Brush

Abstract

A brush is provided that includes a frame, a plurality of bristles, and a resilient carrier. The resilient carrier is arranged to separate each of the plurality of bristles from the frame. The resilient carrier includes one or more retention members configured to retain one or more portions of the frame. Each of the plurality of bristles extends from the carrier, and the carrier is configured to deform in response to movement of each of the plurality of bristles.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] A hairbrush may include bristles attached to a flexible pad. During use, the pad flexes, allowing the bristles to better conform to the shape of the user's head, thereby improving comfort. However, such hairbrushes are generally not good at removing tangles from hair. In particular, when the bristles encounter a tangle, adjacent bristles tend to cluster at the tangle, making it difficult to pass through. Summary of the Invention

[0002] In a first aspect, a brush is provided, comprising: a frame; a plurality of bristles; and a resilient support member. The resilient support member is arranged such that each of the plurality of bristles is spaced apart from the frame, and the resilient support member includes one or more retaining members. The retaining members are configured to retain one or more portions of the frame. Each of the plurality of bristles extends from the support member, and the support member is configured to deform in response to movement of each of the plurality of bristles.

[0003] In this way, the manufacturing complexity of the brush is reduced and its durability is improved. Furthermore, a wider range of elastic materials can be used for the elastic support, such as relatively inert materials that might otherwise cause adhesion problems.

[0004] The retaining members are configured to retain one or more portions of the frame by being shaped to retain those portions. For example, the retaining members may be shaped to engage with the frame or to engage with each other around the frame.

[0005] Each bristle may be a protrusion or projection extending away from the elastic support. The bristles may be configured to engage with a strand of hair so that the individual hair strands are separated from each other.

[0006] The resilient support member is connected to or attached to the frame using one or more retaining members. For example, retaining members configured or shaped to retain portions of the frame can be used to hold the support member at one or more points around the frame and / or around each bristle. The frame can be relatively rigid.

[0007] It is understood that the retaining members are configured to clamp the frame. For example, the retaining members may partially or completely surround a portion of the frame. In some examples, each retaining member may retain a corresponding portion of the frame by shaping the retaining member to form a frictional fit and / or interference fit with the frame.

[0008] It is understood that the carrier interacts with the frame to restrict the movement of each bristle relative to each other bristle or each directly adjacent bristle, such as pivoting. That is, each bristle moves independently of each other bristle and / or responds only to pressure applied directly to that bristle.

[0009] When a particular bristle pivots and the support around that particular bristle deforms, the adjacent bristles are substantially isolated from the deformation of the support around that particular bristle. Therefore, each bristle can move substantially independently of the movement of other bristles, that is, each bristle can move without causing the other bristles to move.

[0010] When a brush is used on hair and the bristles encounter a tangle, the bristles can pivot to allow the tangle to pass through without causing adjacent bristles to bunch up at the tangle. In contrast, when the bristles of a conventional hairbrush encounter a tangle, the movement of the bristles causes the pad to flex, which in turn causes adjacent bristles to bunch up at the tangle. Therefore, the tangle is much more difficult to pass through the bristles of a conventional hairbrush.

[0011] It is understood that the elastic support element is more flexible than the frame. The frame can be more resistant to deformation than the elastic support element.

[0012] In some examples, each of the plurality of bristles extends through the frame and is separated from at least one other bristle by the frame and / or resilient support.

[0013] In this way, the bristles can move independently of at least one other bristle, thereby allowing control over the number of bristles that clump together when encountering tangles.

[0014] Each of the plurality of bristles may be separated from at least one other directly adjacent bristle by the frame and / or resilient support. It is understood that separating each bristle from each directly adjacent bristle by the frame and support facilitates pivoting movement with independent resilient support for each bristle relative to each of its directly adjacent bristles.

[0015] The movement of the resilient support member can be impeded by a frame located between each bristle and one or more adjacent bristles, for example, by a frame located between each bristle and each directly adjacent bristle. That is, the frame can reinforce the resilient support member to impede movement of the support member around the bristles, and / or provide pocket areas of the resilient support member, each delimited by portions of the frame. For example, the frame can substantially prevent deformation of the support member in one pocket area from causing deformation in directly adjacent pocket areas. In some examples, a portion of the frame may be located between each pair of directly adjacent bristles and / or a portion of the resilient support member may be located between each pair of directly adjacent bristles.

[0016] In some examples, the retaining member is interlocked with one or more openings in the frame.

[0017] In this way, the frame can be mechanically connected to the resilient support, reducing the manufacturing complexity of the brush. By eliminating the need for adhesives, this arrangement also expands the range of materials that can be used for the resilient support, enabling the use of relatively inert materials, for example.

