Abstract:
A multi-functional hairbrush with storage compartments for grooming, storing and organizing small beauty accessories, the hairbrush having a hollow brush head and main chamber, a brush lid portion attached hingedly to the hollow brush head, a plurality of spring clips mounted removably therewithin. The hairbrush also has a slot chamber positioned underneath the main chamber and a flat comb portion fitting within the slot chamber and inserted removably therewithin. The hairbrush has a hollow, elongated handle portion and an elongated chamber, with handle lid portion attached hingedly to the handle portion. The elongated chamber also as a plurality of spring clips mounted removably therewithin.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a multi-functional hairbrush for hair and beauty professionals, and more particularly, to a flat hairbrush that has multiple compartments and holders for storage of various styling and beauty devices and accessories. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Conventional hairbrushes are formed as an elongated member typically including a handle portion and a head portion. Commonly, the head portion further consists of a bristle segment in which numerous bristles are inserted into a substantially flat structure. Hairbrushes are preferred by lots of hairdressers, beauty professionals and regular customers alike. In many cases, users may need a variety of beauty accessories such as combs, lipsticks, mascaras, a mirror etc., at the same time. 
         [0003]    There is a need in the marketplace for an all-in-one hairbrush that also provides easy to use storage spaces for beauty accessories. Beauty professionals and end users alike can simply store and carry the hairbrush, and their various grooming needs can be fulfilled. Also, the storage compartments in the hairbrush helps organize those beauty accessories that are usually smaller in size. 
         [0004]    Additionally, the storage compartments concept can also be applied to other brushes such as brushes for clothes, cleaning brushes, sanding brushes, etc. 
       ADVANTAGES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention is a multi-functional hair brush that has multiple compartments for storage of beauty accessories. 
         [0006]    One object and advantage of the present invention is to provide an all-in-one hair care and beauty tool. It is especially beneficial to beauty professionals such as hair stylists who need to carry their tools with them. Portability is enhanced. 
         [0007]    Another object and advantage of the present invention is to help organize numerous small-sized beauty accessories and make up products such as mascara, tweezers, etc. 
         [0008]    Another object and advantage of the present invention is its ability to transport, store and organize beauty tools that come in different sizes and shapes in a compact structure. Users can easily pack and travel with the present invention and have everything for their grooming needs. 
         [0009]    Another object and advantage of the present invention is its adaptability to other brushes such as cleaning brushes, sanding brushes, brushes for clothes, etc. The storage compartments can be utilized to organized other small objects. 
         [0010]    Further details, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent through the following descriptions, and will be included and incorporated herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1A  is a representative isometric view of an embodiment of the multi-function hairbrush with storage compartments  100  of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1B  is a representative isometric view of an embodiment of the multi-function hairbrush with storage compartments  100  of the present invention showing storage compartments  112  and  116 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 1C  is an a representative isometric view of another embodiment of the multi-function hairbrush with storage compartments  100  of the present invention showing storage compartments  112  and  116 . 
           [0014]      FIGS. 1D and 1E  are representative top views of alternative embodiments of detachable combs  122  and  122 ′. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  is a representative top view of an embodiment of the multi-function hairbrush with storage compartments  100  of the present invention showing detachable comb  122  in the open mode. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2B  is a representative top view of an embodiment of the multi-function hairbrush with storage compartments  100  of the present invention showing storage compartment  116 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is shows a method of use of an embodiment of the multi-function hairbrush with storage compartments  100  of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a representative isometric view of removable accessory clip  114  of the multi-function hairbrush with storage compartments  100  of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0019]    The description that follows is presented to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the present invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principals discussed below may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments disclosed, but the invention is to be given the largest possible scope which is consistent with the principals and features described herein. 
         [0020]    It will be understood that in the event parts of different embodiments have similar functions or uses, they may have been given similar or identical reference numerals and descriptions. It will be understood that such duplication of reference numerals is intended solely for efficiency and ease of understanding the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting in any way, or as implying that the various embodiments themselves are identical. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1A  is a representative isometric view of an embodiment of the multi-function hairbrush with storage compartments  100  of the present invention.  FIG. 1B  is a representative isometric view of an embodiment of the multi-function hairbrush with storage compartments  100  of the present invention showing storage compartments  112  and  116 . 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 1A , the multi-function hairbrush with storage compartments  100  of the present invention takes the shape of a traditional flat brush which consists essentially of brush head portion  106 , handle portion  102  and brush cover  120 . In one embodiment, brush head portion  106  is a flat and hollow structure in a variety of shape such as oval, circular, square, etc. 
