LIQUID-DISPENSING HAIR BRUSH
The liquid-dispensing hair brush includes various embodiments, each having an internal reservoir for a hair grooming liquid. The liquid (oil, tonic, gel, etc.) is released from the reservoir to pass through passages in the teeth or bristles of the brush, for application to the hair and scalp simultaneously with the brushing of the hair. Certain embodiments have controls upon the handles, for releasing and/or pressurizing the contents of the reservoir to flow from the reservoir and out through the teeth and/or bristles. Another embodiment includes a pneumatic bulb for applying air pressure to the reservoir. Yet another embodiment includes an internal plate with a series of stops extending therefrom, the stops corresponding to the internal pores of each of the teeth or bristles. A handle extends from the plate through the back of the brush for control of the flow of liquid from the reservoir.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to personal hygiene and grooming aids, and particularly to a liquid-dispensing hair brush for applying creams, oils, water, and/or other liquids to the hair and/or scalp of the user.
2. Description of the Related Art
Brushes, combs, and the like for care and upkeep of the hair have been known for a considerable period of time. Generally, there have been no major changes in the configurations or functions of such devices since their earliest development. The principle remains simple, i.e., to untangle and arrange the hair in an attractive style.
However, it is generally necessary to provide additional means to hold the hair in the style or coiffure arranged by the brush or comb. Hair is often rather unruly and can be quite difficult to retain in the initially combed or brushed style, depending upon the dryness of the person's hair, the ambient heat and humidity, wind, and perhaps other factors, as well.
Accordingly, the use of some form of hair gel, tonic, or oil has been known for quite some time for use in retaining the hair in the desired style. Conventionally, such oils and the like are applied to the hair and then the hair is brushed or combed to the desired style, with the oil assisting in securing the individual strands of hair in place as desired. The oils, gels, and the like may also contribute to the flexibility of the individual hair strands, particularly in the case of dry hair in a hot and dry climate, with such oils and the like thus being a desirable part of the treatment of the hair during periodic grooming.
However, the use of some form of hair oil or tonic with conventional brushing or combing typically requires a two-step process, wherein the oil or other agent is initially applied to the hair and the hair is then brushed or combed to the desired style. As a result, various devices have been developed in the past for the application of a hair grooming oil or the like with the brushing or combing of the hair. An example of such a device is found in Chinese Patent Publication No. 2852811 published on Jan. 3, 2007 to Ting Wang. This reference describes a brush having an oil groove along one edge thereof. Also, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-272,395 published on Nov. 13, 2008 to Reiko Misaku describes a comb formed from a short length of bamboo, and impregnated with oil.
Thus, a liquid-dispensing hair brush addressing the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe liquid-dispensing hair brush includes various embodiments of a device that can apply at the same or approximately the same time a hair treatment liquid (oil, gel, tonic, etc.) to the hair and scalp as the hair is being brushed. A first embodiment of a liquid-dispensing brush includes an internal reservoir for a hair grooming liquid (oil, tonic, gel, etc.), with the liquid passing from the reservoir out through passages formed through the hollow teeth or bristles of the brush. A second embodiment of a liquid hair dispensing brush is similar to the first embodiment, but includes a pressurizing member to pressurize the internal reservoir to more effectively force the liquid from the reservoir and through the teeth or bristles of the brush. A third embodiment of a liquid-dispensing hair brush includes an internal plate with a plurality of stops extending therefrom, the stops corresponding to the internal openings or pores corresponding to each of the teeth or bristles. The plate may be adjusted by an external handle extending through the back of the brush, to open or close the internal pores or openings. A fourth embodiment of a liquid-dispensing hair brush includes a reservoir within the handle, with a pressurizing control disposed upon the handle or at the base of the brush where it meets the handle to pressurize the liquid contents of the reservoir. The handle may separate from the brush head to enable the hollow handle to be filled. Additional embodiments comprise various mechanical systems disposed within the handle of the brush, for selectively dispensing liquid from a reservoir contained within the handle.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
Unless otherwise indicated, similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSThe liquid-dispensing hair brush includes various embodiments, with each of the embodiments providing for the application of a hair treatment liquid (oil, gel, tonic, etc.) into the hair and onto the scalp of the user simultaneously or at approximately the same time as the hair is brushed.
