Patent Publication Number: US-11388986-B2

Title: Liquid dispensing hairbrush systems and associated devices

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/667,063, filed on May 4, 2018, and titled “LIQUID DISPENSING HAIRBRUSH SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present technology is related to liquid dispensing hairbrush systems and associated devices. In particular, various embodiments of the present technology are related to liquid dispensing hairbrush systems with removable liquid containers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional hairbrushes are designed to smooth, style, and/or detangle human hair or animal fur and are often used with various types of hair products. For example, some hairbrushes can be used with styling products, such as hair spray, hair gel, and/or mousse. Hairbrushes can also be used with hair treatment products, such as dry shampoo, dry conditioner, hair coloring, and/or medicinal products (e.g., lice treatment products). With conventional hairbrushes, hair styling and/or treatment products are applied separately before, during, or after brushing the hair or fur. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A-1C  are side, front, and rear views, respectively, of a liquid dispensing hairbrush system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, and  FIG. 1D  is a cross-sectional view of a brush head of the hairbrush system taken along line  1 D- 1 D in  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1B  of a brush head configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a brush handle configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are side and front views, respectively, of a liquid container configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG. 5  is a partially cut away front view of a liquid container configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG. 6  is a partially cut away front view of a liquid container configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG. 7A  is a partially exploded side view of the liquid dispensing hairbrush system of  FIGS. 1A-1D  configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, and  FIGS. 7B and 7C  are partial cross-sectional side views taken along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view illustrating a liquid dispensing hairbrush system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following disclosure describes various embodiments of liquid dispensing hairbrush systems and associated devices. Liquid dispensing hairbrush systems configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology are configured to receive a liquid container in a handle of a brush body. As pressure is applied to the brush bristles, liquid from the container is dispensed onto a user&#39;s hair through one or more apertures in a layer of material supporting the bristles. In some embodiments, the back side of the brush body can include an aperture that enables the user to apply pressure to a bladder in the brush body to force liquid out of the apertures in the bristle support layer. When the liquid in the container is depleted, the user can remove the container from the handle and refill it with the same or a different liquid, and then replace the container back into the brush handle. Alternatively, the user can replace the container with new liquid container containing the same or a different liquid. 
     Specific details of several embodiments of the present technology are described herein with reference to  FIGS. 1A-8 . Although many of the embodiments are described with respect to systems and devices for human hair, other applications and other embodiments in addition to those described herein are within the scope of the present technology. For example, at least some embodiments of the present technology may be useful for brushing and/or treating animal fur, carpet, and/or other fibers. Accordingly, other embodiments in addition to those disclosed herein are within the scope of the present technology. Further, embodiments of the present technology can have different configurations, components, and/or procedures than those shown or described herein. Moreover, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that embodiments of the present technology can have configurations, components, and/or procedures in addition to those shown or described herein and that these and other embodiments can be without several of the configurations, components, and/or procedures shown or described herein without deviating from the present technology. In  FIGS. 1A-8 , many of the elements are not drawn to scale for purposes of clarity and/or illustration. 
