LICE COMB

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a lice comb.

Background to the Invention

[0002] Various lice combs have been devised to capture lice by incorporating a vacuum which draws lice into the body of the comb. Such devices generally comprise a head having a comb unit, which is attached to either a housing having a vacuum, or the hose of a separate vacuum device.

[0003] The present invention relates to a lice comb incorporating a vacuum unit and configured to provide a compact and easy to manipulate device.

[0004] The document WO 2017/219074 A1 discloses a lice comb comprising a main housing including a first aperture at a first end thereof and a second aperture at a second end thereof. The disclosed lice comb includes a fan unit that draws air in through the first aperture and expels air outwardly through the second aperture. The disclosed lice comb further includes a comb module that is rotatably secured to a comb support unit adjacent a first end of the main housing. The comb module comprises a comb body and a tine module having a plurality of teeth. The comb body includes a channel extending from a first longitudinal side adjacent the tine module to a second longitudinal side thereof and a tine slot is located adjacent the first end of the channel to receive the tine module such that air drawn in through the channel passes across a first surface of the teeth.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a lice comb comprising:

a housing having a planar lower wall portion, an upper wall portion and a side wall portion extending between the upper and lower wall portions;

a comb unit comprising a blade having a plurality of teeth, the blade being moveable from a retracted position, in which the blade is parallel to the lower wall portion, and

an extended position, in which the blade extends at an angle away from the lower wall portion; and

a fan unit within the housing such that the fan unit operates to draw air inwardly through an opening in the lower wall portion adjacent the comb unit;

wherein when the blade is in the extended position, the housing may be moved to draw the teeth through hair such that lice captured by the teeth are drawn in through the opening.

[0006] Preferably the lower and upper wall portions are oval in shape and the side wall portion tapers inwardly from the periphery of the lower wall portion to the periphery of the upper wall portion such that the housing comprises a generally flat base and a domed upper side extending from the base.

[0007] Preferably the opening is provided between a midpoint of the lower wall portion and a first end of the housing and comprises an elongate opening extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

[0008] Preferably the comb unit comprises a base from which the blade extends, the base comprising an elongate member pivotally mounted across the opening

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the lower wall portion is provided with an elongate lip extending along a first side of the opening adjacent the first end, the elongate lip being arcuate in shape and extending over a portion of the opening such that the base of the comb unit is pivotally mounted adjacent an inner surface of the elongate lip.

[0010] Preferably when the comb unit is in the extended position, an arcuate lower surface of the base engages against the inner surface of the elongate lip and air may flow inwardly through the opening between an upper surface of the base and a second side of the opening and when the comb unit is in the retracted position, an upper surface of the base engages with the second side of the opening to close off the opening.

[0011] Preferably the lower wall portion of the housing is provided with a recess extending from the opening towards the second end to receive the blade of the comb unit when the comb unit is in the retracted position.

[0012] Preferably a filter holder is provided to receive a filter receptacle to capture lice drawn through the opening, the filter holder being moveable between a retracted position for use, and an extended position in which the filter receptacle can be engaged with or removed from the filter holder.

[0013] Preferably the filter holder is moved between the retracted and extended positions by sliding.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the filter holder is provided within a recessed portion adjacent the first end of the housing such that the filter holder can slide outwardly away from the first end to the extended position.

[0015] Preferably the recessed portion is provided within the upper wall portion and the side wall portion at the first end of the housing.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the recessed portion of the housing is defined by an inner wall including a first wall portion extending from the upper wall portion towards the lower wall portion, and a second wall portion extending parallel to the lower wall portion from the first end of the housing.

[0017] Preferably the filter holder includes a chamber defined by an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion, the inner wall portion being complementary in shape to the inner wall of the housing such that the inner wall portion rests against the inner wall of the housing and the outer wall portion of the filter holder following the shape of the upper wall portion and side wall portion of the housing.

[0018] Preferably the filter receptacle comprises a flexible bag having a ring around the open end thereof to be received into a complementary shaped recess provided around the periphery of an aperture in a lower side of the filter holder.

[0019] Preferably the filter receptacle includes a cover pivotable between a closed and an open position, the cover having an outer lug on an outer surface thereof such that when the filter receptacle is received within the filter holder and the filter holder is moved to the retracted position, the outer lug engages with the inner wall of the housing to move the cover to the open position.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the cover includes one or more internal lugs on an inner side thereof provided to engage with an inner surface of the bag to hold the bag in an open position when in use.

[0021] Preferably the housing includes a first internal cavity in connection with the opening in the lower wall and a second internal cavity in which the fan unit is located, wherein air is drawn inwardly through the opening into the first internal cavity, through a hole in the inner wall of the housing into the filter receptacle and outwardly from the chamber in the filter holder into the second internal cavity.

[0022] Preferably the filter holder includes a projection extending inwardly through a slot in the first wall portion of the inner wall of the housing such that the filter holder can slide inwardly or outwardly relative to the first wall portion.

[0023] Preferably the projection is tubular and in communication with the chamber of the filter holder such that air drawn into the chamber exits outwardly through the tubular projection into the second internal cavity.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the fan unit comprises a motor and an impeller provided in the second internal cavity of the housing.

