U.S. patent application number 11/008411 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-02 for hair highlighting tool.
Invention is credited to Afsaneh Sanja Delan.
Application Number | 20060042643 11/008411 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35941304 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060042643 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Delan; Afsaneh Sanja |
March 2, 2006 |
Hair highlighting tool
Abstract
A method of applying hair treatment agents such as bleach,
colorants and highlighters to a predetermined number of isolated or
segregated sections of hair within a larger body of hair, the
method comprising the following steps: obtaining a hair
highlighting device having a main body reservoir portion extending
the width of the hair highlighting device, the main body reservoir
portion defined by at least 2 end portions, 2 elongated sidewalls
and an opening along an upper portion, the main body reservoir
portion having a lower channel with an essentially V-shaped
cross-section and a plurality of lower openings located within the
channel, the hair highlighting device further having a plurality of
rollers coupled within the lower openings in the channel at the
bottom of the main body reservoir portion and a plurality of hair
gripping teeth extending downward from the openings at the bottom
of the hollow main body reservoir portion, the plurality of teeth
each having hair gripping apparatus at a lower end of the teeth;
contacting the main body of hair with the hair highlighting device
such that hair is captured by the plurality of hair gripping teeth
and the captured hair is segregated from the main body of hair; and
contacting the segregated portions of hair against the plurality of
rollers, thereby transferring hair treatment agent from the main
body reservoir portion across the plurality of rollers to the
captured hair as desired.
Inventors: |
Delan; Afsaneh Sanja; (Los
Gatos, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ray K. Shahani, Esq.;Twin Oaks Office Plaza
Suite 112
477 Ninth Avenue
San Mateo
CA
94402-1854
US
|
Family ID: |
35941304 |
Appl. No.: |
11/008411 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60522199 |
Aug 31, 2004 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/115 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 19/0066 20210101;
A45D 24/22 20130101; A45D 19/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/115 |
International
Class: |
A45D 24/22 20060101
A45D024/22 |
Claims
1. A hair highlighting device for applying hair treatment or
coloring agent to selected hair strands within a main body of hair,
the hair highlighting device having a predetermined width and
comprising: a main body reservoir portion extending the width of
the hair highlighting device, the main body reservoir portion
defined by at least 2 end portions, 2 elongated sidewalls and an
opening along an upper portion, the main body reservoir portion
having a lower channel with an essentially V-shaped cross-section
and a plurality of lower openings located within the channel; a
plurality of rollers coupled within the lower openings in the
channel at the bottom of the main body reservoir portion; and a
plurality of hair gripping teeth extending downward from the
openings at the bottom of the hollow main body reservoir portion,
the plurality of teeth each having hair gripping apparatus at a
lower end of the teeth such that hair captured by the plurality of
hair gripping teeth is segregated from the main body of hair and
allowed to contact the plurality of rollers, thereby transferring
fluid hair treatment or coloring agent from the main body reservoir
portion across the plurality of rollers to the captured hair as
desired.
2. The hair highlighting device of claim 1 further comprising a
handle portion coupled to the main body reservoir portion.
3. The highlighting device of claim 1, further comprising an
adjusting rod member having 2 ends, one end attached to a manual
control portion and the other end coupled to the plurality of hair
gripping teeth, wherein the amount of hair treatment or coloring
agent transferred to the segregated hair can be adjusted.
4. The hair highlighting device of claim 3 further comprising a
handle portion coupled to the main body reservoir portion, the
manual control portion mounted on the handle portion.
5. The hair highlighting device of claim 1, further comprising a
lid portion coupled across the opening along the upper portion in
which the main body reservoir portion comprises a lid portion.
6. The hair highlighting device of claim 1 in which the cylindrical
roller device(s) rotate both in clockwise and anti-clockwise
directions along an axis perpendicular to the length of the main
body reservoir portion.
7. The hair highlighting device of claim 1 in which each hair
gripping device further comprises a plurality of leg portions.
