GB2549765A

GB2549765A - Hair brush for hair with extensions

Info

Publication number: GB2549765A
Application number: GB1607403.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pulfrey Shaun; Bruce William Treeby Cameron
Original assignee: Tangle Teezer Ltd
Current assignee: Tangle Teezer Ltd
Priority date: 2016-04-28
Filing date: 2016-04-28
Publication date: 2017-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 2036-04-28
Also published as: GB201607403D0; GB2549765B

Abstract

A hair brush suitable for hair with extensions includes an array of bristles 4. Each bristle extends from a base to a free end. The bristles have a relatively wide tapering first portion 5, and a relatively narrow second portion 6. The bristles are arranged in offset rows and centre lines of the rows are spaced apart such that at least part of the first portion of bristles in one row extends between adjacent bristles in an adjacent row and/or, when viewed perpendicular to the rows, the width of the first portion of the bristles in one row is, over part of their length, the same or greater than the space between adjacent bristles in an adjacent row so as to partially occlude the space between bristles in an adjacent row. Adjacent rows are of different lengths, alternating between a row of shorter bristles 4a and a row of longer bristles 4b.

Description

HAIR BRUSH FOR HAIR WITH EXTENSIONS

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hair brush for hair with extensions. Background to the Invention

Hair extensions are used to give the appearance of longer hair, or to add volume, texture or colour. Hair extensions consist of lengths of real or synthetic hair that are affixed to a wearer's hair, usually close to the scalp, by various methods.

Hair extensions can be expensive to buy and professionally install and brushing them with an ordinary brush can pull out the extensions, or even pull out the hair to which the extensions have been attached. Consequently many wearers are understandably nervous about brushing their hair. However, failure to brush the hair can exacerbate the problem of breakage when the hair is eventually brushed, and can lead to the hair appearing messy, or dull.

Certain brushes have been produced which are intended to work better with hair extensions. For example, brushes in which the bristles are looped round, back into the body of the brush are available, as are brushes with relatively few bristles, with balls provided at the end of the bristles. These brushes, as well as ordinary brushes suffer certain disadvantages. In particular, they can pull the hair (and pull out the hair/extensions), they can fail to reach hair below the surface and they frequently fail to leave hair glossy.

Apart from ordinary brushes and brushes intended for use with extensions, there are of course various other brushes available to carry out other specific functions, for example, brushes are available specifically for detangling hair or introducing tension when styling. Those skilled in the art of hair styling would tend to avoid such brushes in hair with extensions, since a tension brush (also known as a blow-drying brush) would be even more likely to pull out hair/extensions, and a detangling brush more likely to undo the fixing between the extensions and the hair, if the bristles even extended far enough into the hair to reach the fixings.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved hairbrush specifically for hair with extensions and to overcome problems with other brushes in this field.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a hair brush for grooming hair with hair extensions, the brush comprising: an array of bristles each extending from a base to a free end; at least some or all of the bristles comprising a first, relatively wide, portion which tapers from the base and a second, relatively narrow, portion which extends from the first portion to the free end; the bristles being arranged in two or more spaced apart, offset, rows wherein centre lines of the rows are spaced apart such that at least part of the first portion of bristles in one row extends between adjacent bristles in another row; and/or, when viewed perpendicular to the rows, the width of the first portion of the bristles in one row is, over part of their length, the same or greater than the space between adjacent bristles in another row so as to partially occlude the space between bristles in the other row; characterised in that the array of bristles includes bristles of at least two lengths, bristles of a first length being shorter than bristles of a second length.

Thus, a brush is provided which is especially suited for grooming hair with extensions. The longer bristles are capable of penetrating the thick hair and gently dividing and detangling the hair without detaching the extensions, the shorter bristles increase the density of bristles coming into contact with hair closer to the surface and further divide and detangle tresses of hair divided by the longer bristles. Finally, the fact that the bristles have relatively wide bases and overlap smooths hair at/near the surface.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the expression “relatively” above means relative to the other part described and is not used as a colloquial synonym to “quite”.

The centre lines of the rows may be spaced apart such that at least part of the first portion of bristles in one row extends between adjacent bristles in an adjacent row; and/or, when viewed perpendicular to the rows, the width of the first portion of the bristles in one row is, over part of their length, the same or greater than the space between adjacent bristles in an adjacent row so as to partially occlude the space between bristles in an adjacent row.

The bristles of the first length and the bristles of the second length may both comprise a first, relatively wide, portion which tapers from the base and a second, relatively narrow, portion which extends from the first portion to the free end.

The bristles may be arranged in two or more spaced apart, offset, rows wherein a row of bristles of the first length is adjacent a row of bristles of the second length.

Some or all of the rows of bristles in the array may alternate between a row of the first length and a row of the second length.

The bristles of the first length may be no more than 20mm long, preferably no more than 18mm long, e.g. 16.5mm (i.e. about 16.5mm) or less long. The bristles of the first length may be at least 10mm long, e.g. at least 13mm long.

The bristles of the second length may be at least 15mm long, preferably at least 20mm long, e.g. 23.7mm (i.e. about 24mm) or more long. The bristles of the second length may be no more than 40mm long, for example no more than 30mm or no more than 25mm long.

The bristles of the first length may be more than half the length of the bristles of the second length. The bristles of the first length may be less than seven eighths of the length of the bristles of the second length. The bristles of the first length may be between two thirds and three quarters of the length of the bristles of the second length, for example about 0.7 times as long.

