Add-on hairbrush for pets, people and livestock that releases active ingredients

• US 7,814,917 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2007
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: I Did It Incorporated
• Original Assignee: I Did It Incorporated
• Inventors: Hurwitz, Marni Markell
• Primary Examiner(s): DOAN, ROBYN KIEU
• Application Number:
  US11/788,666
• Publication Number:
  US 20070193597A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,278 Days
• Field of Search: 132112-116, 132/120, 401/184, 401/183, 401/187, 119/118
• US Class Current: 132/116
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 13/002 Curry-combs; Brushes shearing sheep B26B19/24
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 24/26 with flexible walls of the liquid, paste, or powder storing device
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 11/0006 specially adapted to feed the bristle upper surface
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 11/002 pressurised at moment of use manually or by powered means
• 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 2200/104 Hair brush bristles arrangements for hair brushes A46B9/023
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1093 Brush for use on animal A46B2200/1086 takes precedence

Abstract

An add-on hairbrush for people, pets and livestock comprises a brush base with an internal cavity that includes a connection means. A vessel that houses a composition, liquid or powder, containing active ingredients is attached to the brush base. The composition containing active ingredients is transferred to the internal cavity of the brush base for release directly onto the hair during brushing. Delivery of the liquid/powder is activated during brushing through automatic deformation of a flexible deformable membrane or through manual depression of a deformable brush cover. The flexible deformable membrane includes bristle elements and delivery apertures or spray elements that carry and align with central spray apertures of spray elements for delivery of the composition containing active ingredients onto the hair. The vessel can act as a handle, and is a separate tube or container, that is preferably squeezable for transfer of the composition to the brush base.

Claims

1. A hairbrush for humans, pets and livestock, comprising:

a. a brush base with an end having a connection means integrated with a base aperture and a pathway leading into an internal cavity within said brush base, said internal cavity having a bottom surface with a first opening, and a top surface having a second opening, said second opening being appointed with a cover;

b. a flexible deformable membrane having bristle elements fixedly attached thereto;

c. said first opening being adapted to receive said flexible deformable membrane;

d. at least one spray element being integrated within said flexible deformable membrane, wherein said flexible deformable membrane includes at least one delivery aperture aligned with a central spray aperture of said spray element;

e. a vessel housing a liquid containing active ingredients;

f. said connection means of said end of said brush base being adapted to receive said vessel; and

g. said vessel having an opening with a mating portion appointed for engagement with said connection means of said end of said brush base for attachment of said vessel to said brush base;

whereby brushing hair with said hairbrush deforms said flexible deformable membrane and squeezes said internal cavity, releasing said liquid through said delivery aperture in said flexible deformable membrane and into said central spray apertures of said spray element for delivery into said hair; and

whereby pressing said cover squeezes said internal, releasing said liquid through said delivery aperture in said flexible deformable membrane and into said central spray apertures of said spray element for delivery into said hair even when said bristles of said brush are not in contact with hair.

2. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein each of said first and second openings is elliptical, said flexible deformable membrane is elliptical, and said cover is elliptical.

3. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein each of said first and second openings is circular, said flexible deformable membrane is circular, and said cover is circular.

4. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein each of said first and second openings is rectangular, said flexible deformable membrane is rectangular, and said cover is rectangular.

5. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein each of said first and second openings is square-shaped, said flexible deformable membrane is square-shaped, and said cover is square-shaped.

6. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein said flexible deformable membrane is composed of rubber having a thickness in the range of 1/32 inch to 3/32 inch.

7. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein said flexible deformable membrane delivery aperture has a diameter in the range of 0.010 inch to 0.060 inch.

8. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein each of said central spray aperture of said spray element has a circular cross section having a diameter ranging from 0.01 to 0.060 inch.

9. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein said spray element comprises an elongated hollow conical shaft, a head portion, and at least one spray orifice, wherein said central spray aperture is located within said elongated hollow conical shaft.

10. A hairbrush as recited by claim 9, wherein said head portion further comprises a head top, head bottom, and at least one side wall, and said at least one spray orifice is located within said side wall to provide lateral delivery of said liquid.

11. A hairbrush as recited by claim 9, wherein said head portion comprises a plurality of spray orifices.

12. A hairbrush as recited by claim 9, wherein said bristle elements include central bristle apertures that align with bristle apertures located in said flexible deformable membrane for delivery of said liquid supplemental to said elongated hollow conical shaft spray element.

13. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1 having a plurality of spray elements.

14. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1 having three spray elements.

15. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein said liquid consists of active ingredients selected from a group consisting of insect repellants, flea and/or tic compounds, therapeutic or moisturizing compounds, or antibacterial compounds.

16. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein said liquid consists of active ingredients selected from a group consisting of perfumes, fragrance, hair-conditioning and detangle products, shampoos, medicaments, hair sprays, gels, mousse products, sun protection lotions, dye compositions, fragrances or other hair/fur/coat-care related products.

17. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein said connection means of said brush base comprises base threads and said mating portion of said vessel comprises vessel threads, wherein said base threads and said vessel threads screw together to removably attach said vessel to said brush base.

18. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein said connection means of said brush base comprises a female connector member and said mating portion of said vessel comprises a male connector member, wherein said female connector member receives said male connector member in a snap configuration to removably attach said vessel to said brush base.

19. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein said vessel for housing said liquid containing active ingredients is constructed as a tube, bottle, or otherwise elongated structure, and is removable from said brush base, and wherein said vessel is provided with a vessel cap to be utilized when said vessel is not attached to said brush base.

20. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein said vessel for housing said liquid containing active ingredients is constructed as a removable handle portion, said handle portion appointed to receive a handle cap when said handle portion is removed from said brush base.

21. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein said vessel housing said liquid containing active ingredients is disposable.

22. A hairbrush as recited by claim 20, wherein replacement vessels housing said liquid containing active ingredients are provided to replace said disposed vessels.

23. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein said vessel housing said liquid containing active ingredients is squeezable so that said liquid is transferred from said vessel to said internal cavity when said vessel is squeezed.

24. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein said vessel for housing said liquid containing active ingredients is constructed as an attached vessel handle, said attached vessel handle portion further comprising an opening having a lid, said opening being appointed to refill said attached vessel handle when refill of said liquid is desired.

25. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein said vessel for housing said liquid containing active ingredients is constructed as a container having a hose, said mating portion of said vessel being attached to said hose so that said hose can be removably attached to said connection means of said brush base.

26. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein said cover further comprises a control button that acts in conjunction with a flow valve to allow said liquid from said vessel to enter said pathway of said internal cavity and become transferred and housed within said internal cavity of said brush.

27. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein said cover further comprises a pump lever operating in conjunction with a thin tube that connects directly to a spray nozzle connected to said spray element so that said liquid flows through said tube into said spray nozzle and is delivered by ejection therefrom into said spray element and is sprayed into said hair.

28. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein said spray elements comprise central bristle apertures located within each of said bristle elements, wherein said flexible deformable membrane includes bristle apertures that align with said apertures of said bristle elements for delivery of said liquid through said bristle elements.

29. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein each of said spray element includes a sealable distortable film having an ejection aperture therein, wherein said ejection aperture of said sealable distortable film is opened and releases said liquid into said spray element when air pressure is introduced into said internal cavity, and wherein said ejection aperture of said sealable distortable film is closed and prevents liquid from entering said spray element when air pressure is not introduced into said internal cavity.

30. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1, wherein said liquid containing active ingredients is supplied through a hose, said connection means of said brush base having a mating portion appointed to be attached to said hose so that said hose can be removably attached to said connection means of said brush base and supply of fluid through said hose to said brush base is continuous.

31. A hairbrush as recited by claim 1 comprising a knob connected by a lanyard to a cap adapted to fit over said spray element.

32. A hairbrush for humans, pets and livestock, comprising:

a. a brush base with an end having a connection means integrated with a base aperture and a pathway leading into an internal cavity within said brush base, said internal cavity having a bottom surface with a first opening, and a top surface having a second opening, said second opening being appointed with a cover;

b. an interchangeable flexible deformable membrane having bristle elements fixedly attached thereto and at least one spray element having a central spray aperture being integrated within said flexible deformable membrane;

c. said first opening being adapted to receive said interchangeable flexible deformable membrane;

d. a vessel housing a composition containing active ingredients; and

e. said connection means of said end of said brush base being adapted to receive said vessel; and

f. said vessel having an opening with a mating portion appointed for engagement with said connection means for attachment of said vessel to said brush base and transference of said composition containing active ingredients to said internal cavity of said brush base;

whereby brushing hair with said hairbrush deforms said flexible deformable membrane and squeezes said internal cavity, releasing said composition containing active ingredients through said spray element in said interchangeable flexible deformable membrane into said central spray aperture for delivery into said hair; and

whereby pressing said cover squeezes said internal cavity, releasing said composition containing active ingredients through said spray element in said interchangeable flexible deformable membrane into said central spray aperture for delivery into said hair even when said bristles of said brush are not in contact with hair.

