Hairbrush cleaning tool

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved device for the removal of hair from hairbrushes. In a particular embodiment, the device of the invention itself is both cheap, transportable and disposable.

1 . A device comprising a solid or hollow cylindrical member that is capable, upon rotation of the member, of snagging, pulling or entangling the hair trapped within the bristles of a hairbrush. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises at least one hook or projection that is capable of snagging, pulling or entangling the hair trapped within the bristles of a hairbrush. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the device comprises a shaft with a hook at one end. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a shaft with one or more bends, kinks or twists along its length. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a shaft with a spiral or corkscrew shape. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a solid or hollow cylindrical member with its circumferential surface partially or fully covered by a plurality of projections, the projections capable, upon rotation of the cylindrical member, of snagging, pulling or entangling the hair trapped within the bristles of a hairbrush. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the entire circumferential surface of the cylindrical member of the device of the invention is covered by such projections. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the projections are bristles, hooks, spikes or prongs. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a solid or hollow cylindrical member with its circumferential surface partially or fully covered with an adhesive or abrasive material, the adhesive or abrasive material capable, upon rotation of the cylindrical member, of snagging, pulling or entangling the hair trapped within the bristles of a hairbrush. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the terminal portion of the cylindrical member of the device is free of projections, adhesive material or abrasive material. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a solid or hollow cylindrical core to which a surface covered with the plurality of projections, or covered with the adhesive material, or covered with the abrasive material, is attached by an adhesive means to said cylindrical core. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the external diameter of the cylindrical member, including any surface projections, is from 0.25 mm to 15 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said diameter is from about 1 mm to about 15 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said diameter is from about 3 mm to about 12 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said diameter is from about 4 mm to about 10 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said diameter is from about 5 mm to about 10 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said diameter is from about 6 mm to about 8 mm. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the cylindrical member is from about 5 mm to about 200 mm. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein said length is from about 5 mm to about 100 mm. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein said length is from about 5 mm to about 50 mm. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein said length is from about 10 mm to about 40 mm. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein said length is from about 20 mm to about 40 mm. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a synthetic polymer or plastic, or a natural polymers, or a metal. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the device of the invention comprises polyethylene or polypropylene. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the device of the invention comprises a metal. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device of the invention is fitted with a structure capable of attachment to a means for rotation. 
     
     
         27 . A kit comprising a device according to  claim 1  along with a manual handle-type means for rotation, and/or along with one or more adapters capable of attaching the device to various hand-powered or electrically-powered means for rotation. 
     
     
         28 . A method of removing hair from a brush for grooming hair, comprising the steps of inserting into the brush a device that is capable upon rotation of a part of the device of snagging, pulling, or otherwise entangling the hair that is trapped within the hairbrush, and causing said part of the device to rotate, thereby removing the hair from the hairbrush. 
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 28 , further comprising the steps of attaching said device to a means for rotation, inserting the device into a brush for grooming hair, causing the rotatable part of the device to rotate, removing the device from the hair brush, separating the device from the means for rotation, and optionally, cleaning the device or discarding the device. 
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the device is a device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 30 , wherein the hair is human or animal hair. 
     
     
         32 . Use of a device according to  claim 1  for the removal of hair from a hairbrush.