The brush may comprise a handle portion, on which, optionally, no bristles are formed and a head portion. The handle portion may be less than 80mm long e.g. 75mm (i.e. about 75mm) or less long. The handle may be at least 30mm wide, for example at least 40mm wide, e.g. 45mm (i.e. about 45mm) or more wide. This short and stubby handle encourages a user to grab the handle only with two or three fingers and to place the index finger along the back of the head portion and the thumb along the side of the brush. This allows good control of the brush and encourages the brush to be pulled straight through the hair (perpendicular to its longitudinal axis), not pivoted.

One or more side of the brush may be provided with formations, e.g. steps to aid gripping. The one or more side may be inclined and may extend from a larger underside to a smaller upper side on which the bristles are formed.

The brush may have a longitudinal axis extending from the end of the handle portion to the end of the head portion. A hair removal groove may be provided along the longitudinal axis. The array of bristles may be arranged such that the tips of the bristles in one or more rows in the longitudinal direction define a concave shape. The tips of the bristles perpendicular to the longitudinal direction may define a convex shape, or may be straight. The bristles may be splayed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The bristles may be parallel to adjacent bristles along the longitudinal axis.

The brush is intended to be run through the hair perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. Consequently, the splaying helps to pick up hair, whilst the concave surface conforms with the shape of the head to ensure that bristles towards the ends of the brush engage with the hair.

The first and/or second portion of the bristles of the first length and/or bristles of the second length may be flexible and may be resiliently flexible. The second portion of the bristles of the first length and/or bristles of the second length may be more flexible than the first portion.

The first portion of the bristles of the first length and/or bristles of the second length may have a larger transverse cross-sectional area then the second portion.

All, or a substantial proportion (such as at least half), of the bristles in the array, or of the brush, may be provided with first and second portions. All of these, or indeed all or substantially all the bristles in the array, or the brush, may be of the same shape, i.e. substantially the same shape. All, or a substantial proportion (such as at least hall), ofthe bristles in the array, or of the brush, may be bristles of either the first length or bristles of the second length. All bristles of the first length may be the same length (i.e. substantially the same length, for example within 1mm difference in length) and all the bristles of the second length may be the same length (i.e. substantially the same length, for example within 1mm difference in length).

Alternatively, the bristles of the first length may not all be the same length, and the bristles of the second length may not all be the same length. For example, a substantial portion (such as at least half) of the bristles of the first length may be the same length and a substantial portion of the bristles of the second length may be the same length, but some bristles of the first and/or second length, e.g. less than 30%, less than 20%, or less than 10% may be of a different length. For example some of the bristles of the first and/or second length, e.g. less than 30%, less than 20%, or less than 10% may be shorter than the others. The second portions of bristles of the first length may all be of the same length, regardless of the overall length of the bristles of the first length and/or, the second portions of the bristles of the second length may all be of the same length regardless of the overall length of the bristles of the second length. Thus, for example bristles nearest the handle portion may be shorter, to account for a thickening of the brush in that region, but the contour of the tips of the bristles (and indeed the contour of the bottom of the second portion may continue a more gentle curve. Likewise, all, substantially all, or a substantial portion (such as at least half) of the bristles of a first length may be uniformly (i.e. substantially uniformly) shorter than all, substantially all, or a substantial portion (such as at least half) of the bristles of a second length.

When viewed in the same direction, the width of the widest part of the first portion of the bristles having first and second portions may be at least twice or three times the width of any part of the second portion or the second portion at or near to its free end. When viewed in the same direction, the width of the widest part of the first portion of the bristles having first and second portions may be no more than four, or no more than three and a half times the width of the bristle at any part of the second portion or at or near its free end. When viewed in the same direction, the width of the widest part of the first portion of the bristles having first and second portions may be three times (i.e. about three times) the width of any part of the second portion or the second portion at or near to its free end. For example, the width of the widest part of the first portion may be about 2.9mm and the width of the second portion near to its free end may be about 0.8mm. The width where the first portion meets the second portion may be about 1mm for example, it may be about 1.01mm for the shorter bristles and about 1.10mm for the longer bristles.

The length of the bristles of a first length having first and second portions may be no greater than seven times its maximum width, or no greater than six times its maximum width. The length of the bristles of a second length having first and second portions may be no greater than ten times, or no greater than nine times its maximum width.

The length of the bristles of a first length having first and second portions may be no less than five times their maximum width. The length of the bristles of a second length having first and second portions may be no less than seven times their maximum width. For example, the length of the bristles of a first length having first and second portions may be about five and a half or six times their maximum width and/or the length of the bristles of a second length having first and second portions may be about eight times their maximum width.

In some preferred embodiments the ratio of width of the base of the bristle, or the base of the first portion to that at or near its tip, or any part of the second portion, varies in the range two to four, with a ratio of about three being particularly useful.

The various ranges and sizes mentioned above have been found to provide a satisfactory balance between the performance of the first and second portions of the bristles of first and second lengths.

The width of the bristles having first and second portions may vary continuously or discontinuously between their base and free ends. Along part of its length, and preferably within the first portion of the bristles, the width of the bristles may taper at an angle greater than the angle of taper of a uniformly tapered bristle having the same length and variation in width. This allows there to be significantly more space between the second portion of the bristles in the array than the first portion, as compared to uniformly tapered bristles. This enables the two portions of the bristles to perform their different functions without being unduly long.

Two opposed edges of the first portion of those bristles comprising first and second portions may taper towards each other with a minimum average angle of at least 5 degrees between the opposed edges over the length of the first portion, and opposite sides of the second portion may taper towards each other with a maximum average angle of 3 degrees between opposed edges over the length of the second portion, for example no more than 2 degrees, e.g. about 1.8 degrees. For longer bristles, two opposed edges ofthe first portion may taper towards each other with a minimum average angle of at least 7.5 or for shorter bristles a minimum average angle of at least 10 degrees.

