The present application relates to a handle, and in particular, a handle for use with a brush head.
Various brushes exist for various applications, including painting, cleaning, and personal care. Certain brushes, for instance toothbrushes or brushes for cleaning dishes, include handles that are designed to provide a more ergonomic experience to a user. Such designs may include angling of a handle with respect to a brush head and arching or curvature of the handle.
Handles with such designs may be limited in their application. For instance, a handle may work well as part of a toothbrush, but not as part of a face brush. That is, a user experience for a toothbrush (i.e., how a toothbrush is held and oriented) is different from that of a brush applied to a facial skin surface. A handle designed for a toothbrush may, for instance, be harder to hold and apply to one's face. This could result in pain to the user and difficulty maneuvering the handle and brush head during use. Such issues may also arise due to a handle being too long, as well as not properly designed, for such a use.
Thus, a need exists for a handle designed to be used with a brush head for application to a facial skin surface.
Commercial examples of handles for brushes include ClearClean or DeepClean (trademarked brands owned by Kao Corporation) Antagen dish brush from Ikea®, Ikea® 05247000864 plastic dishwashing brush, and Klickpick home dish scrubber brush.
Other common items, such as razor blades, can also include handles with arching or curvature. Examples include the Bic® Soleil® sensitive advanced™ women's disposable 5-blade razor and the Gillette® Mach3 men's disposable razor.
While handles for attachment to brush heads have been made and used, it is believed that no one prior to the inventors has made or used the invention described in the appended claims.
A handle, for attachment to a brush head having a plate with a back side and a front side, includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The handle also includes a first section spanning from a proximal plane to a first distal plane, with respect to the brush head. The first section, along the top surface, forms an obtuse angle with respect to the back side of the plate when the handle is attached to the brush head, for allowing a finger of a hand of a person to rest against the back side of the plate. The handle also includes a second section spanning from the first distal plane to a terminal point, with respect to the brush head. The handle also includes a first arch spanning along the top surface from the proximal plane to the terminal point, also for allowing the finger to rest. The handle further includes a second arch spanning along the bottom surface from the first distal plane to the terminal point. The first section has a frustoconical profile spanning from the proximal plane to the first distal plane, also for allowing the finger to rest. The frustoconical profile increases in width in a 360° direction along an oblique axis between the proximal plane and the first distal plane. The terminal point is aligned with the plate of the brush head when the handle is attached to the brush head.
A handle, for attachment to a brush head having a plate with a back side and a front side, includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The handle also includes a first section spanning from a proximal plane to a first distal plane, with respect to the brush head. The first section, along the top surface, forms an obtuse angle, ranging from 120° to 170°, with respect to the back side of the plate when the handle is attached to the brush head, for allowing a finger of a hand of a person to rest against the back side of the plate. The handle also includes a second section spanning from the first distal plane to a terminal point, with respect to the brush head. The handle also includes a first arch spanning along the top surface from the proximal plane to the terminal point, also for allowing the finger to rest. The handle also includes a second arch spanning along the bottom surface from the first distal plane to the terminal point. The first section has a frustoconical profile spanning from the proximal plane to the first distal plane, also for allowing the finger to rest. The frustoconical profile increases in width in a 360° direction along an oblique axis between the proximal plane and the first distal plane. The first arch has a maximum point and is convex with respect to the bottom surface. The second arch also has a maximum point and is concave with respect to the top surface. The maximum point of the first arch is aligned with the maximum point of the second arch along an axis. The first arch and the second arch meet at the terminal point for allowing the second section to be held against a palm of the hand of the person. The terminal point is aligned with the plate of the brush head when the handle is attached to the brush head.
A handle, for attachment to a brush head having a back side and a front side, includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The handle also includes a first section spanning from a proximal plane to a first distal plane, with respect to the brush head. The proximal plane is parallel to the first distal plane along both the top surface and the bottom surface. The first section, along the top surface, forms an obtuse angle, ranging from 120° to 170°, with respect to the back side of the plate when the handle is attached to the brush head, for allowing a finger of a hand of a person to rest against the back side of the plate. The handle also includes a second section spanning from the first distal plane to a terminal point, with respect to the brush head. The handle also includes a first arch spanning along the top surface from the proximal plane to the terminal point, also for allowing the finger to rest. The handle also includes a second arch spanning along the bottom surface from the first distal plane to the terminal point. The first section has a frustoconical profile spanning from the proximal plane to the first distal plane, also for allowing the finger to rest. The frustoconical profile increases in width in a 360° direction along an oblique axis between the proximal plane and the first distal plane. The second section decreases concavely in width from the first distal plane to a second distal plane, with respect to the brush head, to form a constriction allowing for a plurality of fingers of the hand of the person to wrap around the handle and to pinch the frustoconical profile at the first distal plane. The terminal point is aligned with the plate of the brush head when the handle is attached to the brush head.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.
