[0100] This invention is entitled “A Hair Care Apparatus”.

[0200] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of hair grooming, styling and care.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0300] A comb is an apparatus to groom hair. A comb generally includes a handle and elongate teeth extending away from the handle in the same direction.

[0400] In use, a comb is run through hair in at least one direction several times in order to straighten the hair or style it. This is called “combing”.

[0500] The hair can be dry or moist. Hair care products such as shampoos, relaxers and suchlike may further be added to the air to facilitate styling by making the hair softer or sleeker.

[0600] A problem experienced with combs is that a significant number of strands of hair can be broken, especially when combing curly or coiled hair, which restricts the rate of the hair accumulation desired. [0700] Further, combing usually requires forceful tugs to unravel some intertwined curls, which results in breakage of the intertwined strands in those curls and in pain to the user.

[0800] It is an object of this invention to at least partially address the above problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0900] In this document, the word “bristle” denotes an elongate member akin to a tooth of a hair comb.

[1000] The invention provides a hair care apparatus which includes a body, a handling portion on or attached to the body to facilitate carrying of the body, a fluid compartment at least partially within or attached to the body to contain fluid, at least one of an electrical power source within the body and an electrical power inlet on the body for receiving electrical power from an external electrical power source, a mist generating mechanism in association with the fluid compartment and in electrical connection with the power source or the power inlet, a base side on the body, a base part engageable with the base side, a base member engageable with the base part, the base member having firstly an exposed surface, secondly a plurality of bristles extending from and substantially perpendicular to the exposed surface, and thirdly apertures in fluid communication with the fluid compartment on at least one of the exposed surface and at least one bristle in the plurality of bristles.

[1100] The mist generating mechanism may be a nano mist generator.

[1200] The nano mist generator may be any one of a: piezoelectric transducer based; electrostatic; heat based and ultrasonic vibration based nano mist generator.

[1300] The apparatus may include a control circuit for controlling function of the nano mist generator.

[1400] The apparatus may include at least one dial, switch or button in communication with the control circuit and capable of being manipulated to at least one of switch on, switch off and vary levels of mist generation of the mist generator.

[1500] The power source may be a battery, preferably rechargeable via the electrical power inlet.

[1600] The base side and the base part may be detachably engageable via an engagement means such as a plurality of screws.

[1700] The base part may be joined to the handle either attachable or seamlessly. [1800] The base part may include an engagement mechanism facilitating engagement of the base side with the base member.

[1900] The engagement mechanism may be a receptacle configured to receive or to be attached to the base member. As such, the base member may be configured complementarily to be received or to be attached to the receptacle, preferably such receipt is achieved by sliding or inserting the base member into the receptacle.

[2000] The apparatus may include a removable locking member for locking or keeping the base part in engagement with the base member.

[2100] The locking member may be a spring-loaded lock.

[2200] The bristles may be diamond-shaped and made out of plastics, rubber or metal.

[2300] The body may have an opening in fluid communication with the fluid compartment, facilitating storage of fluid in the compartment.

[2400] The apparatus may include a removable stopper adapted to facilitate opening or closure of the opening on the body.

[2500] The handling portion may include a gripping means attached to, enclosing or moulded with the body, [2600] The control circuit may include a processor which interlocks operatively with the at least one dial, switch or button to at least one of switch on, switch off and vary levels of mist generation of the mist generator.

[2700] The processor may be pre-set to process usage data of the apparatus such as power, time spent and patterns thereof.

[2800] The control circuit may include a memory unit for storage of the usage data.

[2900] The control circuit may include a local transceiver in connection with the processor.

[3000] The processor may be pre-set to communicate the usage data to the local transceiver and the local transceiver may be configured to transmit the usage data to a remote transceiver.

[3100] The local transceiver may be configured to receive functional instructions from the remote transceiver and may be pre-set to communicate the functional instructions to the processor, which instructions make the processor to break the interlock with the at least one dial, switch or button.

[3200] The bristles may be adapted to bend at continuous or discrete or separate tension points. [3300] The apparatus may include a products vessel preferably for containing hair care product.

[3400] The interior of the products vessel may be in fluid communication with at least some of the apertures on the exposed surface and at least one bristle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[3500] The invention is now described by way of a non-limiting example with reference the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view from a first side of a hair care apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a solid view of the first side of the hair care apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3 is a transparent bottom perspective view of the hair care apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 4 is a transparent bottom view of the hair care apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 5 is a solid bottom perspective view of the hair care apparatus in accordance with the invention without a base member and a locking member;

Figure 6 is a receptacle and a handle of the hair care apparatus according to the invention; Figure 7 is a base member, an exposed surface and a plurality of bristles of the hair care apparatus according to the invention; and

Figure 8 shows a locking member of the hair care apparatus according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[3600] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, there is shown a hair care apparatus 10 (“the apparatus 10”).

