Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FLUID DISPENSING BRUSH
Background of the Invention
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dispensing
brush. More specifically, the present invention relates
to a dispensing brush having a reservoir for retaining a
predetermined fluid, such as a hair-coloring product.
The predetermined fluid is dispensed through dispenser
apertures.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The idea of applying a viscous liquid to the
hair or scalp is not new. Many coloring products, hair
gels, and conditioners are used to manage or style a head
of hair. Dispersal of the.product evenly over the hair
is of concern during application to the hair. Many known
applicator devices do not give the control necessary to
evenly disperse a liquid while styling hair. Other
devices may disperse liquid evenly, but do so in limited,
amounts such that multiple applications may be needed.
Further, some devices are limited to dispersal of liquid
having viscosity within a narrow range.
For example, Thiruppathi (U.S. Patent No.
5,927,290) teaches dispersing liquids onto the hair by
way of a spray pump and nozzle incorporated within a
hairbrush. However spray nozzles,, such as those
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disclosed therein, accommodate liquids of moderate
viscosity, rather than more viscous fluids that may be
needed in hair coloring, for example. Furthermore; a
spray nozzle may cover an area larger than required,
leading to excess use of the liquid, and a lack of
control over dispersal.
Another dispensing brush is disclosed in
Velardi (U. S. Patent No. 3,868,188). This disclosure
suggests a toothbrush in which liquid is dispensed
through bristles. However, the bristles of this design
may become clogged, leading to uneven dispersal of the
fluid. Also, since the fluid flow is manually
controlled, this device does not easily lend itself to
application of a hair product. While brushes may have
been developed that dispense fluids, the shortcomings of
uneven disbursement of the fluids and unnecessary
manipulation of the brush by the user have not been
adequately solved.
Summary of the Invention
To ameliorate the noted concerns of known
dispenser brushes, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a novel liquid dispensing hairbrush
that is easy to use and control, and may be used with a
variety of fluids. The brush includes a hollow,
refillable reservoir for storing the. fluid to be
dispersed, and a plurality of dispersal openings
communicating with the reservoir. The device of the
present invention evenly disperses a predetermined fluid
onto a head of hair or a scalp without need of manual
regulation by the user. The hairbrush is designed to use
gravity in the dispensing process rather than the pumps
or controls seen in known devices.
A predetermined fluid, such as a hair
colorant, is preferably added to the device through a
fill aperture in one end of the brush. The fill aperture
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is in fluid communication with the brush reservoir. Once
the reservoir is filled, the aperture may be closed with
a plug or other stop means thereby retaining the fluid in
the reservoir. The brush further includes a top surface
and a bottom surface. The top surface preferably
includes a plurality bristles extending normal to the top
surface, and a plurality of dispenser openings. The
dispenser openings being in fluid communication with the
brush reservoir. The dimensions and alignment of the
dispenser openings in the top of the brush allow the user
to easily control even dispersal of fluid on a head of
hair. The following description will explain the
invention in more detail.
Description of the Drawings
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing
brush according to the present invention.
FIGURE 2 is a top plain view of the dispensing
brush seen in Figure 1.
FIGURE 3 is a partially exploded, longitudinal
section of the dispensing brush seen in Figures 1 and 2,
and taken along line 3 - 3 of Figure 2.
FIGURE 4 is an end view of the dispensing
brush seen in Figures 1 - 3.
FIGURE 5 shows the dispensing brush of Figures
1 - 4 in use with on a head of hair.
FIGURE 6 shows the dispensing brush of figures
1 - 5 and a head of hair after application of fluid by
the dispensing brush.
FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of a dispensing brush according to the present
invention.
Detailed Description
Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and
exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the
invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed
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merely exemplify the invention that may be embodied in
other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment
has been described, the details maybe changed without
departing from the invention, which is defined by the
claims.
Referring to Figure 1, a perspective view of a
fluid dispensing brush 10 is shown. The dispensing brush
includes a handle portion 12 and a head portion 14,
and may be fabricated from any suitable material such as
10 plastic, metal, wood, or other rigid material. The
handle portion 12 may be of any shape that allows for
easy manual gripping of the dispensing brush 10 and
includes a proximal end 16 and a distal end 18. The head
portion 14 of the dispensing brush 10 has a first end 15
and a second end 17. The head portion 14 of the
dispensing brush 10 is connected to the proximal end 16
of the handle portion 12 at the first end 15 of the head
portion 14. The head portion 14 further includes at
least a top surface 20 and a bottom surface 19, with the
top surface 20 holding a plurality of bristles 22 and
further including a plurality of dispenser openings 24.
The handle portion 12 and the head portion 14 as shown
are fabricated from one piece of material, but it is to
be understood that the dispensing brush 10 may be
fabricated from multiple parts, if desired.
As seen particularly in the view of Figure 4,
a fill aperture 26 is preferably located at the second
end 17 of head portion 14. A plug 28 removably engages
the aperture 26, thereby allowing a predetermined fluid,
such as a hair coloring fluid, to be placed and retained
in a reservoir 30 (shown in Fig. 3) within the head
portion 14. The reservoir 30 is preferably in fluid
communication with the dispenser openings 24 and the fill
aperture 26.