[0025] Preferably the second internal cavity of the housing includes also one or more outlets such that air drawn inwardly from the chamber may exit the second internal cavity via the outlets.

[0026] Preferably the outlets comprise a plurality of slots provided around the junction between the lower wall portion and the side wall portion at the second end of the housing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a lice comb in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is an upper perspective view of the lice comb of Figure 1 with the blade of the comb unit in the extended position;

Figure 3 is an upper perspective view of the lice comb of Figure 1 with the filter holder opened and the filter bag removed;

Figure 4 is a lower perspective view of the lice comb of Figure 1 with the blade in the retracted position;

Figure 5 is a lower perspective view of the lice comb of Figure 1 with the blade in the extended position;

Figure 6 is a lower perspective view of the lice comb of Figure 1 with the filter holder opened and the filter bag removed;

Figure 7 is a side view of the lice comb of Figure 1 with the blade in the retracted position;

Figure 8 is a side view of the lice comb of Figure 1 with the blade in the extended position;

Figure 9 is a side view of the lice comb of Figure 1 with the filter holder opened and the filter bag removed;

Figure 10 is a top view of the lice comb of Figure 1;

Figure 11 is a front view of the lice comb of Figure 1;

Figure 12 is a bottom view of the lice comb of Figure 1;

Figure 13 is a rear view of the lice comb of Figure 1;

Figure 14 is an exploded view of the lice comb of Figure 1;

Figure 15 is a side cross sectional view of the lice comb of Figure 1 with the blade in the retracted position;

Figure 16 is a side cross sectional view of the lice comb of Figure 1 with the blade in the extended position;

Figure 17a is a side cross sectional view of the lice comb of Figure 1 with the blade in the retracted position;

Figure 17b is close up view of Detail A of Figure 17a;

Figure 18a is a side cross sectional view of the lice comb of Figure 1 with the blade in the extended position;

Figure 18b is close up view of Detail A of Figure 18a;

Figure 19 is a side cross sectional view of the lice comb of Figure 1 with the filter holder opened and the filter bag removed;

Figure 20 is a perspective view of the filter bag of the lice comb of Figure 1;

Figure 21 is a perspective view of the filter bag with the cover opened;

Figure 22 is a perspective view of the filter bag showing internal features;

Figure 23 is a perspective view of the filter bag with the cover opened showing internal features;

Figure 24 is a side view of the filter bag; and

Figure 25 is a side view of the filter bag with the cover opened.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0028] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a lice comb 10 comprising a housing 12 having a comb unit 20. The housing 12 comprises generally a lower wall portion 14, an upper wall portion 16 and a side wall portion 18 connecting between the periphery of the lower wall portion 14 and the periphery of the upper wall portion 16.

[0029] The lower wall portion 14 is generally planar and the comb unit 20 is mounted to the lower wall portion 14. The lower wall portion 14 is generally oval in shape, as is the upper wall portion 16. The upper wall portion 16 is convex in shape and the side wall portion 18 tapers inwardly from the periphery of the lower wall portion 14 to the periphery of the upper wall portion 16 such that the housing 12 comprises a generally flat base and a domed upper side extending from the base. The housing 12 is therefore similar in shape to the shape of a computer mouse. The housing 12, in use, may be cupped within the hand of a user in a similar manner to a computer mouse such that the lower wall portion 14 is facing away from the hand.

[0030] The comb unit 20 comprises generally a base 28 and a blade 22. The base 28 comprises an elongate member from which the blade 22 extends. The blade 22 comprises a set of teeth 24. The lower wall portion 14 of the housing 12 includes an opening 30. The opening 30 is provided between a midpoint of the lower wall portion 14 and a first end 26 of the housing 12. The opening 30 comprises an elongate opening extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of the housing 12, the longitudinal axis extending from the first end 26 to an opposite second end 27.

[0031] The elongate base 28 of the comb unit 20 is pivotally mounted across the opening 30 such that the blade 22 is pivotable between an extended position (as can be seen in Figure 5) and a retracted position (as can be seen in Figure 4). In the retracted position, the blade 22 is oriented parallel to the lower wall portion 14 with the base located on a side adjacent the first end 26 of the housing 12 and the teeth 24 extending towards the second end 27. In the extended position, the blade 22 is oriented at an angle to the lower wall portion 14 such that distal ends of the teeth 24 are spaced apart from the lower wall portion 14. The blade 22 extends downwardly at an angle such that the teeth 24 are directly towards the second end 27 of the housing 12.

[0032] The lower wall portion 14 is provided with an elongate lip 32 extending along a first side of the opening 30 adjacent the first end 26. The elongate lip 32 is arcuate in shape and extends over a portion of the opening 30. The base 28 of the comb unit 20 is pivotally mounted adjacent an arcuate inner surface of the elongate lip 32. An arcuate lower surface of the base 28 engages against the inner surface of the lip 32. The comb unit 20 is pivotable between an extended and a retracted position. In the extended position, the lower surface of the base 28 engages against the inner surface of the elongate lip 32 but the opening is unobstructed such that air may be drawn into the opening across an upper surface of the base 28 of the comb unit 20. In the retracted position, the lower surface of the base 28 engages with the inner surface of the lip 32 and the upper surface of the base 28 engages with an opposite second side of the opening 30 such that the base 28 closes off the opening 30.