     A. SELECTED EMBODIMENTS OF LIQUID DISPENSING HAIRBRUSH SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES 
       FIGS. 1A-1C  are side, front, and rear views, respectively, of a liquid dispensing hairbrush system  100  configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, and  FIG. 1D  is a cross sectional view taken along line  1 D- 1 D in  FIG. 1B . Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1C  together, the hairbrush system  100  (which can also be referred to as a “hairbrush  100 ”) includes a brush body  103 , a bristle support layer  110 , and a removable liquid container  130 . The brush body  103  includes a brush head  104  and a handle  106 . In some embodiments, the brush body  103  can additionally include one or more features  107  and/or  117  (e.g., recesses, ridges, protrusions, notches, etc.) that are aesthetic and/or functional by, for example, providing a gripping surface to the handle  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, the brush body  103  is a unitary piece of polymer material (e.g., plastic) having a front side  101  ( FIGS. 1A and 1B ) and a back side  102  ( FIG. 1C ). In other embodiments, the brush body  103  and/or components of the brush body  103  can be made of a different material (e.g., a metal, composite, glass, wood, rubber, etc.). The brush body  103  can be formed by injection molding, and/or the brush body  103  can be cast, machined, carved, 3D-printed, or otherwise manufactured. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1C and 1D , the back side  102  of the brush head  104  can optionally include an aperture  105 . In these embodiments, the hairbrush system  100  can include a bladder  115  attached to an inside surface  148  ( FIG. 1D ) of the back side  102  of the brush head  104 . The bladder  115  can be sealably glued to the inside surface  148  using an adhesive. For example, the bladder  115  can be glued to the inside surface  148  at points  109  ( FIG. 1D ) along and/or near the periphery of the bladder  115 . The bladder  115  is sized and shaped to (i) fit within the brush head  104  and (ii) to cover and seal off the aperture  105  such that liquid that enters a chamber  160  ( FIG. 1D ) in the brush head  104  cannot leak out via the aperture  105 . In some embodiments, the bladder  115  can be made of a flexible polymer material (e.g., rubber, plastic, etc.). As described in greater detail below, the aperture  105  can be sized and shaped such that a user can press an exposed portion  116  of the bladder  115  through the aperture  105  and toward the front side  101  of the brush body  103  to increase pressure on liquid in the chamber  160  and to force the liquid through apertures in the bristle support layer  110  and onto the user&#39;s hair. In some embodiments, the bladder  115  can be transparent, so that a user can view whether there is liquid within the chamber  160  of the brush head  104  via the aperture  105 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1D  together, in the illustrated embodiment, the bristle support layer  110  is a unitary piece of polymer material (e.g., rubber, plastic, etc.). A plurality of bristles  112  extend outwardly from a front side  113  of the bristle support layer  110 . The bristles  112  can be made from a flexible or rigid polymer material (e.g., plastic, rubber, etc.), fiberglass, metal(s), and/or other suitable materials known in the art. The bristle support layer  110  can include a plurality of apertures  114  between the bristles that pass from the front side  113  to a back side  146  ( FIG. 1D ) of the bristle support layer  110 . Although the bristle support layer  110  is shown with a plurality of apertures  114  in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the bristle support layer  110  can include a greater or lesser (e.g., one, two, three, etc.) number of apertures  114  and/or can include the apertures  114  in different patterns and/or spacings than shown. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1D , the bristle support layer  110  can be secured to the brush head  104  and/or to the bladder  115  using an adhesive and/or another method (e.g., using a heat sealer). More specifically, the periphery of the bristle support layer  110  can be bonded (e.g., glued) with an adhesive or otherwise sealably attached and secured to an inside lip on surface  147  of the brush body  103  and/or to the bladder  115  to create a water-tight seal along the periphery edges of the bristle support layer  110 . The bristle support layer  110  is sized and shaped to fit within an opening  126  in the brush head  104 . For example, the bristle support layer  110  can be flexed and/or folded to fit within the brush head  104  between the front side  101  and the back side  102  of the brush body  103 . 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1B  of the brush head  104  configured in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present technology. In the illustrated embodiment, the brush body  103  can include an edge member  218 . The edge member  218  can engage (e.g., snap, clip, clamp, etc.) with the brush head  104  (e.g., along dashed line  108  ( FIGS. 1A and 1B )) to (i) secure the bristle support layer  110  and/or the bladder  115  to the brush head  104  by clamping (e.g., pinching) the bristle support layer  110  and/or the bladder  115  between the edge member  218  and the perimeter edge of the brush head  104  and (ii) form a watertight seal along the periphery edges of the bristle support layer  110  and/or the bladder  115 . In some embodiments, an adhesive can be used (i) to secure the bristle support layer  110 , the bladder  115 , the edge member  218 , and/or the brush head  104  together and/or (ii) to form and/or reinforce the watertight seal. In other embodiments, the bristle support layer  110  and/or the bladder  115  can be removable (i) so that a user can clean the bristle support layer  110 , the bladder  115 , and/or the brush head  104  and/or (ii) so that a user can replace the bristle support layer  110  and/or the bladder  115 . 