8. The hair highlighting device of claim 1 in which each hair
gripping device further comprises a plurality of inward-opening
flexible doors.
9. The hair gripping device of claim 6 in which the flexible doors
open inwardly upon an externally applied downward pressure on the
device.
10. The hair gripping device of claim 6 in which the flexible doors
return to their original position when an externally applied
downward pressure on the device is removed.
11. The hair gripping device of claim 6 in which the flexible doors
further comprise biasing means to return to their original
position.
12. The hair gripping device of claim 11 in which the biasing means
comprises a spring member.
13. The hair highlighting device of claim 1 in which the adjusting
button device controls the length of the adjusting rod member.
14. The hair highlighting device of claim 1 in which the rollers
are cylindrically-shaped.
15. The hair highlighting device of claim 1 in which the rollers
are ball-shaped.
16. A method of applying hair treatment agents such as bleach,
colorants and highlighters to a predetermined number of isolated or
segregated sections of hair within a larger body of hair, the
method comprising the following steps: obtaining a hair
highlighting device having a main body reservoir portion extending
the width of the hair highlighting device, the main body reservoir
portion defined by at least 2 end portions, 2 elongated sidewalls
and an opening along an upper portion, the main body reservoir
portion having a lower channel with an essentially V-shaped
cross-section and a plurality of lower openings located within the
channel, the hair highlighting device further having a plurality of
rollers coupled within the lower openings in the channel at the
bottom of the main body reservoir portion and a plurality of hair
gripping teeth extending downward from the openings at the bottom
of the hollow main body reservoir portion, the plurality of teeth
each having hair gripping apparatus at a lower end of the teeth;
contacting the main body of hair with the hair highlighting device
such that hair is captured by the plurality of hair gripping teeth
and the captured hair is segregated from the main body of hair; and
contacting the segregated portions of hair against the plurality of
rollers, thereby transferring hair treatment agent from the main
body reservoir portion across the plurality of rollers to the
captured hair as desired.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/522,199 filed Aug. 31, 2004 entitled FAST
AND EASY HIGH LIGHTER, which is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety, and claims any and all benefits to which it is
entitled therefrom.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to color treatment
of human hair, and more particularly, to an improved method and
apparatus to color and/or highlight hair directly and selectively
using a hair strands gripping device with a mechanical dispensing
roller mechanism for applying a controlled amount of dye to
selected portions of hair.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Highlighting is a hair coloring technique to add from subtle
to intense colored hair streaks to human hair. The concept of
highlighting is to color-dye and/or bleach only selected strands of
hair, apart from others. Different and desirable visual effects can
by attained by selecting different shades of color dye/bleach and
hair strands for application.
[0004] Hair highlighting is a relatively advanced hair coloring
skill and used to be performed exclusively at hair salons by
trained hair stylists and colorists. In the traditional process,
hair stylists use the tip of a special comb to selectively pick
strands of hair for color treatment. The zigzag movement of the
comb tip that resembles knitting movement ensures alternate strands
of hair are being picked up and treated. Color dye is then applied
to those selected hair strands, thus providing the multi-colored
effect commonly associated with highlights. This method requires
advanced hair styling skills including picking the right strands of
hair, zigzag knitting motion, application of dye on hair strands
etc., and cannot be properly performed by untrained
individuals.
[0005] Like coloring, self hair highlighting is becoming more
popular with the help of convenient and easy-to-use self
highlighting products. One of the most common products to
facilitate self highlighting is the highlighting cap. It resembles
a regular rubber or plastic shower cap except it has small holes
all over the cap area. Users can simply pull hair strands through
those holes by placing a hook, which is usually also provided in
the highlighting kit, flat against the cap and then pulling a
plurality of tufts or strands of hair, i.e. more than one, out of
the holes. Users will then color treat hair tufts or strands that
have been pulled out. This method eliminates the requirement of
styling skills. However, this process results in a random selection
of strands or tufts of hair, i.e., users can only guess the
location of hair strands that are pulled out and colored since the
entire head is covered by highlight cap. This might make designing
highlighting pattern difficult. Also, since color dye is still
applied by a brush manually, it bears the same disadvantages as
traditional highlighting methods.
