WO2016162825A1

WO2016162825A1 - A hair brush device

Info

Publication number: WO2016162825A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/051982
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lesley Caroline DALTON
Original assignee: Dalton Lesley Caroline
Priority date: 2015-04-08
Filing date: 2016-04-07
Publication date: 2016-10-13
Also published as: GB2537135A; GB201505927D0; GB2537135B

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hair brush device (100) for styling hair. The hair brush device (100) has a handle (1) and a brush head (2), the brush head (2) is substantially cylindrical with a plurality of bristles (3) extending therefrom, the handle (1) extends substantially orthogonally from the brush head (2), from an interface located adjacent to the brush head (2); wherein the interface provides an opening (9) into which a user's fingers or fingertips are inserted so as to enable rotational manipulation of the brush device (100) about a brush head axis when styling hair.

Description

A HAIR BRUSH DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hair brush device, in particular a device for adding volume to hair during styling; more particularly but not exclusively, the invention relates to a device for intuitively adding volume and lifting at the root of hair. Background

Increasing attention to appearance in many societies is necessary in work and domestic environments. Hair styling, appearance and grooming is of particular importance to many people.

Many styles of combs and brushes exist, for a variety of different purposes.

Volume is often portrayed as a desirable characteristic for hairstyles and is achieved by adding lift at the hair root. Such styling can require significant amount of time in preparation. Consequently a great deal of hairstyling devices are directed towards achieving volume in hair, such as by use of rollers. However, the use of hair rollers is time consuming and therefore is not suitable for many user's lifestyle needs. Prior Art

A number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem, including the following: United States patent application US 2009 314 304 (JOCHIM et al) discloses an apparatus comprising: a handle grip including a plurality of finger slots situated between a first thumb slot and a second thumb slot. A palm rest extends rearwardly from the finger slots and is adapted between the first and second thumb slots. A bristle base is connected to the handle grip, where the bristle base includes a bristle field having a length and width. The length extends in a direction substantially parallel to a user's hand when engaged in the finger slots. The bristle base is removeably adapted to the handle grip.

United States patent application US 2006 090 770 (WALL) discloses a hair pick for lifting, holding and combing a shock of hair comprising a plurality of essentially parallel elongated teeth attached to a narrow, flexible base bar having a finger hole and two finger grips attached. The entire assembly is formed as an integral piece of moderately flexible plastic. United States patent application US 2005 241 661 (EDDINGER et al) discloses a generally flat, elongate hand-held comb comprising: a first elongated end, a second elongated end and a centre section.

A centre line passes through a longitudinal centre of the comb. The first elongated end has a plurality of first comb teeth extending away from the centre line from a first edge to a second edge of said first elongated end.

Canadian Patent application CA2241259 (DUCHARME) discloses a brush for cleaning dental prostheses having a handle with a flared end with a bristle front face disposed to traverse the longitudinal axis of the handle.

UK Patent Application GB383394 (PYMER) discloses an improvement to brushes wherein the back of the brush is shaped to suit the palm and fingers of a user. Japanese Patent Application JP2006043253A (LIGHTEN) discloses an ornamental design for a hair brush.

US Patent (WILLINGER) discloses a brush handle formed with a continually arched upper surface portion and a lower surface portion separated into two arched portions by a humped semi-circular ridge.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved hair brush device which overcome problems associated with prior art hair brushes.

Another object is to provide a hair brush with improved volumising capabilities. Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a hair brush device comprising: a handle and a brush head, the brush head is substantially cylindrical with a plurality of bristles extending therefrom, the handle extends substantially orthogonally from the brush head, from an interface located adjacent the head; wherein the interface provides an opening into which a user's fingers or fingertips are inserted so as to enable rotational manipulation of the brush device about a brush head axis when styling hair.

In this way a user is able to style hair and in particular to add volume to the hair during drying without the requirement to bend their arm at an awkward angle during styling. Using traditional barrel brushes the handle extends along the same axis as the brush and therefore a user must hold their arm away from their head, often with their elbow significantly elevated for long periods of time to enable styling and in particular to add volume through the blow drying processes.

