GB2474656A

GB2474656A - A brushing device

Info

Publication number: GB2474656A
Application number: GB0918400A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Linda Bates
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-21
Filing date: 2009-10-21
Publication date: 2011-04-27
Also published as: GB0918400D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a hair brushing device 8 which is suitable for removing nits or eggs, and hair gel or hairspray. The hair brushing device 8 comprises a brush 10 having a coarsely spaced first spaced tooth arrangement 20 for brushing hair or fur, and a nit comb 12 having a finely spaced second tooth arrangement 28 for removing nits or eggs, and hair gel or hairspray. The finely spaced second tooth arrangement 28 of the nit comb 12 is positioned behind the first tooth arrangement 20 so as to pass through hair in the same brush stroke as the first tooth arrangement 20 after the first tooth arrangement has passed through hair. The nit comb 12 is removable from the brush 10.

Description

I

A BRUSHING DEVICE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a brushing device, and in particular to a brushing device for hair or fur.

Background

Head lice are tiny insects that live in human hair. They are very small, about the size of a sesame seed, and are brown or grey or therebetween in colour. Female head lice lay eggs in sacs which are glued to individual hairs, A head louse then hatches later. Head lice cannot fly. They crawl or jump from hair on one head to hair on another head when people come into contact with one another. Since children tend to come into close proximity with each other frequently, head lice are common in children's hair.

Many schools do not provide official "hair checks" of children. Schools sometimes send a letter asking parents to check their children's hair. Parents tend to brush a Child's hair with a nit comb andlor apply a chemical treatment. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a known nit comb. Some parents do not use the comb at the required frequency. Head lice are becoming immune to the chemical treatments so they are becoming less effective at treating head lice. Hence, there is a growing problem of head lice infestations in schools.

An aim of the invention is to provide an improved hair brushing device.

Summary

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a brushing device for removing nits or eggs, or hair products, the brushing device comprising a first spaced tooth arrangement for brushing hair or fur, and a second spaced tooth arrangement for removing nits or eggs, or hair products.

The second tooth arrangement is preferably positioned to pass through hair or fur in the same brush stroke as the first tooth arrangement, after the first tooth arrangement has passed through hair or fur.

The brushing device may be as set out in Claim 1.

In this way, hair or fur maintenance is easier to perform, and less painful, as set out in detail hereunder.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a comb for removing nits or eggs, or hair products, having a plurality of teeth and being mountable to a brushing device comprising a spaced tooth arrangement for brushing hair or fur, the spaces between teeth of the comb being less than the spaces between teeth of the tooth arrangement, wherein when mounted to the brushing device the teeth of the comb are positioned to pass through hair or fur in the same brush stroke as the tooth arrangement and after the tooth arrangement has passed through hair or fur.

Further optional features of the brushing device are set out in the dependent claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments shown by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a hair brushing device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention from above and one side; Figure 3 is a plan view of the hair brushing device according to an embodiment of the invention, showing teeth positions; Figure 4 is another perspective view of the hair brushing device according to an embodiment of the invention, from below and one side; Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the hair brushing device according to an embodiment of the invention, showing a connection means from one end of the hair brushing device; Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of the hair brushing device according to an embodiment of the invention, showing the connection means from the opposite end of the hair brushing device; Figure 7 is a schematic view from the rear of the hair brushing device according to an embodiment of the invention showing how the nit comb connects to the brush, teeth of the brush are omitted for clarity; Figure 8 is a schematic side view of the hair brushing device according to an embodiment of the invention showing the nit comb in the locked position on the brush, teeth of the brush are omitted for clarity; Figure 9 is a schematic side view of the hair brushing device, showing the nit comb of Figure 6 being connected to the brush; Figure 10 is a schematic side view of the hair brushing device of Figure 8, showing the nit comb in the locked position on the brush; Figure 11 is a schematic plan view of the hair brushing device according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 12 is a schematic side view of the hair brushing device according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 13 is a plan view of the hair brushing device according to an embodiment of the invention, showing brush teeth and nit comb teeth positions; Figure 14 is a plan view of a further hair brushing device showing alternative attachment means according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 15 is a schematic view of a glove in combination with a hair brushing device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 16 is a schematic view of a strap to be worn around the handlwrist in combination with a hair brushing device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figure 2, a hair brushing device 8 comprises a brush part 10 and a removable nit comb 12. The term "nit comb" means a row of teeth suitably dimensioned and spaced to remove head lice, and eggs. Because of its dimensions, a nit comb can also remove hair products such as hair gel or hairspray.

