U.S. patent application number 11/887889 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-26 for apparatus for applying liquid agents to hair on the head.
Invention is credited to Ulrich Fleischer, Frank Romer.
Application Number | 20080149133 11/887889 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37775758 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080149133 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fleischer; Ulrich ; et
al. |
June 26, 2008 |
Apparatus for Applying Liquid Agents to Hair on the Head
Abstract
The invention relates to an apparatus for applying for liquid
agents, such as hair cosmetics and/or dyeing and/or bleaching
liquids, to hair on the head by means of wicks which are arranged
in parallel rows and, on account of their capillary action, obtain
the liquid agent from a reservoir chamber, with the wicks forming
the tines of a comb.
Inventors: |
Fleischer; Ulrich;
(Finnentrop, DE) ; Romer; Frank; (Finnentrop,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
K.F. ROSS P.C.
5683 RIVERDALE AVENUE, SUITE 203 BOX 900
BRONX
NY
10471-0900
US
|
Family ID: |
37775758 |
Appl. No.: |
11/887889 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
November 10, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2005/012016 |
371 Date: |
October 4, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 24/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/320 |
International
Class: |
A45D 34/04 20060101
A45D034/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 14, 2005 |
DE |
102005044019.3 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the wicks are
separated from one another a spacing corresponding to at least half
a diameter of the wicks.
3. The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the array of wicks
is substantially square and has 4, 9, or 16 wicks.
4. The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the comb teeth are
provided to the wicks, between or spaced adjacent to the wicks.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the comb teeth are
situated inside the wick rows.
6. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a frame
carrying the comb teeth attached to the wick holder or to the
wicks.
7. The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the wicks project on
both sides from the wick holder, and the wick holder forms
semicylindrical or partially cylindrical indentations that enclose
outer sides of the wicks, the wick holder having pointed
projections that protrude into the indentations to prevent
longitudinal shifting of the wicks.
8. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the projections are
integrally molded onto the wick holder.
9. The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein free ends of the
wicks have a tapered or rounded shape.
10-12. (canceled)
13. The apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising filling
material in the reservoir, the one side of the wick holder
contacting the filling material of the reservoir.
14. The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the wick holder has
three or four layers containing lateral semicylindrical or
partially cylindrical indentations for the wicks.
15. The apparatus according to claim, further comprising spacers
attached next to or between the wicks and having free ends
projecting out from the other side of the holder farther than free
ends of the wicks.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the spacers are
pin-shaped and of plastic.
17. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the spacers enclose
the wicks from outside.
18. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the spacers are
situated between the wicks.
19. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the spacers are
situated axially parallel to the wicks.
20. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the spacers have a
smaller diameter than the wicks.
21. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the spacers are
attached to the wick holder.
22. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the spacers taper
generally conically outwardly.
23. The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the wicks each have
a longitudinally throughgoing passage.
24. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein each wick has a
pin-shaped reinforcing element the respective passage.
25. The apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the element
completely fills the passage.
26. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein each passage is
closed off at an outer end of the respective wick.
27. The apparatus according to claim 24 wherein each passage is
open at an outer end of the respective wick, and the reinforcing
element in the form of a spacer projects beyond the end of the
wick.
28. An apparatus for applying liquid agents to hair on the head,
the apparatus comprising: a wick holder having a pair of sides, one
of the sides forming a reservoir for the liquid agent; a plurality
of rows of wicks in a substantially rectangular array, the wicks
being and formed of a single sintered piece with the holder,
projecting from and forming comb teeth on the other side of the
holder, and being exposed at the one side thereof for drawing
liquid agent from the reservoir by capillary action through the
holder.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to an apparatus for applying liquid
agents, such as hair cosmetics and/or dyeing and/or bleaching
liquids, to hair on the head by means of wicks arranged in parallel
rows which in particular due to their capillary action receive the
liquid agent from a reservoir.
