Patent Publication Number: US-2022225756-A1

Title: Multi liquid dispensing brush

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/140,120, filed on Jan. 21, 2021, and titled “MULTI LIQUID DISPENSING BRUSH,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present technology is related to liquid dispensing hairbrushes, systems, and associated devices. In particular, various embodiments of the present technology are related to liquid dispensing hairbrushes with removable liquid containers. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The beauty industry, specifically the hair care industry, involves skilled professionals who provide hairstyling services to consumers in public venues such as salons, barbershops and day spas. Outside of these venues, consumers have long been able to purchase commercial hair care products to achieve the same hairstyling goals at home. One such product is a hairbrush, a handle brush with rigid or soft bristles that can be used for smoothing, styling and detangling human hair, animal hair, or animal fur. In addition to the hairbrush, a number of hairstyling liquids (i.e. hair cosmetics including conditioners, styling gels, styling sprays, oils, etc.) are used by consumers at home. Contingent on a consumer&#39;s hair texture and desired hairstyling goals, the process of hair care may require several of these liquids. Accordingly, some consumers may find themselves surrounded and overwhelmed by multiple containers of liquids, multiple hairbrushes, and multiple other hairstyling tools, all to engage in a time consuming and laborious process of hair care. 
     While there are liquid-dispensing hairbrushes in the prior art that effectively eliminate the need for a separate container of liquid, there are limitations that exist with such hairbrushes. Existing liquid-dispensing hairbrushes do not accommodate consumers that may require several hairstyling liquids; Nor do they accommodate the need for these liquids to be dispensed through varying bristle patterns on a hairbrush, which may be necessary due to hair texture, hair styling, or hair maintenance needs. For consumers with such needs, once again, they may find themselves surrounded and overwhelmed by multiple containers of liquid and/or multiple liquid-dispensing hairbrushes, all to engage in a laborious process of hair care. Therefore, it is advantageous to alleviate this burden by developing a single hairbrush apparatus that can provide a consumer with the ability to dispense multiple liquids through varying bristle patterns of one hairbrush. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The multi liquid dispensing hairbrush of the present invention externally resembles existing hairbrushes, such that, it has a handle and a brush head with bristles. Internally, this hairbrush further comprises a piping system, which runs through the longitudinal axis of the hairbrush, consisting of multiple interconnections of liquid containers and tubes. Sliders on the handle are designed to interact with each of these interconnections. As a slider moves along the length of the handle, it can facilitate the transportation of a liquid through the hairbrush. Ultimately, it can dispense the liquid through a dispensing hole that is embedded within the bristles on the brush head. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the hairbrush is triangular in shape, externally having three surface areas, three sliders, and three dispensing holes; and internally having three liquid containers and three tubes. As an initial step, a user fills each liquid container with a hairstyling liquid (i.e. any hair cosmetic, including conditioners, styling gels, styling sprays, or oils), enabling three different liquids to be transported through this hairbrush. By sliding each of the three sliders, a user can dispense these three liquids out of the three dispensing holes. It should be noted that the preferred embodiment contains two patterns of bristles providing a user flexibility for hairstyling needs. For example, one preferred detangling liquid can be dispensed from the dispensing hole that is embedded within the bristles best patterned for detangling. Similarly, two preferred styling liquids can be dispensed from the dispensing holes that are embedded within the bristles best patterned for styling, enabling a combination of two liquids to be used for hairstyling. 
     In other embodiments, the hairbrush can be of any shape and can have any plurality of sliders, liquid containers, tubes, holes, and bristle patterns. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded front view of the external components of a multi liquid dispensing brush. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the internal piping system of the multi liquid dispensing brush. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a liquid container in its open position. 
         FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of the liquid container in its open position. 
         FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the liquid container in its closed position. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the connection point between the base and the handle, in which the liquid container is shown inserted into the handle. 
         FIG. 7  is a front cross sectional view of the brush head depicting the internal piping system. 
         FIG. 8  is a top cross sectional view of the brush head. 
         FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of one side of the multi liquid dispensing brush. 
         FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of another side of the multi liquid dispensing brush. 
         FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of another side of the multi liquid dispensing brush. 
