A brush device

Abstract

A hairbrush comprising a body section and a first set of bristles connected to the body section, the first set of bristles being arranged substantially linearly A second set of bristles is provided that are also connected to the body section, with the second set of bristles being arranged substantially linearly. The first set of bristles are spaced apart from the second set of bristles, and silk is provided in the space between the first set of bristles and the second set of bristles.

Description

[0001]

[0002] A Brush Device

[0003] Field of the Invention

[0004] This invention relates to brushes, and, more specifically, to hairbrushes for styling hair, particularly for humans.

[0005] Background to the Invention

[0006] Hairbrushes are used by millions of people every day, particularly for styling wet hair, and in combination with heat, for example, blow drying. This process can cause damage to the hair and the process can remove moisture from the hair, which can cause a build-up of static electricity in the hair. Styling hair that contains static can be difficult, because the static interferes and reduces the likelihood that the hair will stay in the desired position.

[0007] Whilst anti-static brushes have been developed, these are often flawed. For example, whilst metal combs and brushes can reduce static in hair, they are detrimental to styling with heat because they conduct heat and can damage the hair if they become too hot. Similarly, whilst wood can reduce the static in hair, they are less hygienic because they absorb oils from the hair and can accumulate bacteria and dead skin cells, thereby making them difficult to use in a salon setting, due to the cleaning regime and times involved.

[0008] Silk has been known to reduce static in hair, for example, silk pillowcases are used to reduce static whilst sleeping; however, silk bristles are too soft to style hair properly. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a hairbrush comprising:

[0010] a body section;

[0011] a first set of bristles connected to the body section, the first set of bristles being arranged substantially linearly and

[0012] a second set of bristles connected to the body section, the second set of bristles being arranged substantially linearly;

[0013] wherein the first set of bristles are spaced apart from the second set of bristles, and

[0014] wherein silk is provided in the space, or gap, between the first set of bristles and the second set of bristles.

[0015] The bristles are arranged in a line so that the set of bristles extends substantially linearly, which is to say that the bristles are arranged in a linear formation, rather than the bristles are individually straight, or linear, although it will be understood that might be the case too. It will be appreciated that a curved line of bristles could be used, but, preferably, the bristles form a substantially linear line. It is envisaged that a non-linear line of bristles could be employed, but the complexity involved therewith makes it less advantageous to employ a non-linear arrangement of bristles.

[0016] A brush as set out herein provides bristles for styling hair, whilst also enlisting silk to reduce static, thereby giving a better finish to styled hair. The brush combines both static reducing silk sections with bristles to provide a more effective styling implement. Thus, the brush of the present invention is shaped to receive at least one section of silk into the spaces between the bristles. The resulting brush creates better looking hair that is more easily styled, with less static interfering with the styling process.

[0017] Advantageously, the space or gap between the bristles is provided with a raised, or embossed, or a recessed, or depressed, section. The recessed section can be used to locate the bristles of the brush, with the silk being arranged on the raised sections adjacent the recesses sections. Thus, the debossed or depressed section can be used to seat the bristles, and the raised or embossed section can be used to seat the silk. Having a depressed or recessed section allows the convenient location of the bristles, which assists with seating the bristles during manufacture. Additionally, the arrangement also allows for the silk to be seated in a raised position on the brush body. The space for the silk to sit between the bristles allows the silk to protrude from the outer surface of the brush body. The positioning of the silk against the raised surface and also help in reducing the risk of it catching, when in use.

[0018] Preferably, at least one further set of bristles is provided, with a space, which may be a raised section, arranged between each set of bristles, and wherein silk is provided in the space between the bristles. Having more than two sets of bristles and silks therebetween makes a more reliable brush. Whilst there is no set limit to the number of sets of bristles, it will be appreciated that the brush must operate effectively, so between five and ten sets of bristles may be used, with silks therebetween. In some arrangements, the silk may be positioned between every other line of bristles, but that is less effective than having the silk arranged between each set of bristles.

[0019] In one arrangement, the silk is a linear strip of silk, and it is particularly advantageous that the linear strip of silk arranged in the space between the bristles is a single linear strip of silk that is positioned in a plurality of spaces. Whilst discrete sections of silk may be employed, a linear strip of silk is easier to apply to the brush and can be quickly and readily removed. Additionally, the single length of silk is easier to clean and to replace. The linear strip can be fed between the lines of bristles in a number of ways. In a preferred embodiment, an anchor point is provided on the brush to which the silk can be attached and at least one protrusion is provided at or adjacent a first end of the bristles around which the silk can pass, so that the silk passes from the anchor point along one space, around the protrusion and along a second space. In such an arrangement, an end of the length of silk can be anchored to one end, for example by using a loop on the silk or by tying or clipping it to the anchor point, with the length then passing along the brush, preferably parallel to the bristles, to reach the end of the bristles, where it can be fed or wound around a protrusion before passing back towards the end of the bristles with the anchor point. Advantageously, a plurality of protrusions is provided at or adjacent both ends of the bristles, that allows the silk to pass along a plurality of spaces. This allows the silk to pass up and down the length of the brush several times, thereby enabling a single length of silk to pass between the sets of bristles such that a single length of silk can be used for the whole of the brush face.

