Ion emitting brush

Abstract

A brush includes a self-contained ion generator that subjects material being brushed to an outflow of ionized air containing safe amounts of ozone. The ion generator includes a high voltage pulse generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrodes. An outflow of ionized air and ozone is directed between the brush bristles onto the material being brushed.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 454,132 entitled ION EMITTING G BRUSH, by Charles E. Taylor et al., filed Jun. 4, 2003 (now allowed) (Attorney Docket SHPR-01075US5), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 188,668 entitled ION EMITTING GROOMING BRUSH, by Charles E. Taylor et al., filed Jul. 2, 2002 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,434) (Attorney Docket SHPR-01075US4), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 742,814 entitled ION EMITTING GROOMING BRUSH, by Edward E. Taylor et al., filed Dec. 19, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,315) (Attorney Docket SHPR-01075US3), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 415,576 entitled ION EMITTING GROOMING BRUSH, by Charles E. Taylor et al., filed Oct. 8, 1999 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,671) (Attorney Docket SHPR-01075US2), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 163,024 entitled ION EMITTING GROOMING BRUS...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] Clothing or other material brushed with the bristles is subjected to a gentle flow of ionized air from the outlet vent(s). The brushed material soon takes on a more conditioned appearance, compared to material groomed with an ordinary lint-type brush. The ozone emissions can kill many types of germs and bacteria that may be present on the clothing and can deodorize the clothing surface.

Problems solved by technology

However common experience indicates that removing lint, hair, and the like from clothing by conventional brushing is not always successful.

Although brushing one's clothing can mechanically remove some lint, hair, or other particles from the clothing surface, the brushing does not provide any conditioning of the clothing.

Unfortunately, Lee's tear-shaped maxisectional electrodes are relatively expensive to fabricate, most likely requiring mold-casting or extrusion processes.

Further, air flow and ion generation efficiency is not especially high using Lee's configuration.

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