HANDLE-LESS BRUSH

Abstract

A handle-less brush having a finger grip and an applicator head. The finger grip includes at least one wing member that is flexible and configured to grip one or more fingers of a user. In some embodiments, a middle component is provided between the finger portion and the applicator head, whereas, in other embodiments, the applicator head is provided directly on the finger grip. The brush may include a finger pad. In some embodiments, the finger pad is provided on an upper side of the finger grip. In other embodiments, the finger pad is provided on an upper side of either the applicator head or, where utilized, an upper side of the middle component and the finger pad is accessible through a hold in the finger grip.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/549,674, filed Aug. 24, 2017.

BACKGROUND

People commonly use makeup and other cosmetic products to enhance and/or alter their appearance. A brush is one of the most common tools used to apply makeup and other cosmetic products. Makeup brushes come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes depending on the particular application for which they are intended.

Makeup brushes typically have handles that a user must grasp when applying makeup and other cosmetic products. The handles of makeup brushes may come in various sizes, and users must securely grasp these handles to ensure that proper application of the makeup or other cosmetic product. Regardless of their size, however, it is often difficult for a user to grasp the handle in a secure manner, especially when in tight spaces, when orienting the makeup brush in an awkward orientation relative to the user's body, when the makeup brush is relatively small, etc. Therefore, a need exists for a brush that a user may securely grasp without a handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure, and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates utilization of a brush according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example operation of the brush of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3-10 are various views of an alternate brush according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the alternate brush of FIGS. 3-10, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a brush having an interchangeable applicator head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is related to brushes and, more particularly, to handle-less brushes configured to grip one or more fingers.

The embodiments described herein provide a brush that is usable for natural, ergonomic application and/or clean-up of various products to various surfaces. The brush includes a finger grip component having a pair of flexible wing members that secure the brush to one or more fingers. In some embodiments described herein, the flexible wing members are open at top to facilitate insertion of a user's fingers there-inside and retractable inward to grip the fingers when placed therein. In other embodiments described herein, the flexible wing members are closed and connected to each other such that they define a continuous band through which a user may place their fingers.

The embodiments described herein also provide a brush with a finger pad that accommodates one or more fingers and, in some embodiments, the finger pad is disposed on an upper surface of a middle component attached underneath the finger grip component and accessible through an opening in the finger grip component. Other embodiments described herein provide a finger pad disposed on an upper surface of the finger grip component. The embodiments described herein also provide a brush with an applicator head with an applicator that is utilizable to apply various substances. In some embodiments described herein, the applicator head or applicator thereof is interchangeable such that the brush is utilizable for different end use applications.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary brush 100, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the brush 100 is being utilized to apply or remove a cosmetic substance (e.g., makeup) to a face 102 of the user. It will be appreciated, however, that the brush 100 may be utilized to apply or clean-up other non-cosmetic applications without departing from the present disclosure. For example, the brush 100 may be utilized to apply and/or clean-up various arts and craft products, cleaning supplies, paint, glue or adhesives, etc. Moreover, while the brush 100 is illustrated as being utilized on the face 102 of a user, the brush 100 may be utilized various other anatomical or non-anatomical surfaces, including (but not limited to) other body parts of the user, tables or counter tops, canvases, paper, walls, windows, etc.

The brush 100 grips onto a body part of the user, rather than being held by a hand 104 of the user, for example, by a conventional handle. Thus, the brush 100 may be conceptualized as a “handle-less brush” as the brush 100 need not include a conventional handle (or other protruding member) by which the user may grasp, hold, and control the brush.

The brush 100 may be configured to grasp various parts of the user's body. In some embodiments, the brush 100 grasps one or more fingers of the user. In FIG. 1, for example, the brush 100 is configured to grip two (2) fingers of the user. As used herein, the term “finger” is defined as a digit that extends from the palm of the hand 104, and thus includes any of the following: the little (“pinky”) finger, the ring finger, the middle finger, the index finger, and the thumb. Thus, the brush 100 is gripping an index finger 106 and a middle finger 108. In addition, the brush 100 may grasp any other pair of fingers. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates the brush 100 of FIG. 1 grasping the middle finger 108 and a ring finger 110. In other non-illustrated embodiments, however, the brush 100 may be provided to grip just one (1) finger or various combinations of three (3) or more fingers, without departing from the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 also illustrates how the brush 100 of FIG. 1 may be utilized, according to one or more embodiments. As illustrated, the brush 100 is configured to grip one or more fingers of the user in an ergonomic and natural manner. The user may comfortably “wear” the handle-less brush, with minimal pressure being exerted on their fingers and hand. In addition, the user may operate the brush using kinesiological movements (i.e., natural arm and/or hand movements), without straining, feeling discomfort, or making otherwise awkward movements. Thus, the brush will prevent repetitive strain injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders, which may develop over time and can lead to long-term disability.

