Water Removing Hair Brush
A hair brush has a body with a head, a plurality of bristles carried by and protruding relative to the head, and a water absorbent material carried by part of the body and dispersed among at least some of the plurality of bristles.
This application is related to and claims priority benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/979,971 filed Apr. 15, 2014 and entitled “Water Removing Hair Brush.” This application is also a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/106,375 filed Dec. 13, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/341,794, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,829, filed on December 30, 2011, each also entitled “Water Removing Hair Brush”, the latter of which claimed priority benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/429,077 filed on Dec. 31, 2010 and entitled “Water Removing Hairstyling Implements.” The entire content of these prior filed applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND1. Field of the Disclosure
The present invention is generally directed to hairstyling implements, and more particularly to water removing hairstyling implements, such as hair brushes.
2. Description of Related Art
It is often desirable to reduce the time that it takes to style a person's hair. Hair typically cannot even be styled until it is substantially dry because wet hair won't hold or retain a styled shape. Drying one's hair is a time consuming endeavor that as a result significantly increases the time it takes to style hair. Hair dryers, blow dryers and the like are well known in the art for use in drying a person's hair. These drying devices often utilize heated air that is directed at the wet hair in order to speed up the hair drying process. However, use of these types of devices can take a significant amount of time, particularly where the person's hair is extremely wet. These types of devices also can produce undesired styling effects on the hair or, worse yet, can damage the hair being dried.
In many instances, a person will use a towel to absorb water from wet hair. Towels are sometimes configured as head wraps to increase the amount of surface contact with the hair. Nevertheless, towels typically fail to sufficiently dry hair for styling. Some individuals or stylists will try to increase the drying effect of a towel or head wrap by rubbing the hair with the towel or moving the towel and hair relative to one another. This can also result in undesired styling effects on the hair, or worse yet, can also damage the hair.
Others have tried to create products that are capable of removing more water than a conventional towel. Combs that are otherwise traditional have been made with teeth that can move and act as a squeegee on wet hair. Others have developed combs that utilize chemical additives to dissipate moisture or to break up the water molecules. Such combs have not been found to markedly improve water removal, to adequately dissipate moisture in wet hair, or to significantly reduce drying and/or styling time.
Hair brushes and other styling implements have also been created that are intended to add material to one's hair for styling. Such hair brushes and other implements have been developed to apply or distribute oil, hair coloring agents, conditioners to the hair and scalp, and the like. Others have tried to develop hair brushes that can absorb water from a user's hair. Such brushes have not heretofore achieved this intended goal successfully or satisfactorily.
Other styling implements and hair styling products have been developed that have absorbent capability for absorbing and then distributing styling agents or coloring agents to a user's hair. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,075, U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,426, U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,695, U.S. Application Serial No. 2008/014504, EP 1272068, and EP 0497080.
SUMMARYIn one example according to the teachings of the present disclosure, a hair brush has a body with a head, a plurality of bristles carried by and protruding relative to the head, and a water absorbent material carried by part of the body and dispersed among at least some of the plurality of bristles.
In one example, the water absorbent material can be dispersed among some but not all of the plurality of bristles, which can leave some of the bristles exposed.
In one example, the plurality of bristles can include two or more columns of exposed bristles along at least one side edge of the head exposed beyond the water absorbent material. The exposed bristles are exposed by having no water absorbent material dispersed among the two or more columns of exposed bristles.
In one example, the plurality of bristles can include two or more columns of bristles along at least one side edge of the head. The two or more columns can include one column of the two or more columns staggered or offset relative to at least one other column of the two or more columns.
In one example, the plurality of bristles can include three columns of exposed bristles, which can be provided along each of two opposed side edges of the head. The exposed bristles are exposed by having no water absorbent material dispersed among the three columns of exposed bristles.
In one example, the plurality of bristles can include two or more columns of the bristles, which can be staggered relative to one another and be exposed outwardly beyond the water absorbent material. The exposed bristles are exposed by having no water absorbent material dispersed among the two or more columns of exposed bristles.
In one example, the plurality of bristles can include three columns along each of two opposed side edges of the head. Each of the three columns of bristles can be staggered relative to an adjacent one of the three columns.
In one example, the hair brush can include an absorbent material layer carried by the head adjacent and underlying a base layer, backing layer, or carrier layer of the water absorbent material.
In one example, the hair brush can include an absorbent material layer, which can be a non-woven textile material, underlying the water absorbent material.
In one example, the plurality of bristles can include two or more columns of exposed bristles along at least one side edge of the head. The water absorbing material can be dispersed among and between the plurality of bristles but not among the two or more columns of exposed bristles. The two or more columns of exposed bristles can be arranged more densely per unit area on the head than a remainder of the plurality of bristles.
In one example, the plurality of bristles can include two or more columns of exposed bristles along each of two opposed side edges of the head. The water absorbing material can be dispersed among and between the plurality of bristles but not among each of the two or more columns of exposed bristles. Each of the two or more columns of exposed bristles can be arranged more densely per unit area on the head than a remainder of the plurality of bristles.