         [0023]    As in the traditional hairbrush, brush head portion  106  further comprises numerous bristles  104  attached mechanically on one of the flat surfaces of brush head portion  106 . In one embodiment, bristles  104  are made from either natural materials such as Kolinsky sable and ox hair (sabeline) or synthetic materials such as special multi-diameter extruded nylon filament. As shown in  FIG. 1A , brush cover  120  is a transparent or translucent bowl like structure and its main function is to protect bristles  104  when the present invention  100  is not in use. Brush head door  108  is a door opened to the hollow open compartment space  112  inside brush head portion  106  and is attached mechanically onto brush head portion  106  with a door hinge  150 . Optionally, brush mirror  124  can be installed on the outside of brush head door  108  for grooming purposes. Also optionally, brush mirror  124  can be easily replaced by a decorative plate or even a business logo for advertising purposes. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, handle portion  102  is an elongated hollow structure with one end coupled mechanically to brush head portion  106 . Optionally, handle portion  102  may have a cross-sectional shape of an oval, circle, square, etc. Handle door  108  is a contoured door opened to the hollow open compartment space  112  inside handle portion  102  and is attached mechanically on handle portion  102  with a door hinge  150 . In one embodiment, handle door  108  has a contoured shape conforming to the shape of handle portion  102 . 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 1B , when brush head door  108  is opened, it reveals head storage compartment  112  inside the hollow brush head portion  106 . In one embodiment, a music box movement  130  is installed near door hinge  150  such that when brush head door  108  is opened, it will trigger music box movement  130  and music will be played. Optionally, music box movement  130  can be switched off permanently with a simple on/off switch (not shown) to avoid music playing every time brush head door  108  is opened. 
         [0026]    As best shown in  FIGS. 1B and 4 , a plurality of removable accessory clips  114  are installed on the inside of head storage compartment  112 . The clips  114  are installed inside the opening  112  such as on the flat, inside surface  125 . 
         [0027]    The details of removable accessory clips  114  are best shown in  FIG. 4 . Removable accessory clips  114  each further comprises a base flange  402  and a circlip insert  408 . Base flanges  402  of removable accessory clips  114  are installed or adhered inside of head storage compartment  112 . When required, circlip inserts  408  can be coupled on base flanges  402  to complete the structure of removable accessory clips  114 . In one embodiment, each circlip insert  408  further comprises a circlip portion  406  formed integrally with a base insert portion  404 . Dimensions of base insert portion  404  are standard and should match those on the base flange  402 . Circlip portion  406  acts as a snap ring or pinch clamp and comes in different sizes to accommodate different objects  200 . The purpose of the circlip portion  406  is to provide a temporary grip on accessories or objects  200  such as eyeliners, mascaras, lipsticks, etc. Users can select circlip inserts  408  of ideal sizes for each object  200 . By selecting circlip inserts  408  of various sizes and inserting them in selected base flanges  402 , users can organize the entire head storage compartment  112  the way it is desired. Users can also optionally remove all circlip inserts  408  and utilize the open head storage compartment  112  to hold small objects such as small jewelry, coins, etc. 
         [0028]    Optionally, brush mirror  124 ′ can be installed on the inside of brush head door  108  for grooming purposes. Also optionally, brush mirror  124 ′ can be easily replaced by a decorative plate or even a business logo or a message for advertising and gift giving purposes. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 1B , handle door  110  opens to an elongated handle storage compartment  116  inside the hollow handle portion  106 ; within which there are a plurality of removable accessory clips  114 . The function and structure of handle storage compartment  116  is very similar to head storage compartment  112  except for the more elongated space available which is more suitable to accommodate long objects  200  such as nail clippers, tweezers, etc. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 1B , a comb slot  126  is located on the side of brush head portion  106  underneath the storage compartment  112 . Detachable comb  122  is extended and stowed inside the comb slot  126  through a pivot point mechanism resembling a foldable pocket knife. In one embodiment, detachable comb  122  is attached to the comb slot  126  at detachable hinge  202 , as best shown in  FIG. 1D , so detachable comb  122  can be taken out, removed from the hairbrush  100  and used separately. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1C  is a representative isometric view of another embodiment of the multi-function hairbrush with storage compartments  100  of the present invention showing storage compartments  112  and  116 . Instead of using the pivot point mechanism, detachable comb  122 ′ does not have a detachable hinge  202 , as best shown in  FIG. 1E , and is simply inserted and stored inside comb slot  126 ′ when it is not in use. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2A  is a representative top view of an embodiment of the multi-function hairbrush with storage compartments  100  of the present invention showing detachable comb  122  in the open mode.  FIG. 2B  is a representative top view of an embodiment of the multi-function hairbrush with storage compartments  100  of the present invention showing storage compartment  116 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  shows a method of use of an embodiment of the multi-function hairbrush with storage compartments  100  of the present invention and a representative isometric view of removable accessory clip  114 . As shown, a user can arrange and organize their personal cosmetic and/or other grooming accessories in storage compartments  112  and  116  as he/she wishes. Stored objects  200  are supported in place by retaining clips  114  making them easily accessible when needed. The hairbrush of the present invention  100  can be used daily by students in any level of education, employees at the office or by workers in a manufacturing facility. The hairbrush  100  can also be used for camping or travel such as in hotels and on cruise ships, temporary and shared living situations, etc. Men and women can personalize their hairbrush  100  to contain exactly what they personally will need during the period of time during which they will be depending upon the device. The location of various accessories can be located as desired by placing the circlip  406 ./brackets  404  onto the mounting grips  402  in locations which accommodate the accessories of choice. 
         [0034]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. All publications and patent documents referenced in the present invention are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0035]    While the principles of the invention have been made clear in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from those principles. The appended claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such modifications, with the limits only of the true purview, spirit and scope of the invention.