US3620229A

US3620229A - Sheathed comb

Info

Publication number: US3620229A
Application number: US873607A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ira J Friedman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-11-03
Filing date: 1969-11-03
Publication date: 1971-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 1988-11-16

Abstract

A comb is pivotally mounted on an open edged channel shaped elongated case. A spiral spring is fastened concentrically about the comb pivot with one end thereof engaging the case to bias the comb toward an open portion extending longitudinally outwardly from the case. To releasably lock the comb in a closed position, wherein the comb teeth are nested within the case, a spring biased catch and a pushbutton release are provided. There is additionally included within the case, a bibulous slab of opencell foamed material having a plurality of parallel passageways. The number and positioning of the passageways are such that when the comb is within the case, each tooth of the comb is nestably received within one of the passageways. The bibulous slab may be impregnated with a liquid so that each time the comb is within the case, the individual teeth are wiped with the slab and liquid. A brush assembly is mounted on the inner walls of the case above the bibulous slab. The brush bristles abut the spine of the comb and insure the cleaning thereof.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor lra J. Friedman 8 Whittier Place, Bomon, Mass. 02114 [211 App]. No. 873,607 [22] Filed Nov. 3,1969 [45] Patented Nov. 16, 1971 [54] SHEATHED COMB 12 Claims, 12 DrawingFigs.

[52] U.S.C| 132/119 [51] Int. Cl A45d 24/42 [50] Field ofSearch 132/119,

121,123,125,l27-l28,l29,132,134,135,143,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,401,576 12/1921 Babirad 132/121 1,433,609 10/1922 Fullam 132/143 2,005,520 6/1935 Friedmann 132/143 2,405,372 8/1946 Schier 132/1 19 2,437,298 3/1948 Heyman 132/119 2,608,976 9/1952 Kittle et a1. 132/132 Primary Examiner-Robert Peshock Assistant Examiner-Gregory E. McNeill Attorney-Natter, Wigman & Natter ABSTRACT: A comb is pivotally mounted on an open edged channel shaped elongated case. A spiral spring is fastened concentrically about the comb pivot with one end thereof engaging the case to bias the comb toward an open portion extending longitudinally outwardly from the case. To releasably lock the comb in a closed position, wherein the comb teeth are nested within the case, a spring biased catch and a pushbutton release are provided. There is additionally included within the case, a bibulous slab of open-cell foamed material having a plurality of parallel passageways. The number and positioning of the passageways are such that when the comb is within the case, each tooth of the comb is nestably received within one of the passageways. The bibulous slab may be impregnated with a liquid so that each time the comb is within the case, the in dividual teeth are wiped with the slab and liquid. A brush assembly is mounted on the inner walls of the case above the bibulous slab. The brush bristles abut the spine of the comb and insure the cleaning thereof.

PAIENTEDHuv 16 [an SHEET 1 [IF 2 FIG.3

INVENTOR IRA J. FRIEDMAN wm zm ATTORNEYS srrsxruan COMB BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 1. Field of the Invention Self-cleaning combs.

2. Description of the Prior Art Combs have been an essential toilet accessory for many years. They are invaluable grooming implements and are otten used during the day to maintain one's hair style and to place windblown strands in their proper position. Because combs are needed during the daytime, and because it is inconvenient to carry large combs about one's person, the smaller combs of the pocket comb size are frequently carried about.

It has been found that combs accumulate hair oils and solid particles such as airborne soot and flakes of dandruff present in hair. These accumulations are undesirable, especially when the comb is carried about in a pocket, because they tend to soil the pocket. Furthermore, the soiled combs could not be cleaned where there was no running water facilities and would redeposit the particles and oil back upon the user's hair when the hair was again combed.

An additional problem encountered with the use of pocket combs was the fact that the user's pocket often contained solid particles, e.g., lint, grit, dust, etc., and there was a natural tendency for such solid particles to cling to the oily surfaces of the comb, especially the inner facingsurfaces of the comb teeth. Naturally, when the user applied the comb to his hair, the particles from the pocket which clung to the oily surfaces of the comb would be deposited upon the hair.