     As described in greater detail below, the brush head  104 , the bristle support layer  110 , and/or the bladder  115  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-2  define the chamber  160  ( FIGS. 1D and 2 ) of the brush head  104 . The chamber  160  receives fluid from the liquid container  130  when the liquid container  130  is fully installed within the handle  106 . In some embodiments, the system  100  can include a sponge (not shown) within the chamber  160  to facilitate distribution of liquid that enters the chamber  160  to the plurality of apertures  114  in the bristle support layer  110 . After liquid enters the chamber  160 , a user can force liquid out of the chamber  160  via the plurality of apertures  114  by applying pressure to the bristle support layer  110  and/or to the bristles  112 . For example, the bristle support layer  110  can be compressed (via, e.g., pressure applied to the bristles  112 ), which forces liquid out of the plurality of apertures  114 . Additionally or alternatively, a user can push on the exposed portion  116  of the bladder  115  through the aperture  105  to increase pressure applied to the liquid, forcing the liquid out of the plurality of apertures  114  in the bristle support layer  110 . 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the handle  106  configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle  106  includes a cavity  323  having an opening  329  with a width W 1  and a height H 1 . The handle  106  additionally includes inwardly protruding ridges  327  that extend longitudinally along the handle  106 . Although the handle  106  includes two ridges  327  in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the handle  106  can include a greater (e.g., three, four, etc.) or a fewer (e.g., one) number of ridges  327  and/or can include ridges  327  at other locations about a perimeter of the cavity  323 . 
     As described in greater detail below, the ridges  327  are configured to align and/or register with corresponding grooves or recesses on the liquid container  130 . In this manner, the handle  106  can be configured to receive liquid containers  130  having a particular size, shape, and/or orientation corresponding to the ridges  327  in the handle  106  and to the internal dimensions of the cavity  323 . Thus, the ridges  327  and the dimensions of the opening  329  can limit use of the brush body  103  to liquid containers  130  of a particular brand, manufacturer, vendor, liquid, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the ridges  327  can align the liquid container  130  in a specific orientation within the handle  106  and prevent the liquid container  130  from rotating within the handle  106 . 
     Although not shown, in some embodiments, the handle  106  can include one or more lips and/or one or more recesses that extend around at least a portion of the cavity  323  (e.g., near the opening  329  and/or at another location within the cavity  323 ). The lip(s) and/or recess(es) can engage corresponding features of the liquid container  130  to help retain the liquid container  130  within the cavity  323  of the handle  106 . Additionally or alternatively, the lip(s) and/or recesses can be configured to limit use of the brush body  103  to liquid containers  130  of a particular size, shape, and/or manufacturer. 
       FIG. 4A  is a side view and  FIG. 4B  is a front view of the liquid container  130  configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B  together, the liquid container  130  includes a neck  431 , a body  432 , and a base  433  that define an interior chamber  450  configured to hold a liquid (water; hair gel; mousse; hair mask; shampoo; conditioner; tea tree oil; lotion; other hair, fur, and/or fiber liquid products; and/or other liquids). 
     The neck  431  of the liquid container  130  is generally circular and includes an annular recess  435  configured to receive an O-ring  120  (partially shown). In other embodiments, the neck  431  can have more than one recess  435 , each configured to receive an O-ring  120 . In still other embodiments, the neck  431  can include threads configured to engage complimentary threads (not shown) within the handle  106  in addition to or in lieu of the recess  435 . In the illustrated embodiment, the neck  431  defines a mouth or opening  434  of the chamber  450 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4B , the body  432  can have sides  437  and  438  that are generally curved outwardly with respect to a longitudinal axis L of the liquid container  130  such that the body  432  has a maximum width W 2 . In other embodiments, the side(s)  437  and  438  can be straight and/or have a different contour. As best shown in  FIG. 4A , the body  432  can have a height H 2  between a front side  439  and a back side  440 . In this embodiment, the width W 2  and the height H 2  generally correspond to (but are slightly less than) the width W 1  and the height H 1  of the opening  329  of the cavity  323  in the handle  106  such that the mouth  331  and the body  332  of the liquid container  130  can fit within the cavity  323  of the handle  106 . 
     The base  433  has a height H 3  ( FIG. 4A ) and a width W 3  ( FIG. 4B ) near where the body  432  meets the base  433 . In this embodiment, the height H 3  and the width W 3  are larger than the height H 1  and the width W 1 , of the opening  329  in the handle  106  ( FIG. 2 ) so that the liquid container  130  includes a step surface  441  that is configured to abut against the handle  106  at the opening  329  ( FIG. 2 ) to prevent the liquid container  130  from being inserted into the handle  106  beyond the surface  441 . In these and other embodiments, the base  433  is configured to remain external to the handle  106  and/or can be transparent to, for example, (i) provide a visual indication of how much liquid remains within the liquid container  130 , and/or (ii) allow the user to push and/or to pull the liquid container  130  into and/or out of the handle  106  using the base  433 . In these and still other embodiments, the base  433  can remain external to the handle  106  to display, for example, a label showing the user a brand and/or manufacturer of the liquid container  130  and/or a type of liquid in the liquid container  130 . 
