Direct application brush having flow regulator assembly

• US 20100143024A1
• Filed: 10/16/2009
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: I Did It Incorporated
• Original Assignee: I Did It Incorporated
• Inventors: Hurwitz, Marni Markell
• Granted Patent: US 8,336,558 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 401/270
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 13/001 Washing, cleaning, or drying devices for veterinary purposes A61D7/00, A61D11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 13/002 Curry-combs; Brushes shearing sheep B26B19/24
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 1/00 Brush bodies and bristles moulded as a unit
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 11/0006 specially adapted to feed the bristle upper surface
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 11/0041 Flexible or deformable reservoirs, e.g. resilient bulbs, compressible tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 11/0062 Brushes where the reservoir is specifically intended for being refilled when empty
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 11/0096 Indication of the level of the remaining fluid, e.g. through transparent walls
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 11/066 with means for introducing an additive, e.g. soap
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/104 Hair brush
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1093 Brush for use on animal A46B2200/1086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/3046 Brushes for cleaning cars or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 5/02 specially shaped for holding by the hand
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 5/021 Grips or handles specially adapted to conform to the hand
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A brush assembly releases a fluid and/or liquid solution directly onto a surface, such as a coat of an animal during grooming, or onto inanimate surfaces such as vehicles. The brush assembly includes a molded brush having a plurality of apertures integrated therein for delivery of a fluid. At least one base plate with grooming implementations, such as bristles or a sponge, is interchangeably attached to the brush base. An ergonomical handle is provided having a palm conforming top and finger indentation sides constructed to form an internal cavity. The ergonomical handle is ambidextrous in nature for interchangeable left and right handedness. A center cylinder is located within said internal cavity of said ergonomical handle and includes a bladder which aligns with the mid portion of the brush base for fluid delivery controlled upstream by a flow regulator. An optional mixing chamber housing a water soluble compound containing active ingredients may be attached to the flow regulator to form a liquid solution. The fluid and/or liquid solution is delivered directly to the surface during grooming.

Claims

1. A direct application brush assembly, comprising:

a. a molded brush base having an outer perimeter portion, perimeter shelf portion and a mid portion with a plurality of apertures integrate therein for delivery of a fluid;

b. at least one base plate having grooming implementations integrated therein being received on said perimeter shelf portion of said molded brush base;

c. an ergonomical handle having a palm conforming top and symmetric finger indentation around front and side walls constructed to form an internal cavity and being attached to said outer perimeter portion of said brush base, said ergonomical handle being ambidextrous in nature for interchangeable handedness;

d. a center cylinder being located within said internal cavity, of said ergonomical handle and comprising a bladder with a bottom surface having a primary opening, a top surface, and a side wall having an orifice;

e. said primary opening of said center cylinder being adapted to align with said mid portion of said brush base;

f. said orifice of said side wall of said center cylinder being adapted to receive a hose for fluid delivery;

g. a flow regulator;

h. said hose having a first end fitted with said flow regulator and a second end fitted to said orifice of said side wall of said center cylinder so that said hose delivers said fluid from said flow regulator into said bladder of said center cylinder;

whereby said flow regulator controls delivery of said fluid into said hose and visa vie said bladder of said center cylinder attached to said brush base, releasing said fluid through said apertures in said mid portion of said brush base.

2. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said primary opening of said center cylinder aligns with said mid portion of said brush base in a substantially sealed condition.

3. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said mid portion of said brush base having said plurality of apertures integrated therein is constructed of a flexible deformable membrane.

4. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said mid portion of said molded brush base includes parallel interior walls adapted to receive a rim of said primary opening of said bottom surface of said center cylinder for substantially sealing said center cylinder to said brush base for said fluid delivery through said plurality of apertures integrated within said mid portion of said brush base.

5. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein a plurality of different base plates are provided wherein having various said grooming implementations integrated therein.

6. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said grooming implementation of said base plate is a sponge to form a sponge base plate.

7. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said grooming implementation of said base plate is a plurality of teeth to from a massaging plate appointed for scrubbing and massaging said animal.

