LIQUID DISPENSING HAIRBRUSH

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to hairbrushes and more particularly to a hairbrush having a mechanism that allows a user to spray a liquid from the hairbrush while combing their hair. Specifically, the present disclosure is directed to a hairbrush having a spray nozzle that is in fluid communication with a liquid pump, which in turn is in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir that is movable with respect to the pump when a trigger on the hairbrush is depressed. Depressing the trigger causes liquid from the container to exit the hairbrush through the spray nozzle.

BACKGROUND
Background Information

Hairbrushes are used to smooth down and groom a person's hair. When a hairstylist is grooming a person's hair, it is frequently necessary to dampen the hair since wet hair is generally easier to brush or comb and is therefore easier to control and position. A hairstylist will typically spray water onto the person's hair from a spray bottle but the liquid will frequently run off the person's hair or scalp without dampening the hair.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a hairbrush that makes it easier to apply moisture to a person's hair during styling.

A liquid dispensing hairbrush that includes a body having a bristle frame and a base which define a chamber between them is disclosed herein. A plurality of bristles extends outwardly from a face of the bristle frame. A spraying member that includes a liquid reservoir, a pump, and a nozzle is retained within the chamber. The nozzle is positioned adjacent a support within the chamber. A trigger provided on the body is operatively engaged with the liquid reservoir of the sprayer. When the trigger is depressed a trigger arm pivots and pushes the liquid reservoir through a region of the chamber, actuating the pump as the nozzle is forced against the support. Liquid from within the liquid reservoir is pumped through the nozzle and sprays through one or more holes in the bristle frame's face and between the bristles. The sprayed liquid is applied to the user's hair as they use the hairbrush.

In one aspect, a liquid dispensing hairbrush may comprise a body including a bristle frame and a base, wherein the bristle frame and the base define a chamber therebetween; a spraying member located within the chamber; wherein the spraying member includes a liquid reservoir, a spray nozzle and a pump; wherein a pipe connects the spray nozzle and pump and extends into an interior of the liquid reservoir; a trigger provided on the body and operably coupled to the spraying member; a plurality of bristles projecting from said bristle frame; and wherein operating the trigger translates the liquid reservoir within the chamber and actuates the pump.

In another aspect, the present disclosure may provide a method of applying a hair product to a user's hair, said method comprising providing a liquid dispensing hairbrush having a body with a bristle frame and a base, wherein the bristle frame and the base define a chamber therebetween; a spraying member comprising a liquid reservoir, a spray nozzle and a pump; wherein a pipe connects the spray nozzle and pump and extends into an interior of the liquid reservoir; a trigger operably coupled to the spraying member; a plurality of bristles extending outwardly from said bristle frame; providing a quantity of a liquid within the liquid reservoir; depressing the trigger; actuating the pump when the trigger is depressed; spraying liquid through the spray nozzle onto the bristles and into spaces defined between the bristles; passing the bristles through a user's hair; and transferring the liquid from the bristles and the spaces defined between the bristles to the user's hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A sample embodiment of the disclosure is set forth in the following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are fully incorporated herein and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various examples, methods, and other example embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of a liquid dispensing hairbrush in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the liquid dispensing hairbrush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the liquid dispensing hairbrush when a cover of the hairbrush is in a locked position;

FIG. 4 is a partial bottom plan view of the liquid dispensing hairbrush when the cover of the hairbrush is in an unlocked position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of the highlighted area of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a transverse cross-section taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a partial bottom view of the hairbrush with a support shown without the cover and with the trigger in an un-pressed or at rest position;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial bottom view of the hairbrush with the support when the trigger is in a pressed position (with the hairbrush shown without the cover);

FIG. 8A is an enlarged partial bottom view of the handle portion with the trigger fully depressed (shown without the liquid reservoir);

FIG. 8B is a side view taken along line 8B-8B of FIG. 8A and with part of the trigger shown in phantom for clarity;

FIG. 8C is a cross-section taken along line 8C-8C of FIG. 8B;

FIG. 9 is a partial longitudinal cross-section of a second embodiment of the hairbrush with a bridge engaged with the nozzle,

FIG. 10 is a partial bottom view of the hairbrush of FIG. 9 shown with the cover removed;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a third embodiment of the hairbrush that includes a cushion face; and