The face 16 of the brush 110 includes a relatively large number of elongate, hollow brush elements 20 extending outwardly therefrom. The brush elements 20 can include relatively short, large diameter teeth 21, as shown in
The hair treatment reservoir 15 can be pressurized in order to assist the liquid 29 in the reservoir 15 to flow from the reservoir 15 and outward through the brush elements 20, such as through openings or pores 23 in the ends 25 of the brush elements 20, such as from the ends 25 of the teeth 21. In
Referring to
However, rather than placing the filler neck 18 and cap 19 at some point on the back 14 of the brush 210, the filler neck 18 and the cap 19 are relocated to a point generally at the juncture of the head 12 and the base of the handle 26 extending from the head 12. The cap 19 is removed in
A pneumatic bulb 30 or other suitable pressurizing member, communicates with the inlet port 28, and thus with the internal reservoir 15, either directly or by a flexible pneumatic line 32, for example, as shown in
Also, the handle portions 26a and 26b can also include a hollow cavity, when assembled, to provide or define a second reservoir 15a, as a second hair treatment reservoir, for holding the liquid 29, such as a hair treatment liquid. The reservoir 15a can be separate from, integral with, or communicate with the reservoir 15 that is formed or defined by the back 314 and the face 316 for the containment of the liquid 29, such as a hair treatment liquid. Also, the embodiments of the liquid-dispensing hair brush 110 and 210 can similarly include the reservoir 15a, for example. A filler neck 18 and cap 19 are provided on the back 314 of the liquid-dispensing hair brush 310 to receive the liquid 29, such as a hair treatment liquid, from a container C1, generally in the same location as in the embodiment of the liquid-dispensing brush 110 of
The face 316 of the liquid-dispensing hair brush 310 includes brush elements 20, such as the teeth 21, extending therefrom as in other embodiments, with the passages or pores 22 extending through the face 316 being plainly visible in the exploded view of
The embodiment of the liquid-dispensing hair brush 310 of
A flow adjustment member, such as a flow adjustment handle 38, extends through a handle passage 40 formed through the back 314, allowing the user of the liquid-dispensing hair brush 310 to manipulate or position the central plate 34 within the brush head 312 to control a flow of the liquid 29 from the reservoirs 15 and 15a, as desired. Lifting, moving or positioning the flow adjustment handle 38 in a direction away from the brush head 312 removes, moves or adjusts a position of the stops 36 in relation to the passages or pores 22 in a direction away from their corresponding passages or pores 22 through the face 316, to allow and control the liquid 29, such as a hair treatment liquid, to flow from the interior of the head 312 out through the passages or pores 22 and from the pores 23 at the ends 25 of the corresponding brush elements 20, such as the teeth 21, and can assist in creating a pressure or a force to assist the flow of the fluid 29 from the interior of the head 312, to treat the hair and/or scalp of the user. Pushing the handle 38 toward the brush head 312 moves, positions or adjusts a position of the stops 36 to engage or position the stops 36 in relation to or with their corresponding pores or passages 22, to control, limit or shut off flow of the liquid 29 from the internal reservoir 15 and the reservoir 15a through the passages 27 of the brush elements 20, such as to the teeth 21.