[0033] The lower wall portion 14 of the housing 12 is provided also with a recess 34 extending from the second side of the opening 30 towards the second end 27. The recess 34 is provided to receive the blade 22 of the comb unit 20 when the comb unit 20 is in the retracted position.

[0034] The lice comb 10 includes also a filter holder 36. The filter holder 36 is provided to receive a filter receptacle 38 which is provided to capture lice drawn through the opening 30. The filter holder 36 is provided within a recessed portion 40 of the housing 12. The recessed portion 40 is provided within the upper wall portion 16 and the side wall portion 18 at the first end 26 of the housing 12. The filter holder 36 is mounted relative to the housing 12 such that the filter holder 36 can move between a retracted position for use, and an extended position in which the filter receptacle 38 can be engaged with and removed from the filter holder 36.

[0035] The recessed portion 40 of the housing 12 is defined by an inner wall 42. The inner wall 42 includes a first wall portion 44 extending from the upper wall portion 16 generally towards the lower wall portion 14, and a second wall portion 45 extending generally parallel to the lower wall portion 14 from the first end 26 of the housing 12. The filter holder 36 includes a chamber 46 defined by an outer wall portion 48 and an inner wall portion 49. The inner wall portion 49 is complementary in shape to the inner wall 42 of the housing 12 such that the inner wall portion 49 rests against the inner wall 42 when the filter holder 36 is in the retracted position. The outer wall portion 48 of the filter holder 36 follows the shape of the upper wall portion 16 and side wall portion 18 of the housing 12 such that the outer wall portion 48 of the filter holder 36 forms portions of the upper wall portion 16 and side wall portion 18 adjacent the first end 26 of the housing 12.

[0036] In the embodiment shown, the filter holder 36 is slidable between the retracted and extended positions. The filter holder 36 includes a projection 50 extending inwardly through a slot 64 in the first wall portion 44 of the inner wall 42 such that the filter holder 36 can slide inwardly or outwardly relative to the first wall portion 44. The inner wall portion 49 of the filter holder 36 includes an aperture 54 into which is received the filter receptacle 38. The aperture 54 is provided on the inner wall portion 49 such that the aperture 54 is adjacent the second wall portion 45 of the inner wall 42 when the filter holder 36 is in the retracted position.

[0037] The filter receptacle 38 comprises a flexible bag 82 having an open first end 52 and a closed second end 53. The flexible bag 82 includes a ring 56 around the open first end 52 thereof. The ring 56 is received into a complementary shaped recess provided around the periphery of the aperture 54. The filter receptacle 38 can be received within the filter holder 36 by passing the closed second end 53 of the filter receptacle 38 in through the aperture 54 when the filter holder 36 is in the extended position. When the filter receptacle 38 is to be replaced, the filter holder 36 is moved to the extended position and the filter receptacle 38 may fall downwardly away from the filter holder 36.

[0038] The housing 12 includes a first internal cavity 58 defined adjacent the first end 26 of the housing 12. The first internal cavity 58 is defined in part by an interior wall 60 such that the opening 30 is in communication with the first internal cavity 58. A hole 62 is provided in the second wall portion 45 of the inner wall 42 such that air drawn inwardly through the opening 30 into the first internal cavity 58 may pass through the hole 62 into the filter receptacle 38 provided within the chamber 46 of the filter holder 36.

[0039] The projection 50 extending away from the inner wall portion 49 of the filter holder 36 is tubular and in communication with the chamber 46 of the filter holder 36 such that air drawn into the chamber 46 exits outwardly through the tubular projection 50. The air passing outwardly through the tubular projection 50 passes into a second internal cavity 59 within the housing 12. The second internal cavity 59 is defined in part by a duct 66. The duct 66 has a tubular first end which receives the tubular projection 50.

[0040] The duct 66 includes a second end which receives a fan unit. The fan unit includes an impeller 68 driven by a motor 70 mounted within a second internal cavity 59 such that rotation of the impeller 68 draws air inwardly through tubular projection 50 from within the chamber 46 of the filter holder 36. The second end of the duct 66 defines in part the second internal cavity 59 into which air is drawn through the tubular projection 50 by the impeller 68.

[0041] The second internal cavity 59 of the housing 12 includes also one or more outlets 72 such that air drawn inwardly from the chamber 46 may exit the second internal cavity 59 via the outlets 72. In the embodiment shown, the outlets 72 comprise a plurality of slots 73 provided around the junction between the lower wall portion 14 and the side wall portion 18 at the second end 27 of the housing 12.

[0042] The motor 70 is powered by a battery 74 contained within the housing 12. In the embodiment shown, the battery 74 is located within the first internal cavity 58 adjacent the interior wall 60.

