Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02856998 2014-02-13
WO 2011/032562 PCT/DK2010/050235
A COMB
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a comb, which is curved. With the invention there is
provided a
comb for combing hair at the scalp of humans. The comb can be designed as a
fine-
toothed comb for combing of hair in order to remove lice and nits from the
hair near the
scalp. The comb can also be used in the treatment of psoriasis and for
removing scurf
and dandruff from the scalp. The comb can also in another design be used as a
comb for
combing all types of hair. Furthermore, the comb can be designed as a comb for
holding
the hair in place in a hair style. The comb may in different designs be used
to massage
the scalp. The comb can also be used two eliminate vermin from animals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fine-toothed combs have long been known and used. The known fine-toothed combs
are
all designed with teeth, which are mounted on or molded into a straight piece.
This right
angle is not desirable since a human head is mainly round. With the known fine-
toothed
combs it is only a small section of the teeth, relative to the entire comb
width, which
affects the scalp. With the known fine-toothed combs then only a max of
approx. 2 cm is
combed at a time on the parts of the head which is round. With the known fine-
toothed
combs, combing often feels uncomfortable because the teeth are often sharp and
because a relatively small area is affected during combing. The teeth on some
of the fine-
toothed combs made of steel feels like needles on the scalp. The handle on
most known
fine-toothed combs is flat and thin and not shaped to be held for a longer
period of time.
The teeth on the known fine-toothed combs are of plastic or steel. The teeth
of steel are
round. For the plastic material the teeth are molded into a thinner flat
shape. The grey
color of steel is not appropriate because lice are close to having the same
color and are
therefore not well spotted with the color of steel as a background.
Here follows eleven issues regarding the function of the fine-toothed comb:
CA 02856998 2014-02-13
WO 2011/032562 PCT/DK2010/050235
2
A fine-toothed comb aims to collect as many lice and nits as efficiently as
possible (1) and
as quickly as possible (2). Combing of hair is a time consuming job. It takes
up to an hour
to comb a thick, half long hair with the existing fine-toothed combs.
Lice reside mainly on the scalp or the hair near the scalp. Therefore it is
important that the
fine-toothed comb is designed in such a way that as much of the scalp as
possible may
be affected each time the comb is pulled through the hair (3). After finding
lice, the fine-
toothed comb is led through the hair many times. It is therefore important
that the act is
carried out as gently as possible and with as few combings as possible (4).
It is known and used to use a fine-toothed comb for removing scurf sitting on
the scalp
and for removing dandruff and for treatment of psoriasis in the scalp. It is
therefore
important that the act can be performed as gently as possible and with as few
touches as
possible (5).
Often combing is painful on the person's delicate scalp. Therefore, the teeth
should be
designed in such a way that the tips of the teeth irritate the scalp by a
minimum (6).
One aspect of the function of the fine-toothed comb is that the handle/base
portion is
comfortable to hold on for a longer period. The grip must be good. With a good
grip the
user is motivated. (7).
The handle should fit the hands of different sizes (8).
It should be possible to use the comb or fine-toothed comb on heads of varying
size and
shape. (9)
Nits sit glued onto straws of hair at a distance of approx. 0.1¨ 1.0 cm from
the scalp. Adult
lice have a length of 2-3 mm. The nits are approx. 0.8 mm. If the nits also
are to be
collected with a fine-toothed comb, the space between the comb teeth is
required to be
below 0.8 mm.
As the hair becomes harder to untangle the smaller the gap is between the
teeth, there
can be several sizes of fine-toothed combs with different gap between the
teeth, for
example a comb for nits and a comb for lice (10). The fine-toothed comb
designed for nits
CA 02856998 2014-02-13
WO 2011/032562 PCT/DK2010/050235
3
will also collect lice. However, it depends on hair thickness, length and
possible creasing if
this is feasible.
It is known and used to use conditioner or oil in the hair so it becomes
easier to comb.
Conditioner and oil makes the hair smooth and makes it more difficult for lice
to move.
