GB2261812A

GB2261812A - Hairbrush cleaning device

Info

Publication number: GB2261812A
Application number: GB9125512A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Polly Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-11-29
Filing date: 1991-11-29
Publication date: 1993-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2011-11-29
Also published as: GB9125512D0; GB2261812B

Abstract

A device 1 for cleaning the head of a hairbrush, comprises a housing 2, 3 inside which the brush head can be accommodated, the housing having on its inner surface a plurality of blades 5 arranged so as to lie between rows of bristles or tines on a brush head accommodated inside it. The housing is also capable of movement relative to a brush head accommodated inside it, so as to effect cutting of hair tangled between the bristles or tines of the brush head by means of the blades on the inner surface of the housing. The device greatly simplifies the cleaning of hairbrushes. <IMAGE>

Description

HAIRBRUSH CLEANING DEVICE Field of the Invention This invention relates to a device for cleaning the head of a hairbrush, particularly of unwanted hair tangled in the bristles of the brush. The invention also relates to a hairbrush in combination with such a cleaning device.

Background to the Invention Known hairbrushes comprise a handle portion and a head portion. The head portion carries a number of bristles, typically arranged in rows either longitudinally (i.e.

parallel to the longitudinal axis of the brush) or laterally around the brush head. As an alternative to bristles, some hairbrushes carry a number of projecting tines which perform the same function.

After a period of use, hairbrush tends to become rather dirty. Loose hairs become tangled in the bristles or tines, also serving to trap dust and dirt. It is often a difficult and unpleasant task to clean the brush head.

Statement of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a device for cleaning the head of a hairbrush, comprising a housing inside which the brush head can be accommodated, the housing having on its inner surface a plurality of blades arranged so as to lie between rows of bristles or tines on a brush head accommodated inside the housing, the housing also being capable of movement relative to a brush head accommodated inside it, such as to effect cutting of hairs tangled between the bristles or tines of the brush head by means of the blades on the inner surface of the housing.

The size and shape of the housing will vary according to that of the brush head to be accommodated inside it.

Since there are many different sizes and shapes of hairbrush available, the housing may take any of a range of different shapes and sizes. -For instance, many hairbrushes are available which have brush heads of circular cross-section. The housing might then typically take the form of a hollow cylindrical tube into which the brush head could be inserted.

The housing may be in two parts, hinged together so as to be capable of opening and closing around a brush head.

This leads to considerable ease of removal and insertion of the brush head. The two parts, when closed, may be fastened together by means of snap fasteners or other similar fastening means.

The housing is preferably made from a plastics material.

It may or may not completely enclose a brush head accommodated inside it.

The blades provided on the inner surface of the housing preferably comprise upstanding portions, again conveniently made from a plastics material. The ends of the blades must be sharp enough so as to cut through hairs tangled between the bristles or tines of a brush head accommodated inside the housing.

The arrangement of the blades will depend on the arrangement of the bristles or tines on a brush head to be cleaned using the device. If the bristles or tines are arranged on the brush head in longitudinal rows, then the blades should also be arranged longitudinally in rows along the inner surface of the housing. However, they may be arranged in other ways if required to fit between other types of bristle/tine arrangement.

The housing is preferably capable of reciprocating movement relative to the brush head. Conveniently, the housing will be capable of sliding back and forth relative to the brush head, in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hairbrush. However, the housing may also be capable of rotation relative to an accommodated brush head. This might be more appropriate, for instance, if the bristles or tines of the brush head are arranged laterally around it.

The housing may comprise a locating means, capable of being lined up with a second locating means provided on a hair brush, to enable the user to tell when the bristles/tines of the brush head and the blades of the cleaning device have been correctly aligned relative to one another. The locating means may, for instance, take the form of a visual marking or other indication provided on the housing, which may be lined up with a similar marking on a hairbrush. However, the locating means preferably takes the form of a groove or other relief marking on the housing of the cleaning device, together with a similar relief marking on a hair brush to be cleaned, which allows the cleaning device to be used by the blind or partially sighted.

The present invention additionally provides a hairbrush in combination with a cleaning device as described above as being in accordance with the invention. Again, both the cleaning device and the hairbrush are preferably provided with locating means, which two respective locating means may be aligned when the head of the hairbrush is accommodated inside the cleaning device, so as to ensure that the bristles/tines of the brush head and the blades of the cleaning device are correctly aligned relative to one another.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings, of which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hairbrush cleaning device in accordance with the invention; - Figure 2 shows part of a longitudinal section taken through the device shown in Figure 1, together with a hairbrush to be cleaned; and - Figure 3 is a section taken along the line III-III in Figure 2.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown a cleaning device 1 in accordance with the invention, for use in cleaning the head of a hairbrush. The device comprises a plastics housing, which is made up of the two separate components, 2 and 3, hinged together along the axis 4.

Each of the components 2 and 3 comprises a hollow tube of semi-cylindrical cross-section, with a number of blades 5 projecting inwardly from its inner surface. These blades are also made from a plastics material, but are sufficiently sharp as to be able to cut through hair tangled between the bristles or tines of a hairbrush.