     Although the body  432  and the base  433  are shown with a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape, in other embodiments the body  432  and/or the base  433  of liquid container  130  can have different shapes (e.g., circular, triangular, etc.). In these and other embodiments, the body  432  and/or the base  433  can have different and/or varying dimensions (e.g., width W 2 , width W 3 , height H 2 , and/or height H 3 ) in relation to the dimensions of the cavity  323  and/or in relation to one another. For example, the base  433  can be sized and shaped such that the base  433  can extend within the cavity  323 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 4B , the body  432  includes a recess  451  (e.g., a groove or channel) on the front side  439  and a corresponding recess (not shown) on the back side  440  that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis L from proximate the base  433  to proximate the neck  431 . The recesses  451  are configured to align with and receive the ridges  327  ( FIG. 2 ) when the container  130  is inserted into the cavity  323  in the handle  106 . In other embodiments, the recesses  451  can extend along the neck  431  and/or the base  433  in addition to or in lieu of the body  432 . In these and other embodiments, the container  130  can include recesses  451  at other locations on the liquid container  130 , such as on the sides  437 - 440 . In these and other embodiments, the liquid container  130  can include ridges (not shown) in addition to or in lieu of the recesses  451 . 
     In some embodiments, the liquid container  130  can include additional features to facilitate forcing liquid out of the container chamber  450 . For example,  FIGS. 5 and 6  are partially cut-away front views of liquid containers  530  and  630 , respectively, configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. Referring first to  FIG. 5 , the liquid container  530  is generally similar to the liquid container  130  described in detail above with the exception that (i) the body  432  has a constant cross section and (ii) the liquid container  530  includes a plunger  549  having a piston  547 . The piston  547  can be configured to slide along the interior surfaces the liquid container  530  and can include an O-ring  520  to inhibit liquid found at the piston from moving beneath the piston  547 . As shown by arrows illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the plunger  549  can be actuated toward (e.g., pushed into) the liquid container  530  to force liquid forward of the plunger out of the chamber  450  through the mouth  434 . In some embodiments, the plunger  549  can be actuated (e.g., pulled) away from the liquid container  530  to draw liquid into the chamber  450  for use. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 6 , the liquid container  630  is generally similar to the liquid containers  130  and  530  described above with the exception that (i) the body  432  has a constant cross section and (ii) the liquid container  630  includes a knob  652  operably coupled to a worm screw  653  that drives a piston  657 . The piston  657  slide along interior surfaces of the sides  437 - 440  of the liquid container  630  and can include one or more O-rings  620  such that liquid in the chamber  450  is inhibited from moving behind the piston  657 . The worm screw  653  extends from the chamber  450  and the piston  657  to the knob  652  where it is fixedly attached to the knob  652 . The worm screw  653  is threaded such that (i) when a user turns the knob  652  in one direction, the worm screw  653  drives the piston  657  toward the mouth  434  and (ii) when the user turns the knob  652  in the other direction, the worm screw  653  drives the piston  657  toward a base portion  656  (as shown by arrows illustrated in  FIG. 6 ). As the worm screw  653  drives the piston  657  toward the mouth  434 , the piston  657  forces liquid in the chamber  450  out of the mouth  434 . 
     In other embodiments, the piston  547  and/or the piston  657  can be connected to a lever (not shown) that extends to an exterior of the liquid containers  530  and/or  630 . The lever can be actuated such that liquid within the chamber  450  is forced out of the mouth  434 . In other embodiments, the liquid containers  530  and/or  630  can include an air pump (not shown). The air pump can be actuated to force air into the chamber  450  (e.g., beneath a piston and/or beneath liquid within the chamber  450 ), such that the air forces liquid within the chamber  450  out of the mouth  434 . 