FIGS. 3-10 illustrate various views of an alternate embodiment of a brush 300 according to one or more embodiments. The brush 300 includes an upper portion 302 that is configured to grasp one or more fingers, a lower portion 304 that is configured to apply or remove a substance, and a periphery 306. In the illustrated embodiment, the periphery 306 has a generally circular shape (i.e., when viewing the brush 100 from above the upper portion 302). However, the brush 300 may have various other geometries. For example, the periphery 306 of the brush 300 may be oval shaped, square shaped, rectangular shaped, triangular shaped, star shaped, jellybean shaped, etc. In addition, the brush 300 may have various sizes depending on the particular end use application. Moreover, the brush 300 may be provided in various colors.

Here, the lower portion 304 of the brush 300 may be configured as an applicator head (or brush head) that comprises a plurality of bristles, a sponge, a silicone pad, a microfiber cloth, etc., and combinations of the same. In other embodiments, the lower portion 304 of the brush 300 is configured as a ferrule that holds the applicator head, regardless of configuration of the applicator head. In even other embodiments, the brush 300 includes a middle portion (not illustrated) that is disposed in between the upper portion 302 and the lower portion 304 of the brush 300.

FIG. 11 is a disassembled view of the brush 300 of FIGS. 3-10. The brush 300 includes a finger grip 402 and an applicator head or brush head 404 (hereinafter, the applicator head 404). In the illustrated embodiment, the brush 300 also includes a middle component 406 arranged between the finger grip 402 and the applicator head 404. It will be appreciated, however, that the brush 300 may include more or less than three (3) components and/or any combination of the varying number of components may be integrally attached as a single structure, without departing from the present disclosure. The finger grip 402, the middle component 406, and the applicator head 404 are each further described, below.

Here, the finger grip 402 includes an upper side 410, a lower side 412, and a periphery 414 extending there-around. In addition, the finger grip 402 includes at least one wing member 416 for gripping one or more fingers (e.g., the fingers 106,108, fingers 108,110, etc.), and the at least one wing member 416 includes a gripping surface 418. In the illustrated embodiment, the finger grip 402 includes two (2) of the wing members 416, and the wing members 416 are arranged at opposing portions of the periphery 414 such that the gripping surfaces 418 are facing inward towards each other. In other embodiments, however, one (1) or more than two (2) of the wing members 416 may be utilized. For example, the finger grip 402 may include four (4) of the wing members 416 that are arranged in two (2) oppositely facing pairs.

The gripping surface 418 may have various types of gripping features (or combinations of gripping features). For example, the gripping features may include (without limitation) tacky or adhesive surface(s) (e.g., silicone), textured surfaces, various types of sequenced or non-sequenced protrusions (e.g., knurls, ridges, bumps, cross hatch), etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, the wing members 416 extend upward from the upper side 410 and terminate at an upper portion 420. Here, the wing members 416 are “open,” meaning that the upper portions 420 thereof are not connected, such that a gap exists there-between. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper portions 420 define hook shaped structures such that the brush 300 may be hung, for example, from a drying rack, bar, or other structure.

In other embodiments, however, the wing members 416 may be “closed,” meaning that the upper portions 420 thereof are connected such that no gap exists there-between and the wing members 416 effectively form a band or loop. In one non-illustrated example, a pair of the wing members 416 (with or without the upper portions 420) is connected to each other so that they define a band or continuous loop through which the user may insert one or more fingers. In other examples, one or more of the wing members 416 are configured as finger cots or thimbles into which the user may insert his or her finger. In these embodiments, the finger cots or thimbles may have an open or closed end such that the fingertip may be secured within the cot or thimble or may instead extend there-through.

Regardless, of whether the wing members 416 are made from the same or different material as the finger grip 402. The wing members 416 may be made from a flexible material that permits the wing members 416 to both expand apart from each other such that one or more fingers may be inserted therein and then retract back together into their original orientation. In addition, the wing members 416 may be oriented on the finger grip 402 such that they bias or compress the gripping surfaces 418 onto the one or more fingers inserted there- between, thereby ensuring that the user has a secure yet comfortable control over the “handle-less” design of the brush 300.

The middle component 406 includes an upper side 432 and a lower side 434. The brush 300 may also include a finger pad 436 (obscured from view) that may enhance a user's grip on the brush 300 and further ensure that the brush 300 is comfortably grips the user's fingers. In some examples, the finger grip 402 is open and includes an opening (not illustrated) that extends through the finger grip 402, from the upper side 410 thru to the lower side 412 thereof. In these examples, the finger pad 436 may be disposed on the upper side 432 of the middle component 406, such that the finger pad 436 is accessible through the opening 430 in the finger grip 402 when the upper side 432 of the middle component 406 is attached to the lower side 412 of the finger grip 402. In even other examples, the applicator head 404 is attached to the lower side 412 of the finger grip 402, and the finger pad 436 is provided on an upper surface 438 of the applicator head 404 such that the finger pad 436 is accessible through the opening (not illustrated) in the finger grip 402. Alternatively, the finger grip 402 may be closed and include the finger pad 436 on the upper side 410 (not illustrated). In the illustrated embodiment, the finger pad 436 is disposed on the upper side 410 of the finger grip 402.