The handle or base portion of the comb may therefore be designed to give a
good grip
which anyone, both child and adult, can hold without effort, and without
regard to whether
there is conditioner alternative oil in the hair or not (11).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a comb, which may be used
for
combing hair, which comb comprises an upper or basic part and a number of
teeth
attached to and pointing out from this upper/basic part, characterized in that
the outer or
free end of at least a portion of the teeth forms a curved shape or curvature
for the touch
of a scalp.
The comb may have multiple functions, of which four are mentioned here:
1. The comb can be designed and proportioned as a fine-toothed comb for
combing of
hair from the scalp to remove lice, nymphs and/or nits.
2. The comb can be designed and proportioned as a comb for hair combing.
3. The comb can be designed and proportioned as a comb for holding the hair.
4. The comb can be designed and proportioned as a wellness-comb to massage the
scalp.
With a comb or fine-toothed comb which is curved, the hair can be combed close
to the
scalp throughout the comb width.
Although the provided comb or fine-toothed comb is curved, it can still be
used on a more
straight surface, as on the sides of the head. It only requires that the user
angles the
comb to match.
In an embodiment the comb is characterized in that the portion of the
upper/basic part, to
which the teeth are attached, is curved or arched, whereby the teeth, which
are pointing
out from the upper part, form a curvature or curved shape.
CA 02856998 2014-02-13
WO 2011/032562 PCT/DK2010/050235
4
According to an embodiment the comb or fine-toothed comb is characterized in
that the
curvature or curved shape formed by the teeth has a radius which is
substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the teeth. This curvature or
curved shape
may be called the first curvature.
The invention also covers a comb or fine-toothed comb, where the tip or outer
end of the
teeth extending away from the upper/basic part forms a curvature or curved
shape that is
curved outwards in relation to the upper part. This curved or arched shape may
be called
the second curvature. The invention thus covers a comb where the teeth form
two
curvatures or curved shapes, where the first curvature has a radius of
curvature
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the teeth, and
where the second
curvature is curved outwards in relation to the upper part.
The invention also covers a comb comprising an upper or basic part and a
number of
teeth attached to and pointing out from the upper/basic part, wherein the
outer or free end
of at least a portion of the teeth forms two curvatures or curved shapes for
the touch of a
scalp where the first curvature has a radius of curvature substantially
perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction of the teeth, and where the second curvature is curved
outwards in
relation to the upper or basic part. It is preferred that the radius of
curvature of the first
curvature is in the range of 3-14 cm. Preferably, then for the second
curvature, the teeth
reach furthest out at the middle of the comb. It is within an embodiment of
the invention
that the portion of the upper or basic part, to which the teeth are attached,
is curved,
whereby the teeth, which are pointing out from the upper or basic part, form
the first
curvature.
It is preferred that the radius of curvature of the first curved shape or
curvature, which has
a radius of curvature substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction of the teeth,
is within the range of 3-10 cm, such as in the range of 3.5-8 cm or 4-8 cm or
such as
around 4 or 6 cm. However, the invention also covers combs, where the radius
of
curvature of the first curved or arched shape is within the range of 8-14 cm,
such as in the
range of 9-12 cm or such as about 10 or 11 cm.
It is preferred that the radius of curvature of the second curved shape or
curvature, which
is curved outwards in relation to the upper/basic part, is within in the range
of 2-100cm.
CA 02856998 2014-02-13
WO 2011/032562 PCT/DK2010/050235
Here the radius of the second curvature or curved shape may be in the range of
3-8 cm,
such as in the range of 3.5 to 6 cm, or such as about 4 cm. The invention also
covers
combs, where the radius of the second curvature that is curved outwards in
relation to the
upper(basic part, is within the range of 6-14 cm, such as in the range of 8-12
cm, or such
5 as about 10 or 11 cm.
The invention also covers a comb or fine-toothed comb, where the teeth lie
substantially
in one and the same plane, and where the tip or outer end of the teeth
extending away
from the upper part forms a curved or arched shape that is curved inwards in
relation to
the upper part.
The invention covers combs with different designs of the basic part, as long
as the radius
of the first and second curvatures of the tip of the teeth are within the
ranges stated
herein.
According to one or more embodiments the upper part of the comb is thicker
than the
lower portion of the comb.