The angle between the opposed edges of the first portion may increase from the base of the first portion to the end of the first portion. The opposed edges of the first portion may be curved.

All opposed edges of the first portion may taper towards each other with a minimum average angle of at least 3.5 degrees between the opposed edges over the length of the first portion.

The degree of taper of the bristles may change abruptly at the interface between the first and second portions of the bristles.

These features provide for a bristle with a wider first portion which tapers relatively abruptly over its length or a small proportion of its length to a second portion which has only a gradual taper.

The first portion may have a non-circular transverse cross-section over at least part or substantially all of its length. The cross-section may be elongate in shape and may be oval, i.e. substantially ovular. The first portion may have a non circular cross-section at its base which gradually transitions to a substantially circular cross-section at the point where it meets the second portion. The first portion of those bristles with first and second portions may terminate where the second portion begins. The bristles may consist only of the first and second portions. The bristles may comprise interface sections where they join the body of the brush. The bristles may consist only of the first portions, second portions and interface sections. The length of the interface sections may be less than 1mm. The interface sections may be steeply tapered, e.g. by about 45 degrees.

Where at least part of the first portion has an oval cross-section, edges of the first portion lying on a long axis of its oval cross-section may approach each other in a curved path over the length of the first portion. Edges of the first portion lying on a short axis of its oval cross section may approach each other in a straight (i.e. substantially straight) path over the length of the first portion.

The second portion may have a circular (i.e. substantially circular) cross-section over all or substantially all of its length.

All opposed edges of the second portion may taper towards each other with a maximum average angle of 2 degrees between the opposed edges over the length of the second portion.

The length of the second portion of bristles having first and second portions may be at least one quarter of, or one half of, the length of the first portion. The length of the second portion may be no greater than the length of, or twice the length of, the first portion. In particular, for some or all bristles of the first length, the length of the second portion may at least two thirds of the length of the first portion, e.g. about three quarters of the length of the first portion (e.g. 7mm relative to 9.5mm). On the other hand, for all or some of the bristles of the second length, the length of the second portion may be no less than two thirds of, and/or no more than three quarters of, the length of the first portion (e.g. 9.9mm relative to 13.8mm).

The bristles may all be spaced apart from one another (i.e. each arranged singly, as opposed to being arranged in bunches). This reduces the risk of hair binding to the brush.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a hair brush for grooming hair with hair extensions, the brush comprising an array of bristles including bristles of at least two lengths, bristles of a first length being shorter than bristles of a second length, each bristle extending from a base to a free end; at least some or all of the bristles comprising a first, relatively wide, portion which tapers from the base and a second, relatively narrow, portion which extends from the first portion to the free end, having a transverse cross-section with an elongate shape over some (or all, i.e. substantially all) of their length and having a transverse cross-sectional area that reduces, or is constant, along the entire length of the bristles, from the base to the tip.

The reduction in transverse cross-sectional area away from the base leads to bristles which become ever more flexible away from the base; consequently, the first portions are relatively stiff, whilst the second portions are relatively flexible. Thus, the first portions act as a support allowing for the long bristles to reach deep into the hair. The stiff support means that the bristles bend much closer to the tips, this bending means that they do not get stuck in the hair. Provision of shorter bristles, as well as the longer bristles keeps the density of the longer bristles low, reducing the possibility of them catching and pulling hair and aids in grooming hair closer to the surface. The wide portion at the base also improves glossiness of hair at the surface.

The bristles having a transverse cross-section with an elongate shape over some or substantially all of their length may be arranged in two or more spaced apart, offset, rows wherein centre lines of the rows are spaced apart such that at least part of the first portion of bristles in one row extends between adjacent bristles in another row; and/or, when viewed perpendicular to the rows, the width of the bristles in one row is, over part of their length, the same or greater than the space between adjacent bristles in another row so as to partially occlude the space between bristles in another row.

The centre lines of the rows may be spaced apart such that at least part of the first portion of bristles in one row extends between adjacent bristles in an adjacent row; and/or, when viewed perpendicular to the rows, the width of the bristles in one row is, over part of their length, the same or greater than the space between adjacent bristles in an adjacent row so as to partially occlude the space between bristles in an adjacent row.

Bristles of the first length, or both bristles of the first length and bristles of the second length, may have a first, relatively wide, portion which tapers from the base and a second, relatively narrow, portion which extends from the first portion to the free end, having a transverse cross-section with an elongate shape over some (or all, i.e. substantially all) of their length and having a cross sectional area that reduces, or is constant, along the entire length of the bristles, from the base to the tip.

The first portions of the bristles may have a transverse cross-section with an elongate shape and the second portions may have a circular transverse cross-section.

The elongate shape may be oval (i.e. substantially ovular). Over all or part of the array the bristles may be of the same shape (i.e. substantially the same shape).

The following (and the foregoing) are optional features of both aspects of the invention. Likewise, the optional features of the first aspect of the invention may apply equally to the second aspect, whether or not the brush of the second aspect is a brush according to the first aspect of the invention.

The tips of some or all of the bristles of the second length may be spaced apart by at least 3mm, at least 4mm, or at least 5mm, such as 5.5mm from their nearest neighbour. They may be spaced apart by 5.5mm along their longitudinal row and (e.g. as a result of being splayed from a convex surface) they may be spaced apart by at least 6mm, e.g. by an average of about 7mm along their lateral rows. This results in a quite low density of long bristles.

