GB2482730A

GB2482730A - Hairbrush-cleaning device

Info

Publication number: GB2482730A
Application number: GB1013622.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nimal De Silva
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-08-13
Filing date: 2010-08-13
Publication date: 2012-02-15
Also published as: GB201013622D0

Abstract

A hairbrush-cleaning device 1 comprising a planar head part 2 covered in a plurality of hooks (11) of the type found in 'hook and loop' fasteners, and a handle 3 extending from the head part at an angle to the head part. The head part is a substantially planar rectangle having two faces and side edges and the hooks substantially cover the faces and side edges. The head part comprises a core (10) and the width of the core of the head part is less than the width of the handle.

Description

Hairbrush-Cleaning Device The present invention relates to a hairbrush-cleaning device.

Hairbrushes are widely used by humans, particularly by those with long hair. A common problem with hairbrushes, especially when they are used to hairbrush long hair is that hairs begin to accumulate between the bristles of the hairbrush.

As hair builds up the hairbrush can become more difficult to use. Also, using a hairbrush that has hair wrapped around the bristles can be damaging to the hair that is being brushed.

The cleaning of hairbrushes must therefore be done on a regular basis, but it can prove difficult to remove all of the hair, particularly when the bristles are close together or particularly stiff as it can be impossible to fit fingers between the bristles.

If hairbrushes are not cleaned the hair can attract dirt and other materials, which can result in make the hairbrush more difficult to clean.

The present invention seeks to address this issue.

According to the present invention there is provided a hairbrush-cleaning device comprising a plurality of hooks.

The provision of a plurality of hooks of the type used in hook and loop' fasteners allows the device to easily pick up hair from hairbrushes.

Preferably the hairbrush-cleaning device comprises a head part with a distal end and a proximal end, a handle extending from the head part, and wherein the head part comprises the plurality of hooks.

Provision of a handle an a head part comprising the hooks allows the device to be easily operated and manoeuvred between the bristles of a hairbrush Preferably the handle extends from the proximal end of the head part.

Having the handle extending from the proximal end of the head part allows the handle to be in the same plane as the head part and thus the device may be easily operated Preferably the handle extends from the proximal end of the head part at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the head part.

By providing the handle at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the head part the device is more comfortable to use and also prevents the hand of a user holding the device from touching the brush being cleaned and interfering with the cleaning process.

Preferably the angle at which the handle extends is between 10 and 30 degrees.

Preferably the angle at which the handle extends is around 20 degrees.

An angle of around 20 degrees appears to be the angle that provides most comfort to a user of the device.

Preferably the head part is substantially planar, having two sides.

By making the head part substantially planar the device is able to fit between the bristles of a hairbrush yet at the same time act upon the full length of the bristles.

Preferably the head part comprises a plurality of small hooks on both sides.

By providing hooks on both sides of the head part the device is more efficacious.

Preferably the head part is substantially rectangular, having a distal edge, a proximal edge and two longitudinally extending edges.

Preferably the head part comprises a plurality of small hooks on the distal edge.

Preferably the head part comprises a plurality of small hooks on the longitudinally extending edges.

By providing hooks on the edges of the head part the device is even more efficacious and allows for the device to be used in more versatile ways.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cleaning a hairbrush comprising the step of applying a plurality of hooks on a hairbrush-cleaning device between a row of bristles on a hairbrush and moving the device in an appropriate direction.

A specific embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a hairbrush-cleaning device made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the hairbrush-cleaning device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of the hairbrush cleaning device of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the hairbrush cleaning device of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is provided a hairbrush-cleaning device 1 having a head part 2 and a handle 3.

The head part is substantially planar and rectangular in shape, but it will be appreciated that other shapes may be used, such as a square or circle.

Indeed a cylindrical head part could be employed, although this would not provide the benefit of a planar head part, which is that a planar configuration allows the full length of the bristles of the brush being cleaned to come into contact with the cleaning device, while still allowing the head part to fit easily between rows of bristles.

It will be apparent that the head part comprises a core 10 to which a plurality of hooks 11 is attached. Excluding the length of the hooks the core of the head part is of a width so as to fit between rows of bristles on a hairbrush.