FIG. 11A is a bottom plan view of the hairbrush of FIG. 11 with the base removed and showing a plurality of walls within the interior of the hairbrush that are positioned to support the liquid reservoir.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a hairbrush that is able to be utilized to apply moisture to a person's hair while their hair is being brushed. A first embodiment of a liquid dispensing hairbrush in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure is depicted in FIGS. 1-8. A second embodiment of a liquid dispensing hairbrush in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure is depicted in FIGS. 9-10. A third embodiment of the liquid dispensing hairbrush in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure is depicted in FIGS. 11-11A.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, the first embodiment of the liquid dispensing hairbrush in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure is indicated by the numeral 10. Hairbrush 10 includes a body 12 having a substantially solid appearance from the exterior that approximates the appearance of a conventional hairbrush. Body 12 comprises a base 14, a handle 16 extending outwardly from one end of base 14, a bristle frame 18 provided on a first surface of base 14, and a plurality of bristles 20 that extend outwardly from bristle frame 18.

Body 12 includes a head portion (comprised of base 14 and bristle frame 18), a neck portion (comprising a handle connector 15), and a handle portion (comprised of handle 16). Base 14, handle connector 15, handle 16, and bristle frame 18 may be separately molded and secured together in any suitable manner. In some examples, handle 16 may be integrally molded with base 14 and neck portion 15, and bristle frame 18 may be subsequently engaged with base 14.

As depicted in FIGS. 4, 5, and 5A, base 14 has a forward end 14a and a rear end 14b and bristle frame 18 has a forward end 18a and a rear end 18b. Forward end 14a of base 14 is convexly shaped and is complementary to forward end 18a of bristle frame 18 so that forward end 14a and forward end 18a are able to engage each other. As best seen in FIG. 2, a region of forward end 14a of base 14 extends upwardly beyond the side edges of base 14; said side edges being located along the line “A” in FIG. 2. This region of greater height of forward end 14a is designed to interlock with a complementary shaped recess in forward end 18a of bristle frame 18. Rear end 18b of bristle frame 18 may be slightly tapered, narrowing towards a longitudinal centerline of hairbrush 10. The longitudinal centerline runs along a longitudinal axis “Y” of hairbrush 10 as shown in FIG. 1. Rear end 14b of base 14 is slightly tapered in a similar manner to rear end 18b of bristle frame 18. Handle connector 15 may be positioned to circumscribe the rear end 14b of base 14 and the rear end 18b of bristle frame 18 when base 14 and bristle frame 18 are engaged with each other. Handle connector 15 may be rigidly engaged with bristle frame 18 and may be located generally around a mid-section of hairbrush body 12.

Base 14 defined a plurality of base openings 14c therein that extend between an exterior surface and interior surface of the base 14. Openings 14c are provided at spaced-apart intervals from each other from a location proximate forward end 14a to a location proximate rear end 14b. Similarly, bristle frame 18 may define a plurality of bristle frame openings 18c therein that extend between an exterior surface and an interior surface of bristle frame 18. Openings 18c are provided at spaced-apart intervals from each other from a location proximate forward end 18a of bristle frame 18 to a location proximate rear end 18b. The spacing between adjacent openings 14c may be such that each opening 14c is vertically aligned with one of the openings 18c in bristle frame 18.

Referring to FIG. 4, an exterior surface of the rear end 14b of base 14 includes a plurality of ridges 14d formed thereon. Ridges 14d may be located a short distance forwardly of rear end 14b and may be oriented generally at right angles to longitudinal axis “Y”. Ridges 14d act as a gripping surface that aids in preventing an operator's hands from slipping and accidentally sliding base 14 relative to bristle frame 18. FIG. 4 also shows that a lock shaft extension 14e extends outwardly and rearwardly from rear end 14b of base 14. A lip 14f is provided proximate an end of lock shaft extension 14e and lip 14f extends outwardly from extension 14e.

FIG. 6 shows that bristle frame 18 and base 14 have complementary interlocking edge walls engage each other to interlock bristle frame 18 and base 14 together. In particular, FIG. 6 shows that the edges of bristle frame 18 and base 14 are engaged with each other via a type of tongue and groove connection. Base 14 defines a pair of longitudinally extending grooves 14g and bristle frame 18 defines a plurality of longitudinally extending ridges 18d that are complementary to and received within grooves 14g. Grooves 14g and ridges 18d keep base 14 and bristle frame 18 interlocking engaged with each other but still allows them to slide relative to each other. FIG. 4 shows that base 14 is able to selectively slidably move relative to bristle frame 18 along a path indicated by arrow “C” and in the opposite direction to arrow “C”. FIG. 3 shows base 14 in a closed and attached position relative to handle connector 15 and bristle frame 18, and FIG. 4 shows base 14 in an open and detached position relative to handle connector 15 and bristle frame 18.