[3700] Figures 1 and 2 show the apparatus 10 having a body 12 a handle 14 for handling the apparatus 10, a control circuit cavity 14a on the handle 14 for containing a control circuit 38a, a gripping means 16 on the handle 14 for enhancing grip upon handling of the apparatus 10 by the handle 14, a fluid compartment 18, a rechargeable battery assembly 20, an electrical power inlet 22 for providing external electrical power to charge the battery assembly 20, a base side 24, a base part 24a in engagement with the base side 24, a base member 26 in this case being a bristle pad, the bristle pad 26 being in detachable engagement with the base part 24a, an exposed surface 28 on the bristle pad 26, a plurality of bristles 30 extending from the exposed surface 28, apertures 32a and 32n in communication with the fluid compartment 18, an opening 36 on the body 12 for pouring in liquid, preferably water, into the fluid compartment 18, a stopper 34 for closing and opening of the opening 36, a power button 38 for regulating electrical input to the control circuit 38a, nano mist generators 40a and 40n (“the nano misters 40a and 40n”) attached or otherwise associated with the fluid compartment 18 to cause generation of nano mist within the fluid compartment 18, the nano misters 40a and 40n being in communication with the control circuit 38 and the battery assembly 20 to be directly or indirectly operated thereby, and a detachable bristle pad lock 42 for keeping the bristle pad 26 and the base part 24a in engagement during use of the apparatus 10. It will be transparent to a person of reasonable skill in the art how the communication between the control circuit 38, the battery assembly 20 and the nano misters 40a and 40n can be achieved to operate the nano misters 40a and 40n.

[3800] With reference to Figures 3 to 5 the apparatus 10 is illustrated with the base part 24a naked.

[3900] There is provided on the apparatus 10 a slot 20a for housing the battery assembly 20, two additional nano mister generators 40b and 40c, two additional apertures 32b and 32c and a grooved area 42a for receiving the bristle pad lock 42. It will be appreciated that the number of nano mist generators 40 and apertures 32 is limited only for exemplary purposes.

[4000] Figure 5 in particular shows a plurality of slots A, B, C, D, E and F on the base part 24a to receive attachment means such as screws (not shown). It is conceived that the base side 24 includes complementary slots (not shown) to allow screwing of the base part 24a to the base side 24. [4100] With particular reference to Figure 4 a latch 38a is provided in the handle to detachably attach a fender (not shown) for controlling access to the control circuit cavity 14a.

[4200] Figure 6 shows the base part 24a according the present example of the invention. The base part 24a is integral with the handle 14. The base part 24a defines a receptacle 24b for containing the bristle pad 26. The handle 14 has a slot 38b within which the power button 38 is insertable.

[4300] Figure 7 shows the bristle pad 26 as exemplified in the present invention. Each bristle in the plurality of bristle 30 is diamond shaped to enhance penetration and efficiency of use of the apparatus. The bristle pad 26 has a groove 42b to accommodate and be kept in place within the receptacle 24b by a part of an area 46 of the bristle pad lock 42 illustrated in Figure 8. Each bristle in the plurality of bristles 30 is made out of rubber or plastics or metal.

[4400] Figure 8 shows the bristle pad lock 42 having a spring-loaded attaching means 44 which is attachable to the grooved area 42a of the body 12, preferably by clipping on.

[4500] In the present example the nano misters 40 are ultrasonic. However, use may be made of any other type such as electrostatic and heat.

[4600] Instead of being a button the power button 38 can be a dial or switch. In any event, manipulation of the button 38 changes levels and patterns of electrical energy supplied to the nano misters 40. This serves to at least one of: switch on; switch off; and vary levels of mist generation. The control circuit 38a includes a processor (not shown but can easily be achieved by a person of reasonable skill in the art) which interlocks operatively with the power button 38 such that the processor responds to the manipulation of the power button 38 to actuate the control circuit 38a to regulate feed of electrical power by the battery 20 to the nano misters 40. The processor is pre-set to process usage data of the apparatus 10 such as power, time spent and patterns thereof. It is envisaged that the control circuit 38a includes a memory unit (not shown but can easily be achieved by a person of reasonable skill in the art) for storage of the usage data.

[4700] Further, in an extension of the invention the control circuit 38a includes a local transceiver (not shown but can easily be achieved by a person of reasonable skill in the art) in connection with the processor. The processor is preset to communicate the usage data to the local transceiver to transmit the usage data to a remote transceiver and to receive functional instructions from the remote transceiver.

[4800] The local transceiver is pre-set to communicate the functional instructions to the processor, which instructions make the processor to break or make the interlock with the button 38.

[4900] The invention can be further extended by the apparatus including include a products vessel for containing hair care product. The interior of the products vessel would be in fluid communication with at least some of the apertures 32. [5000] The apparatus 10 is portable and light enough for carriage by an average human being. The body handle 14 and the gripping means 16 are shaped in such a way as to ease of and grip to hold the apparatus 10 for at least a reasonable period of time required to comb hair.

[5100] Instead of the nano misters 40 a heating element (not shown but can easily be achieved by a person of reasonable skill in the art) may be used to heat liquid in the fluid compartment 18 such that fine mist is exuded through the apertures 32. In such a case the electrical inlet 22 would have to supply the heating element directly for sufficient electrical power to be supplied to heat the heating element.

[5200] It will be appreciated that the above examples are provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and are not meant to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

DATED AT SILVERTON ON THIS 10TH DAY OF JULY 2023

/b. a. du be/

DUBE BRIAN ALBERT ATTORNEYS

PATENT ATTORNEYS FOR THE APPLICANT