The tips of some or all of the bristles of the first length may be spaced apart by at least 3mm, at least 4mm, or at least 5mm, such as 5.5mm from their nearest neighbour. They may be spaced apart by 5.5mm along their longitudinal row and (e g. as a result of being splayed from a convex surface) they may be spaced apart by at least 6mm, e.g. by an average of about 6.1mm to 6.4mm along their lateral rows.

Bases of adjacent bristles (or bases of adjacent first portions) in each row may be spaced apart by a distance which is more than half the maximum width of the base of the bristles. They may be spaced apart by a distance that is less than the maximum width of the base of the bristles (or the base of the first portions of the bristles). This is effective in avoiding applying too much tension to the hair, which would risk pulling out the extensions.

In one embodiment the bristles, or the bases of the first portions of the bristles, are spaced apart by a maximum of 3 mm, in another embodiment, by a maximum of 2.5mm

The bases of bristles in one row may be spaced from the base of the nearest bristle in an adjacent row by a distance which is less than the space between adjacent bristles in the row.

In one embodiment the bases of bristles, or the bases of the first portions of the bristles, in one row are spaced from the base of the nearest bristle, or the base of the first portions of the bristle, in an adjacent row by a maximum of 2mm.

The width and shape of bristles in one row may be such that it only partially occludes the space between bristles in the adjacent row.

The occlusion of the space (i.e. the region where bristles in one row overlap with those in another row) may be at or near the base, or the base of the first portions of the bristles.

Each row of bristles may be straight (i.e. substantially straight), or may be curved. The rows may be parallel (i.e. generally parallel). The bristles in each row, or at least a number of adjacent rows, may all be evenly spaced apart by the same distance (i.e. substantially the same distance).

Adjacent rows may be offset relative to each other so that the centre of each bristle in a row is aligned (i.e. substantially aligned) with the midpoint between bristles in an adjacent row. For example, centrelines of bristles rows of bristles of a first length may be spaced apart by 5.5mm and rows of bristles of a second length may be arranged offset relative to the bristles of a first length, also spaced apart by 5.5mm, whereby the centreline of a row of bristles of the first length and the centreline of an adjacent, offset, row of bristles of a second length is 2.75mm

The bristles are tapered, with their cross-section reducing from the base to the free end. With this arrangement the amount of space between bristles reduces towards their base. Therefore once plenty of hair moves into the bristles and is divided/detangled by the second portions of the bristles the hair closest to the surface is gripped by the first portions of the bristles, owing to the reduced space and a more complex path between bristles, enabling improved smoothing to be applied to the hair close to the surface.

The degree of taper of the bristles may change abruptly at the interface between the first and second portions of the bristles. This helps the different parts of the bristles achieve their different effects.

There may be at least three or four rows of bristles.

Bristles with an oval cross section (i.e. a substantially oval cross-section) may form an oval array of bristles formed from (generally) parallel rows of bristles of a first length and (generally) parallel rows of bristles of a second length. In this arrangement a long axis of the oval cross-section of each bristle may be (substantially) aligned with the direction of the row of which it forms a part.

The bristles may be moulded and may be moulded from a plastics material, particularly a resiliently flexible plastics material. A third aspect of the invention extends to a method of grooming hair with hair extensions comprising brushing the hair with a hair brush according to the first or second aspect (including any optional features).

In particular the method involves moving the brush through the hair perpendicular (i.e. substantially perpendicular) to the elongate axis of the bristles, parallel with the centre lines of the rows which are spaced apart such that at least part of the first portion of bristles in one row extends between adjacent bristles in another row; and/or, perpendicular to the rows in which the width of the first portion of the bristles in one row is, over part of their length, the same or greater than the space between adjacent bristles in another row so as to partially occlude the space between bristles in the other row.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a hair brush;

Figure 2 is an end view the hair brush of figure 1;

Figure 3 is another end view of the hair brush of figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side view of the hair brush of figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view of part of an array of bristles of the hair bush of figure 1;

Figure 6 is an enlarged side view of part of an array of bristles of the hair bush of figure 1; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged end view of part of an array of bristles of the hair bush of figure 1.

In the following, the terms front, back, top, bottom and like terms refer to the articles in the orientation in which they are illustrated, but should not be taken as otherwise limiting.

Referring to the drawings, figures 1 to 4 show a hair brush. The hair brush comprises a body 1 of generally ovular outline moulded in one piece with an elongate handle 2 which extends generally perpendicularly from the approximate mid-point of one of the ends of the body 1, formed by one of the narrower ends of the oval. The body 1 and handle 2 extend in generally the same plane. The underside of the brush has a bulbous surface formed of a convex surface of the body 1 which merges into a convex surface of the handle 2.

The opposite, upper side of the body 1 has a surface 3 which is generally concave in the longitudinal direction (i.e. from narrow end to narrow end) and blends into the handle 2, which itself is generally convex. Along the lateral plane (i.e. between the long sides of the oval), the surface 3 of the upper side of the body 1 is generally convex.

The outlines of the underside and the upper surface 3 of the brush are the same shape, but that of the underside has a greater area than the upper surface 3. In this embodiment, the difference in area leads to the edge of the upper surface being located around 5mm inward of the underside. The edges of the underside and the upper surface 3 are therefore joined by an inclined surface 8, which in this embodiment has a depth of about 12mm. The inclined surface 8 is provided with formations to aid gripping, in the form of steps (in this case four) which run around the inclined surface 8 and have the same outlines as the outlines of the underside and the upper surface 3 of the brush. A groove 7 extends longitudinally along the centreline of the upper surface 3 of the body 1, continuing part way along the handle 2.