The invention covers combs or fine-toothed combs with different shaped teeth.
Here, at
least a part of the teeth may be shaped so that the teeth cross section has at
least two
edges, and so that adjacent teeth have edges that are opposite each other.
Here, the
teeth cross section may be shaped like a parallelogram or a rhomb.
A comb or fine-toothed comb according to the invention may also have teeth,
where for at
least a part of the teeth, the teeth cross section is shaped so that the
thickness or width of
the teeth is decreasing towards one side of the comb. Here, the thickness or
width of the
teeth may be descending into the inner direction of the curved shape or
towards the back
of the loin. Here, the teeth cross section may be shaped like a triangle.
The present invention covers combs or fine-toothed combs with different
dimensions.
Examples include that the height of the upper part to which the teeth are
attached may be
in the range of 3-7 cm, the width of the comb may be in the range of 3.5 to 8
cm, the teeth
may have a length in the range of 1 to 4.5 cm, and the space between the teeth
may be in
the range of 0.1 to 2 mm, such as in the range of 0.1 to 1 mm.
CA 02856998 201.6-09-27
6
Different materials can be used for a comb or fine-toothed comb according to
the
invention, but it is preferred that the upper part and the teeth are made of a
relatively
hard material such as a plastic material.
Here, five improvements are mentioned for the new comb or fine-toothed comb
according to the invention in relation to existing fine-toothed combs:
With a comb with two curvatures there is provided a tool, which improves the
efficiency
(1) and the time consumption decreases significantly (2), as the entire width
of the comb
can touch the scalp. This is an improvement of minimum 100% compared to the
known
fine- toothed combs. Combing of hair and scalp becomes a good experience,
rather
than a painful and frustrating experience- as with the existing fine-toothed
combs- both
for the person who is being combed and the person serving the comb, as the
teeth of
the comb stroke over the scalp at an oblique angle (3 ) (Fig. 6). The blood
circulation in
the scalp is stimulated giving a massaging and soothing effect (4). With the
teeth of the
new design (Fig. 3 a- 3 h), collection is made easier and more gentle (5) than
with the
known fine-toothed combs.
FIGURE LIST
Figs. 1a-1d show combs with a single curvature according to an embodiment of
the
invention,
Figs. 2a, 2b show a first embodiment of the teeth of a comb according to the
invention,
Fig. 3 shows a principle model of a comb with a single curvature according to
an
embodiment of the invention,
Figs. 4a, 4b, and 4c show a comb or fine-toothed comb with a single curvature
in which
the teeth are in one plane according to an embodiment of the invention,
Figs. 5a, 5b show a first example of a comb with two curvatures according to
an
embodiment of the invention,
7
Figs 6a, 6b show a second example of a comb with two curvatures according to
an
embodiment of the invention,
Figs. 7a-7h show a second embodiment of the teeth of a comb according to the
invention,
Fig. 8 illustrates combing on a curved surface with a comb according to an
embodiment
of the invention, and
Fig. 9 illustrates combing on a flat surface with a comb according to an
embodiment of
the invention.
EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
In Figs. la and lb a comb or a fine-toothed comb 10 is shown with a single
curvature
11, according to an embodiment of the invention. The comb in Figs. la and lb
has an
upper or basic part 12 and a number of teeth 13 attached to and pointing out
from the
upper or basic part 12, and the outer or free end of the teeth 13 forms a
curved shape
or curvature 11 for the touch of a scalp. In Fig. 1a the comb 10 is seen from
the end
where the teeth 13 are pointing out, and it appears that the curvature 11 is
essentially
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the teeth 13. For the comb
shown in Fig. la
the radius of curvature is about 4 cm. Figs. lb, lc and ld show examples of
curved
combs 10c, 10d, which has a curvature 11 as shown in Fig. la, but where there
are
different handles or upper/basic parts 12c, 12d of the combs.
Fig. 2a shows an embodiment of the teeth 13 on the curved comb shown 10 in
Fig. la.
These teeth 13 may also be used for the combs shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Here,
the
cross-section of the teeth 13 is formed as a rhomb, which improves the ability
to capture
the lice and/or nits. Fig. 2b shows the rhomb formed teeth shown from the
side, and it
appears that for the teeth of the shown embodiment are rounded at the tips.
