WO2010151117A1

WO2010151117A1 - Brush cleaning device for removing hair from a hairbrush, as well as a cleaning brush for such a brush cleaning device

Info

Publication number: WO2010151117A1
Application number: PCT/NL2010/050378
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rudolphus Martinus Maria Raymakers
Original assignee: CASTLE INNOVATION BV
Current assignee: CASTLE INNOVATION BV
Priority date: 2009-06-22
Filing date: 2010-06-18
Publication date: 2010-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 2011-12-22
Also published as: NL2003065C2

Abstract

A brush cleaning device (1) has a housing (3) having therein a motor and a cleaning brush (9) coupled releasably thereto. The cleaning brush (9) has a core (11) with radially protruding bristles (13) fixed therein. The core (11) can consist of two intertwined wires between which the bristles (13) are clamped fixedly in their centre. The bristles (13) are present here such that they can form two spirals twisted together around the core (11) in longitudinal direction of the cleaning brush. The bristles (13) preferably have an abrasive surface formed by abrasive grit present in nylon filler material. The outer ends of the bristles can additionally or alternatively be provided with sharp edges (19) and/or burrs. These sharp edges or burrs can be formed by the bristles being nipped, cut, melted or clipped, and form engaging means which during operation of the drive motor can sever or pull the hair out of the cleaning brush.

Description

BRUSH CLEANING DEVICE FOR REMOVING HAIR FROM λ HAIRBRUSH, AS WELL AS A CLEANING BRUSH FOR SUCH A BRUSH CLEANING DEVICE

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a brush cleaning device and, in combination therewith but also individually, an associated cleaning brush for removing hair from a hairbrush, comprising a core which has radially protruding bristles connected thereto and which can be applied in the brush cleaning device with a housing and a drive motor therein, to which the cleaning brush can be coupled. Hairbrushes, particularly those used by hairdressers, must have hair removed therefrom regularly for hygienic and other reasons. At present this is not done to sufficient extent, and this certainly does not improve hygiene. The reason for this is that the staff in hairdressing salons often lack the time or motivation to remove hair of customers from brushes, for instance using a comb, after cutting their hair.

Prior art

A brush cleaning device provided with such a cleaning brush is generally known from US-A-3, 348,253. Used for cleaning in this known device are two cleaning brushes which rotate in opposite directions and against which the hairbrush for cleaning is held in order to remove loose hair therefrom. It is a drawback of the known brush cleaning devices that the hair of customers is torn apart therewith under the influence of the bristles of the cleaning brushes rotating in opposite directions and acting on the hair, and will remain in the brush, rather than that these hairs are removed from the hairbrush. Because of the remnants of hair which remain behind in the hairbrush the known brush cleaning devices are far less effective than desired and by no means provide the desired relief for the user.

Known from GB-A-2, 294, 222; EP-A-I, 106, 102 and DE-I, 934, 468-A are industrial brushes with bristles which are suitable for providing a scouring, highly abrasive action on a substrate surface. Conversely, the present invention relates to a brush cleaning device and an associated cleaning brush which is/are intended and adapted to enable cleaning of and removal of hair from a hairbrush, i.e. without damage to the hairbrush which would undoubtedly occur if such an abrasive brush were to be utilized to remove hair from a hairbrush.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a cleaning brush and/or a brush cleaning device with which hair can be removed from a hairbrush better than with the cleaning brush of the known brush cleaning device. For this purpose the brush cleaning device and the cleaning brush according to the invention are characterized in that they can be releasably coupled. The cleaning brush is preferably a single unit and no tearing, opposing forces are exerted on hair in a hairbrush for cleaning. In the case of wear the cleaning brush - since it can be coupled in exchangeable manner to the brush cleaning device - can be replaced and a good-quality cleaning brush can always be made available for the brush cleaning device.

Bristles can have a rough surface. The hair present in the hairbrush is hereby better entrained by the rotating bristles of the cleaning brush, and hereby better pulled out of a hairbrush for cleaning.