33. A hairbrush as recited by claim 32, wherein said spray element of said interchangeable flexible membrane comprises an elongated hollow conical shaft, a head portion, and at least one spray orifice, wherein said central spray aperture is located within said elongated hollow conical shaft.

34. A hairbrush as recited by claim 33, wherein said head portion further comprises a head top, head bottom, and at least one side wall, and said at least one spray orifice is located within said side wall to provide lateral delivery of said liquid.

35. A hairbrush as recited by claim 33, wherein said head portion comprises a plurality of spray orifices.

36. A hairbrush as recited by claim 33, wherein said bristle elements include apertures that align with bristle apertures located in said flexible deformable membrane for delivery of said liquid supplemental to said elongated hollow conical shaft spray element.

37. A hairbrush as recited by claim 32 having a plurality of said spray elements.

38. A hairbrush as recited by claim 32, wherein said spray elements of said interchangeable flexible membrane comprises apertures located within each of said bristle elements, wherein said flexible deformable membrane includes bristle apertures that align with said apertures of said bristle elements for delivery of said liquid through said bristle elements.

39. A hairbrush as recited by claim 32, wherein said spray elements of said interchangeable flexible membrane comprises a plurality of apertures located in-between said bristles.

40. A hairbrush as recited by claim 32, wherein said vessel for housing said liquid containing active ingredients is constructed as a tube, bottle, or otherwise elongated structure, and is removable from said brush base, and wherein said vessel is provided with a vessel cap to be utilized when said vessel is not attached to said brush base.

41. A hairbrush as recited by claim 32, wherein said vessel for housing said liquid containing active ingredients is constructed as a removable handle portion, said handle portion appointed to receive a handle cap when said handle portion is removed from said brush base.

42. A hairbrush as recited by claim 32, wherein said vessel housing said liquid containing active ingredients is squeezable so that said liquid is transferred from said vessel to said internal cavity when said vessel is squeezed.

43. A hairbrush as recited by claim 32, wherein said cover further comprises a pump lever operating in conjunction with a thin tube that connects directly to a spray nozzle so that said liquid flows through said tube into said spray nozzle and is delivered by ejection therefrom into said internal cavity.

44. A hairbrush as recited by claim 32 comprising a knob connected by a lanyard to a cap adapted to fit over said spray element.

45. A hairbrush as recited by claim 32, wherein each of said spray element includes a sealable distortable film having an ejection aperture therein, wherein said ejection aperture of said sealable distortable film is opened and releases said liquid into said spray element when air pressure is introduced into said internal cavity, and wherein said ejection aperture of said sealable distortable film is closed and prevents liquid from entering said spray element when air pressure is not introduced into said internal cavity.

46. A method for making a hairbrush for humans and pets that releases a composition containing active ingredients directly to hair or fur, comprising the steps of:

a. forming a brush base having an end appointed with a connection means integrated with a base aperture and a pathway leading into an internal cavity within said brush base, said internal cavity having a bottom surface with a first opening and top surface having a second opening;

b. producing a flexible deformable membrane having bristle apertures with bristles rigidly attached thereto;

c. forming at least one head aperture within said flexible deformable membrane;

d. inserting at least one spray element in said delivery aperture of said flexible deformable membrane, said spray element having a central spray aperture being aligned with said delivery aperture of said flexible deformable membrane;

e. inserting said flexible deformable membrane into said first opening in said internal cavity;

f. forming a vessel having an opening with a mating portion appointed for attachment to said connection means of said end of said brush base;

g. filling said vessel with said composition containing active ingredients;

h. attaching a cover into said second opening in said internal cavity, said cover having a control mechanism that acts in conjunction with a flow valve to allow said composition from said vessel to enter said pathway of said internal cavity and become transferred and housed within said internal cavity of said brush for delivery during brushing;

whereby said flexible deformable membrane and cover create a leak-tight seal for said internal cavity in said brush base, and brushing hair or manually depressing said cover releases said liquid containing active ingredients to hair through said spray element.