Patent Application
20140196227
The field of the invention is personal grooming devices.
While back brushes have been in the public domain for some time, there are some examples of electric back brushes in the prior art. In Pat. No. 6,662,386 Bowerman et al describe a wall mounted back brush unit where the brush and soap dispenser components are immobile and the bather has to back into the device while standing or sitting. In Pat. No. 6,170,108 Knight et al. describe a hand held electrically powered back brush.
One object of the invention is to develop a novel back brush. Another object of the invention is to develop an automated back brush. Yet another object of the invention is to develop an electric back brush. Another object of the invention is to develop a back brush which dispenses soap as it is used. Yet another object of the invention is to develop an ultrasound powered back brush. Another object of the invention is to develop a vibratory brush element based electrically powered back brush. Yet another object of the invention is to develop a back brush with replaceable brush elements. Another object of the invention is to develop a mechanically powered back brush for bathing.
The invention is an electrically powered back brush which has a geometrically designed liquid soap reservoir. There is a vibrational element which agitates the brush using electric energy. This can be switched to an ultrasound function which further affects the brush cleaning. The device can also be adjusted so that the brush rotates along with the other functions that can be switched to. The liquid soap is dispensed through the brush center through an orifice. The power can be either as disposable batteries, rechargeable batteries and in some cases a non contact charger. A mechanically spring powered version as well as a small internal generator which can be manually operated can also be added instead of electrical mechanisms.
The invention is a foot and a half in length. It has a curvature in the handle allowing for better reach during use. The handle has a soft elastomer with a thumb controlled control panel. The settings allow for ultrasonic and vibrational modes. A liquid soap is stored in the hollow cavity of the device all along the length of the device. A soap booster is found near the motor in the head, and the head brush elements are replaceable. The device is powered by an electrical vibrational and ultrasound generator. The power is stored in a battery. Some embodiments of the invention can use spring stored mechanical energy and solid soap plugs centrally located on the brush element.
A curved injection molded polycarbonate brush has a circular head and a thermoplastic elastomer grip. The head of the brush contains an ultrasonic motor which serves as a booster to liquid soap as well as a bristle motion inducing device. The ultrasonic energy travels through the bristles and has a foam inducing effect in it's interaction with the soap and water, as well as a deep cleaning effect on skin. The entire handle of the brush acts as a hollow soap reservoir for liquid soap. The ultrasound frequency and patterns are controlled by a waterproof control panel with push button controls or piezoelectric touch pads. In addition a more basic version of the device is available where the power is provided by a hand wound mechanical spring and a solid soap plug is held in place in the center of the rotating circular brush or a rotating platform with rotating sub brush units. In this embodiment, the soap is a mushroom-shaped insert plug which would fit in a central cavity. Water flow would is directed by channels in the bush base towards the soap plug during normal use.
