HAIRBRUSH THAT SIMULTANEOUSLY DRIES HAIR DURING BRUSHING WHILE ALSO CREATING AN AIR BEARING EFFECT THAT REDUCES FRICTION BETWEEN THE HAIR AND THE HAIRBRUSH BRISTLES

Abstract

A hairbrush is provided that combs and/or dries hair during brushing and/or styling while also producing an air bearing effect that reduces friction between the hair and the bristles of the hairbrush. Each bristle receives, in an interior space of the bristle, air from a flow of air generated by an air flow generator of the hairbrush. Each bristle is made of a highly-porous material. Air received in the interior space of the bristle exits the bristle through the pores and creates an air bearing effect between the bristles and the hair being brushed or styled that reduces or eliminates friction between the bristles and the hair.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to hairbrushes, and more particularly, to a hairbrush that dries hair during brushing while also producing an air bearing effect that reduces friction between the hair and the bristles of the hairbrush.

BACKGROUND

There are currently many hairbrushes on the market that are used to simultaneously style and dry hair. Most of these hairbrushes are designed such that air is pulled in from an opening in the handle and exits the hairbrush from an area in the base of the hairbrush where the bristles attach to the base. The air exiting from the base dries the hair as the user is brushing/styling the hair.

Some hairbrushes are designed such that air is pulled in from an opening in the handle and exits the hairbrush through openings formed in the side walls of the bristles. The air exiting the hairbrush through the side walls of the bristles dries the hair as the user is brushing/styling the hair.

One of the disadvantages of both of these hairbrush designs is that during use, friction between the hair and the bristles can pull the hair, creating discomfort or pain in the user's scalp. In addition, this friction can also cause breakage of some of the hair strands and reduce drying efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The example embodiments are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawing figures. It is emphasized that the various features are not necessarily drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions may be arbitrarily increased or decreased for clarity of discussion. Wherever applicable and practical, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a hairbrush in accordance with a representative embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a side cross-sectional view of one of the bristles of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with a representative embodiment.

FIG. 2B is an enlarged portion of the side cross-sectional view of one of the bristles of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of one of the bristles of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with another representative embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a hairbrush in accordance with another representative embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a hairbrush in accordance with another representative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a hairbrush that dries hair during brushing and/or styling while also producing an air bearing effect that reduces friction between the hair and the bristles of the hairbrush. Each bristle of the hairbrush has a proximal end that is coupled to a first surface of the base of the hairbrush and a distal end that extends away from the first surface of the base. Each bristle receives, in an interior space of the bristle, air from a flow of air generated by an air flow generator of the hairbrush. Each bristle comprises a highly-porous elongated structure of solid material having a large number of pores therein. Air received in the interior space of the bristle exits the bristle through the pores and creates an air bearing effect between the bristles and the hair being brushed or styled that reduces or eliminates friction between the bristles and the hair. The hair effectively floats a very small distance away from the bristle and this air cushion between the hair and the bristle reduces or eliminates the friction between the bristle and the hair.

In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, exemplary, or representative, embodiments disclosing specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the inventive principles and concepts. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that other embodiments according to the present teachings that are not explicitly described or shown herein are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, descriptions of well-known apparatuses and methods may be omitted so as not to obscure the description of the exemplary embodiments. Such methods and apparatuses are clearly within the scope of the present teachings, as will be understood by those of skill in the art. It should also be understood that the word “example,” as used herein, is intended to be non-exclusionary and non-limiting in nature.

The terminology used herein is for purposes of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Any specifically-defined terms are in addition to the technical, scientific, or ordinary meanings of the defined terms as commonly understood and accepted in the relevant context.