[0043] The filter receptacle 38 includes a cover 76 as can be seen in Figure 20. The cover 76 comprises a planar member pivotally mounted to the ring 56. The cover 76 is pivotable between a closed position (as can be seen in Figure 20) in which the cover 76 seals across the ring 56 and an open position (as can be seen in Figure 21) in which the cover 76 pivots inwardly into the filter receptacle 38.

[0044] In the embodiment shown, the ring 56 is generally rectangular in shape, as is the cover 76. The cover 76 is pivotally connected along a longitudinal side thereof to a longitudinal side of the ring 56.

[0045] The cover 76 includes an outer lug 78 thereon. The outer lug 78 extends outwardly from the plane of the ring 56 when the cover 76 is in the closed position. In the embodiment shown, the outer lug 78 comprises a triangular shaped fin. The outer lug 78 is arranged such that when the filter receptacle 38 is received within the filter holder 36 and the filter holder 36 is moved to the retracted position, the outer lug 78 engages with the inner wall 42 around to the hole 62 to move the cover 76 to the open position. The cover 76 is biased to move towards the closed position, such that when the filter holder 36 is moved to the extended position, the cover 76 moves to the closed position to seal off the filter receptacle 38.

[0046] The cover 76 includes also one or more internal lugs 80 on an inner side thereof. The internal lugs 80 comprises also triangular shaped fins in the embodiment shown. The internal lugs 80 are provided to engage with an inner surface of the bag 82 to hold the bag 82 in an open position when in use.

[0047] When required for use, the comb unit 20 may be moved to the extended position. In the extended position, the base 28 engages against the inner surface of the elongate lip 32 such that air will be drawn between the base 28 and the second side of the opening 30. The housing 12 is held in the hand and is drawn towards the operator such that the teeth 24 pass through the hair. Lice and eggs captured between the teeth 24 will be caught on a side of the blade 22 adjacent the opening 30 and therefore will be drawn in through the opening 30 and through the hole 62 into the filter receptacle 38 where they will be captured.

[0048] When use has been completed, the comb unit 20 may be moved to the retracted position such that the base 28 seals across the opening 30, thereby preventing escape of any lice. The filter receptacle 38 may be replaced by moving the filter holder 36 to the extended position. The filter receptacle 38 may simply fall downwardly from the filter holder 36 into a bin. The cover 76 of the filter receptacle 38 moves to the closed position as the filter holder 36 is extended to capture lice within the filter receptacle 38 for disposal.

[0049] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A lice comb 10 comprising:

a housing 12 having a planar lower wall portion 14, an upper wall portion 16 and a side wall portion 18 extending between the upper and lower wall portions 14, 16;

a comb unit 20 comprising a blade 22 having a plurality of teeth 24, the blade 22 being moveable from a retracted position, in which the blade 22 is parallel to the lower wall portion 14, and an extended position, in which the blade 22 extends at an angle away from the lower wall portion 14; and

a fan unit within the housing 12 such that the fan unit operates to draw air inwardly through an opening 30 in the lower wall portion 14 adjacent the comb unit 20;

wherein when the blade 22 is in the extended position, the housing 12 may be moved to draw the teeth 24 through hair such that lice captured by the teeth 24 are drawn in through the opening 30.

2. A lice comb 10 in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lower and upper wall portions 14, 16 are oval in shape and the side wall portion 18 tapers inwardly from the periphery of the lower wall portion 14 to the periphery of the upper wall portion 16 such that the housing 12 comprises a generally flat base and a domed upper side extending from the base.

3. A lice comb 10 in accordance with claim 2, wherein the opening 30 is provided between a midpoint of the lower wall portion 14 and a first end 26 of the housing 12 and comprises an elongate opening 30 extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of the housing 12.

4. A lice comb 10 in accordance with claim 3, wherein the comb unit 20 comprises a base 28 from which the blade 22 extends, the base 28 comprising an elongate member pivotally mounted across the opening 30.

5. A lice comb 10 in accordance with claim 4, wherein the lower wall portion 14 is provided with an elongate lip 32 extending along a first side of the opening 30 adjacent the first end 26, the elongate lip 32 being arcuate in shape and extending over a portion of the opening 30 such that the base 28 of the comb unit 20 is pivotally mounted adjacent an inner surface of the elongate lip 32.

6. A lice comb 10 in accordance with claim 5, wherein when the comb unit 20 is in the extended position, an arcuate lower surface of the base 28 engages against the inner surface of the elongate lip 32 and air may flow inwardly through the opening 30 between an upper surface of the base 28 and a second side of the opening 30 and when the comb unit 20 is in the retracted position, an upper surface of the base 28 engages with the second side of the opening 30 to close off the opening 30.

7. A lice comb 10 in accordance with claim 6, wherein the lower wall portion 14 of the housing 12 is provided with a recess 34 extending from the opening 30 towards the second end 27 to receive the blade 22 of the comb unit 20 when the comb unit 20 is in the retracted position.

8. A lice comb 10 in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein a filter holder 36 is provided to receive a filter receptacle 38 to capture lice drawn through the opening 30, the filter holder 36 being moveable between a retracted position for use, and an extended position in which the filter receptacle 38 can be engaged with or removed from the filter holder 36.

