Shaving brushes used for putting soap on the skin before shaving should be preferably somewhat large. Consequently they take a long time drying and are difficult to clean; moreover they are comparatively cumbersome and cannot be put away in a small or flat dressing-case for transportation.

My invention has for its object to remove this drawback. My improved shaving brush comprises a plurality of very flat brush elements adapted to be assembled to form the brush ready for use.

This arrangement can be provided in a number of manners. Thus the hairs may be carried by a number of parts pivotally secured together or adapted to be disconnected and reassembled. The hairs may also be disposed on a single yielding band, of rubber for instance, which may be folded or wound so as to form the shaving brush. I may also use a plurality of completely separate flat parts in which case they are secured for use to a common holder. In the other cases, the use of such a holder is optional.

I have shown on accompanying drawings a form of execution of my invention.

Fig. 1 is a front view of the spread out shaving brush.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same spread out brush the several parts of which are substantially hidden by the front part.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the brush ready for use.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a holder which may be used for the brush.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a very flat dressing case inside which the shaving brush is spread out.

My improved shaving brush comprises a certain number of flat parts: 1, 2, 3, 4 of metal or any other suitable material. Their number is supposed to be four in the case illustrated. Each part carries an elementary very flat brush 5. The several parts are interconnected through hooks or hinges 6, 7, 8.

When the shaving brush is not being used it may be spread out as shown on Fig. 1 in which case its width is very small as apparent from Fig. 2.

When it is desired to use the brush, it is sufficient to fold the several parts alternately in each direction so as to place the different elementary brushes in juxtaposition and to form (Fig. 3) a tuft of the required width. The parts 1, 2, 3, 4 are held in this position of use by any suitable lock such as a spring blade 9 acting for instance on the outside of the outer parts 3 and 4.

This lock may be given any desired constitution. For instance it may be provided on the holder carrying the brush parts in a suitable recess. In the form of execution shown on Fig. 4 the hollow holder comprises a series of partitions 10 pivotally secured together at 11 whereby the holder may be folded flat. The holder may be provided with one or two covers 12 connected therewith for instance through hinges 13.

My improved shaving brush may be disposed in very flat dressing cases similar to cigarette cases and adapted to be carried in one's pocket. Such a case is shown on Fig.5. The case 14 carries on one side the spread out brush 1, 2, 3, 4 and on the other the toilet requisites such as a safety razor 15, its handle 16, a comb 17, soap 18 etc. The two compartments of the case may be separated by a partition 19 which may be hinged, or jointed or removable.

Obviously the above disclosed constructional features have been described only by way of example and many modifications may be brought thereto without passing out of the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A sectional, folding shaving brush comprising a plurality of substantially flat holders each surrounding a substantially flat group of bristles, said holders being hinged together along adjacent edges thereof, each holder being substantially rectangular in cross-section.

2. A sectional, folding shaving brush comprising a plurality of relatively thin elements of substantially rectangular cross-section, each of said elements surrounding a relatively thin group of bristles, said elements being hinged together along adjacent edges thereof so as to present, when extended, the flat side faces of said elements in two spaced parallel planes and to present, when folded, the flat side faces of adjacent elements in parallel and abutting relation.

3. A sectional, folding shaving brush comprising a plurality of relatively thin elements of substantially rectangular cross-section, each of said elements surrounding a relatively thin group of bristles, said elements being hinged together along adjacent edges thereof so as to present, when extended, the flat side faces of said elements in two spaced parallel planes and to form, when folded, a brush substantially rectangular in cross-section.

4. A sectional, folding shaving brush comprising at least three substantially flat holders each surrounding a substantially flat group of bristles, said holders being hinged together along adjacent edges thereof, each holder being substantially rectangular in cross-section, said holders being so hinged together as to be foldable in alternate directions.

5. A sectional, folding shaving brush comprising a plurality of substantially flat holders each surrounding a substantially flat group of bristles, said holders being hinged together along adjacent edges thereof, each holder being substantially rectangular in cross-section, and means to retain said holders in folded relation.

6. A shaving brush comprising a plurality of substantially flat holders, each surrounding a substantially flat group of bristles, each holder being substantially rectangular in cross-section, and means to retain said holders in superposed relation with the flat side faces of adjacent holders in parallel and abutting relation.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

Michel Charles Blondin.