COMBS FOR PERSONAL USE

This invention relates to combs, primarily but not essentially, for personal use, particularly but not necessarily to combs in which pins, tines or teeth are closely spaced, for example nit combs. A comb comprises two parts, a head or spine used as a handle and a row of pins, tines or teeth integral with and extending outwardly therefrom.

Conventionally, combs for personal use are moulded of plastics material. Nit combs have however individual metal pins whose spacings apart are set finely and whose roots are then embedded in a spine of plastics or other solid materials. Heretofore, while it is possible to mould a nit comb from plastics material there are limiting factors and it is not possible in a conventional moulding process to obtain the necessary fine spacing between adjacent pins that is preferably required for that purpose.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate that problem.

Accordingly, the present invention is a comb having a spine part and a pin part secured in the spine part, the pin part being formed in two sections, each section including a row of pins each with a root block, the root blocks being integral with an elongate mount and forming an indented formation on one side of the mount, each indent being spaced from its neighbour by the width of itself, the sections being united together with the pins and root blocks of one section being in alternate fashion with those of the other section with the mounts positioned along the opposite major faces of the pin part.

Preferably, the opposite side of the root blocks from the mount of one section is provided with a groove and the inside face of the mount of the second section is provided with a complementary rib, the rib and groove mating when the sections are united thereby preventing relative movement. Each opposite major face of the pin part is desirably provided with a keying groove. The depth of the root blocks and the mounts are beneficially the same.

Preferably also, the two sections are formed from one moulding, one section being reversed and offset relative to the other end and the root blocks are press fitted to unite them. Alternatively, the two sections are connected by a hinge and are united by hinging one section

over the other and press fitting the root blocks together.

Preferably further, the spine part is moulded over the root blocks and mounts of the united sections. Alternatively, the spine part may be in two portions clamped over the root blocks and mounts of the united sections.

Openings are provided between adjacent root blocks in the united sections, and a passageway may be formed when the two portions of the spine part are clamped together, the openings and passageway then being in communication.

One end of the passageway may be closed and the other end open.

The spine part is preferably adapted for fitment to a closure of a container/dispenser for holding a liquid material such that liquid from the container can be dispensed via the open end of the passageway through the openings.

Alternatively, both ends of the passageway may be closed and one or more parallel passages normal to the passageway may be provided in the spine part, one end of the of the passages being in communication with the passageway and open at the opposite end for fitment to the closure of the container/dispenser.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig 1. is a perspective view of a comb according to the present invention;

Fig. 2a is a perspective view of one section of a pin part before the sections are united;

Fig. 2b is a perspective view of the other section of a pin part before the sections are united;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an enlarged detail of a hinge of the two sections shown in Fig. 2a and 2b; and

Fig 4. is a perspective view of the pin parts with the two sections united; and

Fig.5 is a perspective exploded view of an alternative of a second modification of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, a comb has a spine part 10 for use as a handle and a pin part 12 secured in the spine part 10. The pin part 12 is formed in two sections. Each section includes a row of pins 14 each with a rectangular root block 16. The root blocks 16 are integral with an elongate mount 18 and form an indented formation on one side of the mount 18. Each indent 20 is spaced from its neighbour by the width of itself. The sections are united together with the pins 14 and root blocks 16 of one section being in alternate fashion with those of the other section with the mounts 18 positioned along opposite major faces to the pin part 12. The opposite side of the root blocks 16 from the mount 18 of one section is provided with a groove and the inside face of the mount of the second part is provided with a complementary rib 24. The rib 24 and groove 22 mate when the sections are united thereby preventing relative movement. Each opposite major face of the pin part 12 is provided with a keying groove 26. The depth of the root blocks and the mounts 18 are the same.

The two sections are formed from one moulding, one section being reversed and offset relative to the other and the root blocks are press fitted to unite them. In this manner, the fine spacings required can be obtained in a moulded process.

The spine part 10 is moulded over the root blocks 16 and mounts 18 of the united sections to produce a comb as shown in Fig. 1 , the keying grooves 26 providing a keying facility to prevent relative outward movement of the pin part from the spine part 12 as shown. The spine part 10 extends partially down each side of pin part 12 as shown.

While the root blocks in the specific embodiment are rectangular, other shapes can be used so long as the root blocks of one section mate with the root blocks of the second section. Also, the tops of the root blocks are shown as square edge but could be equally be shaped as arched or bladed.

The number, shape and size of the pins can vary as required.

Alternatively, the two sections are connected by a hinge 28 and are united by hinging one section over the other and press fitting the root blocks 16 together.

In a first modification, the spine part of the comb may be extended out laterally beyond the pin part to serve as a handle.

In a second modification, the spine part may be in two portions clamped over the root blocks and mounts of the united sections. The two portions may be bonded in their clamped position.

In this modification, openings are provided between adjacent root blocks in the united sections, and a passageway is formed when the two portions of the spine part are clamped together, the openings and passageway then being in communication. One end of the passageway is closed and the other end open. The spine part is adapted for fitment to a closure of a container/dispenser for holding a liquid material such that liquid from the container can be dispensed via the open end of the passageway through the openings. Alternatively, both ends of the passageway are closed and one or more parallel passages normal to the passageway are provided in the spine part, one end of the passages being in communication with the passageway and opens at the opposite end for fitment to a container/dispenser. The liquid material may be, for example, a hair styling mousse, a colouring solution for use in hair tinting, or a disinfectant or insecticidal solution.

In an alternative to this embodiment, the spine part 10 may be a container/dispenser and the passageway is served by the interior of the container, the closure being remotely located relative to the pin part.

Combs of the present invention can be used on animals.

Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described above and as claimed hereinafter.