9. A lice comb 10 in accordance with claim 8, wherein the filter holder 36 is moved between the retracted and extended positions by sliding, and wherein the filter holder 36 is provided within a recessed portion 40 adjacent the first end 26 of the housing 12 such that the filter holder 36 can slide outwardly away from the first end 26 to the extended position.

10. A lice comb 10 in accordance with claim 9, wherein the recessed portion 40 is provided within the upper wall portion 16 and the side wall portion 18 at the first end 26 of the housing 12, and wherein the recessed portion 40 of the housing 12 is defined by an inner wall 42 including a first wall portion 44 extending from the upper wall portion 16 towards the lower wall portion 14, and a second wall portion 45 extending parallel to the lower wall portion 14 from the first end of the housing 26.

11. A lice comb 10 in accordance with claim 10, wherein the filter holder 36 includes a chamber 46 defined by an outer wall portion 48 and an inner wall portion 49, the inner wall portion 49 being complementary in shape to the inner wall 42 of the housing 12 such that the inner wall portion 49 rests against the inner wall 42 of the housing 12 and the outer wall portion 48 of the filter holder 36 following the shape of the upper wall portion 16 and side wall portion 18 of the housing 12.

12. A lice comb 10 in accordance with claim 11, wherein the filter receptacle 38 comprises a flexible bag 82 having a ring 56 around the open end 52 thereof to be received into a complementary shaped recess provided around the periphery of an aperture 54 in a lower side of the filter holder 36.

13. A lice comb 10 in accordance with claim 12, wherein the filter receptacle 38 includes a cover 76 pivotable between a closed and an open position, the cover 76 having an outer lug 78 on an outer surface thereof such that when the filter receptacle 38 is received within the filter holder 36 and the filter holder 36 is moved to the retracted position, the outer lug 78 engages with the inner wall 42 of the housing 12 to move the cover to the open position, and optionally wherein the cover includes one or more internal lugs 80 on an inner side thereof provided to engage with an inner surface of the bag 82 to hold the bag 82 in an open position when in use.

14. A lice comb 10 in accordance with claim 13, wherein the housing 12 includes a first internal cavity 58 in connection with the opening 30 in the lower wall 14 and a second internal cavity 59 in which the fan unit is located, wherein air is drawn inwardly through the opening 30 into the first internal cavity 58, through a hole 62 in the inner wall 42 of the housing 12 into the filter receptacle 38 and outwardly from the chamber 46 in the filter holder 36 into the second internal cavity 59.

15. A lice comb 10 in accordance with any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the filter holder 36 includes a projection 50 extending inwardly through a slot 64 in the first wall portion 44 of the inner wall 42 of the housing 12 such that the filter holder 36 can slide inwardly or outwardly relative to the first wall portion 44, and optionally wherein the projection 50 is tubular and in communication with the chamber 46 of the filter holder 36 such that air drawn into the chamber 46 exits outwardly through the tubular projection 50 into the second internal cavity 59.

Ansprüche

1. Läusekamm 10, umfassend:

Ein Gehäeuse 12 mit einer ebenflächigen unteren Wand 14, einem oberen Wandabschnitt 16 und einem seitlichen Wandsbschnitt 18, der sich zwischen den oberen und unteren Wandabschnitten 14, 16 erstreckt;

eine Kammeinheit 20, die eine Klinge 22 umfasst, die eine Vielzahl von Zähnen 24 aufweist, wobei die Klinge 22 aus einer eingefahrenen Position, in der die Klinge 22 parallel zum unteren Wandabschnitt 14 ist, und einer ausgefahrenen Position, in der sich die Klinge 22 in einem Winkel vom interen Wandabschnitt weg erstreckt, beweglich ist; und

eine Lüftereinheit innerhalb des Gehäuses 12, derartig, dass die Lüftereinheit arbeitet, um Luft nach innen durch eine Öffnung 30 im unteren Wandabschnitt 14 angrenzend an die Kammeinheit 20 zu ziehen;

wobei, wenn sich die Klinge 22 in der ausgefahrenen Position befindet, das Gehäuse bewegt werden kann, um die Zähne 24 derartig durch da Haar zu ziehen, dass von den Zähnen 24 erfassten Läuse durch die Öffnung 30 hinein gezogen werden.

2. Läusekamm 10 in Übereinstimmung mit Anspruch 1, wobei die unteren und oberen Wandabschnitte 14, 16 ovaler Form sind und sich der seitliche Wandabschnitt 18 von der Peripherie des unteren Wandabschnitts 14 zur Peripherie des oberen Wandabschnitts 16 derartig verjüngt, dass das Gehäuse 12 eine generell flache Basis und eine gewölbte Ogerseite umfasst, die sich aus der Basis erstreckt.

3. Läusekamm 10 in Übereinstimmung mit Anspruch 2, wobei die Öffnung 30 zwischen einen Mittelpunkt des unteren Wandabschnitts 14 und einem ersten Ende 26 des Gehäuses 12 bereitgestellt ist und eine längliche Öffnung 30 umfasst, die sich quer zu einer Längsachse des Gehäuses 12 erstreckt.