In one example, the water absorbent material can be a microfiber material.
In one example, the water absorbent material can include a plurality of fabric rods protruding from the head between some of the plurality of bristles.
In one example, the water absorbent material can be a plurality of microfiber material rods that protrude from the head between some of the plurality of bristles. The hair brush can include an absorbent material base layer carried by the head adjacent and underlying a backing or carrier layer of the plurality of fabric rods.
In one example, the hair brush can include an absorbent material base layer, which can be viscose with a synthetic.
In one example according to the teachings of the present disclosure, a hair brush has a body with a head, a plurality of bristles carried by and protruding relative to the head, a water absorbent material carried by part of the body and dispersed among at least some but not all of the plurality of bristles, and an absorbent material base layer carried by the head adjacent a backing or carrier layer of the water absorbent material.
In one example, the absorbent material layer can be a non-woven textile material.
In one example, the absorbent material layer can be viscose with a synthetic.
In one example, the plurality of bristles can include two or more columns of bristles along each of two opposed side edges of the head. The water absorbing material can be dispersed among and between the plurality of bristles between but not among the two or more columns of bristles on each of the two opposed side edges.
In one example, the plurality of bristles can include three columns of bristles exposed beyond the water absorbent material on each of two opposed side edges of the head. The exposed bristles are exposed by having no water absorbent material dispersed among or between the three columns of exposed bristles.
In one example, the plurality of bristles can include three columns of bristles exposed beyond the water absorbent material on each of two opposed side edges of the head. The exposed bristles are exposed by having no water absorbent material dispersed among or between the three columns of exposed bristles. At least one column of the three columns of bristles can be staggered or offset relative to at least another column of the three columns of bristles.
In any of the examples, the body can have a handle coupled to the head and the water absorbent material can be carried by the head.
In any of the examples, the head can define a cavity and can have one or more vents through the head and in communication with the cavity.
In any of the examples, the plurality of bristles can be connected to a bristle pad that is carried by the head.
In any of the examples, the plurality of bristles can be connected to a bristle pad. The bristle pad can have a plurality of perforations formed therethrough. Each of the plurality of bristles can be interspersed among the perforations.
In any of the examples, the water absorbent material can be a microfiber fabric.
In any of the examples, the water absorbent material can be a plurality of flexible microfiber fabric rods that can extend from the backing or carrier layer. The backing or carrier layer can be a microfiber material. The fabric rods can extend in a direction generally parallel to the plurality of bristles.
In any of the examples, the water absorbent material can be a microfiber fabric with antibacterial properties.
In any of the examples, the water absorbent material can be dispersed among a subset of the plurality of bristles.
In any of the examples, the water absorbent material can be dispersed among a subset of the plurality of bristles. The subset of the plurality of bristles can be between approximately 5% and 90% of the bristles, or can be between approximately 5% and 75% of the bristles, or can be between approximately 25% and 75% of the bristles.
In any of the examples, the hair brush can include one or more vents among the plurality of bristles and extending through the head including through a back side of a housing.
Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:
In view of the foregoing, there exists a need for a hairstyling implement that can aid in accelerating hair drying during styling. The hairstyling brushes disclosed herein are well suited for aiding in the hair drying process. The disclosed hair brush and brush head configurations solve or improve upon one or more of the above noted and/or other problems and disadvantages with prior known and existing hair brushes. The disclosed hair brush and brush head configurations also solve or improve upon the brush head embodiments disclosed in the aforementioned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/106,375 filed Dec. 13, 2013. The aforementioned provisional application Ser. No. 61/979,971 is intended to serve as the priority filing for this application, which is a continuation-in-part of said co-pending application.
As noted above, a common consumer frustration is that wet or damp hair significantly slows down the consumer's hair styling routine. Also as noted above, others have attempted to speed up the consumer's hair styling routing by drying hair. This has previously been addressed with conventional solutions like simple towel-drying one's hair. More refined solutions have also been attempted such as providing an absorbent towel that form fits a consumer's head and hair to increase surface area contact with the hair.
The disclosed styling tools, i.e., hair brushes and brush head configurations, remove water by employing absorbent materials and cause no damage to hair. The disclosed hair brushes and brush head configurations solve or improve upon the aforementioned problems by removing water from the consumer's hair using a brush head configuration with one or more improved design criteria. In one example, the brush head may employ a balanced combination of such design criteria such as: 1) mechanical or bristle water removal; 2) absorbent material, such as a microfiber material or other suitable material, dispersed among a portion of the bristles; and 3) an absorbent base layer of material beneath the absorbent material dispersed among the bristles, such as a non-woven textile layer of material.