Fig. 3 shows a principle model of the curved comb or fine-toothed comb 10
shown in Fig.
la. In Fig. 3 the model is shown obliquely from the side.
Fig. 4a shows a comb or fine-tooted comb 40 with a single curvature 41 in
which the teeth
42 are in one plane, according to an embodiment of the invention. The teeth 42
are in the same plane, and if the handle 43 is relatively thin (see Fig. 4b)
the comb 40
CA 2856998 2018-02-16
CA 02856998 2016-09-27
8
is flat. The comb 40 can also have a thicker handle 44 (see Fig. 4c), so it is
easier to
hold.
As it appears from the examples shown in Figs. 1 and 4 of combs 10, 40
according to
the invention, then there may be different heights of the handle or the
upper/basic part
of the comb 10, 40. But it is preferred that the height of the upper/basic
part to which the
teeth are attached is in the range of 3-7 cm. The width of the comb 10, 40 can
also
vary, but it is preferred that the width ranges from 3.5 to 8 cm, or about 6
cm. The teeth
13, 42 should have a length so they are able to pick up nits and/or lice, and
it is
preferred that the length of the teeth 13, 42 is in the range of 1 to 4 cm, or
in the range
of 2-3 cm. The distance or gap between the teeth 13, 42 may also have a size
suitable
for collecting lice and/or nits, and here it is preferred that the space
between the teeth
ranges from 0.1 to 1 mm. The teeth 13, 42 can have a thickness or width of 0.8
mm-1, 2
mm.
Figs. 5a, 5b show a first example of a comb or fine-toothed comb 50, where the
teeth
51 form two curved shapes or curvatures, where the first curved shape or
curvature 52
has a radius of curvature substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction of the
teeth 51, and where the second curved shape or curvature 53 is curved outwards
in
relation to the upper/basic part 54. The comb 50 of Figs. 5a and 5b has an
upper/basic
part 54 and a number of teeth 51 attached to and pointing out from the
upper/basic part
54. Fig. 5b shows the comb 50 as seen from the end where the teeth 51 point
out, and
shows the first curved shape or curvature 52 having a radius of curvature
substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the teeth 51. Fig. 5a shows the
comb 50 as
seen from above and shows the other curved shape or curvature 53, where the
outer or
free end of the teeth 51 form a curved shape or curvature 53 that is curved
outwards in
relation to the upper/basic part 54.
Together, the two curvatures 52, 53 of the comb 50 of Figs. 5a and 5b
represent a new
principle within combing and generally a new design of combs at all. The first
curvature
52, Fig. 5b, makes the comb 50 following the head shape, and the second
curvature 53,
Fig. 5a, provides gradual introduction of the comb teeth through the hair.
For the comb 50 shown in Fig. 5b, the radius of curvature of the first
curvature or curved
shape 52 is in the range of 4-8 cm, and it is preferred that it is 6 cm. For
the comb 50
shown in Fig. 5a, the radius of curvature of the second curvature 53 is in the
range of 3-
5
CA 02856998 2014-02-13
WO 2011/032562 PCT/DK2010/050235
9
cm, with about 4 cm being preferred. The width of the comb 50 in Figs. 5a and
5b is about
9 cm and the height is approx. 7.5 cm. For the comb 50 in Figs. 5a and 5b, the
teeth 51
have a width of approx. 0.8 mm and the spacing between the teeth 51 is about
0.2 mm,
when the comb is viewed from the top. The teeth 51 are either rounded or
angular. The
number of teeth is between 40-90, with about 75 being preferred. This means
that the
piece 54 holding the teeth has a width of about 7.5 cm. The length of the
teeth 51 is
between 0.8 - 1.3 cm, where the middle teeth are the longest. Depending on the
design,
the length of the teeth 51 can be up to 2.5 cm and instead of having different
length for
the teeth 51 of a comb, all the teeth 51 may have the same length.
The new technique for combing may, particularly for long and/or filtered hair,
be
implemented as a two-step combing, in which the first combing is with a larger
comb,
followed by a combining with a smaller comb, where the smaller comb can be
sized as
described above in connection with Figs. 5a and 5b, and where the larger comb
can be
sized as described and shown below in Figs. 6a and 6b.
