US20160309886A1 - Hair capture device - Google Patents
Hair capture device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20160309886A1 US20160309886A1 US15/136,345 US201615136345A US2016309886A1 US 20160309886 A1 US20160309886 A1 US 20160309886A1 US 201615136345 A US201615136345 A US 201615136345A US 2016309886 A1 US2016309886 A1 US 2016309886A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- hair
- capture device
- shaped body
- body portion
- hair capture
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
- A46B15/0097—Self supporting, e.g. brushes that stand upright or in other particular ways
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
- A46B9/02—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
- E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
- E03C1/12—Plumbing installations for waste water; Basins or fountains connected thereto; Sinks
- E03C1/26—Object-catching inserts or similar devices for waste pipes or outlets
- E03C1/264—Separate sieves or similar object-catching inserts
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
- A46B2200/40—Other application
- A46B2200/405—Brush used for purposes that are not conventional brushing, e.g. holder or support
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Sink And Installation For Waste Water (AREA)
Abstract
A hair capture device and method that can catch and hold hair before it is released down a drain. The device has a plurality of protuberances extending from an outer surface of a shaped body portion to capture and retain hair strands. A suction cup on a base of the hair capture device allows the user to removably attach the device in a convenient place in the shower or at the sink.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/151,804, filed Apr. 23, 2015 the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
- The present invention relates to devices to prevent clogging of drain pipes, and more particularly to devices to prevent hair from clogging a drain.
- When people wash, condition, or color their hair, such as while showering, strands of hair break or are released from their scalp and get tangled up in their hands. Currently, that released hair gets washed off the user's hands and is carried down the drain by the running water. The hair may accumulate over time, thereby clogging the drain and otherwise making a mess.
- While other inventions attempt to catch the hair as it enters the drain, some strands may still pass through. For those that are captured by the device, the user must still bend over and clean the captured hairs.
- As can be seen, there is a need for an apparatus that keeps hair from even getting to the drain in the first instance.
- In one aspect of the present invention, a hair capture device, is disclosed which includes, a shaped body portion having a plurality of spaced apart protuberances disposed about an outer surface of the shaped body portion; and a base portion having a suction cup disposed on a bottom surface of the base portion. The protuberances are formed of a flexible resilient material. The flexible resilient material may be a polyurethane or a neoprene. The shaped body portion is formed in the shape of one of a plant, an animal, a cartoon character, and an athletic item. The shaped body portion and the base portion may be formed as a unitary member. Alternatively, the shaped body portion and the base portion are formed as discrete elements. The shaped body portion and the base portion may be releasably coupled to one another.
- Other aspects of the invention include a method of preventing clogging of a drain. The method includes the steps of providing a hair capture device having a shaped body portion with a plurality of spaced apart protuberances disposed about an outer surface of the shaped body portion; and a base portion having a suction cup disposed on a bottom surface of the base portion. In some aspects of the invention, the method also includes the step of transferring a hair to the hair capture device. The step of transferring may include placing a hair on the hair capture device. Alternatively, the step of transferring may include wiping a hair across one or more of the plurality of spaced apart protuberances.
- These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention. -
FIG. 2 is a section detail view of the invention along line 2-2 ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention shown with operator in an exemplary initial configuration. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention shown with operator in an exemplary initial configuration. - The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
- Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a hair capture device and method that allows for the collection .a body having a plurality of flexible protuberances extending outwardly from a surface of the body. The flexible protuberances are configured to engage with hairs held on a user's hand to allow for the collection of the hairs before they can enter the drain.
