Fiber Detangler

Abstract

The novel detangling innovations disclosed include a detangling device comprising a handle having an upper portion and a lower portion, and a plurality of arced tines. The plurality of arced tines are connected to the lower portion of the handle along a first periphery extending around the lower portion of the handle. The arced tines arc inwardly with respect to a center of the lower portion of the handle. An arced tine comprises an arced flexible member; a base situated at a proximal end of the arced flexible member, and a tip. The base is connected to the lower portion of the handle. The tip is situated at a distal end of the arced flexible member. The arced flexible member has an elongated arced profile between the base and the tip.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A detangling device comprising:
 a handle having an upper portion and a lower portion; and   a plurality of arced tines connected to the lower portion of the handle along a first periphery extending around the lower portion of the handle, the arced tines arcing inwardly with respect to a center of the lower portion of the handle, each arced tine of the plurality of arced tines comprising:
 an arced flexible member; 
 a base situated at a proximal end of the arced flexible member, the base being connected to the lower portion of the handle; and 
 a tip situated at a distal end of the arced flexible member, the arced flexible member having an elongated arced profile between the base and the tip. 
   
     
     
         2 . The detangling device of  claim 1 , wherein each arced tine of the plurality of arced tines is tapered from the base to the tip, a thickness of each arced tine proximal the base being thicker than a thickness of the arced tine proximal the tip. 
     
     
         3 . The detangling device of  claim 2 , wherein the arced flexible member has a stronger tine resistance when flexed outwardly than inwardly. 
     
     
         4 . The detangling device of  claim 1 , the lower portion of the handle comprises a plurality of tine retainers situated proximal to the first periphery, the base of each arced tine of the plurality of arced tines being coupled to a corresponding tine retainer of the plurality of tine retainers. 
     
     
         5 . The detangling device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of arced tines and the lower portion of the handle are integral. 
     
     
         6 . The detangling device of  claim 1 , wherein the first periphery comprises a peripheral surface that extends along a circular path around the lower portion of the handle. 
     
     
         7 . The detangling device of  claim 1 , wherein the arced flexible member of each arced tine of the plurality of arced tines is comprised of a material having a torsional modulus of elasticity such that when the handle is twisted 360 degrees, the arced flexible member of each arced tine being twistable at least 90 degrees between the base and the tip without permanent deformation. 
     
     
         8 . The detangling device of  claim 1 , wherein, when inserted into a tangled bunch of fibers, the plurality of arced tines are capable of penetrating through the tangled bunch of fibers, and when moved in a first direction perpendicular to a direction of insertion into the tangled bunch of fibers, a first portion of arced tines of the plurality of arced tines flex inwardly, which accentuates the elongated arced profile of the arced flexible member of each of the arced tines of the first portion, and a second portion of the arced tines of the plurality of arced tines flex outwardly, which one of decreases, eliminates, and inverts the elongated arced profile of the arced flexible member of each of the arced tines of the second portion of arced tines. 
     
     
         9 . The detangling device of  claim 8 , wherein the fibers comprise one of hair and fur. 
     
     
         10 . A fiber detangler manufacturing method, comprising:
 forming a handle having an upper portion and a lower portion; and   forming a plurality of arced tines connected to the lower portion of the handle along a first periphery extending around the lower portion of the handle, the arced tines arcing inwardly with respect to a center of the lower portion of the handle, each arced tine of the plurality of arced tines comprising:
 an arced flexible member; 
 a base situated at a proximal end of the arced flexible member, the base being connected to the lower portion of the handle; and 
 a tip situated at a distal end of the arced flexible member, the arced flexible member having an elongated arced profile between the base and the tip 
   
     
     
         11 . The fiber detangler manufacturing method of  claim 10 , wherein the handle and the plurality of arced tines are injection molded. 
     
     
         12 . The fiber detangler manufacturing method of  claim 10 , wherein the handle and the plurality of arced tines are integral. 
     
     
         13 . The fiber detangler manufacturing method of  claim 10 , wherein forming the plurality of arced tines connected to the lower portion of the handle further comprises:
 forming each of the plurality of arced tines as individual members; and   securely attaching the base of each of the plurality of arced tines to a corresponding tine holder included in the lower portion of the handle.   
     
     
         14 . The fiber detangler manufacturing method of  claim 11 , wherein forming the handle having the upper portion and the lower portion further comprises:
 forming, as the lower portion, a first housing including a cavity, an interior surface of the first housing including a plurality of tine holders configured to hold the plurality of arced tines, respectively; and   mating the base of each arced tine of the plurality of arced tines with a corresponding tine holder of the plurality of tine holders, the base being shaped to compatibly mate with the corresponding tine holder.   
     
     
         15 . The fiber detangler manufacturing method of  claim 14 , wherein the first housing includes a plurality of tine apertures and the manufacturing method further comprises:
 passing the tip of each arced tine through a corresponding tine aperture of the plurality of tine apertures in conjunction with mating the base of each arced tine with the corresponding tine holder.   
     
     
         16 . The fiber detangler manufacturing method of  claim 14 , wherein forming the handle having the upper portion and the lower portion further comprises:
 forming, as the upper portion, a second housing including a plurality of tine retainers along a lower handle attachment region, the plurality of tine retainers protruding outwardly from the lower handle attachment region;   coupling the second housing with the first housing such that the plurality of tine retainers protrude into the cavity of the first housing and couple with the plurality of tine holders to cooperatively secure the plurality of arced tines in place.   
     
     
         17 . An arced tine of a fiber detangler, comprising
 an arced flexible member;   a base situated at a proximal end of the arced flexible member, the base being attachable to a tine holder of a handle of a detangling device; and   a tip situated at a distal end of the arced flexible member, the arced flexible member having an elongated arced profile between the base and the tip.   
     
     
         18 . The arced tine of  claim 17 , wherein the arced tine is tapered from the base to the tip, a thickness of the arced tine proximal the base being thicker than a thickness of the arced tine proximal the tip. 
     
     
         19 . The arced tine of  claim 17 , wherein the arced flexible member has a stronger tine resistance when flexed outwardly than inwardly. 
     
     
         20 . The arced tine of  claim 17 , wherein the arced tine is comprised of a material having torsional modulus of elasticity such that the arced flexible member is twistable at least 90 degrees without permanent deformation.