Turning now to the drawings,
The hair brush 10 is for use as a hairstyling implement that also can dry hair simultaneously as the hair is brushed and styled. The water absorbent material 20 on the brush head 16 absorbs and removes water from the hair during styling. The water absorbent material 20 is disposed proximal to the bristles 18. In this example of
The handle 14 in this example has a shape that transitions to a shape of the head 16 through a neck 21. The relatively narrow width of the handle 14 widens at the neck 21 to match the width of the head 16. As shown in the cross section of
As shown in
The brush body 12 may be constructed from one or more pieces. In this example, the brush body 12 has two pieces as shown in
The back housing section 30 also includes a handle portion defining part of the handle 14 and a head portion defining part of the head 16. The back housing section 30 has an outside surface 46 and inside surface 48. The back housing section 30 also includes a mating surface 50 at an edge around a perimeter of the back housing section 30 between the outside surface 46 and the inside surface 48. The inside surface 48 can also include supports 51 protruding forward therefrom to support the bristle pad 24. The supports 51 are in the form of spaced apart thin walls that project from the inside surface 48 at an angle approximately normal to the longitudinal axis of the brush body 12. The supports 51 do not extend completely laterally across a width of the brush body 12. Two such supports 51 are shown, but the number, shape, orientation, and position of such supports can vary. The supports 51 in this example have a notched or serrated free edge 52 to aid in positionally retaining the water absorbent material 20 during use.
The mating surface 44 on the front housing section 28 is adapted to engage the mating surface 50 of the back housing section 30 when the body 12 is assembled. As shown in the exploded view of
A cavity 56 under the bristle pad 24 is defined by the assembled head portions of the front housing section 28 and the back housing section 30. The back housing section 30 has a plurality of vent perforations 58 providing openings to the cavity 56 to provide for air flow into, through, and out of the cavity 56. In the present example, the vent perforations 58 are arranged on lateral side walls 59 of the back housing section 30. The number and arrangement of the vent perforations can vary in location and can be uniform, random, and/or can vary in size.
The bristle pad 24, as shown in
The perforations 26 in the bristle pad 24 are arranged in rows and columns among and between each of the bristles 18. In this example, the perforations 26 have a square shape. The perforations 26 form a grid-like mesh with cross points and each of the bristles 18 is integrally molded on the bristle pad at the cross points of the grid. Other arrangements, shapes and sizes of perforations 26 can be used and remain within the teachings of the present invention. The perforations 26 allow additional air to flow into, through, and out of the cavity 56 through the bristle pad 24. Air can also flow through the cavity via the vent perforations 58 in the back housing section 30.
The bristle pad 24 can have a plurality of interlock projections 66 arranged around and protruding radially outward from its perimeter. The interlock projections 66 can have a predetermined shape protruding outward from the perimeter of the bristle pad 24. The bristle pad projections 66 can interlock with and seat in corresponding interlock notches 67 adjacent the aperture on the front inside surface 40 of the front housing section 28. The projections 66 and notches 67 align and position the bristle pad 24 during assembly. Other alignment pins, holes, mechanisms, etc. could also be used in place of the projections and notches.
Also shown in
The hair brush 10 of
The water absorbent material 20 in one example can be a microfiber fabric 80. As shown in
The microfiber fabric 80 can alternatively be manufactured in blank form having a continuous substrate and in which rows and columns of the flexible fabric rods are intermittently omitted at intervals corresponding to a length and width of a bristle pad. When the microfiber fabric is thus manufactured in sheets of multiple uncut segments, once cut the base substrate material can be wrapped around both of the sides and the ends of the bristle pad 24.
The microfiber fabric 80 can have antibacterial properties. An antimicrobial additive, e.g. triclosan or a suitable alternative can be applied to the microfiber fabric or other water absorbent material that may be used in the making of the disclosed hair brushes.
During assembly, blank segments 84 of the microfiber fabric 80 are first cut to the appropriate size from the larger sheets. Each cut blank segment 84 of the microfiber fabric 80 is then placed over a bristle pad 24. The plurality of bristles 18 can then penetrate and protrude through the base substrate 82 can be the microfiber fabric. As a result, the fabric rods 36 on the substrate 82 are arranged among and between the bristles 18. Edges 86, either cut sides or selvedges, of the microfiber fabric base substrate 82 are wrapped around and overlap edges of the bristle pad 24. Together the bristle pad 24 and the microfiber fabric 80 are inserted into the aperture 42 in the front housing 28. The retention plate 34 is placed between the back surface 62 of the bristle pad 24 and the inside surface 48 of the back housing section 30. The edges 86 of the microfiber fabric blank segment 84 that is wrapped around the bristle pad 24 will be borne against the retention plate 34 and the serrated edge 52 of the supports 51 will anchor the fabric inside the cavity 56 of the head 16 of the hair brush 10.
