Hairbrush

Abstract

 A hair brush (10) includes a substantially planar pin bed member (12), a plurality of pins (14) projecting mutually parallel from the pin bed member (12), the pins (14) being arranged in spaced rows (22) and being of at least three but no more than four different lengths.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to hairbrushes.

[0002] Conventionally, hairbrushes comprise a pin bed member into which are set a plurality of pins (or bristles) which project outwardly from the bed member. A variety of arrangements of pins and pin bed members are known. For example, the pin members can project mutually parallel from a substantially planar bed member, or can be set in longitudinally extending rows over a curved or domed bed member surface, so that the pins in adjacent rows project outwardly at different angles.

[0003] Tangled hair presents a problem which has been addressed in a number of ways. In the case above, in which pin members are set in longitudinally extending rows over a curved or domed bed member surface, the arrangement permits a user to vary the number of pins in contact with the hair. As the brush is moved towards the user's head and further in to the volume of hair, progressively more pins are brought into contact with the hair, permitting the user to control the volume of hair being brushed and the intensity of the brushing. However, in practice, such fine control is difficult, particularly for young children.

[0004] In this specification, the term pin is used to denote a pin, bristle or tooth.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair brush, the hair brush including a substantially planar pin bed member, a plurality of pins projecting mutually parallel from the pin bed member, the pins being arranged in spaced rows and being of at least three but no more than four different lengths.

[0006] Possibly, the rows extend laterally across the bed member. Possibly, the pins are equispaced along the rows. Possibly, the rows are equispaced along the length of the bed member. Possibly, the spacing between the rows is substantially similar to the spacing between the pins. Possibly, the pins of adjacent rows are offset laterally by one half of the spacing between adjacent pins in the same row.

[0007] Possibly, the pins predominantly comprise long length pins, medium length pins and short length pins. Possibly, the difference in length between the long and medium length pins is substantially the same as the difference in length between the medium length pins and the short length pins.

[0008] Possibly, the number proportion of long length pins is greater than the number proportion of short length pins and may be greater than the number proportion of medium length pins. Possibly, the number proportion of long length pins is less than the combined number proportion of short and medium length pins.

[0009] Possibly, the number proportion of medium length pins is greater than the number proportion of short length pins.

[0010] Possibly, some of the rows predominantly comprise only one length of pin, while other rows comprise a mixture of pin lengths. Possibly, the mixed pin length rows comprise a mixture of long and short length pins, which may alternate in sequence along the row.

[0011] Possibly, the mixed length rows by are separated from each other by no more than two rows of single length pins, and may be separated from each other by one row of single length pins, which may be either all long pins or all medium pins, or by two rows of single length pins, one of which is all long pins and one of which is all medium pins.

[0012] Possibly, adjacent rows of single length pins are of a different length.

[0013] Possibly, a majority of the long pins are located in long pin regions, each of which may comprise three rows, one or two of the rows being comprised solely of long pins, the other complementary one or two of the rows being comprised of a mixture of long and short pins. Possibly, the arrangement of the long pin regions is asymmetric along the length of the bed member.

[0014] The bed member may taper in width from a laterally extending middle region towards each end so that the number of pins in each row generally decreases from the middle region towards the ends. The bed member may be oval or hexagonal in plan shape. The bed member may be elongate, having a length longer than its width.

[0015] The brush may include a back member, and may include a mounting for mounting the back member to the bed member. The back member may define an interior, in which the bed member may be receivable in an assembled condition.

[0016] The mounting may be arranged to permit detachment of the back member from the bed member, and may be arranged to permit assembly of the back member to the bed member in an assembled storage condition in which the pins are received in the interior and assembly of the back member to the bed member in an assembled use condition in which the pins project outwardly away from the back member.

[0017] Possibly, the back member has an outer surface which curves on every side towards an edge or edges defining the interior. The curved surface may define a plurality of digit receiving recesses.