The body 1 comprises, or supports, moulded bristles 4 which project generally perpendicularly from the exposed upper surface 3. More precisely, and as most easily seen in figures 2 and 3, the bristles are splayed outward across the lateral axis (i.e. across the width of the brush), but, as most easily seen in figure 4, along the longitudinal axis (i.e. between the narrow ends of the body 1), the bristles 4 extend parallel to one another, and generally perpendicular from the plane of the brush.

Each bristle 4 has a similar shape to each other bristle 4 and each bristle is spaced apart from each other bristle. All of the bristles 4 are moulded together in one piece, together with a base (which may form all or part of the upper surface 3 of the brush) from a resiliently flexible plastics material. Suitable materials are thermoplastic elastomers, such as copolyesters and aliphatic polyamides (nylons) and, in particular, the copolyester sold under the trade mark Hytrel by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. Grades of Hytrel with hardness from 45 to 82 Shore D are particularly suitable.

As best seen in figures 1 and 5, each bristle 4 has a base with a generally oval cross-section, having a long axis and a perpendicular short axis. As the bristle 4 extends away from the base it tapers. Over a first portion 5 of the length of the bristle 4 the bristle 4 tapers such that its cross-sectional shape changes from oval to substantially circular.

As can be seen best in figures 4 and 6, which are side views perpendicular to the long axis, the edges of the bristle 4 through which the long axis extends approach each other at an increasingly steep angle as the bristle 4 extends away from the base. The opposite edges approach each other in a curved path.

As seen best in figures 2, 3 and 7, the edges of the bristle 4 through which the long axis extends approach each other at a substantially constant angle, and the edges of the bristle 4 are therefore substantially straight.

At the end of the first portion 5 of the bristle 4 its cross-section is substantially circular. At this point a second portion 6 of the bristle 4 begins. Over the second portion 6 of the bristle 4 the cross-section of the bristle 4 remains substantially circular and the bristle 4 tapers towards a free end, with a domed surface. The degree of taper of the bristle 4 over the second portion 6 of the bristle is significantly less than over the first portion 5, and in particular compared to the degree of taper in the first portion 5 immediately adjacent to the second portion 6. There is therefore a discontinuity in the shape of the surface of the bristle 4 at the junction between the first and second portions.

The degree of taper of the second portion 6 of the bristle 4 is in effect the minimum consistent with being able to reliably remove the bristle 4 from a mould tool. So far as the function of the second portion 6 of the bristle 4 is concerned it could have a substantially constant diameter.

Whilst all the bristles 4 have the same general shape, two different lengths of bristles 4 are provided. First bristles 4a have a first length which is shorter than that of second bristles 4b of a second length. Most of the first bristles are of the same length as most of the other first bristles and have the dimensions discussed below. Most of the second bristles 4b have the same length as the other second bristles and have the dimensions discussed below. The only difference is in the region of the upper surface 3 where the concave body 1 merges into the convex handle 2, here the bristles are shorter than their counterparts on the rest of the brush and not of the dimensions discussed below. The second sections 6 of the bristles 4 in the area where the body and handle merge remain the same as on the rest of the brush, and the difference in length between the first bristles 4a and second bristles 4b in that region remains substantially uniform (as it is over the remainder of the array). Effectively, the bristles in the region where the handle 2 and body 1 merge appear to be sunk deeper into the brush, with the bottoms of the first portions cut off.

In the illustrated embodiment the first portion 5a of the first bristles 4a extends about 9.5mm from the base, and the second portion 6a of the first bristles 4a extends about a further 7mm from the end of the first portion 6a to the end of the bristle 4a.

In the illustrated embodiment the first portion 5b of the second bristles 4b extends about 13.8mm from the base, and the second portion 6b of the first bristles extends about a further 9.9mm from the end of the first portion 5b to the end of the bristle 4b. The domed end of the bristles 4 has a radius of curvature of about 0.4mm.

The very bottom of each bristle is an interface section, or platform 9, of minimal height (e g. typically less than 0.5mm), where the upper surface 3 and the bristles 4 meet, and which sharply tapers inward from the upper surface. Above this interface section, the widest part of the first portion 5a of each first bristle 4a (except those in the region where the handle 2 and body 1 merge), measured at its base, along the long axis of its oval cross-section, has a width of about 3mm (e.g.2.92mm). The narrowest part at the base of each first bristle 4a (except those in the region where the handle 2 and body 1 merge), measured along the short axis of its oval cross-section, has a depth of about 1.55mm. The sides of each first portion of each first bristle 4a along its short axis approach each other at an angle of about 3.6 degrees. The sides of each first portion of each first bristle 4a along its long axis approach each other with a gradually increasing angle, forming a smooth curve. The average angle of taper between the two sides of each first portion of each first bristle 4a along its long axis is approximately 11.7 degrees, that is to say the angle of taper that would be required if the sides were straight rather than curved.

At the end of the first portion 5a of each first bristle 4a it has a substantially circular cross-section with a diameter of about 1mm.

The sides of each first bristle 4a approach each other over the second portion 6a of its length with an angle of about 1.8 degrees, resulting in a diameter of about 0.8mm at the free end of each first bristle 4a, not including the domed end.

