Flexible Grooming Pad for Controlled Topical Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grooming devices for animals are limited in their ability to evenly distribute therapeutic materials such as supplements, shampoos, and conditioners, often resulting in uneven application and difficulty in controlling the quantity applied.
Innovation Solution
A multi-purpose grooming device with ergonomic design, flexible grooming elements, and integrated applicators that allow for controlled and selective application of therapeutic materials directly onto an animal's skin and fur, featuring a reservoir, absorbent pads, and passageways for dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a common comb or brush is used to apply supplements, then the grooming function is performed, but the supplement distribution is uneven and uncontrollable
Solution Approach 1:
The grooming device combines multiple functions into a single tool: it includes both grooming elements (brushes/comb) for fur care and applicator elements (sponges/pads with reservoirs) for controlled supplement application. This allows the device to perform both grooming and therapeutic material application uniformly, eliminating the need for separate application methods that result in uneven distribution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple grooming devices are used to address different grooming requirements, then comprehensive grooming coverage is achieved, but device complexity and number of utensils increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges multiple grooming functions into a single integrated tool. It combines different types of grooming elements (brushes, combs) with therapeutic application elements (reservoirs, applicators) into one device, thereby reducing the number of separate utensils needed while maintaining comprehensive grooming coverage for various coat types and therapeutic needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional design allows a single device to address diverse grooming requirements including different coat types (short hair, long hair, undercoat, overcoat), washing, conditioning, and supplement application, thereby reducing the need for multiple specialized tools.
3Productivity
If supplement is sprayed or poured onto the animal, then quick application is achieved, but the quantity and location control is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The device introduces an intermediary applicator system between the supplement source and the animal. The reservoir-containing applicator (sponge or pad) acts as a mediator that allows controlled transfer of supplements to specific locations on the animal's body, enabling both reasonable application speed and precise quantity/location control.
Solution Approach 2:
The therapeutic material is pre-loaded into reservoirs within the applicator before use. This preliminary preparation allows the user to control the quantity of supplement available for application and ensures even distribution as the applicator is worked through the animal's fur, rather than attempting to control application during spraying or pouring.
Data Source
AI summary
An animal grooming device includes a body, a plurality of grooming elements secured to the body, an upper peripheral rim extending around a periphery of the body, the upper peripheral rim and top side of the body forming an enclosure. An applicator pad is placed within said enclosure to selectively control dispensing of material through an exposed surface of the applicator pad. The body is flexible and elastomeric so that the body can be twisted to selectively and controllably change the amount and rate at which material is discharged through the applicator pad.