The terms “a,” “an” and “the” include both singular and plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, “a device” includes one device and plural devices. The terms “substantial” or “substantially” mean to within acceptable limits or degrees acceptable to those of skill in the art. For example, the term “substantially parallel to” means that a structure or device may not be made perfectly parallel to some other structure or device due to tolerances or imperfections in the process by which the structures or devices are made. The term “approximately” means to within an acceptable limit or amount to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Relative terms, such as “over,” “above,” “below,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “upper” and “lower” may be used to describe the various elements' relationships to one another, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. These relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device and/or elements in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device were inverted with respect to the view in the drawings, an element described as “above” another element, for example, would now be below that element.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a hairbrush 1 in accordance with a representative embodiment that dries hair during brushing and/or styling while also producing an air bearing effect that reduces friction between the hair and the bristles 5 of the hairbrush 1. A hairbrush body 2 of the hairbrush 1 comprises a handle 3 and a base 4. The handle 3 has a proximal end 3a and a distal end 3b. The base 4 has a proximal end 4a and a distal end 4b. The distal end 3b of the handle 3 is mechanically coupled to the proximal end 4a of the base 4.

An air flow generator 6 is disposed in or on the hairbrush body 2. In accordance with this representative embodiment, the air flow generator 6 comprises one or more electric fans 6a disposed in the interior of the handle 3, but the air flow generator 6 can have any suitable configuration and can be disposed anywhere in or on the hairbrush body 2. The air flow generator 6 is configured to generate a flow of air through at least a portion of the hairbrush body 2 when the air flow generator is in an On state and electrical power is being supplied to the air flow generator 6. Air is pulled into the hairbrush body 2 through at least one air flow inlet. For illustrative purposes, the hairbrush 1 is shown as having a single air flow inlet at the proximal end 3a of the handle 3, but the air flow inlet(s) can be located anywhere in the body 2. Similarly, for illustrative purposes, the air flow generator 6 is shown as being disposed in the handle 3, but it can be located anywhere in the hairbrush body 2. The location of the air flow generator 6 will depend on the location(s) of the air flow inlet(s), or vice versa.

An On/Off switch 7 can be used to control whether or not electrical power is provided to the air flow generator 6. For example, placing the switch 7 in an On position (e.g., depressed) can place the hair dryer 1 in an On state in which electrical power is supplied to the air flow generator 6, whereas placing the switch 7 in an Off position (non-depressed) can place the hair dryer 1 in an Off state in which electrical power is not being supplied to the air flow generator 6. The switch 7 can have a variety of configurations and can be operated in a variety of ways, as will be understood by those of skill in the art in view of the description being provided herein. The switch 7 can be located at any suitable location on the hairbrush body 2.

The hairbrush 1 includes an electrical power source and/or an electrical power source connection. In the representative embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the hairbrush 1 includes an electrical power source, which in this case is a direct current (DC) battery 8. The DC battery 8 is electrically coupled to the air flow generator 6 for providing electrical power to the air flow generator 6 when the switch 7 is in the On position. A battery compartment 9 is disposed in some location in or on the hairbrush body 2, such as in the handle 3 or in the base 4, for holding the DC battery 8. In accordance with this representative embodiment, the battery compartment 9 is disposed in the base 4. Electrical circuitry (not shown) is disposed in at least one of the base 4 and the handle 3 for conducting a dc electrical signal produced by the DC battery 8 from electrical terminals of the DC battery 8 to electrical terminals of the air flow generator 6. For ease of illustration, the electrical circuitry (e.g., electrical conductors) used for this purpose is not shown.

In addition to, or in lieu of, the dc battery 8, the hairbrush 1 can have an electrical power source connection 11 for electrically coupling the air flow generator 6 to an external electrical power source via an electrical cable/plug (not shown) having a first end that is configured to connect to the connection 11 and a second end that is configured to connect to an external electrical outlet. Electrical circuitry (e.g., electrical conductors) disposed in the base 4 and/or in the handle 3 electrically couples the electrical power source connection 11 to the air flow generator 6 for delivering electrical power to the air flow generator 6. It should be noted that the electrical fan(s) 6a may be AC or DC fan(s).