         FIG. 12  is a top cross sectional view of the brush head. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded front view of the external components of a multi liquid dispensing brush assembly  100  constructed in accordance with the invention. The multi liquid dispensing brush assembly  100  contains four main components. These four components as shown are: a removable base assembly  10 , a handle assembly  20 , an anchor assembly  30 , and a brush head assembly  40 . In the current embodiment, components  20 ,  30 , and  40  are not detachable once constructed, as they are designed to be permanently mated to each other. However, the base assembly  10  is designed to be easily detachable from the handle assembly  20  by a user. In other embodiments, each of these components may be detachable from one another, enabling a user to detach and reattach each component as needed. 
     The base assembly  10  includes a base  15  and a base plate  14 . The base  15  and the base plate  14 , shown as triangular in shape, are attached at three corner points via three screws  16 ,  17 , and  18 . Once constructed, the base  15 , the base plate  14 , and the corresponding screws  16 ,  17 , and  18  are permanently mated and are not detachable by a user. In the center of the base  15  is a D-Ring screw  19  which joins with center beam  29 . The D-Ring screw  19  facilitates the connection and the removal of the base assembly  10  from the handle assembly  20 , as a user can screw and unscrew the D-Ring screw  19  from the center beam  29 . While a D-Ring screw is used in the current embodiment, any attachment device may be used to facilitate this purpose of easy attachment and detachment of the base assembly  10  from the handle assembly  20 , by a user. 
     The handle assembly  20  includes the handle  25 , an external casing, which houses liquid containers that are further depicted in  FIG. 2 . Running internally along the longitudinal axis of handle  25  is the center beam  29 . On a first surface of handle  25  is a slider  21 , which is one of three sliders, that slides up and down the length of the handle. The bottom of the handle assembly has three locking pins  26 ,  27 , and  28 , which are an intricate component of an internal piping system, as further explained in  FIG. 6 . In the current embodiment, the handle is triangular in shape with three surfaces. As such, there are three sliders located on each of the three surfaces, respectively. In other embodiments, this handle can be constructed as any suitable shape that will accommodate two or more sliders. 
     The anchor assembly  30  includes an anchor  35  and an anchor plate  34 . The anchor  35  and the anchor plate  34 , shown as triangular in shape, are attached to each other and to the handle  25  at three corner points via three screws  36 ,  37 , and  38 . Once constructed, the anchor  35 , the anchor plate  34 , the handle  25 , and the corresponding screws  36 ,  37 , and  38  are not detachable by a user. 
     The brush head assembly  40  includes the brush head  55 , which is shown as triangular in shape having three faces. A first face contains a first pattern of bristles  46 , which is a preferred bristle pattern used for detangling hair. Also depicted on the first face is a dispensing hole  71  embedded in the center of the first pattern of bristles  46 . A second face contains a second pattern of bristles  47 , which is a preferred bristle pattern used for styling hair. There are two dispensing holes embedded in this second pattern of bristles, which are further depicted in  FIG. 7 . The bottom surface of the brush head is formed by a pedestal  45 , which contains three spokes  41 ,  42 , and  43 . Depicted in this figure is the bottom of spokes  42  and  43 , and the top of spoke  41 . The spokes are positioned to be housed inside of the brush head. Further shown is a tube  51 , which connects with spoke  41 , and is one of three tubes that mate with each of the three spokes. These tubes and spokes are all positioned inside of the brush head, as a part of an internal piping system that is further depicted in  FIG. 2 . The center beam  29  runs internally along the longitudinal axis of the components  20 ,  30  and  40 , and is permanently connected on its one end to the brush head  55  by a top screw  49 . 
     In the current embodiment, the brush head is triangular in shape, with three faces that have two distinct patterns of bristles amongst them. In another embodiment, this brush head can remain triangular in shape, and rather than two, it can have either one or three distinct patterns of bristles. In further embodiments, the brush head can be formed in any shape other than triangular. In any of these embodiments, the brush head must have two or more dispensing holes amongst its face or faces. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the internal piping system  50  of the multi liquid dispensing brush. As was described in  FIG. 1 , the anchor  35  and its face plate are permanently joined to one another via screws  36 ,  37  (not shown in this Figure), and  38 . 