Still referring to Figure 2, the brush part 10 comprises a brush support 14 and a handle 16, both aligned along a longitudinal axis A. The brush support 14 is in planar form and has a first substantially flat surface 18, parallel to its plane, from which teeth 20 project transversely, for example perpendicularly or close to perpendicularly. The teeth 20 can be made of rigid or semi rigid plastics or metal or another suitable material.

Referring to Figure 3, the teeth 20 of the brush support 14 are arranged in a plurality of rows, in particular eight rows ri, r2, r3, r4, r5, r6, r7, and r8, which are approximately parallel with each other, and the longitudinal axis A of the brush part 10.

Still referring to Figure 3, teeth 28 of the nit comb 12 are arranged in a row r9, and the manner of arranging the nit comb 12 on the brush support 14 will be described hereunder. The teeth 28 of the nit comb 12 also extend approximately perpendicularly from the planar first surface 18.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, it can be seen that row ri is an outer row, i.e. first to come into contact with hair during brushing. Every second tooth in row ri is missing, so teeth in row ri are arranged at about double the spacing of teeth 20 in inner row r2. The spacing between teeth in the middle part of rows r2, r3, and r4 is about the same, or marginally decreasing from row r2 to row r3, and from row r3 to inner row r4. This arrangement can be seen best in the plan view of Figure 3. Generally, each row ri, r2, r3, r4, r5, r6, r7, and r8 has teeth equally spaced along it.

In one embodiment, adjacent teeth in row r2 towards the ends of row r2 have smaller spaces between them, resulting in a higher concentration of teeth per unit length at the end of row r2. Adjacent teeth in row r3 towards the ends of row r3 also have smaller spaces between them, resulting in a higher concentration of teeth per unit length at the end of row r3. Furthermore, adjacent teeth in row r4 towards the ends of row r4 have smaller spaces between them, resulting in a higher concentration of teeth per unit length at the end of row r4. The space between teeth at the end of row r4 is smaller than the space between teeth at the end of row r3, which is in turn smaller than the space between teeth at the end of row r2, which is in turn smaller than half of the space between teeth at the end of row ri. In other words, at least one tooth in row r4 lies partly in the space defined by adjacent teeth of outer row r3, at least one tooth in row r3 lies partly in the space defined by adjacent teeth of outer row r2, and at least one tooth in row r2 lies partly in the space defined by adjacent teeth of outer row ri.

In another embodiment adjacent teeth in rows ri, r2, r3, r4 are arranged in a generally straight line transverse to the axis of the nit comb 12, represented by lines bi and b2.

Because teeth along row ri are in a corresponding longitudinal position at every second teeth in row r2, teeth along row r2 are in a corresponding longitudinal position at every tooth in row r3, and teeth along row r3 are in a corresponding longitudinal position at every tooth in row r4, and any offset in teeth positions is as described above, the teeth 28 of the nit comb 12 are visible through the rows rl, r2, r3 and r4.

Still referring to Figure 3, teeth 20 can be arranged in the brush part 10 on both sides of the nit comb 12, for example approximately symmetrically. Hence the relationship between rows r5, r6, r7, r8 of teeth 20 and the nit comb 12 is derivable from the relationship between rows ri, r2, r3, r4 and the nit comb 12.