[0006] A highlighting tool called "strander" was introduced by
major color products manufacturers. The strander takes the shape of
an upright hair brush with teeth on it. Users will apply color dye
on the teeth and subsequently brush it through hair strands. It can
create streaks of colored hair efficiently. However, it has no
precise control of which strands of hair to color and spill-over to
other hair strands is very common. Moreover, the amount of color
dye being applied to hair strands is very difficult to control.
Using these types of devices commonly result in uneven distribution
of dye.
[0007] Another highlighting tool that is available in the market is
called a braid comb. It is a double-sided hair comb with two
different teeth patterns. By combing through hair on both sides
consecutively, strands of hair will be separated. Again, users then
apply color dye on separated hair strands with a separate brush
previously loaded with bleach creme rinse or coloring agent.
ADVANTAGES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] One object and advantage of the present invention is to
provide a faster highlight process. The present invention takes
almost less than half the time that is spent currently on a
traditional procedure to complete a hair highlight.
[0009] Another object and advantage is to lessen or eliminate fume
emission. Unlike the current procedure which color dye is stored in
an open container where users, recipient and people in the
immediate surrounding are at risk of inhaling the chemical, the
present invention eliminates that risk because the color dye is
stored and coming out of a closed container.
[0010] Yet another object and advantage is to provide an easier,
more desirable and more convenient method of highlighting. It is
less critical to select the right amount of hair to be highlighted.
The amount of hair to be used is automatically adjusted to pick
hair strands at the pre-determined width and separates them at
equidistance from each other.
[0011] Another object and advantage is to provide a hair
highlighter/highlighting tool that can be used by salon
professionals and equally effective by non-professional
individuals. Thus the present invention can be sold to salons,
beauty supply stores and other stores that carry cosmetic
products.
[0012] Another object and advantage is to provide a drip-proof or
otherwise non-dripping highlighter tool. Unlike current
highlighting procedures, the present invention minimizes and/or
eliminates any dripping of hair bleach or coloring agent on the
floors or clothing.
[0013] Yet another object and advantage is to ensure even color
highlights distribution on the hair. The traditional method of
using a brush to transfer color dye from the bowl would saturate
hair with color dye on one spot particularly near the ends and miss
other spots particularly near hair roots. The present invention
ensure evenly distributed color from hair roots till the ends.
[0014] Another object and advantage is to provide a less
complicated highlighting process. The hair highlighting tool 100 of
the present invention selects and grabs the predetermined and right
amount of hair and colors it at the same time, and eliminates the
need for the traditional method of using the tail of a special comb
to pick up strands of hair to be colored and then using a brush to
transfer color dye from the bowl.
[0015] Another object and advantage is to provide a hair
highlighting process requiring less labor.
[0016] Thus, the present invention is a hair highlighting device
for applying hair treatment or coloring agent to selected hair
strands within a main body of hair, the hair highlighting device
having a predetermined width and comprising: a main body reservoir
portion extending the width of the hair highlighting device, the
main body reservoir portion defined by at least 2 end portions, 2
elongated sidewalls and an opening along an upper portion, the main
body reservoir portion having a lower channel with an essentially
V-shaped cross-section and a plurality of lower openings located
within the channel; a plurality of rollers coupled within the lower
openings in the channel at the bottom of the main body reservoir
portion; and a plurality of hair gripping teeth extending downward
from the openings at the bottom of the hollow main body reservoir
portion, the plurality of teeth each having hair gripping apparatus
at a lower end of the teeth such that hair captured by the
plurality of hair gripping teeth is segregated from the main body
of hair and allowed to contact the plurality of rollers, thereby
transferring fluid hair treatment or coloring agent from the main
body reservoir portion across the plurality of rollers to the
captured hair as desired.
