A DEVICE AND METHOD FOR STRAIGHTENING BRUSH BRISTLES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to restoring brushes and particularly to devices and methods for restoring brush bristles of worn toothbrushes.

[002] The invention has been developed primarily for restoring brush bristles by straightening bent brush bristles of worn toothbrushes and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[003] Any discussion of prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge.

[004] Brushes including toothbrushes and paintbrushes are often made with bristles of nylon or polyester as well as other materials. Brush bristles are typically straight and extend orthogonally from the brush head. Brush bristles are typically disposed grouped in one or more bunches on the brush head.

[005] The uniform orthogonal alignment of the bristles allows the bristles and the bristle ends to effectively engage a target surface. The force applied to the bristles during use of the brush eventually deforms the bristles by bending them out of a straight shape causing the bristles to flare outwardly from the brush head.

[006] A brush with deformed bristles is less effective. For example, a paint brush with deformed bristles will not hold paint well and the bristles will not permit a smooth application of the paint to a target surface. A toothbrush with deformed bristles will not clean teeth as well as with straight bristles because the tips of the bristles will not be able to conform to the shape of a tooth to provide a good contact surface. [007] Unless brushes are completely recyclable or are made of biodegradable materials, they will cause a significant environmental challenge because they will become landfill once their bristles are deformed.

[008] It would be desirable to have a brush with longer lasting bristles.

AN OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[009] It is an on object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

[010] It is an object of the invention in its preferred form to provide a means for extending the life of brush bristles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[Oil] According to aspect of the invention there is provided a brush bristle straightening device including: an elastic means for applying lateral pressure to brush bristles.

[012] The means preferably includes a collar or part thereof.

[013] In a preferred form, the cross-section of the collar or part thereof is generally diamond in shape.

[014] In a preferred form, the cross-section of the collar or part thereof is rectangular.

[015] In a preferred form, the cross-section of the collar or part thereof is circular.

[016] In a preferred form, the cross-section of the collar or part thereof is trapezoidal.

[017] In a preferred form, the collar or part thereof is frustrum-shaped.

[018] In a preferred form, the collar or part thereof frustoconical-shaped. [019] Preferably, the means further includes at least one flange or part thereof.

[020] The collar preferably has at least one flange or part thereof disposed on at least one end of the collar.

[021] The at least one flange or part thereof preferably extends at least partly the over the ends of at least some brush bristles on a brush head when the device is in use.

[022] The device is preferably made from an elastic material such as silicon rubber.

[023] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for straightening brush bristles including the steps of: selecting a device for straightening brush bristles, the selected device having a cross- sectional shape corresponding to the shape of brush bristle arrangement on a target brush head; positioning the device onto the bristles such that the bristles are biased laterally inwardly by an inner side of the collar of the device; and leaving the device on the bristles until the bristles at least partially return to their original straightness orthogonally to the target brush head.

[024] The method preferably includes the step of inserting a handle (or head) of the brush through the opening of the collar of the device; and gripping the at least one flange to stretch the device to position it onto the bristles such that the bristles are biased laterally inwardly by an inner side of the collar of the device.

[025] The method preferably further includes the step of submerging the brush bristles in hot water while leaving the device on the bristles and removing after a short time to thus speed up the straightening process. Alternatively, the device can be left on the bristles until they are sufficiently straightened.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [026] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[027] Figure 1 is a bottom view of the brush bristle straightening device;

[028] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the brush bristle straightening device;

[029] Figure 3 is a side view of the brush bristle straightening device;

[030] Figure 3A is a cross-section view of the device shown with a preferred generally frustrum shape.