Therefore the present invention makes hairstyling easier for the user and/or a hair stylist working on a person's hair as the user or stylist's arm can be held closer to the head with the elbow is not required to be elevated in the same way, therefore reducing strain on the wrist, upper arm and shoulder and associated aching.

The user of the hair brush device is advantageously enabled to manipulate the brush head in some embodiments generally with their hand and precisely with their fingertips in use, allowing closer and more precise control by situating the bristles adjacent and extending from fingers, so as to form a natural extension to the hand.

The hair brush device may be constructed with short or long handles, and/or heads so that different shapes and sizes can be provided for different users and different hair types and styles. Additionally the hair brush device may be formed from a plurality of materials advantageous to styling and to manipulation of the handle, and to allowing manipulation as appropriate at the interface.

Typically the handle may be moulded from a synthetic plastic. The handle may be coated in a sort resiliently deformable material such as rubber or silicon. The interface is adjacent to the brush head so that in use a user's fingertips are also located adjacent the brush head in order to permit accurate and gentle manipulation of the brush head in relation to a user's hair and head shape. The interface may be angled, continuous, deviated or articulated.

The interface is preferably integrated with the brush head so that a user's fingers may be inserted directly in to the brush head or in some other embodiments up to the brush head.

Preferably the opening extends into the brush head so as to permit enhanced control and manipulation of the brush head. In this way the brush device can be more accurately manipulated during styling. For example in some embodiments both the handle and brush head may be made from a moulded plastic with finger shaped indentations extending in to the head of the brush head thereby defining the interface.

Preferably the brush head, interface and handle are moulded as a single piece. This provides a quick and efficient method of manufacture.

The handle may be made from a semi-rigid material so as to permit some flexion when force is applied. In other embodiments the handle and brush head may be made as separate parts and then joined together. For example the handle and brush head may be manufactured separately and then assembled.

For example the handle may be adapted to receive the brush head so that the brush head(s) can be connected when required and to permit different brush heads to be used. For example the handle may be adapted such that two brush heads are attached, one to each side of the handle so that each brush head extents perpendicular to the handle and such that the brush heads are joined to form an elongate cylindrical brush head. The handle may have a handle plate at the distal end for receiving the brush heads. In some embodiments the hair device may be provided without a handle wherein the hair device comprises a brush head with an opening for receiving a user's fingertips.

In preferred embodiments the interface provides an opening into which the user's fingers or fingertips may be inserted, so as to enable manipulation of the device by a user using their fingertips.

Preferably the opening is adapted to receive fingers/fingertips so that they are supported by the interface to enable accurate and delicate movement.

The opening of the interface may be configured for receipt of a plurality of fingers. Accordingly the opening may be configured for receipt of differing finger lengths, in order that each of the fingertips butt against a surface so that the user can manipulate the head effectively and comfortably, and allows more precise operation or manipulation of the brush head.

In some embodiments the opening may include strips or hoops, individually or combining fingers. The opening may comprise a series of substantially parallel indentations or tubes, of differing length. For example the interface may be adapted to receive two fingertips, the index finger, and middle finger, or three fingertips, and the thumb and little finger are able to control and support the handle. The interface may be shaped so as to include a recess for each finger, being moulded such that a finger sits within the recess. The shaping of the interface thereby enhances the user experience and grip of the device.

The user's thumb, little finger and fourth finger may be used to contact the handle in order to stabilise the brush device whilst allowing finer movements to be controlled by a users fingertips by means of the opening.

The interface is ideally dimensioned and shaped such that the user's fingers or fingertips are received in the same orientation in which the handle extends from the brush head. Therefore in use the handle extends along the length of the hand towards a user's wrist. In this way the handle is typically position over the user's palm in use thereby providing a further means of stabilising the device in use. In some embodiments the interface that receives a user's fingertips is padded so as to be comfortable to hold and at least partially enclose a user's fingertips. The padding may also serve to protect a user's finger nails, for example if they are painted or manicured.

For example the opening to the interface may be lined with fabric or a resiliently deformable material, such as synthetic rubber, silicone or a cellular structure such as synthetic foam. The padding may also assist with gripping the device and preventing slippage during use.

