the first elliptical opening  15 . The bristle elements  17  are shown in cross section, for clarity, to illustrate the central aperture within the bristle. The apertures in the flexible deformable membrane  16  are shown at  22 . A powder mixture  19  containing perfume, fragrance and/or other active composition is inserted in the internal cavity  13  and disseminates over the flexible deformable membrane  16 . The second opening  14  receives a back cover  21 , which in this embodiment is removable for pouring powder mixture  19  into the internal cavity  13 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 2   a  illustrates the flexible deformable membrane with bonded bristles  17 , shown generally at  30 . The flexible deformable membrane  16  has apertures  22  which are matched with the apertures  18  in the bristles  17 . In this figure, the bristles are shown in cross section to illustrate clearly the central aperture.  FIG. 2   b  shows the cross section of the bristle showing the central aperture  18  within the bristle  17  taken along plan V of  FIG. 2   a.    
         [0054]      FIG. 3  illustrates at  25  a cross section of the embodiment of the assembled hairbrush shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along cross section XX of  FIG. 1 . In its assembled configuration, the flexible deformable membrane  16  is entirely contained within the first opening  15 . The flexible deformable membrane  16  is located against the inner wall defined by the internal cavity  13 . Due to the larger dimension of the flexible deformable membrane  16 , it protrudes the first opening  15  with a convex bulge. The bristle elements  17  (or pins), which are metallic pins with a rounded end, are inserted into the flexible deformable membrane  16 , and have apertures  18 . These pins have a nail head shaped end which rests against the flexible deformable membrane  16  and may further be permanently bonded to the flexible deformable membrane by glue cement. When this brush is used, the user grasps handle  11  and initiates brushing action; the bristle elements  17  being located at the center of the flexible deformable membrane  16  contact the hair of the person or pet first, thereby deforming the flexible deformable membrane  16 . The internal cavity  13  becomes compressed and air enters the internal cavity via the apertures  18  of bristles  17 . Pneumatic pressure and the compression of the internal cavity  13  causes the powder mixture  19  containing perfume, fragrance and/or other active compositions to become disturbed and to enter apertures  22  of flexible deformable membrane  16  and enter apertures  18  in the bristles  17 . On the top side of the brush base  12  there is the back cover  21 , which is inserted through the second opening  14  forming a deformable convex portion  23 . When the hairbrush is used, pressure is applied to the flexible deformable membrane  16  which in turn squeezes internal cavity  13 , thereby causing the powder mixture  19  to enter apertures  18  of bristle elements  17  and be released onto the hair or fur. An alternative path traversed by the powder upon application of pressure to the flexible deformable membrane  16  takes powder mixture  19  through apertures  22  and along the outside surfaces of bristle elements  17 . In each case, the release of powder from internal cavity  13  occurs through a plurality of apertures  22  in the flexible deformable membrane  16 . Alternatively, the powder mixture may be released at any time by the user manually depressing and pumping the convex portion  23  of back cover  19 , even when the hairbrush is not brushing hair. 
         [0055]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross section of an embodiment of the assembled hairbrush of the subject invention wherein the powder is housed within the handle of the brush, shown generally at  40 . The brush  40  includes brush base  42  with an internal cavity  43 . The internal cavity  43  has a first opening  45  and a second opening  44 . A flexible deformable membrane  46  with membrane apertures  52  engaged with bristle elements  47  having apertures  48  is inserted within the first elliptical opening  45 . The bristle elements  47  are shown in cross section, for clarity, to illustrate the central aperture within the bristle. Second opening  44  receives a back cover  51 , which in this embodiment is fixed in second opening  44 . 
         [0056]    Continuing with  FIG. 4 , a handle  41  is attached to brush base  42 . Handle  41  includes a handle chamber  61  and a hingedly capped opening  62  for insertion and housing of a powder mixture  49  therein. A pathway  63  connects handle  41  to brush base  42  and is appointed for entry of powder mixture  49  into internal cavity  13  of brush base  42 . Pathway  63  includes a spring valve  64  engageable by way of a control button  65  to form an open and closed position. A slide member  66  on track  70  is provided with a handle shovel  67 , so that powder mixture  49  can be pushed forward towards spring valve  64  and pathway  63 . A measuring device  68  may be provided, such as a transparent screen with measurement indicia  69  there along so that the user can measure the quantity of powder mixture  49  that is to enter internal cavity  43  of brush base  42 . Track  70  may have an opening at hingedly capped opening  62  so that slide member  66  and shovel  67  may be removed from the handle  41  at hingedly capped opening  62  and reinserted after the powder mixture  49  is poured into handle  41  so that the powder mixture  49  is packed into handle chamber  61 . Transfer of the powder mixture  49  is achieved by the user engaging slide member  66  and visa vie sliding handle shovel  67  forward to push powder mixture  49  towards pathway  63 . Control button  65  is then pressed so that spring valve  64  is engaged in the open position. Slide member  66  and handle shovel  67  are then slid forward until the desired amount of powder traverses pathway  63  and enters internal cavity  43  of brush base  42 . After the desired amount of powder mixture  49  is ejected from handle  41  control button  65  is released and spring valve  64  closes so that no more of the powder mixture  49  escapes into pathway  63 . 