       FIG. 7A  is a partially exploded side view of the liquid dispensing hairbrush system  100  of  FIGS. 1A-1D  configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. The annular recess  435  in the liquid container  130  is configured to receive the O-ring  120 . The handle  106  of the brush body  103  is configured to receive the liquid container  130  in the cavity  323  via the opening  329  and the container is pushed forward until the O-ring  120  is received in an annular recess found in the handle, as discussed below. 
       FIGS. 7B and 7C  are partial cross-sectional side views along lines  7 B- 7 B and  7 C- 7 C, respectively, in  FIG. 1B  of the brush body  103 . For clarity, a side view of the liquid container  130  is illustrated in  FIGS. 7B and 7C  rather than a cross-sectional side view. Referring to  FIGS. 7B and 7C  together, the liquid container  130  can be inserted into the cavity  323  in the handle  106 . As shown, the brush body  103  includes an annular recess or seat  745  ( FIG. 7B ) configured to receive the O-ring  120 . When the O-ring  120  is positioned with the seat  745 , the O-ring  120  creates (i) a vacuum seal between the chamber  450  of the liquid container  130  and the chamber  160  of the brush head  104  and/or (ii) a watertight seal between the chambers  450  and  160  and the cavity  323 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 7C , the chamber  160  is configured to be in fluid communication with the chamber  450  when the liquid container is inserted into the cavity  323  of the handle  106 . The stepped surface  441  of the liquid container  130  abuts against the handle  106  at the opening  329  and prevents the liquid container  130  from being inserted too far into the brush body  103 . In some embodiments, the O-ring  120  and the seat  745  can retain the liquid container  130  in the cavity  323 . 
     Although the brush body  103  is configured to receive the liquid container  130  in the cavity  323  of the handle  106 , hairbrush systems configured in accordance with other embodiments can have different configurations. For example, the handle  106  in other embodiments can include multiple components, such as a front side (not shown) and a back side (not shown). In these embodiments, the front side can be at least partially detached from the back side to permit installation of the liquid container  130 . In an assembled state, the front side of the handle  106  can be clipped, snapped, and/or otherwise connected to the back side of the handle  106  about the liquid container  130 . In other embodiments, the liquid container  130  can be attached to the back side  102  of the brush head  104  and configured to introduce liquid into the chamber  160  of the brush head  104  via the aperture  105  and/or one or more other apertures (not shown) in the back side  102  of the brush head  104 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 7B and 7C  together, at the edge of the seat  745  nearest the brush head  104  ( i ) the bristle support layer  110  is attached to the inside surface  147  of the brush head  104  and (ii) the bladder  115  is attached to the inside surface  148  of the brush head  104 . As discussed above, the bristle support layer  110  and/or the bladder  115  can be attached to the surfaces  147  and/or  148  using an adhesive (not shown) and/or one or more other attachment methods (e.g., along the periphery of the bristle support layer  110  and/or the bladder  115 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the bristle support layer  110  and the bladder  115  are attached to one another all the way around the brush body  103  proximate the edge of the seat  745  to form an opening  765  through which liquid can enter into and/or exit out of the chamber  160 . In other embodiments, the bristle support layer  110  and the bladder  115  are not attached to one another at the edge of the seat  745  but are attached to the surfaces  147  and  148  such that the bristle support layer  110  and the bladder  115  form the opening  765  with a portion of the surface  147  and/or of the surface  148  of the brush body  103 . In still other embodiments, the bristle support layer  110  and/or the bladder  115  can be attached to the brush body  103  and/or to one another at different locations, such as within the cavity  323  in the handle  106  or at a point closer to the aperture  105  in the brush head  104  from the edge of the seat  745 . 
     In operation, the liquid container  130  is configured to transfer liquid from the chamber  450  to the chamber  160  of the brush head  104  at a suitable rate as the user brushes their hair. For example, the liquid container  130  can transfer liquid to the chamber  160  using gravity (e.g., when the hairbrush system  100  is tilted). In some embodiments, the liquid container  130  can transfer liquid to the chamber  160  using suction that is created when, for example, the bristle support layer  110  is decompresses and/or when the bladder  115  expands after a user compresses the bristle support layer  110  and/or presses on the bladder  115  through the aperture  105  in the back side  102  of the brush head  104 . In other embodiments, the liquid container  130  can transfer liquid to the chamber  160  using capillary action (e.g., via a tube (not shown) that extends from the chamber  450  to a sponge in the brush head  104 ). In some embodiments, a portion (e.g., the body  432  and/or the base  433 ) of the liquid container  130  and/or a portion of the brush body  103  (e.g., the handle  106  and/or the back of the brush head  104 ) can be compressible such that liquid is transferred from the chamber  450  the brush head  104  when the liquid container  130  is compressed. In still other embodiments, a user can transfer liquid from the chamber  450  to the chamber  160  by actuating mechanical components such as the plunger  549 , the knob  552 , a lever, and/or an air pump. 