Interior surfaces of base 14 and bristle frame 18 together bound and define a chamber 19. One or more angled walls 18e (FIGS. 5 and 6) provided on bristle frame 18 and one or more opposed ribs 14h provided on base 14 may extend inwardly into chamber 19. The purpose of walls 18e and ribs 14h will be described later herein. The purpose of chamber 19 will be discussed later herein. (It will be understood that in other examples, the angled walls may be provided on the base 14 and the ribs may be provided on bristle frame 18.)

Handle connector 15 has a front end 15a and a rear end 15b. Front end 15a is located proximate rear ends 14b, 18b of base 14 and bristle frame 18. Rear end 15b is located proximate a front end 16a of handle 16 and remote from rear end 16b of handle 16. A slot 15c is defined in handle connector 15 (FIGS. 3 and 5) a short distance forwardly of rear end 15b. Slot 15c may be oriented at right angles to longitudinal axis “Y”. Slot 15c is in fluid communication with a bore 15d (FIG. 5A) defined in handle connector 15. Handle connector 15 may be permanently attached to front end 16a of handle 16 but may be selectively detachable from rear ends 14b, 18b of base 14 and bristle frame 18. When base 14 and bristle frame 18 are engaged with handle connector 15, base 14 and bristle frame are moved towards handle 16, extension 14e deflects slightly and slides into bore 15d (FIG. 5) of handle connector 15 and continues to move inwardly until lip 14f aligns with slot 15c. Lip 14f of extension 14e is designed to fit into slot 15c and as soon as lip 14f aligns with slot 15c, lip will snap-fittingly engage in slot 15c, locking base 14, and handle connector 15 together. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A, slot 15c may have a tapered entrance 15c′. When it is desired to disengage base 14 and bristle frame 18 from handle connector 15, lip 14f is easily disengaged from slot 15c by pressing lip 14f inwardly toward bore 15d of handle connector 15 and then sliding base 14 and bristle frame 18 in a direction away from front end 15a of handle connector 15.

A locking mechanism may be used to secure handle connector 15 and handle 16 together. The locking mechanism includes a protrusion 15e (FIG. 5) provided on handle connector 15 and a complementary recess 16c defined in handle 16. Protrusion 15e extends outwardly for a distance beyond rear end 15b of handle connector 15. Recess 16c extends inwardly from an opening in front end 16a of handle 16 and for a distance toward rear end 16b. Protrusion 15e is complementary shaped to interlockingly engage in recess 16c so that handle connector 15 becomes firmly connected to handle 16. Protrusion 15e may be provided with a plurality of annular ribs 15f that engage in complementary grooves 16d defined in the interior handle wall that defines recess 16c. Protrusion 15e is pushed inwardly into recess 16c until the ribs 15f engage in the grooves 16d and snap-fittingly lock handle connector 15 and handle 16 together.

A plurality of bristles 20 extend from a bristle surface 22 provided in bristle frame 18. Bristle surface 22 may be fabricated out of hard, reasonably rigid plastic materials. Bristle surface 22 as shown in FIGS. 1-10 may be substantially rigid and inflexible.

A trigger 24 may be movably mounted on bristle frame 18 in a location that is convenient for a person to depress while holding hairbrush 10 in one hand. As illustrated in the attached figures, trigger 24 extends rearwardly from bristle frame 18 and is positioned adjacent the narrower neck of the hairbrush, i.e., adjacent handle connector 15. Locating trigger 24 adjacent the handle connector 15 helps to ensure that the trigger 24 does not project outwardly to too great an extent from the side of the hairbrush 10. As depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 6 trigger 24 may comprise a trigger surface 24A that is contactable by the user's finger, thumb, or palm; a trigger arm 24B, a hinge pin 24C, and a trigger end 24D. Trigger 24 is pivotally fixed by hinge pin 24C to bristle frame 18 so that trigger 24 is able to rotate around hinge pin 24C. (Alternatively, trigger 24 may be mounted on handle 16 and be positioned closely adjacent handle connector 15.) Trigger 24 may be depressed by pushing trigger surface 24A inwardly towards handle connector 15 by a user applying a force to trigger 24 using a thumb or a finger or the user's palm. The depression of trigger 24 is illustrated by the reference number “P” in FIG. 8. When depressed, trigger 24 is able to move along a path shown by the arrow “B” in FIG. 1 and towards handle connector 15. Trigger 24 may be depressed inwardly in a first direction toward handle connector 15 and when released trigger may move back in a second direction to its original undepressed position when pressure from the user's thumb, finger, or palm is released.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid reservoir 34 is received within chamber 19 defined between base 14 and bristle frame 18. As shown in FIG. 6, liquid reservoir 34 sits on and contacts one or more ribs 14h of base 14 and also contacts angled walls 18e of bristle frame 18 at points 14j and 18f, respectively. Liquid reservoir 34 is longitudinally and transversely captured between and centered by walls 18e and 14h. Liquid reservoir 34 has a front end 34a and a rear end 34b. Liquid reservoir 34 includes a chamber 34c that is designed to retain a quantity of liquid 36 therein. The liquid may be any one of a number of substances such a water, hair straightening liquid, anti-frizz liquid, hair conditioner, liquids that impart shine to the hair or any other desired hair care product. It is contemplated that even dye might be retained within liquid reservoir 34.