[0018] The retaining member may protrude from the surface of the resilient support member and may take the following forms: annular; arc-shaped, spherical; and / or ribbed. In some examples, one or more retaining members may protrude from the base of the resilient support member to form a lip, wherein the frame may be disposed between the lip and the base of the resilient support member. The retaining member may extend from a single surface of the resilient support member.

[0019] For example, the retaining members may be configured to interlock with the frame. For instance, each retaining member may have a base integrally formed with the body of the resilient support member and may extend away from the base in a manner that cantilevers from the base. For instance, at least a portion of the retaining member may project obliquely from the base of the resilient support member. In some examples, the retaining member may be outwardly flared, oblique, V-shaped, or X-shaped, or may include outwardly flared, oblique, V-shaped, or X-shaped portions.

[0020] The retaining member may extend from the surface of the body of the elastic support member and includes one or more portions extending along a direction having at least a directional component parallel to the surface of the body of the elastic support member.

[0021] In some examples, each of the plurality of bristles extends through a corresponding opening in the opening in the frame, and the resilient support extends through the opening to separate each bristle from the frame.

[0022] In this way, the frame is more firmly held to the resilient support. Furthermore, better control is provided over the forces associated with the pivoting of the individual bristles.

[0023] By incorporating an elastic material between the bristles and the frame, a hard stop that could occur between the bristles and the frame during bristle pivoting is eliminated, thereby achieving a greater degree of user comfort. Furthermore, the larger surface area of ​​the elastic material interacts with the bristles, allowing for greater control over the bristles when the Shore A hardness value of the elastic support is changed.

[0024] In some examples, the retaining member essentially surrounds one or more portions of the frame.

[0025] For example, the retaining member may surround at least 60% or 80% of the frame, and / or at least 60% or 80% of the perimeter of a portion of the frame. In some examples, the retaining member may completely surround the perimeter of the frame and / or a portion of the frame.

[0026] In this way, the retaining member can effectively hold the frame to the elastic support.

[0027] In some examples, the bristles may be arranged in rows. Alternatively or additionally, the retaining member may substantially surround the frame between each pair of adjacent rows of bristles, such that each row of bristles moves substantially independently of each other row of bristles.

[0028] This facilitates independent movement between different rows of bristles on the brush, preventing bristles from different rows from gathering in tangled or knotted hair.

[0029] It is understood that the retaining member may substantially surround the frame between each pair of directly adjacent rows of bristles oriented along the longest dimension of the brush, and / or surround the frame between each pair of directly adjacent rows of bristles oriented perpendicular to the longest dimension of the brush.

[0030] In some examples, the bristles in each row are staggered relative to the bristles in the adjacent rows, and / or the bristles are pitched at the longest dimension of the brush at 4 mm to 12 mm, and / or the pitch perpendicular to the longest dimension of the brush at 8 mm to 18 mm.

[0031] In this way, a wider range of bristle pivot angles can be supported without bristle collisions. Furthermore, fewer tangles are encountered with each brushing session, thus improving operator comfort.

[0032] The bristles can be arranged in rows, and the bristles in each row can be staggered relative to the bristles in adjacent rows. In some examples, the bristles can have a pitch of 6 mm to 10 mm perpendicular to the brushing direction and a pitch of 10 mm to 16 mm parallel to the brushing direction.

[0033] A smaller pitch perpendicular to the brushing direction allows for better alignment of the hair. Furthermore, fewer strokes are typically needed to untangle tangles. Conversely, a larger pitch parallel to the brushing direction allows for a greater range of brush movement without bristle collisions.

[0034] In some examples, the brushing direction refers to the intended brushing direction. The intended brushing direction may be perpendicular to the longest dimension of the brush.

[0035] In some examples, the retaining members are arranged to provide a substantially demarcated area of ​​the frame. It will be understood that the plurality of bristles extend through the substantially demarcated area of ​​the frame.

[0036] In this way, the retaining member surrounds a set of bristles comprising the plurality of bristles to reinforce the connection between the resilient member and the frame at the periphery of this set of bristles. This allows for more powerful brushing without causing the resilient support member to detach from the frame.

[0037] For example, the retaining member may form a boundary around a set of bristles comprising the plurality of bristles, wherein the boundary may surround the set of bristles.

[0038] It is understood that "boundary" can essentially refer to a boundary that completely or partially surrounds the region. For example, retaining members can be arranged to surround the bristles to form a continuous boundary around the region, or to form a discontinuous boundary in which more than 50% or more than 80% of the boundary is occupied by the retaining members.

[0039] In some examples, the retaining member may substantially surround all portions of the frame disposed between the bristles.