An attempt to alleviate one of these problems, i.e., the soiling of the user's pocket, was the mounting of a comb in a sheath case. Such mounting was either a slidable mounting so that the comb was withdrawn from either an open side edge or an end of the sheather case, or, and most commonly, it was the pivotal mounting of an end of the comb'on the case. With the prior sheath cases, the combs could be seated within the case after use, and there would be a reduced tendency for the comb to soil the users pocket. The initial disadvantage, i.e., the deposit of hair oils and solid particles from the users hair upon the comb itself was not alleviated.

Furthermore, the use of a sheath case did not prevent the pocket soil from accumulating within the case, and thus the soil would be transferred from the case to the comb. Thus, one was still required to scrub the pocket comb over a washbasin to keep the teeth clean.

A further disadvantage was the fact that because solid particles and hair oils wereoften deposited between the teeth of the comb, it was difficult to clean the comb thoroughly even when hot running water was available. This was due to the fact that the natural hair oils would not readily dissolve, and additionally, it was difficult to insert a cleaning implement between each individual tooth. Therefore, the cleaning of a comb was a laborious process wherein the comb would be soaked for some time in a cleaning solvent or assiduously scrubbed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a comb apparatus which is so constructed that it is not subject to a any of the foregoing disadvantages.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a comb apparatus of the character described which is simple and rugged in construction, yet can be easily fabricated by mass production methods.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a comb and case wherein the comb is biased to a position where it extends from its case for use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a comb which will be automatically cleaned each time the comb is inserted into and withdrawn from its case.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and unique method of cleaning a comb whereby the comb cleaning process is greatly simplified.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a sheathed comb of the character described wherein a spring loaded comb is pivotally mounted on a case and locked in a closed position with the comb being releasable therefrom to swing to an open position extending from the case and ready for use in combing ones hair.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a comb cleaning device of the general character described wherein the comb teeth are positionable within parallel passageways of a bibulous slab impregnated with a solvent.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a comb apparatus of the general character described wherein a bibulous open-celled cleaning pad is carried by a case, said pad being provided with a plurality of parallel passageways and impregnated with a hair oil solvent so that each individual comb tooth may be wiped clean upon inserting of the comb into the case.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a push button spring biased comb apparatus wherein the comb carries a liner for wiping all surfaces of individual comb teeth.

Other objects of the invention in part will be obvious and in part will be pointed out hereinafier.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the sheathed comb hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a comb apparatus constructed in accordance with the embodying the present invention with the comb shown in its operative, i.e., open or extended position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the comb case illustrating a removable panel at one end of the case; further illustrated is a bibulous open-celled foamed pad which has been partially withdrawn from the case through the open end thereof and a brush insert which has also been partially withdrawn from the case;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the comb seated in the case; the sidewall of the case has been broken away to better illustrate the relationship and position of the comb teeth with respect to the bibulous open-celled foamed pad;

FIG. 3a is an enlarged fragmentary top view of the bibulous P FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 and illustrating a section of the bibulous pad which extends between the comb teeth; additionally illustrated are the brush inserts which are mounted in the case, and the tips of which press against the comb spine;

FIG. 5 is a further sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3 and through an individual tooth of the comb and illustrates a portion of the bibulous foamed liner which press against the sides of the tooth;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the comb and case shown in FIG. 3 and illustrating the spine of the comb which extends partially over the sidewalls of the case to provide a seal;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6 and showing the manner in which the comb biasing torsion spring is mounted to rotate the comb to its operative position;

FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6 and illustrates the mechanism which locks the comb in its closed position (seated within the case) and releases the comb so that the spring may rotate the comb to its operative position;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view through the comb case, said view being taken substantially along the line 9-9 of FIG. 3 and showing further details of the comb case and the comb;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 10-10 of FIG. 8 but showing the comb in its operative position; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 12-12 of FIG. 10 and illustrating the surface configuration of a camming protuberance which projects from the tang of the comb.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREHiRRED EMBODIMENT The present invention was developed afier the realization that the difficulties inherent with the prior existing pocket combs could be solved with a single compact comb which could not only automatically snap from its case to an operative position, but would also provide an arrangement whereby the entire comb would be cleaned each time it was inserted into and withdrawn from its case.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the reference numeral l denotes a sheathed comb constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention. The comb includes a plurality of parallel teeth 12 which extend from an elongate spine 14 of T-shaped transverse cross section. The pivoted end of the comb is forked and includes two parallel disc-shaped tangs or legs 16 and 17 (see FIG. 9). Each includes a central opening through which an axle 18 is inserted. Said axle 18 serves to pivotally mount the comb in a case 20. The axle 18 is prevented from rotating with respect to the comb by a keying arrangement whereby the portions of the axle 18 extending through the leg openings are noncircular, e.g., of square cross section, as are the openings (see FIG. 10).

The comb case 20 includes

parallel sidewalls

22, 23 which extend upwardly form a substantially flat base 24 and are smoothly ehamfered at the upper edged 26, 27 thereof at the pivotal zone. The

sidewalls

22, 23 are joined across the

edges

26, 27 at the distal (remote from the pivotal) end 28 of the case 20 and, at the pivotal end, the case is open. At this open end, the comb is pivotally mounted between the sidewalls (see FIG. 9) to swing into and out form the case.

The axle 18 extends through aligned

openings

32 and 34 in the

sidewalls

23, 22, respectively. Each

opening

32, 34 is circular as is the axle portion extending therethrough so that the axle 18 is joumaled for rotation on the case 20.

Because the portions of the axle 18 extending through the

legs

16, 17 are keyed as are the leg openings, the axle 18 cannot rotate with respect to the comb 10. The axle 18 is functionally unitary with the comb 10 to effect the snap-out of the comb as will be subsequently described.

An automatic comb snap-out mechanism 35 illustrated in FIGS. 7-10 includes a spiral leaf biasing torque spring 36 which is positioned between the

legs

16, 17 of the comb l0 and is connected at its opposite ends to the axle 18 and the base 24 of the comb case. The spring is biased to exert a clockwise (as viewed in FIG. 7) force on the axle 18 which is keyed to the comb legs so that the comb 10 is urged toward its operative position wherein it extends longitudinally away from the case 20, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The inner end 37 of the spiral spring has lug 36' extending into a slot 38 (see FIG. 7) in the axle 18 while the outer end 39 of the spiral spring 36 has a lug projecting radially outwardly and abutting a flange 40 projecting upwardly from and integral with the end of the base 24 (see FIG. 7).

The flange 40 also serves as an abutment stop to limit the rotation of the comb so that the comb will stop only in its operative position shown in FIG. 1 afier swinging through an arc of approximately l80 To limit the rotation of the comb as just described, the abutment stop 40 is engaged by a shoulder 42 at the pivotal end of the spine 14. The abutting engagement between the shoulder 42 and the flange 40 is best illustrated in FIG. 10.

The automatic comb snap-out mechanism 35 is provided with a latch mechanism 44 which releasably secures the comb in its retracted position within the case and permits the spiral leaf torque spring 36 to rotate the comb to its operative position after depression of a release button 46. The latch mechanism 44 includes a catch engagement between the inner surface of the case wall 22 and the outer surface of the leg 16. The catch is released by lateral seperating movement of said two engaging surfaces. The latching mechanism 44 utilizes a proportioning of the parts such that the space between the outer surfaces of the

legs

16, 17 is slightly less than the space between the inner surfaces of the

case walls

22, 23. This difference in spaces is taken up by a Belleville spring 52 located between the leg 17 and the wall 23. The spring 52 is concentrically mounted on the axle 18. The pushbutton 46 is in actuality an enlarged head on the axle 18, and is slidably positioned within an enlarged opening 50 in the outer surface of the wall 22. The other end of the axle terminates at a smaller head 48 which aids in holding the axle captive. The pushbutton is depressed inwardly toward the interior of the comb case 20 in order to move the axle 18 and the comb legs 16, 17 (which are rigidly affixed thereto) laterally to compress (flatten) the Belleville spring 52 and to disengage mating catch surfaces. When the pushbutton 46 is depressed, the axle 18 will slide laterally in the comb case 20 while the Belleville spring is compressed.

