TW201603701A - Animal grooming brush - Google Patents

Abstract

An animal grooming brush has resiliently flexible bristles 4, 5 with a different stiffness to bend in one direction than another, so that when the brush is used in a first direction it acts as a stiffer brush and when used in a second direction it acts as a softer brush. This makes the brush suitable for de-shedding an animal coat when used on the coat in the first direction, and for detangling the animal coat when used on the coat in the second direction. The first and second directions may be substantially perpendicular to each other. The bristles may be thicker in one direction than another over at least part of their length. The bristles may be arranged in alternating rows of longer and shorter bristles.

Description

Animal grooming brush

The present invention relates to an animal grooming brush, particularly but not exclusively, a carding brush for grooming dogs.

Dogs, and other animals, generally have two coats, a visible outer layer of hair formed by a longer hair and a shorter inner layer of hair formed by shorter hairs. The inner layer of hair continues to fall off and the dog owner uses a brush to remove the hair to prevent them from sticking to the furniture. This process is known as depilation.

Effective hair removal requires a brush with hard bristles. However, brushes with bristles are susceptible to knots and tangles in the fur of a dog. Unless the knotting and entanglement of the fur has been removed from the dog's fur, this may make them difficult to use and also make the dog uncomfortable. Therefore, another brush is needed. Switching between brushes during carding is time consuming and inconvenient.

Embodiments of the present invention are produced in consideration of these problems.

According to the present invention, there is provided an animal grooming brush comprising reversibly elastic bristles which are bent in one direction and have a different stiffness in one direction, such that when the brush is used in a first direction The hard brush is suitable for de-shedding of the animal's fur, and is suitable as a soft brush for the de-tangling of the animal when the brush is used in a second direction.

A brush with dual functions is more convenient than switching between two brushes.

The bristles in one direction may be at least 10% or at least 20% stiffer than the bristles in the other direction.

The first direction and the second direction may be substantially perpendicular to each other.

In at least a portion of the entire length of the bristles, the thickness of the bristles in one direction may exceed the thickness of the bristles in the other direction. In all or substantially all of the bristles, the thickness of the bristles in one direction may exceed the thickness of the bristles in the other direction.

The ratio of the widest width to the narrowest width of the bristles is from 1.1 or 1.2 and up to 1.5 or 1.7 at a given point along one of its segments.

The cross-sectional shape of the bristles may be elongated at least a portion of substantially all or all of its segments. Any suitable cross-sectional shape can be used. Shapes having a continuous curve are preferred so that the bristles do not require sharp corners that may break or damage the hair. In at least a portion of substantially all or all of the segments of the bristles, the cross-sectional shape of the bristles may be elliptical and may be elliptical.

The bristles can be arranged in spaced apart columns. The bristles of each of the columns are equally spaced apart. The columns are juxtaposed to each other such that a bristles in a column are placed substantially at an intermediate point between the bristles in adjacent columns.

There are at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more columns of bristles. Each of the columns may contain 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more bristles.

The bristles are of two or more different lengths. The bristles are arranged in a row, with a majority of the bristles in a row being of different lengths than a majority of the bristles in an adjacent column. All of the bristles in one column can be substantially the same length, and all of the bristles in an adjacent column can be substantially the same different lengths.

There are longer bristles and shorter bristles, and the ratio of the length of the longer bristles and the shorter bristles is from 1.25 or 1.5 and to 2 or 2.5.

There are staggered columns of longer bristles and shorter bristles.

At least half of the bristles on the brush can be bent in one direction and have a different stiffness in the other direction. All or substantially all of the bristles on the brush are bent in one direction and have a different stiffness in the other direction.

The brush can include a body. The body can be sized and shaped to be held by a single hand during use. The body can be sized and shaped to be comfortably held in either of two orientations that facilitate its use in the first direction and the second direction.

In one embodiment, the body of the brush has opposing sides, at least one of the sides, and preferably both sides, are shaped to be grasped by a human hand. One or both of the sides are concave. One or both sides can contain a notch that receives the fingers of one hand. The body also has opposite ends that extend generally perpendicularly to the sides, and at least one of the ends, preferably both, are shaped to be easily grasped by a human hand. One or both of the ends are concave. One or both ends can contain a notch that receives the fingers of one hand.

The invention also provides a method of combing an animal, comprising the steps of:

Providing an animal grooming brush according to the present invention;

Using the animal combing brush to comb the animal and moving the brush through the fur of the animal in the second direction to de-tangling the hair;

The animal combing brush is used to comb the animal and the brush is moved through the animal's fur in the first direction to de-shedding the hair.

The following vocabulary of the preceding, following, upper, lower, and the like is referred to in the description of the article, but should not be considered as an additional limitation.

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1 through 6 show a carding brush intended for combing an animal, particularly a dog. Figures 7 through 15 show an array of bristles that form part of the brush of Figures 1 through 6.