This is typically between around 1mm and 5mm, more typically between around 2mm and 4mm and may be around 2mm, 3mm or 4mm.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the width of the core 10 of the head part between sides 4 and 5 is less than the width of the handle between handle sides 12 and 13. This allows for the device to move more smoothly between rows of bristles on a hairbrush.

The head part has two sides 4, 5, a distal edge 6, a proximal edge 7 and two longitudinally extending edges 8, 9.

The head part is covered in a plurality of hooks of the type used in hook and loop' fasteners. Reference to hooks throughout the description and claims is intended to be interpreted accordingly.

Of the head part, both sides 4, 5, distal edge 6, and two longitudinally extending edges 8, 9 are covered in the hooks.

Proximal edge 7 does not comprise any hooks but it will be appreciated that in some embodiments the proximal edge may also comprise hooks.

As can be seen from the Figures, the plurality of hooks covers the entirety of each of sides 4 and 5.

The handle 3 extends from proximal edge 7 at an angle of approximately 20 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular head part. The handle also lies in the same plane as the head part as can be seen from Figures 2 and 3.

In construction the handle and core of the head part are formed in one piece from a plastics material, but any other suitable material such as wood or metal could be used. A material comprising the plurality of hooks is then attached to the core of the head part.

In use a user takes hold of the handle of the device and a hairbrush that needs to be cleaned. The user applies the head of the brush between a row of bristles and moves the head in an appropriate direction. As the head part comes into contact with hairs, the hairs become entangled in the hooks and are drawn from the hairbrush.

Use of the device allows for a thorough cleaning of hairbrushes, which is otherwise normally difficult to achieve.

The device according to the present invention is compact, light in weight and easy to store. The device may be used to improve hygiene in bathrooms and bedrooms in homes and hotels. The device may be used to clean hairbrushes with or without water.

It will be appreciated that the device may be used with any type of hairbrush including both those used with humans and animals.

Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims: 1. A hairbrush-cleaning device comprising a plurality of hooks.
2. The hairbrush-cleaning device of claim 1 comprising a head part with a distal end and a proximal end, a handle extending from the head part, and wherein the head part comprises the plurality of hooks.
3. The hairbrush-cleaning device of claim 2 wherein the handle extends from the proximal end of the head part.
4. The hairbrush-cleaning device of claim 2 or 3 wherein the handle extends from the proximal end of the head part at an angle to the head part.
5. The hairbrush-cleaning device of claim 4 wherein the angle at which the handle extends is between 10 and 30 degrees.
6. The hairbrush-cleaning device of claim 5 wherein the angle at which the handle extends is around 20 degrees.
7. The hairbrush-cleaning device of any of claims 2 to 6 wherein the head part is substantially planar, having two sides.
8. The hairbrush-cleaning device of claim 7 wherein the head part comprises a plurality of small hooks on both sides.
9. The hairbrush-cleaning device of claim 7 or 8 wherein the head part is substantially rectangular, having a distal edge, a proximal edge and two longitudinally extending edges.
10. The hairbrush-cleaning device of claim 9 wherein the head part comprises a plurality of small hooks on the distal edge.
11. The hairbrush-cleaning device of claim 9 or 10 wherein the head part comprises a plurality of small hooks on the longitudinally extending edges.
12. The hairbrush-cleaning device of any of claims 2 to 11 wherein the head part comprises a core and the width of the core of the head part is less than the width of the handle.
13. The hairbrush-cleaning device of any of claims 7 to 11 wherein at least one side of the head part is substantially covered in a plurality of hooks.
14. The hairbrush-cleaning device of claim 13 wherein at both sides of the head part are substantially covered in a plurality of hooks.
15. The hairbrush-cleaning device of any of claims 2 to 14 wherein the head part is substantially covered in a plurality of hooks.
16. A method of cleaning a hairbrush comprising the step of applying the hooks of the device of any preceding claim between a row of bristles on a hairbrush and moving the device in an appropriate direction.
17. A hairbrush-cleaning device substantially as disclosed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.