Bristled brush and methods of cleaning the same

Abstract

A brush is provided that includes a handle portion further including a first end and an opposite second end, a plurality of tines extending outward from said handle first end, where the plurality of tines are spaced apart such that a gap is defined between each pair of adjacent tines, and a plurality of bristles extending generally radially outward from each of the plurality of tines.

1 . A hairbrush comprising:
 a handle portion comprising a first end and an opposite second end;   a plurality of tines extending outward from said handle first end, said plurality of tines spaced apart such that a gap is defined between each pair of adjacent tines; and   a plurality of bristles extending generally radially outward from each of said plurality of tines.   
   
   
       2 . A brush in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said handle portion comprises a cylindrically-shaped body. 
   
   
       3 . A brush in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said handle first end is substantially planar. 
   
   
       4 . A brush in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of tines are circumferentially spaced about said handle first end. 
   
   
       5 . A brush in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of bristles are oriented in at least one row that extends generally longitudinally across each of the said plurality of tines. 
   
   
       6 . A brush in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the gap is sized to enable a cleaning element to be inserted between each said pair of circumferentially-adjacent tines. 
   
   
       7 . A brush in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of tines is cylindrically shaped. 
   
   
       8 . A brush in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said handle portion and said plurality of tines are unitarily constructed. 
   
   
       9 . A method for cleaning a brush, said method comprising:
 determining that foreign matter is contained within an array of bristles extending outward from a plurality of circumferentially-spaced tines;   inserting a cleaning element between at least two of the circumferentially-spaced tines; and   moving the cleaning element between the tines to facilitate removing foreign matter from the brush.   
   
   
       10 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein moving the cleaning element between the tines further comprises withdrawing the cleaning element from the brush to further facilitate removing foreign matter from the brush. 
   
   
       11 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein inserting a cleaning element between at least two of the circumferentially-spaced tines further comprises insert a cleaning element between at least two of the circumferentially-spaced tines that extend generally longitudinally from a handle of the brush. 
   
   
       12 . A system for hairbrush cleaning, comprising:
 a cleaning element; and   a hairbrush further comprising:   a handle portion comprising a first end and an opposite second end;   a plurality of tines extending outward from said handle first end; and   a plurality of bristles that extends generally radially outward from each of said plurality of tines, said plurality of tines spaced apart such that a gap is defined between each pair of adjacent tines.   
   
   
       13 . A system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein said cleaning element is an elongated member of a width capable of being slidably engaged between two adjacent tines in the said plurality of tines. 
   
   
       14 . A system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein said handle portion comprises a cylindrically-shaped body. 
   
   
       15 . A system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein said handle first end is substantially planar. 
   
   
       16 . A system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein said plurality of tines are circumferentially spaced about said handle first end. 
   
   
       17 . A system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein said plurality of bristles are oriented in at least one row that extends generally longitudinally across each of said plurality of tines. 
   
   
       18 . A system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the gap is sized to enable a cleaning element to be inserted between each said pair of circumferentially-adjacent tines. 
   
   
       19 . A system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein each of said plurality of tines is cylindrically shaped. 
   
   
       20 . A system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein said handle portion and said plurality of tines are of unitarily constructed.