Fluid dispensing brush
A dispensing brush for dispensing a predetermined fluid on a head of hair. The dispensing brush includes a reservoir located within the brush head for retention of the predetermined fluid. The brush works without actuators or other mechanical devices for controlling flow of the fluid. The reservoir is in fluid communication with openings located on the top surface of the brush. The reservoir may have a funnel-like shape, which assists in regulating flow of fluid through the openings. The openings are centrally aligned on the top surface of the brush, and are located among the bristles of the brush.
The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/223,584, filed 19 Aug. 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dispensing brush. More specifically, the present invention relates to a dispensing brush having a reservoir for retaining a predetermined fluid, such as a hair-coloring product. The predetermined fluid is dispensed through dispenser apertures.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The idea of applying a viscous liquid to the hair or scalp is not new. Many coloring products, hair gels, and conditioners are used to manage or style a head of hair. Dispersal of the product evenly over the hair is of concern during application to the hair. Many known applicator devices do not give the control necessary to evenly disperse a liquid while styling hair. Other devices may disperse liquid evenly, but do so in limited amounts such that multiple applications may be needed. Further, some devices are limited to dispersal of liquid having viscosity within a narrow range.
For example, Thiruppathi (U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,290) teaches dispersing liquids onto the hair by way of a spray pump and nozzle incorporated within a hairbrush. However spray nozzles, such as those disclosed therein, accommodate liquids of moderate viscosity, rather than more viscous fluids that may be needed in hair coloring, for example. Furthermore, a spray nozzle may cover an area larger than required, leading to excess use of the liquid, and a lack of control over dispersal.
Another dispensing brush is disclosed in Velardi (U.S. Pat. No. 3,868,188). This disclosure suggests a toothbrush in which liquid is dispensed through bristles. However, the bristles of this design may become clogged, leading to uneven dispersal of the fluid. Also, since the fluid flow is manually controlled, this device does not easily lend itself to application of a hair product. While brushes may have been developed that dispense fluids, the shortcomings of uneven disbursement of the fluids and unnecessary manipulation of the brush by the user have not been adequately solved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTo ameliorate the noted concerns of known dispenser brushes, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel liquid dispensing hairbrush that is easy to use and control, and may be used with a variety of fluids. The brush includes a hollow, refillable reservoir for storing the fluid to be dispersed, and a plurality of dispersal openings communicating with the reservoir. The device of the present invention evenly disperses a predetermined fluid onto a head of hair or a scalp without need of manual regulation by the user. The hairbrush is designed to use gravity in the dispensing process rather than the pumps or controls seen in known devices.
A predetermined fluid, such as a hair colorant, is preferably added to the device through a, fill aperture in one end of the brush. The fill aperture is in fluid communication with the brush reservoir. Once the reservoir is filled, the aperture may be closed with a plug or other stop means thereby retaining the fluid in the reservoir. The brush further includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface preferably includes a plurality bristles extending normal to the top surface, and a plurality of dispenser openings. The dispenser openings being in fluid communication with the brush reservoir. The dimensions and alignment of the dispenser openings in the top of the brush allow the user to easily control even dispersal of fluid on a head of hair. The following description will explain the invention in more detail.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention that may be embodied in other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
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The present invention presents a dispensing brush that has simplified and economized hair styling and coloring procedures. The brush functions by utilizing the concepts of surface tension and gravity in a manner that has not been previously used or known in the art of hairstyling. The brush does not need levers, actuators, or other moving parts to dispense the fluid from the brush. Also, the fluid will flow out of the brush evenly without manipulation and control necessary by the individual user. Likewise, the brush will retain fluid within the brush until application without needing to plug or close the dispenser openings. Thus, the brush delivers regulated fluid in a much more efficient manner than previous devices known or used in the hairstyling field.
The brush also provides a more economical manner for coloring and streaking a head of hair. Previously, a person would have to go to a stylist, who would spend considerable time and effort for the streaking process. It was difficult for the user to properly streak one's own hair in an even fashion. The present invention allows the individual to color his or her own hair, quickly and affordably.
