Patent Application
20120138088
1. Technical Field
This disclosure relates to grooming products and more particularly relates to a hybrid brush and shampoo dispenser.
2. Description of the Related Art
People across the world keep animals as pets, with cats and dogs being two of the most popular pets. Pets seem to provide pet owners with non-trivial health benefits such as relieving stress and providing companionship. Pets often live inside the house or apartment of the pet owner.
All mammals have natural odors which can be unpleasant to owners. The odors can be a result of many things, such as secretions, sweat, skin diseases, and fecal matter. As a result, pet owners must frequently groom their pets, however, many pets do not like to be groomed or bathed. Cats for example are extremely problematic. The difficulty in grooming a pet comes from trying to maintain the pet inside the tub, for example, while also brushing, rinsing, and shampooing the pet.
Oftentimes, bathing a pet requires at least two people. One person to hold the pet while the other person brushes, and then shampoos the pet. This is because brushing, shampooing, and rinsing the pet requires more than just a brush. Typically, the pet groomer uses different brushes, water nozzles, and shampoo dispensers.
From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus, system, and method for a combination brush and shampoo dispenser. The present disclosure has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available brushes. Accordingly, the present disclosure has been developed to provide an apparatus, system, and method that overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art.
The apparatus, in one embodiment includes a handle, a brush head extending outward from a first end of the handle, the brush head having a plurality of apertures, an end coupler connected with a second end of the handle, a main channel extending from the end coupler, through the handle and brush head to the bristle pack such that the end coupler is in fluid communication with the plurality of apertures, and a reservoir formed in the brush head having a cleaning agent channel extending to and intersecting with the main channel.
The apparatus may also include a removable bristle pack connected with the brush head, the bristle pack comprising a plurality of apertures corresponding to the plurality of apertures in the brush head. The end coupler is configured to attach to a water source, the water source selected from the group consisting of an outdoor water hose, a shower head, and a sink faucet.
The apparatus may also include a ball valve connected with the main channel and configured to control a flow of water through the main channel, and a second ball valve connected with the cleaning agent channel and configured to control a flow of water through the cleaning agent channel. The ball valve is further configured to control the water pressure in the main channel such that a low pressure zone is created in the cleaning agent channel that draws the cleaning agent out of the reservoir and into the main channel to mix with the water.
In one embodiment, the main channel diverges into a left-hand channel and a right-hand channel in the brush head. The apparatus also includes, in one example, a semi-rigid region in the reservoir configured to be depressed and force the cleaning agent out of the reservoir. The semi-rigid region may be a flexible button extending from the reservoir and formed of a resilient material, or a region of flexible material configured to be depressed.
The system includes the apparatus and a semi-rigid region in the reservoir configured to be depressed and force the cleaning agent out of the reservoir. The method includes providing the apparatus, ejecting cleaning agent, and rinsing with water. The method may also include drawing cleaning agent out of the reservoir using a low pressure area in the main channel, or depressing a semi-rigid region in the reservoir.
Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present disclosure should be or are in any single embodiment of the disclosure. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the disclosure.
These features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure as set forth hereinafter.
In order that the advantages of the disclosure will be readily understood, a more particular description of the disclosure briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, to give a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosure.
The brush 100 may couple to a shower head via an adapter to enable use of the brush 100 in a shower or bathtub. In another example, a hose coupler end 110 connects the brush 100 to a garden hose for outdoor use. The water pressure supplied by the water source beneficially assists in self-cleaning of the brush 100. In other words, water 112 that passes through the brush head 104 removes any hair trapped in bristles 114 of the brush 100.
The brush 100 described herein, with reference to
In another embodiment, the bristles 114 of the brush 100 are configured for the removal of fleas. For example, the bristles 114 may have a tight or fine configuration suitable for use in removing fleas. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the bristles 114 may be interchangeable. In other words, the brush 100 is configured with removable bristle packs. For instance, the brush 100 is configured to receive a flea-removing bristle pack, or a general-use bristle pack.
In one embodiment, the brush 200 includes a ball valve 210 for controlling the flow of water through the channel 202. As illustrated, the channel 202 extends through the ball valve 210 in a manner known to those of skill in the art in the field of ball valve technology. The ball valve 210 includes a lever 211 for turning the ball valve and subsequently opening or closing the channel 202.