[0018] Possibly, the brush includes a dispenser for dispensing a hair conditioning material to the vicinity of the pins.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair brush, the hair brush including a pin bed member, a plurality of pins projecting from the pin bed member, the brush including a dispenser for dispensing a hair conditioning material to the vicinity of the pins.

[0020] Possibly, the pin bed member is substantially planar. Possibly, the pins project substantially mutually parallel. Possibly, the pins are arranged in spaced rows and may be of at least three but no more than four different lengths.

[0021] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of hair care, the method including providing a hair brush as described in any of the preceding statements.

[0022] Possibly, the hair brush includes any of the features defined in any of the preceding paragraphs.

[0023] The dispenser may define a reservoir for holding the hair conditioning material, which may be located in the interior.

[0024] The dispenser may include a container, which defines the reservoir.

[0025] The hairbrush may define at least one dispensing outlet through which the hair conditioning material moves from the reservoir towards the vicinity of the pins. Possibly, the or each dispensing outlet is defined by the pin bed member and may be surrounded by at least one pin on each side.

[0026] The dispenser may include an actuator, which is movable between a non-dispense condition and a dispense condition. Possibly, when moved to the dispense condition by a user, the actuator causes or permits movement of the hair conditioning material through the outlet(s).

[0027] Possibly, the actuator includes biasing means for biasing the actuator to the non-dispense condition. The biasing means may include a spring.

[0028] Possibly the actuator includes a force transmitter, which may include a sealed, flexible, hollow member, which may be fluid filled. The hollow member may be resiliently deformable and may comprise the biasing means.

[0029] Possibly, the actuator includes a valve member, which may be movable between an open and a closed condition.

[0030] Possibly, the dispenser includes dispenser bristles, which may be arranged around the outlet(s).

[0031] Possibly, the container is pressurised, and may comprise the actuator.

[0032] Possibly, the container is removable. Possibly, the dispenser includes a connector for removably connecting the container to an outlet arrangement, Possibly, the outlet arrangement defines the outlet(s).

[0033] Possibly, the hair conditioning material is liquid. Possibly, the hair conditioning material is a dry powder.

[0034] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a hair brush in an assembled storage condition;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a bed member and pins of the hair brush in a disassembled condition;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a back member of the hair brush in the disassembled condition;

Figs. 4A to 4E are transparent views of the back member from one side, above, the other side, one end and below respectively;

Fig. 5 is diagrammatic plan view of the pins and the bed member;

Fig. 6 is a side cross sectional view of a second hair brush;

Fig. 7 is a side cross sectional view of a third hair brush;

Fig. 8 is a view from below of the third hair brush;

Fig. 9 is a perspective partly exploded view of a fourth hairbrush;

Fig. 10 is a side cross sectional view of the fourth hair brush;

Fig. 11 is a perspective partly exploded view of a fifth hairbrush;

Fig. 12 is a side cross sectional view of the fifth hairbrush;

Fig. 13 is a side cross sectional view of a sixth hairbrush in a non-dispense condition;

Fig. 14 is a side cross sectional view of the sixth hair brush in a dispense condition;

Fig. 15 is a side cross sectional view of a seventh hairbrush in a non-dispense condition; and

Fig. 16 is a side cross sectional view of the seventh hair brush in a dispense condition.

Figs. 1 to 5 show a hair brush 10 including a substantially planar pin bed member 12, a plurality of pins 14 projecting mutually parallel from the pin bed member 12, the pins 14 being arranged in spaced rows 16 and being of at least three but no more than four different lengths.

[0035] The rows 16 extend laterally across the bed member 12. The pins 14 are equispaced along the rows 16. The rows 16 are equispaced along the length of the bed member 12. The spacing between the rows 16 is substantially similar to the spacing between the pins 14.

[0036] The spacing arrangement of the pins 14 and the rows 16 provides three orientations in which the pins 14 are aligned in rows ie the lateral rows 16, and angled rows 36, 38 at angles of substantially 60° and 120° to the lateral respectively. In between the rows 16, 36 38 are defined clear channels 28. When used in a direction aligned with the direction of one of these sets of channels, the action of brushing is eased because the effective number of pins 14 presented to the hair is reduced.