The following description of certain examples of the invention should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
To the extent that spatial terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” or the like are used herein with reference to the drawings, it will be appreciated that such terms are used for exemplary description purposes only and are not intended to be limiting or absolute.
The handle of the present application allows for an ergonomic positioning of a finger while the brush head and the handle are in use. A user can control force of brushing, so as to not feel pain when while applying the brush head to one's face. An obtuse angle formed between a back side of the brush head and the first section of the handle prevents fingers of a person holding the handle from touching a facial skin surface. A first arch, in tandem with the frustoconical profile of the first section, allows a person to put one finger (e.g., an index finger) on the back side of the brush head, while allowing the finger to rest upon the first section of the handle. A second section, in tandem with both the first arch and a second arch, allows for the person to hold the handle comfortably against a palm of a hand. That is, the handle can be held in such a manner that reduces pain and does not require awkward bending or twisting of the hand during use. As such, a person can maintain a suitable downward pressure of the brush head on the facial skin surface (i.e., not too little to be non-efficacious, yet not too much to cause discomfort or damage to the facial skin surface).
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The second section 42 of the handle 20 decreases concavely in width from the first distal plane D1 to a second distal plane D2, with respect to the brush head 22 (see
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The handle 20 can be made using known methods such as 3D-printing and 1-piece silicone molding. The handle 20 can be made integrally with the plate 23, i.e., the handle 20 and the plate 23 of the brush head 22 are formed together as a unitary piece. Alternatively, the handle 20 can be made separately from, and later joined to, the plate 23. The joining can be done as a separate step in manufacturing or just before use of the handle 20 with the brush head 22. The handle 20 can then remain attached to the brush head 22 or can be removed from the brush head 22 between uses (for example, to change out the brush head 22 once the bristles 26 have become worn down).
In either of the above manufacturing methods, the handle 20 and the brush head 22 are to be put together to form a brush assembly. That is, the brush assembly includes the handle 20 and the brush 22 with all features as described herein.
Any numerical values provided herein, including ranges and point values, have a tolerance of ±1%.
The following examples relate to various non-exhaustive ways in which the teachings herein may be combined or applied. It should be understood that the following examples are not intended to restrict the coverage of any claims that may be presented at any time in this application or in subsequent filings of this application. No disclaimer is intended. The following examples are being provided for nothing more than merely illustrative purposes. It is contemplated that the various teachings herein may be arranged and applied in numerous other ways. It is also contemplated that some variations may omit certain features referred to in the below examples. Therefore, none of the aspects or features referred to below should be deemed critical unless otherwise explicitly indicated as such at a later date by the inventors or by a successor in interest to the inventors. If any claims are presented in this application or in subsequent filings related to this application that include additional features beyond those referred to below, those additional features shall not be presumed to have been added for any reason relating to patentability.
A handle, for attachment to a brush head having a plate with a back side and a front side, the handle comprising: a top surface and a bottom surface; a first section spanning from a proximal plane to a first distal plane, with respect to the brush head; the first section, along the top surface, forming an obtuse angle with respect to the back side of the plate when the handle is attached to the brush head, for allowing a finger of a hand of a person to rest against the back side of the plate; a second section spanning from the first distal plane to a terminal point, with respect to the brush head; a first arch spanning along the top surface from the proximal plane to the terminal point, also for allowing the finger to rest; a second arch spanning along the bottom surface from the first distal plane to the terminal point; wherein the first section has a frustoconical profile spanning from the proximal plane to the first distal plane, also for allowing the finger to rest; wherein the frustoconical profile increases in width in a 360° direction along an oblique axis between the proximal plane and the first distal plane; wherein the terminal point is aligned with the plate of the brush head when the handle is attached to the brush head.
The handle of Example 1, wherein: the first arch has a maximum point and is convex with respect to the bottom surface; the first arch ascends from the proximal plane to the maximum point and descends from the maximum point to the terminal point; the second arch also has a maximum point and is concave with respect to the top surface; the second arch ascends from the first distal plane to the maximum point and descends from the maximum point to the terminal point; and the maximum point of the first arch is aligned with the maximum point of the second arch along an axis.
The handle of any of Examples 1 through 2, wherein the first arch and the second arch meet at the terminal point for allowing the second section to be held against a palm of the hand of the person.
The handle of any of Examples 1 through 3, wherein the second section decreases concavely in width from the first distal plane to a second distal plane, with respect to the brush head, to form a constriction allowing for a plurality of fingers of the hand of the person to wrap around the handle and to pinch the frustoconical profile at the first distal plane.
The handle of Example 4, wherein the second section increases concavely in width from the second distal plane to a third distal plane, with respect to the brush head.