4. Läusekamm 10 in Übereinstimmung mit Anspruch 3, wobei die Kammeinheit 20 eine Basis 28 umfasst, aus der sich die Klinge 22 erstreckt, wobei die Basis 28 ein längliches Element umfasst, das drehgelenkig über der Öffnung 30 angeordnet ist.

5. Läusekamm 10 in Übereinstimmung mit Anspruch 4, wobei der untere Wandabschnitt 14 mit einer länglicdhen Lippe 32 versehen ist, die sich entlang einer ersten Seite der Öffnung 30 angrenzend an das erste Ende 26 erstreckt. Wobei die längliche Lippe 32 bogenförmig ist und sich über einen Abschnitt der Öffnung 30 drartig erstreckt, dass die Basis 28 der Kammeinheit 20 drehgelenkig angrenzend an eine Innenfläche der länglichen Lippe 32 angeordnet ist.

6. Läusekamm 10 in Übereinstimmung mit Anspruch 5, wobei, wenn sich die Kammeinheit 20 in der ausgefahrenen Position befindet, eine boenförmige Oberfläche der Basis 28 gegen die Innenfläche der länglichen Lippe 32 in Eingriff gebracht wird und Luft nach innen durch die Öffnung 30 zwischen einer oberen Fläche der Basis 28 und einer zweiten Setie der Öffnung 30 strömen kann und, wenn sich die Kammeinheit 20 in der eingefahrenen Position befindet, eine ober Fläche der Basis 28 mit der zweiten Seite der Öffnung 30 in Eingriff gebracht wird, um die Öffnung 30 zu verschließen.

7. Läusekamm 10 in Übereinstimmung mit Anspruch 6, wobei der untere Wandabschnitt 14 des Gehäuses 12 mit einer Vertiefung 34 versehen ist, die sich aus der Öffnung 30 in Richtung des zweiten Endes 27 erstreckt, um die Klinge 22 der Kammeinheit 20 aufzunehmen, wenn sich die Kammeinheit 20 in der eingefahrenen Position befindet.

8. Läusekamm 10 in Übereinstimmung mit einem der vorhergehenden Ansrüche, wobei ein Filterhalter 36 bereitgestellt ist, um einen Filterbehälter 38 aufzunehmen, um Läuse zu erfassen, die durch die Öffnung 30 gezogen wurden, wobei der Filterhalter 36 zwischen einer eingefahrenen Position zum Gebrauch und einer ausefahrenen Position beweglich ist, in welcher der Filterbehälter 38 mit dem Filterhalter 36 in Eingriff gebracht oder von diesem entfernt werden kann.

9. Läusekamm 10 in Übereinstimmung mit Anspruch 8, wobei der Filterhalter 36 durch Gleiten zwischen den eingefahreren und ausgefahrenen Positionen bewegt wird, und wobei der Filterhalter 36 mit einem vertieften Abschnitt 40 angrenzend an das erste Ende 26 des Gehäuses 12 versehen ist, derartig, dass der Filterhalter nach außen vom ersrten Ende 26 weg in die ausgefahrene Position gleiten kann.

10. Läusekamm 10 in Übereinstimmung mit Anspruch 9, wobei der vertiefte Abschnitt 40 innerhalb des oberen Wandabschnitts16 und dem seitlichen Wandabschnitt 18 am ersten Ende 26 des Gehäuses 12 bereitgestellt ist, und wobei der vertifte Abschnitt 40 des Gehäuses 12 durch eine Innenwand 42 definiert ist, die einen ersten Wandabscvhnitt 44 einschließt, der sich vom oberen Wandabschnitt 16 in Richtung des unteren Wandabschnitts 14 erstreckt und sich ein zweiter Wandabschnitt 45 parallel zum unteren Wandabschnitt 14 aus dem ersten Ende des Gehäuses 26 erstreckt.

11. Läusekamm 10 in Übereinstimmung mit Anspruch 10, wobei der Filterhalter 36 eine Kammer 46 einschließt, die durch einen Außenwandabschnitt 48 und einen Innenwandabschnitt 49 definiert ist, wobei der Innenwandabschnitt 49 in der Form komplementär zur Innenwand 42 des Gehäuses 12 ist, derartig, dass der Innenwandabschnitt 49 gegen die Innenwand 42 des Gehäuses 12 ruht und der Außenwandabschnitt 48 des Filterhalters 36 der Form des obewren Wandabschnitts 16 und des seitlichen Wandabschnitts 18 des Gehäuses12 folgt.

12. Läusekamm 10 in Übereinstimmung mit Anspruch 11, wobei der Filterbehälter 38 einen flexiblen Beutel 82 mit einem Ring 56 um das offene Ende 52 davon umfasst, um in eine komplementär geformte Vertiefung aufgenommen zu werden, die um die Peripherie einer Öffnung 54 herum in einer unteren Seite des Filterhalters 36 bereitgestellt ist.