[0017] The hair highlighting device of the present invention
further comprises a handle portion coupled to the main body
reservoir portion.
[0018] The highlighting device of the present invention further
comprises an adjusting rod member having 2 ends, one end attached
to a manual control portion and the other end coupled to the
plurality of hair gripping teeth, wherein the amount of hair
treatment or coloring agent transferred to the segregated hair can
be adjusted.
[0019] The hair highlighting device of the present invention
further comprises a handle portion coupled to the main body
reservoir portion, the manual control portion mounted on the handle
portion.
[0020] The hair highlighting device of the present invention
further comprises a lid portion coupled across the opening along
the upper portion in which the main body reservoir portion
comprises a lid portion.
[0021] The hair highlighting device of the present invention
further comprises cylindrical roller device(s) which rotate both in
clockwise and anti-clockwise directions along an axis perpendicular
to the length of the main body reservoir portion.
[0022] The hair highlighting device of the present invention in
which each hair gripping device further comprises a plurality of
leg portions.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention each hair
gripping device further comprises a plurality of inward-opening
flexible doors.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the
flexible doors open inwardly upon an externally applied downward
pressure on the device.
[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the
flexible doors return to their original position when an externally
applied downward pressure on the device is removed.
[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the
flexible doors further comprise biasing means to return to their
original position.
[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the
biasing means comprises a spring member.
[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the
adjusting button device controls the length of the adjusting rod
member.
[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the
rollers are cylindrically-shaped.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the
rollers are ball-shaped.
[0031] The present invention is also a method of applying hair
treatment agents such as bleach, colorants and highlighters to a
predetermined number of isolated or segregated sections of hair
within a larger body of hair, the method comprising the following
steps: obtaining a hair highlighting device having a main body
reservoir portion extending the width of the hair highlighting
device, the main body reservoir portion defined by at least 2 end
portions, 2 elongated sidewalls and an opening along an upper
portion, the main body reservoir portion having a lower channel
with an essentially V-shaped cross-section and a plurality of lower
openings located within the channel, the hair highlighting device
further having a plurality of rollers coupled within the lower
openings in the channel at the bottom of the main body reservoir
portion and a plurality of hair gripping teeth extending downward
from the openings at the bottom of the hollow main body reservoir
portion, the plurality of teeth each having hair gripping apparatus
at a lower end of the teeth; contacting the main body of hair with
the hair highlighting device such that hair is captured by the
plurality of hair gripping teeth and the captured hair is
segregated from the main body of hair; and contacting the
segregated portions of hair against the plurality of rollers,
thereby transferring hair treatment agent from the main body
reservoir portion across the plurality of rollers to the captured
hair as desired.
[0032] Further objects and advantages of the present invention will
be come apparent through the following descriptions, and will be
included and incorporated herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 is a representative top view of a preferred
embodiment of a hair highlighting tool 10 of the present
invention.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a representative front view of a preferred
embodiment of a hair highlighting tool 10 of the present
invention.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a representative side view of a preferred
embodiment of a hair highlighting tool 10 of the present
invention.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a representative partial cross section view taken
thru lines 4-4 of a preferred embodiment of a hair highlighting
tool 10 of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0037] The description that follows is presented to enable one
skilled in the art to make and use the present invention, and is
provided in the context of a particular application and its
requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments
will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general
principals discussed below may be applied to other embodiments and
applications without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited
to the embodiments disclosed, but the invention is to be given the
largest possible scope which is consistent with the principals and
features described herein.
[0038] It will be understood that in the event parts of different
embodiments have similar functions or uses, they may have been
given similar or identical reference numerals and descriptions. It
will be understood that such duplication of reference numerals is
intended solely for efficiency and ease of understanding the
present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting in any
way, or as implying that the various embodiments themselves are
identical.