[0040] In this way, the increased volume of the elastic material allows for greater control over the pivoting motion of the bristles. The increased surface area of ​​interaction between the elastic material and the bristles also contributes to improved control over the pivoting motion of the bristles.

[0041] It is understood that the retaining members can substantially surround all portions of the frame disposed between the bristles. In this context, "substantially" can be understood as at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% of the portions of the frame defined by the number of portions or by the total surface area of ​​the portions.

[0042] In some examples, the resilient support member may be overmolded onto the frame to form a plurality of retaining members that prevent the retaining members from being removed from the frame without causing damage.

[0043] In some examples, at least 50% of the frame positioned between the plurality of bristles is overmolded.

[0044] In some examples, the bristles extend parallel to each other. Therefore, the bristles are better able to handle tangles. Conventional brushes typically have diverging bristles, meaning the bristles spread outwards. Therefore, when the bristles at the front of the brush encounter a tangle, the bristles must move or bend through a larger angle to allow the tangle to pass. This makes brushing through tangles more difficult. Furthermore, the bristles at the back of the brush do not penetrate deep into the hair. In contrast, by having all the bristles extend in the same direction, the bristles at the front of the brush move through a smaller angle when encountering a tangle, making brushing easier. Additionally, the bristles at the back of the brush can penetrate deeper into the hair.

[0045] In some examples, the resilient support element is formed of materials such as silicone rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic vulcanized rubber, or thermoplastic olefin. For example, the support element may be formed of an elastomer or rubber.

[0046] These materials are inert and therefore unlikely to cause any adverse reactions with the user's scalp. Furthermore, silicone rubber exhibits high thermal stability and good chemical resistance. Therefore, the carrier is well-suited for use in hairbrushes that may be exposed to high temperatures and / or chemicals present in the form of hair care products during hair drying.

[0047] In some examples, the carrier is formed of a material with a Shore A hardness of 10 to 50. For example, the carrier can be formed of a material with a Shore A hardness of less than 50. Therefore, the carrier is relatively soft, which allows the bristles to have a greater range of motion.

[0048] It is understood that the support element may be formed of a material with a Shore A hardness of 10 to 30 in order to minimize user discomfort.

[0049] Each bristle may include a root and a shaft (i.e., a bristle shaft) extending outward from the root. The root may include a flange projecting from the shaft. The resilient support member may be formed or molded around the flange to restrict displacement of the flange in one or more directions. For example, the resilient support member may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the flange.

[0050] In this way, the bristles can be firmly held in place without restricting their pivoting movement.

[0051] The root of the bristles may be closer to the center of the bristle shank than the end of the bristle shank. In some examples, the root may be an end opposite the end, or may include that end. The root, or at least a portion thereof, may be surrounded by the resilient support. The shank may be a round or polygonal shank, allowing it to extend deeper into the tangle.

[0052] The root may include a flange projecting from the rod. For example, the root may project substantially radially or at least partially radially from the rod. The resilient support may be shaped around the flange, for example, molded around the flange or molded to surround the flange, to restrict displacement of the flange in one or more of the six degrees of freedom, for example by restricting movement of the flange in five degrees of freedom.

[0053] In some examples, the length of the rod is 15 mm to 30 mm. For example, the rod may have a length of at least 15 mm or no more than 30 mm. In particular, the rod may have a length of 15 mm to 22 mm. Each bristle may have the same rod length.

[0054] A bristle length of at least 15 mm means that the bristles can penetrate deeper into the hair. In contrast, a brush with shorter bristles may require combing the same area of ​​hair several times to remove tangles.

[0055] Since the bristles of a brush move independently of each other, increasing the length of the handle also increases the likelihood of adjacent bristles colliding during use. Therefore, the length of the handle can be limited to less than 30 mm, for example, less than 22 mm, to mitigate collisions during normal use.

[0056] In some examples, each bristle may have a diameter of at least 1.2 mm, and / or the end of each bristle may be formed as a rounded end of the rod.

[0057] A relatively thicker shaft means the bristles are more rigid, making them less likely to bend or otherwise deform during brush use. For example, each bristle or its corresponding shaft can be rigid. The movement of the bristles is instead provided by the elastic deformation of the elastic support member, which deforms in response to forces acting on the bristles. In some examples, the bristles may have a diameter of 1.2 mm to 2.2 mm.

[0058] Each bristle may include a rounded end formed as the shaft. Conventional brushes may have relatively fine bristles with sharp ends. While bristles of this design may be effective at removing tangles, the brush can often be uncomfortable if the bristles come into contact with the scalp. To improve comfort, a ball can be provided at the shaft end of each bristle. However, while this can improve comfort, the ball tends to snag any tangles, causing user discomfort. By providing bristles with relatively thicker shafts and rounded ends, comfort can be improved without any snagging. In particular, when a bristle encounters a tangle, it can pivot in the opposite direction to the direction of the brush's travel, allowing the tangle to slip off the bristle's end.