     After liquid enters the chamber  160  in the brush head  104 , a user can force the liquid out of the chamber  160  and onto the bristles  112 . For example, a user can apply pressure to the bristle support layer  110  (e.g., by applying pressure to the bristles  112 ), which can compress the bristle support layer  110  and drive liquid in the chamber  160  through the apertures  114  in the bristle support layer  110 . In some embodiments, the hairbrush system  100  can be configured to release more liquid out of the chamber  160  as a user increases and/or reapplies pressure to the bristle support layer  110 . In these and other embodiments, a user can press the portion  116  of the bladder  115  exposed through the aperture  105  in the back side  102  of the brush head  104  toward the front side  101  of the brush body  103  using, for example, their thumb  770  to force liquid in the chamber  160  through the apertures  114 . In these and other embodiments, liquid can be forced out of the chamber  160  by, for example, actuating the mechanical components of the liquid container  130  and/or compressing the liquid container  130 . Once a user transfers liquid to the front side  113  of the bristle support layer  110 , the user can apply the liquid to and/or brush the liquid through their hair (e.g., using the bristles  112 ). 
       FIG. 8  is an isometric view illustrating a liquid dispensing hairbrush system  800  configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present technology. The system includes a brush body  803 , a bristle support layer  810 , a liquid container  830 , a sponge  884 , and a tube  886 . The brush body  803  includes a brush head  804 , a handle  806 , and an edge member  881 . The edge member  881  can engage (e.g., snap, clip, clamp, etc.) with the brush head  804  at a front side  801  of the brush head  804  to secure the bristle support layer  810  between the edge member  881  and the brush head  804  and to form a watertight seal along the periphery edges of the bristle support layer  810  (e.g., in a manner similar to the edge member  218  and the brush head  104  illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). In some embodiments, an adhesive can be used to secure the bristle support layer  810 , the edge member  881 , and/or the brush head  804  together and/or (ii) to form and/or reinforce the watertight seal. In these and other embodiments, the edge member  881  and the brush head  804  can clamp at least a portion of the handle  806  to secure the handle  806  between the edge member  881  and the brush head  804 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the bristle support layer  810  is a unitary piece of polymer material (e.g., rubber, plastic, etc.) and is similar to the bristle support layer  110  ( FIG. 1 ). For example, the bristle support layer  810  includes one or more apertures  814  passing from a front side  813  to a back side  846  of the bristle support layer  810 . A plurality of bristles  812  extend outwardly from the front side  813  of the bristle support layer  810  about the apertures  814 . The bristle support layer  810  can be folded and/or flexed to fit between the edge member  881  and the brush head  804 . In some embodiments, the bristle support layer  810  can be removable (i) so that a user can clean the bristle support layer  810  and/or the brush head  804  and/or (ii) so that a user can replace the bristle support layer  810 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bristle support layer  810  and the brush head  804  define a chamber  860  in the brush body  103 . 
     The sponge  884  is positioned within the chamber  860 . In some embodiments, the sponge  884  can be attached to an interior surface  848  of the brush body  803  (e.g., using an adhesive and/or another attachment method). In these and other embodiments, the sponge  884  can be attached to the back side  846  of the bristle support layer  810 , to the edge member  881 , and/or to the handle  106 . As described in greater detail below, the sponge  884  is configured to receive liquid from the liquid container  830  and to absorb and distribute the liquid throughout the chamber  860  (e.g., to the apertures  814  in the bristle support layer  810 ). In some embodiments, the sponge  884  can be removable so that a user can clean and/or replace it. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid container  830  is an extension of the handle  106 . As shown, the liquid container  830  includes a neck  831 , a body  832 , and a base  833  that each have a generally circular cross section. The neck  831  is connected to the tube  886 , which extends between the neck  831  and the sponge  884 . The body  832  defines an interior chamber  850  that is configured to hold a liquid (e.g., water, hairspray, hair gel, mousse, hair mask, shampoo, conditioner, tea tree oil, lotion, and other hair, fur, and/or fiber liquid products). In these and other embodiments, the chamber  850  can be configured to hold other fluids and/or liquids. 