FIG. 2A is a side cross-sectional view of one of the bristles 5 of the hairbrush 1 shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with a representative embodiment in which the bristle 5 is a porous, generally tubular structure. FIG. 2B is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the portion 12 of the view shown in FIG. 2A. Examples of some possible dimensions are shown in FIG. 2A, although the inventive principles and concepts are not limited to the bristles 5 having any particular dimensions or shape. Each bristle 5 has a proximal end 5a that is coupled to a first surface 4a (e.g., a lower surface) of the base 4 and a distal end 5b that extends away from the first surface 4a of the base 4. Each bristle 5 has an interior space 5c into which air from the flow of air generated by the air flow generator 6 flows. Each bristle 5 comprises a side wall 5d of solid material having a number of pores 15 therein. Air received in the interior space 5c of the bristle 5 exits the bristle 5 through the pores 15 in the side walls of the bristles 5.

Although not explicitly shown in the figures, the hair dryer 1 may include one or more heating elements disposed in the air flow pathway for heating air flowing through the hairbrush body 2 before the air exits the hair dryer 1 through the pores 15 of the bristles 5. Alternatively, hair can be dried using ambient air pulled through the body 2, in which case heating element(s) are not needed. Persons of skill in the art will understand the manner in which suitable heating element(s) can be incorporated into the hair dryer 1.

The number of pores 15 and the average size of the pores 15 can be preselected to create an air bearing effect between the bristles 5 and hair being brushed/styled. This air bearing effect reduces or eliminates friction between the bristles 5 and the hair, thereby eliminating the aforementioned disadvantages of hair dryers currently available in the market.

In accordance with a representative embodiment, the number of pores 15 and the average size of the diameters of the pores 15 are preselected to achieve a high porosity characterized by the majority of the tubular structure of the bristle 5 being devoid of the solid material, i.e., corresponding to locations occupied by the pores 15, and the minority of the tubular structure of the bristle 5 comprising the solid material of which the bristles 5 are made. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, between approximately 40% and approximately 90% of the tubular structure corresponds to locations occupied by the pores 15, i.e., locations that are devoid of solid material, and about 40% or less of the tubular structure is solid material.

Typically, each bristle 5 will have at least one million pores distributed over the surface of the bristle. Providing the bristles 5 with such a high-porosity structure ensures that air exiting the bristle 5 through the pores 15 will achieve an air bearing effect that reduces or eliminates friction between the hair being dried/brushed and the bristles 15.

It should be noted that the inventive principles and concepts of the present disclosure are not limited to any particular material(s) being used for the bristles 5 except that the material(s) should have the desired porosity, or be capable of being processed or treated to obtain the desired porosity. The desired porosity can be achieved either by forming pores in the bristle material(s) or by using material(s) for the bristles 5 that inherently have the desired porosity.

An example of a suitable material from which the bristles 5 can be made is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), such as Teflon® PTFE, for example. For PTFE, the diameter size of the pores typically ranges from 0.1 to 0.25 micrometers, although the inventive principles and concepts of the present disclosure are not limited to the pores having any particular size or size range. The pore size in PTFE material varies depending on the particular PTFE material that is used and on other variables, such as the manner in which the PTFE membrane is processed (e.g., stretched, compacted, etc.). Persons of skill in the art will understand the manner in which a suitable PTFE material can be chosen and/or processed to obtain the desired porosity.

Preferably each of the bristles 5 comprises an Expanded PTFE tube, commonly referred to as ePTFE tubing. ePTFE tubing is a porous, air-permeable structure that is well suited for applications that require a permeable material. ePTFE tubing is soft and flexible, and therefore is well suited for use as the bristles 5, since the bristles 5 should be flexible. The pores of ePTFE tubing are typically 0.1-0.25 micrometers in size. Assuming for example purposes that the bristles 5 are 1.5 mm in diameter, 15 mm in length, that 50% of each bristle's surface is covered in pores, and that the pore diameter is 0.25 micrometers, each bristle 5 can have 560 million pores. If using these same dimensions except for the diameter of the pores being reduced from 0.25 micrometers to, for example, 0.1 micrometers, then the number of pores that each bristle 5 will have is even greater. Thus, these variables can be adjusted to achieve a preselected pore size and/or a preselected number of pores that each bristle 5 will have. For example, the ePTFE material can be specially prepared to have pore sizes of 5 micrometers, which can result in each bristle 5 having 1.4 million pores, assuming the bristles 5 are 1.5 mm in diameter, 15 mm in length, and that 50% of each bristle's surface is covered in pores.