The brush comprises a body 1 of molded plastic. The body is elongate and has a longer side and a shorter end. The sides are concave such that the body is reduced toward its intermediate section and the sides are curved about the vertical axis. The ends are also concave and curved along a horizontal axis. The concave surface, overall size, and shape of the body enable the sides or the ends to be comfortably grasped by one hand. When the body is grasped through the side of the body, as shown by arrow 2 of Figure 4, this will facilitate a brushing action wherein the brush moves in a path generally perpendicular to its long axis. When the body is grasped through the end of the body, as shown by arrow 3 in Figure 4, this will facilitate a brushing action wherein the brush moves in a path generally parallel to its long axis.

The body 1 defines a recess open to the bottom thereof and is adapted to fit into the insert 4. The exposed surfaces of the inserts to the bottom side of the brush are generally convex and any of them comprise or support an array of one of the module bristles, the array extending generally perpendicularly from the surface. The bristles are molded in one piece with the inserts. The bristles are shaped by a resilient plastic material. Suitable materials are thermoplastic elastomers such as copolyesters and aliphatic polyamides (nylons), and in particular, copolyesters sold under the Hytrel trademark of EI du Pont de Nemours and Company. . A Hytrel grade having a hardness of 45 to 82 Shore D is particularly suitable.

There are two types of bristles, longer bristles 5 and shorter bristles 6. The shorter bristles are approximately half the length of the longer bristles. The bristles are arranged to alternate the longer bristles and the rows of bristles. Any of the rows of bristles are substantially evenly spaced apart by substantially the same amount. The rows are substantially straight, extend substantially parallel to each other, and extend parallel to the long axis of the body 1 of the brush. When viewed perpendicular to the direction of the column, adjacent columns are juxtaposed to each other such that a bristles in one column are placed substantially in the middle of the adjacent rows of bristles. The columns are spaced apart such that the distance from the centerline of the adjacent columns is substantially equal to half the distance from the center of the adjacent bristles of each column.

The bristles are all tapered, tapered from the base of the insert 4 to its free end, and the free ends of the bristles are hemispherical. The longer bristles 5 are divided into two portions, a first portion extending from the first tapered insert and a second portion extending from the first portion to the free end of the bristles, the second portion having a phase A smaller cone angle than the first portion. The change in the taper angle defines the interface between the first portion and the second portion. The shorter bristles have a substantially fixed taper throughout their length.

At least a portion of the longer bristles 5 protrude beyond the shorter bristles, have a smaller cross-section than the shorter bristles, and retain a hemispherical end. The areas of the longer bristles 5 are slightly more elastic than the shorter bristles 6. Moreover, the greater length of the longer bristles 5 gives them greater flexibility when providing means for bending the material forming the longer bristles 5.

Each segment of all bristles has a substantially elliptical profile. All of the bristle lines are oriented such that the shorter axes of their elliptical cross-section are substantially parallel to each other and parallel to the axis of the body 1. The long axis of the elliptical profile is approximately twice the length of the minor axis. Therefore, when viewed perpendicular to the axis of the body 1, the thickness of the bristles is approximately half as viewed parallel to the axis of the body 1.

The elliptical cross-sections of the bristles are bent in a direction parallel to the long axis of the elliptical cross-section when bent in a direction parallel to the major axis of the elliptical cross-section as compared to a direction perpendicular to the major axis of the elliptical cross-section. The bristles are harder. In the embodiment described, therefore, when bent in a direction perpendicular to the long axis of the body 1, the bristles bent in a direction perpendicular to the long axis of the body 1 when bent in a direction parallel to the long axis of the body 1 Harder. The difference in stiffness of the bristles in different directions allows the brush to be used to perform different functions.

Relatively stiff bristles are required for de-shedding. This may be accomplished by moving the brush through the fur of the animal in a direction 2 that is substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the body 1. As the bristles move through the fur of the animal, the bristles of the bristles will attempt to bend and bend them in a plane parallel to the major axis of the elliptical profile, wherein the long axis of the elliptical profile is relatively rigid The direction.

Relatively elastic bristle systems are required for de-tangling. This may be achieved by moving the brush through the fur of the animal in a direction 3 substantially parallel to the long axis of the body 1. In this case, as the bristles move through the fur of the animal, the bristles of the bristles will attempt to bend and bend them in a plane parallel to the minor axis of the elliptical profile thereof, wherein the elliptical profile is short The shaft has a direction of less rigidity.

The selective change in the thickness of the bristles in the direction parallel and perpendicular to the axis of the body 1 will enable the bristles to be used to dehair when used in one direction and to sway when used in a vertical direction. A user can therefore use the same brush but perform two different functions. The animal brush can therefore remove hair and smooth hair. Moreover, if a knot or entanglement is encountered during depilation, the brush can simply be redirected to enable the animal hair to be stalked at that point.