[0059] In some examples, the brush includes a brush body connected to the frame. The brush body may include a plurality of protrusions, also referred to as a plurality of projections, oriented toward the frame. A portion of each of the plurality of protrusions is arranged to abut against the end of a corresponding bristle among the plurality of bristles to limit displacement of the corresponding bristle toward the brush body. For example, the protrusion may be arranged to abut against the root of the corresponding bristle. That is, each bristle may correspond to at least one protrusion, and / or each protrusion may correspond to at least one bristle.

[0060] In this way, the displacement of the bristles into the brush is limited by the protrusions to ensure that, for a given bristle length, the bristles penetrate the hair to the maximum extent. This further reduces collisions between adjacent bristles by avoiding the need for longer bristles.

[0061] It is understood that in some examples, the first surface of the frame is arranged to cover the first surface of the brush body, and the frame is fixedly connected to the brush body. The first surface of the brush body may include a plurality of protrusions oriented toward the first surface of the frame.

[0062] In some examples, the portion of each protrusion arranged to abut the end of the corresponding bristle has a rounded profile, and / or the end of the portion of the corresponding bristle arranged to abut each of the plurality of protrusions has a rounded profile.

[0063] In this way, each bristle can achieve a wider range of smooth movement. That is, the bristles can rotate around the rounded surface without wobbling or axial displacement, thereby improving user comfort.

[0064] In some examples, a portion of the resilient support extends into the gap between the plurality of protrusions oriented toward the frame. The portion of the resilient support disposed in the gap may be arranged to contact the plurality of protrusions oriented toward the frame when the brush is pivoted during use.

[0065] In this way, the bristles can be prompted to pivot around the protrusion and the axial movement of the rod can be minimized, thereby improving user comfort. For example, as any axial force on the bristles increases, the friction generated between the protrusion and the elastic support disposed therebetween can increase. It is understood that the portion of the elastic support disposed in the gap is arranged to contact the adjacent protrusion oriented toward the frame among the plurality of protrusions when the bristles abutting against the adjacent protrusions pivot during use.

[0066] In some examples, each bristle may have a flexural modulus of at least 1 GPa or a flexural stiffness of at least 500 N / m. Therefore, the bristles are less likely to bend or otherwise deform during brush use. That is, the bristles are rigid or relatively stiff (e.g., compared to the elastic support and / or frame), making them more likely to pivot around their root rather than bend along the shaft, which is more conducive to facilitating the slippage of tangles from the bristles. In contrast, the bristles of conventional brushes may have much lower flexural modulus and stiffness. Instead of pivoting, the bristles bend or flex during use. However, the bristles are more likely to be damaged due to fatigue caused by flexing beyond the elastic limit or repeated flexing. Furthermore, tangles trapped deep within the bristles are more likely to become trapped. In some examples, each bristle may have a flexural modulus of 1 GPa to 200 GPa, for example, 1 GPa to 110 GPa.

[0067] In some examples, the bristles may be made of metal, such as steel, stainless steel, or aluminum. These bristles are relatively strong and rigid, and are unlikely to be damaged during use or in the event of an accidental drop of the brush.

[0068] The surface profile of the carrier can be concave. Therefore, when bristles of the same length or the same bar length are used, the bristles form a bristle bed, the upper profile of which is also concave in shape. The bristle bed can be concave in the direction perpendicular to the brushing direction and / or convex in the direction parallel to the brushing direction. In some examples, the bristle bed can be a hyperbolic paraboloid shape.

[0069] Due to its concave shape, the bristles better conform to the shape of the user's head, thus improving comfort. Users tend to roll the brush as it is pulled downwards through the hair. A convex shape in a direction parallel to the brushing direction encourages the hair to penetrate deeper into the bristles, which is useful when the user desires higher tension in the hair. Attached Figure Description

[0070] Embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0071] Figure 1The brush tool is shown;

[0072] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the brush.

[0073] Figure 3 This is a plan view of the brush; and

[0074] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view of the brush taken by line A-A. Detailed Implementation

[0075] Figures 1 to 4 The brush 100 includes a handle 102 with an attachment portion 104. The head 104 includes a body 106, an elastic support 108, a plurality of bristles 110, and a frame 112. The body 106 is formed of a rigid material, such as a thermoplastic material or metal. A plurality of dome-shaped protrusions 114 are formed on the upper surface of the body 106.