The bristles can for instance be formed by abrasive grit embedded in nylon filler material. The grain size of the abrasive grit preferably lies between grain 45 and grain 500. More preferable is abrasive grit with a grain size of between grain 45 and grain 120. The number of the grain value here indicates the fineness of the grit. The higher the number, the finer the grit, i.e. the smaller the grains. The hair in a hairbrush is then engaged better, particularly by the grit, when the hair becomes entangled in or round this grit, and can thus be better pulled out of a hairbrush.

In an additional or alternative preferred embodiment a brush cleaning device can have the feature that the outer ends of the bristles end in a burr, which burr engages hair in the hairbrush and pulls it out of the hairbrush during use. Such a burr can be formed by for instance clipping or melting or cutting or nipping off bristles of the cleaning brush that are formed from plastic or from another material. In such an embodiment the burr can extend at least one of longitudinally and radially on or at the outer end of at least several of the bristles.

In an alternative or additional embodiment a brush cleaning device according to the invention can have the feature that the bristles run helically around the core in longitudinal direction of the cleaning brush. This is advantageous in preventing many bristles of the cleaning brush acting simultaneously on a single hair in the hairbrush. A hair in the hairbrush can hereby be taken out of the hairbrush by successive bristles in the helical form and as seen in the rotation direction of the cleaning brush, with less chance of it being torn apart or broken and remnants thereof remaining behind in the hairbrush. In a very simple, and thus elegant embodiment hereof the bristles around the core can form two double spirals twisted together. The distance between the spirals increases the effectiveness of the cleaning brush and enhances the above stated effect of not (too) many bristles acting on a single hair in the hairbrush to be cleaned. It can be advantageous here for the bristles to extend through the core and on either side thereof in radial direction. This is easily realized in cost-effective manner by for instance twisting the core from a single wire or two (or more) wires.

Preferably or alternatively, the brush cleaning device according to the present invention can have the feature that the bristles have a density in or on the core which lies between 1 and 70, more preferably between 2 and 50, still more preferably between 3 and 30, even more preferably between 4 and 20, and most preferably between 6 and 8 bristles per centimetre of the core. This is at first glance a design choice, but this is by no means the case.

In the case of a roughening of, or grit in, the surface of the bristles and/or in the case of at least one burr at a free outer end of at least several bristles of the cleaning brush, care must be taken that the rotation speed of such a cleaning brush in the brush cleaning device remains within limits; (too many) hairs in the hairbrush are otherwise still torn apart or broken, and pieces and remnants of the hair remain behind in the hairbrush. Such an inventive maximizing of the rotation speed of the motor is related to roughening or grit or burrs, or other properties for engaging hairs in the hairbrush and carrying them out of the hairbrush during cleaning thereof, AND/OR to the numbers of bristles per running unit of length of the cleaning brush, and so the distance between adjacent bristles, which can be referred to as the density of the bristles in the cleaning brush. There is therefore a complex of considerations which have been found to be related in complex and inventive manner in at least several embodiments of the present invention.

The cleaning brush is preferably driven at a rotation speed of between 500 and 2000, more preferably between 550 and 1500, and still more preferably between about 600 and 1000 revolutions per minute. Most preferably applied is a rotation speed of about 700 revolutions per minute. The hair is generally removed from a hairbrush in optimal manner at such rotation speeds (depending on and in combination with other parameters such as roughening and/or grit and/or burrs and/or density) . Additionally or alternatively a rotation speed to be applied is preferably (also) related to the brush to be cleaned, the hairbrush itself must be damaged as little as possible, while the efficiency in the removal of hair therefrom must be high, and this is related in inventive manner to the choice for a density of the bristles and other measures such as roughening, grit and/or burrs. All in all it is very preferably the case that in use of the drive motor a rotation speed is selected which minimizes damage to the hairbrush to be cleaned and optimizes the removal of hair therefrom (without leaving remnants thereof in the hairbrush) . Yet another embodiment of the invention is characterized in that a coupling element is arranged on a second outer end of the core with a form such that it can be coupled close-fittingly to a drive motor. A close-fitting form is a form which, when present in a cavity with a congruent form, is not rotatable about the drive shaft in the cavity. Because the cleaning brush can be coupled close-fittingly to a drive motor, possible slipping of the coupling and the cleaning brush coming to a standstill are prevented.