     Further disclosed in this Figure is the internal path through which a liquid is transported through the brush assembly and dispensed, beginning with the three liquid containers  11 ,  12 , and  13 . These liquid containers are removable by a user, and can be filled and refilled with any liquid of choice. The anchor  35  has three holes  31 ,  32 , and  33 , each of which receive the liquid containers  11 ,  12 , and  13 . Pedestal  45  has three spokes  41 ,  42 , and  43 . The bottom of each spoke connects to each of the holes  31 ,  32 , and  33 , respectively. Similarly, the top of each spoke mates to each of three tubes  51 ,  52 , and  53 , respectively. 
     In operation, the piping system transports and dispenses liquid through the multi liquid dispensing brush as follows: The liquid container  11  is filled with a first liquid by a user. This first liquid travels through the liquid container  11 , through the hole  31 , and into spoke  41 . Upon entrance into spoke  41 , the first liquid continues travels into the bottom end of tube  51 , until it is finally dispensed from the top end of tube  51 . This process occurs similarly for the second liquid that travels through liquid container  12 , hole  32 , spoke  42 , and tube  52 , as well as, the third liquid that travels through liquid container  13 , hole  33 , spoke  43 , and tube  53 . Each tube  51 ,  52 , and  53  corresponds with a hole on a face of the brush head, thus completing the transportation of the liquids through the internal piping system and dispensed through a hole on the brush head. 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a liquid container in its open position. As the liquid container is removable from the handle, this Figure depicts the liquid container outside of the multi liquid dispensing brush. Shown with liquid container  11  is its corresponding clip  61 , which is a rectangular shaped plastic having two circular ends with holes. While in its open position, the clip remains parallel with the body of the liquid container  11 , specifically parallel with the mouth of the liquid container. In this open position, the liquid can be filled into the liquid container  11  from its open end, or its mouth, while the other end of the liquid container will be received by a hole in the anchor. 
       FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of a liquid container in its open position. As the liquid container is removable from the handle, this Figure depicts the liquid container outside of the multi liquid dispensing brush. Shown with liquid container  11  is its corresponding clip  61 . While in its open position, the clip remains parallel with the body of the liquid container  11 , specifically parallel with the mouth of the liquid container. In this open position, the liquid can be filled into the liquid container  11  from its open end, or its mouth, while the other end of the liquid container will be received by a hole in the anchor. 
       FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the liquid container in its closed position. As the liquid container is removable from the handle, this Figure depicts the liquid container outside of the multi liquid dispensing brush. Shown with liquid container  11  is its corresponding clip  61 . While in its closed position, the clip  61  repositions and becomes perpendicular with the body of the liquid container  11 , thereby sealing the mouth of the liquid container closed. By sealing this liquid container, a user can be assured that the liquid will not leak from the first end of the liquid container, but that it will continue down its path of travel through the other end of the liquid container. 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the connection point between the base  15  and the handle  25 , in which the liquid container  11  is shown inserted into the handle. The D-Ring screw  19  facilitates the removal of the base  15  from the handle  25 . By removing the base, a user can gain access to any of the liquid containers and proceed with filling and refilling the liquids. In operation, the liquid container  11  is removed from the handle  25  such that a user fills the liquid container with any liquid of choice. Once reinserting liquid container  11  into the handle, the clip  61  is repositioned to flip down and become perpendicular with liquid container  11  (as was shown in  FIG. 5 ). In this perpendicular position, the two circular ends of the clip  61  interlock with locking pins  26  and  28  (Locking pin  28  is not shown in this figure), thereby closing the mouth of the liquid container and sealing it to prevent the spillage of the liquid. After the liquid container is closed, a user can move the slider  21  down the length of the handle, and the slider will compress liquid container  11 . The process of transporting the liquid through the internal piping system, as was described in  FIG. 2 , is initiated. 
     Similarly, liquid container  12  (not shown in this Figure) is already inserted into the handle  25 . Its clip  62  is already in the perpendicular position and its two circular ends are interlocked with locking pins  26  and  27 . The slider  22  abuts under clip  62 , and as slider  22  slides down the handle  25 , the process of transporting the second liquid through the second liquid container is also initiated. 