The handle of Example 5, wherein the second section increases convexly in width from the third distal plane to a fourth distal plane, with respect to the brush head.
The handle of Example 6, wherein the second section decreases convexly in width from the fourth distal plane to the terminal point.
The handle of any of Examples 1 through 7, wherein the obtuse angle ranges from 120° to 170°.
A handle, for attachment to a brush head having a plate with a back side and a front side, the handle comprising: a top surface and a bottom surface; a first section spanning from a proximal plane to a first distal plane, with respect to the brush head; the first section, along the top surface, forming an obtuse angle, ranging from 120° to 170°, with respect to the back side of the plate when the handle is attached to the brush head, for allowing a finger of a hand of a person to rest against the back side of the plate; a second section spanning from the first distal plane to a terminal point, with respect to the brush head; a first arch spanning along the top surface from the proximal plane to the terminal point, also for allowing the finger to rest; a second arch spanning along the bottom surface from the first distal plane to the terminal point; wherein the first section has a frustoconical profile spanning from the proximal plane to the first distal plane, also for allowing the finger to rest; wherein the frustoconical profile increases in width in a 360° direction along an oblique axis between the proximal plane and the first distal plane; wherein the first arch has a maximum point and is convex with respect to the bottom surface; wherein the second arch also has a maximum point and is concave with respect to the top surface; wherein the maximum point of the first arch is aligned with the maximum point of the second arch along an axis; wherein the first arch and the second arch meet at the terminal point for allowing the second section to be held against a palm of the hand of the person; wherein the terminal point is aligned with the plate of the brush head when the handle is attached to the brush head.
The handle of Example 9, wherein: the first arch ascends from the proximal plane to the respective maximum point and descends from the respective maximum point to the terminal point; and the second arch ascends from the first distal plane to the respective maximum point and descends from the respective maximum point to the terminal point.
The handle of any of Examples 9 through 10, wherein the second section decreases concavely in width from the first distal plane to a second distal plane, with respect to the brush head, to form a constriction allowing for a plurality of fingers of the hand of the person to wrap around the handle and to pinch the frustoconical profile at the first distal plane.
The handle of Example 11, wherein: the second section increases concavely in width from the second distal plane to a third distal plane, with respect to the brush head; and the section increases convexly in width from the third distal plane to a fourth distal plane, with respect to the brush head.
The handle of Example 12, wherein the second section decreases convexly in width from the fourth distal plane to the terminal point.
A handle, for attachment to a brush head having a back side and a front side, the handle comprising: a top surface and a bottom surface; a first section spanning from a proximal plane to a first distal plane, with respect to the brush head; wherein the proximal plane is parallel to the first distal plane along both the top surface and the bottom surface; the first section, along the top surface, forming an obtuse angle, ranging from 120° to 170°, with respect to the back side of the plate when the handle is attached to the brush head, for allowing a finger of a hand of a person to rest against the back side of the plate; a second section spanning from the first distal plane to a terminal point, with respect to the brush head; a first arch spanning along the top surface from the proximal plane to the terminal point, also for allowing the finger to rest; a second arch spanning along the bottom surface from the first distal plane to the terminal point; wherein the first section has a frustoconical profile spanning from the proximal plane to the first distal plane, also for allowing the finger to rest; wherein the frustoconical profile increases in width in a 360° direction along an oblique axis between the proximal plane and the first distal plane; wherein the second section decreases concavely in width from the first distal plane to a second distal plane, with respect to the brush head, to form a constriction allowing for a plurality of fingers of the hand of the person to wrap around the handle and to pinch the frustoconical profile at the first distal plane; and wherein the terminal point is aligned with the plate of the brush head when the handle is attached to the brush head.
The handle of Example 14, wherein: the first arch has a maximum point and is convex with respect to the bottom surface; and the first arch ascends from the proximal plane to the maximum point and descends from the maximum point to the terminal point.
The handle of Example 15, wherein: the second arch also has a maximum point and is concave with respect to the top surface; and the second arch ascends from the first distal plane to the maximum point and descends from the maximum point to the terminal point.
The handle of Example 16, wherein: the maximum point of the first arch is aligned with the maximum point of the second arch along an axis; and the first arch and the second arch meet at the terminal point for allowing the second section to be held against a palm of the hand of the person.
The handle of any of Examples 14 through 17, wherein the second section increases concavely in width from the second distal plane to a third distal plane, with respect to the brush head.
The handle of Example 18, wherein the second section increases convexly in width from the third distal plane to a fourth distal plane, with respect to the brush head.
The handle of Example 19, wherein the second section decreases convexly in width from the fourth distal plane to the terminal point.
It should be understood that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. that are described herein. The above-described teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.
Having shown and described various embodiments of the present invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, the examples, embodiments, geometrics, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like discussed above are illustrative and are not required. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure and operation shown and described in the specification and drawings.