Figure 2 shows a top plan view of the
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dispensing brush 10. As seen, the dispenser openings 24
are preferably located on the top surface 20 of the head
portion 14 amd are centrally situated between multiple
linear rows of bristles 22, with the linear rows of
bristles 22 being aligned along the central, longitudinal
axis of the dispensing brush 10. The dispenser openings
24 are preferably located centrally on the top surface 20
of the head portion 14, and between the linear rows of
bristles 22 to thereby cause the bristles 22 to control
the alignment of the hair before and after application of
a fluid and cause even placement of fluid by the
dispenser openings 24. The dispenser openings 24 are
preferably aligned in a linear configuration to aid in
even dispersal of a predetermined fluid 38. The
dispenser openings 24 include an inner diameter 24A. The
inner diameter 24A is preferably at least approximately
0.25 inches (0.635 cm) in diameter to allow the
predetermined fluid to flow from the reservoir 30 and
through the dispenser openings 24. The number of rows of
2 0 the bristles 22 on either side of the dispenser openings
24 is not critical to the scope of the invention and may
vary according to user preference.
In Figure 3, a section view of the dispensing
brush 10 is shown as taken along a central, longitudinal
axis. As seen, dispenser openings 24 are preferably in
fluid communication with the reservoir 30. The fill
aperture 26, which is also in fluid ,communication with
the reservoir 30, includes a removable plug 28 for
retention of fluid (not shown in this view) in the
reservoir 30. While Fig. 3 illustrates the plug 28 as
being threaded, any plug 28 that will removably engage
and seal the aperture 26 will suffice, such as that
having an interference fit.
As further shown particularly in Figure 3, the
dispenser openings 24 each include a respective
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longitudinally extending collar portion 40, which is
elevated above the top surface 20 of the head portion 14.
While each of.the dispenser openings 24 is shown,having a
collar portion 40, it is to be understood that the
dispensing brush 10 may include at least one dispenser
opening without the collar portiom 40. The respective
collar portions 40 of the dispenser openings 24 are
preferably elevated a predetermined height above the top
surface 20 of the head portion 14. The predetermined
height is preferably approximately 0.125 inches (0.3175
cm), although it is to be understood that the present
invention may be practiced using greater or lesser
heights, depending on user preference. For example, the
height of the collar portions 40 above the top surface 20
could be greater than 0.125 inches (0.3175 cm), but a
less viscous fluid may not dispense evenly if the height
is much less than 0.125 inches ,(0.3175 cm). The collar
portions 40 function to inhibit uncontrolled liquid
dispersal from the dispenser openings 24. Further, the
entire height of the dispenser openings 24, from the
reservoir 30 to the top of a respective collar portion 40
is preferably 0.25 inches (0.635 cm). This height allows
adequate control of a predetermined fluid during passage
from the reservoir 30, to exit onto a head of hair (See
Figs. 5 and 6). Again, although 0.25 inches (0.635 cm)
is preferable, the height may be decreased or increased
according to the viscosity of the fluid used, or user
preference.
Figure 4 shows an end view of the dispensing
brush 10 viewed from the second end 17. of the head
portion 14. As seen, the reservoir 30 is aligned with
the dispenser openings 24 along the center of the
dispensing brush 10. The dispenser openings 24 are
symmetrically located between the rows of the multiple
linear rows of the bristles 22. Likewise, the fill
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aperture 26 is also aligned with the reservoir 30 for
facile filling with a predetermined fluid (not shown).
As seen, the fill aperture 26 preferably includes a
diameter 26A of at least approximately 0.25 inches (0.635
cm) in diameter for a viscous fluid to properly enter the
reservoir 30. The fill aperture diameter 26A may be more
than approximately 0.25 inches (0.635 cmj in diameter,
but it is not recommended for the aperture diameter 26A
to be much less than approximately 0.25 inches (0.635 cm)
in diameter for applicable flow of a viscous fluid.
Referring now to Figure 5 and Figure 6, the
dispensing brush 10 is shown in use to apply a
predetermined fluid 38 to a head of hair 36. The
dispensing brush 10 is brought through the hair 36 with
the bristles 22 facing towards the hair 36. As the
bristles 22 of the dispensing brush 10 pass through the
hair 36, the predetermined fluid 38 is dispensed through
the dispenser openings 24 and onto the hair 36. After
the dispensing brush 10 is pulled through the hair 36,
the fluid 38 is left behind on the hair 36 (See Fig. 6).
The design of the bristles 22 around the openings 24 and
the height of the collar portions 40 above the top
surface 20 allow the fluid 38 to be evenly dispersed over
the head of hair 36, as is shown by the streaks of the
fluid 38 in Fig. 6. The head of hair 36 is evenly
treated with the fluid 38, with relative ease on the
behalf of the user.
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of an
alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein
3 0 the fill aperture 26 is located on the bottom surface 19
of head portion 14. As in the previous embodiment,. the
plug 28 preferably removably engages the aperture 26 with
the reservoir 30 in fluid communication with the
dispenser openings 24 and the fill aperture 26.
While the above description is illustrative of
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the invention, numerous modifications to the invention
may occur without changing the scope of the invention..
For instance, the shape of the handle and head of the
brush may be changed while still being within the bounds
of the invention. Likewise, the length and width of the
brush may be modified, and the number of bristles and
openings, and the size of the fluid reservoir may be
modified as deemed necessary.