       FIG. 7  is a front cross sectional view of the brush head depicting the internal piping system. The brush head  55  is triangular in shape and has three faces  86 ,  87 , and  88 . Face  86  contains bristles  46  and one hole  71 , to which tube  51  is connected. The liquid from tube  51 , after transporting through the internal piping system, is dispensed from hole  71 . Face  87  contains bristles  47  and two holes  72  and  73 . The liquid from tube  52 , after transporting through the internal piping system, is dispensed from hole  72 . The liquid from tube  53 , after transporting through the internal piping system, is dispensed from hole  73 . Face  88  contains no bristles and no holes. 
     In operation, a user that desires a combination of multiple liquids for the purposes of detangling hair and styling hair, will benefit from the versality provided by this brush. Using the first bristle pattern  46 , and the first liquid dispensed from tube  51 , a user can detangle his or her hair. Then using the second bristle pattern  47 , and the combination of the second and third liquids dispensed from tubes  52  and  53 , a user can style his or her hair. 
     As described in previous figures, the foundation of the brush head  55  is supported by pedestal  45 , which is permanently mated to the anchor  35  and the handle  25 . Top screw  49  holds center beam  29  in place as it runs through the longitudinal axis of the brush providing stability and support to the entire brush assembly. 
       FIG. 8  is a top cross sectional view of the brush head. The top screw  49  is shown in the center of the triangular shaped brush head. In this view, face  88  is on the bottom and shown without bristles. The remaining two faces depict bristles  46  and  47  as having distinct bristle patterns, to accommodate the needs of detangling and styling hair respectively. 
       FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of one side of the multi liquid dispensing brush. Shown is face  86  containing bristles  46  and the singular hole  71 . The handle  25  is shown with the slider  21 . As previously disclosed, in operation, a user can slide the slider  21  along the length of handle, thereby controlling the transportation of the first liquid through the internal piping system and ultimately dispensing that liquid out of hole  71 . In the current embodiment, the pattern of bristles  46  are specifically patterned to accommodate the needs of detangling hair. 
       FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of another side of the multi liquid brush. Shown is face  88  containing no bristles. However, the side views of bristles  46  and  47  are shown. A slider  23  is also shown. As previously disclosed, in operation, a user can slide the slider  23  along the length of handle, thereby controlling the transportation of the second liquid through the internal piping system and ultimately dispensing that liquid out of a hole  73 . Hole  73  is depicted in  FIG. 11  as it is located on face  87 . 
       FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of another side of the multi liquid brush. Shown is face  87  containing bristles  47  and two holes  72  and  73 . The handle  25  is shown with the slider  22 . As previously disclosed, in operation, a user can slide the slider  22  along the length of handle, thereby controlling the transportation of the third liquid through the internal piping system and ultimately dispensing that liquid out of hole  72 . 
     In the current embodiment, the pattern of bristles  47  are specifically patterned to accommodate the needs of styling hair, while the two holes  72  and  73  accommodate the dispensing of a combination of two liquids for this styling process. 
     As previously discussed, the liquid dispensed out of hole  73  is controlled by slider  23 , which is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 12  is a top cross sectional view of the brush head. The top screw  49  is shown in the center of a triangular shaped brush head. In this view, face  88  is on the top and shown without bristles. The remaining two faces depict bristles  46  and  47  as having distinct bristle patterns, to accommodate the needs of detangling and styling hair respectively. 
     In the current embodiment, the length of the brush is approximately 11 inches, while the width of the brush head is 2.5 inches. Additionally, the external components of the multi liquid dispensing brush are constructed of a plastic material, while the liquid containers and tubes are constructed of silicone. 
     For this multi liquid dispensing brush, the components of the brush, the liquid containers, and the tubes can be constructed of any material having similar or more proficient properties that are well known to those skilled in the art to be used safely for hairbrushes. The components of this invention can vary in range of height, length, width and weight, as well as, in thickness and in size. Further, it can be made in any preferred color or design, customizable or pre-printed. Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.