This invention relates to a selfcare brush.

In the beauty and cosmetics industries, there are many different types of selfcare brush products particularly for hair styling and makeup application. For hair styling, different types of brushes are used for different types of hair, different sections of hair on the same person and for achieving different styles of hair. For example, a harder bristle with larger spacing therebetween would be used on thicker hair types and to detangle the hair, whereas a finer and denser bristle would be used to shape the hair during drying. The same can be said for makeup brushes in which there are different shapes, densities and textures of bristles for different applications of make up to the face. Makeup brushes also make use of sponges to apply certain types of makeup. It will be understood that in the context of the invention, a "brush" includes a makeup sponge which effectively brushes makeup onto the face.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a selfcare brush comprising: a handle including a connection portion at one end; and first and second removeable brush heads, the first and second brush heads each including a mutually engageable engagement portion to interconnect the first and second brush heads to one another, wherein interconnection of the first and second brush heads permits the first and second brush heads to connect to the connection portion of the handle with the handle sandwiched between the first and second brush heads.

The ability to selectively separate the brush heads and the handle from one another allows a user to retain only one handle for use with any number of brush heads each of which may provide a different selfcare functionality.

A user need only, therefore, swap or replace the brush heads (as opposed to the whole brush) should they become worn or damaged or if a different selfcare functionality is required. This makes it easy for the user to switch functionality of the brush as desired, as is often the case in one "sitting" of selfcare different brush types are required.

As a result, selfcare brush suppliers need stock only a reduced number of handles together with a range of brush heads, thereby reducing the bulk and mass of selfcare components that must be transported from a manufacturer and providing a commensurate reduction in the CO2 footprint of each selfcare brush. Moreover, since a user can discard the brush head only once it is no longer in a good condition, the amount of waste from the consumer is also reduced.

In addition to the foregoing, the handle having first and second brush heads connected thereto means that the brush can provide two different functionalities at the same time, i.e. it is a dual-brush head. The first and second brush heads interconnecting with one another and that interconnection being how the brush heads are connected to the handle provides a reliable and robust attachment of the brush heads.

Preferably, the first brush head has a male engagement portion and the second brush head has a female engagement portion, wherein the female engagement portion receives the male engagement portion to interconnect the first and second brush heads to one another.

Such male and female engagement portions provide a reliable and secure engagement without the need for additional components or moving parts.

Optionally, the connection portion includes an aperture, the aperture configured to receive and retain the interconnected brush heads so as to connect the first and second brush heads to the handle.

The interconnected brush heads being retained within the aperture of the handle provides a reliable connection between the brush heads and the handle while reducing the complexity of the brush design.

The aperture may produce a friction fit or a snap fit between it and the interconnected brush heads, or any other suitable type of fit. Such an arrangement means no moving parts are required to connect the brush heads to the handle, which would otherwise add complexity and tend to be prone to breaking.

Preferably, the female engagement portion is shaped and sized to fit tightly within the aperture so as to connect the first and second brush heads to the handle.

The female engagement portion itself providing such a tight fit allows one component to provide two functionalities, i.e. it provides the engagement portion for interconnection to the other brush head and it provides the connection of the brush heads to the handle. Thus, the number of components required in the brush is reduced as is the complexity. Optionally, the first and second brush heads each includes a mutual locking portion to lock the brush heads into position relative to one another when the brush heads are interconnected.

Providing such mutual locking portions further secures the brush heads to the handle to prevent unwanted disconnection of the brush heads from the handle, especially where, for example, rigorous brushing is required.

The locking portions may form part of the male and female engagement portions.

The locking portions forming part of the male and female engagement portions makes use of a component already provided for in the brush heads to perform another functionality. Thus, the number of components required is reduced.

Optionally, one of the first and second brush heads includes a finger slot accessible when the first and second brush heads are connected to the handle.

The finger slot can therefore be accessed by a user when the brush heads are connected to the handle to help grip the brush head and disconnect it from the handle to change or replace one or more of the brush heads.

Each of the first and second brush heads may include one or more of the following: bristles, comb teeth, sponge or a blank.

As indicated previously, these different types of brush heads are used to achieve different outcomes or on different hair/skin types. Providing a blank brush head can be used where only a single brush head type is required.

Optionally, the end of the handle opposite the connection portion has a paddle shaped profile.

Providing such a paddle shaped profile at the other end of the handle means that this end can be used to section hair and/or for scooping makeup or creams.

In an embodiment of the invention, the brush further includes a stand, the stand including an opening for receiving the end of the handle opposite to the connecting portion to independently stand the brush handle in an upright manner. The stand provides a secure place for the brush handle to be stored. By standing the brush handle upright, it also protects the brush heads, when connected, from coming into contact with a surface, such as a floor, which may be unhygienic.

Preferably, the stand includes a compartment for storing one or more brush heads.