[0076] Figure 2 An exploded view of the brush 100 is shown. The brush can be constructed by overmolding the frame 112 using the elastic support 108. It is understood that the elastic support 108 overmolded onto the frame 112 can only be removed from the frame 112 in a destructive manner, for example by damaging the frame 112 and / or the elastic support 108.

[0077] Figure 3 This is a plan view of the brush, and Figure 4 It shows along Figure 3 The image shows a cross-sectional view of the brush 100 taken by line AA. In particular, it should be noted that the first row of bristles 110a is shown in shaded mode, while the adjacent row of bristles 110b is shown without shade. It is clear that the first row of bristles 110a (shaded) is intended to be closer to the viewer of the image than the adjacent row of bristles 110b (unshaded).

[0078] Figures 1 to 4 The brush 100 includes a carrier 108 formed of an elastic material, such as silicone rubber, for example, having a Shore A hardness of about 20 to 30.

[0079] Each bristle of the bristles 110 includes a root 116, a tip 118, and a stem 120 extending from the root 116 to the tip 118. The root 116 includes a flange 122 extending radially from the root 116. The flange 122 extends at least partially radially, for example substantially radially, outward from the stem 120. For example, the stem 120 of each bristle has a length of 17 mm and a diameter of 1.7 mm. Optionally, each bristle of the bristles 110 is formed of stainless steel and can be relatively stiff, having a flexural modulus of about 193 GPa and a flexural stiffness of about 48 kN / m. Flexural stiffness (also known as bending stiffness or flexural rigidity) is measured by the cantilever deflection of the tip 118 of the bristle when the bristle is secured at the root 116.

[0080] Each bristle of the bristles 110 is held in place at least partially by the carrier 108. For example, the carrier 108 may be overmolded onto the bristles (e.g., at the base of the bristle). In some examples, the carrier 108 may be molded to the shape of the bristle base, and as... Figure 4 As shown, the bristles can be held in the mold by corresponding protrusions of the plurality of dome-shaped protrusions 114. The carrier 108 is molded to the root 116 of each bristle in the bristles 110 such that the rod 120 protrudes from the carrier 108.

[0081] The frame 112 is formed of a rigid material, such as a thermoplastic, and includes a plurality of holes 113. The frame 112 is concave. In some examples, the frame 112 may be hyperbolic paraboloid. In particular, the frame 112 may be concave along the length direction of the brush head 104. That is, the frame 112 may be concave along the length direction of the brush head or perpendicular to the brushing direction. The frame 112 is secured to the body 106 at one or more points around its periphery, for example by one or more of mechanical fasteners, adhesives, or ultrasonic welding.

[0082] In response to the pivoting of a bristle among the plurality of bristles 110, the carrier 108 at the root 116 of the bristle deforms. Since the carrier 108 is held around each bristle by the frame 112, the deformation of the carrier 108 is isolated from that of adjacent bristles. That is, deformation of the carrier 108 around the root of one bristle does not cause substantial deformation or movement of the carriers 108 around the roots of adjacent bristles. Therefore, each bristle behaves as if fixed to a separate elastomer portion isolated from adjacent elastomer portions. In this way, each bristle can be configured to pivot independently of one or more adjacent bristles, for example, independently of pivoting of all directly adjacent bristles.

[0083] The support member 108 protrudes beyond each opening 113 or hole 113 in the frame 112. For example, the support member 108 may include a plurality of retaining members 109 in the form of protrusions, each retaining member interlocking with and protruding beyond a corresponding opening 113 or hole 113 in the frame 112. By making the support member 108 protrude beyond each opening 113 or hole 113, the pivot point of each bristle 110 is lifted out of or away from the body 106 and / or brush head 104. Furthermore, the resistance to deformation of the support member 108 is reduced. Therefore, each bristle 110 can achieve a greater range of motion.

[0084] Each bristle extends upward from the carrier 108 and the frame 112, its direction parallel to that of another bristle in the bristle group. For example, each bristle in the bristles 110 may be parallel to each other bristle in the bristles 110. Thus, the bristles 110 neither diverge nor converge. The bristles 110 are shown arranged in rows along the length of the brush head 106. In some examples and as shown, each row of bristles may be staggered relative to adjacent rows of bristles. The bristles 110 have a pitch 124 along the length of the brush head, perpendicular to the brushing direction, for example, a pitch of 6 mm to 10 mm, or more specifically, 6.5 mm. The bristles 110 have a pitch 126 along the width of the brush head, parallel to the brushing direction, for example, a pitch of 10 mm to 16 mm, or more specifically, 13 mm.

