Abstract:
The present invention is a pet or animal brush with means to apply liquid treatments. The brush is made of an inert plastic with the bristles being either metal or synthetic. A reservoir is located within the handle and receives a liquid treatment. A pump distributes the treatment through the handle and out through ports located near the base of the bristles.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document No. 466,939, filed on Dec. 13, 1999. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to brush type grooming devices and, more particularly, to a combination pet brush and grooming solution dispenser. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Keeping pets is a never-ending task, requiring one to constantly feed, groom and clean up after their animal friends. Those that keep animals such as dogs and cats know the importance of a frequent brushing to keep their pet&#39;s coat healthy and clean. Often during this brushing, it is required that a liquid pet care product such a conditioner, flea treatment, shampoo or the like be applied. While it is often cumbersome to hold the pet, the brush, and the bottle while removing the cap for the owner, it is often an apprehensive time for the pet who is not sure what is going on or what is going to happen. This combination of problems often leads to an inadequate application at best and a mess for everyone at the worst. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. The following patents disclose a combination brush and flea powder dispenser: U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,603 issued in the name of Efaw, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,433 issued in the name of Cary. 
     The following patents describe the design and function of a pet brush with means to attach a grooming solution: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,738 issued in the name of Stanley 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 375,588 issued in the name of Bzoch 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 356,442 issued in the name of Hayes et al. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 331,840 issued in the name of Gamer describes the ornamental design for a pet brush for attachment to a water hose. 
     The following patents disclose the design and function of a combined pet brush and container for pesticide: U.S. Pat. No. 2,532,001 issued in the name of Williams; and U.S. Pat. No. D 357,810 issued in the name of Evans. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 417,551 issued in the name of Pinchuk describes the ornamental design for a grooming brush for animals. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 352,397 issued in the name of Coleman discloses the ornamental design for a medicine-applying paint brush. 
     Consequently, a need has been felt for providing a means by liquid pet care products can be applied to pets such as cats or dogs while brushing them in a manner which is quick, easy and effective. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide for an improved pet brush. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide for an improved pet grooming solution dispenser. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a pet brush that can be used also as a pet grooming solution dispenser. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a pet product applicator brush is provided to aid in the application of liquid pet care products to the fur of pets such as cats and dogs. From outward appearances, the invention strongly resembles a handled brush that is commonly used to brush or clean the coats of pets such as cats and/or dogs. The handle of the invention is large enough to contain a reservoir that contains the actual liquid such as shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc. The reservoir would accept these liquids in bulk form from a large bottle or by the use of pre-filled cartridges that are simply dropped in. A pump trigger located on the top of the handle then allows the liquid to be pumped from the reservoir through tubes and out distribution ports on the brush head. A cap assembly consisting of multiple caps on a rubber strip is provided to seal the distribution ports when not in use. Additionally, the brush head is interchangeable to allow the use of different brush head with stiff or soft, or long or short bristles. 
     The use of the present invention allows for the care of pets&#39; coats in a manner that is quick, easy and efficient. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of combination pet brush and grooming solution dispenser according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention according to the preferred embodiment as taken along lines II—II of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the present invention according to the preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the directional switch and button according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the head of the present invention according to the preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 6 a  is a top plan view of the applicator tip cover of the present invention according to the preferred embodiment; and 
     FIG. 6 b  is a side view of the applicator tip cover of the present invention according to the preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIG.  1  and FIG. 2, a combination pet brush and grooming solution dispenser  10  is shown, according to the present invention, comprised of a head  20  having a main brush portion affixed to an extended handle  30 . The main brush portion  23  is formed of an anterior end  25  opposite a posterior end  27 . The anterior end  25  forms a tapered brush portion  28 , and the posterior end  27  affixes to the handle  30 . The handle  30  has a removable top cap  32  and a removable end cap  34  coupled therewith. An internal conduit  60  rests within the handle  30 , and extends throughout the head  20  and tapered brush portion  28 . 
     The brush head portion  23  has a plurality of finger-gripping channels  29  positioned laterally along its outer lateral edges, providing the user with an ergonomic fit for obtaining both a firm and comfortable grasp of the present invention when the handle  30  is removed and the head portion  23  is used only as an otherwise convention grooming brush. 
     As shown in conjunction with FIG. 3, the head  20  further includes a brush head attachment receiving base  43  positioned along the perimeter of a bottom side thereof. The brush head attachment receiving base  43  is designed so as to removably receive a brush head attachment  45 . The brush head attachment  45  includes a plurality of bristle members  47  extending outwardly from a bottom side thereof. The brush head attachment  45  further includes a plurality of ring-shaped openings  48  formed on the bottom side thereof for mating with a plurality of applicators  50 , as described in greater detail below. 
     Located just above the anterior end  25  of the head  20  and extending outwardly therefrom is a tapered brush portion  28 . The tapered brush portion  28  extends and protrudes to an apex to allow the user to reach areas not easily accessible when applying grooming solution, when brushing a pet&#39;s coat, or the like. 