8. A brush assembly as recited by claim 7, wherein said each of said teeth has a circular cross section with a central channel with an aperture along a length of said bristle appointed for further delivery of said fluid through each of said teeth.

9. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said ergonomical handle includes non-slip means.

10. A brush assembly as recited by claim 9, wherein said palm conforming top of said ergonomical handle includes texture to mitigate slippage during use.

11. A brush assembly as recited by claim 9, wherein said finger indentation sides of said ergonomical handle include texture to mitigate slippage during use.

12. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said brush assembly is composed of a polymeric material to provide a durable lightweight brush assembly.

13. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said ergonomical handle includes a padded cushion material integrated therein for comfort.

14. A brush assembly as recited by claim 13, wherein said palm conforming top of said ergonomical handle includes a padded material integrated therein.

15. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said fluid is water.

16. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1 comprising a mixing chamber housing a compound appointed to be mixed with water delivered from said flow regulator to form a liquid solution that is appointed to be fed through said hose into said bladder of said center cylinder and fed through said apertures of said mid portion of said brush base for dissemination of said liquid solution.

17. A brush assembly as recited by claim 16, wherein said liquid solution includes active ingredients comprising grooming and cleaning products for a coat of an animal.

18. A brush assembly as recited by claim 16, wherein said liquid solution includes active ingredients comprising animal health care products.

19. A brush assembly as recited by claim 16, wherein said liquid solution includes perfume, fragrance and/or other active composition comprising insect repellant, flea repellants and treatments, tic repellant, mane and tail hair conditioning compositions, dye compositions, moisturizing ingredients, or antibacterial compounds.

20. A brush assembly as recited by claim 16, wherein said liquid solution consists of active ingredients selected from a group consisting of insect repellants, flea and/or tic compounds, muscle treatments, therapeutic or moisturizing compounds, or antibacterial compounds.

21. A brush assembly as recited by claim 16, wherein said liquid solution consists of active ingredients selected from a group consisting of perfumes, fragrance, hair-conditioning and detangle products, sun protection lotions, mane and tail whiteners and stain removers, dye compositions, fragrances or other hair/fur/coat-care related products.

22. A brush assembly as recited by claim 16, wherein said compound housed in said mixing chamber is a semi-solid compound soluble in an aqueous environment to form said liquid solution appointed for delivery through said hose and into said bladder of said center cylinder.

23. A brush assembly as recited by claim 22, wherein said semi-solid compound is a shampoo.

24. A brush assembly as recited by claim 16, wherein said mixing chamber is disposable and replacement mixing chambers are available.

25. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein a porous sponge or soluble disk is provided to be inserted within said bladder of said center cylinder, wherein said porous sponge or soluble disk is water soluble and contains active ingredients and dissolves as fluid enters said bladder by way of said hose and said flow regulator.

26. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said base plate is disposable.

27. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said ergonomical handle has a diameter of 4 inches, length of 5 inches and height of 2 inches.

28. A method for making a direct delivery brush assembly that releases a fluid, comprising the steps of:

a. forming a brush base having an outer perimeter portion, perimeter shelf portion and a mid portion with a plurality of apertures integrate therein for delivery of a fluid;

b. forming at least one base plate having grooming implementations integrated therein being received on said perimeter shelf portion of said molded brush base;

c. forming a center cylinder comprising a bladder with a bottom surface having a primary opening, a top surface, and a side wall having an orifice;

d. aligning said primary opening of said center cylinder with said mid portion of said brush base and attaching it thereto;

e. forming an ergonomical handle having a palm conforming top and finger indentation sides constructed to form an internal cavity, said ergonomical handle being ambidextrous in nature for interchangeable handedness;

f. attaching said ergonomical handle to said outer perimeter portion of said brush base so that said center cylinder is located within said internal cavity;

g. connecting a second end of a hose to said orifice of said side wall of said center cylinder;

h. connecting a first end of said hose to a flow regulator for delivery of said fluid into said bladder of said center cylinder;

whereby said flow regulator controls delivery of said fluid into said hose and visa vie said bladder of said center cylinder attached to said brush base, releasing said fluid through said apertures in said mid portion of said brush base.