Figs. 6a, 6b show a second example of a comb 60 with two curvatures 62, 63,
where the
first curved shape or curvature 62 has a radius of curvature essentially
perpendicular to
the longitudinal direction of the teeth 61, and where the second curved shape
or curvature
63 is curved outwards in relation to the upper/basic part 64. Also for the
comb 60 in Figs.
6a and 6b it applies that it has an upper/basic part 64 and a number of teeth
61 attached
to and pointing out from the upper/basic part 64. Fig. 6b shows the comb 60 as
seen from
the end where the teeth 61 are pointing out and shows the first curved shape
or curvature
62, which has a curvature substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction of the
teeth 61, and Fig. 6a shows the comb 60 as seen from above and shows the
second
curved shape or curvature 63, where the outer or free end of the teeth 61 is
forming a
curved shape or curvature 63 that is curved outwards in relation to the
upper/basic part
64.
For the comb 60 shown in Fig. 6b, the radius of curvature of the first
curvature or curved
shape 62 is in the range of 8-11 cm, and it is preferred that it is 10 cm. For
the comb 60
shown in Fig. 6a, the second curvature 63 has a radius of curvature in the
range of 9-12
cm with 10-11 cm being preferred. The width of the comb 60 in Figs. 6a and 6b
is in the
range of 8-12 cm and the height is in the range of 5-8 cm. For the comb 60 in
Figs. 6a and
6b, the teeth 61 have a width of approx. 2 mm and the space between the teeth
61 is
10
about 1 mm, when the comb 60 is viewed from the top. The teeth 61 are either
rounded or
angled. The number of teeth 61 is between 20-40, with about 30 being
preferred.
Depending on the design, the length ofthe teeth 61 is between 2.5 -4.5 cm.
Figs. 7a-7h show a second embodiment for the teeth 71 of a comb or fine-
toothed comb
according to the invention. Here, the cross section of the teeth is shaped so
that the width
or thickness of the teeth is decreasing in the inner direction of the first
curved shape or from
the front to the back of the comb. Furthermore, the side width of the teeth is
decreasing
longitudinally from the handle or the upper/basic part to the outer tip of the
teeth. This is shown in Figs. 7a-7f, where Fig. 7a shows a cross section of
the teeth just
below the upper part or handle, and Fig. 7b shows the outer tip of the teeth
as seen from
the bottom of the comb. A single tooth is shown in Figs. 7c-7f, where Fig. 7c
shows the
tooth from the front of the comb, Fig. 7d shows the tooth from the back of the
comb, Fig.
7e shows the tooth viewed from one side, and Fig. 7f shows the tooth viewed
from the
other side. It is seen that the tooth cross-sectional area decreases
longitudinally from the
handle to the tip of the tooth as the side width decreases. It is also seen
that the width or
thickness decreases from the front towards the back of the comb. Furthermore,
the teeth
are rounded at the tips.
The width of the front of the tooth is substantially constant until the bottom
piece of the
tooth, which appears from Fig.7g, which shows a segment of a comb with teeth
viewed
from the front, and Fig. 7h, which shows the same segment viewed from the back
of the
comb. The teeth are shaped thin at the tip, to best reach down to the scalp
through the
hair. The teeth become wider at the handle and the strength of each tooth is
hereby
improved.
The teeth shown in Figs. 7a-7h may have a cross section that is shaped like a
triangle,
where the front has a constant width, while the two side widths decrease in
the
longitudinal direction of the teeth.
Fig. 8 illustrates combing on a curved surface 80, which may be the top of the
head and
the back of the head of a person, with a comb according to an embodiment of
the invention,
and Fig. 9 illustrates combing on a substantially plane surface 90, which may
be the side
of the head of a person.
