U.S. patent application number 10/678206 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-08 for hair treatment applicator.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Procter & Gamble Company. Invention is credited to Albaum, Gary, Colacioppo, Keith, Drosos, Kimberly A., Lenzi-Brangi, Anne Marie.
Application Number | 20040065338 10/678206 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32095601 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040065338 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Colacioppo, Keith ; et
al. |
April 8, 2004 |
Hair treatment applicator
Abstract
A hair treatment applicator is provided. The applicator has a
handle, a first head connected to the handle, a second head
connected to the handle and a separation volume. The first head has
a plurality of first tines forming a first retaining volume and the
second head has a plurality of second tines forming a second
retaining volume. The first and second retaining volumes are
separated by the separation volume, and the first and second
retaining volumes hold the hair treatment.
Inventors: |
Colacioppo, Keith; (Bronx,
NY) ; Lenzi-Brangi, Anne Marie; (Orange, CT) ;
Albaum, Gary; (Croton, NY) ; Drosos, Kimberly A.;
(Norwalk, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DIVISION
WINTON HILL TECHNICAL CENTER - BOX 161
6110 CENTER HILL AVENUE
CINCINNATI
OH
45224
US
|
Assignee: |
The Procter & Gamble
Company
Cincinnati
OH
|
Family ID: |
32095601 |
Appl. No.: |
10/678206 |
Filed: |
October 3, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60416163 |
Oct 4, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/126 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 19/02 20130101;
A45D 19/026 20210101; A45D 19/0066 20210101; A46B 2200/1046
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/126 |
International
Class: |
A45D 024/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A hair treatment applicator for applying a hair treatment to
hair, the applicator comprising: a handle; and a plurality of
retaining structures connected to said handle, wherein each of said
plurality of retaining structures is separated from each other of
said plurality of retaining structures by a separation volume, and
wherein said plurality of retaining structures hold the hair
treatment.
2. A hair treatment applicator for applying a hair treatment to
hair, the applicator comprising: a handle; a plurality of heads
being connected to said handle; and a retaining structure being
connected to each of said plurality of heads, wherein each head of
said plurality of heads is separated from each other head of said
plurality of heads by a separation volume, and wherein said
retaining structure holds the hair treatment.
3. A hair treatment applicator for applying a hair treatment to
hair, the applicator comprising: a handle; a first head being
connected to said handle, said first head having a plurality of
first tines forming a first retaining volume; a second head being
connected to said handle, said second head having a plurality of
second tines forming a second retaining volume; and a separation
volume, wherein said first retaining volume and said second
retaining volume are separated by said separation volume, and
wherein said first and second retaining volumes hold the hair
treatment.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
application Serial No. 60/416,163 (Case 9049P), filed on Oct. 4,
2002, and U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/168,576 (Case D808),
filed on Oct. 4, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to hair treatment devices.
More particularly, the present invention relates to hair treatment
applicators and a method of applying hair treatment to hair.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Hair treatment or hair color applicators are known. Such
hair treatment applicators allow a user to apply a hair product,
such as a highlighter, to hair.
[0006] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,420 to Musum, a highlighting comb is
disclosed. The comb has a plurality of tines that are secured to a
spine, which is connected to a handle. The tines are disposed
adjacent to each other along a straight line. The user of the comb
places the treatment material into retaining areas that are
disposed between each of the respective adjacent tines and then
passes the tines through the hair. The disclosed comb suffers from
the drawback of failing to provide a separation between the
retaining areas through which hair may pass that will be
untreated.
[0007] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,157 to de Laforcade, an applicator
system is disclosed. The applicator has a handle with a brush, and
a plurality of brush members extending from a first side of the
brush. The brush members are disposed along the first side of the
brush in parallel and perpendicular rows. A user places the hair
product onto the brush members and passes the applicator along a
lock of hair so that the brush members transfer the hair product to
the hair. The disclosed applicator suffers from the drawback of
failing to allow for a separation between treated and untreated
hair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a hair
treatment applicator that applies hair treatment to a plurality of
sections of hair.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide
such an applicator that provides for a separate and distinct set of
treated hair or highlights over two distinctly separate sections of
hair.
[0010] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
such an applicator that provides a separate, untreated section of
hair in between two treated sections of hair.
[0011] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention are provided by a hair treatment applicator that has a
handle and a plurality of retaining structures connected to the
handle. Each of the plurality of retaining structures is separated
from each other of the plurality of retaining structures by a
separation volume. The plurality of retaining structures holds the
hair treatment.
[0012] The present invention is also a hair treatment applicator
for applying hair treatment to hair that has a handle, a plurality
of heads connected to the handle, and a retaining structure
connected to each of the plurality of heads. Each head of the
plurality of heads is separated from each other head of the
plurality of heads by a separation volume. The retaining structures
hold the hair treatment.