Generally, teeth 20 are most widely spaced at each side of brush support 14, and least widely spaced in the centre of the brush support 14, at the nit comb 12.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, where teeth 20 are omitted for clarity, the brush support 14 has a connector 22 for permitting reversible connection of the nit comb 12. In the example shown the connector 22 is arranged centrally after some of the teeth 20.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, it will be appreciated that the position of the connector 22 is between rows r4 and r5. The connector 22 comprises a U-shaped elongate channel 23, which has a first rail 24 extending inwardly from a first wall of the channel 23, and a second rail 26, opposite the first rail, extending inwardly from a second wall of the channel.

Referring to Figure 6, and the exploded inset view, the teeth 28 may have a triangular cross section, for example an isosceles triangle cross section, when viewing the teeth 28 of the nit comb 12 from the end of the teeth and in the direction of arrow C. The short-sided base of the isosceles triangle is arranged at the rearmost end of the brush, i.e. furthest from the scalp in use. The vertex opposite the short-sided base of the isosceles triangle is arranged at the foremost end of the brush, i.e. nearest the scalp in use. Hence, the foremost side of the teeth 28, which is first to come into contact with the scalp in use, is more open than the rear side, which enables the teeth to funnel, and trap eggs and lice in the teeth 28.

Although not shown in the drawings, all teeth 28 can be shorter, i.e. closer to the brush support, or longer, i.e. further from the brush support. In one embodiment the teeth 28 are the same length as the teeth 20 so that the tips of the teeth 28 and 20 are at the same distance from the brush support 14.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the nit comb 12 has a connector 30 for permitting removable connection to the brush support 14. The connector 30 comprises an elongate beam 31 having an I-shaped cross section. The two side cavities in the beam are designed to receive the rails 24, 26.

Referring to Figures 5 to 12, nit comb 12 is installed in the brush support 14 by manually pushing the connector 30 into connector 22, in a way that the rails 24 and 26 protrude into cavities of the I cross section of the elongate beam 31. Other cooperating shapes such as a C section elongate channel 23 and an upside down T section beam 31 are envisaged.

Referring to Figures 5, and 7 to 12, the nit comb 12 has integral snap fit means 32.

Referring to Figure 7, the brush support 14 has corresponding snap fit means 34. As the nit comb 12 moves fully into the brush support 14, the snap fit means 32, 34 lock the nit comb 12 in the brush support 14. When fully in position longitudinally, the row r9 of teeth 28 of the nit comb 12 are arranged as shown in Figures 3, 10, 11 and 12.

When assembled, the tips of the brush support teeth 20 and the nit comb teeth 28 lie at approximately the same height, so that they can come into contact equally with the scalp of a user.

The nit comb teeth 28 can be reversible through 180 degrees, and installed on the hair brushing device 8 to suit left handed or right handed brushing. In this situation, the snap fit means 32 can be separate from the nit comb 12 and act as a stopper to keep the nit comb in place. With this arrangement the connector 30 permits the nit comb 12 to be reversibly connectable to the elongate beam 31 by 180°.

In another embodiment of the invention, which is not shown, the hair brushing device 8 can comprise two nit combs 12 or the like. The teeth 28 of the nit combs 12 can be arranged to face in opposing directions, to suit left-handed or right-handed brushing.

The teeth 28 of the nit comb 12 should be white or black, to provide the maximum contrast with nits/eggs. The teeth 20 of the brush support 14 can be transparent, or an unobtrusive colour and/or colour which minimises conflict with teeth 28 of the nit comb 12, so as to assist in identification of nits and eggs on the teeth 28 of the nit comb 12 when looking through the teeth 20 of the brush support 14.

If the nit comb 12 is the same colour as the teeth of the brush 10, the comb can be discreet. This feature is advantageous, because of the desire to keep the problem of nits private. Also, children are aware of pain caused by a conventional nit comb and are reluctant to use one. If the comb is discreet, children may be minded to use it, thinking they are using their usual hairbrush.