[0037] The pins 14 predominantly comprise long length pins 14L, medium length pins 14M and short length pins 14S, but in the example shown, also include a relatively small number of even shorter length pins 14XS. In Fig. 5, the length of the pin 14 at each location is indicated by the letters L, M, S or XS, which designates respectively a long length pin 14L, a medium length pin 14M, a short length pin 14S or an even shorter length pin 14XS.

[0038] The difference in length between the long and medium length pins 14L, 14M is substantially the same as the difference in length between the medium length pins 14M and the short length pins 14S.

[0039] The distribution of pins 14 across the bed member 12 is shown in Fig. 5 and in table form in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Distribution of pins 14 across the bed member 12
Row	Number of even shorter length pins XS, (14XS)	Number of short length pins S (14S)	Number of medium length pins M (14M)	Number of long length pins L (14L)	Total number of pins in row
R1	2	8			10
R2				9	9
R3		4	2	4	10
R4			11		11
R5				12	12
R6		7		6	13
R7		1	1	12	14
R8			15		15
R9		8		8	16
R10				15	15
R11		8		8	16
R12			17		17
R13				16	16
R14		8		7	15
R15				15	15
R16			15		15
R17		8		6	14
R18		2		11	13
R19		6		6	12
R20			11		11
R21		4	2	4	10
R22			9		9
R23	2	8			10
Totals	4	72	93	129	298
Percentages of total	1.3%	24.2%	31.2%	43.3%	100%

[0040] The designations of the rows R1 to R23 relate to the rows as shown in Fig. 5.

[0041] The number proportion of long length pins 14L is greater than the number proportion of short length pins 14S and the number proportion of medium length pins 14M, but the number proportion of long length pins 14L is less than the combined number proportion of short and medium length pins 14S, 14M.

[0042] The number proportion of medium length pins 14M is greater than the number proportion of short length pins 14S.

[0043] Some of the rows 16 predominantly comprise only one length of pin 14. Rows 16 which comprise predominantly small, medium or long pins have been given the reference numerals 16S, 16M and 16L. Other rows 14 comprise a mixture of pin lengths. The mixed length rows, which have been given the reference numeral 16L/S, comprise a mixture of long and short length pins 14L, 14S, which alternate in sequence along the rows 16L/S.

[0044] The mixed length rows 16L/S are separated from each other by at least one row of single length pins, which could be one row 16L of all long pins 14L or one row 16M of all medium pins 14M, or by two rows of single length pins, comprising one row 16L of all long pins 14L and one row 16M of all medium pins 14L.

[0045] Where adjacent rows 16 are both comprised of single length pins 14, the pins of each row are of a different length.

[0046] A majority of the long pins 14L are located in long pin regions 30 in which the number density of the long pins 14L is relatively high in comparison with other areas of the bed member 12.

[0047] Some long pin regions 30A are of a still relatively higher long pin number density and comprise three rows 16 in which two of the rows 16L are comprised solely of long pins 14L and one of the rows 16L/S is comprised of a mixture of long and short pins 14L, 14S.

[0048] Other long pin regions 30B are of a relatively lower long pin number density and comprise three rows 16 in which one of the rows 16L is comprised solely of long pins 14L and two of the rows 16L/S are comprised of a mixture of long and short pins 14L, 14S.

[0049] The arrangement of the long pin regions 30 is asymmetric along the length of the bed member.

[0050] In the example shown, rows R5, R6 and R7 and rows R13, R14 and R15 comprise relatively higher long pin number density long pin regions 30A, and rows R9, R10 and R11 and rows R17, R18 and R19 comprise relatively lower long pin number density long pin regions 30B.

[0051] The asymmetric arrangement of the long pin regions 30A, 30B enables a user to vary the number of long pins 14L in contact with hair, to allow a gentler or a stronger action as required.