During assembly of the brush body 12, the guide pins 54 allow the front housing section 28, and the back housing section 30 to be fitted together precisely with the microfiber fabric blank segment 84 and bristle pad 24 in place and captured therebetween. When the mating surfaces 44, 50 of the front and back housing sections 28, 30 are connected, the cavity 56 is formed between the inside surface 48 of the back housing section 30 and the inside surface 40 of the front housing section 28. The cavity 56 can extend into the handle 14 of the brush body 12, as in the example of
The brush body 12 can be formed in other different ways and have a variety of different constructions with additional and or alternate features. In the present example, the front housing section 28 and back housing section 30 can be joined by sonic welding. Alternatively, the front housing section and back housing section may have complementary features that snap together. In another alternative, the front housing section and the back housing section may be joined with an adhesive or with removable fasteners. In another alternative, the hair brush body may be constructed from a single unitary piece.
The hair brush 10 can be used in styling hair in the same manner as a typical hair brush. The water absorbent material can draw water out of wet hair and more quickly dry the hair than a typical hair brush alone. Merely brushing wet hair with the hair brush 10 can reduce drying and styling time because the water absorbent material draws water from the hair more quickly than evaporation alone.
Another advantage of the hair brush 10 over a typical hair brush is that, in addition to aiding in creating a hairstyle, it also can reduce the time to dry hair during styling when used with a blow dryer for hair. When used in conjunction with a typical blow dryer, water is drawn out of the hair by the absorbent material and warm air is forced over and through the hair. The warm air can then pass through the perforated bristle pad, into the cavity and out the vents in the body, or vice versa. Such air flow can continuously evaporate water from the water absorbent material simultaneous with the evaporating water from the hair. This allows the water absorbent material to continue to draw water from the hair, further reducing drying time. The variety of disclosed brushes can allow a user to complete virtually any hair styling steps that would otherwise be completed using a brush of comparable shape but with no water absorbent material. Thus, a user need not change brushes during styling and will require no learning curve to style with one of the disclosed brushes.
In another example as illustrated in
In the example of
As shown in
In another example as illustrated in
In the example of
In the example of
In
As with the prior examples, the brush bodies shown in
The block 1003 and the bristles 1016 are integrally formed together of a water absorbent material such as a small open cell foam. The foam block 1003 can be integrally formed or molded with the bristles 1016. The foam block 1003 and bristles 1014 can be made of a foam material having sufficient rigidity to permit the bristles to separate and comb through wet hair. The body 1002 of the brush 1000 may be formed of one piece or more than one piece fitted together, as with the other examples described herein. The body can be made of injection molded plastic. The materials and arrangement of the body and the foam block can vary and remain within the teachings of the present invention. The ability to remove the water absorbent material from the body can allow a user to squeeze water from the bristles and block, to allow easy replacement, or both. Having the block 1003 exposed will also greatly aid in evaporation of moisture from the water absorbent material when not being used, even if still retained in the recess.
A hair brush 1100 is shown in
The bristles 1210 have a center element (not shown), similar to the previous examples, of a non-absorbent, relatively stiff or rigid material, such as nylon. Each of the center elements is again coated with a water absorbent foam material such as shown in
The water-removing hair brush 10 as described above has a body 12 or housing with a plurality of vents 58 along the sides of the housing that are open to the interior cavity 56 of the housing. A bristle pad 24 is mounted to the housing and carries the plurality of bristles 18. The bristles are arranged in aligned rows and columns on the brush head 16. An absorbent fabric material 20 is provided with fabric rods 36 that protrude away from the brush head. The fabric rods are dispersed among the bristles and are oriented generally parallel with the bristles. The fabric rods are dispersed among essentially all of the bristles on the hair brush 10 and are positioned immediately adjacent and behind the first column of bristles on each side of the brush head and the first row of bristles on each end of the brush head.
The intent of the hair brush 10 is for the absorbent fabric rods 36 to absorb water during hair brushing. The vents 58 are intended to allow air flow through the housing interior or cavity 56 to allow moisture absorbed by the fabric rods to evaporate so that the absorbent material can dry quickly and effectively. By removing water from the consumer's hair during brushing, the hair brush 10 can speed up the hair drying process and thus can speed up the consumer's hairstyling routine.
In one example, the fabric rods 36 can be formed from a microfiber material and woven to produce a backing or carrier layer (see
One potential limitation of the hair brush 10 is that hair strands may not always achieve full depth along the length of the bristles when hair is brushed. The fabric rods 36, which are dispersed among all of the bristles 18 may inhibit hair strands from being fully engaged by the bristles, i.e., the fabric rods may block hair strands from getting fully within and among the bristles. Thus, the fabric rods may also not fully engage hair strands along their length. This can reduce or inhibit the amount of water absorbed by the fabric rods during brushing. The fabric rods may only absorb water at their tips so that the tips become saturated with water while the stalks or stems of the rods are not saturated. This can slow the effectiveness of the brush head until water wicks vertically from the tips along the length of the fabric rods.