The snap fit means 32, 34 can be manually released to allow separation of the nit comb 12 and brush support 14. This is achieved by manually pulling the hollow bulbous part (shown clearly in Figures 7 and 9) of the snap fit means 32 away from the lower surface of the brush support 14, which pulls an abutment wall depending from the bulbous part of the snap fit means 32 over the top of a corresponding shoulder on the snap fit means 34. This detachability makes it easier to clean and check for pests and also to be able to install a replacement nit comb 12 when required.

Due to the arrangement of the connectors 22, 30, the snap fit means 32, 34 can be released, and the nit comb 12 can be partly withdrawn from the brush support 14 to allow inspection of the teeth 28 of the nit comb for pests and for cleaning, yet the nit comb and brush support can remain attached until pulled firmly apart.

In another embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 13, instead of having nit comb 12 between the rows of teeth 20, the nit comb is arranged after all the teeth 20. The teeth spacing reduces, or stays the same, across each row of the brush support 40 from the side furthest from the nit comb to the nit comb itself. On the upper side in Figure 13, the teeth are widely spaced, whereas on the lower side the teeth are less widely spaced. This arrangement may be suitable for brushing in only one direction, but it allows the number of teeth, and hence materials usage, to be reduced.

Referring to Figure 14, instead of having connectors 22, 30 between the rows of teeth 20, the connectors 42, 30 can be arranged at one side of the teeth 50. The connectors 42, 30 can also be arranged entirely on the first surface 18 of the brush support 14 andlor on the end of the brush support 14, which can make it easier to operate snap fit means like 32, 34 above. This connector system is appropriate for the tooth arrangement of Figure 13.

Referring to Figure 15, in another embodiment of the invention, a brush support 14 is arranged in combination with a glove 60. The brush support 14 is arranged on the palm of the glove 60, for a left-handed user. The rows of teeth 20, 28 run along the length of the hand (i.e. parallel to the fingers so to speak).

Referring to Figure 16, in another embodiment of the invention, a brush support 14 is arranged in combination with a strap fastening arrangement 70. The brush is arranged on the palm of the hand (the strap goes round the back of the hand). The strap is fastened by known means such as hook and loop fasteners. The rows of teeth 20, 28 run along the length of the hand (i.e. parallel to the fingers so to speak).

In use, a user strokes the hair brushing device 8 through the hair or fur so that the outer row(s) ri, r2, r3, r4 firstly remove any tangles from the hair or fur with the wider spaced teeth 20, at the same time (in the same stroke) allowing the tightly packed row of teeth 28 to flow through the hair or fur smoothly, removing any pest such as lice and eggs (also known as nits) or build up of products left on the hair like gel, hairspray etc. as it goes through the hair. The hair brushing device 8 removes flits, eggs, hairspray, hair gel, and similar products. This minimises discomfort and makes it easier and quicker to check hair or fur. In this specification the words hair and fur are used synonymously.

This hair brushing device 8 allows people of all ages, children as well as their parents, to be able to check their hair quickly and frequently without discomfort. This would be beneficial for all ages as they could use it themselves on a regular basis and not have to rely on others to check it for them and especially to pregnant women or young children, and people with ailments such as asthma because they may not be able to use chemical treatments. It is intended that the hair brushing device 8 can be used in a daily basis, and in place of a normal hair brush for brushing hair. In this way, hair tangling and nits or the build up of hair products may be reduced. It would also help animals as they lick their fur to clean it and they tend to digest the hazardous chemicals used on their fur.

The hair brushing device 8 can be used on short, fine, or soft hair such as fur of animals.