The widest part of the first portion 5b of each second bristle 4b (except those in the region where the handle 2 and body 1 merge), measured above the interface section, along the long axis of its oval cross-section, has a width of about 3mm (e.g. 2.95mm). The narrowest part of the base of each second bristle 4b (except those in the region where the handle 2 and body 1 merge), above the interface section, measured along the short axis of its oval cross-section, has a depth of about 1.95mm. The sides of each second bristle 4b along its short axis approach each other at an angle of about 3.8 degrees. The sides of each second bristle 4b along its long axis approach each other with a gradually increasing angle, forming a smooth curve. The average angle of taper between the two sides of each first portion of each second bristle 4b along its long axis is approximately 8 degrees, that is to say the angle of taper that would be required if the sides were straight rather than tapered.

At the end of the first portion 5b of each second bristle 4b it has a substantially circular cross-section with a diameter of about 1 1mm

The sides of each second bristle 4b approach each other over the second portion 6b of its length with an angle of about 1.8 degrees, resulting in a diameter of about 0.8mm at the free end of each second bristle 4b, not including the domed end.

Other dimensions are possible, as discussed elsewhere.

The array of bristles 4 is generally ovular in shape, and is intended to be moved through hair in a direction generally perpendicular to the long sides/long diameter of the oval.

Each bristle 4 in the array forms apart of a “long row” of bristles 4 (i.e. a row that extends along the length of the body 1) and a “short row” of bristles 4 which extends transversely to the long row (across the width of the body 1).

Each of the long rows are very slightly curved (but could be substantially straight), substantially parallel and substantially evenly spaced apart, apart from in the middle, where a space is provided, with no bristles 4 extending from the groove 7. In each long row the bristles 4 are substantially evenly spaced apart, with the long axes of the oval cross-section of the first part of the bristles 4 all lying substantially along the same straight line. The bristles 4 are spaced apart by the same amount in each long row and adjacent long rows are off-set relative to one another so that the centre of the cross-section of the bristles 4 in one row lies mid-way between adjacent bristles 4 in the adjacent row. In this embodiment, the distance between centre points of adjacent bristles in each row (at the base) is 5.5mm. Each of the short rows are substantially straight and substantially parallel. In each short row the bristles 4 are substantially evenly spaced apart, with the short axes of the oval cross-section of the first part of the bristles 4 lying along substantially the same line. The bristles 4 are spaced apart by the same amount in each short row (except in the region of the groove) and the centre-lines of each short row are spaced apart so that the base of each bristle 4 in each short row partially extends between two adjacent bristles 4 in the or each adjacent short row. That can be seen best in figure 5, where the area X between the base of one bristle in a short row and the next bristle (along the centreline) is shaded, and it can be seen that this area not empty, but rather, part of the base of two other bristles 4 (from adjacent rows) can be found within that area. Once again, in this embodiment, the distance between centre points of adjacent bristles in each row (at the base, and apart from in the region of the groove) is 5.5mm. Consequently the distance between centre-lines of adjacent rows of bristles is about 2.75mm.

In the illustrated embodiment the array comprises twenty long rows split into ten long rows either side of the groove 7, The number of bristles in each row decreases away from the groove 7 on each side. On each side of the groove 7, the row adjacent to the groove 7, has 22 bristles, the next row also has 22 bristles, the third row has 21, the fourth has 20, the fifth has 19, the sixth has 18, the seventh has 16, the eighth has 13, the ninth has 10 and the tenth has just 4 bristles. Given that one “long row” comprises only 4 bristles, it will be understood that a “long row” refers to the length in which the row extends, rather than the length of the row itself.

The short rows have similarly varying numbers of bristles, with the outermost rows having fewer bristles than those towards the middle.

Of course, the number of rows and number of bristles in each row can be varied as desired and appropriate. Other shapes of array are also possible.

In the illustrated embodiment the bristles 4 in each long row are spaced apart at the base of their first portions by about 2mm, at the base of the interface portions by 0.8mm, and the centrelines of adjacent long rows are spaced apart by about 2.75mm. Other dimensions are possible, as discussed elsewhere.

The centre lines of the long rows are spaced apart by 2.75mm, the base of each first portion is roughly 3mm along its long axis, and the bristles are offset so that the centre of the cross-section of the bristles 4 in one row lies mid-way between adjacent bristles 4 in the adjacent row. Consequently, at least part of the first portion 6 of bristles in one row extends between adjacent bristles 4 in an adjacent row.

Although the bristles 4 are moulded in a single piece from the same material, owing to their different cross-section and shape, the first portions 5 are significantly stiffer than the second portions 6. In practice, in use, the first portions are quite flexible, whereas the second portions are highly flexible. The second portions 5 can be easily bent completely back on themselves (such that the tip points back towards the upper surface, whilst the first portions 6 remain completely perpendicular to the upper surface 3). On the other hand, a relatively high level of force is required to bend the first portions 6 back on themselves, and it is very difficult to bend the first portions 6 beyond 90 degrees by hand when bending in line with their long axis.

The bases of the first portions 5 of the bristles 4 occupy a significant portion (greater than 30%) of the surface area over which the array extends, whereas the second portions 6 of the bristles 4 occupy less than 10% of the available surface area.

Because the width of the base of the first portions 5 of the bristles 4, along the length of a long row of bristles 4, is greater than the space between adjacent bristles 4 in the row each bristle 4 occludes the gap between the base of adjacent bristles 4 in adjacent rows 4 when viewed in a direction perpendicular to that of the long rows of bristles 4. Owing to the shape of the first portion 6 of the bristles 4 the gap between adjacent bristles is occluded over only a small part of the length of that portion of the bristles 4, e.g. about 2.5mm from the very base of the interface portion of bristle, about 2mm from the base of the first portion. A dotted line Y in figure 6 signifies the edge of a bristle 4b showing the overlapping region (between bristles 4a) which is partially occluded by the other bristle 4b.