While the above description is illustrative of the invention, numerous modifications to the invention may occur without changing the scope of the invention. For instance, the shape of the handle and head of the brush may be changed while still being within the bounds of the invention. Likewise, the length and width of the brush may be modified, and the number of bristles and openings, and the size of the fluid reservoir may be modified as deemed necessary.
Claims
1. A dispensing brush comprising:
- a handle portion, said handle portion including a proximal end and a distal end,
- a head portion, said head portion including a first end and an oppositely disposed second end, said first end of said head portion connected to said proximal end of said handle portion,
- said head portion having a top surface and a bottom surface,
- a plurality of bristles laterally extending from the top surface of said head portion,
- a fluid reservoir, said fluid reservoir located in said head portion,
- a fill aperture, said aperture being in fluid communication with said reservoir,
- a plug removably engaging said fill aperture,
- said top surface of said head portion including a plurality of dispenser openings, said dispenser openings being in fluid communication with said fluid reservoir, said dispenser openings having a predetermined diameter, said predetermined diameter providing a surface tension to said fluid at an open end of the dispenser openings, said surface tension retaining the fluid within said reservoir until openings come into contact with an external surface.
2. The dispensing brush of claim 1 wherein said fill aperture is located in said second end of said head portion.
3. The dispensing brush of claim 1 wherein said fill aperture is located on said bottom surface of said head portion.
4. The dispensing brush of claim 1 wherein said plurality of bristles is arranged in multiple linear patterns.
5. The dispensing brush of claim 4, wherein said plurality of dispenser openings is longitudinally aligned along a central axis of said top surface of said head portion, said openings being centrally located between said multiple linear patterns of bristles.
6. The dispensing brush of claim 1, wherein said fill aperture has a diameter of at least 0.25 inches (0.635 cm).
7. The dispensing brush of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of dispenser openings includes a surrounding collar, said collar elevated a predetermined height above said top surface of said head portion.
8. The dispensing brush of claim 7, wherein said predetermined height is at least 0.125 inches (0.3175 cm).
9. The dispensing brush of claim 4, wherein said reservoir is adapted to receive a fluid through said fill aperture.
10. The dispensing brush of claim 5, wherein said plurality of dispenser openings is adapted to dispense a fluid from said reservoir.
11. A method for applying a fluid to a head of hair consisting of the steps:
- providing a head of hair;
- providing a dispenser brush, said brush including a handle portion and a head portion; said head portion including a first end and a second end; said first end of said head portion connected proximally to said handle portion; said head portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, a plurality of bristles laterally extending from said top surface, a fluid reservoir located in said head portion, and a fill aperture; said fill aperture being in fluid communication with said reservoir, a plug removably engaging said fill aperture, said top surface of said head including a plurality of openings, said openings being in fluid communication with said reservoir;
- filling the reservoir of the dispensing brush with a predetermined fluid; and
- passing said bristles through said head of hair, thereby dispensing said predetermined fluid from the reservoir through said dispenser openings onto the head of hair.
12. A dispensing brush for dispensing a fluid onto a head of hair without needing an actuator valve or discharge assistant to dispense the fluid, said dispensing brush comprising:
- a handle portion, said handle portion including a proximal end and a distal end,
- a head portion, said head portion including a first end and an oppositely disposed second end, said first end of said head portion connected to said proximal end of said handle portion,
- said head portion having a top surface,
- a plurality of bristles laterally extending from the top surface of said head portion,
- a fluid reservoir, said fluid reservoir located in said head portion,
- a fill aperture, said aperture being in fluid communication with said reservoir,
- a plug removably engaging said fill aperture,
- said top surface of said head portion including a plurality of dispenser openings, said dispenser openings being in fluid communication with said fluid reservoir, said dispenser openings having a predetermined diameter, said predetermined diameter providing a surface tension to said fluid at an open end of the dispenser openings, said surface tension retaining the fluid within said reservoir until said surface tension is broken by contact with an external surface.
13. The dispensing brush of claim 12 wherein said head portion has a bottom surface and said fill aperture is located in said second end of said head portion.
