REUSABLE BRUSH CLEANING ACCESSORY AND METHOD OF USE
A brush accessory for fitting over the bristles and head of a brush, such as a hairbrush used for pets or humans. The accessory generally includes a stretchable band surrounding a stretchable mesh web which fits between the bristles of the brush. Optional pull tabs and brush handle loops can be connected to the stretchable band for easy removal and secure attachment to the brush handle, respectively.
This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/655,614 filed Jul. 20, 2017 which is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/880,488, filed Oct. 12, 2015, which claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/178,704, filed Apr. 17, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates generally to a brush cleaning accessory, and more specifically to a reusable accessory which attaches to brushes, such as hairbrushes, for easy cleaning and removing of debris, such as hair, from the brush.
2. Description of the Related ArtBrushes, such as hair brushes for humans and animals, become clogged with hair and other debris through use. It is often difficult to remove this hair and other material without leaving some small amount behind. This also becomes time consuming. What is needed is a reusable device which quickly and easily removes all hair and other debris from a brush in a single action.
Heretofore there has not been available a hairbrush accessory system or method of use with the advantages and features of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention generally provides a brush accessory for fitting over the bristles and head of a brush, such as a hairbrush used for pets or humans. The accessory generally includes a stretchable band surrounding a stretchable mesh web which fits between the bristles of the brush. Optional pull tabs and brush handle loops can be connected to the stretchable band for easy removal and secure attachment to the brush handle, respectively.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof.
As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.
II. Preferred Embodiment Brush Accessory System 2Referring to the figures in more detail,
An optional pull tab 12 may be placed on one or both ends of the elastic band 8. These tabs may be made of the same material as the band or any suitable material. Similarly, the band may be made of any stretchable material other than elastic, such as rubber or spandex. The pull tab 12 shown in
In practice, the accessory 4 is placed over the head 14 of the brush 6 by stretching the band 8 around the exterior of the brush head 14. If a pull tab 12 is affixed to the band, it may be looped around the handle 16 of the brush. The mesh web 10 becomes interspaced between the bristles 18 of the brush 6. The brush may then be used for cleaning or for hair brushing. Once finished with the brushing action, the accessory 4 is removed from the brush head 14. As this occurs, all hair and other debris woven between the bristles 18 is pulled away from the brush head 14 along with the accessory 4, thereby cleaning the brush. The elastic band 8 contracts after being removed from the brush head, and the band 8 and webbing 10 cups around at least a majority of the hair and debris, causing the hair to be easily captured for disposal rather than falling to the ground. If a pull tab is affixed to the band 8 and not looped around the handle 16, that pull tab may be used to help pull the accessory 4 from the brush head.
III. Alternative Embodiment Brush Accessory System 102A first stretchable tab 112 allows the accessory 104 to be connected about the handle 16 of the brush 6. This allows the accessory 104 to be removed from the brush while still remaining attached at the handle to prevent loss of the accessory and for easy replacement after cleaning of the accessory.
A second tab 120 which is oriented vertically about the elastic band 108 allows for easy pulling of the band about the bristles 18 and also includes an internal space 122 for storage of hair styling supplies 126, such as hair clips or bobby pins.
It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.
Claims
1. A method of cleaning a brush having bristles, the method comprising the steps:
- placing a brush cleaning accessory about bristles of a brush, each said bristle comprising a base, said brush cleaning accessory comprising a stretchable band having an interior area and a stretchable mesh net connecting to said stretchable band and filling said interior area of said stretchable band, said stretchable mesh net configured to be interspaced between bristles affixed to said head of said brush, wherein said stretchable band is placed about the bases of a plurality of said bristles;
- looping a first pull tab affixed to said stretchable band over a handle of said brush, thereby securing said brush cleaning accessory to said brush via said first pull tab;
- placing at least one hair accessory within an opening within a second pull tab affixed at an opposing end of said stretchable band from said first pull tab;
- said first pull tab having a generally parallel orientation with said stretchable band and a generally horizontal opening for receiving said handle;
- said second pull tab having a generally perpendicular orientation with said stretchable band, such that said opening is vertically oriented;
- brushing an object with said brush;
- removing said brush cleaning accessory from said head of said brush while retaining said first pull tab about said handle, thereby displacing debris located between said bristles;
- contracting said stretchable band upon removal from said head of said brush;
- deforming and displacing said stretchable mesh net; and
- cupping said stretchable mesh net about said debris, thereby capturing said debris within said stretchable mesh net while said first pull tab remains affixed to said handle.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said debris comprises hair.
3. A hairbrush accessory comprising:
- a stretchable band surrounding a stretchable mesh, said stretchable mesh configured for being interspaced amongst a plurality of bristles located on a hairbrush, each said bristle comprising a base;
- said stretchable band configured for being placed about a perimeter of the bases of said bristles;
- a first loop configure for looping about a handle of said hairbrush, said first loop having a generally planar orientation parallel with said stretchable band;
- a second loop configured for receiving and storing hair accessories, said second loop having a generally vertical orientation perpendicular with said stretchable band;
- wherein said stretchable band and stretchable mesh are configured to be removed from a first, installed position about said hairbrush bristles to a second, removed position away from said hairbrush bristles while retaining said first loop about said handle;
- wherein said stretchable band is configured to retract in said second, removed position; and
- wherein said stretchable net is configured to deform in said second, removed position, thereby forming a cupped shape configured for trapping hair and debris.
4. The hairbrush accessory of claim 3, wherein said hair accessories are selected from a list comprising: hair clips, bobby pins, and barrettes.
5. The hairbrush accessory of claim 3, wherein said perimeter of the bases of said bristles is defined by an exterior set of said bristles.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 12, 2018
Publication Date: Jul 19, 2018
Inventor: Michael L. Powell (Kansas City, MO)
Application Number: 15/918,703