Regardless of whether the finger pad 436 is provided on the finger grip 402, the applicator head 404, or the middle component 406, the finger pad 436 may include a contoured surface that is configured to accommodate one or more fingers. For example, the contoured surface of the finger pad 436 may include a pair of finger grooves for receiving a pair of fingers. In other examples, the contoured surface of the finger pad 436 may be configured to receive a different pair of fingers, or instead be configured to receive more or less than a pair of fingers. In addition, the finger pad 436 may include a deformable material. The deformable material may be a soft material that is depressed when one or more fingers are placed thereon and, therefore, may accommodate a range of finger and hand sizes and otherwise provide a comfortable fit for the user. In one example, the deformable material is a memory foam material. Moreover, the finger pad 436 may include a textured surface and/or a tacky surface.

In the illustrated embodiment, the middle component 406 is a thin dish that receives the finger pad 436. Here, the upper side 432 of the middle component 406 is attached to the lower side 412 of the finger grip 402 via a glue or other bonding agent. It will be appreciated, however, that the middle component 406 may be integrally formed with the finger grip 402 such that they form a single structure or that the middle component 406 may be removable with respect to the finger grip 402, without departing from the present disclosure. Here, for example, the middle component 406 is snap fit within a recess of the finger grip 402 such that it may be removed and replaced as hereinafter described. In other examples, the applicator head 404 is attached directly to the finger grip 402. In these other examples, the top surface 438 of the applicator head 404 may be secured to the lower side 412 of the finger grip 402 via a glue or other bonding agent, or the applicator head 404 may be integrally formed with the finger grip 402 such that they form a single structure. Moreover, where the brush 300 includes the finger grip 402, the middle portion 406, and the applicator head 404, all three (3) of these components may be formed together as an integrated structure. Thus, the applicator head 404 may be arranged either on the middle portion 404 or directly on the finger grip 402.

The brush 300 also includes an applicator 440 configured to apply a cosmetic or other material on a surface and, here, the applicator head 404 is the applicator 440. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper side 438 of the applicator head 404 is arranged on the lower side 434 of the middle component 406, and the applicator 440 of the applicator head 404 defines a lower side 442 of the applicator head 404 that is utilizable for various end use applications. The applicator head 404 also includes a periphery 444 and, in other non-illustrated embodiments, the applicator 440 may extend onto the periphery 444 such that the applicator 440 extends radially outward from the brush 300. The applicator 440 may extend onto the periphery 444 in addition to or in lieu of the applicator 440 being provided on the lower side 424 of the applicator head 404. Here, the lower side 434 of the middle component 406 includes a cavity or recess configured to receive the applicator 440, such that the applicator 440 defines the entirety of the lower side 442 of the applicator head 404. In addition, in embodiments where the applicator 440 extends even further from the cavity or recess of the middle component 406, at least a portion of the periphery 444 of the applicator head 404 may include an exposed peripheral portion of the applicator 444 such that the periphery 444 may be utilized as a brush surface as well.

The applicator 440 may include various materials depending on the particular end use application. For example, the applicator 440 may include a plurality of bristles, a sponge, a silicone pad, and a microfiber cloth, and combinations of the same. Where utilized, the bristles may be made from various synthetic or natural materials and, in some embodiments, the bristles are non-marking synthetic rubber bristles that build up an electrostatic charge to attract and grab particulate such as hair and debris on the surface.

The brush 300 may also include a ferrule 450. In the illustrated embodiment, the middle component 406 is configured as the ferrule 450 and holds and secures the applicator 440 of the applicator head 404. In other non-illustrated embodiments, however, the ferrule 450 may be provided in finger grip 402 or the applicator head 404 such that the applicator 440 would be held within the finger grip 402 or the applicator head 404, respectively, instead of the middle component 406. Where the applicator head 404 is configured as the ferrule 450, the ferrule 450 may define the periphery 444 of the applicator head 404 and hold and secure the applicator 440 thereto. In addition, the applicator 440 may be fixed within the ferrule 450 of the middle component 406, with the middle component 406 being removable with respect to the finger grip 402 such that the applicator heads 404 of the brush 300 are interchangeable. For example, the applicator head 404 may be fixed to the middle component 406, and the middle component 406 may be releasably secured to the finger grip 402 such that the brush 300 may utilize applicator heads 404 having different applicators 440. As described below, middle component 406 may be removable with respect to the finger grip 402 via a variety of releasable connections, such as a pressure fit, a magnet connection, a snap fit connection, a hook and loop connection, etc. Moreover, the applicator head 404 may instead be releasably connected to the finger grip 402 or the middle component 406.