It is also noted here that a brush with such a coupling element can be applied separately from the feature of bristles with an abrasive surface. The core of the cleaning brush is preferably formed by at least one wire folded back onto itself, the two halves of which are intertwined, wherein the two outer ends of the wire form a first outer end of the core and the second outer end of the core is formed by the wire bent to form a ring at the second outer end of the core, this ring forming the coupling element. The bristles are here preferably clamped in their centre between the two wire halves of the core, and each extend through the core in opposite directions on either side of the core, this in (opposite) radial direction (s) . The coupling element is created here as a result of the production process (for instance the twisting) of the cleaning brush without extra operations needing to be carried out for this purpose, other than that the centre of the wire has to be folded into an eye in order to form the coupling element. The core is preferably formed by several (at least two) intertwined wires. Additionally or alternatively, it is possible to arrange an individual coupling element at said second outer end, such as a plate-like coupling element, which can be arranged on the optionally annular outer end of the core. In an embodiment with a ring or eye the plate-like coupling element can take a dual form in order to enclose between two halves thereof the outer end forming a ring or eye. Tolerances in the production process and deformations relative to a desired form of the coupling element (an eye or similar embodiment) can thus be minimized when an additional or alternative coupling element is arranged on the second outer end.

Additionally or alternatively, the brush cleaning device with a coupling and with a coupling element at the second outer end of the core according to the present invention can have the feature that a drive shaft of the motor comprises a coupling piece which in a coupled situation is connected to the coupling element of the cleaning brush so as to together form the coupling. An operative assembly can thus be realized and the cleaning brush can be replaced in simple manner. The brush cleaning device can further have the feature here that the coupling piece comprises at least two insert openings for receiving the second outer end of the core of the cleaning brush therein, which insert openings differ from each other in orientation. The (new/replacement) cleaning brush can hereby be easily coupled to the coupling piece on the drive shaft of the motor by a user.

A further embodiment of the brush cleaning device according to the invention is characterized in that the brush cleaning device comprises an elongate protective cap which is present parallel to and at a distance from the cleaning brush. This cap can preferably have a substantially U-shaped cross-section. The cap can prevent hair removed from the hairbrush being flung away and that it is instead collected, once again in order to promote hygiene. The substantially U-shaped cross-section allows easy access to the cleaning brush with a hairbrush to be cleaned, and simultaneously forms a collector for hair which is thrown outward. In an embodiment with a protective cap a brush cleaning device according to the present invention has the further feature that the protective cap can be mounted releasably on the housing. The protective cap can thus be removed in order to clear the way for arranging a new cleaning brush - for instance when the old cleaning brush is worn out - and the new cleaning brush is coupled to the coupling means and can be taken into use once the protective cap has been mounted releasably on the housing again. It can be advantageous here for the protective cap to comprise a holder for receiving the cleaning brush loosely or at least rotatably therein. The replacing of the protective cap with a new cleaning brush on or in the holder thereof can thus be realized in a single operation. The brush cleaning device can then have the still further feature that, for the purpose of receiving the cleaning brush in loose, at least rotatable manner, the holder aligns a part of the core, to be coupled to the coupling of the drive motor, with the coupling piece of the coupling in one mounting movement for releasable mounting of the protective cap on the housing with the motor therein and the coupling piece thereon. This can avoid the cleaning brush and the protective cap having to be arranged individually, and the single mounting movement realizes that both the protective cap and the new cleaning brush are arranged in a desired manner on the housing, this such that the new cleaning brush is also coupled simultaneously to the coupling piece of or on the motor so as to immediately provide an operative assembly with which the user can immediately set to work to clean hairbrushes.