Preferably the bristles 5 are designed and fabricated of ePTFE to achieve a porosity in the range of 40% to 90%, i.e., pores occupy 40% to 90% of the surface of each bristle 5, although the inventive principles and concepts of the present disclosure are not limited to the ePTFE bristles having any particular porosity. Each bristle 5 can have millions of pores, but can also have fewer pores. For example, each bristle 5 can have between 10,000 and 100,000 pores. Preferably the typical pore size is in the range of 0.1 micrometers to 5 micrometers, although the inventive principles and concepts of the present disclosure are not limited to the pores having any particular sizes or range of sizes. Each bristle 5 will typically have a much larger number of pores than can be achieved by known processes that form individual holes in the bristles. A hair strand is typically 75 micrometers in diameter, so pores having diameters larger than about 10 micrometers (less than 350,000 pores per bristle 5 for the bristle length and diameter dimensions given in the above example) might not produce the desired air bearing effect of the present disclosure.

The bristle 5 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B can include a stiffening member 16, such as a stainless-steel wire, for example, to add a desired degree of bending stiffness to the bristle 5. A proximal end 16a of the stiffening member 16 can be embedded in a solid wall 4b of the base 4 of the hairbrush body 2. Embedding the proximal end 16a of the stiffening member 16 in the solid wall 4b the stiffening member 16 prevents the stiffening member 16 from moving in its lengthwise directions. This allows the stiffening member 16 to hold the length of the bristle 5 substantially fixed in the case that the porous material of the bristle 5 does not have sufficient stiffness along its length. The stiffening member 16 in accordance with this embodiment provides the wall material of the bristle 5 with both lateral and axial stiffness.

Depending on the material(s) used to make the bristles 5, the stiffening member 16 may or may not be needed. A distal end 16b of the stiffening member 16 is disposed near the distal end 5b of the bristle 5. The interior space of each bristle 5 near the distal end 5b can be filled with an adhesive material 17, such as epoxy, for example, or it can be, for example, heat sealed to assist in anchoring the stiffening member 16 in place inside of the bristle 5. In accordance with this representative embodiment, the stiffening member 16 is shaped like a straight pin or wire having an axis that is substantially coaxial with an axis of the bristle 5. It should be noted, however, that the inventive principles and concepts are not limited to the stiffening member 16 having any particular shape or configuration or with respect to the manner in which the stiffening member 16 is secured in place within the bristle 5.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of one of the bristles 5 of the hairbrush 1 shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with another representative embodiment in which the stiffening member 18 has a bent distal end 18b. In all other respects, the bristle 5 shown in FIG. 3 can be identical to the stiffening member 16 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In accordance with this representative embodiment, the stiffening member 18 is shaped like a straight pin or wire having an axis that is substantially coaxial with an axis of the bristle 5, but has a distal end 18b that is bent or curved to enhance adhesion to the adhesion material or structure 17.

