Direct application brush having flow regulator assembly

• US 8,418,654 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2011
• Issued: 04/16/2013
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, MONICA L
• Application Number:
  US12/931,827
• Publication Number:
  US 20110206445A1
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 119/603, 119/604, 119/651, 119/652, 119/664, 132/112
• US Class Current: 119/603
• 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 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 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

A brush assembly simultaneously separately controllably releases a fluid and liquid solution directly onto a surface, such as a coat of an animal during grooming, or onto an inanimate surface such as an exterior surface of a land vehicle. The brush assembly includes a molded brush having a plurality of apertures for fluid delivery, preferably water, as well as a secondary aperture for delivery of a liquid solution, such as soap, shampoo, or other treatments. At least one base plate with grooming implementations, such as bristles or a sponge may be 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 the ergonomical handle and includes a bladder which aligns with the mid portion of the brush base for fluid delivery from a flow regulator. A secondary cylinder is located within the internal cavity of the ergonomical handle and includes a secondary bladder which aligns with the secondary aperture of the brush base for liquid solution delivery in response to pressing a release button. A closure member is provided that can be moved to an open or closed configuration to release or prevent, respectively, dispensing of the liquid solution. The fluid and liquid solution are separately but contemporaneously 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 integrated therein for delivery of a fluid, wherein said perimeter shelf portion includes at least one secondary aperture;

b. at least one base plate having grooming implementations integrated therein being appointed to be received on 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 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, a top surface, and a side wall having an orifice;

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

f. a secondary chamber being located within said internal cavity of said ergonomical handle appointed for receiving and holding a liquid solution and comprising a secondary bladder with a lower surface having a lower orifice aligned with said secondary aperture of said perimeter shelf portion, side walls, and a top surface having a release button for release of said liquid solution;

g. a closure member associated with said lower orifice of said second bladder and/or said secondary aperture of said perimeter shelf portion for preventing release of said liquid solution;

h. a flow regulator;

i. 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; and

whereby said release button controls delivery of said liquid solution, releasing said liquid solution through said secondary aperture of said perimeter shelf portion of said brush base.

2. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein a 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, and said base plates have various grooming implementations integrated therein.

6. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said grooming implementation of said base plate is a sponge that forms 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 that form a massaging plate appointed for scrubbing and massaging said animal.

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

17. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, 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 1, wherein said liquid solution includes active ingredients comprising animal health care products.

19. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, 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 1, 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 1, 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 1, wherein said secondary cylinder is disposable and replacement secondary cylinders are available.

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

24. 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.

25. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said base plate includes a plurality of base plate apertures aligning with said plurality of apertures of said brush base and at least one secondary plate aperture aligning with said secondary aperture of said brush base.

26. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said base plate includes a major opening encompassing said plurality of apertures of said brush base and at least one secondary plate aperture aligning with said secondary aperture of said brush base.

27. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said release button of said secondary bladder is a pneumatic release button, wherein said release button is composed of a flexible deformable membrane and pressing said release button causes pressure within said secondary bladder and release of said liquid solution through said lower orifice.

28. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said closure member is a rotating slide closure member.

29. A brush assembly as recited by claim 28, wherein said closure member is shaped having an arced portion and stem having a stem aperture, wherein said arced portion traverses said brush base in a sliding semi-rotating fashion, moving said stem portion to and fro in relation to said lower orifice of the secondary cylinder.

30. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1 comprising a tab in communication with said closure member for moving said closure member into open and closed positions.

31. A brush assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said base plate has a plurality of base plate apertures and at least one of said base secondary apertures is adapted to align with said one of said apertures of said molded brush base.

32. 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 integrated therein for delivery of a fluid;

b. forming at least one base plate having grooming implementations that are integrated therein and are received on said molded brush base;

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

d. forming a secondary cylinder appointed to receive and hold a liquid solution and comprising a secondary bladder with a lower surface having a lower orifice, side walls, and a top surface having a release button in communication with said lower orifice;

e. forming a closure member associated with said lower orifice of said second bladder and/or said secondary aperture of said perimeter shelf portion for preventing release of said liquid solution;

f. aligning said lower orifice of said secondary cylinder with said secondary aperture of said perimeter shelf portion and placing it upon said brush base;

g. 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;

h. attaching said ergonomical handle to said outer perimeter portion of said brush base so that said center cylinder and said secondary cylinder are located within said internal cavity;

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

j. 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 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; and

whereby said release button controls delivery of said liquid solution, releasing said liquid solution through said secondary aperture of said perimeter shelf portion of said brush base.