Abstract:
A brush for applying coloring matter to hair includes a retractable bristle rack having two ends for holding a row of bristles, the ends of the bristles forming an essentially flat tip surface portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates generally to the field of brushes for applying coloring matter to hair, and more specifically to a brush, which applies such matter as, defined in this application and retracts to prevent the bristles from bending and becoming deformed. The brush having an elongate handle portion connected to a retractable bristle support rack having two ends and a plurality of perpendicularly protruding bristles, the bristles preferably being flexible and resilient, and protruding to form maximum bristle length.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     There have long been brushes for applying and removing various materials to and from work surfaces. A problem with these prior art brushes when used for applying coloring matter to hair is that after use the bristles will bend and become deformed if not properly stored.  
         [0005]     Koffler, U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,361, issued on Mar. 15 th , 1988, discloses a hair brush for lifting and shaping hair, having rows of bristles tapered across their width, but uniform along their length. This tapering causes the hair to be contacted by successively shorter rows of bristles. The longer rows first lift and shape the hair, and then the shorter rows smooth and pat the hair. A problem with Koffler after used for applying coloring matter to hair and cleaned, if not stored properly the bristles will bend and become deformed.  
         [0006]     Pessis, U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,315, issued Mar. 12 th , 1991, disclose a nail polish brush having an essentially cylindrical cluster of bristles tapered at its distal end to give a sharper tip, and contoured to conform to the curvature of the nail. The taper is intended to fit the nail to make possible a uniform single stroke application. A problem with Pessis after used for applying coloring matter to hair and cleaned, if not stored properly the bristles will bend and become deformed.  
         [0007]     Marino, U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,637, issued on May 27 th , 1986, discloses a paint brush having the across-width taper of Koffler. The taper from one broad bristle face to the other is supposed to make the brush more versatile, so that the ends can fit more easily into corners and edges. A problem presented by the Marino design, if used for applying hair coloring matter, is the same as that of Koffler, namely, if the brush is not properly stored the bristles can bend and become deformed.  
         [0008]     Poole, U.S. Pat. No. 3,349,781, issued on Oct. 31 th , 1987, discloses a hair coloring method and brush for creating color streaks in hair. The brush has spaced apart tufts of bristles to produce discrete and distinct streaks having sharply defined edges. A problem with Poole after used for applying coloring matter to hair and cleaned, if not stored properly the bristles will bend and become deformed.  
         [0009]     Fuentes, U.S. Pat. No. 2,610,637, issued on Sep. 16 th , 1952, reveals a combined comb and brush structure. The body of the structure has row of comb teeth extending from a concave edge portion so that their free extremities define an arcuate path. The arcuate path of the comb teeth conforms to the curvature of a person&#39;s head. There is a flat face on either side of the concave edge. Bristles protrude from one of these faces and are radically spaced from the free ends of the comb teeth. A problem with Koffler after used for applying coloring matter to hair and cleaned, if not stored properly the bristles will bend and become deformed.  
         [0010]     It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a brush for applying hair coloring matter to a head of hair that is retractable in order to preserve the bristles.  
         [0011]     It is finally an object of the present invention to provide such a brush which is of reliable design, and simple and inexpensive to manufacture.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0012]     The present invention accomplishes the above-stated objectives, as well as others, as may be determined by a fair reading and interpretation of the entire specification.  
         [0013]     A brush is provided for applying coloring matter to hair, including a retractable rack having two ends for holding a row of bristles, the ends of the bristles forming an essentially flat tip surface. The tip surface portion has two sides and is located midway between the rack ends.  
         [0014]     The retractable bristle rack is comprised of stainless steel with the bristle crimped. The rack is housed in the brush, which is molded from thermoplastic material. Preferably, the thermoplastic material is chosen from polypropylene and polyethylene.  
         [0015]     In another aspect, the retractable bristle rack is comprised of molded thermoplastic material. Preferably, the thermoplastic material is chosen from polypropylene and polyethylene. Molding with thermoplastic material is preferred because it has a very low cost and allows the use of conventional industrial molding techniques. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows the top view of the retractable hair coloring brush, in the retracted position.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a left-handed side elevation view thereof;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a right-hand side elevation view thereof;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  shows the bottom view thereof;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  shows a front elevation view thereof;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  shows the a right-hand side elevation view of the retractable mounting rack as it would appear outside of the brush thereof;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  shows the top view of the retractable hair coloring brush, in the extended position  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  shows a left-handed side elevation view thereof;  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  shows a right-hand side elevation view thereof;  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  shows the bottom view. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like characteristics and features of the present invention shown in the various FIGURES are designated by the same reference numerals.  
       Preferred Embodiments  
       [0028]     Referring to the Figures, a brush  10  is disclosed for applying coloring matter to hair. The term “coloring matter” for purposes of this application is understood to include all substances, which are used to color, bleach, highlight, frost, paint, or produce any hair coloring special effects.  
         [0029]     A brush  10  depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 6  has an elongate handle  11  portion and stores a retractable bristle support rack  20 . An extending/retracting button  12  is accessible from the top of the brush.  
         [0030]     The retractable bristle support rack  20  depicted in  FIGS. 6 through 10  has two ends  22  and  24 , a longitudinal bristle mounting face  26  and a plurality of bristles  30 . Bristles  30  protruding perpendicularly from mounting face  26 , are substantially uniformly thick, flexible and resilient per unit length. Bristles  30  are straight of equal length and either crimped or molded to the retractable bristle support rack.  
         [0031]     The brush is used to transfer hair product from the bristle members to the lock of hair.  
         [0032]     Although not illustrated, the hair product is a coloring product that is packaged as a cream or paste and prepared in a bowl or an automatic mixing device.  
         [0033]     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure and methodology of the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention, provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.