[0020] It may be preferable that a removeable cap is provided at one end of the bristles that, in a first, connected, position, covers the at least one protrusion, and, in a second, removed, position exposes the at least one protrusion. The use of a cap can hold the silk more securely on the brush, and it may also reduce the risk of the silk becoming disconnected from the brush. Additionally, the cap can reduce the risk of the silk being damaged by mechanical impact, for example, from scissors or other brushes that might be used in a salon.

[0021] The brush may be provided with a handle section extending from the body section, with the handle section being substantially parallel with the axis of the lines of bristles. It will be understood that a variety of brushes may be created in line with the present invention, such as a barrel, or round, brush and a paddle brush. In some arrangements, the handle may be removable and, in a first, connected, position, covers the at least one protrusion, and, in a second, removed, position exposes the at least one protrusion. Thus, the anchor point and the protrusions around which the silk can pass may be covered by the handle and / or cap.

[0022] A spring element or tightening mechanism may be provided at, in or adjacent at least one end of the brush to the body section to keep the silk taut when installed. A mechanism to keep the silk taut may be useful in more easily installing a line of silk and for retaining the silk in place. The mechanism, which keeps the tension in the silk, may be activated and / or released using a catch or lever, which may include a cam. This allows a user to readily apply and remove tension in the silk to install and uninstall the silk.

[0023] The invention extends to a hairbrush for use in the present invention. Thus, the hairbrush comprises:

[0024] a body section; a first set of bristles connected to the body section, the first set of bristles being substantially linear; and

[0025] a second set of bristles connected to the body section, the second set of bristles being substantially linear;

[0026] wherein the first set of bristles are spaced apart from the second set of bristles, and wherein an anchor point is provided on the brush at or adjacent a first end of the bristles, to which a strip of silk can be attached, and at least one protrusion is provided at or adjacent the second end of the bristles.

[0027] The hairbrush of the present invention may be provided without the silk section in place, thereby having the features set out hereabove. It will be understood that the hairbrush can still be used to style hair without the silk being applied; however, the brush is enhanced when silk is applied in order to obtain the benefits of the brush.

[0028] As will be understood from above, advantageously, one or more protrusions are provided at or adjacent the first end of the bristles and a plurality of protrusions are provided at the second end of the bristles. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more a recesses or depression can be provided in the space(s) between the bristles.

[0029] In some arrangements, a removeable cap is provided at one end of the bristles that, in a first, connected, position, covers the at least one protrusion or the anchor point, and, in a second, removed, position exposes the at least one protrusion or the anchor point.

[0030] Additionally, or alternatively, the brush is provided with a handle section extending from the body section, with the handle section being substantially parallel with the axis of the lines of bristles, and wherein the handle is removable and, in a first, connected, position, covers the at least one protrusion or the anchor point, and, in a second, removed, position exposes the at least one protrusion or the anchor point. Advantages of these features are described above.

[0031] The invention extends to a kit comprising a hairbrush, as described herein, and a length of silk for application thereto. Thus, a kit may be provided that includes both a brush in accordance with the present invention, and one or more silks for application thereto. A plurality of silks may be provided, that may be the same or they may be different types and / or weights of silks, thereby giving a user some options in respect of the desired outcome of the styling process.

[0032]

[0033] of the Drawings

[0034] An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0035] Figure 1 is a drawing of a hairbrush in according with the present invention; Figure 2 is a drawing showing an exploded view of the hairbrush of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a drawing showing a further exploded view of the hairbrush of Figure

[0036]

[0037] Embodiments

[0038] Figures 1 to 3 show a hairbrush 10 having a body section 12, with a handle 14 extending from the body section. So that the parts of the brush 10 can be seen clearly, the bristles are omitted from the figures, but it will be appreciated that in a brush according to the present invention, bristles are provided.