Whereas the hair brushing device 8 has been described for use to remove nits or lice it is will be appreciated that it may be used to remove other pests such as fleas.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A brushing device for removing nits or eggs, or hair products, the brushing device comprising a first spaced tooth arrangement for brushing hair or fur, and a second spaced tooth arrangement for removing nits or eggs, or hair products, the spaces between teeth of the second tooth arrangement being less than the spaces between teeth of the first tooth arrangement, the second tooth arrangement being positioned to pass through hair or fur in the same brush stroke as the first tooth arrangement and after the first tooth arrangement has passed through hair or fur.
2. A brushing device according to Claim 1, wherein the second tooth arrangement is removable from the brushing device.
3. A brushing device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the first tooth arrangement comprises a plurality of rows of teeth.
4. A brushing device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein second tooth arrangement comprises a row of teeth.
5. A brushing device according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein a first row of teeth of the plurality of rows of teeth of the first tooth arrangement comprises a different tooth spacing to a second row of teeth of the plurality of rows of teeth of the first tooth arrangement.
6. A brushing device according to Claim 5, wherein the first row is positioned to be foremost during a brushing action and has a wider spacing between the teeth than the second row.
7. A brushing device according to Claim 6, wherein at least one row between the outer row and the rows remote from the outer row has a teeth spacing less than the outer row but wider than the row most remote from the outer row.
8. A brushing device according to Claim 7, wherein teeth spacing decreases or stays the same in rows between the outer row, through each successive row, to the inner row, of the first spaced tooth arrangement.
9. A brushing device according to Claim 8, wherein teeth of an inner row are arranged slightly in the space defined by teeth of an outer row.
10. A brushing device according to Claim 9, wherein teeth of the second tooth arrangement are partly visible through the first tooth arrangement.
11. A brushing device according to Claim 10, wherein adjacent teeth of each row of first tooth arrangement are arranged in a straight line.
12. A brushing device according to any preceding claim, comprising a third spaced tooth arrangement for brushing hair or fur on an opposite side of the second spaced tooth arrangement to the first spaced tooth arrangement.
13. A brushing device according to Claim 12, wherein the first and third spaced tooth arrangements are approximately symmetrical about the second spaced tooth arrangement.
14. A brushing device according to Claim 12 or 13, wherein the second tooth arrangement is reversible through substantially 180 degrees, to suit left handed or right handed brushing.
15. A brushing device according to any preceding claim, wherein the teeth of the second spaced tooth arrangement are black or white in colour.
16. A brushing device according to Claim 15, wherein teeth of the first andlor third spaced tooth arrangement are a different colour to teeth of the second spaced tooth arrangement.
17. A brushing device according to Claim 16, wherein the teeth of the first and/or third spaced tooth arrangement are clear.
18. A brushing device according to any preceding claim, wherein the second spaced tooth arrangement is held in position by a snap fit.
19. A brushing device according to any preceding claim, wherein teeth of the second spaced tooth arrangement are movable into a position where they are is at least partly, or preferably completely out of alignment with teeth of the first spaced tooth arrangement, yet still attached to brushing device, so that the teeth of the second spaced tooth arrangement can be inspected for nits or the like, and removed by a free hand of the user.
20. A brushing device substantially as described herein with reference to the Figures 2-12, or 13 and 14, or 15, or 16 of the accompanying drawings.
21. A comb for removing nits or eggs, or hair products, having a plurality of teeth and being mountable to a brushing device comprising a spaced tooth arrangement for brushing hair or fur, the spaces between teeth of the comb being less than the spaces between teeth of the tooth arrangement, wherein when mounted to the brushing device the teeth of the comb are positioned to pass through hair or fur in the same brush stroke as the tooth arrangement and after the tooth arrangement has passed through hair or fur.
22. A comb according to Claim 21, wherein the plurality of teeth of the comb comprise a row of teeth.
23. A comb according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the comb is reversibly mountable to the brushing device through substantially 180 degrees, to suit left handed or right handed brushing.
24. A comb according to claim 21, 22 or 23, wherein the plurality of teeth of the comb are black or white in colour.
25. A comb according to any of claims 21 -24, further provided with a snap fit arrangement for holding the comb in position to the brushing device.
26. A comb according to any of claims 21 -25, adapted to be movable into a position relative to the brushing device where at least a part of the comb, or preferably the complete comb, is out of alignment with teeth of the spaced tooth arrangement, yet still attached to brushing device, so that the teeth of the comb can be inspected for nits or the like, and removed by a free hand of the user.
27. A comb substantially as described herein with reference to the Figures 2, 4 -12, or 14, or 15, or 16 of the accompanying drawings.