The inclusion of such a compartment provides a handy means of storing spare brush heads by keeping the brush components all together in one place.

The compartment may be arranged internally within the stand.

The component being arranged internally within the stand keeps the overall footprint of the stand to a minimum by making use of the internal volume of the stand to store the brush heads.

Preferably, the stand includes a lid which reveals the compartment when the lid is in an open configuration.

Providing such a lid protects the brush heads from environmental factors such as dust while also keeping the whole brush assembly look neat and tidy to the eye.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a selfcare brush according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figures 2a to 2d show a portion of the selfcare brush of Figure 1 with brush heads being connected to the handle;

Figure 3 shows the selfcare brush with a different type of brush head connected to the handle;

Figures 4a and 4b show the selfcare brush with a stand; and Figure 5 shows the selfcare brush with a protective casing.

A selfcare brush according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown in the figures and designated generally by reference 10.

The brush 10 includes a handle 12 and first and second removeable brush heads 14, 16. The handle 12 has first and second ends 18, 20. At the first end 18 is a connection portion 21 which includes an aperture 22 formed completely through the handle 12.

At the second end 20 is a flat spatula shaped profile, as can be seen in Figure 1.

The second end 20 may take another form, such as a pointed profile or a cylindrical profile.

As shown more clearly in Figures 2a and 2b, the first and second brush heads 14, 16 each include a mutually engageable engagement portion 24, 26. In the embodiment shown, the first brush head 14 has a male engagement portion 28 and the second brush head 16 has a female engagement portion 30. The male and female engagement portions 28, 30 are shaped to fit with one another such that the female engagement portion 30 receives the male engagement portion 28.

In this embodiment, the male and female engagement portions 28, 30 are oblong in shape since they follow the perimeter profile shape of each of the brush heads 14, 16. In other embodiments, the engagement portions 28, 30 may take any other shape which may or may not match the shape of the brush head 14, 16. For example, the brush heads 14, 16 might be round and the engagement portions 28, 30 may also be round or may instead be oblong, rectangular, etc. Moreover, the outward shape of the brush heads 14, 16 may differ from one another while their engagement portions 28, 30 match to enable interconnection of the brush heads 14, 16 to one another.

As shown in Figure 2c, the female engagement portion 30 of the second brush head 16 is shaped and sized to fit tightly within the aperture 22 of the handle 12. In other embodiments, there may be a separate component on either the first or second brush head 14, 16 which provides such a fit within the aperture 22 of the handle 12.

The first and second brush heads 14, 16 each includes a mutual locking portion 32. In this embodiment, the locking portions 32 take the form of a bump 34 and corresponding indent 36. The bump 34 is formed on the male engagement portion 28 while the indent 36 is formed on the female engagement portion 30 (see Figure 2b), although in other embodiments this could be the other way around.

As shown in Figure 2b, there are two bumps 34 and corresponding indents 36, each positioned at the top and bottom of the oblong shape of the engagement portions 28, 30. In other embodiments, there may be fewer or more locking portions 32. Moreover, the locking portions 32 may take any other suitable form, e.g. a ramped portion with a corresponding stop portion. The locking portions 32, together with the tight fit of the female engagement portion 30 within the aperture 22, allow the interconnected brush heads 14, 16 to snap fit into the aperture 22 of the handle 12 so as to provide a secure connection of the brush heads 14, 16 to the handle.

The second brush head 16 (although in other embodiments it could be the first brush head 14) includes a finger slot 38 which is indented into one end of the oblong shape of the brush head 16. As shown more clearly in Figure 2d, the finger slot 38 is accessible when the first and second brush heads 14, 16 are connected to the handle 12. Thus, a gap between the brush head 16 and the handle 12 is created. The shape and size of the slot 38 in this embodiment is such to permit insertion of a finger or at least a tip of a finger into the slot 38.

The brush heads 14, 16 shown in Figures 2a to 2d include bristles 40a, 40b extending therefrom. The brush heads 14, 16 shown with these types of bristles 40a, 40b are intended for haircare and styling. Diagram A in Figure 2d shows the bristle pattern 42a of the first brush head 14, which can be seen to be a dense pattern of bristles in close proximity to one another. Whereas diagram B shows the bristle pattern 42b of the second brush head 16, which can be seen to be uniform and spaced out to allow hair to easily pass through the gaps in the bristles. The first brush head 14 has finer, bushier bristles 40a for styling, whereas the second brush head 16 has thicker, individual bristles 40b for combing and detangling.

In other embodiments, the brush heads 14, 16 may include other types of bristles, for example softer bristles for the application of makeup. One or more of the brush heads 14, 16 may instead include comb teeth or a makeup sponge. In the latter regard, as indicated previously, the term "brush" and "brush head" in the context of this application extends to makeup sponges (which "brush" makeup onto the face).