FIG. 3 also shows some possible width-wise dimensions for the bristle 5. As indicated above, the bristle 5 can have a generally tubular structure having side walls that alternate between areas that are devoid of material where the pores 15 are located and areas that are solid in structure where the material comprising the bristle 5 remains. The side wall 5d can have a thickness or width, w1, of, for example, 0.30 mm. The tubular structure of the bristle 5 can have a width, w2, of, for example, 1.5 mm. It should be noted, however, that the inventive principles and concepts are not limited to the bristles 5 having any particular dimensions. The inventive principles and concepts also are not limited to the bristles 5 having any particular shape, although they will typically be elongated and extend away from the lower surface of the base 4.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the hairbrush 1 shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with another representative embodiment in which the first surface 4c of the base 4 to which the proximal ends of the bristles 5 are secured is an outwardly-curving, or convex, surface. The bristles 5 shown in FIG. 4 can have the configurations shown in FIG. 2 or 3. This figure also shows the hairbrush 1 having a Micro Universal Serial Bus (USB) port 21 configured to mate with a Micro USB connector of a Micro USB cable to allow the DC battery 8 to be charged. A known Micro USB cable includes an AC-to-DC converter configured to plug into an AC wall socket. A connector on one end of the Micro USB cable is plugged into a port of the AC-to-DC converter and a connector on the opposite end of the cable is plugged into the Micro USB port 21 of the hairbrush 1. Electrical circuitry 22 disposed in the base 4 electrically couples the Micro USB port 21 to the DC battery 8 for charging the battery 8. A Micro USB connector is shown as an example of a suitable connector, but other suitable connectors may be used for this purpose, such as a USB-C connector, for example.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a hairbrush 20 that is identical to the hairbrush 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 except that the first, lower surface 4c of the base 4 shown in FIG. 5 to which the proximal ends of the bristles 5 are secured is an inwardly-curving, or concave, surface. In all other respects, the hairbrush 20 has the same configuration and operates in the same manner as the hairbrush 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The bristles 5 shown in FIG. 5 can have the configurations shown in FIG. 2 or 3. Alternatively, the bristles 5 may be secured to a flat surface. The mounting surface of the bristles may be solid or have flexibility to allow the bristles to flex as the hairbrush is used.

It should be noted that the inventive principles and concepts have been described with reference to representative embodiments, but that the inventive principles and concepts are not limited to the representative embodiments described herein. For example, although the hairbrush 1, 20 is shown as having a particular shape or configuration, the inventive principles and concepts are not limited to the hair dryer having any particular shape or configuration, as it is known in the art that hair dryers can have almost unlimited shapes and configurations. Although the inventive principles and concepts have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and in the foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hairbrush for drying hair as the hair is being brushed or styled with the hairbrush, the hairbrush comprising:

a hairbrush body, the hairbrush body comprising a handle, a base, and at least one air flow inlet, the handle having a proximal end and a distal end, the base having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the handle being coupled to the proximal end of the base;

an air flow generator disposed in or on the hairbrush body, the air flow generator being configured to generate a flow of air through at least a portion of the hairbrush body by pulling air into the hairbrush body through said at least one air flow inlet when the air flow generator is in an On state and electrical power is being supplied to the air flow generator;

at least one of an electrical power source and an electrical power source connection disposed on at least one of the base and the handle and electrically coupled to the air flow generator for providing electrical power to the air flow generator; and

a plurality of bristles, each bristle having a proximal end that is coupled to a first surface of the base and a distal end that extends away from the first surface of the base, each bristle receiving, in an interior space of the bristle, air from the flow of air generated by the air flow generator, each bristle comprising a highly-porous elongated structure of solid material having a large number of pores therein, and wherein air received in the interior space of the bristle exits the bristle through the pores and creates an air bearing effect between the bristles and the hair being brushed or styled that reduces or eliminates friction between the bristles and the hair.

2. The hairbrush of claim 1, wherein each elongated structure of each bristle comprises a porous tube having a porosity characterized by at least 40% of the porous tube being devoid of the solid material where the pores are located on the porous tube.

3. The hairbrush of claim 2, wherein the porosity of each porous tube is characterized by in between 40% and 90% of the surface of the porous tube being devoid of the solid material where the pores are located on the porous tube.

4. The hairbrush of claim 3, wherein the solid material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and wherein the porosity is preselected by preselecting at least one of 1) at least one characteristic of the PTFE and 2) at least one processing condition used during manufacturing of the PTFE.