     As shown, the base  833  includes a bulb  897  attached to the base  833 . The bulb  897  can be made of a polymer material (e.g., rubber, plastic, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the bulb  897  is configured to force fluid into the tube  886  when it is compressed by forcing fluid (e.g., liquid and/or air) into the body  832 . In other embodiments, the base  833  can include an air pump (not shown) in lieu of the bulb  897 . The air pump can be configured to operate in a generally similar manner as the bulb  897  except that the air pump is configured to draw air into the chamber  850  (e.g., via a valve) as it expands after being compressed. As a result, the air pump can force an increasing volume of air into the chamber  850  (e.g., through multiple compressions) until the liquid in the chamber  850  is depleted and/or exhausted. In these and other embodiments, the body  832  of the liquid container  830  can be compressed, which can force liquid into the sponge  884  via the tube  886 . In these and still other embodiments, liquid from the chamber  850  can be transferred to the sponge  884  via capillary action and/or suction (e.g., after a user compresses the bristle support layer  810 , as described in greater detail below). 
     In operation, a user can force liquid out of the chamber  860  and onto the bristles  812  via the apertures  814  in the bristle support layer  810 . For example, a user can force liquid out of the chamber  860  by compressing the bulb  897 , the air pump, and/or the liquid container  830 . In these and other embodiments, a user can force liquid out of the apertures  114  by applying pressure to the bristle support layer  810  and/or to the sponge  884  (e.g., via the bristles  812 ). In these and still other embodiments, the brush head  804  of the brush head  804  can include an aperture (not shown) similar to the aperture  105  ( FIG. 1C ), for example, passing from a back side  802  of the brush head  804  and into the chamber  860  (e.g., beneath the sponge  884 ). In these embodiments, the hairbrush system  800  can include a bladder (not shown) beneath the sponge  884  and attached (e.g., glued) to the inside surface  848  of the brush head  804  along the periphery of the bladder  115  to prevent liquid from leaking out of the chamber  860  via the aperture in the brush head  804 . A portion (not shown) of the bladder similar to the portion  116  ( FIG. 1C ) can be exposed through the aperture, and a user can press the portion to apply pressure to liquid in the chamber  860  and to force the liquid through the apertures  814  in the bristle support layer  810 . Once a user transfers liquid to the front side  813  of the bristle support layer  810 , the user can apply the liquid to and/or brush the liquid through their hair (e.g., using the bristles  812 ). 
     B. EXAMPLES 
     Several aspects of the present technology are set forth in the following examples.
         1. A hairbrush, comprising:   a brush body, the brush body including—
           a brush head having a first opening, and   a handle having a cavity with a second opening;   
           a bristle support layer having one or more apertures therein, wherein the bristle support layer is disposed over the first opening; and   a liquid container configured to fit within the cavity via the second opening, wherein the hairbrush is operable to transfer liquid from the liquid container to the brush head and through the one or more apertures in the bristle support layer.   2. The hairbrush of example 1, wherein the liquid container is configured to transfer liquid therein to the brush head.   3. The hairbrush of example 2, further comprising a piston operably disposed within the container and configured to drive the liquid therein to the brush head and through the one or more apertures in the bristle support layer.   4. The hairbrush of example 3, further comprising a drive screw operably coupled to the piston, wherein the drive screw is manually operable to drive the piston toward an outlet in the container.   5. The hairbrush of example 2, further comprising a pump operably coupled to the container and manually operable to drive the liquid therein to the brush head and through the one or more apertures in the bristle support layer.   6. The hairbrush of example 1, wherein the handle is compressible to drive liquid in the container into the brush head and through the one or more apertures in the bristle support layer.   7. The hairbrush of example 1, further comprising a sponge positioned within the brush head, wherein the sponge is configured to distribute the liquid to the one or more apertures in the bristle support layer.   8. The hairbrush of example 1, wherein:   the cavity includes one or more protrusions; and   the liquid container includes one or more grooves configured to receive the one or more protrusions when the liquid container is inserted into the cavity.   9. The hairbrush of example 1, wherein the brush head further includes a third opening in a back side thereof opposite the first opening, wherein the hairbrush further comprises a bladder across the third opening, and wherein the bladder is manually depressible to drive liquid within the brush head through the one or more apertures in the bristle support layer.   10. The hairbrush of example 1, wherein the liquid container includes a base that is larger than the second opening.   11. The hairbrush of example 1, further comprising an O-ring, wherein—   the liquid container includes an annular recess configured to receive the O-ring; and   the brush body further includes a seat configured to receive the O-ring.   12. A liquid container, comprising:   a body having a mouth;   wherein the body defines a chamber configured to contain liquid, and   wherein the body is sized and shaped to be received within a cavity of a hairbrush.   