14. The dispensing brush of claim 12 wherein said fill aperture is located on said bottom surface of said head portion.
15. The dispensing brush of claim 12 wherein said plurality of bristles is arranged in multiple linear patterns.
16. The dispensing brush of claim 15, wherein said plurality of dispenser openings is longitudinally aligned along a central axis of said top surface of said head portion, said openings being centrally located between said multiple linear patterns of bristles.
17. The dispensing brush of claim 12, wherein said fill aperture has a diameter of at least 0.25 inches (0.635 cm).
18. The dispensing brush of claim 12 wherein at least one of said plurality of dispenser openings includes a surrounding collar, said collar elevated a predetermined height above said top surface of said head portion.
19. The dispensing brush of claim 18, wherein said predetermined height is at least 0.125 inches (0.3175 cm).
20. The dispensing brush of claim 19, wherein said reservoir is adapted to receive a fluid through said fill aperture.
21. The dispensing brush of claim 16, wherein said plurality of dispenser openings is adapted to dispense a fluid from said reservoir.
22. A fluid dispensing brush comprising:
- a handle portion, said handle portion including a proximal end and a distal end,
- a head portion, said head portion including a first end and an oppositely disposed second end, said first end of said head portion connected to said proximal end of said handle portion,
- said head portion having a top surface,
- a plurality of bristles laterally extending from the top surface of said head portion,
- a fluid reservoir having a funnel-like shape, said fluid reservoir located in said head portion,
- a fill aperture, said aperture being in fluid communication with said reservoir,
- a plug removably engaging said fill aperture,
- said top surface of said head portion including a plurality of dispenser openings, said dispenser openings being in fluid communication with said funnel-like fluid reservoir, said funnel-like shape providing retention means for said fluid within said reservoir.
23. The fluid dispensing brush according to claim 22 wherein said dispenser openings have a predetermined diameter, said predetermined diameter providing surface tension for said fluid, said surface tension providing further means for retaining said fluid within said reservoir.
24. The dispensing brush of claim 23 wherein said plurality of bristles is arranged in multiple linear patterns.
25. The dispensing brush of claim 24, wherein said plurality of dispenser openings is longitudinally aligned along a central axis of said top surface of said head portion, said openings being centrally located between said multiple linear patterns of bristles.
26. The dispensing brush of claim 25 wherein at least one of said plurality of dispenser openings includes a surrounding collar, said collar elevated a predetermined height above said top surface of said head portion.
27. The dispensing brush of claim 26, wherein said predetermined height is about approximately 0.25 inches (0.635 cm).
28. The dispensing brush according to claim 23 wherein said predetermined diameter of said openings is approximately about 0.125 inches (0.3175 cm).
29. The dispensing brush according to claim 22 further comprising a second fill aperture and a second plug removably secured within said second fill aperture, said second fill in aperture in fluid communication with said reservoir.
30. The dispensing brush according to claim 30 wherein said second plug providing pressurized retention means when said plug is secured within said second fill aperture.
31. A dispensing brush for dispensing a fluid comprising:
- a handle portion, said handle portion including a proximal end and a distal end,
- a head portion, said head portion including a first end and an oppositely disposed second end, said first end of said head portion connected to said proximal end of said handle portion,
- said head portion having a top surface and a bottom surface,
- a plurality of bristles laterally extending from the top surface of said head portion,
- a fluid reservoir having a funnel-like shape, said fluid reservoir located in said head portion,
- a first fill aperture located in said second end of said head portion, said aperture being in fluid communication with said reservoir,
- a first plug removably engaging said fill aperture,
- said top surface of said head portion including a plurality of dispenser openings, said dispenser openings being in fluid communication with said funnel-like fluid reservoir, said funnel-like shape providing retention means for said fluid within said reservoir;
- a second fill aperture located within said bottom portion of said brush;
- a second plug removably engaging said fill aperture, said plug providing further retention mean for said fluid when said plug engages said second fill aperture; and
- wherein said brush is void of mechanical discharge means for discharging said fluid.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 22, 2004
Publication Date: Jun 23, 2005
Inventors: Gus Stankovic (Milwaukee, WI), Michael Dermody (Oconomowoc, WI)
Application Number: 10/995,718