Furthermore the padding may also provide a heat protective layer for a user's fingertips that may be exposed to the hot air generated by a hairdryer. In some preferred embodiments the opening is formed from a heat resistant material to prevent the user's fingertips from becoming overheated or burnt during styling.

In some embodiments the interface may be arranged such that the opening extends into the brush head.

In some other embodiments the interface may be arranged such that the opening extends into the handle

The device is dimensioned and arranged so that the brush head can pass through a person's hair in an ergonomic, instinctive and natural manner such that the user can hold the device in their hand naturally, and so that the brush head and bristles are in contact with the user's hair.

In some embodiments the bristles point in a plurality of directions so as to enable hair to be more easily engaged with the brush, in particular with shorter hair.

Such bristles in some embodiments may be formed from a substantially rigid material such as a synthetic plastic, for example polyethylene. In other embodiments the bristles may comprise flexible, natural or synthetic fibres, so that the head can comprise a greater number of tighter packed bristles. In preferred embodiments the brush head provides a substantially cylindrical shape wherein the bristles are dispersed along the curvature thereof so allowing a wide section of hair to be worked at any one time by the brush head. In this way the user's hair can be wrapped around the head and the head rolled or rotated by the handle; so as to for example, provide volume to the hair.

Ideally the head comprises an elongate cylindrical form providing a plurality of outwardly extending bristles so as to permit engagement with hair over a wide area. In some embodiments the brush head may be substantially cylindrical, for example presenting an arc-shaped or semi-circular surface that is presented to a user's head.

Preferably the handle interfaces with the head centrally along its length. Therefore the interface and thereby the opening is central. Advantageously this allows for a central point of control and balanced use of the device.

In other embodiments the handle may extend in an offset manner with respect to the head. For example the handle may deviate towards an end according to its intended use in different tasks.

Preferably the handle is arranged such that it allows the device to be reversible, thereby being easily used on either side of a user's head and by left and right-handed users. For example in some embodiments an opening may be provided with two openings, one on each side of the handle so that the orientation of the device in a user's hand can be changed depending on which opening the user's fingers are engaged with.

In some embodiments the handle may be displaceable on or along the brush head according to user preference. For example the handle may be mounted on the brush head in a slot and slidable therein, and subsequently the brush head may be capped with a displaceable cap and/or a sliding lock may be provided.

In preferred embodiments the handle replicates or emulates the user's fingers, for example being sized appropriately, elongate and substantially planar when in contact with the user's hair. Some embodiments may include a curvature form to mimic a hand at rest so that the handle rests comfortably against the user's hands. Some embodiments may be configured for reversible use.

In some embodiments the handle may provide articulation, wherein the handle may be hinged and/or be separated into segments having hinges therebetween. In this way the angle of the handle relative to the brush head can be adjusted.

In some embodiments the opening may be adjustable, so as to allow further opportunities for natural manipulation of the head, for example providing a knuckle synonymous or corresponding to the user's hand.

In some embodiments the device may provide a glove-like form, wherein the brush head is provided and a glove end and is mounted thereon. Furthermore such embodiments may have bristles dispersed about or on the glove's end so that each glove end (fingertip) has a brush head that includes bristles. In this way great dexterity is permitted to allow greater brushing precision in use.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the device;

Figure 2 shows a second isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ; Figures 3A and 3B show rear and front views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 4 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ;

Figures 5A and 5B show plan views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 6 shows a third isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 7 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ; and

Figure 8 shows a cross section of a brush device being held by a user.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the Figures there is shown a preferred embodiment of the hair brush device 100. Figures 1 to 6 show various views of the hair brush device 100 having a handle 1 extending orthogonal to a brush head 2.

The handle 1 has a longitudinal curvature and includes a hip 1 1 and enlarged end 12 so as to provide a shaped handle 1 that can be comfortably supported in a user's hand. The handle 1 is finished in a silicone coating so as to provide comfort, heat protection and enhanced grip.

The brush head 2 has a circular section and is cylindrical with a plurality of bristles 3 extending outward from the brush head 2. The bristles 3 are formed in substantially rigid synthetic plastics with a degree of flexure to allow flexing when the bristles engage with a user's head. The bristle ends 4 are rounded to avoid damage to a user's head or hair.

