GB2478935A

GB2478935A - Liquid dispensing animal grooming brush

Info

Publication number: GB2478935A
Application number: GB1004868A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Katherine Coles
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-03-24
Filing date: 2010-03-24
Publication date: 2011-09-28
Also published as: GB201004868D0

Abstract

An animal grooming device comprises a liquid chamber or reservoir 100 for containing grooming liquid 101, a lid 102 covering the chamber, a one way valve 104 disposed on the chamber for dispensing the liquid, a button 106 for operating the valve to dispense the liquid; and at least one removable brush head 108. The or each brush head 108 includes at least one hole 110 which admits the dispensed liquid from the valve. The lid may have substantially the same cross-section as the chamber, thus allowing access to all areas of the chamber for cleaning purposes. The brush head may comprise at least one of a shampoo brush, a massage brush, or an oil brush (see figure 3). The liquid chamber is preferably disposed within a housing 112. The one way valve 104 preferably comprises flexible nozzle 114. In use, the button exerts pressure upon the nozzle when pressed, causing fluid to be squeezed from the nozzle. Upon releasing the button, spring 116 causes the button to return to the non-dispensing position, and the reduced pressure in the valve draws liquid from the chamber.The device is preferably used for grooming horses.

Description

Multi-headed animal grooming dispensing brush

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to animal grooming and in particular to horse grooming.

[21 Horse cleaning brushes with reservoirs for containing soap and the like are known in the art.

[31 For example, US 2007144451 to Hurwitz discloses a horse and/or livestock brush which releases a liquid gel solution directly onto the coat of an animal during brushing.

Delivery of the liquid gel solution is activated by manually depressing the brush cover. The brush includes a flexible deformable membrane with a plurality of apertures that are, optionally, aligned with apertures in brush bristles for delivery of the liquid gel active composition, and is fitted within a first opening of an internal cavity in a brush base. The liquid gel solution includes perfumes, fragrances and other active compositions including insect repellant, hair conditioners, dyes, moisturizers, or antibacterial compounds. A porous sponge saturated with the liquid gel active ingredient is inserted over the flexible deformable membrane. A cover is inserted through a second opening and rests upon the porous sponge. Brushing action deforms the flexible deformable membrane and squeezes the sponge, releasing the active ingredient during brushing or when the cover is depressed manually.

[4] US 2009151648 to Raber discloses an animal grooming tool comprising a handle having a proximal end, a distal end and a gripping portion disposed between the proximal end and the distal end. The handle and brush head delimit an internal channel disposed therein. The bottom wall of the brush head includes a plurality of openings defined therethrough and communicating with the channel. The tool further comprises a stabilizer inserted into and extending within the channel. The stabilizer has an open first end, a closed second end and a body disposed between the open first end and the closed second end. The body has a plurality of apertures defined therethrough and aligned with the openings of the bottom wall. During operation, fluid discharges through the open first end flows through the plurality of apertures and out of the plurality of openings and onto the animal.

[5] FR 2779923 to Qiao discloses a treatment liquid dispensing brush device comprising a reservoir with bellows attached to a grip into which hollow prongs are assembled. The treatment liquid is inserted through a top opening and closed with a cap to avoid spillage. The prongs have perforated ends through which the liquid is dispensed to the skin or hair of the horse. The liquids can include lotions, capillary oils, water and coloring dyes.

[61 Brushes with interchangeable heads are known in the art, for use in kitchen applications.

[7] US 6270278 to Mauro discloses a spray nozzle attachment with a hollow tubular body for mounting on the spray nozzle and interchangeable cleaning heads for removably mounting on the body. The heads may include different cleaning tools, such as a brush, a scouring pad, or a bottle cleaner. The body of the attachment is frictionally fit upon the spray nozzle, and the cleaning head is frictionally fit onto the body. The body of the attachment includes a central bore such that water may be directed from the nozzle onto objects to be cleaned.

Brief SIinmAry of the Invention [8] It can be seen from the forgoing that a need has arisen for convenient means of applying treatment liquids such as soap, oil, and medication to animals, in particular horses. It would be advantageous to have a single piece of equipment which was able to apply multiple liquids to an animal. It would be further advantageous to be able to apply each liquid in conjunction with a brush adapted for application of that particular liquid.

[9] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a liquid dispensing horse grooming brush which can dispense multiple liquids via multiple heads adapted for the liquids.

[10] To this end, an animal grooming device is disclosed comprising: a liquid chamber for containing grooming liquid; a lid covering said chamber; a one way valve disposed on said chamber for said liquid to exit said chamber; a button for operating said valve; and at least one removable brush head, each said head comprising at least one hole therein; wherein said hole admits said liquid from said valve.