Another potential limitation with the hair brush 10 is that the fabric rods 36 at the incoming hair contacting edge of the brush head may quickly become saturated with water but the trailing fabric rods may not. Thus, only part of the brush head area may absorb a majority of the water from the consumer's hair during brushing. Again, the water first must wick along the length of the fabric rods 36 to the backing or substrate layer 82 (see
As a result of these potential limitations, the hair brush 10 may quickly become saturated in the most used areas of the brush head. Once these areas become saturated, the brush then may not be able to absorb additional water as effectively as if efforts are made to increase absorbency, such as is disclosed further below. The fabric rods 36 have been shown through commercial use and through testing to wick water rather well in their lengthwise or vertical direction toward the carrier or backing layer or base substrate 82 and the brush head 16. The backing layer or base substrate 82 of the hair brush 10, however, has been shown to wick water rather poorly in the horizontal direction along the material of the backing layer, and even less so against the grain or across the fibers of the backing layer (see
According to the teachings of the present disclosure, a number of design criteria have been considered and tested to improve the water-removing capability of a hair brush while a consumer's hair is brushed. During testing, techniques, methods, and design changes for improving the mechanical water removal of the hair brush was considered. For example, bristle alignment variations were considered and tested. Staggered bristles at the edges of the brush were proven to better mechanically remove water from the consumer's hair during brushing. Bristle location was also considered and tested. Leaving exposed bristles at the edges of the brush head, i.e., with no adjacent fabric rods dispersed between the bristles, were proven to better allow hair to fully engage the brush bristles along the full length, and not just the tips, of the bristles during brushing. Different cross-sectional shapes of the bristle stalks or stems were also considered and tested. Adding a flow channel along the length of the stalks or stems of the bristles was proven to not significantly affect mechanical water removal during brushing. However, it is certainly within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure that other bristle shapes, though not specifically tested, other than smooth, round bristles, may also prove to be effective, such as a non-round bristle shape or the like. It is also possible that variations of this feature in combination with one or more other design criteria disclosed and/or discussed herein may also prove to be effective as well.
Variations in the bristle pad flexibility and pad curvature were also considered and tested. The effect of changing the flexibility of the bristle pad and the curvature of the bristle pad face were found to be negligible. However, it is certainly within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure that other bristle pad flexibilities not tested and/or bristle pad curvatures not tested may also prove to be effective. It is also possible that variations of these features in combination with one or more other design criteria disclosed and/or discussed may also prove to be effective as well.
Variations in bristle spacing, density (bristles per unit area on a brush head), arrangement, and count (total number of bristles on the brush head) may also be employed to improve the mechanical water removal of the bristles during brushing. With respect to bristle arrangement,
Improving the water absorption capability of the absorbent fabric rods or water absorbent material was also considered. Different absorbent materials were considered and tested. Microfiber proved to perform well and other material selections did not prove to significantly increase water absorption. There may be more expensive or exotic materials that absorb more water per unit volume of material. Cost considerations may result in such materials not being selected or not being a commercially reasonable choice. Material that is particularly well suited for use with blow drying were also considered and tested. Materials that included an absorbent additive were also considered and tested. Again, the effect of these types of changes did not prove to significantly increase the absorption capability or effectiveness of the brush head. However, it is certainly within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure that other absorbent material selections, even non-fabric materials, which were not tested, may also prove to be effective and may likewise be utilized as an absorbent material to achieve the affects described herein. It is also possible that variations of these features in combination with one or more other design criteria disclosed and/or discussed may also prove to be effective as well.
Improving the horizontal wicking capability of the absorbent material was also considered and tested. It was shown that employing a base layer of absorbent fabric or other absorbent material against the backing layer of the water absorbent fabric rod material significantly improved water wicking across the brush head. Different materials were tested or considered including woven and non-woven textiles. The combined cost and wicking effectiveness were also considered. Inexpensive non-woven textile fabrics proved to provide a suitable absorbent material layer. More expensive or exotic materials may also be suitable. Such a layer positioned against the backing or carrier layer of the water absorbent rod material proved to wick water away from the backing layer and horizontally across the brush head. However, it is certainly within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure that other absorbent material layer selections, even non-fabric materials, which were not tested, may also prove to be effective as a horizontal wicking layer. It is also possible that variations of this feature in combination with one or more other design criteria disclosed and/or discussed may also prove to be effective as well.
Removing and/or repositioning at least portions of the absorbent rods or fabric rods was also considered and tested. It was shown that removing or shaving fabric rods from the leading side edge or the side edges of the absorbent material, in order to expose some bristles or even a column or columns of the bristles along the leading edge or both side edges of the brush head, increased the water absorbing efficiency of the water absorbent fabric material. This also was shown to increase the mechanical water removal of the exposed bristles relative to a brush head that had substantially complete coverage of absorbent rods among all the bristles. Such a result is surprising, as one would tend to expect that providing more absorbent material would increase the absorbency of the brush. One would have expected that, by reducing the amount of absorbent material, the brush would be less effective in absorbing water, not more effective. However, it is certainly within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure that other arrangements of bristles and fabric rods not tested may also prove to be effective at mechanically removing and absorbing water during brushing. It is also possible that variations of this feature in combination with one or more other design criteria disclosed and/or discussed may also prove to be effective as well.