13. The liquid container of example 12, wherein the body includes one or more first features, and wherein the first features are configured to engage corresponding second features in the cavity of the hairbrush.   14. The liquid container of example 12, further comprising a neck having an annular recess configured to receive an O-ring.   15. The liquid container of example 12, further comprising a neck having threading, and wherein the threading corresponds to threading in the cavity of the hairbrush.   16. The liquid container of example 12, further comprising a base having a first dimension greater than a corresponding second dimension of an opening to the cavity of the hairbrush.   17. The liquid container of example 12, further comprising a piston operably disposed within the chamber and configured to drive the liquid therein toward the mouth.   18. The liquid container of example 17, further comprising a drive screw operably coupled to the piston, wherein the drive screw is manually operable to drive the piston toward the mouth.   19. The liquid container of example 12, further comprising a pump operably coupled to the container and manually operable to drive the liquid therein toward the mouth.   20. The liquid container of example 12, wherein at least a portion of the body is compressible to drive the liquid in the chamber toward the mouth.   21. A hairbrush, comprising:   a brush head; and   a bristle support layer attached to the brush head,   wherein the brush head is configured to be operably coupled to and in fluid communication with a liquid container.   22. The hairbrush of example 21, wherein the bristle support layer includes a plurality of apertures and a plurality of bristles extending outwardly therefrom proximate the plurality of apertures.   23. The hairbrush of example 21, further comprising an edge member configured to attach the bristle support layer to the brush head.   24. The hairbrush of example 21, wherein the brush head includes an aperture in a back side thereof, and wherein the hairbrush further comprises a depressible bladder positioned within the brush head and across the aperture.   25. The hairbrush of example 21, further comprising an O-ring sealably disposed between the liquid container and the brush head.   26. The hairbrush of example 11, further comprising a handle extending from the brush head, wherein the handle includes a cavity configured to receive the liquid container.   27. The hairbrush of example 26, wherein the cavity includes a proximal end portion proximate the brush head and a distal end portion opposite the proximal end portion, and wherein the distal end portion includes an opening configured to receive the liquid container.   28. The hairbrush of example 26, wherein—   the handle includes a front portion and a back portion; and   the front portion is configured to engage to the back portion about the liquid container when the liquid container is positioned in the cavity.   29. The hairbrush of example 26, wherein at least a portion of the handle is compressible to drive liquid in the liquid container into the brush head.       

     C. CONCLUSION 
     The above detailed descriptions of embodiments of the technology are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology to the precise form disclosed above. Although specific embodiments of, and examples for, the technology are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the technology, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Furthermore, the various embodiments described herein may also be combined to provide further embodiments. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the technology have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments of the technology. To the extent any material incorporated herein by reference conflicts with the present disclosure, the present disclosure controls. Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also include the plural or singular term, respectively. Moreover, unless the word “or” is expressly limited to mean only a single item exclusive from the other items in reference to a list of two or more items, then the use of “or” in such a list is to be interpreted as including (a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items in the list, or (c) any combination of the items in the list. Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also include the plural or singular term, respectively. Furthermore, as used herein, the phrase “and/or” as in “A and/or B” refers to A alone, B alone, and both A and B. Additionally, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having” and “with” are used throughout to mean including at least the recited feature(s) such that any greater number of the same feature and/or additional types of other features are not precluded. 
     From the foregoing, it will also be appreciated that various modifications may be made without deviating from the technology. For example, various components of the technology can be further divided into subcomponents, or that various components and functions of the technology may be combined and/or integrated. Furthermore, although advantages associated with certain embodiments of the technology have been described in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the technology. Accordingly, the disclosure and associated technology can encompass other embodiments not expressly shown or described herein.