Hair Brush Cover

Abstract

A hair brush cover for use in covering the bristles of a hair brush having bristles and a handle, the hair brush cover having a net component with a closed end and an open end. An elastic band is adapted around the open end. The open end of the net component is sized and configured to fit over the bristles of the hair brush while the elastic band retains the hair brush cover on the handle thereof. The hair brush cover thereby provides users with a quick and convenient manner in which to remove unwanted hair from within the bristles of a hair brush.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/898,877, filed Nov. 1, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many individuals share hairbrushes. However, when sharing hairbrushes, it is common that a users' hair gets stuck and remains in the brush's bristles. This situation can be unsanitary and can even spread germs or infestations such as lice between the various users. Removing a prior user's hair from the brush's bristles can be a very time consuming and tedious task. Additionally, if an individual uses a brush with another user's hair still in the bristles, that hair can then become intertwined in the new user's hair, which is undesirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would therefore be advantageous to provide a hair brush cover that will serve to alleviate these concerns.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a hair brush cover for use in covering the bristles of a hair brush having bristles and a handle comprises a net component having a closed end and an open end and an elastic band adapted around the open end. The open end of the net component is sized and configured to fit over the bristles of the hair brush while the elastic band retains the hair brush cover on the handle thereof.

The net component may have a melting point just below that of the level in which human hair may be damaged. The melting point may be one of approximately 300° F., 320-350° F., or 420° F.

The hair brush cover may further comprise a temperature indicator. The temperature indicator may indicate temperature ranges via a change in color. The temperature indicator may change color at approximately 300° F.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a method of readily removing excess hair from a hair brush by use of a hair brush cover having a closed end and an elastic open end may comprise the steps of rolling the hair brush cover from the elastic open end toward the closed end; threading a hair brush through the open end; unrolling the open end from the closed end to cover the bristles of the hair brush with the hair brush cover; combing hair to capture hair within the bristles of the hair brush; peeling the elastic open end of the hair brush cover over the hair brush toward the closed end of the hair brush cover to remove the hair brush cover and captured hair from the hair brush.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a hair removal kit comprises a hair brush having bristles and a handle; at least one hair brush cover for use in covering the bristles of the hair brush.

The at least one hair brush cover may comprise a net component having a closed end and an open end and an elastic band adapted around the open end. The open end of the net component may be sized and configured to fit over the bristles of the hair brush while the elastic band retains the hair brush cover on the handle thereof.

The at least one hair brush covers may be at least three hair brush covers. The at least one hair brush covers may be at least six hair brush covers. The at least one hair brush covers may be at least twelve hair brush covers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with features, objects, and advantages thereof, will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings. It is intended that any additional organizations, methods of operation, features, objects or advantages ascertained by one skilled in the art be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

With respect to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a close-up perspective view of a brush being covered with the present invention prior to use.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the present invention being used to cover variously shaped hair brushes.

FIG. 3 shows a view of the present invention in operation as well as how the device appears after use.

FIG. 4 shows an overhead view of the present invention in various phases during the removal of the net.

FIG. 5 shows an overhead view of various styles and appearances of the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts an annotated version of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 depicts an annotated version of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 depicts an annotated version of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 depicts an annotated version of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 depicts an annotated version of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following are described the preferred embodiments of the hair brush cover of the present invention. In describing the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. Where like elements have been depicted in multiple embodiments, identical reference numerals have been used in the multiple embodiments for ease of understanding.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 6, there are respectively shown a close-up view of a brush being covered with the present invention prior to use. The hair brush cover 100 is composed of an elastic, stretchable material, such as nylon or rubber. The hair brush cover 100 has the capacity to stretch around all hair brushes B for a universal fit. The net component 102 also includes an elastic band 104 along the open end 106 of the covering so that when the hair brush cover 100 is covering a hair brush's bristles BR, the hair brush cover has the capacity to secure snugly around the top portion T of a hairbrush.

The opposite end 108 of the hair brush cover 100 is closed. This hair brush cover 100 provides a shield between the hair brush bristles BR and the hair (not shown in FIG. 1). This saves users time when removing excess hair from the bristles of a hair brush as explained below.

After use, individuals remove the hair brush cover 100 and the hair which is caught over the exterior of the hair brush cover 100 and within the bristles BR is removed with it. This prevents individuals from having to pick out hair from between the brush's bristles BR with their hands and also provides individuals with a sanitary means to share hair brushes B.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 7, there are respectively shown a perspective view of the present invention being used to cover variously shaped hair brushes. The hair brush cover is designed to fit around hairbrushes of all shapes, whether round, square, or oval, and all sizes. The hair brush cover net component 102 shields the hair from becoming stuck in between a brush's bristles. The device is removable by a user and can be reused or discarded at their discretion.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 8, there are respectively shown a view of the hair brush cover 100 of the present invention in operation O as well as how the hair brush cover appears after use. When the hair brush B is covered with the net component 102 included in the present invention, excess hair becomes stuck in the bristles. However, users can instantly remove the hair by pulling the net component 102 off the brush B. This is most easily achieved by grasping the elastic band 104 and peeling the hair brush cover 100 over the brush B toward its top end T. When doing so, the hair is removed with the hair brush cover 100. The actual bristles BR and base of the hair brush are left clean and hair-less when the hair brush cover 100 is used as a barrier for the brush B.