CA 2856998 2018-02-16
CA 02856998 2014-02-13
WO 2011/032562 PCT/DK2010/050235
11
The teeth on a fine-toothed comb must have a length so they are able to reach
the scalp
through the hair and it is preferred that the length is in the range of 1-4
cm, or in the range
of 1-2 cm. The distance between the teeth on a fine-toothed comb must have a
size
suitable for collecting lice and/or nits, and here it is preferred that the
distance between
the teeth is in the range of 0.1- 0.3 mm or 0.2 mm. The teeth can have a
thickness or
width of 0.8-1.2 mm.
The total width of the row of teeth depends on the purpose for which the comb
is to be
used. The width of the row of teeth for a fine-toothed comb according to an
embodiment
of the invention may be in the range of 5-8 cm, and the width of the row of
teeth for a
comb for combing hair may be in the range of 5-10 cm.
In an embodiment of the comb, both the upper part and the teeth are made of a
relatively
rigid plastic material. Thus, both the upper/basic part, the handle, and teeth
may be made
of a plastic material, but a different combination of materials may also be
used. Here the
upper/basic part, the handle, may be made of plastic while the teeth may be
made of a
metal. The invention also covers a combination in which the handle is a rubber
material
and the teeth are made of metal or plastic. Other possible materials include
melanin and
bamboo.
The technical effect
With a comb that curves, the function of the comb as a fine-toothed comb is
more
effective in that in can be used along the entire edge of the comb, whereby
all teeth of the
comb can meet the scalp on both round and straight surfaces, see Figs. 8 and
9, and if
the width of the comb is 6 cm, then lice and nits can efficiently be collected
at 6 cm.
Lice and nits are thus collected, every time the hair is combed, on a much
larger area
than previously known. This also means that the time spent by combing is
substantially
reduced.
It also means that the number of combing through the hair from the scalp can
be reduced.
This leads to the result that many unnecessary contacts with the scalp can be
avoided
whereby the scalp will be less sore and irritated.
CA 02856998 2014-02-13
WO 2011/032562 PCT/DK2010/050235
12
The advantage of the first curvature is that the curves of the head as well as
the straight
surfaces can be contacted along the total width of the row of teeth. The
advantage of the
second curvature is: 1) Gradual introduction of the teeth where one starts by
putting the
outer teeth down through the hair, catches a hold and then angles the handle
down
toward the scalp while combing the hair. 2) When combing, the comb gets an
angle which
causes the teeth to be introduced obliquely against the scalp, so the action
feels
comfortable on the recipient. In addition to making combing easier, the design
of the comb
allows all teeth to be used each time the hair is combed through. With this
comb there is
also the option of using only the outer part of the teeth. Thus, the
principles of the two
curvatures together create a user-friendly, flexible tool which can be used on
different
head sizes and shapes.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the teeth have a new edgy design,
see
Figs. 2a and 2b. The fact that the teeth have this angular design makes
collection easier
than for the known shapes of teeth, since there with this design is formed a
triangular
cavity in which the louse or the egg can lie. The rounded peaks of the teeth
make
combing less painful.
Depending on the thickness, length and nature of the hair, it can sometimes be
difficult to
lead the comb, having only the first curvature 11, through the hair in one
step. Therefore,
a comb 50, 60 with two curvatures 52, 62, 53, 63 is introduced, where the
second
curvature 53, 63 provides for the gradual introduction of teeth: one start by
putting the
outer teeth down, to obtain a grip and then angles the handle down towards the
scalp
while combing the hair. In addition to making combing easier, the design of
the comb
makes it possible for all teeth to be used each time the hair is combed. This
comb 50, 60
also gives the option of using only the outer part of the teeth. The
principles of the two
curvatures 52, 62, 53, 63 thus create a user-friendly, flexible tool.
Lice and nits are found mainly close to the scalp. With a fine-toothed comb,
which is
curved, it is thus made possible to comb on a much larger area and much faster
than
before. In addition, many unnecessary touches with the scalp are avoided,
where the
scalp may otherwise become sore and irritated.
CA 02856998 2014-02-13
WO 2011/032562
PCT/DK2010/050235
13
Therefore, this produced comb or fine-toothed comb is formed to follow the
shape of the
head. A nit sits glued onto a stray of hair at a distance of approximately 0.1
-1.0 cm from
the scalp. Nits are thus also easier removed with this product than with the
known fine-
toothed combs.