- As best seen in reference to
FIG. 1 , ahair capture device 10 has ashaped body portion 18 and a base portion. In the embodiment shown, theshaped body portion 18 is in the form of a pine tree or a conifer. Theshaped body portion 18 may be formed in a variety of shapes, such as animals, cartoon characters, athletic items, and the like. Thecapture device 10 may be formed from a flexible resilient material, such a polyurethane. Preferably the selected resilient material will provide a frictional component to the device surfaces so as to grip the strands of hair, more preferably when the hair andcapture device 10 are in a wetted condition. - The base portion has a
suction cup 14 defined on a bottom end thereof. - The
suction cup 14 is adapted to secure thehair capture device 10 in a semi-fixed position to acompatible surface 16 within a bath or shower, a sink area, or wherever thedevice 10 may be utilized to capture hair. By way of non-limiting example, thecompatible surface 16 may include a tile surface, a fiberglass or similar enclosure, a window, a mirror, a counter top, enamel metal, ceramics, and the like. Preferably, thesuction cup 14 will have a diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the drain pipe in the area in which thehair capture device 10 may be utilized. Thehair capture device 10 may be formed as a unitary member or theupper portion 18 and the base portion andsuction cup 14 may be formed as discrete joinable elements. - An outer surface of the
shaped body portion 18 is provided with a plurality offingerlike protuberances 12. Theprotuberances 12 are disposed in a spaced apart relation and may be arranged in rows or columns that may alternate in their alignment with a displaced row or column interposed between an aligned row or column. The disposition of theprotuberances 12 may also be varied over the surface of theshaped body portion 18 depending upon the particular form of theshaped body portion 18, which may not allow for a uniform disposition of theprotuberances 12 due to surface contours of thebody portion 18. - In a preferred embodiment, the
protuberances 12 may have a diameter or thickness that is less than the length of theprotuberance 12. Similarly, theprotuberances 12 will have a preferred cylindrical shape. The diameter of theprotuberances 12 may be between about ¼ and ½ inch in diameter. More preferably about ⅜ inches. - As seen in reference to
FIGS. 3 and 4 , in use, the user would secure thehair capture device 10 onto a flatcompatible surface 16 in the shower, bathtub, or sink by the suction cuppedbottom portion 14. Ashairs 20 may be accumulated on the user'shand 18 that may come out of the person's scalp while washing, conditioning, or coloring thehair 20 can be picked off the person'shand 18 and placed on thehair capture device 10 where thehair 20 is captured by one ormore protuberances 12. Alternatively, the user can run theirhand 18 over thehair capture device 10protuberances 12 so that thehair 20 is captured by theprotuberances 12 and avoid being carried into the drain. - The user can leave the
hair capture device 10 tree in the shower for the next time or remove it and put it away in a cabinet or closet. When thehair 20 captured on thedevice 10 is dry or whenever a the user feels like cleaning off thehair capture device 10, thehair 20 can be removed from engagement with theprotuberances 12 and disposed of in the trash. - Alternatively, the
hair capture device 10 could be inverted and placed over or into an open drain to catchhair 20 that tries to get down the drain. Thesuction cup bottom 14 will prevent the hair tree from going down the drain. - It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
Claims (12)
1. A hair capture device, comprising:
a shaped body portion having a plurality of spaced apart protuberances disposed about an outer surface of the shaped body portion; and
a base portion having a suction cup disposed on a bottom surface of the base portion.
2. The hair capture device of claim 1 , wherein the protuberances are formed of a flexible resilient material.
3. The hair capture device of claim 2 , wherein the flexible resilient material is polyurethane.
4. The hair capture device of claim 2 , wherein the flexible resilient material is neoprene.
5. The hair capture device of claim 1 , wherein the shaped body portion is formed in the shape of one of a plant, an animal, a cartoon character, and an athletic item.
6. The hair capture device of claim 4 , wherein the shaped body portion and the base portion are formed a unitary member.
7. The hair capture device of claim 4 , wherein the shaped body portion and the base portion are formed as discrete elements.