It should be noted that the lug at the end 39 of the torque spring 36 which engages the flange 40 is held thereagainst by preloading the spring and is slidably laterally along the flange 40 so that when the button 46 is depressed and the axle 18 and comb

legs

16, 17 move laterally within the case, the lug at the spring end 39 will slide along the flange 40 toward the case wall 23. Thus, the pushbutton may be easily depressed to move the

comb legs

16, 17 away from the sidewall 22 without resistance from the spring 36.

The comb is held against the turning movement in its closed position by a catch mechanism constituting an engagement of the leg 16 and the sidewall 22. The catch mechanism comprises camming protuberances 54 which under certain conditions preclude spring rotation of the comb with respect the the case. Each protuberance 54 (see FIG. 11) includes a sloping cam face 56 which extends outwardly from the surface of the leg 16 and terminates at a step 58 which is perpendicular to the face of the leg 16. The protuberance 54 are concentrically spaced and evenly distributed about the center of the discshaped ends of the leg.

The interior surface of the sidewall 22 is provided with mating indentations 60 which are of generally rectangular cross sections and include end walls adapted to engage the steps 58 of the protuberances 54 when the comb is in closed position. The abutment of a step 58 and the end wall of indentation 60 will lock the comb against clockwise rotation so long as the leg 16 is seated against the wall 22 under the biasing pressure of the Belleville spring 52. It should be noted that counter clockwise rotation of the comb, i.e., from open to closed position within the comb case, is not prevented. Thus, the sloping face 56 of each protuberance 54 is in camming engagement with the corresponding sloped bottom walls of each indentation, and when counterclockwise force is applied to the comb, the camming engagement will move the leg 16 laterally from the sidewall 22 to disengage the protuberances from the indentations. Thus, the comb may be swung into the case without the manual depression of the button 46.

While the comb is rotated in a counterclockwise closing direction, the protuberances 54 will ride against the smooth portions of the inner surface of the sidewall 22 until the steps 58 engage the indentations 60 at which time the Belleville spring 52 will force and snap the comb against the sidewall and the protuberances 54 will seat in the newly aligned indentations 60. Further rotation of the comb will cause the protuberances to disengage the indentations 60 and the leg 16 of the comb 10 to move from the side wall 22 until finally the comb is seated in its closed position; the indentations 60 and the protuberances 54 will be engaged and the comb leg 16 will abut the interior surface of the sidewall 22. Thus, a ratchet mechanism is provided which can be disengaged to enable the torque spring 36 to snap the comb out from the case and yet permits manual sheathing of the comb.

plify hair grooming as it will no longer be necessary to separately apply a hair dressing to ones hair prior to the grooming thereof.

Because the slab 62 is preferably impregnated with a liquid which may be volatile, the comb case includes a shield 70 (FIG. 9) to inhibit the evaporation of the solvent from the case. The shield 70 is mounted in the case 20 adjacent the comb legs l6, l7 and preferably is resilient and impervious to liquids. it extends from the base 24 of the case arcuately to the

upper edges

26, 27 of the

side walls

22, 23 and is secured to the

sidewalls

22,23. The shield 70 has a central channel 71 within which the comb 10 is seated when the comb is retracted into the case. A suitable material for the shield is synthetic foam such as a closed-cell polyurethane which will prevent loss of the liquid.

To inhibit evaporation of the liquid between the

upper edges

26, 27 of the case sidewalls 22, 23 and the spine 14 of the comb, the spine, as previously mentioned, includes a transversely enlarged head the side edges of which overlap the

upper edges

26, 27 of the

sidewalls

22, 23 to effectively seal the comb case and lessen evaporation of the liquid.