The blades are arranged in longitudinal rows, so as to sit between rows of bristles or tines on the head of a hairbrush which is accommodated inside the cleaning device.

The two components 2 and 3 are hinged together so as to be able to open and close around the head of a hairbrush to be cleaned. In this case, the cleaning device 1 is designed for use with a hairbrush having a head portion of a cylindrical cross-section. Components 2 and 3 are able to close together around the head of the brush, thus enclosing it in the plastics housing. Two snap fasteners 6 are provided on the device, by means of which components 2 and 3 may be releasably fastened together around the head of a hairbrush.

In use, the head of a hairbrush to be cleaned is placed in one of the components of the housing, 2 or 3. The two components are then closed together around the brush head, and the snap fasteners 6 used to secure them in this position. Cut-out portions 7 provided in the ends of components 2 and 3 allow the handle of the hairbrush to pass out of the housing when the brush head is accommodated between components 2 and 3.

The user then slides the cleaning device 1 up and down, in a longitudinal direction relative to the long axis of the hairbrush. This movement allows the blades 5, positioned between the bristles or tines of the brush head, to cut hairs tangled between the bristles or -tines.

The housing may then be re-opened, the hairbrush removed and the severed hairs and other dirt and debris collected in them easily removed from between the bristles or tines of the brush. Most of the unwanted hair will remain inside the cleaning device 1, and can then easily be disposed of.

A groove or a visual marking may be provided on the cleaning device 1 (not shown in Figure 1) and a similar marking provided on a hairbrush to be cleaned using the device. This allows a user more easily to ensure that a hairbrush accommodated inside the housing of the device is correctly aligned relative to the device, such that the blades 5 sit correctly between rows of bristles or tines on the brush head.

Whilst the cleaning device shown in Figure 1 comprises two components 2 and 3, which close together to form a complete housing, equally within the scope of the present invention is a cleaning device which comprises a single-component housing into which the head of a hairbrush may be inserted for cleaning.

Figure 2 shows the cleaning device 1 of Figure 1 in use.

The head of a hairbrush 10 is accommodated inside the device. The blades 5, on the inner surfaces of the two housing components 2 and 3 (which enclose the brush 10) are positioned between rows of bristles 11 on the head of brush 10 (see also Figure 3). Handle 12 of the brush exits the cleaning device through the opening 7.

Figure 3 is a section taken along the line III-III in Figure 2. This shows the handle 12 of hairbrush 10; bristles 11 arranged in longitudinal rows on the head of the brush; housing components 2 and 3 of the cleaning device; hinge 4 where components 2 and 3 are connected together; blades 5 on the inner surfaces of components 2 and 3; and snap fastener 6 by means of which the two components are releasably secured together to enclose the head'of brush 10.

It will be clear from the above that a device in accordance with the invention is easy to use, easily transportable and relatively simple and inexpensive to produce. It can make the cleaning of hairbrushes a much more pleasant and effective operation than has previously been possible.

Claims

1. A device for cleaning the head of a hairbrush, the device comprising a housing inside which the brush head can be accommodated, the housing having on its inner surface a plurality of blades arranged so as to lie between rows of bristles or tines on a brush head accommodated inside the housing, the housing also being capable of movement relative to a brush head accommodated inside it, such as to effect cutting of hairs tangled between the bristles or tines of the brush head by means of the blades on the inner surface of the housing.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the housing takes the form of a hollow cylindrical tube.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the housing is in two parts, hinged together so as to be capable of opening and closing around a brush head.

4. A device according to Claim 3, wherein the two parts of the housing, when closed, are fastened together by means of snap fasteners or other similar fastening means.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is made from a plastics material.

6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing completely encloses a brush head accommodated inside the housing.

7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blades on the inner surface of the housing comprise upstanding portions.

8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blades are arranged longitudinally in rows along the inner surface of the housing.

9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is capable of reciprocating movement relative to a brush head accommodated inside it.

10. A device according to Claim 9, wherein the housing is capable of sliding back and forth relative to a brush head accommodated inside it, in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hairbrush of which the brush head forms a part.

11. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is capable of rotation relative to a brush head accommodated inside it.

12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises a locating means, capable of being lined up with a second locating means provided on a hair brush, to enable the user to tell when the bristles/tines of the brush head and the blades of the cleaning device have been correctly aligned relative to one another.

13. A device according to Claim 12, wherein the locating means takes the form of a visual marking or other indication provided on the housing.

14. A device according to Claim 12 or Claim 13, wherein the locating means takes the form of a groove or other relief marking on the housing of the cleaning device.

15. A device for cleaning the head of a hairbrush, the device being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings.

16. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, in combination with a hairbrush the head of which is capable of being accommodated inside the housing of the device.

17. A device and hairbrush according to Claim 16, wherein the device and the hairbrush are each provided with a respective locating means, which two respective locating means may be aligned when the head of the hairbrush is accommodated inside the cleaning device, so as to ensure that the bristles/tines of the brush head and the blades of the cleaning device are correctly aligned relative to one another.