A second, similar, ball valve may be provided in a shampoo channel 212 for controlling the flow of a cleaning agent. The cleaning agent, in one example, is shampoo. Alternatively, other examples of cleaning agents suitable for use include, but are not limited to, medicinal agents intended for topical applications. The cleaning agent (hereinafter referred to as “shampoo”) is stored in a reservoir 214 formed within the brush 200. In the depicted embodiment, the reservoir 214 is formed inside the brush head. Alternatively, the reservoir 214 may be formed within the handle of the brush.
In one embodiment, the brush 200 utilizes a venturi effect to draw shampoo out of the reservoir, into the channel 202, and subsequently into the bristle pack. Water flow through the channel 202 causes a reduction in pressure where the shampoo channel 212 meets the channel 202. This reduction in pressure creates a partial vacuum that draws the shampoo out of the reservoir 214 and into the channel 202. Alternatively, the brush 200 may rely on gravity to feed shampoo from the reservoir 214 into the channel 202.
In a further embodiment, the brush 200 includes a switch 304. The switch 304 is configured to open and close the shampoo channel described above with reference to
The ability to replace bristle packs beneficially allows a person to adapt the brush 400 to a particular use. For example, a dog with dense hair is better suited by a bristle pack with a lower bristle density. Furthermore, a bristle pack may be configured for a specific use, such as flea removal. Flea removal requires a certain type and arrangement of bristles as is known to those of skill in the art. In a further embodiment, bristle packs may be formed having, for example, metal or plastic bristles.
The schematic flow chart diagram included herein is generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown.
The method continues and water is flowed 506 through the brush. As described above, water flows through the channel to the brush head having a bristle pack. Openings or apertures in the bristle pack allow the application 508 of a mixture of water and shampoo to a person or animal. The shampoo enters the flow of water, as described previously, due to a venturi effect, or because of gravity.
The openings or apertures in the bristle pack direct 508 the water and shampoo to a recipient (person or animal). Once shampoo has been directed and applied to a recipient, the brush head directs a stream of water to rinse 510 the shampoo. As described above, rinsing 510 with water may be accomplished by stopping the flow of shampoo via a ball switch, for example. The method then ends 512.
Unlike the brush described above with reference to
In an alternative embodiment, the semi-rigid region is formed in the reservoir 602 as a region of a flexible material so that a person may simply depress any portion of the reservoir 602 to dispense shampoo through the nozzles 608. For example, the reservoir 602 may be formed of a semi-transparent rubber that also allows a person to view how much shampoo is remaining in the reservoir 602.
The brush 600 handle 612 is formed with a an interior channel 614 for transporting water from a hose to water dispensing nozzles 616 formed in the brush head 604. A threaded adapter 618 may be integrally formed in the handle 612 for coupling the handle 612 with the hose. Alternatively, the threaded adapter may be detachable so that different adapters may be attached to the handle 612. For example, the different adapters may be used to connect with different types of water sources including, but not limited to, shower heads, and outdoor water hoses.
A diverter 620 or switch is also formed in the handle 612 and configured to start and stop the flow of water through the channel 614. The diverter 620, in one embodiment, is a lever 622 extending from a ball valve. Those of skill in the art will recognize that many different types of valves may be implemented here while achieving the purpose of stopping the flow of water through the channel 614.
The brush 600 also includes bristles 606. The bristles 606 may have a tight or fine configuration for the removal of fleas. Alternatively, the bristles 606 may have a more spread out configuration for brushing pets with thick, coarse hair. In yet another embodiment, the bristles may be formed of rubber nubs for massaging the scalp or skin of a person or pet. The bristles 606 collectively may form a bristle pack that is removable from the brush head 604, as described above with reference to
The nozzles 616 form a pathway from the internal channel 614 to an exterior surface of the brush head 604 so that water from the hose exits through the nozzles 616. The pressure of the water exiting through the nozzles 616 may be adjusted by partially closing the diverter 620. Additionally, the diameter of the nozzles 616 may be selected according to a desired water flow rate and pressure.
Nozzles 608 form a pathway from the reservoir 602 to the exterior surface of the brush head 604. The nozzles 608 may be centered along a longitudinal axis with the handle 612, or alternatively, the nozzles may be positioned 608 across the brush head 604 as desired.
The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
This application claims priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/419,702 entitled “APPARATUS FOR COMBINATION BRUSH AND SHAMPOO DISPENSER” and filed on Dec. 3, 2010 for Dennis Tumale, which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61419702 | Dec 2010 | US |