[0085] During use of the brush 100, the bristles 110 enter the user's hair. As the brush 100 is pulled downwards through the hair, the bristles 110 pivot slightly backwards. The bristles 110 are relatively stiff, and any movement of the bristles 110 occurs through the deformation of the elastic support member 108. When a bristle in the bristles 110 encounters a tangle in the hair, it will pivot further backwards as the brush 100 continues to be pulled downwards. Therefore, the force applied by the bristles to the tangle increases. If the tangle is particularly difficult to handle, and the force applied by the bristles is insufficient to untangle it, the bristles will eventually pivot to a position where the tangle slips off the bristles. Thus, the brush 100 can be pulled through the hair without causing significant discomfort to the user. The brush 100 can then be used to comb through the hair in a subsequent combing session, each combing further untangling the tangle. Importantly, during each brush stroke of the brush 100, the bristles 110 continue to pivot rearward, allowing the tangle to pass through if the force becomes too great. Therefore, discomfort caused by bristle tangling can be avoided.

[0086] Each bristle pivots independently of the others 110. Therefore, when a bristle encounters an entanglement, it can pivot to allow the entanglement to pass through without causing adjacent bristles to accumulate at the entanglement. In contrast, with a conventional hairbrush, when a bristle encounters an entanglement and pivots backward, the movement of the bristle causes the pad to flex, which in turn causes adjacent bristles to accumulate at the entanglement. This makes it much more difficult for the entanglement to pass through the bristles.

[0087] For example, the support member 108 is concave. The support member 108 may be supported by a concave frame 112. The frame and the support member may be hyperbolic paraboloid in shape. The bristles 110 may each have substantially the same length, and the ends of the bristles 110 may form a concave profile. For example, the ends of the bristles may form a hyperbolic paraboloid profile.

[0088] Most of the bristles in the brush 110 may have pitches of 6.5 mm and 13.0 mm, respectively, 124 and 126. Therefore, the bristles 110 have a smaller pitch perpendicular to the brushing direction. This allows for better hair alignment. That is, the bristles capture and straighten more hair strands. In contrast, if a larger pitch were used, more hair would pass between the bristles and retain its original messy orientation. The smaller pitch perpendicular to the brushing direction means that due to the larger number of bristles, fewer strokes are typically needed to untangle the hair.

[0089] On the other hand, a larger pitch parallel to the brushing direction allows for a greater range of bristle movement without bristle collisions. If a smaller pitch is used, when a particular bristle encounters an entanglement and pivots backward, it may collide with its adjacent bristle directly behind it. Subsequently, this adjacent bristle may prevent the entanglement from slipping off. Of course, the bristles 110 can employ alternative pitches. However, it has been found that staggered bristle arrangements with a pitch 124 of 6 mm to 10 mm in the direction perpendicular to the longest dimension of the brush and a pitch 126 of 10 mm to 16 mm in the direction parallel to the longest dimension of the brush can provide a good balance between the need to provide a higher bristle count for improved brushing effectiveness and the need to avoid bristle collisions for improved comfort.

[0090] The bristles 110 extend upwards in a direction parallel to each other. Therefore, the bristles 110 are better able to handle tangles and penetrate the hair. Conventional brushes typically have bristles that spread outwards. Therefore, when the bristles at the front of the brush encounter a tangle, the bristles must pivot or bend through a larger angle to allow the tangle to pass. This makes brushing through the tangle more difficult. Furthermore, the bristles at the rear of the brush do not penetrate deeply into the hair. In contrast, by having the bristles 110 extend in the same direction (i.e., the bristles neither spread out nor converge), in use, the bristles 110 at the front of the brush 100 move through a smaller angle when encountering a tangle, while the bristles 110 at the rear of the brush 100 are able to penetrate deeper into the hair.

[0091] Each bristle of the bristles 110 may have a flexural modulus of approximately 193 GPa. Each bristle of the bristles 110 may have a flexural stiffness of approximately 48 kN / m. Therefore, the bristles 110 are unlikely to bend or otherwise deform during use of the brush 100. Furthermore, due to their relative stiffness, the bristles 110 are configured to preferentially pivot at their root by means of the elastic support 108, which is more conducive to facilitating the slippage of tangles from the bristles 110. In contrast, the bristles of conventional brushes may have a much lower flexural stiffness. The bristles do not pivot but flex or bend during normal use. However, this type of bristle is more likely to be damaged due to fatigue caused by flexing beyond the elastic limit or repeated flexing. In addition, tangles trapped deep within the bristles are more likely to become trapped.

[0092] The bristles 110 of the brush 100 are made of stainless steel, which further reduces the possibility of damage, especially when the bristles 110 are exposed to high temperatures or chemicals from hair care products during blow-drying. Furthermore, the surface of the bristles 110 can be polished to reduce friction, which in turn helps to reduce static electricity in the hair.