It will be appreciated that affixing of the hair brush cover 100 upon the hair brush B is achieved in a manner opposite to that of removing the hair brush cover. Here, a user will generally grasp the hair brush cover 100 by the elastic band 104 and roll the net component 102 around the elastic band approximately until the opposite end 108 is reached. The rolled hair brush cover 100 may then be threaded over the top end T of the hair brush B and unrolled until the elastic band 104 becomes freed of the net component 102. The elastic band 104 may then be released whereby it is permitted to tightly surround the brush B, typically at a handle portion H.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 9, there are respectively shown an overhead view of the hair brush cover 100 in various phases of uncovering from the brush B, from left to right as depicted. Once the brush B is used (a used brush is shown on the left), individuals pull the open end 106 at the elastic band 104 of the hair brush cover 100 upward to remove it (in a sense by unpeeling it) from the brush. The elastic band 104 permits the covering to expand as users remove the hair brush cover 100. Once removed, the users are provided with a sanitary hair brush B (shown on the right) that does not have any hair retained in the bristles BR. Instead, the excess hair comes off with the hair brush cover 100. The hair brush cover 100 is then emptied of hair by the user and can be reused. Alternatively, it may be discarded entirely.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 10, there are respectively shown an overhead view of various styles and appearances of the hair brush covers of the present invention. The hair brush cover may be configured in a plurality of styles or colors to best suit user preferences. The flexible, stretchable, cylindrical net component 102 is hollow and has an open end 106 to accept a hair brush B and prevent hair from having contact with and being retained adjacent to the actual base of the brush itself. In this way, the present invention provides users with an efficient means to increase sanitation when using hair brushes and also provides individuals with a way to instantly remove excess hair from a hair brush after use.

In addition to the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the hair brush cover 100, and preferably the net component 102, may be configured from materials which have a melting point just below that of the temperature in which human hair is damaged. This temperature may be less than approximately 300° F. where moisture begins to be lost, 320-350° F. where hair begins a glass transition phase, or 420° F. where helices of hair protein melt. In this instance, users would be provided with a visual means for identifying when hairdryer or other heat treatments are in excess. For example, the net component 102 may be configured to melt, deform, or disfigure due to the heat of a hairdryer or similar device. If that occurs, then the user has a visual indication that the temperature is too ho and can damage his/her hair.

Alternatively, the hair brush cover 100 may be configured from materials which are heat resistant and therefore will not melt, deform, or disfigure when used with hairdryers or similar devices.

Preferred materials of the net component include nylon with a max temperature of approximately 210° F. and a melting point of approximately 420° F. It will be appreciated that the max temperature is approximately the temperature in which nylon becomes soft but does not melt. Other materials include spandex with a melting point of approximately 350° F.

Moreover, the hair brush cover may be configured with a temperature indicator, such as a thread of temperature sensitive material intertwined with the net component or forming a portion of the elastic band. The temperature indicator may also be a sticker that may be affixed to a portion of the hair brush cover 100. The temperature sensitive material may be configured to change color upon applications of various temperatures, such as those provided above. By color indication the user would then know that the temperature of the hairdryer or other device was potentially damaging the user's hair. As an example, the temperature sensitive material could turn red upon reaching a temperature of 300° F., such that an indication of the temperature will be visualized prior to the hair reaching 320° F.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hair brush cover for use in covering the bristles of a hair brush having bristles and a handle, said hair brush cover comprising:

a net component having a closed end and an open end;

an elastic band adapted around said open end;

whereby the open end of said net component is sized and configured to fit over the bristles of the hair brush while said elastic band retains said hair brush cover on the handle thereof.

2. The hair brush cover of claim 1, wherein said net component has a melting point just below that of the level in which human hair may be damaged.

3. The hair brush cover of claim 2, wherein said melting point is one of approximately 300° F., 320-350° F., or 420° F.

4. The hair brush cover of claim 1, further comprising a temperature indicator.

5. The hair brush cover of claim 4, wherein said temperature indicator indicates temperature ranges via a change in color.

6. The hair brush cover of claim 5, wherein said temperature indicator changes color at approximately 300° F.

7. A method of readily removing excess hair from a hair brush by use of a hair brush cover having a closed end and an elastic open end, comprising:

rolling the hair brush cover from the elastic open end toward the closed end;

threading a hair brush through the open end;

unrolling the open end from the closed end to cover the bristles of the hair brush with the hair brush cover;

combing hair to capture hair within the bristles of the hair brush;

peeling the elastic open end of the hair brush cover over the hair brush toward the closed end of the hair brush cover to remove the hair brush cover and captured hair from the hair brush.

8. A hair removal kit comprising:

a hair brush having bristles and a handle;

at least one hair brush cover for use in covering the bristles of the hair brush.

9. The kit of claim 8, wherein said at least one hair brush cover comprises a net component having a closed end and an open end;

an elastic band adapted around said open end;

whereby the open end of said net component is sized and configured to fit over the bristles of the hair brush while said elastic band retains said hair brush cover on the handle thereof.

10. The kit of claim 8, wherein said at least one hair brush covers is at least six hair brush covers.