The present invention also relates to a use of a brush cleaning device as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims in a method for cleaning a hairbrush. In addition, the present invention relates to a cleaning brush as evidently intended and suitable for use in a brush cleaning device according to the present invention in at least one of the above described embodiments thereof.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of an exemplary embodiment of the brush cleaning device according to the invention shown in the drawings. Herein:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a brush cleaning device according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows in detail a bristle of the cleaning brush of the brush cleaning device;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the cleaning brush with the coupling means;

Figure 4 shows a side view of the cleaning brush with the coupling means; Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the cleaning brush with the coupling means along line V-V in figure 4;

Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the cleaning brush in a view corresponding to the cross-section along line VI-VI in figure 5; Figures 7 and 8 show alternative embodiments with a plate-like coupling element; Figures 9, 10 and 11 show detail views of a free outer end of at least several of the bristles of a cleaning brush according to the invention;

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the assembly of a protective cap on a housing according to the invention, and the simultaneous coupling of the cleaning brush and a coupling piece as shown in figure 13 on a drive shaft of a motor in the housing.

Detailed description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the brush cleaning device according to the invention. Brush cleaning device 1 has a housing 3 with a unit 5 therein consisting of a motor and a preferably rechargeable battery. Housing 3 forms a handle and is provided with an on/off switch 7. A cleaning brush 9 is coupled releasably to the shaft of the motor, which can be driven at a rotation speed of about 700 revolutions per minute.

Other rotation speeds are also possible, to be chosen in relation to the nature of the bristles and a density of the bristles, and/or other parameters of a thus formed system.

Cleaning brush 9 has a core 11 with radially protruding bristles 13 which are fixed therein. Core 11 consists of two intertwined wire halves {not shown in the figures) between which bristles 13 are clamped fixedly in their centre. Bristles 13 are present here such that they form two spirals twisted together around core 11 in longitudinal direction of the cleaning brush.

Brush cleaning device 1 is provided with an elongate protective cap 15 which extends parallel to and at a distance from the cleaning brush. Protective cap 15 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section and serves to prevent the hair pulled out of a hairbrush to be cleaned being flung in all directions.

Figure 2 shows a bristle 13 in detail. Bristle 13 has a rough or roughened surface which is formed by abrasive grit 17 present in nylon filler material which forms the actual wire and thus the core. Different cleaning brushes can be applied. For instance cleaning brushes provided with abrasive grit with grain 46 or with grain 80, wherein the number indicates the fineness of the grit, the higher the number the smaller the grains. The outer ends of the bristles are provided with sharp edges 19, an example of which is shown in more detail in figure 11. These sharp edges are formed by the bristles being cut or clipped obliquely and form blades which sever the hairs during operation. More preferably however, edges or burrs 45 are applied as shown in figures 9 and 10 since the hair in a hairbrush (not shown) is thereby removed from the hairbrush with more certainty than when cutting edges 19 forming the blades cut through the hair, so leaving remnants. Figure 9 and figure 10 show a free outer end of a bristle 13 with a burr 45 at the longitudinal outer end thereof. Burr 45 is formed by nipping the tip (not shown) of a bristle, envisage a pair of pliers, when it is manufactured for instance from plastic. It is also possible to melt, cut or clip off the tip. The remaining burr 45 is desirable here, and in surprising and thus also inventive manner. This because in each of the two embodiments of figures 9 and 10 this burr 45 pulls the hair out of a hairbrush {not shown) . Burr 45 is oriented respectively longitudinally and radially in figures 9 and 10. This depends on how the burr is realized (cutting, clipping, melting and/or nipping) and produces at the free outer end of bristle 13 engaging means 5 with which hair can be pulled in effective manner out of a hairbrush for cleaning.

Figures 3-6 show respectively a perspective view, side view and two different sections of two embodiments of cleaning brush 9 with the coupling means. Of the intertwined wires forming core 11, the outer ends of the wires form a first free outer end 21 of the core and the other (second) outer end of core 11 is formed by central parts of the wires bent into an eye or ring 23. The core can thus be formed in very advantageous and simple manner from a single wire. Ring 23 forms a coupling element for coupling to the shaft of the motor.