[0093] Despite the examples above, alternative materials and / or bristles with alternative flexural modulus and stiffness can be used. In particular, the bristles can be formed from other metals, such as aluminum, which still provides relatively high flexural modulus and stiffness. Alternatively, the bristles can be formed from glass-reinforced nylon, a material relatively similar to human hair in its triboelectric sequence. The aforementioned benefits may diminish as the flexural modulus and stiffness of the bristles decrease. Therefore, the bristles can have a flexural modulus of at least 1 GPa and / or a flexural stiffness of at least 500 N / m.

[0094] The diameter of each bristle in the bristles 110 is uniform along the length of the shaft 120. The diameter of the shaft 120 of each bristle in the bristles 110 can be from 1.2 mm to 2.5 mm. This relatively large diameter is partly the reason for the relatively high flexural stiffness of the bristles 110. A diameter of 1.7 mm is particularly effective. However, the bristles 110 with a relatively large diameter also have other benefits. In particular, the end 118 of each bristle in the bristles can be formed as a rounded end of the shaft 120. In contrast, the bristles of conventional brushes may be relatively fine and have sharp ends. Although this type of bristle may be relatively effective at removing tangles, the brush is often uncomfortable if the bristles come into contact with the scalp. To improve comfort, a ball can be provided at the end of the shaft of each bristle. However, while this can improve comfort, the ball tends to snag any tangles. In contrast, by making the bristles 110 include a relatively thick shaft and have rounded ends, comfort can be improved without any snagging. Bristles with an alternative diameter can be used, which can be uniform or tapered. However, relative comfort can be achieved by using bristles with a shaft diameter of at least 1.2 mm at the end, without the need for spherical or other features that could snag hair.

[0095] Each bristle of the bristles 110 has a shaft 120 with a length of 17 mm. Therefore, the bristles 110 can penetrate the hair well, and thus the brush 100 requires fewer strokes to pass through the hair. Similarly, bristles 110 with alternative shaft lengths can be used. However, as the length of the shaft 120 decreases, the depth of penetration of the bristles 110 into the hair decreases. Therefore, the shaft 120 of each bristle of the bristles 110 can have a length of at least 15 mm. As the length of the shaft 120 increases, the likelihood of collisions between adjacent bristles during use increases. In particular, when a bristle encounters tangles and pivots backward, if the bristle is too long, it may collide with its adjacent bristle directly behind it. To reduce the likelihood of collisions, the shaft 120 of each bristle 110 can have a length of no more than 30 mm, for example, no more than 22 mm.

[0096] The carrier 108 is formed of an elastomer. Some elastomers are relatively inert, such as silicone rubber. Using a relatively inert elastomer makes it less likely to cause adverse reactions with the scalp of a typical user. Furthermore, silicone rubber has high thermal stability and good chemical resistance. Therefore, the carrier 108 is well-suited for use in hairbrushes that may be exposed to high temperatures and / or chemicals present in the form of hair care products during hair drying.

[0097] Silicone rubber is relatively expensive and, due to its inertness, may be difficult to bond with the bristles 110. In some examples, for instance... Figure 4In the example shown, the elastic support 108 is held in place by its shape and / or specific arrangement. The shape or arrangement of the elastic support holding the frame is also referred to as the holding member 109. The holding member 109 may be a complete ring of material surrounding a portion of the frame 112, such as... Figure 4 As shown, more than half of the frame 112 can be overmolded by the elastic support member. For example, the elastic support member 108 can be overmolded onto the frame 112. This avoids the need to provide adhesive bonding.

[0098] Alternatively or additionally, the retaining member 109 may be: arcuate, such that the frame is held within one or more arcuate members; spherical, such that the retaining member extends through one of the holes 113 in the frame and is larger than the opening of the hole in at least one dimension on both sides of the hole; and / or ribbed to increase the coefficient of friction between the resilient member 108 and the frame 112. In some examples, one or more retaining members 109 may protrude from the base of the resilient support to form a lip, wherein the frame may be disposed between the lip and the base of the resilient support 108.

[0099] The elastic support 108 is formed of a relatively soft material, for example, having a Shore A hardness of about 20 to 30. Therefore, each bristle in the bristles 110 achieves a relatively large range of motion. However, materials with different Shore A hardnesses can be used, and a good range of motion can still be achieved using materials with a Shore A hardness of 10 to 50. It is understood that materials with a Shore A hardness value below 10 may be less effective in removing tangles.

[0100] The brush 100 includes a recess 114, also referred to as a dome-shaped protrusion or a rounded protrusion, beneath each of the bristles 110. The recess 114 has a rounded profile. This allows each bristle 110 to pivot substantially centrally about the base of the root 11 without axial movement of the handle, rather than through eccentric or off-axis pivoting about the edge of the flange 122, which would reduce user comfort.