The first bristles 4a and the second bristles 4b are arranged in the array such that in general, each short row of first (shorter) bristles 4a is located between two short rows of second (longer) bristles 4b, with the exception that the rows at each end have only one adjacent row (inboard thereof).

The same is generally true of the long rows of bristles 4, with the exception that each row adjacent the groove 7 is (in this particular embodiment) composed entirely of second (longer) bristles 4b. Apart from those rows, and the rows at the edges (which in this particular embodiment are entirely composed of first (shorter) bristles, the rows alternate between rows of first bristles 4a and rows of second bristles 4b. Consequently, the distance between centrelines of rows of bristles 4 of the same length is approximately twice the distance between centrelines of adjacent rows of bristles 4.

Accordingly, the density of each type of bristle 4 is less than the total density of bristles 4. Only approximately half of the bristles (i.e. 176 out of330) are second (long) bristles 4b, and approximately half of the bristles are first bristles 4a of a shorter length.

As set out above, this brush is particularly suited to grooming hair with extensions affixed therein. In use, a user places his/her hand on the back (underside) of the brush, grasping it with two or three fingers (little, and ring finger, or little finger, ring finger and middle finger) wrapped around the upper side of the handle, with the ball of the thumb on the inclined side of the brush at the interface between the handle portion 2 and the body 1 and remaining fmger(s) (forefinger or forefinger and middle finger) arranged on the underside of the body 1, and the thumb extending along the inclined side 8.

The shape of the brush (with its stubby handle and inclined surface) encourages this grip, and use of this grip encourages the user to pull the brush through the hair in line with the short rows of bristles 4 (i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal axis).

As the brush is pulled through the hair, the second portions 6b of the second bristles 4b extend deep into the hair (which will be thick owing to the extensions). The second portions 5b of the bristles 4b tend to bend sharply if they come into contact with a region where the extensions are weaved (or otherwise affixed) to the hair, to avoid pulling. However, absent interacting with a weave, the long second portions 6b gently detangle and divide the hair between the short rows of second bristles 4b. The divided bundles of hair are guided by the second bristles 4b onto the shorter first bristles 4a, which offer further detangling of the hair closer to the surface, whilst hairs at the surface and very near thereto is drawn into the bristles 4 (aided by the splayed nature of the bristles 4) and moves into the increasingly narrow spaces between the less flexible first portions 5 of the bristles 4.

The offset relationship of the long rows of bristles 4, which in use are drawn across hair in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of the long rows, with no Tine of sight’ over some of the height of the first portion of the bristles near the base, causes the hair closest to the surface to be forced into a complex path, weaving between first portions 5 of the bristles 4.

Making the hair closest to the surface travel through this path, as well as forcing it into the increasingly narrow space between the bristles 4 as the brush is urged against the hair, increases friction between the brush and the hair. This smooths the hair closest to the surface and results in a glossy shine.

At the end of a brush stroke, or indeed in the unlikely case that the brush gets stuck, it can be easily removed from the hair. Once pressure of the brush onto hair is released, the shape of the first portion 5 of the bristles allows the hair to move easily off the bristles, into regions where there is more space between the bristles 4. This reduces the risk of hair binding onto the brush. This process is especially enhanced by the large gaps between the second bristles 4b near their tips, which results from the inclusion of long and short bristles.

The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hair brush for grooming hair with hair extensions, the brush comprising: an array of bristles each extending from a base to a free end; at least some or all of the bristles comprising a first, relatively wide, portion which tapers from the base and a second, relatively narrow, portion which extends from the first portion to the free end; the bristles being arranged in two or more spaced apart, offset, rows wherein centre lines of the rows are spaced apart such that at least part of the first portion of bristles in one row extends between adjacent bristles in another row; and/or, when viewed perpendicular to the rows, the width of the first portion of the bristles in one row is, over part of their length, the same or greater than the space between adjacent bristles in another row so as to partially occlude the space between bristles in the other row; characterised in that the array of bristles includes bristles of at least two lengths, bristles of a first length being shorterthan bristles of a second length.

2. A hair brush according to claim 1 wherein the centre lines of the rows are spaced apart such that at least part of the first portion of bristles in one row extends between adjacent bristles in an adjacent row; and/or, when viewed perpendicular to the rows, the width of the first portion of the bristles in one row is, over part of their length, the same or greater than the space between adjacent bristles in an adjacent row so as to partially occlude the space between bristles in an adjacent row.

3. A hair brush according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the bristles of the first length and the bristles of the second length both comprise a first, relatively wide, portion which tapers from the base and a second, relatively narrow, portion which extends from the first portion to the free end.

4. A hair brush according to any of the preceding claims wherein the bristles are arranged in two or more spaced apart, offset, rows wherein a row of bristles of the first length is adjacent a row of bristles of the second length.

5. A hair brush according to any preceding claims wherein rows of bristles in the array alternate between a row of the first length and a row of the second length.

6. A hair brush according to any preceding claim wherein the bristles of the first length are no more than 18mm long and the bristles of the second length are at least 20mm long.

7. A hair brush according to any preceding claim wherein the bristles of the first length are more than two thirds, but less than three quarters, of the length of the bristles of the second length.

8. A hair brush according to any preceding claim comprising a handle portion and a head portion, wherein the handle portion is. 75mm or less long.

9. A hair brush according to any preceding claim wherein one or more side of the brush is provided between two opposing surfaces, the side being inclined and provided with formations to aid gripping.