[0052] The bed member 12 tapers in width from a laterally extending middle region 34 towards each end so that the number of pins 14 in each row generally decreases from the middle region 34 towards the ends. Again, this shape permits the user to vary the number of pins in contact with the hair. The bed member 12 could be oval or hexagonal in plan shape. The bed member 12 is elongate, having a length longer than its width.

[0053] The brush 10 includes a back member 40, and a mounting 42 for mounting the back member 40 to the bed member 12. The back member 40 defines an interior 44 in which the bed member 12 is receivable in an assembled condition.

[0054] The mounting 42 is arranged to permit detachment of the back member 40 from the bed member 12. The mounting 42 is be arranged to permit assembly of the back member 40 to the bed member 12 in an assembled storage condition in which the pins 14 are received in the interior 44 and assembly of the back member 40 to the bed member 12 in an assembled use condition in which the pins 14 project outwardly away from the back member 40.

[0055] The detachable back member 40 thus provides a cover for the pins 14 during storage or transport, protecting the pins 14 and keeping them clean. The interior 44 could also provide convenient storage space for other relatively small items, such as hair pins, elasticated hair bands, etc.

[0056] The back member 40 has an outer surface 66 which curves on every side towards an edge or edges 46 defining the interior 44. The curved surface 66 defines a plurality of digit receiving recesses 48.

[0057] In some rows, endmost outlier pins 15 are smaller than other pins in the row to accommodate the curve of the back member 40.

[0058] In one example, the long pins 14L could be 19.5mm long, the medium pins 14M could be 15.5mm long, the short pins 14S could be 11.5mm long and the extra short pins 14XS could be 10mm. The pins 14 could be tapered, and could taper from a thickness of around 1.15 mm to 0.9mm. The ends of the pins 14 could be rounded.

[0059] The hair brush 10, the bed member 12 and the back member 40 are sized to fit comfortably into a user's hand, and could be provided in different sizes, with different numbers of pins 14, for different size hands. The curved outer surface 66 of the back member 40 with the digit receiving recesses 48 aids gripping of the brush 10 in use.

[0060] The pin bed member 12 includes a pin bed part 64, from which, on one side, the pins 14 project. The mounting 42 includes a flange 50 which extends outwardly to form a perimeter around the bed member 12. The mounting 42 includes a pair of substantially identical wall members 62 located on either side of the flange 50 and extending around the pin bed part 64, between the pin bed part 64 and the flange 50. Each of the wall members 62 includes an outwardly extending lip 52, which together with the flange 50 defines bed member recesses 54, one bed member recess being located on either side of the flange 50.

[0061] The mounting 42 includes a lip 56 projecting inwardly from the edges 46 of the back member 40. As shown in figure 3, the lip 56 is not continuous, but defines a plurality of spaced gaps 68.

[0062] In moving from a disassembled condition, in which the back member 40 is separated from the bed member 12, to the assembled condition, the back member 40 is fitted to the bed member 12 so that the back member lip 56 is received within one of the recesses 54 of the bed member 12 on one side of the flange 50. In this condition, the back member lip 56 interlocks with the bed member lip 52 to hold the back member 40 and the bed member 12 in the assembled condition.

[0063] The back member 40 is formed of a flexible material such as polypropylene which can be resiliently deformed to permit the lips 52, 56 to move past each other into and out of the assembled condition. The bed member 12 could be formed of polyethylene. The back member 40 defines a finger hole 60 in one end edge to aid detachment.

[0064] An inner wall 84 projects from the face of the bed member 12, facing in the opposite direction from the pins 14, the inner wall 84 defining an inner recess 86. An item such as a mirror (not shown) could be located in the inner recess 86.

[0065] Figs. 6 to 16 show other embodiments of the invention, many features of which are similar to those already described in relation to the embodiment of Figs 1 to 5. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, the following embodiments will only be described in so far as they differ from the embodiment already described. Where features are the same or similar, the same reference numerals have been used and the features will not be described again.

[0066] Fig. 6 shows a hairbrush 210 which includes a hair conditioning material dispenser 88, the dispenser 88 including a flexible container 72 located in the interior 44 and defining a reservoir 90 which can be filled with a hair conditioning material 70 via a filling inlet 74. In this example, the hair conditioning material 70 could be a liquid. The filling inlet 74 is closable by a stopper 82.

