Self-cleaning brush with a flexible matrix

Abstract

A brush assembly includes a handle and a brush head attached to the handle. The brush head includes a base with a plurality of integral bristles and a matrix. The matrix is made of sponge, foam or other compressible material. As the brush is used on a person or an animal skin or scalp, the hair or fur causes the matrix to compress and expose the bristles. When the brush is removed, the matrix springs back and removes any hair, fur, or other material entangled in the hair. Optionally a vibrating device is incorporated into the brush to provide massaging of the skin and/or scalp.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a first embodiment of the inventive brush device;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the brush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the handle for the brush of FIGS. 1 and 2, with details of an optional trigger pump;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a second embodiment of the invention showing a brush head with a portion of the flexible matrix being recessed;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the brush of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side view of another embodiment of the brush of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a head or cartridge with the matrix in a relaxed state, constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 8 shows the head of FIG. 7 with the flexible matrix being in a compressed condition with hair lodged in the bristles;

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the head in which head is substantially surrounded by the flexible matrix;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view depicting a handle receiving the head of FIGS. 7-9 and a spray dispenser as an option;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view depicting a handle receiving the head of FIGS. 7-9 and a squeezable dispenser as a handle option;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view depicting a handle receiving the head of FIGS. 7-9 and a trigger plunger for the dispenser;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view depicting a decorative handle receiving the head of FIGS. 7-9 with a hang hole;

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of a hinge handle with an optional finger hole;

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of another version of a bristle head or cartridge, with a flexible matrix mounted thereon, said matrix being provided with one or more layers to render the matrix impenetrable impermeable to water and/or said additional layers to add stiffness to spread the deflection point over a greater area;

FIG. 15A shows a cross-section view of the embodiment of FIG. 15;

FIG. 15B shows a cross-sectional view of an alternate FIG. 2;

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the head with the matrix being compressed;

FIG. 17 shows a front elevational view of the base and the bristles mounted thereon;

FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of the brush handle to be used with the bristle cartridge shown in FIGS. 15, 15A, 16 and 17;

FIG. 19 is a rear view of the back of one version of the head of FIG. 15 and how it slides into position;

FIG. 20 is a rear view showing the back of another version of the head of FIG. 15 and how it locks onto the handle;

FIG. 21 is a front elevational view of a another of the brush handle to be used with the bristle cartridge shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 22 is a partial front elevational view similar to FIG. 21 and showing an alternative handle design;

FIG. 23 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 21 and showing a third handle design;

FIG. 24 is a side elevational view of yet another version of the invention;

FIG. 25 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 24, but showing the flexible matrix in a compressed condition;

FIG. 26 is a side elevational view of a handle using the brush head of FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 26 and showing attachment of the brush head of FIG. 24 to the handle;

FIG. 28 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the invention that relates to a two part configuration with the brush in an open active;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the brush depicted in FIG. 28 in a closed storage condition;

FIG. 30 is a side elevational view of another version of the embodiment of FIG. 28 with the brush in an open active condition;

FIG. 31 is a cross sectional view of the brush depicted in FIG. 30 in a closed storage condition;

FIG. 32 is a side elevational view of an embodiment in an open active condition, the embodiment being similar to the one in FIGS. 28 and 29 but with a covered matrix;

FIG. 33 is a side sectional view of the brush in FIG. 32 in the closed position;

FIG. 34 is a top plan view of the brush depicted in FIG. 28;

FIG. 35 is a bottom plan view of the brush depicted in FIG. 30;

FIG. 36 is a side plan view of the brush depicted in FIG. 34 with a “pick” style handle;

FIG. 37 shows a sectional view of a first alternate embodiment of the brush depicted in FIG. 18;

FIG. 38 shows a sectional view of a second alternate embodiment of the bush depicted in FIG. 18;

FIG. 39 shows a plan view of a cap of the embodiments of FIG. 37 or 38;

FIG. 40 shows a sectional view of a first alternate embodiment of the brush depicted in FIG. 14;

FIG. 41 shows a sectional view of a second alternate embodiment of the brush depicted in FIG. 14;