Also, the embodiment of the liquid-dispensing hair brush 310 can include a pneumatic pressure control, such as the pneumatic control 24, located on at least one of the handle portions 26a and 26b of the liquid-dispensing hair brush 310, such as the pneumatic control 24 described with respect to
The liquid-dispensing hair brush 410 of
A filler passage 418 is provided at the base of the handle 426, where it joins the head 412 of the brush 410 to receive the liquid 29 from a dispenser D. The hollow internal volume of the handle 426, such as can include the reservoir 428, can communicate with the hollow internal volume of the head 412, or the head 412 may contain a series of small passages extending from the hollow handle 426 to the various passages or pores 417 through the face 416 to deliver the liquid 29, such as a hair treatment liquid, to the hollow bristles 420. The reservoir 428 in the hollow handle 426, and the liquid 29 therein, can be pressurized by a pressurizing control, such as a pneumatic pressure control, such as a pushbutton pump 24 located at a suitable point on the handle 426, essentially as that provided by the pushbutton pneumatic control 24 of the embodiment of the liquid-dispensing hair brush 110 of
The liquid-dispensing hairbrush 610 includes a hollow brush head 612 having a large number of flexible brush elements or bristles 614 extending therefrom, similar to the brush head 512 and brush elements or bristles 520 of the liquid-dispensing hairbrush 510 of
The hollow handle 620 includes an internal liquid storage cavity 622 therein. A plunger 624 of elastomer or other suitable material is slidingly disposed within the handle storage cavity 622, the edges of the plunger 624 making a good seal with the internal walls of the hollow handle 620. A spring 626 is seated in the distal end 628 of the hollow handle 620 and compressively urges the plunger 624 through the storage cavity 622 toward the head 614 of the liquid-dispensing hairbrush 610. The plunger 624 may be retained near the distal end 628 of the handle 620 by latches 630 extending inwardly from the inner walls of the hollow handle 620 near the distal end 628 thereof. The latches 630 may be selectively released by pressure on the external tabs 632 that extend from the handle 620 near the distal end 628 thereof, thereby allowing the spring 626 to push the plunger 624 through the internal cavity 622 of the handle 620 to expel any fluid therein from the pores of the bristles or brush elements 614. A retraction lever 634 extends from the edge of the plunger 624, the extension or connection between the plunger 624 and lever 634 traveling in a slot 636 formed along the side of the handle 620.
The liquid-dispensing hairbrush 610 is used by first retracting the spring 626 and plunger 624 by means of the retraction lever 634 and capturing the plunger 624 with the internal latches 630 to maximize the internal volume 622 of the handle 620 between the plunger 624 and the shank portion 616. A filler port and cap 638 for filling the handle 620 is provided at the juncture of the handle 620 and shank 616. The cap 638 is removed and the internal volume 622 of the handle 620 is filled with shaving cream, foam, gel, or other liquid. The cap 638 is then replaced, and the plunger 624 is released by manipulating the external release tabs 632 adjacent the distal end 628 of the handle 620 to pressurize the contents of the handle 620 by means of the spring 626 and plunger 624. A dispensing control valve 640 of conventional configuration is provided at the juncture of the handle 620 and shank 616. Operation of the valve 640 opens the passage from the internal volume 622 of the handle 620 through the shank 616 to the dispensing pores of the brush head 614, thereby dispensing the liquid from the pores as the spring 626 and plunger 624 urge the liquid within the internal volume 622 of the handle 620 toward the brush head 612.
The liquid-dispensing hairbrush 710 includes a hollow handle portion 720 extending from the head 712, as noted above. The handle 720 includes an internal liquid storage cavity 722 therein. A plunger 724 of elastomer or other suitable material is slidingly disposed within the handle storage cavity 722, the edges of the plunger 724 making a good seal with the internal walls of the hollow handle 720. A spring 726 is seated in the distal end 728 of the hollow handle 720 and compressively urges the plunger 724 through the storage cavity 722 toward the head 712 of the hairbrush 710.
The dispensing mechanism of the hairbrush 710 differs from that of the hairbrush 610 in that the lever or slide 734 along the side of the handle 720 is not directly connected to the plunger 724 within the handle. The slide or lever 734 rides or slides in a slot 736 through the side of the handle 720 and is connected to a cable, cord, or the like 742 that extends toward the distal end 728 of the handle to pass around a pair of rollers or pulleys 744 disposed within the distal end 728 of the handle, thence continuing up to attach to the bottom of the plunger 724, i.e., to the same side of the plunger that bears against the spring 726. The at-rest positions of the plunger 724 and slide or lever 734 are shown in broken lines in
The hairbrush 710 is used by first retracting the spring 726 and plunger 724 by sliding the slide or lever 734 from its rest position near the distal end 728 of the handle 720 to its position as shown in solid lines near the shank 716 of the hairbrush 710. This draws the cable or cord 742 upward along the slot 736, thereby drawing the cable 742 around the rollers or pulleys 744 to draw the plunger 724 to a position shown in solid lines toward the distal end 728 of the handle 720, thereby compressing the spring 726, as shown in solid lines in
The hairbrush 810 includes a hollow handle portion 820 extending from the shank 816. The handle 820 includes an internal liquid storage cavity 822 therein. A plunger 824 of elastomer or other suitable material is slidingly disposed within the handle storage cavity 822, the edges of the plunger 824 making a good seal with the internal walls of the hollow handle 820. One or more elastic bands or cords 826 extend from the plunger 824 to the upper end 830 of the hollow cavity or chamber 822 and draw the plunger 824 through the storage cavity 822 toward the head 812 of the hairbrush 810.