[0067] The hairbrush 210 includes, in this example, a plurality of dispensing outlets 78 through which the hair conditioning material 70 moves from the reservoir 90 towards the vicinity of the pins 14. Each dispensing outlet 78 is defined by the pin bed member 12 and is surrounded by at least one pin 14 on each side. The dispenser 88 includes an actuator 76, which is movable between a non-dispense condition and a dispense condition, in which the actuator 76 causes or permits the movement of the hair conditioning material 70 through the dispensing outlets 78. In this example, the actuator 76 includes a button 94. The container 72 is formed of a flexible, deformable material.

[0068] In use, a user presses the button 94 to permit a user to apply pressure to the container 72, deforming the container 72 to force the hair conditioning material 70 out of the container 72 through the dispensing outlets 78 towards the pins 14. The actuator 76 and the inlet 74 are accessible to the user through apertures 80 defined by the back member 40.

[0069] It is a particular advantage for the hairbrush 210 to include both the pins 14 of the invention and a hair conditioning material dispenser 88, as the hair conditioning material 70 aids the brushing of tangled or matted hair. The dispenser 88 permits the application of the hair conditioning material 70 directly to the hair, reducing waste and mess and increasing speed and efficiency. This is particularly important in a salon environment. The or each outlet 78 is defined by the pin bed member 12 is surrounded by at least one pin 14 on each side, so that the distribution of the hair conditioning material 70 is aided by the pins 14.

[0070] The container 72 could be formed of a resiliently deformable material which provides biasing means 100, so that when the user releases the button 94, the container 72 returns to its non-dispense condition.

[0071] Figs. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment of a hairbrush 310, which is similar to the second embodiment 210 described previously. In this example, however, the actuator 76 includes a force transmitter 92, which includes a sealed, flexible, resiliently deformable hollow member 96. The hollow member 96 could be in the form of a bag or pouch and could be filled with a fluid such as air. In this example, the back member 40 is flexible. In use, a user presses on an upper part of the back member 40, compressing the hollow member 96 which in turn compresses the container 72, forcing the hair conditioning material 70 out of the container 72 through the dispensing outlets 78 towards the pins 14.

[0072] In this example, the biasing means 100 includes the resiliently deformable hollow member 96, which could be formed of a material such as rubber, TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) or other resiliently deformable plastics material.

[0073] Fig. 8 shows a possible arrangement of the dispensing outlets 78 over the pin bed member 12. In this example, fifteen spaced outlets 78 are arranged in five rows of three, over a central part of the pin bed member 12.

[0074] Figs. 9 and 10 show a fourth embodiment of a hairbrush 410. In this embodiment, the container 72 is pressurised. A propellant (not shown) is located in the reservoir 90, along with the hair conditioning material 70. The container 72 thus comprises the actuator 76. The actuator 76 also comprises a button 94 which is accessible to a user via an aperture 80 defined in the back member 40. In this example, the biasing means 100 includes a spring 98 which biases the button 94 to the non-dispensing condition.

[0075] In this example, the dispenser 88 includes an outlet arrangement 102 comprising a connector 104 extending from each end of the container 72 to the dispensing outlets 78, each connector 104 including a valve member or members (not shown) and a nozzle (not shown) which atomises/vaporises the hair conditioning material 70 to improve dispersion.

[0076] In use, the user presses the button 94 which opens the valve member(s) to permit the propellant to drive the hair conditioning material 70 along the connectors 104 and through the outlets 78 towards the vicinity of the pins 14, as indicated by arrows A in Fig. 9. In this example, there are two outlets 78.

[0077] In this example, the hair conditioning material 70 could be a liquid or a dry powder.