FIG. 42 shows a plan view of a cap of the embodiments of FIG. 40 or 41;

FIG. 43 shows a blown-up sectional view of another embodiment of the brush;

FIG. 44 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 43;

FIG. 45 shows an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 44;

FIG. 46 shows a plan view of a cap for the embodiment of FIGS. 43-45;

FIG. 47 shows a side view of another embodiment of the brush;

FIG. 48 shows a sectional back view of the brush of FIG. 47;

FIG. 49 shows a back view of the brush of FIG. 47;

FIG. 50 shows a front view of the brush of FIG. 47;

FIG. 51 shows a side view of a head for the brush of FIG. 47;

FIG. 52 shows a side view of the head of FIG. 47 with matrix compressed.

FIG. 53 shows a back view of the head of FIGS. 51 and 52.

Claims

1. A brush comprising: a base having surface;a plurality of bristles arranged on said surface; anda matrix disposed substantially between said bristles and arranged and constructed to compress when said brush is used on hair or fur and then decompress removing materials deposited between the bristles.

2. The brush of claim 1 wherein said surface is substantially planar.

3. The brush of claim 1 wherein said surface is curved.

4. The brush of claim 1 wherein in said decompressed position, said bristles are fully embedded in said matrix.

5. The brush of claim 1 wherein said matrix is covered with an external surface that is more dense and stiff than said matrix.

6. The brush of claim 5 wherein said surface is a sheet made of a substantially water-proof material.

7. The brush of claim 5 wherein said surface is a sheet made of substantially water absorbent material.

8. The brush of claim 1 further comprising a handle with one end receiving said base.

9. The brush of claim 1 wherein said base is generally cylindrical and said matrix forms a substantially continuous band around said base.

10. The brush of claim 1 wherein said matrix includes a first matrix region that completely covers a first set of bristles before the matrix is compressed and a second matrix region that partially surrounds a second set of bristles, said second set of bristles extending out of the second matrix region when is not compressed.

11. The brush of claim 1 further comprising a liquid reservoir and a liquid dispenser for selectively dispensing said liquid.

12. The brush assembly for removing materials intercepted in a head of hair or fur, comprising: a handle for holding the brush and terminating at one end with a neck; anda refillable or permanent head mounted on said neck and including a base with surface having a plurality of bristles and a compressible matrix disposed on said base substantially between said bristles, said matrix being compressed when the brush is in use, said matrix decompressing after use to remove material from said bristles.

13. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said matrix is made of material selected from the group consisting of a polyurethane, polyester and polyethylene.

14. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said matrix is made of ne of an open and a closed cell sponge.

15. The assembly of claim 12 further comprising a sheet covering said matrix, wherein said sheet is made of one of a woven or nonwoven substrate selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene, polyesters, polyamides, synthetic celluloses and blends thereof.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein said sheet is a coating made from a material selected from a group consisting of ink, heat expandable prepolymer resin, varnish, silicone and wax

17. The assembly of claim 15 wherein said matrix is made of a foam that has an Internal Load Deflection in the range of approximately 15-60 ILD.

18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein said foam has an Internal Load deflection of 20-30 ILD.

19. A brush assembly for removing materials intercepted in a head of hair or fur, comprising: a handle sized and shaped to be grasped in hand and terminating at one end with a neck;a head mounted on said neck and including a base with surface having a plurality of bristles mounted in an array; anda vibrating device arranged and constructed to provide massage and improved cleaning.

20. The assembly of claim 19 wherein said vibrating device includes a motor, a battery providing power to the motor and a switch activating the motor.

21. The assembly of claim 20 wherein said motor has a shaft and an unbalanced counterweight mounted on said shaft for rotation.

22. The assembly of claim 19 further comprising a matrix disposed on said bristles, said matrix being compressed when the brush is in use, said matrix decompressing after use to remove material from said bristles.

23. The assembly of claim 22 wherein said head includes a flat base, a plurality of bristles mounted on said base and a matrix selectively attachable and detachable from said base and covering said bristles.