Liquid reservoir 34 forms part of a first spraying member 50 that is shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8. In addition to liquid reservoir 34, first spraying member 50 includes a removable lid 51, a pump 56, a pipe 52, a spray body 53, and a spray nozzle 54. Pump 56 is in fluid communication with an interior of liquid reservoir 34 and with spray nozzle 54. Spray nozzle 54 protrudes through a spray nozzle hole 18g defined by bristle surface 22 (of bristle frame 18. Liquid ejected from spray nozzle 54 sprays outwardly through hole 18g and is dispersed through and onto bristles 20 and into the air between bristles 20. When hairbrush 10 is used, the liquid sprayed from hairbrush 10 will be brushed substantially evenly along the strands of the user's hair engaged by bristles 20 It will be understood that one or more holes 4 may be defined in bristle frame 18 and through which liquid may be sprayed from first spraying member 50 to more evenly distribute liquid from liquid reservoir 34.

Liquid reservoir 34 has removable lid 51 from which a delivery pipe 42 extends and connects lid 51 to a spray body 53. A spray nozzle 54 extends outwardly from spray body 53 and through a spray hole 18g defined in bristle frame 18. Spray body 53 may be at least partially surrounded by a support 55 that may be integrally formed with bristle frame 18. Support 55 aids in keeping spray body 53 in the correct location within chamber 19 so that nozzle 54 remains aligned with hole 18g. FIG. 5 shows that spray body 53 may include a plurality of ridges 53a that may be complementary to and fit into a plurality of corresponding grooves 55A defined in support 55. Grooves 55A and ridges 53a help retain spray body 53 in the correct position within support 55.

Removable lid 51 may include a pump 56 (not specifically illustrated in the attached figures). Pump 56 may be any of a variety of manual pumps known in the art that operate to dispense relatively small quantities of liquid with a relatively short pump stroke. Spray body 53 is directly connected with removable lid 51 and pump 56 via delivery pipe 52. Lid 51 and pump 56 seal liquid reservoir 34 such that any liquid within reservoir 34 may only exit reservoir 34 via pump 56 and delivery pipe 52.

As depicted in FIG. 8, hairbrush 10 is operated by applying a force to trigger surface 24A of trigger 24 as indicated by arrow “P” using a user's thumb, finger, or palm, pushing trigger surface 24A inwardly toward handle connector 15. The depressing of trigger 24 causes trigger end 24D on trigger arm 24B to rotate about hinge pin 24C in the direction indicated by arrow “T”. Since trigger end 24D abuts end 34b of liquid reservoir 34, when trigger end 24D rotates about pin 24C, trigger end 24D pushes on end 34b of liquid reservoir 34 and causes reservoir 34 to move forwardly within chamber 19 and toward support 55. The forward movement of reservoir 34 is depicted in FIG. 8 by arrow “D”. Support 55 acts as a stop that limits the degree to which liquid reservoir 34 is able to move longitudinally forwardly within chamber 19. The movement of liquid reservoir 34 in the direction “D” causes pump 56 to be compressed, thus causing a spray of liquid to exit liquid reservoir 34 through delivery pipe 52, through spray body 53 and subsequently through spray nozzle 54. More particularly, as depicted in FIG. 8, the translational movement of liquid reservoir 34 within chamber 19 in the direction of arrow “D” caused by pressing trigger 24, causes pump 56 to draw and dispense liquid by compressing pump 56 against support 55. As pump 56 is compressed, pump 56 causes liquid to be forced through liquid pipe 52 and out of spray nozzle 54. The user may therefore depress trigger 24 every time he or she wishes to spray some of the liquid 36 into the hair of a person whose hair is being brushed.