         [0057]      FIGS. 5   a - 5   c  illustrate various components of an embodiment of the hairbrush of the subject invention wherein the back cover is removable from the brush base so that the powder mixture can be poured into the internal cavity of the brush base. Specifically,  FIG. 5   a  shows a top view of the brush in an assembled condition, showing the brush base, handle, the flexible deformable membrane with brush elements, and the back cover, generally at  100 .  FIG. 5   b  shows a top view of the back cover of the embodiment of the hairbrush as when the back cover is removed from the brush base, generally at  150 .  FIG. 5   c  shows a top view of a portion of the brush base, the internal cavity, the flexible deformable membrane with apertures for bristle elements wherein the back cover is removed therefrom, generally at  180 . The brush  100  includes a handle  111  attached to a brush base  102  with an internal cavity  103 . The internal cavity  103  has a first opening  105  and a second opening  104 . A flexible deformable membrane  106  with membrane apertures  122  engaged with bristle elements  107  having apertures  108  is inserted within the first elliptical opening  105 . The bristle elements  107  are shown in cross section, for clarity, to illustrate the central aperture  108  within the bristle. Second opening  104  slidably receives a back cover  131 , which in this embodiment is removable from second opening  104  and slides and snaps therein. The perimeter of the flexible deformable membrane  106  rests against the interior wall defined by the internal cavity  103 . 
         [0058]    Continuing with  FIGS. 5   a - 5   c,  back cover  131  includes a deformable convex portion  132 , preferably composed of rubber that can be pressed downwardly and springs back into shape. Upon compressing of the deformable convex portion  132  the powder mixture enters apertures  122  of deformable member  106  and traverses apertures  108  of bristle elements  107  to be released into the hair or fur. Alternatively, the powder mixture passes through apertures  122  and along the outsides of bristle elements  107 , making contact with the hair or fur. Back cover  131  is snapped onto first opening  104  by way of a base  151  having a rim  152  with notch grooves  153  therein that engage with notches  181  of first opening  104 . A tab  155  is provided to disengage back cover  131  from first opening  104  of brush base  102  for removal of back cover  131  so that the powder mixture can be directly poured into the internal cavity  103 . 
         [0059]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  illustrate various components of an embodiment of the hairbrush of the subject invention wherein the back cover is fixedly mounted on the brush base and the handle is removable from the brush base so that the powder mixture can be poured into a handle chamber. Specifically,  FIG. 6   a  shows a top view the hairbrush of the subject embodiment, showing the removable handle attached to the brush base, generally at  200 .  FIG. 6   b  shows a view of the handle removed from the brush base and appointed for receiving the powder mixture, generally at  250 . Brush  200  includes a handle  211  removably attached to a brush base  202  with an internal cavity  203  having a first opening  205  and a second opening  204 . Second opening  204  has a flexible deformable membrane  206  with membrane apertures  222  engaged with bristle elements  207  having apertures  208 . Second opening  204  is fixed with a back cover  231 , having a deformable convex portion  232  and being preferably composed of a deformable rubber. Handle  111  is removably attached to brush base  202 . Brush base  202  comprises a handle attachment portion  240  having an aperture  241  that extends into internal cavity  203  of brush base  202 . Handle  111  further comprises a handle chamber  212 , a handle aperture  251 , and attachment means  252  for removable attachment to brush base  202 . Attachment means  252  of handle  211  engages with handle attachment portion  240  of brush base  202 . Preferably attachment means  252  comprises threads and handle attachment portion  240  comprises corresponding grooves so that handle  211  can be screwed onto brush base  202 . 
         [0060]    Handle chamber  211  is appointed to house the powder mixture appointed to be transferred to internal cavity  203  of brush base  202 . Transfer of the powder mixture from handle chamber  211  may be achieved by simply shaking or inverting the brush  200  (when handle  211  is attached to brush base  202 ) so that the powder mixture enters the internal cavity  203  of brush base  202 . Alternatively, a slidable wall may be provided interstitially within either attachment means  252  of handle  211  or handle attachment portion  240  so that when the door is slid to an open position the powder is able to transfer to the brush base  202  and when the door is slid shut the powder remains housed within handle  211 . Alternatively, handle  211  may be composed of a deformable or flexible material so that the handle  211  may be squeezed to allow transfer of the powder therein to the internal cavity  203  of brush base  202 . 
         [0061]    Having thus described the invention in rather full detail, it will be understood that such detail need not be strictly adhered to, but that additional changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.