     As shown in conjunction with FIG.  1  and FIG. 2, located at the posterior end  27  of the head  20  is a reservoir receiving neck  48 . The reservoir receiving neck  48  is a threaded, circular opening designed to have a sealable reservoir handle  30  removably coupled thereto. The sealable reservoir handle  30  is of a hollow cylindrical configuration holding a supply of grooming solution sealed therein. The sealable reservoir handle  30  further has a removable top cap  32  and a removable end cap  34  coupled therewith. Although many variations are envisioned, according to the best mode of the preferred embodiment the sealable reservoir handle  30  is anticipated as being formed of a translucent material, thereby allowing the user to quickly and easily determine whether the sealable reservoir handle  30  contains grooming solution. 
     Measuring indicia  35  are provided along the external circumferential surface of the sealable reservoir handle  30  between the receiving neck  48  and the end cap  34 . The measuring indicia  35  allow the user to measure with substantial certainty either the amount of grooming solution added to the sealable reservoir handle  30 , the amount of grooming solution contained therein, or the amount dispensed. 
     The sealable reservoir handle  30  is designed such that after removal of the handle  30  and end cap  34 , either end of the sealable reservoir handle  34  can be removably coupled to the reservoir receiving neck  48 . It is envisioned that the functionality of such a design allows the sealable reservoir handle  30  to accept grooming solutions in bulk form from bottles in a refillable manner. In addition, because the sealable reservoir handle  30  can be removably coupled to the reservoir receiving neck  48 , it is further envisioned that pre-filled sealable reservoir handles  30  could also be utilized. Such a design further allows the user the option of using the head  20  as a traditional brush for brushing a pet&#39;s coat without attaching the sealable reservoir handle  30 . 
     Referring in greater detail to FIG. 2, disposed within and extending the length of the brush  10  from the sealable reservoir handle  30  to the tapered brush portion  28  is an internal conduit  60 . The internal conduit  60  is of an elongated tubular configuration having a central conduit  62 , a first conduit  64 , a second conduit  66  and a third conduit  68  wherein the central conduit  62  extends and branches initially from the central conduit  62  into both the first conduit  64  and the second conduit  66 . The first conduit  64 , the second conduit  66  and the third conduit  68  each include a plurality of dispensing tubes  67  extending therefrom. In conjunction with the other Figures, the dispensing tubes  67  have a plurality of applicators  50 , each having tapered applicator tips  52  protruding outwardly therefrom. The applicator tips  52  of the first conduit  64  and the applicator tips  52  of the second conduit  66  located at the anterior end  25  of the main brush portion  23  have an orifice diameter larger in size than the diameter of the applicator tips  52  of the second conduit  66  located and extending along a linearly elongated centerline of the head  20  to the posterior end  27  of the main brush portion  23 . Further, the applicator tips closest to the posterior end  27  have smaller orifices than those at the tip in order to aid in the even application of fluid. This ensures the combination pet brush and grooming solution dispenser  10  applies an even portion of grooming solution  33 . The applicators  50  are further designed and arranged in such an aligned manner as to mate with the ring-shaped openings  48  located on the bottom side of the brush head attachment  45 . 
     Each applicator  50  penetrates and extend outwardly from the bottom side of the brush head attachment  45  in the direction of the extending bristle members  47  and extending just short the length of the bristle members  47 . The applicators  50 , being tapered in design, facilitate the application of grooming solution in a focused and more direct area of a pet&#39;s coat. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, and in greater detail in FIG. 4, a manually-operated pump  70  is disposed within the posterior end  27  of the main brush portion  23  of the head  20 . The pump  70  is coupled to the central conduit  62  by an annular rib  72 . The pump  70  has an outlet conduit  68  extending outwardly therefrom and branching into conduits  60 ,  62 . To manually force grooming solution through the internal conduit  60 , the pump  70  utilizes a depressable button  75  which is actuated by a user&#39;s thumb. When activated, the pump  70  draws grooming solution of the sealable reservoir handle  34  into the central conduit  62  and forces the grooming solution through the outlet conduit  68  where it comes into communication with a directional rocking switch  80 . 
     In fluid communication with the internal conduit  60 , a directional switch  80  allows for the selective direction of the flow path of the grooming solution. The directional switch  80  controls whether the flow path of the grooming solution  33  is forced through the first conduit  64  or the second conduit  66 . The directional switch  80  is configured so as to allow the user the option of applying grooming solution  33  either through the applicators  50  penetrating the bottom side of the main brush portion  23  only, through the tapered brush portion  28  only, or through neither; being designated on the directional switch  80  as the OFF position. The directional switch  80  allows the user to apply grooming solution  33  in hard to reach areas and prevents both over application and waste, which in turn saves the user money. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b,  the applicator tips  52  have an applicator tip cover  55  being modular in design removably coupled thereto for preventing leakage of grooming solution from the applicator tips  52  during nonoperation. 
     As designed, a device embodying the teachings of the present invention is easily applied. It is envisioned that various improvements and adaptations can be provided within the present teachings, such as various sizes of interchangeable heads could be utilized to correspond with the size of the pet. It is further envisioned that a variety of handles could be utilized including but not limited to a ribbed sealable reservoir handle to increase the user&#39;s grasp of the present invention during operation and an opaque handle with a transparent view strip to aid the user in determining whether the sealable reservoir handle contains grooming solution. It is still further envisioned that various types and lengths of bristles could be utilized being adapted to the pet&#39;s hair length. It is further envisioned that the present invention may be constructed of any type of lightweight metal or plastic including high impact polystyrenes. Therefore, the foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipated within this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following claims.