Coupling element 23 can be coupled releasably to shaft 29 of the motor by means of coupling means 25. These coupling means are formed by a sleeve 27 in which an element 29 connected to the shaft of the motor is present. This element 29 can form an integral part of the outer end of the shaft of the motor itself and is provided on its free outer end with a slot 31 into which an outer end of coupling element 23 can be inserted and from which it can be removed. In coupled situation the rest of coupling element 23 is clamped between two parts 33 enclosed in sleeve 27. In the embodiment of figure 5 a locking pin 34 can be placed through parts 33, while in the embodiment of figure 6 one of the two parts 33 comprises a protrusion 35 which extends in the space between parts 33 and over which ring 23 can be snapped during insertion or removal of ring 23. Additionally or alternatively to this protrusion 35, a receiver 36 (in the shown embodiment two receivers 36 are arranged) can be provided with a form directed toward the ring and corresponding thereto. Because ring 23 can also be snapped into and out of receiver (s) 36, a good releasable coupling is realized which can be made in simple manner.

Figures 7 and 8 show alternatives/additions to ring 23 as the coupling element. In figure 7 a double plate 40 comprising two plate halves 41 and 42 is arranged round/on ring 23. Ring 23 is enclosed therebetween and plate halves 41 and 42 are attached to each other, for instance by fusing the material thereof. A recess in a form corresponding to the ring can be arranged in at least one of the two plate halves . In an embodiment in which plate 40 forms the coupling element, the form of the outer end with the ring in the foregoing embodiments is less relevant. Figure 8 thus shows that the ring is replaced by a branching 43 in a double plate 44 so as to thus also effect a good attachment of plate 44 to this outer end.

Figure 12 shows an embodiment of a housing 3, from which a power supply cable 46 runs to a motor (not shown) in housing 3. The housing is formed ergonomically and, in the position attached to housing 3, the cap 15 transposes smoothly into the design of housing 3 (in contrast to the design shown in figure

1).

Cap 15 further comprises a holder for receiving a cleaning brush 9, this holder being formed by a first partition 46 and a second partition 47. Arranged on first partition 46 is a bush 48 into which the first outer end of cleaning brush 9 can be inserted for rotation {arrow K) . The holder of cap 15 also comprises a receiving member 49 in second partition 47 for receiving the core 11 between bristles 13 and eye 23 (arrow L) . Protective cap 15 is provided with a tongue 50 which can be inserted {arrow h) into an opening 51 in housing 3 for releasable attachment of protective cap 15 to housing 3. Side edges of protective cap 15 then come to lie against edges of the housing (arrows B and C) . In the embodiment shown in figure 12 this attachment takes place with cleaning brush 9 in a position arranged in holder 46-49. Holder 46-49 is such that the eye 23 forming a coupling element is then automatically aligned (arrow D) with a coupling piece of or on the motor and is received in this coupling piece.

In a further embodiment {as addition or alternative to figures 4-6) coupling piece 52 on or of drive shaft 29 of the motor is shown in figure 13 and figure 14. In the embodiment shown in figure 12 this coupling piece 52 is situated in housing 3, below or behind an opening 53 for passage of this coupling element 23, i.e. the eye or ring 23 or plate 40 or 44. Coupling piece 52 comprises a base 54 on drive shaft 29 and protruding parts 55 for defining at least two passages D, D¹ therebetween for the purpose of receiving eye 23 or one of the plates 40, 44. Passages D, D¹ are enclosed by canted edges 56 which facilitate alignment of coupling piece 52 for the purpose of receiving eye 23 or plate 40, 44 therein. When the coupling element on the second outer end of core 11 of cleaning brush 9 is introduced into housing 3 through opening 53, for instance in a situation of cleaning brush 9 mounted on cap 15, this coupling element will then slide over canted edges 56 of protruding parts 55 in order to receive coupling element 23, 40, 44 therebetween. A connection between cleaning brush 9 and the motor in housing 3 can thus be effected in simple manner which is self-aligning (to the extent the motor allows a limited free movement, which is usually the case), as also indicated with arrows E and E'.