The bristles are tightly packed and extend around the brush head to approximately 270 degrees of the diameter in section. The area about the handle 1 is devoid of bristles as shown in Figures 1 and 6.

The handle 1 has a finger grip 7 (see Figure 1 ) for aiding in manipulation in use, being close to the head for added control. The finger grip is a rubber or silicone moulding, with transverse ribs 8. Figure 7 shows an exploded view of the hair brush device.

The brush head has an inner 5 holding the bristles. The inner 5 is segmented in order that the segments enable some flexure in the brush head 2 to make for a more comfortable use. The inners 5 are substantially provided as two halves, each has six elongate T- section segments 55 with living hinges 56 therebetween. The inners 5 are ideally made from resiliently deformable materials such as silicone, rubber or elastomeric plastics.

In some further embodiments the inners 5 may comprise substantially rigid material interspersed with elastomeric material. The brush head 2 further includes a substantially rigid perforated shield 6 arranged over the inners 5, segments 55 and living hinges 56 through which bristles 3 extend through the perforations. The shield 6 is provided in order that there is no likelihood of capture of hair or skin between segments during flexure.

The shield 6 is preferably formed from synthetic plastics such as polyethylene, or a heat resistant synthetic plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The brush head 2 and handle 1 join at an interface where an opening 9 that extends into the head 2 is provided.

The opening 9 is substantially hemispherical. The opening 9 being defined by a block 10 that provides a semi-circular arch to guide the fingertips into the opening and prevent fingers contacting the brush head undesirably. Such block 10 may be hinged, flexible, rubber or silicone, to aid in comfort in use and to enable the opening to permit fingertips of different shapes and sizes.

The opening 9 has a rubber gasket 13 for comfort against the user's fingers for when the fingers are pushed upwards against the head to manipulate the head in use. The gasket 13 also protects a user's fingernails from damage, such as varnish becoming scuffed or worn.

The brush head 2 has end stoppers 14, one at each end of the brush head 2 for holding the inners 6 and shields 6 together. The shields 6 clip together at resiliently deformable clips 15, thereby forming the cylindrical structure.

Figure 8 shows a cross section of the brush device in use. The bristles of the hair device are not shown in Figure 8. The opening 9 extends into the brush head 2. In use a user's fingertip(s) is/are rested against the opening 9 so as to permit manipulation of the brush device 100.

The handle 1 has a handle plate 1 A on to which the brush head 2 is mounted. The handle plate 1 A extends across the diameter of brush head 2.

In use the brush device is picked up by the handle 1 ; and the user's fingertips are arranged in the opening 9 so that at least one fingertip (usually the middle finger) is arranged in the opening. Often the index finger is also inserted into the opening.

The brush device is stabilised in the hand by the thumb and little finger and optionally the fourth finger so that the handle 1 lies across the palm of a user's hand so that the user's finger tips can be used to guide and manipulate the brush device in order that it engages with a person's hair to enable styling.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1 . A hair brush device comprising; a handle and a brush head, the brush head is substantially cylindrical with a plurality of bristles extending therefrom, the handle extends substantially orthogonally from the brush head, from an interface located adjacent the brush head; wherein the interface provides an opening into which a user's fingers or fingertips are inserted so as to enable rotational manipulation of the brush device about a brush head axis when styling hair.

2. A brush device according to claim 1 wherein the opening extends into the brush head.

3. A brush device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the handle is arranged centrally on the brush head.

4. A brush device according to any preceding claim wherein the interface is padded.

5. A brush devise according to any preceding claim wherein the interface is adjustable.

6. A brush device according to any preceding claim wherein the head comprises elongate segments each supporting a plurality of bristles longitudinally.

7. A brush device according to claim 6 wherein the segments are joined by one or more living hinges.

8. A brush device according to any preceding claim wherein the head comprises an elastomeric material.

9. A brush device according to any preceding claim wherein the brush head and handle are moulded as a single piece.

10. A brush device substantially as described herein with reference to the Figures. A method of forming a hairdressing device according to any of the preceding claims.