13. Läusekamm 10 in Übereinstimmung mit Anspruch 12, wobei der Filterbehälter 38 eine Abdeckung 76 einschließt, die zwischen einer geschlossenen und einer offenen Position schwenkbar ist, wobei die Abdeckung 76 eine äußere Lasche 78 auf einer äußeren Fläche davon derartig aufweist, dass, wenn der Filterbehälter 38 innerhalb des Filterhalters 36 aufgenommen wird und der Filterhalter 36 in die eingefahrene Position bedwegt wird, die äußere Lasche in die Innenwand 42 des Gehäuses 12 eingreift, um die Abdeckung in die offene Position zu bewegen, und optional wobei die Abdeckung eine oder mehrere interne Laschen 80 auf einer Innenseite davon einschließt, die vorgesehen sind, in eine Innenfläche des Beutels 82 einzugreifen, um den Beutel 82, wenn in Gebrauch, in einer offenen Position zu halten.

14. Läusekamm 10 in Übereinstimmung mit Anspruch 13, wobei das Gehäuse 12 einen ersten internen Hohlraum 58 in Verbindung mit der Öffnung 30 in der unteren Wand 14 und einen zweiten internen Hohlraum 59 einsdchließt, in dem sich die Lüftereinheit befindet, wobei Luft durch die Öffnung 30 nach innen in den ersten internen Hohlraum 58, durch ein Loch 62 in der Innenwand 42 des Gehäuses 12 in den Filterbehälter 38 und nach außen aus der Kammer 46 in den Filterhalter 36 in den zweite internen Hohlraum 59 gezogen wird.

15. Läusekamm 10 in Übereinstimmung mit einem der Ansprüche 10 bis 14, wobei der Filterhalter 36 einen Vorsprung 50 einschließt, der sich nach innen durch einen Schltz 64 im ersten Wandabschnitt 44 der Innenwand 42 des Gehäuses 12 derartig erstreckt, dass der Filterhalter 36 nach innen oder außen relativ zum ersten Wandabschnitt 44 gleiten kann, und optional wobei der Vorsprung 50 röhrenförmig und in Kommunikation mit der Kammer 46 des Filterhalters 36 ist, derartig, dass in die Kammer 46 gezogene Luft nach außen durch den röhrenförmigen Vorsprung 50 in den zweiten internen Hohlraum 59 austritt.

Revendications

1. Peigne anti-poux 10 comprenant :

un boîtier 12 ayant une partie paroi inférieure plane 14, une partie paroi supérieure 16 et une partie paroi latérale 18 s'étendant entre les parties parois supérieure et inférieure 14, 16 ;

une unité peigne 20 comprenant une lame 22 ayant une pluralité de dents 24, la lame 22 pouvant être déplacée d'une position rétractée dans laquelle la lame 22 est parallèle à la partie paroi inférieure 14, et une position étendue dans laquelle la lame 22 s'étend à un angle s'écartant de la partie paroi inférieure 14 ; et

une unité ventilateur dans le boîtier 12 de telle sorte que l'unité ventilateur fonctionne pour aspirer de l'air vers l'intérieur à travers un orifice 30 dans la partie paroi inférieure 14 adjacente à l'unité peigne 20 ;

dans lequel quand la lame 22 est dans la position étendue, le boîtier 12 peut être déplacé pour aspirer les dents 24 à travers les cheveux de telle sorte que les poux capturés par les dents 24 sont aspirés à travers l'orifice 30.

2. Peigne anti-poux 10 selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les parties parois supérieure et inférieure 14, 16 sont de forme ovale et la partie paroi latérale 18 s'effile vers l'intérieur depuis la périphérie de la partie paroi inférieure 14 vers la périphérie de la partie paroi supérieure 16 de telle sorte que le boîtier 12 comprend une base généralement plate et un côté supérieur bombé s'étendant de la base.

3. Peigne anti-poux 10 selon la revendication 2, dans lequel l'orifice 30 est fourni entre un point médian de la partie paroi inférieure 14 et une première extrémité 26 du boîtier 12 et comprend un orifice allongé 30 s'étendant transversalement à un axe longitudinal du boîtier 12.

4. Peigne anti-poux 10 selon la revendication 3, dans lequel l'unité peigne 20 comprend une base 28 d'où la lame 22 s'étend, la base 28 comprenant un élément allongé monté de manière pivotante sur l'orifice 30.

5. Peigne anti-poux 10 selon la revendication 4, dans lequel la partie paroi inférieure 14 est munie d'une lèvre allongée 32 s'étendant le long d'un premier côté de l'orifice 30 adjacent à la première extrémité 26, la lèvre allongée 32 étant de forme arquée et s'étendant sur une partie de l'orifice 30 de telle sorte que la base 28 de l'unité peigne 20 est montée de manière pivotante adjacente à une surface intérieure de la lèvre allongée 32.

6. Peigne anti-poux 10 selon la revendication 5, dans lequel, quand l'unité peigne 20 est dans la position étendue, une surface inférieure arquée de la base 28 se met en prise contre la surface intérieure de la lèvre allongée 32 et l'air peut s'écouler vers l'intérieur à travers l'orifice 30 entre une surface supérieure de la base 28 et un deuxième côté de l'orifice 30 et, quand l'unité peigne 20 est dans la position rétractée, une surface supérieure de la base 28 se met en prise avec la deuxième côté de l'orifice 30 pour fermer l'orifice 30.