[0013] The present invention is also a hair treatment applicator
for applying hair treatment to hair that has a handle, a first head
connected to the handle with the first head having a plurality of
first tines forming a first retaining volume, a second head
connected to the handle with the second head having a plurality of
second tines forming a second retaining volume, and a separation
volume. The first retaining volume and the second retaining volume
are separated by the separation volume. The first and second
retaining volumes hold the hair treatment.
[0014] Other and further objects, advantages and features of the
present invention will be understood by reference to the
following.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the hair treatment
applicator of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the applicator of
FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the applicator of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a top view of the applicator of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a side view of the applicator of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a front view of the applicator of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a rear view of the applicator of FIG. 1; and
[0022] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the hair
treatment applicator of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Referring to the drawings and, in particular, FIGS. 1 and 2,
there is shown an embodiment of a hair treatment applicator of the
present invention generally represented by reference numeral 10.
Applicator 10 has a handle 20 and a head 50 connected to the
handle. Preferably, handle 20 and head 50 are integrally molded or
formed together.
[0024] Handle 20 is an elongated handle that a user grasps in his
or her hand when passing head 50 along the user's hair, as will be
discussed later in detail. Handle 20 can be any type of handle
known in the art that is secured to, or integrally molded or formed
with, head 50. Handle 20 is preferably ergonomically designed and
contoured to maximize comfort and efficiency for a user due to the
repetitive motion of applicator 10 as it passes along or strokes
the user's hair.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, head 50 has a bilaterally
symmetrical shape and preferably has a heart-like shape. Head 50
has a first comb 100 and a second comb 200. In this embodiment,
applicator 10 has two combs 100, 200. However, as will be discussed
later in detail, any number of combs can be used with the present
invention.
[0026] Combs 100, 200 have bases 110, 210, respectively.
Preferably, bases 110, 210 are circular in shape. Comb 100 has a
plurality of tines 120 extending from base 110 and comb 200 has a
plurality of tines 220 extending from base 210. Preferably, tines
120 are four tines that are disposed along base 110 in a square
pattern and tines 220 are four tines that are disposed along base
210 in a square pattern. More preferably, tines 120, 220 are
perpendicular to bases 110, 210.
[0027] Tines 120, 220 are preferably substantially cylindrical in
shape, having proximal ends 122, 222 and distal ends 124, 224.
Proximal ends 122, 222 are connected to bases 110, 210,
respectively. More preferably, tines 120, 220 have a frusto-conical
shape or are tapered from proximal ends 122, 222 to distal ends
124, 224, respectively. Distal ends 124, 224 preferably have a flat
end surface but other than flat end surfaces can be used, such as,
for example, a pointed or sharply tapered end, to facilitate
initially inserting tines 120, 220 through the section or lock of
hair to be treated.
[0028] Preferably, tines 120, 220 have a height of between about
1/4 inches to about 1.0 inches.
[0029] More preferably, tines 120, 220 have a height of between
about 3/8 inches to about 3/4 inches.
[0030] Preferably, proximal ends 122, 222 have a diameter of
between about {fraction (1/16)} inches to about {fraction (5/16)}
inches. More preferably, proximal ends 122, 222 have a diameter of
between about 1/8 inches to about 1/4 inches. Preferably, distal
ends 124, 224 have a diameter of between about {fraction (1/16)}
inches to about 3/8 inches. More preferably, distal ends 124, 224
have a diameter of between about {fraction (1/16)} inches to about
{fraction (5/16)} inches.
[0031] While this embodiment has four tines 120 and four tines 220,
alternative numbers of tines 120, 220 can also be used.
Additionally, this embodiment arranges tines 120, 220 in square
patterns along bases 110, 210 with each tine disposed in a corner
of the square. Tines 120, 220 are disposed along bases 110, 210
such that the sides of the square pattern are either substantially
parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of handle
20.
[0032] In use, hair flow is between tines 120, 220 parallel to the
longitudinal axis of handle 20. The square pattern of tines 120,
220 is preferred because it provides for a more even distribution
of the hair treatment that is held between the tines. The square
pattern also facilitates the passage of hair through spaces 140,
240 between tines 120, 220, respectively, because the tines are
evenly spaced apart and spaces 140, 240 are perpendicular to the
hair flow (along the longitudinal axis of handle 20) so as to limit
the resistance of the tines to the hair flow. However, alternative
patterns or shapes for the arrangement of tines 120, 220 along
bases 110, 210 can also be used, including rectangular patterns.
Preferably, spaces 140, 240 are between about {fraction (1/32)}
inches to about {fraction (5/16)} inches. More preferably, spaces
140, 240 are between about {fraction (1/16)} inches to about
{fraction (3/16)} inches.