As another enhancement, the bristles 1334 in these exposed regions or columns 1332 are staggered (i.e., not linearly aligned) in the side edge-to-side edge direction of brushing during use. See
As a further enhancement, there are more bristles 1334 per unit area (i.e., greater bristle density) in these exposed regions or columns 1332 to create more hair interaction at the leading side edges 1336 on the brush head 1330. The exposed nature of the bristles 1334 allows hair to fully engage the bristles when first encountering the brush head 1330 during brushing. Thus, more hair can contact the bristles 1334 over the bristle length. The staggering of the bristles 1334 creates a non-linear path for the hair strands to follow, which enhances water removal from the strands and increases the hair's ability to interact more fully with the water absorbent material of the rods 1338 and the backing or carrier layer 1340.
In the disclosed example, there are three columns 1332 of the exposed and staggered bristles 1334 along each side edge 1336 on the brush head 1330 and then a fourth column adjacent the water absorbent fabric rods 1338 and backing layer 1340. It should be, however, appreciated that any other number of exposed bristles that do not have absorbent material rods 1338 (whether considering or not considering the base layer 1340) may be included, and that the aforementioned example embodiment is not intended to be limiting. In other examples, it may be that only the first column of bristles 1334 is exposed with no fabric rods 1338 between the first and second columns. In other examples, the columns 1332 can include two or more columns of the exposed bristles 1334. Moreover, it is appreciated that staggering or offsetting the bristles 1334 may not be necessary or required to achieve the desired enhanced water removal within the scope of the inventions described herein. Any number of bristle arrangements, densities, and orientations may likewise be employed.
As another enhancement, the water absorbent fabric rods 1338, or other suitable water absorbent materials and structures, may still be included in the middle region of the brush head 1330, which includes the remainder of the bristles 1334. The water absorbent material in one example can again be a microfiber material. Water is absorbed during brushing by the microfiber material. The hair strands will more fully contact the rods 1338 because of the foregoing mechanical enhancements resulting in the hair becoming more fully embedded in and engaged with the bristles 1334. The hair strands will then also become more fully embedded in and engaged with the fabric rods 1338 over the full rod length. Thus, there will be more surface contact between the hair strands and the water absorbent material, such as the fabric rods. This results in more water being absorbed by a greater majority of the rods over a greater majority of the length of the rods.
In this example, there are five columns of absorbent rods 1338 within the middle region of the brush head 1330. However, it should be appreciated that any other number of absorbent rods, rows, columns, and the like may be included, and that the aforementioned example embodiment is not intended to be limiting. Moreover, it should be appreciated that other water absorbent materials may be included or substituted for the absorbent rods in some embodiments. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that a brush may have different configurations of water absorbent materials, for example in different areas or portions of the brush head (i.e., in rows, leaving space between, or aligning or positioned adjacent and interior of the free exposed bristle columns, or forming a circle or oval shape in the middle region leaving exposed bristles there around, etc.) and the aforementioned embodiments are not intended to be limiting. There may thus be exposed bristles around the entire circumference of the brush head or on the top edge and/or the bottom edge of the brush head. The water absorbent material, such as the fabric rods or other suitable absorbent material can potentially be any configuration that takes up less than all of the brush head area, leaving some of the bristles exposed.
As another enhancement, the bristles 1334 in the middle region of the brush head 1330 are less dense than those in the exposed regions or columns 1334 and are not staggered. Instead, the middle region bristles 1334 are in a matrix arrangement and are aligned in both the lengthwise and widthwise directions on the bristle pad (see
As yet another enhancement, an absorbent material layer 1342 or wicking material layer, such as a non-woven textile or a fabric base layer, is positioned underlying the carrier or backing layer 1340 of the water absorbent material (i.e., the microfiber fabric rods 1338 in this example). The absorbent material layer 1342 can wick water away from the saturated microfiber water absorbent material and can wick water evenly across the surface area of the layer. In this example, the non-woven material of the absorbent material layer 1342 can be a viscose and synthetic material. However, it should again be appreciated that any number of absorbent materials may be utilized as the absorbent material or wicking material layer 1342 and the aforementioned example embodiment is not intended to be limiting. It is also possible that the absorbent elements of one material, such as the fabric rods, can be adhered or attached to a carrier or backing layer 1340 of another different material and that the adjacent absorbent material layer or wicking layer 1342 can be yet another different material from one or both of those absorbent materials. The absorbent material layer 1342 can fill nearly the entirety of the cavity within the housing, as depicted in
As a further enhancement, a gap or free space 1344 is provided between the exposed columns 1332 of the bristles 1334 and the remainder of the bristles within the middle section of the brush head 1330. The gap or free space 1344 can assist in drying the water absorbent material, including the fabric rods 1338 and the backing layer 1340 between uses. The gap or free space 1344 can also aloe the hair to more easily transition between the more densely packed exposed columns 1332 of the bristles 1334 and the remainder of the bristles and the water absorbent material within in the middle section of the brush head 1330.