The comb case 20 is further provided with an optional brush apparatus to insure substantially complete removal of solid particles from the comb. The brush apparatus includes two brushes 80 which are slidably mounted within the comb case 20 with the tips of the bristles in opposed relationship. Each brush 80 includes a substantially planar back 81 and a plurality of bristles 82 projecting from the back. The brush backs 81 are engaged within grooves 84 formed in the opposed

sidewalls

22, 23 of the case 20 and are positioned above the slab 62 substantially parallel to the

upper edges

26, 27. As shown in FIG. 2, the brushes 80 may be removed for replacement or cleaning through the open end 28 of the comb case.

When the brushes 80 are mounted in the channels 84 the bristles 82 are opposed and spaced from one another, and will rub against the side surface of the comb when the comb is retracted into the case. This contact will provide an initial brushing and cleansing of the comb prior to contact with the liquid-impregnated bibulous slab 62. The brushes serve a further function, to wit: the final cleansing of the comb as it is withdrawn from the case to its operative position. This cleansing'will remove any solid particles which have accumulated on the spine above the portion of the spine seated within the channel 67 and, while the comb is being opened; the brush bristles 82 will brush any solid particles into the space 69.

The use of the brushes 80 is optional and is desirable when the slab is impregnated with cleaning solvent. The brushes will then act as a dryer to assure that the comb 10, when in its operative position, is clean, dry and ready for use.

Thus, it will be seen that there is provided a sheathed comb and a method of cleaning a comb which achieves the various objects of the invention and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the present invention and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described the invention, there is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent:

1. A cleaning apparatus attached to a hair grooming comb, said comb having a substantially planar spine and a plurality of spaced coplanar parallel teeth projecting from one edge thereof, said cleaning apparatus comprising an elongate resilient slab of bibulous celled foam material, said slab having a height greater than the length of the teeth, a width greater than the length of the spine and a thickness greater than that of the comb, means forming a plurality of aligned spaced access openings along a face of the slab including the thickness and width of the slab, means forming a plurality of coplanar hollow spaced comb tooth receiving preformed passageways within said slab, each preformed passageway lying along a plane substantially bisecting the thickness of the slab and along an individual axis coincident with an associated access opening, each preformed passageway axis extending substantially perpendicular to the width of the slab, each of said access openings being registered with a single preformed passageway, means forming a web of the bibulous celled foam slab material between adjacent preformed passageways, each preformed passageway being so dimensioned that its width is slightly less than that of a corresponding comb tooth to yieldingly accommodate the comb tooth throughout its length, the comb being received in the slab, teeth lengthwise and teeth tips foremost with each tooth being seated within a corresponding preforrned passageway and with the successive webs being received in the spaces between adjacent successive comb teeth.

2. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein means fonning an elongate channel is included in the upper surface of the slab, said elongate channel lying substantially within the plane of the passageways, the one face of the slab including the bottom of the channel, the width of the channel being slightly less than the corresponding thickness of the spine of the comb, solid particles being removed from surfaces of the comb by the sides of the channel while the comb is inserted into the slab, a portion of the spine of the comb being seated within the channel when the comb teeth are seated within their passageways.

3. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the slab is impregnated with a liquid, selected comb surfaces being wiped with the liquid as they are inserted into the slab.

4. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 3 wherein means is included within the liquid for dissolving natural hair oils deposited on the comb surfaces and for breaking down constituents of dandruff.

5. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 2 wherein the upper edge of the channel walls are feathered, the feathered edges engaging solid particles adhering to the comb and removing such particles from the comb as it is inserted into the slab.

6. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 1 including a comb and wherein means is included to pivotally mount the comb on said case for rotation substantially in the plane of the passageways.

7. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 6 wherein the means pivotally mounting the comb on the case includes energy storing means, said apparatus further including a release mechanism for releasing the energy storing means, said energy storing means dissipating its stored energy and snapping the comb out of the case when the release mechanism is engaged.

8. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 6 wherein brush means is provided, said brush means being mounted on the case below the open top thereof and above the slab, said brush means contacting solid particles on the comb and removing the same as the comb is inserted into and retracted from the case.

9. A comb apparatus for providing a quickly accessible hair grooming pocket comb which may be easily carried about, said apparatus including an elongate case having an open top, a hair grooming comb, means pivotally mounting an end of said comb on said case, said mounting means including an axle extending transversely through the case and an end of the comb, means journaling the axle for rotation about the case. means preventing rotation of the axle with respect to the comb, the apparatus further including an energy storing means for automatically snapping the comb out of the case, said energy storing means comprising a spiral torque spring,

having inner and outer ends, the inner end of said spring being engaged to the axle, the outer end of the said spring being engaged by a portion of the comb case, said spring biasing said axle for rotation of the comb to its operative position wherein the comb extends longitudinally away from and is in line with said case. said comb apparatus further including a release mechanism for selectively retaining the comb within the case.

ln order to provide for automatic comb cleaning, a case liner comprising a bibulous elastomeric slab 62 of open-cell foam material is slidably mounted within the case 20. This slab 62 serves to clean the comb, dissolving natural hair oils and removing solid particles, e.g., dandruff, lint, soot, etc., which have accummulated on or between the teeth of the comb. The slab 62 is formed of any bibulous, flexible material such as natural or synthetic open-cell foam, e.g., open-cell polyvinyl chloride, flexible polyurethane, etc.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the slab 62 is of substantially rectangular transverse cross section which mates and confonns with the hollow transverse cross-sectional interior of the comb case 20. The top wall of the slab includes upwardly, inwardly tapering arcuately sloped surfaces 64 (see FIGS. 2, 4 and 5) which extend from the side edges of the slab to elevated ridges forming the upper edges 66 of the walls of a channel 67.

The channel 67 extends longitudinally along the upper surface of the slab and facilitates the removal of solid particles which have adhered to the comb teeth 12 and lower portions of the spine. The channel walls are spaced apart a distance which is less than the thickness of the comb teeth 12 and spine. A plurality of passageways 72 are spaced along the channel. The passageways are mutually parallel and are arranged in a linear row running the length of the slab. The passageways have their open mouths at the base of the channel and extend into the slab toward the base 24. The spacing between adjacent passageways 72 corresponds to the spacing between adjacent comb teeth and the slab is so disposed in the case that when the comb is pivotally retracted into the case, each comb tooth 12 will be seated within a passageway 72 having entered its associated passageway tip first. The width of each passageway is slightly greater than the width of the channel 67 so that (as best illustrated in FIG. 3a the channel sidewalls are enlarged by the passageways 72 giving the channel sidewalls a somewhat sinusoidal configuration. The thickness of the comb teeth is greater than the corresponding dimensions of the passageways 72 so that when the comb teeth are inserted into the passageway, brushing contact between the slab and the entire peripheral surface of each tooth is assured.

When the comb is pivotally retracted into the comb case the teeth 12 extend into the passageways 72 (see FIG. 5) of the slab 62 and a portion of the spine 14 adjacent the base of the teeth 12 is seated within the channel 67 (see FIG. 40.

The cooperation between the passageways 72 and the channel 67 on the one hand and the comb teeth and spine on the other is such to assure the maximal removal of solid particles carried by the comb as well as a complete and effective cleansing of the comb. As the comb is pivotally retracted (inserted) into the case, the teeth contact the upper edge 66 of the channel side wall, which edge is feathered (see FIGS. 4 and 5) so that any solid particles which are brushed by the edge 66 will be removed from the comb and will fall or travel down the sloped surface 64 on the top of the slab 62 into a space 69 between the slab and the comb case. Furthennore, ans as best illustrated in FIG. 3a, it can be seen that portions of the feathered edge 66 which are between the spaced passageways 72 will come into contact with the teeth 12 of the comb. The distance between opposed feathered edged 66 in these intermediate areas is less than the space between the feathered edges at the passageways 72. Thus, when the comb is swung into the case, these last mentioned areas will contact the surface of the spine 14 between the comb teeth 12 and will disengage and remove solid particles from the areas contacted (between the comb teeth). Furthermore, it can be observed that the opposed facing surfaces of adjacent comb teeth will be wiped by the portions of the bottom wall of the channel 67 which peripherally surrounds each passageway 72. Hence, the passageways 72 and the channel 67 work in conjunction with one another to remove the solid particles which are collected on the comb.