In addition, and as shown in Figure 3, a brush head (shown as the second brush head 16 here but could equally be the first brush head 14) may have a blank 44, i.e. devoid of bristles, teeth or sponge. The blank 44 has a flat, non-operative face 46 which could be used as space for branding of the brush 10.

In use, the male engagement portion 28 of the first brush head 14 is inserted into the aperture 22 of the handle 12 - as shown in Figure 2b. The female engagement portion 30 of the second brush head 16 is brought into line with the male engagement portion 28 and the two brush heads 14, 16 are pushed together so that the female engagement portion 30 receives and engages with the male engagement portion 28. As shown in Figure 2c, this could be done by angling the second brush head 16 relative to the first brush head 14 and engaging each locking portion 32 in turn. Or both locking portions 32 may be engaged together by simply pushing the two brush heads 14, 16 together. In any event, the interconnected brush heads 12, 16 are snap fitted into the aperture 22 of the handle 12 and the user will hear and feel a "click" of the locking portions 32 so that they know the brush heads 14, 16 are secure.

As shown in Figure 2d, the brush heads 14, 16 are interconnected with one another through the aperture 22 of the handle 12 and are maintained in position by a tight fit between the interconnected brush heads 14, 16 and the aperture 22.

To disconnect the brush heads 14, 16 (e.g. to replace or store them), the user pulls the bottom end of the second brush head 16 via the finger slot 38 to forcibly release the locking portions 32 from one another and separate the brush heads 14, 16 from one another and thus from the handle 12.

Moving onto Figures 4a and 4b, the brush 10 further includes a stand 48. The stand 48 shown in this embodiment is substantially spherical with a flattened bottom 50 to allow it to be supported by a flat surface, such as a table. The top 52 of the stand 48 has an opening 54 shaped and sized to receive the second end 20 of the handle 12 such that the handle 12 is supported by the stand 48 to independently hold the handle 12 in an upright manner (as shown in Figure 4a).

The stand 48 includes a lid 56 which is opened to reveal a compartment 58 inside the stand 48. The compartment 58 is shaped and sized to receive spare brush heads 14, 16 and in this embodiment, there are four compartments 58 (although there may be more or fewer in other embodiments). In other embodiments, there may instead be a single compartment 58 which is sized to receive multiple spare brush heads.

In this embodiment, the stand 48 is formed by two equally sized portions forming a hollow interior; wherein the lid 56 is one of these portions. The other portion, a body portion 60, and the lid 56 are secured to one another by a threaded portion 62, i.e. they screw together like a bottle cap - as shown in Figure 4b.

As can be seen in Figure 4b, the compartments 58 are arranged in a circular manner around a centre portion 64 of the stand 48. The centre portion 64 of the body portion 60 includes an aperture 66 which receives an extension portion 68 of the lid 56. The extension portion 68 flows from the opening 54 which receives the handle 12 which, in this embodiment, is open only at one end.

In other embodiments, the lid 56 may take any other form to selectively open the interior of the stand 48 to reveal the compartments 58. For example, the lid 56 may be hingedly fixed onto the stand or may be slidably engaged.

In further embodiments, the stand 48 may not have a lid 56 and instead the compartments 58 may be accessible externally from the stand 48. Instead, the stand 48 may not have compartments 58 at all.

As shown in Figure 5, the brush 10 further includes a protective case 70 to secure around the brush heads 14, 16. The protective case 70 in this embodiment is formed by first and second portions 72, 74 which are hingedly secured to one another via a hinge 76 which is integrally formed in the case 70. The case 70 includes engagement portions 78 which are shaped and sized to push-fit onto a protruding outer surface portion of the handle 12 and/or brush heads 14, 16 to thus secure the case 70 in place. In this embodiment, the engagement portions 78 include a first channel 80 located at the top of the case 70 and which receives and engages with the outer top perimeter of the handle 12. The engagement portions 78 further include a second channel 82 located at the bottom of the case 70 and which receives and engages with the body of the handle 12 directly underneath the brush heads 14, 16. The first channel 80 is formed by two parallel walls which extend downward from the top of the case 70 such that the first channel 80 is internal to the case 70. The second channel 82 is formed by a nick in the bottom surface of the case 70.

The protective case 70 further includes a locking portion 84 in the form of an elongate raised portion 86 and corresponding indent 88 which receives the raised portion when the case 70 is in the closed position.

In other embodiments, the engagement portions 78 and/or locking portion 84 of the case 70 may take any other suitable form.

The components of the brush 10, e.g. the handle 12, brush heads 14, 16, stand 48 and protective cover 70, may be made from a range of materials and may be finished by a range of different finishes. Each component may be made from different materials from one another and may be finished differently, i.e. they may or may not match in material and finish. The different materials include plastics, e.g. PP plastic, stainless steel, or a natural material such as bamboo. The finishes include chrome, glass or matte.