[031] Figure 4 is a top view of the brush bristle straightening device;

[032] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the device with a brush handle inserted into the opening of the device;

[033] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the device positioned onto the bristles of a brush head;

[034] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a brush with straightened brush bristles;

[035] Figure 8 is an exemplary elliptically (or oval) shaped device;

[036] Figure 9 is an exemplary rectangular shaped device;

[037] Figure 10 is an exemplary round shaped device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[038] According to one aspect of the invention the device 1 for straightening brush bristles 4 has a means for applying lateral pressure to the brush bristles 4, the means being in the form of a collar 6 having a generally frustrum shape 8 as best shown in Figures 1 to 6 and especially 3A. The collar 6 has an outwardly extending flange on both of its ends 10, and an inwardly extending flange 12 for extending partly over the target bristles 4 of a brush head 16. The shape of the collar 6 can preferably be frustoconical as best shown in Figure 3A, or can have a cross-sectional diamond 1, elliptical 1A, trapezoidal IB, or round 1C shape as seen in Figures 1 to 6, and 8, 9, and 10. The generally frustrum shape 8 can be a diamond, elliptical trapezoidal, or round in cross-section (not shown). The shape of the collar 6 can be made into any suitable shape 14 conforming to the shape 14 of a target brush head 16 and bristle 4 arrangement such that the tips of the bristles 4 are pinched together as required.

[039] As best seen in Figure 6, the collar 6 of the device 1 generally directs the bristles 4 so that they are held aligned together and straightened. As best seen in Figure 3A, the generally frustrum 8 shaped collar 6 will pinch the bristles 4 more near the bristles' 4 ends, which is where they are normally more deformed and flaring outwardly. It will be appreciated that shape 14 of the device will pinch (ergo apply inwardly directed circumferential pressure) the bristles 4 together according to the shape of the collar 6.

[040] It will be appreciated that the device 1 will work without a frustrum 8 or frustoconical shape, and with an axially uniform cross-sectional diamond, elliptical, trapezoidal, or round shaped collar 6, but will pinch the bristles 4 uniformly rather than preferably pinching towards the top of the bristles 4 and thus applying more inwardly directed circumferential pressure towards the ends of the bristles 4.

[041] As best shown in Figures 1 to 6, the over-all shape of the device 1, including the shape of the 6 and flange 10 is preferably determined by the shape of the target bristle 4 arrangement, however, other shapes are possible. For example, the overall shape can be made to appear rectangular as shown in Figure 9, while the inner side of the collar 6 is circular (not shown) to match the circular target bristle arrangement of a brush.

[042] Referring to Figures 1 to 6 and 8 to 10, the device 1 has is made from silicon (ergo silicon rubber), but can be made from any suitable elastic or stretchy material and preferably a biodegradable material. The thickness of the silicon is preferably 2.5mm (not shown) but can be any suitable thickness depending on the force required to straighten the bristles 4.

[043] According to another aspect of the device there is provided a method for straightening brush bristles. [044] To use the device 1, including according to the method provided, a device is first selected with a cross-sectional shape generally matching the shape 14 of the brush bristle arrangement on the target brush head 16, as best shown in Figures 5 and 6. The handle 18 or head 16 of the target brush 2 is inserted into the opening 20 of the collar 6. The device 1 is positioned onto the bristles 4 by gripping one or more flanges 10 and stretching the device over the bristles 4. The device 1 is positioned such that the bristles 4 are biased laterally inwardly by the inner side 24 of the collar so that the bristles 4 are pinched together.

[045] The bristles 4 are then fully submerged into hot water (not shown) for a sufficient duration of time to allow the water to soften the bristles 4 so that they return to their original straightened position orthogonal 26 to the brush head 16, as best seen in Figure 7. Any bubbles (not shown) trapped in the bristles 4 can be squeezed out to ensure good coverage of the bristles by the hot water. The duration of time the bristles need to be submerged is normally at least 90 seconds but could be shorter or longer depending on the temperature of the water (not shown). When removed, the bristles can be cooled in the atmosphere but also in cold water (not shown).

[046] Alternatively, if no hot water (or other medium) is available the device 1 can be left on the bristles 4 over a longer period of time (i.e., a few hours, or days) until the bristles 4 are straightened as best shown in Figure 6.

[047] It will be appreciated that the illustrated device and method provide a means for extending the life of brush bristles.

[048] The device 1 can be used on electric tooth-brush heads, various paint brushes, and any other suitable brushes whose bristles have been deformed and can be straightened by the use of the device.

[049] Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.