10. A hair brush according to any preceding claim having a longitudinal axis, wherein the array of bristles is arranged such that the tips of the bristles in one or more rows in the longitudinal direction define a concave shape and the tips of the bristles perpendicular to the longitudinal direction may define a convex shape, or a straight line.

11. A hair brush according to any preceding claim wherein the bristles are splayed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis.

12. A hair brush according to any preceding claim wherein the first and/or second portion of the bristles of the first length and/or bristles of the second length are resiliently flexible.

13. A hair brush according to claim 12 wherein the second portion of the bristles of the first length and/or bristles of the second length is more flexible than the first portion of the respective bristle.

14. A hair brush according to any preceding claim wherein the first portion of the bristles of the first length and/or bristles of the second length has a larger transverse cross-sectional area then the second portion of the respective bristle.

15. A hair brush according to any preceding claim wherein at least half of the bristles in the array are provided with first and second portions and are of the same shape.

16. A hairbrush according to any preceding claim wherein when viewed in the same direction, the width of the widest part of the first portion of the bristles having first and second portions is three times the width of any part of the second portion or the second portion at or near to its free end.

17. A hair brush according to any preceding claim wherein the first portion has a non-circular cross-section at its base which gradually transitions to a substantially circular cross-section at the point where it meets the second portion; wherein the degree of taper of the bristles of a first and/or second length changes abruptly at the interface between the first and second portions of the bristles; wherein edges of the first portion approach each other in a curved path over the length of the first portion and other edges of the first portion approach each other in a substantially straight path over the length of the first portion.

18. A hair brush according to any preceding claim wherein the length of the second portion is at least one half of, the length of the first portion, but no greater than its length.

19. A hair brush according to any preceding claim wherein at least some or all of the bristles have a transverse cross-section with an elongate shape over some or substantially all of their length.

20. A hair brush for grooming hair with hair extensions, the brush comprising an array of bristles including bristles of at least two lengths, bristles of a first length being shorter than bristles of a second length, each bristle extending from a base to a free end; at least some or all of the bristles comprising a first, relatively wide, portion which tapers from the base and a second, relatively narrow, portion which extends from the first portion to the free end, having a transverse cross-section with an elongate shape over some of their length and having a transverse cross-sectional area that reduces, or is constant, along the entire length of the bristles, from their base to their tip.

21. A hair brush according to claim 20 wherein the bristles having a transverse cross-section with an elongate shape over some or substantially all of their length are arranged in two or more spaced apart, offset, rows wherein centre lines of the rows are spaced apart such that at least part of the first portion of bristles in one row extends between adjacent bristles in another row; and/or, when viewed perpendicular to the rows, the width of the bristles in one row is, over part oftheir length, the same or greater than the space between adjacent bristles in another row so as to partially occlude the space between bristles in another row.

22. A hair brush according to any of claims 19 to 21 wherein the first portions of the bristles have a transverse cross-section with an elongate shape and the second portions have a circular transverse cross-section.

23. A hair brush according to any of claims 19 to 22 wherein the elongate shape is oval.

24. A hair brush according to claim 23 wherein the bristles with an oval cross-section form an oval array of bristles formed from generally parallel rows of bristles of a first length and generally parallel rows of bristles of a second length, wherein a long axis of the oval cross-section of each bristle is aligned with the direction of the row of which it forms a part.

25. A hair brush according to any preceding claim wherein bases of adjacent bristles in each row are spaced apart by a distance which is more than half the maximum width of the base of the bristles, but less than the maximum width of the base of the bristles.

26. A hair brush according to any preceding claim wherein the bases of bristles in one row are spaced from the base of the nearest bristle in an adjacent row by a distance which is less than the space between adjacent bristles in the row.

27. A hair brush according to claim 1 or 21 or any preceding claim when dependent thereon wherein the width and shape of bristles in one row may be such that it only partially occludes the space between bristles in the adjacent row.

28. A hair brush according to claim 1 or 21 or any preceding claim when dependent thereon, wherein the occlusion is at or near the base of the bristle.

29. A hair brush according to claim 1 or 21 or any preceding claim when dependent thereon wherein each row of bristles is straight, or curved, wherein the rows are parallel and the bristles in each row, or at least a number of adjacent rows, are all evenly spaced apart by the same distance.

30. A hair brush according to claim 1 or 21 or any preceding claim when dependent thereon wherein adjacent rows are offset relative to each other so that the centre of each bristle in a row is aligned with the midpoint between bristles in an adjacent row.

31. A hair brush according to any preceding claim wherein the bristles are tapered, with their cross-section reducing from the base to the free end and wherein the degree of taper of the bristles changes abruptly at the interface between the first and second portions of the bristles.

32. A hair brush according to any preceding claim wherein the bristles are moulded from a resiliently flexible plastics material.

33. A method of grooming hair with hair extensions comprising brushing the hair with a hair brush according to any preceding claim.

34. A method according to claim 33 wherein the brush is a brush according to claim 19, claim 20 or any claim dependent on claim 19 or claim 20 wherein the brush is moved through the hair perpendicular to the elongate axis of the bristles.

3 5. A method according to claim 33 wherein the brush is a brush according to claim 1, 21 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the brush is moved through the hair parallel with the centre lines of the rows which are spaced apart such that at least part of the first portion of bristles in one row extends between adjacent bristles in another row; and/or, perpendicular to the rows in which the width of the first portion of the bristles in one row is, over part of their length, the same or greater than the space between adjacent bristles in another row so as to partially occlude the space between bristles in the other row.

36. A hair brush or a method of brushing hair substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.