7. Peigne anti-poux 10 selon la revendication 6, dans lequel la partie paroi inférieure 14 du boîtier 12 est munie d'un renfoncement 34 s'étendant de l'orifice 30 vers la deuxième extrémité 27 pour recevoir la lame 22 de l'unité peigne 20 quand l'unité peigne 20 est dans la position rétractée.

8. Peigne anti-poux 10 selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel un porte-filtre 36 est fourni pour recevoir un réceptacle de filtre 38 pour capturer les poux aspirés à travers l'orifice 30, le porte-filtre 36 pouvant être déplacé entre une position rétractée pour l'utilisation, et une position étendue dans laquelle le réceptacle de filtre 38 peut être mis en prise avec ou retiré du porte-filtre 36.

9. Peigne anti-poux 10 selon la revendication 8, dans lequel le porte-filtre 36 est déplacé entre les positions rétractée et étendue par coulissement, et dans lequel le porte-filtre 36 est fourni dans une partie renfoncée 40 adjacente à la première extrémité 26 du boîtier 12 de telle sorte que le porte-filtre 36 peut coulisser vers l'extérieur en s'écartant de la première extrémité 26 vers la position étendue.

10. Peigne anti-poux 10 selon la revendication 9, dans lequel la partie renfoncée 40 est fournie dans la partie paroi supérieure 16 et la partie paroi latérale 18 à la première extrémité 26 du boîtier 12, et dans lequel la partie renfoncée 40 du boîtier 12 est définie par une paroi intérieure 42 incluant une première partie paroi 44 s'étendant de la partie paroi supérieure 16 vers la partie paroi inférieure 14 et une deuxième partie paroi 45 s'étendant parallèlement à la partie paroi inférieure 14 de la première extrémité du boîtier 26.

11. Peigne anti-poux 10 selon la revendication 10, dans lequel le porte-filtre 36 inclut une chambre 46 définie par une partie paroi extérieure 48 et une partie paroi intérieure 49, la partie paroi intérieure 49 étant d'une forme complémentaire à la paroi intérieure 42 du boîtier 12 de telle sorte que la partie paroi intérieure 49 repose contre la paroi intérieure 42 du boîtier 12 et la partie paroi extérieure 48 du porte-filtre 36 en suivant la forme de la partie paroi supérieure 16 et de la partie paroi latérale 18 du boîtier 12.

12. Peigne anti-poux 10 selon la revendication 11, dans lequel le réceptacle de filtre 38 comprend un sac souple 82 ayant une bague 56 autour de l'extrémité ouverte 52 de celui-ci pour être reçu dans un renfoncement de forme complémentaire fourni autour de la périphérie d'une ouverture 54 dans un côté inférieur du porte-filtre 36.

13. Peigne anti-poux 10 selon la revendication 12, dans lequel le réceptacle de filtre 38 inclut un couvercle 76 pivotant entre une position fermée et une position ouverte, le couvercle 76 ayant une patte extérieure 78 sur une surface extérieure de celui-ci de telle sorte que quand le réceptacle de filtre 38 est reçu dans le porte-filtre 36 et que le porte-filtre 36 est déplacé à la position rétractée, la patte extérieure 78 se met en prise avec la paroi intérieure 42 du boîtier 12 pour déplacer le couvercle à la position ouverte, et en option dans lequel le couvercle inclut une ou plusieurs pattes internes 80 sur un côté intérieur de celui-ci fourni pour se mettre en prise avec une surface intérieure du sac 82 pour tenir le sac 82 dans une position ouverte lors de l'utilisation.

14. Peigne anti-poux 10 selon la revendication 13, dans lequel le boîtier 12 inclut une première cavité interne 58 en communication avec l'orifice 30 dans la paroi inférieure 14 et une deuxième cavité interne 59 dans laquelle l'unité ventilateur est située, dans lequel l'air est aspiré vers l'intérieur à travers l'orifice 30 dans la première cavité interne 58, à travers un trou 62 dans la paroi intérieure 42 du boîtier 12 dans le réceptacle de filtre 38 et vers l'extérieur de la chambre 46 dans le porte-filtre 36 dans la deuxième cavité interne 59.

15. Peigne anti-poux 10 selon l'une quelconque des revendications 10 à 14, dans lequel le porte-filtre 36 inclut une saillie 50 s'étendant vers l'intérieur à travers une fente 64 dans la première partie paroi 44 de la paroi intérieure 42 du boîtier 12 de telle sorte que le porte-filtre 36 peut coulisser vers l'intérieur ou vers l'extérieur par rapport à la première partie paroi 44, et en option dans lequel la saillie 50 est tubulaire et en communication avec la chambre 46 du porte-filtre 36 de telle sorte que l'air aspiré dans la chambre 46 sort vers l'extérieur à travers la saillie tubulaire 50 dans la deuxième cavité interne 59.

Drawing