At this point it should be noted that when the comb is retracted into the case 20, the teeth 12 travel in an arcuate path (about the axle 18) so that they do not enter each passageway 72 in an exactly vertical downward path strictly perpendicular to the length of the case and slab; nevertheless this path is closely approximated to enable an excellent wiping action to be carried out along the length of the teeth and round each tooth. The foamed material of which the slab 62 is constructed is of sufficient resiliency to deform to permit slight expansion of the sizes of the passageways so that each individual passageway 72 will deflect slightly to accommodate the comb teeth when they are inserted; indeed this deformation and subsequent spring back during entry of the comb into the slab tends to increase the efficiency of the wiping action.

It should be additionally noted that the slab 62 is longitudinally slidably shiftably within the comb case (in a manner to be subsequently described) so that, optionally, the slab itself may move laterally within the case as the comb teeth 12 are inserted into the passageways. The lateral movement of the entire slab will serve to permit the insertion of the teeth without the deformation of the passageways although the teeth are not travelling in an exactly vertical downward direction.

As was just mentioned, the slab 62 is slidably mounted within the comb case 20. For such purpose, there are notched tracks 74 and 75 (see FIG. 5) which extend into the

sidewalls

22 and 23, respectively. The

tracks

74, 75 are positioned adjacent the interior of the base 24 of the case and are engaged by a plate 76 which is secured to the slab 62. The plate 76 is of a width slightly larger than the width of the slab and of a thickness slightly less than the widths of the

tracks

74, 75 so that the portions of the plate 76 which extend laterally beyond the sides of the slab 63 extend into the tacks and are slidable therein. The plate 76 is secured to the slab 62 with the use of a suitable adhesive, e.g., an epoxy adhesive, which will not be dissolved by any solvent which is carried by the slab.

As shown in FIG. 2, the slab 62 may be removed from the end 28 of the case 20. There is a removable panel 78 for this purpose, the side edges of which extend into a grooved passageway formed in the interior surface of the

sidewalls

22, 23. The panel 78 is slid downwardly past the case bottom 24 by engaging a thumb nail notch (shown in FIG. 2) and applying a downward force. After removing the panel the interior of the comb case is exposed and the formed slab 62 may be removed for cleaning or replacement.

As was previously mentioned, the slab 62 is constructed of a bibulous open-celled foamed material although any other elastically yieldable bibulous material such as animal, vegetable or synthetic fibrous felt or batting may be used so that the slab may be impregnated with a solvent suitable for dissolving not only natural hair oils, which increase the tendency for a comb to accumulate solid particles, but to additionally act as a solvent for dissolving accumulated hair grease in which dandruff and other particles are embedded.

Suitable solvents which may be used in conjunction with the slab 62 are commercially available. A solvent which contains approximately 2 percent salicylic acid will tend to break up grease. Additionally, ethyl alcohol in water in concentrations up to approximately 50 percent will assist in the removal of dandruff and will further serve to dissolve natural hair oils and grease to insure complete cleaning of the comb 10.

When the comb is retracted into the case, and the teeth 12 are seated within the passageways 72 with the spine 14 nested within the channel 67, the solvent will be in contact with the normally dirtied surfaces of the comb against which the slab presses thus serving to cleanse the comb.

Optionally, the slab 62 may be impregnated with a medicinal dandricide to assist in retarding the growth of dandruff on theuser's scalp and which will be deposited upon the users hair by the comb 10.