It should be noted that trigger 24 is not part of liquid reservoir 34 and consequently reservoir 34 may be removed from hairbrush 10 and replaced without affecting trigger 24. FIGS. 4, 8A, 8B, and 8C show how liquid reservoir 34 may be removed from hairbrush 10. Typically, the user will remove liquid reservoir 34 from hairbrush 10 when trigger 24 is in a non-depressed rest position (FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 8A, trigger 24 has a protruding ridge 24E and handle connector 15 includes a depression 15g and a notch 15h. As trigger 24 is pushed to a locked-down position, protruding ridge 24E on trigger 24 snap fits into notch 15h on handle connector 15, thus securing trigger 25 to handle connector 15. When trigger 24 is locked-down in this manner, a region of trigger arm 24B is snuggly positioned within depression 15g on handle connector 15. Once trigger 24 is locked-down, lip 14f of base 14 that is received in slot 15c of handle connector 14 is pushed inwardly to disengage lip 14f from slot 15c. Base 14 is then able to move relative to bristle frame 18 as indicated by arrow “C” in FIG. 4. The user will slide base 14 in the direction of arrow “C” and will then lift liquid reservoir 34 out of chamber 19. Lid 51 may be removed from liquid reservoir 34, additional liquid 36 may be poured into the interior of reservoir 34, and lid 51 may be replaced. Alternatively a replacement reservoir filled with liquid may be engaged with lid 51. Reservoir 34 may then be repositioned within chamber 19. When a filled or new liquid reservoir 34 is inserted into chamber 19, base 14 is moved relative to bristle frame 18 in the opposite direction to arrow “C” and until lip 14f engages in slot 15c, locking base 14, and handle connector 15 back together. Trigger 24 may then be pushed upwardly in the opposite direction to arrow “P” (FIG. 8A) and back into an “at rest” position. Hairbrush 10 is then again ready for use.

In a second embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 9-10, a second liquid dispensing hairbrush is indicated by the numeral 110. Hairbrush 110 is substantially identical to hairbrush 10 except for a few features that are discussed hereafter. Similar to the hairbrush 10, hairbrush 110 includes a body indicated by the numeral 12. Body 12 comprises a base 14, a handle connector 15, a handle 16 and a bristle frame 18, all of which are substantially identical in structure and function to the same components found in hairbrush 10.

The hairbrush 110 includes a spraying member 150 that includes a liquid reservoir 34, removable lid 51, delivery pipe 52, a spray body 53, a spray nozzle 54 and a pump 56 that are substantially identical to the same components found in spraying member 50. Spraying member 150, however, also includes a bridge 162 that is received within a bridge holder 164. Bridge holder 164 is integrally molded with the interior surface of bristle frame 18 and extends for a distance into chamber 19. Bridge holder 164 is a support that is integral with the bristle frame 18. Bridge 162 has a set of exterior ridges 162a and bridge holder 164 includes a set of corresponding grooves 164a. When bridge 162 is positioned within bridge holder 164, ridges 162a on bridge 162, engage within grooves 164a on bridge holder 164. Bridge holder 164 is arranged on bristle frame 18 in such a way that bridge 162 is held in a particular location and orientation within chamber 19. This configuration helps to stabilize liquid reservoir 34 within chamber 19. When actuated by trigger 24, liquid reservoir 34 translates within chamber 19 and moves toward the support, i.e., towards bridge holder 164.

Hairbrush 110 is used in substantially the same manner as the hairbrush 10. When trigger 24 is pressed inwardly by a force acting thereon, liquid reservoir 34 is translated forwardly in the direction of arrow “D” (FIG. 10), thereby compressing pump 56 against bridge 162, and actuating the spray of liquid through spray nozzle 54. In other words, the translational movement of reservoir 34 causes pump 56 to draw and dispense liquid by compressing pump 56 against bridge 162. The compression and decompression of pump 56 causes liquid to be forced through liquid pipe 52 and out of spray nozzle 54 and onto the hair of the person whose hair is being groomed.

FIGS. 11 and 11A show a third embodiment of a hairbrush in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, generally indicated at 210. Hairbrush 210 is substantially identical in structure and function to hairbrush 10 and hairbrush 110 except for the features discussed hereafter.