[0078] Figs. 11 and 12 show a fifth embodiment of a hairbrush 510, which is similar to the fourth embodiment 410 described previously. In this example, however, the pressurised container 72 is removable and single ended. In an assembled condition, the container 72 projects through an aperture 80 defined in the back member 40. The container 72 includes a male connector part 108 which in the assembled condition connects to a female connector part 106 of the connector 104, but can be separated therefrom to permit disassembly.

[0079] In the assembled condition, the container 72 is movable between a non-dispense condition and a dispense condition by pushing the projecting outward end of the container 72 inwardly. The projecting outward end thus forms the button 94 and the container 72 comprises the actuator 76.

[0080] In one example, the container 72 could be a standard "mini-size" 50 ml shampoo canister. Such canisters are readily available.

[0081] The dispenser 88 includes a mounting cradle 110 to hold the container 72 in the assembled condition and ensure accurate location of the male connector part 108 of the container 72 into the female connector part 106.

[0082] Figs. 13 and 14 show a sixth embodiment of a hairbrush 610. In this embodiment, the actuator 76 includes a plurality of valve members 112, each of which locates in one of the dispensing outlets 78 and is movable between an open and a closed condition. The actuator 76 includes a valve connector arrangement 114 which mechanically connects the valve members 112 to the button 94. Springs 98 bias the valve members 112 and the button 94 to the closed and the non-dispense condition.

[0083] In use, as a user depresses the button 94, the valve members 112 move from the closed condition (Fig. 13) to the open condition (Fig. 14), permitting the hair conditioning material 70 to move through the dispensing outlets 78 towards the vicinity of the pins 14. The hair conditioning material 70 could be dry powder or liquid and could move under gravity through the outlets, or by user action, such as shaking or by the motion of brushing the hair.

[0084] In one embodiment, the actuator 76 could include a holding device (not shown) which holds the button 94 in the open condition on a first click of the button and releases it on a subsequent click.

[0085] Figs. 15 and 16 show a seventh embodiment of a hairbrush 710, which is similar to the sixth embodiment 610. In this embodiment, the actuator 76 includes a plunger 116, which is movable between a non-dispense condition (Fig. 15) and a dispense condition (Fig. 16). In moving to the dispense condition, the plunger 116 forces the hair conditioning material 70 through the outlets 78. The dispenser 88 includes dispenser bristles 118 which are arranged around the dispensing outlets 78. The dispenser bristles 118 help to distribute the hair conditioning material 70 in a controlled way. The dispenser bristles 118 are relatively soft compared to the pins 14.

[0086] Various other modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The hairbrush and the various components thereof, including the back member, the bed member and the pins could be of any suitable size and shape, and could be formed of any suitable material.

[0087] The dispenser 88 could be arranged in a number of ways. The reservoir 90 could be defined by the back member 40, which could be formed of a resiliently deformable material to allow squeezing of the hair conditioning material 70 out of the outlets 78. The reservoir 90 could be defined by a single use or refillable sachet or pouch. The dispenser 88 could include any suitable number of outlets. In another embodiment, the pins 14 could be hollow so that the hair conditioning material 70 is dispensed at a point or points along the length of the pins.

[0088] In another embodiment, the hairbrush could be provided with a fixed, non-detachable back member.

[0089] In another embodiment, the hairbrush could be provided with a strap (not shown) extending to and from the back member to form a loop to aid gripping, particularly in wet environments such as baths or showers.

[0090] In another embodiment, the hairbrush could be provided with a handle (not shown) extending outwardly from one end.

[0091] In another embodiment, the pins 14 could be formed of an impregnated plastics material, the impregnated plastics material including a hair conditioning material such as argan oil, and being arranged so that, in use in contact with hair, the hair conditioning material is released from the impregnated plastics material on to the hair.

[0092] Any of the features or steps of any of the embodiments shown or described could be combined in any suitable way, within the scope of the overall disclosure of this document.

[0093] There is thus provided a hairbrush with advantages over conventional arrangements. The differing lengths of the pins, and the arrangement of the pins in differing areas of length density permits the user to vary the number of pins in contact with the hair to easily vary the volume of hair being brushed and the intensity of the brushing. As the brush is moved into the volume of hair, progressively more pins are brought into contact with the hair, increasing the intensity of the brushing in a controlled fashion. The hairbrush could include a dispenser for dispensing a hair conditioning material into hair while brushing, which can aid detangling.

Claims

1. A hair brush, characterised in that the hair brush includes a substantially planar pin bed member, a plurality of pins projecting mutually parallel from the pin bed member, the pins being arranged in spaced rows and being of at least three but no more than four different lengths.

2. A hair brush according to claim 1, in which the rows extend laterally across the bed member, the pins may be equispaced along the rows, the rows may be equispaced along the length of the bed member, and the spacing between the rows may be substantially similar to the spacing between the pins, the pins of adjacent rows may be offset laterally by one half of the spacing between adjacent pins in the same row.

3. A hair brush according to claims 1 or 2, in which the pins predominantly comprise long length pins, medium length pins and short length pins, and the difference in length between the long and medium length pins is substantially the same as the difference in length between the medium length pins and the short length pins.

4. A hair brush according to claim 3, in which the number proportion of long length pins is greater than the number proportion of short length pins and is greater than the number proportion of medium length pins and may be less than the combined number proportion of short and medium length pins and the number proportion of medium length pins may be greater than the number proportion of short length pins.

5. A hair brush according to any of the preceding claims, in which some of the rows predominantly comprise only one length of pin, while other rows comprise a mixture of pin lengths.

6. A hair brush according to claim 5, in which the mixed pin length rows comprise a mixture of long and short length pins, which alternate in sequence along the row.

7. A hair brush according to claims 5 or 6, in which the mixed pin length rows are separated from each other by no more than two rows of single length pins.

8. A hair brush according to any of the preceding claims, in which adjacent rows of single length pins are of a different length.

9. A hair brush according to claim 3 or any claim dependent thereon, in which a majority of the long pins are located in long pin regions, each of which comprises three rows, one or two of the rows being comprised solely of long pins, the other complementary one or two of the rows being comprised of a mixture of long and short pins and the arrangement of the long pin regions may be asymmetric along the length of the bed member.

10. A hair brush according to any of the preceding claims, in which the brush includes a back member, a mounting for mounting the back member to the bed member, the back member defines an interior in which the bed member is receivable in an assembled condition, the mounting is arranged to permit detachment of the back member from the bed member, and is arranged to permit assembly of the back member to the bed member in an assembled storage condition in which the pins are received in the interior and assembly of the back member to the bed member in an assembled use condition in which the pins project outwardly away from the back member.

11. A hair brush according to any of the preceding claims, in which the brush includes a back member, a mounting for mounting the back member to the bed member, the back member defines an interior, the brush includes a dispenser for dispensing a hair conditioning material to the vicinity of the pins, the dispenser defines a reservoir for holding the hair conditioning material, the reservoir is located in the interior, the hairbrush defines at least one dispensing outlet through which the hair conditioning material moves from the reservoir towards the vicinity of the pins.

12. A hair brush, characterised in that the hair brush includes a pin bed member, a plurality of pins projecting from the pin bed member, the brush including a dispenser for dispensing a hair conditioning material to the vicinity of the pins, the brush includes a back member, a mounting for mounting the back member to the bed member, the back member defines an interior, the dispenser defines a reservoir for holding the hair conditioning material, the reservoir is located in the interior, the hairbrush defines at least one dispensing outlet through which the hair conditioning material moves from the reservoir towards the vicinity of the pins.

13. A hair brush according to claims 11 or 12, in which the dispenser includes an actuator, which is movable between a non-dispense condition and a dispense condition, in which, when moved to the dispense condition by a user, the actuator causes or permits movement of the hair conditioning material through the outlet(s).

14. A hair brush according to any of claims 11 to 13, in which the or each dispensing outlet is defined by the pin bed member and may be surrounded in the bed member by at least one pin on each side.

15. A hair brush according to any of claims 11 to 14, in which the actuator includes biasing means for biasing the actuator to the non-dispense condition.

Drawing