5. The hairbrush of claim 4, wherein the PTFE is Expanded PTFE (ePTFE), and wherein the pores range in size from 0.1 micrometers to 10.0 micrometers.

6. The hairbrush of claim 5, wherein the pores range in size from 0.1 micrometers to 5.0 micrometers.

7. The hairbrush of claim 4, wherein the PTFE is Expanded PTFE (ePTFE), and wherein each bristle has at least 10,000 pores therein.

8. The hairbrush of claim 7, wherein each bristle has at least 100,000 pores therein.

9. The hairbrush of claim 8, wherein each bristle has at least 1,000,000 pores therein.

10. The hairbrush of claim 4, wherein the PTFE is Expanded PTFE (ePTFE), and wherein each bristle further comprises:

a stiffening member having a proximal end disposed near the proximal end of the bristle and a distal end disposed near the distal end of the bristle, the interior space of each bristle near the distal end of the bristle being filled with a securing device or structure that anchors the distal end of the stiffening member in the interior space of the bristle.

11. The hairbrush of claim 10, wherein the stiffening member is shaped like a straight pin or wire having an axis that is substantially coaxial with an axis of the bristle when the distal end of the stiffening member is anchored in the securing device or structure.

12. The hairbrush of claim 10, wherein the stiffening member is shaped like a straight pin or wire having an axis that is substantially coaxial with an axis of the bristle when the distal end of the stiffening member is anchored in the securing device or structure, and wherein the distal end of the stiffening member is curved or bent to facilitate adhesion with the securing device or structure.

13. The hairbrush of claim 10, wherein the stiffening member is shaped like a straight pin or wire having an axis that is substantially coaxial with an axis of the bristle when the proximal end of the stiffening member is anchored in the hairbrush body and the distal end of the stiffening member is anchored in the securing device or structure.

14. The hairbrush of claim 1, wherein the hairbrush comprises the electrical power source, the electrical power source comprising a direct current (DC) battery, the hairbrush further comprising:

a battery compartment disposed in at least one of the base and the handle for holding the dc battery; and

electrical circuitry disposed in at least one of the base and the handle for conducting a DC electrical signal produced by the DC battery from the DC battery to the air flow generator.

15. The hairbrush of claim 1, wherein the hairbrush comprises the electrical power source connection, the hairbrush further comprising:

an electrical cable having a first end electrically coupled to the electrical power source connection and a second end having a plug thereon configured to be connected to an external electrical receptacle that is electrically coupled to an external electrical power source.

16. The hairbrush of claim 1, wherein the hairbrush comprises the electrical power source, the electrical power source comprising a direct current (DC) battery, the hairbrush further comprising:

an electrical connection for electrically coupling an external electrical battery charger with the DC battery for charging the DC battery.

17. A method for making a hairbrush for drying hair as the hair is being brushed or styled with the hairbrush, the method comprising:

manufacturing a plurality of bristles, each bristle having a proximal end that is coupled to a first surface of a base of the hairbrush and a distal end that extends away from the first surface of the base, each bristle configured to receive, in an interior space of the bristle, air from a flow of air generated by an air flow generator of the hairbrush, each bristle comprising a highly-porous elongated structure of solid material having a large number of pores therein, and wherein air received in the interior space of the bristle exits the bristle through the pores and creates an air bearing effect between the bristles and the hair being brushed or styled that reduces or eliminates friction between the bristles and the hair

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the porosity of each porous tube is characterized by in between 40% and 90% of the porous tube being devoid of the solid material where the pores are located on the porous tube.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the solid material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and wherein the porosity is preselected by preselecting at least one of 1) at least one characteristic of the PTFE and 2) at least one processing condition used during manufacturing of the PTFE.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the PTFE is Expanded PTFE (ePTFE), and wherein the pores range in size from 0.1 micrometers to 10.0 micrometers, and wherein each bristle has at least 10,000 pores therein.