Instead of having a substantially hard or rigid bristle frame surface 22 from which bristles 20 extend as found in hairbrushes 10 and 110, hairbrush 210 includes a flexible or at least partially flexible cushion face 20 from which bristles 20 extend. Cushion face 200 may be, for example, fabricated out of soft plastic or rubber materials. Because of this softer, more flexible face 200, the structure that retains liquid reservoir 34 within chamber 19 preferably is a little more substantial. (Liquid reservoir 34 is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 11A as part of a spraying member that is substantially identical in structure and function to the spraying member 50 discussed with respect to hairbrush 10.) Liquid reservoir 34 is retained in place within chamber 19 by walls 211 and 213 that are integrally formed with one or both of base 14 and bristle frame 18.

Walls 211 may be two transversely spaced-apart curved walls that define a bore 211a therebetween and within which a portion of liquid reservoir 34 is received. Alternatively, wall 211 may be a generally cylindrical wall that is oriented substantially parallel to and circumscribing longitudinal axis “Y” of hairbrush 210. The cylindrical wall 211 may bound and define bore 211a within which the portion of liquid reservoir 34 is received. Walls 213 are spaced a distance longitudinally forwardly of walls 211 such that a gap is defined therebetween. Walls 213 may include a first portion 213a and a second portion 213b. First portion 213a may comprise two transversely spaced-apart curved walls 213a or a cylindrical wall similar to wall 211. The curved walls or cylindrical wall 213a may be oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal axis “Y” and may circumscribe the same. The second portion 213b may comprise an end wall that is oriented at right angles to longitudinal axis “Y”. The first portion 213a bounds and defines a bore 213c therein that receives a second portion of liquid reservoir 34 therein. A central aperture 213d is defined in second end 213b. The delivery pipe 52 of spraying member 50 is received through aperture 213d. Walls 211, 213 may be separated by a gap that can accept a fingertip of a user therein in order to lift liquid reservoir 34 from a channel formed by the bores 211a, 213c when it is desired to refill or replace liquid reservoir 34. Second end 213b may be provided to aid in limiting the travel of liquid reservoir 34 within channel 211a, 213c when trigger 24 is depressed. When actuated by trigger 24, liquid reservoir 34 translates within chamber 19 and moves toward a support, i.e., towards second portion 213b.

The hairbrush 210 shown in FIGS. 11 and 11A is used in substantially the same manner as either of the hairbrushes 10, 110. Cushion face 200 may include one or more holes (not shown) through which the spray from the nozzle will exit the bristle frame 18 of hairbrush 10.

It will be understood that the specific shape or configuration of hairbrushes 10, 110, 210 depicted in FIGS. 1 to 11A are by way of example only and other differently shaped hairbrushes may incorporate the features disclosed herein. It should further be understood that the principles described herein may be used with any shape, style or size of hairbrush and the particular shape and size of the hairbrush illustrated in the attached figures should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure. It will further be understood that the shape, type, and size of bristle shown in FIGS. 1-11A should not be construed as limiting the disclosure as any bristle fabricated from any material and of any shape may be provided on hairbrush 10, 110, 210. For example, a roller type body (i.e., one of substantially circular cross-section and including bristles radiating outwardly therefrom through about 360°) could also be fabricated to be a liquid dispensing hairbrush in accordance with the present disclosure.

The method of using any of the hairbrushes 10, 110, 210 comprises providing a liquid dispensing hairbrush comprising a body 12 having a bristle frame 18 and a base 14, wherein the bristle frame 18 and the base 14 define a chamber 19 therebetween; a spraying member 50 comprising a liquid reservoir 34, a spray nozzle 54 and a pump 56; wherein a pipe 52 connects to the spray nozzle 54 and pump 56 and extends into an interior of the liquid reservoir 34; a trigger 24 operably coupled to the spraying member 50; a plurality of bristles 20 projecting from said bristle frame 18; providing a quantity of a liquid hair care product in the liquid reservoir 34; depressing the trigger 24; actuating the pump 56 when the trigger 24 is depressed; spraying liquid hair care product from within the liquid reservoir 34 through the spray nozzle 54 and outwardly onto the bristles 20 and into spaces defined between the bristles 20; passing the bristles 20 through the user's hair; and transferring the sprayed liquid hair care product from the bristles 20 and the spaces defined between the bristles 20 to the user's hair.

Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, “above”, “behind”, “in front of”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “lateral”, “transverse”, “longitudinal”, and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features/elements, these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussed herein could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed herein could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure. Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments.

If this specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.

Additionally, any method of performing the present disclosure may occur in a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, no sequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitly stated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of the method in a different order could achieve a similar result.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of the disclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

LIQUID DISPENSING HAIRBRUSH

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