8. The hair capture device of claim 7 , wherein the shaped body portion and the base portion are releasably coupled.
9. A method of preventing clogging of a drain, comprising:
providing a hair capture device, comprising
a shaped body portion having a plurality of spaced apart protuberances disposed about an outer surface of the shaped body portion; and
a base portion having a suction cup disposed on a bottom surface of the base portion;
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
transferring a hair to the hair capture device.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of transferring comprises:
placing a hair on the hair capture device.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of transferring comprises:
wiping a hair across one or more of the plurality of spaced apart protuberances.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/136,345 US20160309886A1 (en) | 2015-04-23 | 2016-04-22 | Hair capture device |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201562151804P | 2015-04-23 | 2015-04-23 | |
US15/136,345 US20160309886A1 (en) | 2015-04-23 | 2016-04-22 | Hair capture device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20160309886A1 true US20160309886A1 (en) | 2016-10-27 |
Family
ID=57147046
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/136,345 Abandoned US20160309886A1 (en) | 2015-04-23 | 2016-04-22 | Hair capture device |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20160309886A1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10765198B2 (en) | 2018-04-13 | 2020-09-08 | Patricia Watne | Hair removal device |
US10791819B2 (en) * | 2019-02-26 | 2020-10-06 | Jeana Caccamise | Loose strand retainer |
US11191396B2 (en) | 2018-04-13 | 2021-12-07 | Patricia Watne | Hair removal device |
US11299323B2 (en) * | 2017-07-07 | 2022-04-12 | Jasmeeth KALSI | Filament pad or liner for holding jewelry and other similar items |
US11445804B1 (en) | 2019-08-15 | 2022-09-20 | Showerbun, Llc | System and method for a hair collection device which releases stored hair when activated |
US20220341139A1 (en) * | 2021-04-23 | 2022-10-27 | Kamran Yazdani | Hair entrapment filter system |
US11851863B2 (en) * | 2020-05-11 | 2023-12-26 | Jamel W. Patton | Hair capture device |
US11857124B1 (en) | 2021-06-04 | 2024-01-02 | Margaret Feldman | Hair discard device |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4671976A (en) * | 1985-10-31 | 1987-06-09 | Vidal Stella M | Web-type stock material with upwardly projecting filamentary elements and defined periphery |
US6487729B2 (en) * | 2001-04-05 | 2002-12-03 | Michael Delanzo | Hair trap for drains and sinks |
US20070143917A1 (en) * | 2003-12-31 | 2007-06-28 | Cook Murray N | Drain Brush |
US7407142B1 (en) * | 2003-06-06 | 2008-08-05 | William Lopez | Hair collection device |
US20090271920A1 (en) * | 2008-05-02 | 2009-11-05 | Viggiano Gregory R | Foreign Matter Trap for Drains |
US7832413B2 (en) * | 2006-10-27 | 2010-11-16 | Goody Products, Inc. | Therapeutic styling brush with infusion delivery |
US20120304377A1 (en) * | 2011-03-28 | 2012-12-06 | Shawn Reile | Hair collection system |
US9015892B1 (en) * | 2014-09-02 | 2015-04-28 | Mare Figel | Corner-mounted shower brush |
-
2016
- 2016-04-22 US US15/136,345 patent/US20160309886A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4671976A (en) * | 1985-10-31 | 1987-06-09 | Vidal Stella M | Web-type stock material with upwardly projecting filamentary elements and defined periphery |
US6487729B2 (en) * | 2001-04-05 | 2002-12-03 | Michael Delanzo | Hair trap for drains and sinks |
US7407142B1 (en) * | 2003-06-06 | 2008-08-05 | William Lopez | Hair collection device |
US20070143917A1 (en) * | 2003-12-31 | 2007-06-28 | Cook Murray N | Drain Brush |
US7832413B2 (en) * | 2006-10-27 | 2010-11-16 | Goody Products, Inc. | Therapeutic styling brush with infusion delivery |
US20090271920A1 (en) * | 2008-05-02 | 2009-11-05 | Viggiano Gregory R | Foreign Matter Trap for Drains |
US20120304377A1 (en) * | 2011-03-28 | 2012-12-06 | Shawn Reile | Hair collection system |
US9015892B1 (en) * | 2014-09-02 | 2015-04-28 | Mare Figel | Corner-mounted shower brush |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11299323B2 (en) * | 2017-07-07 | 2022-04-12 | Jasmeeth KALSI | Filament pad or liner for holding jewelry and other similar items |
US10765198B2 (en) | 2018-04-13 | 2020-09-08 | Patricia Watne | Hair removal device |
US11191396B2 (en) | 2018-04-13 | 2021-12-07 | Patricia Watne | Hair removal device |
US10791819B2 (en) * | 2019-02-26 | 2020-10-06 | Jeana Caccamise | Loose strand retainer |
US11445804B1 (en) | 2019-08-15 | 2022-09-20 | Showerbun, Llc | System and method for a hair collection device which releases stored hair when activated |
US11851863B2 (en) * | 2020-05-11 | 2023-12-26 | Jamel W. Patton | Hair capture device |
US20220341139A1 (en) * | 2021-04-23 | 2022-10-27 | Kamran Yazdani | Hair entrapment filter system |
US11927002B2 (en) * | 2021-04-23 | 2024-03-12 | Kamran Yazdani | Hair entrapment filter system |
US11857124B1 (en) | 2021-06-04 | 2024-01-02 | Margaret Feldman | Hair discard device |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |