GB2363709A

GB2363709A - A headlice brush

Info

Publication number: GB2363709A
Application number: GB0114596A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dawn Michelle Evans
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-06-20
Filing date: 2001-06-15
Publication date: 2002-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-15
Also published as: GB0114596D0; GB0014965D0; GB2363709B

Abstract

A brush for removing headlice from hair comprises an arcuate base 10 extending over the hairline from ear to ear with rows (R, Fig 2) of teeth 20 formed on the radially inner side of the base; each row has a plurality of groups of teeth with gaps (G, Fig 2) between adjacent groups; the gaps in each row are overlapped by groups of teeth in the adjacent row. Preferably the base is formed of an elastomeric flexible material that allows the brush to conform to the shape of a persons' head and may be provided with handles (14, Fig 2) adjacent each end. In use the gaps in the rows of teeth enable the base to flex and lice are picked up by one of the overlapping groups of teeth and are more effectively removed.

Description

2363709 Headlice Brush The present invention relates to a brush for use in

removing headlice from the hair.

Headlice is a common problem amongst schoolchildren.

There are generally two types of headlice comb on the market, one being the electric lice comb and the other the conventional metal or plastics lice comb These comb suffer the drawback that they are quite short in width and do not cover enough of the hair, being only about three inches wide: thus, in use of such combs, as one section of hair is combed, the lice scurry away into another section of the hair Most of the lice might be combed out after several attempts, but a few will remain to lay more eggs which, after a while, cause the problem to re- occur.

I have now devised a headlice brush which is very much more effective in removing headlice from a head of hair.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a headlice brush which comprises a base of arcuate form to extend over the hairline from ear-to-ear, the radially- inner side of the base being formed with rows of teeth, each row comprising a plurality of groups of teeth with gaps between adjacent groups, and the gaps in each row being overlapped by groups of teeth in the adjacent row.

In use of the headlice brush, the brush is positioned over the head at the front hairline, in the manner of a hairband and extending from ear-to-ear The brush is then drawn through the hair to the back of the head, making sure that the teeth of the brush remain in contact with the scalp from end-to-end as the brush is drawn from the front hairline to the nape of the neck: if the hair is long, then the brush is continued to be drawn down the length of the hair The procedure is preferably repeated several times.

Alternatively, all of the hair may be brushed forwardly and then the brush drawn forwardly and then the brush drawn forwardly from the nape of the neck to the forehead.

Prior to using the headlice brush, preferably the hair is washed in normal manner, then plenty of conditioner is applied to the hair and the hair is combed to comb out all tangle and knots: the conditioner ensures that the headlice brush will slide easily through the hair.

Preferably the arcuate base of the brush is flexible to confirm to the shape of different peoples' heads The gaps in the rows of teeth enable the base to flex as required.

However, should lice be missed because of the gaps in one row of teeth, they will be picked up by the overlapping groups of teeth in the succeeding row or rows.

It will be appreciated that because the whole head is brushed at once, the headlice have nowhere to run and will be removed by the brush.

In order to draw the brush through the hair, the base of the brush may be gripped adjacent its opposite ends by a pair of hands Preferably the base of the brush is provided with handles adjacent its opposite ends.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of a brush in accordance with the invention; and FIGURE 2 is a view of the inner side of the brush, to show the arrangement of the teeth of the brush.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a headlice brush which comprises a base 10 of arcuate form, generally of half-moon or semi-circular shape, having rows R of teeth 20 projecting radially inwardly from its radially inner surface.

The base 10 is formed of rubber or other elastimeric material and is flexible to enable it to confirm to the shape of different peoples' heads The base 10 is approximately 12 inches long and 1 to i S inches wide The teeth 20 are of plastics or rubber material and relatively firm or rigid The teeth 20 are arranged, in each row, in a number of groups, with gaps G between adjacent groups of the row: the rows are staggered, so that the gaps in each row are bridged by respective groups of teeth in the adjacent row The gaps in the respective rows of teeth enable the brush to be bent to conform to the shape of the head on which it is used: because of the staggered arrangement of the teeth in the different rows, then if any lice are missed because of the gaps in one row, they are picked up by the succeeding row or rows In the example shown, there are four rows of teeth, and the groups of teeth are each about 2 cm long and consist of approximately 20 closely-packed teeth, each about 1 cm long.

It will be noted that the base 10 is formed with handles 14 adjacent its opposite ends, to be gripped by a pair of hands for drawing the brush through the hair.

Claims

1) A headlice brush which comprises a base of arcuate form to extend over the hairline from ear-to-ear, the radially-inner side of the base being formed with rows of teeth, each row comprising a plurality of groups of teeth with gaps between adjacent groups, and the gaps in each row being overlapped by groups of teeth in the adjacent row.

2) A headlice brush as claimed in claim 1, in which said base is flexible to permit the brush to conform to the shape of different peoples' heads.

3) A headlice brush as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which said base is provided with handles adjacent its opposite ends.

4) A headlice brush substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.