Ion emitting brush

Abstract

A brush includes a self-contained ion generator that subjects material being brushed to an outflow of ionized air containing safe amounts of ozone. The ion generator includes a high voltage pulse generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrodes. An outflow of ionized air and ozone is directed between the brush bristles onto the material being brushed.

1 . An ion emitting brush, comprising: 
 a handholdable body including a first side and a second side generally opposite said first side;    an inlet vent through said first side of said handholdable body;    a brush plate connected to said second side of said handholdable body;    bristles extending from said brush plate;    an outlet vent through said brush plate;    an ion generator disposed within said handholdable body, said ion generator including: 
 a first electrode array having at least one first electrode;  
 a second electrode array having at least one second electrode; and  
 a voltage generator that when energized provides a potential difference between said first electrode array and said second electrode array;  
   wherein said first electrode array is located closer to said inlet vent than is said second electrode array, and said second electrode array is located closer to said outlet vent than is said first electrode array, such that when said voltage generator is energized ambient air is drawn in through said inlet vent and ionized air flows out through said outlet vent and between said bristles.    
   
   
       2 . The ion emitting brush of  claim 1 , wherein said brush plate is removably connected to said second side of said handholdable body.  
   
   
       3 . The ion emitting brush of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of at least one of said first electrode array and said second electrode array is accessible for cleaning when said brush plate is removed from said second side of said handholdable body.  
   
   
       4 . The ion emitting brush of  claim 1 , wherein said second electrode comprises a generally U shaped electrode having a nose portion and two trailing edges, said nose portion generally facing toward said first electrode array, said trailing edges generally facing away from said first electrode array.  
   
   
       5 . The ion emitting brush of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of said trailing edges of said second electrode includes a pointed region generally facing away from said first electrode array.  
   
   
       6 . The ion emitting brush of  claim 5 , wherein said pointed region generally faces toward said outlet vent.  
   
   
       7 . The ion emitting brush of  claim 5 , wherein said second electrode array includes at least two said second electrodes.  
   
   
       8 . The ion emitting brush of  claim 5 , wherein said first electrode includes a wire shaped electrode.  
   
   
       9 . The ion emitting brush of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an on/off button located on said second side of said handholdable body.    
   
   
       10 . The ion emitting brush of  claim 1 , wherein said on/off button is located near a region where a handle portion and a head portion of said handholdable body meet.  
   
   
       11 . The ion emitting brush of  claim 10 , further comprising an indicator light that indicates the on/off status of said brush.  
   
   
       12 . The ion emitting brush of  claim 11 , wherein said indicator light is located close to said on/off button.  
   
   
       13 . An ion emitting brush, comprising: 
 a handholdable body including a first side and a second side generally opposite said first side;    an inlet vent through said first side of said handholdable body;    a brush plate removably connected to said second side of said handholdable body;    bristles extending from said brush plate;    an outlet vent through said brush plate;    an ion generator disposed within said handholdable body, said ion generator including: 
 a first electrode array having at least one first electrode;  
 a second electrode array having at least one second electrode that is generally U shaped with a nose portion and two trailing edges, said nose portion generally facing toward said first electrode array, said trailing edges generally facing away from said first electrode array, with at least one of said trailing edges of said second electrode includes a pointed region generally facing away from said first electrode array;  
 a voltage generator that when energized provides a potential difference between said first electrode array and said second electrode array;  
   wherein said first electrode array is located closer to said inlet vent than is said second electrode array, and said second electrode array is located closer to said outlet vent than is said first electrode array, such that when said voltage generator is energized ambient air is drawn in through said inlet vent and ionized air flows out through said outlet vent and between said bristles.    
   
   
       14 . The ion emitting brush of  claim 13 , wherein said pointed region generally faces toward said outlet vent.  
   
   
       15 . The ion emitting brush of  claim 13 , wherein said second electrode array includes at least two said second electrodes.  
   
   
       16 . The ion emitting brush of  claim 13 , wherein said first electrode includes a wire shaped electrode.  
   
   
       17 . The ion emitting brush of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 an on/off button located on said second side of said handholdable body.    
   
   
       18 . The ion emitting brush of  claim 13 , wherein said on/off button is located near a region where a handle portion and a head portion of said handholdable body meet.  
   
   
       19 . The ion emitting brush of  claim 18 , further comprising an indicator light that indicates the on/off status of said brush.  
   
   
       20 . The ion emitting brush of  claim 19 , wherein said indicator light is located close to said on/off button.