The brushes described herein may include interchangeable components such that they may be utilizable in a broad array of end use applications. FIG. 12 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a brush 500 having an interchangeable applicator head 504, according to one or more embodiments. Here, the brush 500 includes a finger grip 502, a middle portion, and the applicator head 504, which is removable with respect to the remainder of the brush 500. This permits the brush 500 to be configured with a variety of applicators and, therefore, permits the brush 500 to be utilizable in a variety of different end use application. In the illustrated example, a pair of applicator heads 504 are shown that each have a different applicator 540. In some examples, the applicator head 504 is releasably attached to either the finger grip 502 or the middle portion 506; whereas, in other examples, the applicator 540 is releasably attached to the remainder of the applicator head 504.

In the illustrated example, the applicator head 504 includes a connector 510 on an upper side 512 of the b applicator rush head 504 for releasable attachment to the middle portion 506 of the brush 500. In other examples, however, the connector 510 releasably attaches the applicator head 504 directly to the finger grip 502. Moreover, in other embodiments, the connector 510 is provided elsewhere on the upper side 512 of the applicator head 504 or elsewhere on the applicator head 504. Regardless, the connector 510 may include various elements, mechanisms, or substances as known in the art. For example, the connector 510 may include a ball and socket fastener, a screw, a hook and loop fastener, a mechanical fastener, a magnet, a suction cup, a dovetail joint, and an adhesive, and combinations of the same.

Therefore, the disclosed systems and methods are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the teachings of the present disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered, combined, or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. The systems and methods illustratively disclosed herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element that is not specifically disclosed herein and/or any optional element disclosed herein. While compositions and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the compositions and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “from about a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elements that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted.

The use of directional terms such as above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward or upper direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward or lower direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e., each item). The phrase “at least one of” allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, and C.

Claims

1. A brush, comprising:

a finger grip having an upper side and a lower side, and a first and second wing member extending upward from the upper side, the first and second wing members each having an inner grip surface, wherein the inner grip surfaces of the first and second wing members face each other; and

an applicator head secured to the lower side of the finger grip.

2. The brush of claim 1 further comprising a middle component having an upper side and a lower side, the upper side of the middle component being secured to the lower side of the finger grip, and the lower side of the middle component configured to be secured to the applicator head to secure the applicator head to the finger grip.

3. The brush of claim 1, wherein the pair of wing members each include an upper portion that extends inward towards each other.

4. The brush of claim 1, wherein the pair of wing members are connected to each other such that the pair of wing members define a band.

5. The brush of claim 1, wherein the finger grip includes a finger pad on the upper side thereof.

6. The brush of claim 5, wherein the finger pad includes a contoured surface configured to accommodate one or more fingers.

7. (canceled)

8. The brush of claim 5, wherein the finger pad includes a deformable material.

9. The brush of claim 8, wherein the deformable material is a memory foam.

10. The brush of claim 1, wherein the inner grip surfaces includes gripping features selected from the group consisting of a textured surface, an adhesive, a plurality of protrusions, and a tacky surface, and combinations of the same.

11. The brush of claim 2, wherein the finger grip includes an opening that extends through the upper and lower sides thereof, and the middle component includes a finger pad disposed on the upper side thereof, wherein the finger pad is accessible through the opening in the finger grip.

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. The brush of claim 11, wherein the finger pad includes a deformable material.

15. The brush of claim 14, wherein the deformable material is a memory foam.

16. The brush of claim 1, wherein the applicator head includes an applicator selected from the group consisting of a plurality of bristles, a sponge, a silicone pad, and a microfiber cloth, and combinations of the same.

17. The brush of claim 1, wherein the applicator head is configured to be removable with respect to the finger grip.

18. The brush of claim 17, wherein the applicator head is connected to the finger grip via a connector selected from the group consisting of a ball and socket fastener, a screw, a hook and loop fastener, a mechanical fastener, a magnet, a suction cup, a dovetail joint, and an adhesive, and combinations of the same.

19. The brush of claim 1, wherein the finger grip and the applicator head are formed as an integral structure.

20. The brush of claim 2, wherein the finger grip, the middle component, and the applicator head are formed as an integral structure.

21. The brush of claim 2, wherein the applicator head is configured to be removable with respect to the middle component.

22. The brush of claim 21, wherein the applicator head is connected to the middle component via a connector selected from the group consisting of a ball and socket fastener, a screw, a hook and loop fastener, a mechanical fastener, a magnet, a suction cup, a dovetail joint, and an adhesive, and combinations of the same.

23. The brush of claim 1, wherein each of the pair of wing members is a flexible wing member.