Although the invention is elucidated in the foregoing with reference to the drawings, it must be noted that the invention is by no means limited to the embodiment shown in the drawings. The invention also extends to all embodiments differing from the embodiments shown in the drawings within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

CIAIMS

1. Brush cleaning device for removing hair from a hairbrush, comprising: - a housing with a drive motor; and

- a cleaning brush which comprises a core which can be releasably coupled during use to the drive motor via a coupling and has bristles protruding radially from the core.

2. Brush cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the bristles of the cleaning brush have a rough engaging surface such as to engage hair from the hairbrush to pull it out of the hairbrush without causing damage to the hairbrush.

3. Brush cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bristles are formed by abrasive grit embedded in nylon filler material .

4. Brush cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the outer ends of the bristles end in a burr, which burr engages hair in the hairbrush and pulls it out of the hairbrush during use.

5. Brush cleaning device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the burr extends at least one of longitudinally and radially on or at the outer end of at least several of the bristles.

6. Brush cleaning device as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that a coupling element is arranged on a second outer end of the core with a form such that it can be coupled close-fittingly to a drive motor.

7. Brush cleaning device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the core is formed by at least one wire folded back onto itself, the two halves of which are intertwined, wherein the two outer ends of the wire form a first outer end of the core and the second outer end of the core is formed by the wire bent to form a ring at the second outer end of the core, this ring forming the coupling element.

8. Brush cleaning device as claimed in at least one of the claims 6 and 1, characterized in that the coupling element is plate-like and arranged on the core at the second outer end.

9. Brush cleaning device as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims 6, 7 and 8, wherein a drive shaft of the motor comprises a coupling piece which in a coupled situation is connected to the coupling element of the cleaning brush so as to together form the coupling.

10. Brush cleaning device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the coupling piece comprises at least two insert openings for receiving the second outer end of the core of the cleaning brush therein, which insert openings differ from each other in orientation.

11. Brush cleaning device as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the bristles run helically around the core in longitudinal direction of the cleaning brush.

12. Brush cleaning device as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the bristles around the core form two double spirals twisted together.

13. Brush cleaning device as claimed in claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the bristles extend through the core on either side thereof in radial direction.

14. Brush cleaning device as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the bristles have a density in or on the core which lies between 1 and 70, more preferably between 2 and 50, still more preferably between 3 and 30, even more preferably between 4 and 20, and most preferably between 6 and 8 bristles per centimetre of the core.

15. Brush cleaning device as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the brush cleaning device comprises an elongate protective cap which is parallel to and lies at a distance from the cleaning brush.

16. Brush cleaning device as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the protective cap has a substantially U-shaped cross-section.

17. Brush cleaning device as claimed in claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the protective cap can be mounted releasably on the housing.

18. Brush cleaning device as claimed in at least one of the claims 15, 16 and 17, characterized in that the protective cap comprises a holder for receiving the cleaning brush loosely or at least rotatably therein.

19. Brush cleaning device as claimed in at least claims 9 and 18, characterized in that for the purpose of receiving the cleaning brush in loose, at least rotatable manner, the holder aligns a part of the core, to be coupled to the coupling of the drive motor, with the coupling piece of the coupling in one mounting movement for releasable mounting of the protective cap on the housing with the motor therein and the coupling piece thereon.

20. Brush cleaning device as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that during use the drive motor has a rotation speed of between 500 and 2000, more preferably between 550 and 1500, and still more preferably between 600 and 1000 revolutions per minute, and most preferably a rotation speed of about 700 revolutions per minute.

21. Brush cleaning device as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that in use of the drive motor a rotation speed is selected which minimizes damage to the hairbrush to be cleaned and optimizes the removal of hair therefrom.

22. Use of a brush cleaning device as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims in a method for cleaning a hairbrush.

23. A cleaning brush as evidently intended and suitable for use in a brush cleaning device as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims 1-21.