[0039] FIG. 1 is a representative top view of a preferred
embodiment of a hair highlighting tool 10 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a representative front view of a preferred embodiment of
a hair highlighting tool 10 of the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 1, the hair highlighting tool 10 of the present invention
comprises a handle 14 portion and main body 12 portion. In a
preferred embodiment, handle 10 is coupled, mechanically with or
without adhesive, to horizontally the middle of main body portion
12 to retain the proper balance or weighting during application of
hair highlighting tool 10 of the present invention.
[0040] The main function of handle 14 is to provide a hand grip for
user(s) during application. The shape of main body 12 resembles a
hair comb with teeth. In a preferred embodiment, the top portion of
main body 12 is a hollow container wherein hair dye and/or other
liquid form hair products can be stored for different
applications.
[0041] As best shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in a preferred
embodiment, one or more teeth 11 are held in place by tooth slits
15 and rod/rigid wire 18 collectively. The quantity, width, length
and distance d between adjacent teeth 11 are all flexible and could
be customized according to requirements. In a preferred embodiment,
teeth 11 comprise a pair of identical or different main legs 22a
and 22b. Main legs 22a and 22b take the shape of a thin elongated
strip of metal or plastic. The width and thickness of main legs 22a
and 22b must be smaller than those of slits 15 located at the
bottom of main body 12 with a comfortable clearance on all four
sides. In order to hold main legs 22a and 22b in place and attached
to the bottom of main body 12, main legs 22a and 22b of each tooth
structure 11 extend through respective slits 15. Each end of main
legs 22a and 22b are then secured rigidly to the rod portion or
wire 18, as best shown in FIG. 2.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom end of each main leg 22a and
22b is attached to side hinge 25a and subsequently to horizontal
flexible doors 23a and 23b, respectively. In a preferred
embodiment, the pair of flexible doors 23a and 23b together with
main legs 22a and 22b and the bottom of main body 12 form an
enclosed chamber region 28. Side hinges 25a allows flexible doors
23a and 23b to open inward when being pushed. In a preferred
embodiment, flexible doors 23a and 23b automatically return to the
starting position when the applying pressure is taken off or
reduced. Thus, a predetermined number of strands of hair are
selected and contained within the chamber regions 28. The
cross-sectional area of chambers 28 entirely depends on the length
of portion of main legs 22a and 22b that is outside main body or
handle housing portion 12.
[0043] In a preferred embodiment, adjusting button 16 is installed
on handle 14. The main function of adjusting button 16 is to adjust
the length of rigid wire 18, which will in turn lift up and/or push
down tooth structure(s) 11 in and/or out of main body 12. The
adjusting button 16 is attached to the end of rigid wire 18. Thus,
as adjusting button is pushed towards direction A as shown in FIG.
1, rigid wire 18 will travel the same distance towards direction A.
Additionally, as adjusting button is pulled back opposite direction
A, rigid rod/wire 18 will travel the same distance away from
direction A. Adjusting button 16 can be a simple sliding button
along the length of handle 14 or other mechanical locking or
notched sliding assemblies that are known in the art. As best shown
in FIG. 2, when adjusting button 16 is pushed towards direction A,
rigid wire 18 will be pulled towards the same direction and
consequently pull main legs 23a and 23b up and inside main body 12.
As a result, the area of chamber 28 will be reduced.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, one or more rollers 20 is installed
within each tooth structure 11 and centered between main legs 22a
and 22b. In a preferred embodiment, rollers 20 are in cylindrical
shape and are laid horizontally and nested inside openings located
at along the length of the bottom of main body 12. In a preferred
embodiment, the length of each roller 20 should be slightly smaller
than the distance between adjacent pair of main legs 22a and 22b.
The diameter of each roller 20 is such that it fits well inside
corresponding nesting hole and leaves dispense slots 26a and 26b on
both sides of roller 20.