The dispensing mechanism of the hairbrush 810 differs from that of the brush 710. Rather than using a compressive spring, the brush 810 uses one or more elastomer bands or cords in tension. The slide or lever 834 rides or slides in a slot 836 through the side of the handle 820 and is connected to a cable, cord, or the like 842 that extends toward the distal end 828 of the handle to pass around a pair of rollers or pulleys 844 disposed within the distal end 828 of the handle, thence continuing up to attach to the bottom of the plunger 824, i.e., to the opposite side of the plunger from that connected to the elastomer cord(s) 826.
The hairbrush 810 is used by first extending the elastomer cord(s) 826 and drawing the plunger 824 toward the distal end 828 of the handle 820 by sliding the slide or lever 834 from its rest position near the distal end 828 of the handle 820 to a position nearer the head 812 of the brush 810. (The slide or lever 834 and plunger 824 are illustrated at an intermediate position in
The liquid-dispensing hairbrush 910 includes a hollow handle portion 920 attached to the head 912 via the intermediate connecting shank 916. The handle 920 includes an internal liquid storage cavity 922 therein. Rather than using a plunger and other mechanism to urge or force liquid within the handle up toward the brush head, the hairbrush 910 uses a small manually operated pneumatic pump 924 of conventional mechanism to pressurize the interior volume 922 of the handle 920. The pump 924 may be operated by using the thumb or finger to operate a lever 934. Prior to pressurizing the internal volume 922 of the handle 920, the internal volume 922 of the handle 920 may be filled with hair cream, foam, gel, or other liquid through the cap (similar to e.g., to the cap 638 of the hairbrush embodiment 610 of
The various embodiments of the liquid-dispensing hair brush can be used to apply a number of various liquids to the hair and/or scalp of the user, e.g., water, hair oil, hair tonic, and/or even some thicker hair gels, depending upon the diameters of the pores or passages in the face of the brush and brush elements, for example. Embodiments of the liquid-dispensing hair brush can be economically manufactured of a plastic material or other economical material. Moreover, the embodiments of a liquid-dispensing hair brush can be manufactured so as to allow the handle to be removed from the head to facilitate cleaning of the various components.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A liquid-dispensing hair brush, comprising:
- a hollow head having a back and a face, the back and the face defining a hair treatment reservoir therebetween, the face having a plurality of pores disposed therethrough;
- a plurality of elongate, hollow brush elements extending from the face, each of the brush elements having a passage extending therethrough and a pore at an end thereof, each of the pores and the passages of the brush elements communicating with the hair treatment reservoir, each of the pores of the face corresponding with one of the brush elements; and
- a pressurizing mechanism configured for pressurizing the hair treatment reservoir to flow a liquid from the hair treatment reservoir through the plurality of pores of the face and out the plurality of pores of the brush elements of the liquid-dispensing hair brush.
2. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a central plate disposed within the hair treatment reservoir;
- a plurality of stops extending from the central plate toward the pores of the face, each of the stops being aligned with a corresponding one of the pores of the face; and
- a flow adjustment handle extending from the central plate and outwardly through the back, wherein the central plate is selectively adjusted by the flow adjustment handle to open and close the pores of the face by adjusting a position of the stops in relation to the pores of the face, to control a flow of the liquid from the hair treatment reservoir.
3. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a hollow handle extending from the head, the handle having a second reservoir therein, the second reservoir communicating with the hair treatment reservoir of the hollow head; and
- a pressure control disposed upon the handle for selectively pressurizing the second reservoir in the handle to control flow of liquid from the second reservoir in communication with the hair treatment reservoir of the hollow head.
4. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 1, further comprising a pneumatic bulb extending from the head, the pneumatic bulb communicating pneumatically with the hair treatment reservoir to selectively pressurize the hair treatment reservoir to control flow of the liquid out from the hair treatment reservoir.
5. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 4, further comprising a pneumatic line disposed between the pneumatic bulb and the head.
6. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 1, further comprising a hollow handle, the head being removably attached to the handle.
7. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 1, wherein the brush elements are selected from the group consisting of rigid teeth and flexible bristles.
8. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 1, wherein at least the head is made of a plastic material.
9. A liquid-dispensing hair brush, comprising:
- a hollow head having a back and a face, the back and the face defining a hair treatment reservoir therebetween, the face having a plurality of pores disposed therethrough;
- a plurality of elongate, hollow brush elements extending from the face, each of the brush elements having a passage extending therethrough and a pore at an end thereof, each of the pores and the passages of the brush elements communicating with the hair treatment reservoir, each of the pores of the face corresponding with one of the brush elements;
- a central plate disposed within the hair treatment reservoir between the back and the face;
- a plurality of stops extending from the central plate toward the pores of the face, each of the stops corresponding to at least one of the pores of the face; and
- a flow adjustment handle extending from the central plate and outwardly through the back, the central plate being selectively adjustable by the flow adjustment handle to open and close the pores of the face by adjusting a position of the stops in relation to the pores of the face to control flow of the liquid from the hair treatment reservoir.
10. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 9, further comprising a pressurizing member to selectively pneumatically pressurize the hair treatment reservoir.
11. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 10, wherein the pressurizing member comprises a pneumatic bulb extending from the head, the pneumatic bulb communicating pneumatically with the hair treatment reservoir,
12. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 11, further comprising a pneumatic line disposed between the pneumatic bulb and the head.
13. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 9, further comprising:
- a hollow handle extending from the head, the handle having a second reservoir therein, the second reservoir communicating with the hair treatment reservoir of the hollow head; and
- a pneumatic pressure control disposed upon the handle to selectively pressurize the second reservoir in the handle to flow the liquid from the second reservoir in communication with the hair treatment reservoir of the hollow head.
14. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 9, further comprising a hollow handle, the head being removably attached to the hollow handle.
15. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 9, wherein the brush elements are selected from the group consisting of rigid teeth and flexible bristles.
16. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 9, wherein at least the head is formed of a plastic material.
17. A liquid-dispensing hair brush, comprising:
- a hollow head having a back and a face, the face having a plurality of pores disposed therethrough;
- a plurality of elongate, hollow brush elements extending from the face, each of the brush elements having a passage extending therethrough and a pore at an end thereof, each of the pores and the passages of the brush elements communicating with the hollow head, each of the pores of the face corresponding with one of the brush elements;
- a hollow handle extending from the head, the handle having a reservoir therein, the reservoir communicating with the hollow head; and
- means disposed within the handle for selectively pressurizing the reservoir in the handle to flow liquid from the reservoir in communication with the hollow head.
18. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 17, further comprising:
- a central plate disposed within the hollow head;
- a plurality of stops extending from the central plate toward the pores of the face, each of the stops being aligned with a corresponding at least one of the pores of the face; and
- a flow adjustment handle extending from the central plate and outwardly through the back, the central plate being selectively adjusted by the flow adjustment handle to open and close the pores of the face by adjusting a position of the stops in relation to the pores of the face to control flow of the liquid from the reservoir.
19. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 17, wherein the brush elements are selected from the group consisting of rigid teeth and flexible bristles.
20. The liquid-dispensing hair brush according to claim 17, wherein at least the head is made of a plastic material.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 25, 2014
Publication Date: Oct 1, 2015
Applicant: UMM AL-QURA UNIVERSITY (Makkah)
Inventor: SALEH ALSALAMEH (QASSIM)
Application Number: 14/224,986