[0101] The carrier 108 is molded to the bristles 110. This means that the bristles 110 are better secured to the resilient carrier 108, and therefore less likely to pop out of the carrier 108 during use. This is especially true when the carrier 108 is formed of a soft material such as silicone rubber. Molding the carrier 108 to the bristles 110 means that gaps that could trap hair and / or accumulate dirt and other debris are less likely to form between the carrier 108 and the bristles 110. In addition to the retaining member, the carrier 108 may also be molded into the shape of the frame and / or bristles to reduce gaps therebetween. Molding the carrier 108 in this way avoids the formation of gaps that could trap hair and / or accumulate dirt and other debris.

[0102] Although the frame 112 is formed of a rigid material, it can be relatively thin. The body 106 can increase the structural strength of the brush 100. However, if the frame 112 is thicker (e.g., more rigid), it is conceivable to omit the body 106, and the carrier 108 can subsequently be molded or overmolded to the frame 112. Overmolding is advantageous for holding the frame 112 in place. If the carrier is merely molded to match the contour, surface, or shape of the frame 112, a separate holding member 109 will be used to hold the frame 112 to the resilient carrier 108.

[0103] Although specific embodiments have been described so far, it should be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example, although the brush described herein is a hair brush, many features can be used with alternative types of brushes.

Claims

1. A brush tool, comprising: frame; Multiple bristles; as well as An elastic support member is arranged such that each of the plurality of bristles is separated from the frame. The elastic support member includes one or more retaining members configured to retain one or more portions of the frame. Each of the plurality of bristles extends from the support member, and the support member is configured to deform in response to movement of each of the plurality of bristles.

2. The brush according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the plurality of bristles extends through the frame and is separated from at least one other bristle by the frame and / or resilient support.

3. The brush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The retaining member is interlocked with one or more openings in the frame.

4. The brush according to claim 3, wherein, Each of the plurality of bristles extends through a corresponding opening in the opening in the frame, and the resilient support extends through the opening to separate each bristle from the frame.

5. The brush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The retaining member substantially surrounds one or more portions of the frame.

6. The brush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The bristles are arranged in rows, and the retaining member substantially surrounds the frame between each pair of adjacent rows of bristles, such that each row of bristles moves substantially independently of the other rows of bristles.

7. The brush according to claim 6, wherein, The bristles in each row are staggered relative to the bristles in the adjacent rows, and / or the bristles are spaced 4 mm to 12 mm apart along the longest dimension of the brush, and / or spaced 8 mm to 18 mm perpendicular to the longest dimension of the brush.

8. The brush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The retaining member is arranged to provide a region of the frame substantially defined by the retaining member, and wherein the plurality of bristles extend through the substantially defined region of the frame.

9. The brush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The retaining member substantially surrounds all portions of the frame disposed between the bristles.

10. The brush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The bristles extend parallel to each other.

11. The brush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The elastic support is formed of the following materials: silicone rubber; thermoplastic polyurethane; thermoplastic vulcanized rubber; or thermoplastic olefin.

12. The brush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The support element is formed of a material with a Shore A hardness of 10 to 50.

13. The brush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Each bristle includes a root and a shaft extending outward from the root, wherein the root includes a flange projecting from the shaft, and the resilient support is shaped around the flange to restrict displacement of the flange in one or more directions.

14. The brush according to claim 13, wherein, The rod has a length of 15 mm to 30 mm.

15. The brush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Each bristle has a diameter of at least 1.2 mm and includes an end formed as a rounded end of the rod.

16. The brush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The brush includes a brush body connected to the frame, the brush body including a plurality of protrusions oriented toward the frame, and a portion of each of the plurality of protrusions being arranged to abut an end of a corresponding bristle among the plurality of bristles to limit displacement of the corresponding bristle toward the brush body.

17. The brush according to claim 16, wherein, Each protrusion is arranged to abut the end of the corresponding bristle with a rounded profile, and / or the end of the corresponding bristle is arranged to abut each of the plurality of protrusions with a rounded profile.

18. The brush according to any one of claims 16 or 17, wherein, A portion of the resilient support extends into the gap between a plurality of protrusions oriented toward the frame, and wherein the portion of the resilient support disposed in the gap is arranged to contact the plurality of protrusions oriented toward the frame when the bristles pivot during use.

19. The brush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Each bristle has a flexural modulus of at least 1 GPa or a flexural stiffness of at least 500 N / m.

20. The brush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The bristles are made of metal.

21. The brush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The surface profile of the carrier is concave.

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