[0045] FIG. 3 is a representative side view of a preferred
embodiment of a hair highlighting tool 10 of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 3, main body 12 is a hollow, channel-like
structure with a funnel-shaped cross-section. A chamber region 28
contains a pre-loaded amount of creme bleach, rinse or color. In a
preferred embodiment, when rod wire 18 is being pulled towards
direction A by adjusting button 16, main legs 22a and 22b will be
pulled vertically upwards inside main body 12 along track 30a and
30b respectively. As a result, the area of chamber 28 will be
reduced.
[0046] FIG. 4 is a representative partial cross section view taken
thru lines 4-4 of a preferred embodiment of a hair highlighting
tool 10 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, hair color
dye 28 and/or other liquid form hair products can be stored in the
hollow chamber of main body 12. Hollow chamber of main body 12 can
be refilled through its top opening 29. Optionally, a lid 31 can be
secured mechanically to cover top opening 29 during application. In
a preferred embodiment, the only exit of hair color dye 28 is to
leak out by gravity through dispense slots 26a and 26b, which are
clearances on both side of roller 20. The flowing rate of hair
color dye 28 through dispense slots 26a and 26b depends on
viscosity of hair color dye 28, width of dispense slots 26a and 26b
and rotation rate of roller 20. When roller 20 is rotating through
hair color dye 28, it will facilitate flowing of hair dye 28 by
breaking the surface tension of hair color dye 28 at the opening of
dispense slots 26a and 26b and carrying hair color dye 28 on its
surface.
[0047] When a hair highlighting tool 10 of the present invention is
being dragged/combed through hair strands, some hair strands goes
in the space between tooth structures 11 and some will be pressed
against flexible doors 23a and 23b of tooth structures 11. Due to
downward pressure applied during combing motion, some hair strands
that are pressed against flexible doors 23a and/or 23b will open up
those flexible doors 23a and/or 23b and enter chamber 28.
Thereafter, flexible doors 23a and 23b, optionally spring-loaded or
biased into a closed position (as shown best in FIG. 2), will
return to their respective starting position. Thus, hair which had
previously entered chamber 28 becomes trapped. Trapped hair strands
will be in contact with roller 20 and dispense slots 26a and 26b,
thus resulting in transfer of the treating or coloring solution to
the hair.
[0048] If user applies pressure on adjusting button 16 after some
hair strands are trapped in chamber 28, wire 18 will be shortened
and pull up tooth structure 11 and reduce the area of chamber 28.
As a result, trapped hair strands will be pressed against roller 20
and exert more perpendicular pressure on roller 20. Together with
the combing motion which is parallel to the direction of trapped
hair strands, roller 20 will be set to rotate either clockwise or
anticlockwise depending on the direction of combing motion.
However, rotation of either direction will dispense hair color dye
28 through dispense slots 26a and 26b and on the surface of roller
20 as previously described. This results in application of hair
treatment or color dye 28 to trapped hair strands. User can repeat
combing motion back and forth along hair strands to make sure
adequate hair treatment or color dye 28 is applied. User can also
determine portion of hair strands to be colored by not combing
through the entire length of trapped hair strands.
[0049] Consequently, only trapped hair strands are colored while
hair strands that went through space between tooth structures 11
unaffected. If the process is repeated to the whole head of hair,
individual hair strands of recipient will be dyed randomly and thus
"Highlighted".
[0050] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs.
Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those
described can be used in the practice or testing of the present
invention, preferred methods and materials are now described. All
publications and patent documents referenced in the present
invention are incorporated herein by reference.
[0051] While the principles of the invention have been made clear
in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to
those skilled in the art many modifications of structure,
arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components
used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are
particularly adapted to specific environments and operative
requirements without departing from those principles. The appended
claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such
modifications, with the limits only of the true purview, spirit and
scope of the invention.
* * * * *