[0039] The body section 12 is substantially cylindrical in shape, with a plurality of raised sections 16 extending along the axial length of the body section 12. Between the raised sections 16 are recessed, or depressed, sections 18, with the recessed sections 18 being arranged parallel to the raised sections 16, thus extending axially along the body section 12. Bristles, not shown for ease of explanation of the invention, are arranged within the recessed sections. Thus, the bristles of the brush 10 extend in rows along the axial length of the body section 12

[0040] The ends of the recessed sections 18 are provided with extensions, protrusions or flanges 20. These protrusions 20 extend beyond the body section 12, thereby creating teeth or castellations 22 extending axially around the ends of the body section 12. The ends of the protrusions 20 that are distal from the body section 12 are tapered, or angled, towards the axis of the body section 12. Thus, both ends of the body section 12 have protrusions extending from the ends of the recessed sections 18, that form a plurality of protrusions 20 that reach beyond body section 12. The ends of the body section 12, including the ends of the raised sections 16 may be provided with a small lip 24; however, the protrusion extend beyond the lip 24.

[0041] The body section 12 is provided with axial end bores 24a and 24b, although these may be a single bore extending axially through the body section 12. Each end bore 24a / 24b has in internal thread therein, which is directed towards the opposing bore 24a / 24b.

[0042] The handle 14 comprises an elongate section, with a bulge along its length in order that it is more ergonomic, with the end of the handle 14 that is distal from the body section 12 being tapered, although it may have a different shape in some arrangements. The handle may be provided with a grip section that can comprise raised elements to increase the friction between the user and the brush 10. The handle 14 is readily removable from the body section 14, by way of a threaded extension 26. The threaded extension 26 protrudes axially from the handle 14 and a thread is provided around the external surface of the extension 26. The thread on the handle 14 is sized and shaped to engage with the thread in the axial bore 24b in the body section 12.

[0043] A skirt 28 is provided at the base of the extension 26, with the skirt 28 having a lip 30 that extends axially parallel with the extension 26 and in the same direction. This lip 30 of the skirt 28 creates a recessed region 32 within its boundary and around the base of the extension 26.

[0044] The extension 26 of the handle 14 can be releasably received into the bore 24b of the body section 12 to engage the two parts. When the handle 14 is engaged with the body section 12, the protrusions 20 are received within the recessed region 32 of the skirt 28. Thus, the protrusions 20, due to their tapered or angled ends, are covered by the lip 30 of the skirt 28 when the handle 14 is mounted upon the body section 12.

[0045] A top cap 34 is provided, that comprises a base element 36, that has a lip 38 extending axially from base element 36. The lip 38 creates a recessed region 40 in the top cap 34. The internal surface of the top cap 34, which is to say the surface of the top cap contained within the lip 38, is provided with an extension 42 that protrudes axially in the same direction as the lip 38. The external surface of the extension 42 is provided with a thread that is sized and shaped to engage with the bore 24a of the body section 12. Thus, the top cap 34 can be releasably connected to the body section 12 by way of the respective threads of the extension 42 and the bore 24a. When the top cap 34 is engaged with the body section 12, the lip 38 encloses the protrusions 20 at the end of the body section 12, thereby covering the protrusions 20 within the recessed region 40.

[0046] Anchors 44a and 44b are provided at each end of the body section 12. The anchors 44a / 44b are elements that have dimensions to be contained in the space between the body section 12 and the top cap 34 or the handle 14, when the brush is assembled. Thus, the height of the anchors is less than the length of the protrusions 20, so that they do not interfere with the connection of the body section 12 to the handle 14 or the top cap 34. The width of the anchors is greater than the width between the protrusions 20, so that the anchor 44 cannot pass between the protrusions 20. Thus, once the respective threads of the extension 26 of the handle 14, and the extension 42 of the top cap 34, are engaged with the respective bores 24 of the body section 12, the anchors 44 are contained within the recesses 32 and 40.

[0047] To apply a length of silk to the brush, a first end of the silk is connected to the first anchor 44a, which is then positioned in the space between two adjacent protrusions 20 at the end of the body section 12. The silk may be connected to the anchor 44a by way of a loop in the end of the length of silk, a knot that ties the silk to the anchor 44a, or the anchor 44a may have a slot or clip that can hold the end of the silk, especially of the silk has a knot or bulge in its end. Thus, the first end of the silk is held at the end of the body section 12. The silk is then positioned adjacent a raised section 16 that extends along the length of the body section 12. Upon reaching the end of the body section 12, the silk passes between two protrusions 20 and passes around one of those protrusions 20, after which it is arranged upon an adjacent raised section 16. The silk then passes back to the first end of the body section and is wrapped around the next protrusion 20 so that it passes onto an adjacent uncovered raised section 16. The silk passes along the raised sections 16 of the body section 12 until all of the raised sections 16 have the length of silk therein.

[0048] Assuming that there are an odd number of raised sections 18, the second end of the length of silk will be positioned at the handle end of the body section 12. The second end of the length of silk is then affixed to the second anchor 44b, which is arranged within the recess 32 of the handle 14. If there is an even number of protrusions 20, the second anchor 44b will be arranged at the same end as the first anchor 44a.

