This invention relates to a collapsible brush an particularly, but not exclusively, to a collapsible toot brush.

An example of a collapsible tooth brush is disclosed in EP.A- 0296 903 and comprises an elongate head component carrying plurality of bristles at one end portion thereof and a elongate handle component an end portion of which is adapted to be united with an end portion of the head component remote from the bristles, the handle component comprising a pair of members adapted to cooperate one with another to form an enclosure for the head component. The arrangement is such that the members are pivotable relative to the head portion so as to reduce a longitudinal dimension of the brush and provide an enclosure for the head component.

An object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible brush which is less expensive to manufacture than collapsible brushes known hitherto.

The invention is characterised in that each of a pair of members comprising a handle component is connected for pivotal movement relative to a head component at a corresponding one of a pair of axes extending through the head component, one of which axes extends in a substantially orthogonal direction to the other of the axes.

The two members therefore may be of identical shape and configuration and they may be formed of plastics material in the same mould, thereby considerably reducing the cost of manufacture compared with collapsible brushes known hitherto in which the two members are of different shape one from another.

The invention is also characterised in that the two members have opposing faces and each face has extending therefrom a corresponding one of a pair of spigots, the spigots of each pair being provided with formations whereby, upon engagement one with another, the spigots are restrained from being separated one from another.

Therefore, assembly of a head component and a handle component of a brush in accordance with the present invention is less expensive than is assembly of collapsible brushes known hitherto because assembly of a head component and a handle component of a brush in accordance with the present invention is achieved merely by flexing in opposite directions the opposite facing faces of the two members, in turn inserting opposed spigots in corresponding apertures provided in the head component, releasing the faces so that they return to their non-flexed condition and urging the faces towards one another so that the opposed spigots snap into engagement one with another.

Following is a description by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings of one method of carrying the invention into effect.

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a brush in accordance with the present invention, the brush being in a condition for use.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the brush during a first stage of being collapsed,

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figures 1 and 2 showing the brush during a second stage of being collapsed.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figures 1 to 3 showing the brush in a collapsed condition, and

Figure 5 is a cross section on the line V-V of Figure 3.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a tooth brush, generally designated 10, formed of plastics material and comprising an elongate head component 11 and an elongate handle component 12.

The head component 11 is of substantially rectangular transverse cross section and comprises an upper surface 13, a lower surface 14 and side surfaces 15, 16. The cross sectional area of the head component 11 is greatest at a forward end portion, where the lower surface 14 is provided with a plurality of bristles 17, and least immediately behind the forward end portion, the area expanding rearwardly towards

a rear end portion which is provided with two rectilinear bores 18, 19 one 18 of which extends through the upper and lower surfaces 13, 14 and the other 19 of which extends through the side surfaces 15, 16.

The handle component 12 comprises two substantially U-shaped members 20, 21. The two opposite facing surfaces 22, 23 of the substantially parallel limbs of the member 20 are each provided at a forward end portion with an integral spigot 24, 25 such that central longitudinal axes of the spigots 24, 25 are in line. Each of the spigots 24, 25 has a hook formation 26, 27 at an end portion thereof remote from the corresponding surface 22, 23 and the arrangement is such that when the limbs 22, 23 are urged towards one another, the hook formations 26, 27 of the spigots 24, 25 snap engage one another and relative movement of the spigots 24, 25 in reverse directions is restrained. The member 21 is provided with similar spigots, generally indicated at 28.

During assembly, the limbs of the member 20 are widened, the spigots 24, 25 are located in opposite ends of the bore 18 and the force urging the limbs apart is released so that the spigots 24, 25 enter the bore 18, in opposite directions and move towards one another. The limbs are then pressed towards one another so that the hook formations 26, 27 snap engage one another. A similar procedure then is carried out with the limbs of the member 21 and the spigots 28 in the bore 19. The members 20, 21 thus are connected to the head portion 11 so as to pivot relative thereto on the respective central longitudinal axes of the spigot combinations 24, 25 and 28.

The tooth brush 10 is used when in the condition shown in Figure 1. After use, the brush 10 is collapsed by carrying out a two stage operation. Firstly, the member 20 is pivoted relative to the head portion 11, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 2, to a position in which the head portion 11 is located within the U configuration of the member 20, as shown in Figure 3. Then the member 21 is pivoted relative to the head portion 11, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 3, to a position in which the head portion 11 and the member 20 are located within the U configuration of the member 21, as shown in Figure 4.

The length of the tooth brush 10 thereby is shortened by the length of the head portion 11 and the head portion is contained within and protected by an enclosure 29 formed by the members 20, 21. When it is required to use the brush 10 subsequently, the members 20, 21 are pivoted relative to the head portion 11 in a reverse direction so that the brush 10 is in the condition shown in Figure 1.