Parasite comb

Abstract

A comb to collect and subsequently crush parasite having a body having a handleable portion, a row of closely spaced teeth projecting outwardly from the body, and a crusher engaged to one of the teeth or handle. The teeth are configured to collect the parasites when combed through hair, and the teeth present upper surfaces that form a planar first face. The crusher has at least one planar crushing surface configured to move to abut against the first face of the teeth to cause the parasites to be crushed between the at least one crushing surface and the first face of the teeth.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A comb to collect and subsequently crush parasites, the comb comprising
 a body having a handleable portion,   a row of closely spaced teeth projecting outwardly from the body, the teeth configured to collect said parasites when combed through hair, the teeth presenting upper surfaces which form a planar first face,   a crusher engaged to one of the teeth or handle, the crusher having at least one planar crushing surface configured to move to abut against the first face of the teeth to cause the parasites to be crushed between the at least one crushing surface and the first face of the teeth.   
     
     
         2 . The comb as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the teeth define a first face of the row of teeth adjacent to a first crushing surface of said crusher. 
     
     
         3 . The comb as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one (first) crushing surface and the first face are configured to crush parasites between them. 
     
     
         4 . The comb as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the row of teeth comprises a base where the teeth meet the body. 
     
     
         5 . The comb as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the crusher is flexible. 
     
     
         6 . The comb as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the crusher is hingeable or flexible and configured to hinge or flex in order to be able to abut the first face of the teeth. 
     
     
         7 . The comb as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the crusher is hingeably engaged to one of the teeth or handle. 
     
     
         8 . The comb as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the crusher comprises a hingeable or flexible portion. 
     
     
         9 . The comb as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the hingeable portion is a hinge. 
     
     
         10 . The comb as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the hinge is integral of the crusher. 
     
     
         11 . The comb as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the hinge allows the crushing surface to fully abut flush with the first face of the teeth. 
     
     
         12 . The comb as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the crusher has a crushing position corresponding to the crushing surface abutting the first face. 
     
     
         13 . The comb as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the crusher has a resting position where the crushing surface does not abut the first face. 
     
     
         14 . The comb as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the crusher has a second crushing surface substantially parallel to a surface on the body. 
     
     
         15 . The comb as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the second crushing surface cooperates with the surface of the body to crush any parasites therebetween. 
     
     
         16 . The comb as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the crusher is manipulatable to crush parasites between the surface and second crushing surface. 
     
     
         17 . The comb as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the comb comprises a shim directly adjacent at least a portion of the first face of the teeth. 
     
     
         18 . The comb as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the shim comprises a third crushing surface presented to contact the first crushing surface of the crusher. 
     
     
         19 . The comb as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the comb comprises a like secondary crusher on the other side of the row of teeth, opposite the first crusher. 
     
     
         20 . The comb as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the crusher comprises a region composed of a translucent or clear material.