[0033] Combs 100, 200 also have baffles 130, 230. Baffles 130, 230
are preferably formed between the inner or inside pairs of tines
120, 220 such that the baffles are substantially parallel to the
longitudinal axis of handle 20 and parallel to the path of hair
flow through spaces 140, 240. Preferably, the height of baffles
130, 230 is between about 1/8 inches to about 1.0 inches. More
preferably, the height of baffles 130, 230 is between about 1/4
inches to about 3/8 inches.
[0034] In the preferred embodiment, comb 100, base 110, tines 120
and baffle 130 form a retaining volume 150. Similarly, comb 200,
base 210, tines 220 and baffle 230 form a retaining volume 250. In
use, retaining volumes 150, 250 are filled with the hair treatment
that is to be applied to the user's hair and the hair passes
through the retaining volumes through spaces 140, 240.
[0035] Head 50 also has a separation volume 300 and a grip 400.
Separation volume 300 is formed by inner tines 120 of comb 100 and
inner tines 220 of comb 200. Separation volume 300 provides for a
path for hair that will not be treated with the hair product. In
use, hair flow is through retaining volume 150, separation volume
300 and retaining volume 250. Hair treatment is placed in both
retaining volume 150 and retaining volume 250. The middle or center
strands of hair pass through separation volume 300 without being
exposed to the hair treatment, while the outer strands of hair pass
through retaining volume 150 and retaining volume 250 where the
hair treatment is applied. This provides for a separate and
distinct set of treated hair or highlights over two distinctly
separate sections of hair with a separate, untreated section of
hair in between.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, separation volume 300 has a
width S. Preferably, width S is a minimum of about 1/4 inches. This
minimum for width S allows for distinct, separate hair treatments
or highlights with a distinct, separate untreated section in
between.
[0037] Previous applicators suffer from the drawback of applying
the hair product in a single, wide stripe. At the time of
application, it appears to the user of such an applicator that
there are multiple stripes because the strands of hair are
temporarily being separated by the tines or teeth of the
applicator, as it passes through the hair.
[0038] Grip 400 of head 50 is an indent or recess that is formed in
a center portion of the rear of the head. Grip 400 allows a user to
position his or her finger in the grip for better handling and
control of applicator 10.
[0039] In the preferred embodiment, baffles 130, 230 assist in
retaining the hair treatment in retaining volumes 150, 250 so that
the hair treatment does not enter separation volume 300. Baffles
130, 230 also prevent strands of hair that are passing through
separation volume 300 from making contact with any hair treatment
that is on the outer periphery of retaining volumes 150, 250. This
provides for a more even and uniform application of the hair
treatment to the hair, and straighter lines of separation between
the treated and untreated sections of hair.
[0040] In the preferred embodiment, applicator 10 has first comb
100 and second comb 200 with separation volume 300 therebetween.
However, any number of a plurality of combs 100, 200 can be used in
the present invention to form any number of separation volumes 300.
Additionally, applicator 10 has two separate combs 100, 200 with
separation volume 300 therebetween. Alternatively, a single comb
100 can be used having tines 120 arranged in a plurality of square
or other patterns, which form one or more separation volumes 300
therebetween, so that hair can flow through the one or more
separation volumes to create a separate, distinct untreated section
of hair between the treated sections of hair.
[0041] Applicator 10 is preferably injection molded as a single
piece. Applicator 10 can be made from any moldable material, such
as, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown an alternative
embodiment of a hair treatment applicator of the present invention
generally represented by reference numeral 10'. Applicator 10' has
a handle 20' and a head 50' connected to the handle. Head 50' has
combs 100', 200' having tines 120', 220'. Tines 120', 220' are
arranged in a square pattern with the sides of the square being
either parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of
applicator 10'.
[0043] In the alternative embodiment, inner tines 120', 220' do not
have any baffle or wall structures therebetween. Combs 100', 200'
have spaces 140', 240' that are both perpendicular to and parallel
to the longitudinal axis of handle 20'. This allows a user to pass
hair between tines 120, 220' along a path that is parallel to the
longitudinal axis of handle 20' and create separate, distinct
highlights or hair treatments. The user could also pass the hair
between tines 120, 220' along a path that is perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of handle 20' and create a single, wide highlight
or hair treatment, as is done with contemporary applicators.
[0044] In this alternative embodiment, the hair treatment has a
high enough viscosity that it remains in retaining volumes 150',
250' without the need for a baffle or other separating structure.
Preferably, a hair treatment product with a minimum viscosity of
about 8000 cps would remain in retaining volumes 150', 250' without
the use of baffles or walls between combs 100', 200' and separation
volume 300'.
[0045] The present invention having been thus described with
particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be
obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention as defined herein.
[0046] All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the
Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference;
the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission
that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.
[0047] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
* * * * *