A further modification of the invention is the inclusion of liquid hair dressing impregnated in the bibulous slab 62 to be deposited upon the surface of the comb. This will greatly sim- 10. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 9 wherein the portion of the comb through which the axle extends includes two broad forked legs. he spring being constructed of a coiled leaf of resilient material and being positioned between the legs.

I l. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 10 wherein means is included to permit the comb to shift transversely relative to the case, wherein the release mechanism includes engaging means between the case and the comb, said engaging means being released when the comb is moved transversally within the case, the release mechanism further including biasing means urging the comb toward the engag ng means.

12. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 9 wherein a resilient bibuious slab is included, said slab being secured within the case, the slab having an elongate channel along its upper surface, solid particles being removed from the comb by the sides of the channel as the comb is inserted into the case and portions of the comb lying within the channel when the comb is seated within the case.

i l i l

Claims

1. A cleaning apparatus attached to a hair grooming comb, said comb having a substantially planar spine and a plurality of spaced coplanar parallel teeth projecting from one edge thereof, said cleaning apparatus comprising an elongate resilient slab of bibulous celled foam material, said slab having a height greater than the length of the teeth, a width greater than the length of the spine and a thickness greater than that of the comb, means forming a plurality of aligned spaced access openings along a face of the slab including the thickness and width of the slab, means forming a plurality of coplanar hollow spaced comb tooth receiving preformed passageways within said slab, each preformed passageway lying along a plane substantially bisecting the thickness of the slab and along an individual axis coincident with an associated access opening, each preformed passageway axis extending substantially perpendicular to the width of the slab, each of said access openings being registered with a single preformed passageway, means forming a web of the bibulous celled foam slab material between adjacent preformed passageways, each preformed passageway being so dimensioned that its width is slightly less than that of a corresponding comb tooth to yieldingly accommodate the comb tooth throughout its length, the comb being received in the slab, teeth lengthwise and teeth tips foremost with each tooth being seated within a corresponding preformed passageway and with the successive webs being received in the spaces between adjacent successive comb teeth.

2. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein means forming an elongate channel is included in the upper surface of the slab, said elongate channel lying substantially within the plane of the passageways, the one face of the slab including the bottom of the channel, the width of the channel being slightly less than the corresponding thickness of the spine of the comb, solid particles being removed from surfaces of the comb by the Sides of the channel while the comb is inserted into the slab, a portion of the spine of the comb being seated within the channel when the comb teeth are seated within their passageways.

9. A comb apparatus for providing a quickly accessible hair grooming pocket comb which may be easily carried about, said apparatus including an elongate case having an open top, a hair grooming comb, means pivotally mounting an end of said comb on said case, said mounting means including an axle extending transversely through the case and an end of the comb, means journaling the axle for rotation about the case, means preventing rotation of the axle with respect to the comb, the apparatus further including an energy storing means for automatically snapping the comb out of the case, said energy storing means comprising a spiral torque spring, having inner and outer ends, the inner end of said spring being engaged to the axle, the outer end of the said spring being engaged by a portion of the comb case, said spring biasing said axle for rotation of the comb to its operative position wherein the comb extends longitudinally away from and is in line with said case, said comb apparatus further including a release mechanism for selectively retaining the comb within the case.

10. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 9 wherein the portion of the comb through which the axle extends includes two broad forked legs, the spring being constructed of a coiled leaf of resilient material and being positioned between the legs.

11. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 10 wherein means is included to permit the comb to shift transversely relative to the case, wherein the release mechanism includes engaging means between the case and the comb, said engaging means being released when the comb is moved transversally within the case, the release mechanism further including biasing means urging the comb toward the engaging means.

12. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 9 wherein a resilient bibulous slab is included, said slab being secured within the case, the slab having an elongate channel along its upper surface, solid particles being removed from the comb by the sides of the channel as the comb is inserted into the case and portions of the comb lying within the channel when the comb is seated within the case.