Novel Back Brush and Soap Dispensing Device

Abstract

A manually held electrically powered back brush with built in soap dispenser allows bathers to reach difficult hard to clean parts of their body. The brush has rotating brissles and a central orifice at the center of the brush. The orifice dispenses dosed liquid soap through the orifice as the bather uses it. The brush also has a central clip-on attachment which allows a solid soap plug to be held in place in the center of the brush and at the top of the device. The device has a battery pack which can be recharged with a household wall outlet. The device can also use disposable batteries.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The field of the invention is personal grooming devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] While back brushes have been in the public domain for some time, there are some examples of electric back brushes in the prior art. In Pat. No. 6,662,386 Bowerman et al describe a wall mounted back brush unit where the brush and soap dispenser components are immobile and the bather has to back into the device while standing or sitting. In Pat. No. 6,170,108 Knight et al. describe a hand held electrically powered back brush.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0003] One object of the invention is to develop a novel back brush. Another object of the invention is to develop an automated back brush. Yet another object of the invention is to develop an electric back brush. Another object of the invention is to develop a back brush which dispenses soap as it is used. Yet another object of the invention is to develop an ultrasound powered back brush. Another object of the invention is to develop a vibratory brush element based electrically powered back brush. Yet another object of the invention is to develop a back brush with replaceable brush elements. Another object of the invention is to develop a mechanically powered back brush for bathing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention is an electrically powered back brush which has a geometrically designed liquid soap reservoir. There is a vibrational element which agitates the brush using electric energy. This can be switched to an ultrasound function which further affects the brush cleaning. The device can also be adjusted so that the brush rotates along with the other functions that can be switched to. The liquid soap is dispensed through the brush center through an orifice. The power can be either as disposable batteries, rechargeable batteries and in some cases a non contact charger. A mechanically spring powered version as well as a small internal generator which can be manually operated can also be added instead of electrical mechanisms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention is a foot and a half in length. It has a curvature in the handle allowing for better reach during use. The handle has a soft elastomer with a thumb controlled control panel. The settings allow for ultrasonic and vibrational modes. A liquid soap is stored in the hollow cavity of the device all along the length of the device. A soap booster is found near the motor in the head, and the head brush elements are replaceable. The device is powered by an electrical vibrational and ultrasound generator. The power is stored in a battery. Some embodiments of the invention can use spring stored mechanical energy and solid soap plugs centrally located on the brush element.

Examples of the Invention

[0006] A curved injection molded polycarbonate brush has a circular head and a thermoplastic elastomer grip. The head of the brush contains an ultrasonic motor which serves as a booster to liquid soap as well as a bristle motion inducing device. The ultrasonic energy travels through the bristles and has a foam inducing effect in it's interaction with the soap and water, as well as a deep cleaning effect on skin. The entire handle of the brush acts as a hollow soap reservoir for liquid soap. The ultrasound frequency and patterns are controlled by a waterproof control panel with push button controls or piezoelectric touch pads. In addition a more basic version of the device is available where the power is provided by a hand wound mechanical spring and a solid soap plug is held in place in the center of the rotating circular brush or a rotating platform with rotating sub brush units. In this embodiment, the soap is a mushroom-shaped insert plug which would fit in a central cavity. Water flow would is directed by channels in the bush base towards the soap plug during normal use.

Claims

1. A back brush for bathing with an electrically powered ultra-sonic or vibrating brush and liquid or solid soap dispenser which can be manually manipulated by the user to reach hard to wash areas of the body.

2. The claim in 1 where the brush is interchangeable between liquid and solid dispensing versions.

3. The claim in 1 where the brush has counter-rotating adjustable sub components which rotate independently.

4. The claim in 1 where the brush is an open cell polymer foam.

5. The claim in 1 where where the bristles are cleaved at their extremities for better soap application and skin comfort.

6. The claim in 1 where the liquid and solid soap contain diatomaceous earth for skin exfoliation.

7. The claim in 1 where the device can be docked to a wall socket recharging device.

8. The claim in 1 where the device can be powered with commercially available disposable or rechargeable batteries.

9. The claim in 1 where the brush length is extendable for individualized adjustment of the length of the device.

10. The claim in 1 where the handle grip has high-grip polymer foam for ease of handling and reduction of device dropping during wet use.

12. The claim in 1 where the device can be charged by a non-contact charging system.

13. The claims in 1 where the battery is located in handle area of the brush to distribute weight in an areas which will make the brush easier to use.

14. The claim in 1 where the control button is located in the handle portion where a user's thumb would also be.

15. The claim in 1 where uniquely shaped orifice located under the removable head allowing a user to fill the brush by coupling a soap bottle specifically designed to fit the orifice resulting in a filling system in which the soap container remains vertical emptying itself by gravity providing convenience to the user.

16. The claim in 1 where a soap booster button located above the brush adding additional soap when desired by the user.

17. The claim in 1 where LED or other type of lights used to show battery levels or aid in cleaning.

18. The claim in 1 where Ultraviolet lights added to the brush head area to kill microorganisms.

19. The claim in 1 where windows in the device showing the soap level during usage.

20. The claim in 1 where A retractable cord on a pass through wall charger as a means of keeping the power charged organized while allowing other devices to be plugged in through it. A rechargeable charging system in which the non-contact charger is comprised of a small bank of batteries that are charged in a separate process by plugging into the wall allowing the device to be charged in wet areas without removing the device from the shower by way of the portable non-contact charging device.

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