[0049] The silk should be arranged tight to the body section 12, so that the surface of the silk is approximately raised from the surface of the body section 12 by being positioned on the raised sections 16, with the bristles in the recesses sections 18. A spring element or tightening mechanism may be provided within the ends of the body section 12 to keep the silk taut.

[0050] Once the silk is installed along the length of the body section 12, the end cap 34 and the handle 14 are installed on the body section 12. The application of the end cap 34 and the handle 14 locks the anchors 44 within the end(s) of the brush 10, thereby keeping the silk in place. The brush can then be used as normal.

[0051] To remove a silk from the brush, the reverse steps are enacted, which is to say that the end cap 34 and the handle 14 are disengaged from the body section 12, and the anchors 44 are removed from the arrangement, with the silk being unwound from the protrusions 20 to remove it from the body section 12.

[0052] It will be appreciated that the silk could be positioned on the recessed sections 18 and the bristles arranged in the raised sections 16, with the protrusions 20 being on the ends of the raised sections 16.

[0053] The body section, or barrel, of the brush may be manufactured from the same material as the ends, or it may be a different material. For example, the body section and the ends may be made from plastics materials, or one or more parts may be made from wood. In one arrangement, the body section can be wooden and the ends and handle may be made from plastics material.

[0054] The body section could omit the raised and / or recessed sections, so that it is substantially smooth. In this arrangement, the silk can still be applied, with the bristles holding the silk in place. One or more features of an embodiment described herein may be incorporated into one or more other embodiments described herein.

Claims

Claims1. A hairbrush comprising:a body section;a first set of bristles connected to the body section, the first set of bristles being arranged substantially linearly; anda second set of bristles connected to the body section, the second set of bristles being arranged substantially linearly;wherein the first set of bristles are spaced apart from the second set of bristles, andwherein silk is provided in the space between the first set of bristles and the second set of bristles.

2. A hairbrush according to claim 1, wherein the space between the bristles is provided with a raised or recessed section upon which the silk can be positioned.

3. A hairbrush according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least one further set of bristles is provided, with a space arranged between each set of bristles, and wherein silk is provided in the space between the bristles.

4. A hairbrush according to any one of claims 3, wherein the silk is a linear strip of silk.

5. A hairbrush according to claim 4, wherein the linear strip of silk arranged in the space between the bristles is a single linear strip of silk that is positioned in a plurality of spaces.

6. A hairbrush according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein an anchor point is provided on the brush to which the silk can be attached and at least one protrusion is provided at or adjacent a first end of the bristles around which the silk can pass, so that the silk passes from the anchor point along one space, around the protrusion and along a second space.

7. A hairbrush according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of protrusions is provided at or adjacent both ends of the bristles, that allows the silk to pass along a plurality of spaces.

8. A hairbrush according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein a removeable cap is provided at one end of the bristles that, in a first, connected, position, covers the at least one protrusion, and, in a second, removed, position exposes the at least one protrusion.

9. A hairbrush according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the brush is provided a handle section extending from the body section, with the handle section being substantially parallel with the axis of the lines of bristles.

10. A hairbrush according to claim 9, wherein the handle is removable and, in a first, connected, position, covers the at least one protrusion, and, in a second, removed, position exposes the at least one protrusion.

11. A hairbrush comprising:a body section;a first set of bristles connected to the body section, the first set of bristles being arranged substantially linearly; anda second set of bristles connected to the body section, the second set of bristles being arranged substantially linearly;wherein the first set of bristles are spaced apart from the second set of bristles, and wherein an anchor point is provided on the brush at or adjacent a first end of the bristles, to which a strip of silk can be attached, and at least one protrusion is provided at or adjacent the second end of the bristles.

12. A hairbrush according to claim 11, wherein one or more protrusions are provided at or adjacent the first end of the bristles and a plurality of protrusions are provided at the second end of the bristles.

13. A hairbrush according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein a raised or recessed section is provided in the space between the bristles.

14. A hairbrush according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein a removeable cap is provided at one end of the bristles that, in a first, connected, position, covers the at least one protrusion or the anchor point, and, in a second, removed, position exposes the at least one protrusion or the anchor point.

15. A hairbrush according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the brush is provided with a handle section extending from the body section, with the handle section being substantially parallel with the axis of the lines of bristles, and wherein the handle is removable and, in a first, connected, position, covers the at least one protrusion or the anchor point, and, in a second, removed, position exposes the at least one protrusion or the anchor point.

16. A kit comprising a hairbrush according to any one of claims 11 to 15, and a length of silk for application thereto.

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