Of course, it will be understood that when the brush is used in either direction, it has the function of both hair removal and smoothing, but when the brush is used in a specific direction, its function of hair removal and smoothing is optimized. .

In one embodiment, the equal length bristles have a length of approximately 13.5 mm. In the substrate, the major axis of the elliptical profile is approximately 2.0 mm and the minor axis is approximately 1.4 mm. The bristles are tapered over the entire length of the bristles, and the elliptical section at its free end (excluding the hemispherical portion) has a major axis of approximately 1.1 mm and a minor axis of approximately 0.7 mm. The short bristles have a height of approximately 7.0 mm on their base, a major axis of approximately 1.4 mm, and a minor axis of approximately 1.0 mm, and are tapered to the free end (excluding the hemispherical portion), The free end has a major axis of approximately 1.2 mm and a minor axis of approximately 0.8 mm. The adjacent columns of short bristles and long bristles are separated such that the distance between the lines passing through the center of the bristles in each column is approximately 2.75 mm. The center of the bristles in each column is separated by approximately 5.50 mm. It will of course be understood that these dimensions can be varied as needed or adapted.

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

1‧‧‧ Ontology
2‧‧‧ Direction
3‧‧‧ Direction
4‧‧‧ openings
5‧‧‧Long bristles
6‧‧‧Short bristles

In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood, the embodiments thereof will be exemplified by way of example only, with respect to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a brush from above. [Fig. 2] Fig. 1 is a side end view of the brush of Fig. 1. [Fig. 3] A perspective view of the brush of Fig. 1 from below. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the brush of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a side view of the brush of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a lower plan view of the brush of Fig. 1. [Fig. 7] A plan view of an array of bristles. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a circled area of FIG. 7. FIG. [Fig. 9] A side view of the array of Fig. 7. [Fig. 10] is an end view of the column of Fig. 7. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 9. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 7. FIG. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a circled area of FIG. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of Fig. 7. FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a circled area of FIG. 14. FIG.

Claims (20)

An animal grooming brush having reversibly elastic bristles which are bent in one direction and have a different rigidity in bending in the other direction, so that the brush is suitable for use as a hard brush when used in a first direction. De-shedding, which is used as a soft brush when the brush is used in a second direction, is suitable for de-tangling of animals. The animal grooming brush of claim 1, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially perpendicular to each other. An animal grooming brush according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in at least a portion of the entire length of the bristles, the bristles of the bristles in one direction may exceed the thickness of the bristles in the other direction. The animal grooming brush of claim 3, wherein the ratio of the widest width to the narrowest width of the bristles is between 1.25 and 1.50 at a given point along one of its lengths. The animal carding brush of claim 3 or 4, wherein the bristles have a slender cross-sectional shape in at least a portion of the entire bristles. The animal grooming brush of claim 5, wherein the bristles have an elliptical cross-sectional shape in at least a portion of the entire bristles. An animal grooming brush according to all of the preceding claims, wherein the bristles are arranged in separate columns of space. The animal carding brush of claim 7, wherein the bristles of each of the columns are equally spaced apart. The animal carding brush of claim 8, wherein the columns are juxtaposed to each other such that a bristles in a column are placed substantially at an intermediate point between the bristles in adjacent columns. An animal grooming brush according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bristles are of two or more different lengths. The animal carding brush of claim 10, wherein the bristles are arranged in a row and most of the bristles in one column are of different lengths than the majority of the bristles in the other column. The animal grooming brush of claim 10 or 11, wherein there are longer bristles and shorter bristles, and the ratio of the lengths of the longer bristles to the shorter bristles is in the range of 1.5 to 2.5. The animal grooming brush of all of the above claims further comprises at least three rows of bristles. An animal grooming brush according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least half of the bristles of the brush are curved in one direction and have a different stiffness in the other direction. The animal grooming brush of any of the preceding claims further comprises a body, the body of the brush being sized and shaped to be held by one of the two different orientations by one hand, the two The orientation individual helps its use in the first direction and the second direction. The animal grooming brush of claim 15 wherein the body of the brush has opposing sides, at least one of the sides being shaped to be grasped by a human hand. The animal carding brush of claim 16, wherein the body of the brush has opposite ends, the ends being substantially perpendicular to the sides, and at least one of the ends being shaped to be grasped by a human hand. The animal grooming brush of claim 17, wherein at least one of the sides or at least one of the ends is concave. The animal grooming brush of claim 18, wherein the sides or the ends are concave. A method of combing an animal comprising the steps of: providing an animal grooming brush as claimed in any of the preceding claims; combing the animal with the animal combing brush and moving the brush through the fur of the animal in the second direction to remove hair - tangling); and combing the animal with the animal combing brush and moving the brush through the fur of the animal in the first direction to de-shedding the fur.