As a still further enhancement, the bristle pad 1354 can be a flexible pad in either brush embodiment. This can allow the bristle tips 1356 to conform to the shape and contour of the user's head during brushing. This can increase comfort during brushing while not reducing water-removing performance.
As noted above, each of the aforementioned hair brush enhancements may be employed individually or in combination with one or more other of the enhancements and design criteria disclosed and discussed herein. In the particular example described and shown in
The absorbent material layer or wicking layer can be a non-woven base layer that distributes excess water from the saturated microfiber rods and backing or carrier layer to allow for more absorption into the microfiber rods from the hair. Finally, ventilation and draining is another aspect of the brush head design that may aid in drying and recovery of the brush for a next use. Holes can be included in the bristle pad as well as in the housing for the brush itself so as to help prevent bacterial growth and to ensure the brush dries as quickly as possible between uses. Excess water that is mechanically removed but not absorbed can drain from the housing as needed.
The disclosed example of
The microfiber material can be a blend of polyamide and synthetic. The microfiber can have antimicrobial properties. The water absorbent material need not be microfiber and need not even be fabric. The rods can be replaced by other absorbent elements or features among the bristles. The water absorbent material is intended to absorb a large amount of water and to create a large amount of surface area to maximize absorption. Thus, other materials can therefore certainly be used. For example, non-woven materials, viscose, wood pulp additives, polyester, absorbent additives, Rayon, PVA, other absorbent textiles, and/or combinations thereof can be utilized for the absorbent rods and backing layer. The rods can be replaced by ridges, waves, wave patterns, other protruding elements or shapes, or the like that are carried by the backing layer. It may be highly desirable that an antimicrobial additive be included in the fabric or base material to inhibit mold and bacterial growth.
The absorbent material layer, base layer, or wicking layer can be a non-woven textile such as the above noted viscose and a synthetic, such as the aforementioned Rayon. Potential alternatives may be similar to the materials listed immediately above. Again, the absorbent base layer or wicking layer is intended to absorb water through the volume of the layer and transmit water horizontally across the area of the layer to wick water away from highly saturated parts of the brush. Other materials can thus certainly be utilized. It may again be desirable that an antimicrobial additive or aspect be included in the base layer or wicking layer as well. The absorbent material base layer also need not cover the entire brush head area. Instead, the layer can cover only a portion of the head, such as underlying only the rod portion and/or the backing or carrier layer portion of the water absorbent material.
The brush head 16 of the hair brush 10 can include a bristle pad that is fully covered in microfiber. This can significantly increase the cost of the product and may also inhibit contact between the bristles and the hair as well as the rods and the hair. The hair brush 10 also has shown to result in inconsistent saturation per unit area of the materials. A high concentration of saturation after use in some areas of the brush has been shown during testing and commercial use, while leaving some areas almost completely dry.
In all of the foregoing examples, the brush bodies may be formed or molded of plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or a similar material. Bristle materials may include nylon, plastic, natural, stiff animal hair, or other materials. In certain examples, the disclosed bristle pad, support, or substrate may be made of the same material as the bristles or of a different material. Such materials can include plastic material meeting the requisite requirements for a combination of strength and flexibility.
A microfiber fabric according to the present disclosure can include a base layer or substrate and fabric or flexible rods made of polyester 85% and nylon 15%. Other material and chemical combinations may be used if such materials have the desired characteristics described above.
An antimicrobial additive e.g. triclosan may be used with the microfiber fabric and/or the absorbent foam material described above to give the disclosed hair brushes and styling implements antimicrobial properties.
The specific features of any one of the embodiments described herein may be employed on any of the other embodiments where feasible. For example, any of the brush bodies may have a handle or no handle, texture or no texture. Brushes may have a water absorbing material of foam, fabric, or other suitable water absorbing materials. Suitable fabrics may include and are not limited to various fabric types and weaves such as plain weaves, terry cloth, cut or uncut pile weaves, or the like. Any of the hair brushes may include coated bristles, separate bristles, integrally molded bristles, and/or absorbent rods, etc., and remain within the teachings of the present invention.
Materials and combinations of materials used for the brushes described herein can vary. For example, decorative features may be used on a brush body such as decorative gripping surfaces with or without texture, combinations of materials such as wood and plastic, or overmolded plastics or other materials. Such materials may be made in complimentary or contrasting colors and/or textures, or combinations, and be used on any of the hair brushes described herein and remain with the teachings of the present invention.
Although certain brush head design criteria, brush head enhancements, and hair brush configurations and constructions have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.