[11] An advantage of the present invention is that it dispenses a liquid and disperses the liquid in the animal's fur with a single piece of equipment. A further advantage is that the brush can be used to dispense different liquids and is easy to clean between liquids. A yet further advantage is that the brush head can be changed to suit the liquid being applied.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [121 The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [13] Figure 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the present invention; [14] Figure 2 shows a cross section of the present invention; and [15] Figure 3 shows example brush heads of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[16] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1 -3 wherein like numerals refer to like components, an animal grooming device is disclosed comprising: a liquid chamber 100 for containing grooming liquid 101; a lid 102 covering said chamber; a one way valve 104 disposed on said chamber for said liquid to exit said chamber; a button 106 for operating said valve; and at least one removable brush head 108, each said head comprising at least one hole 110 therein; wherein said hole admits said liquid from said valve.

[17] The liquid chamber is preferably disposed within a housing 112 and is preferably shaped as shown in the figures. An advantage of this is that the device is easy to hold with one hand and to groom a horse or other animal with. The liquid chamber and housing may comprise polypropylene or other engineering polymer or suitable material. The lid may be any removable lid but is preferably shaped as shown in the figures, having substantially the same cross section as the liquid chamber such that, when it is removed, substantially the whole liquid chamber is exposed, facilitating cleaning of the chamber when it is desired that the grooming liquid be changed. Thus the lid is adapted for changing the grooming liquid. The lid preferably comprises silicon, rubber or the like which frictionally affixes to a hole in the housing as shown in the figures and preferably comprises a flap or grippable area for removing said lid.

Alternatively the lid may screw, click or otherwise fit into place, and is preferably watertight to contain the grooming liquid.

[181 The one-way valve preferably comprises a thin nozzle 114 as shown in Figure 2 comprising flexible material although any one-way valve known in the art may be used. The button is preferably disposed as shown in the figure and spring loaded, such that when depressed, it exerts pressure on the flexible part of the one-way valve, squeezing grooming liquid out through the valve and through the hole in the brush head, into contact with the brush head bristles where it can be used to groom the animal.

When released, the spring 116 pushes the button out, releasing the pressure on the valve. The low pressure in the valve draws in more liquid from the chamber. This mechanism is widely known in the art. An advantage of this mechanism is that it is adapted for easy cleaning of the device when it is desired that the grooming liquid be changed. The liquid occupies only the chamber and valve which together comprise a relatively smooth shape which is easy to clean and flush out with water or the like. The button mechanism does not come into direct contact with the liquid and therefore does not need to be cleaned. The preferred lid shape provides access to substantially all of the chamber and valve for cleaning. Alternatively other liquid dispensing mechanisms may be used.

[19] In a most preferred embodiment, the device comprises three brush heads as shown in Figure 3: a shampoo brush head 202; a massage brush head 200; and an oil brush head 204. The shampoo brush preferably comprises groups of bristles 203 as known in the art and shown in the figure, which may comprise any material as known in the art. It is envisaged that the shampoo brush will be used with liquid horse shampoo as the grooming liquid, as known in the art, or shampoo adapted for other animals, or other liquid soap, which may include medical treatments against infestation, disease, or the like. The massage brush head 200 is intended to be used in conjunction with massage oils as the grooming liquid, as known in the art, or with shampoo, for removing sweat and relaxing muscles, or any liquid which enhances a massage. The massage brush head may comprise any material known in the art and is preferably shaped as shown in the figure, having bristles 201.

The oil brush head 204 is intended to be used in conjunction with hoof oil as the grooming liquid, as known in the art for maintaining hooves and preventing cracking thereof. The oil brush head preferably is shaped as shown in the figures and comprises bristles 205, although it may be other shapes, and any material, known in the art.

[20] The brush heads may click, screw, frictionally attach or otherwise fasten to the housing by any means known in the art.

[21] Each brush head comprises a hole which is preferably disposed in the centre of the brush head as shown in the figures.

The hole is aligned with the nozzle and thus when the nozzle dispenses grooming liquid, the liquid flows through the hole and disperses into the bristles and thereby to the animal.

[22] Alternatively any one or any two of these or other heads, which may be adapted for horses or other animals, may be provided.

Claims

Claims 1. An animal grooming device comprising: a liquid chamber for containing grooming liquid; a lid covering said chamber; a one way valve disposed on said chamber for said liquid to exit said chamber; a button for operating said valve; and at least one removable brush head, each said head comprising at least one hole therein; wherein said hole admits said liquid from said valve.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said lid is adapted to facilitate changing of said liquid.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein said lid has substantially the same cross section as said chamber.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one brush head comprises at least one selected from the list comprising: shampoo brush; massage brush; oil brush.