Claims
1. A hair brush comprising:
- a body having a head;
- a plurality of bristles carried by and protruding relative to the head; and
- a water absorbent material carried by part of the body and dispersed among at least some of the plurality of bristles.
2. A hair brush according to claim 1, wherein the water absorbent material is dispersed among some but not all of the plurality of bristles, leaving some bristles exposed.
3. A hair brush according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of bristles includes two or more columns of exposed bristles along at least one side edge of the head exposed beyond the water absorbent material.
4. A hair brush according to claim 3, wherein at least one column of the two or more columns of bristles is staggered or offset relative to at least one other column of the two or more columns.
5. A hair brush according to claim 3, wherein the two or more columns includes three columns of the exposed bristles along each of two opposed side edges of the head.
6. A hair brush according to claim 3, wherein the two or more columns of staggered bristles are exposed outwardly beyond the water absorbent material.
7. A hair brush according to claim 6, wherein the two or more columns of staggered bristles include three columns along each of two opposed side edges of the head, each column of bristles staggered relative to an adjacent one of the three columns.
8. A hair brush according to claim 1, further comprising an absorbent material layer carried by the head adjacent and underlying a base layer, backing layer, or carrier layer of the water absorbent material.
9. A hair brush according to claim 8, wherein the absorbent material layer is a non-woven textile material.
10. A hair brush according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of bristles includes two or more columns of exposed bristles along at least one side edge of the head, wherein the water absorbing material is dispersed among and between the plurality of bristles but not among the two or more columns of exposed bristles, and wherein the two or more columns of exposed bristles are arranged more densely per unit area on the head than a remainder of the plurality of bristles.
11. A hair brush according to claim 10, further comprising two or more columns of the exposed bristles on each side edge of the head.
12. A hair brush according to claim 1, wherein the water absorbent material is a microfiber material.
13. A hair brush according to claim 1, wherein the water absorbent material includes a plurality of fabric rods protruding from the head between some of the plurality of bristles.
14. A hair brush according to claim 13, further comprising an absorbent material base layer carried by the head adjacent and underlying a backing or carrier layer of the plurality of fabric rods.
15. A hair brush according to claim 18, wherein the absorbent material base layer is viscose with a synthetic.
16. A hair brush comprising:
- a body having a head;
- a plurality of bristles carried by and protruding relative to the head;
- a water absorbent material carried by part of the body and dispersed among at least some but not all of the plurality of bristles; and
- an absorbent material base layer carried by the head adjacent a backing or carrier layer of the water absorbent material.
17. A hair brush according to claim 16, wherein the absorbent material layer is a non-woven textile material.
18. A hair brush according to claim 17, wherein the non-woven textile material is viscose with a synthetic.
19. A hair brush according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of bristles includes two or more columns of bristles along each of two opposed side edges of the head and wherein the water absorbing material is dispersed among and between the plurality of bristles between but not among the two or more columns of bristles on each of the two opposed side edges.
20. A hair brush according to claim 19, wherein the two or more columns of bristles include three columns of bristles exposed beyond the water absorbent material on each of the side edges.
21. A hair brush according to claim 20, wherein at least one column of the three columns of bristles is staggered or offset relative to at least another column of the three columns of bristles.
22. A hair brush according to claim 16, wherein the body has a handle coupled to the head and wherein the water absorbent material is carried by the head.
23. A hair brush according to claim 16, wherein the head defines a cavity and has one or more vents through the head and in communication with the cavity.
24. A hair brush according to claims 16, wherein the plurality of bristles is connected to a bristle pad that is carried by the head.
25. A hair brush according to claim 24, wherein the bristle pad has a plurality of perforations formed therethrough and wherein each of the plurality of bristles is interspersed among the perforations.
26. A hair brush according to claims 16, wherein the water absorbent material is a microfiber fabric.
27. A hair brush according to claim 26, wherein the microfiber fabric has a plurality of flexible fabric rods extending from the backing or carrier layer, which is a microfiber material, and in a direction generally parallel to the plurality of bristles.
28. A hair brush according to claim 26, wherein the microfiber material has antibacterial properties.
29. A hair brush according to claim 16, wherein the water absorbent material is dispersed among a subset of the plurality of bristles.
30. A hair brush according to claim 29, wherein the subset of the plurality of bristles is between approximately 5% and 90% of the bristles.
31. A hair brush according to claim 29, wherein the subset of the plurality of bristles is between approximately 5% and 75% of the bristles.
32. A hair brush according to claim 29, wherein the subset of the plurality of bristles is between approximately 25% and 75% of the bristles.
33. A hair brush according to claim 16, further comprising one or more vents among the plurality of bristles and extending through the head including through a back side of a housing and through the absorbent material base layer.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 14, 2015
Publication Date: Aug 6, 2015
Inventors: Patrick M Tweel (Columbus, OH), Gerald N Hunsburger (Cumming, GA), William N Scott (Decatur, GA), Roberta Celeste Brown (Atlanta, GA)
Application Number: 14/686,377