[0002] Such an apparatus is known from DE 41 32 829 [GB 2,248,549].
This known apparatus has a large number of parts, and is difficult
to manufacture and use.
[0003] The object of the present invention is to improve an
apparatus of the above-described type in such a way that few parts
are necessary for uniform distribution of the agent, manufacture is
simplified, and use is facilitated.
[0004] This object is achieved according to the invention by the
fact that wicks form the teeth of a comb.
[0005] Such an applicator requires no additional comb teeth;
instead, the wicks themselves arrange the hair. Sufficient hair
gets between the wicks when spaces are present between the wicks
and/or the wick rows, and the width of the spaces corresponds to at
least half the diameter of the wicks.
[0006] It is preferred that the cross-sectional area transverse to
the longitudinal extensions of the wicks forms a square of 4, 9, or
16 units. As a result of the arrangement of the wicks on a square
or round base surface, no orientation direction is required during
use, so that the hair may be treated equally uniformly in any
position of the apparatus.
[0007] In one particularly advantageous design, comb teeth are
provided in particular parallel to the wicks, between and/or to the
side of the wicks, thereby enhancing the combing action of the
apparatus. It is advantageous when the comb teeth are situated
inside the wick rows. Manufacture and assembly are simplified and
stability is achieved when the comb teeth are connected to a frame,
in particular in one piece, that is attached to a wick holder
(applicator holder) and/or to the wicks.
[0008] It is particularly advantageous when pointed projections of
the wick holder protrude into indentations in the wick holder that
accommodate the wicks in order to prevent longitudinal shifting of
the wicks. These pointed projections preferably do not constitute
additional parts, but rather are integrally molded onto the wick
holder.
[0009] Simple and secure penetration of the wicks into the hair is
ensured when the free ends of the wicks have a tapered or rounded
design.
[0010] The wicks may be composed of a fibrous material in order to
have capillary action for transporting the liquid agent.
Alternatively, the wicks may be made of a sintered material. The
wick holder may also be made of the same sintered material, and the
wicks and the wick holder are preferably designed as one piece,
which allows a great variety of shapes of the wick holder and in
particular of the wicks.
[0011] One particularly simple and secure design is provided when
the side of the wick holder facing away from the wicks contacts the
contents of the reservoir. It is also advantageous when the wick
holder has three or four layers containing lateral semicylindrical
or partially cylindrical indentations for the wicks. Such a shape
of the wick holder allows multiple wick rows to be easily arranged
and securely held.
[0012] To prevent the wicks from contacting the scalp, pin-shaped
spacers are provided next to the wicks that project out farther
than the wicks.
[0013] If the wicks are made of a fragile or flexible material they
may have an internal insert. This insert may project outward and
act as the respective spacer.
[0014] It is also advantageous when the wicks are produced with a
supporting plate in the two-component injection molding process,
thus allowing the wicks to be made of relatively soft plastic.
[0015] Several illustrated embodiments of the invention are
illustrated in sectional views in the drawings and described in
greater detail below. The drawings show the following:
[0016] FIGS. 1 and 2 show designs with wicks inserted into a wick
holder;
[0017] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the wicks and wick holder in a one-piece
design made of sintered material, with comb teeth placed
therebetween in FIG. 3;
[0018] FIGS. 5 through 8 show a one-piece wick holder having two
rows of inserted wicks;
[0019] FIG. 9 shows a one-piece wick holder having three rows of
inserted wicks;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a section from FIG. 3 with comb teeth attached in
a frame;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a top view of the design according to FIG.
10;
[0022] FIGS. 12 through 14 show various embodiments of one-piece
wicks and wick holders made of sintered material, each in two side
views and one top view;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a section of nine wicks arranged in a square and
connected to the wick holder as one piece;
[0024] FIG. 16 is a top view of the design according to FIG.
15;
[0025] FIG. 17 shows a wick holder with wicks in a one-piece
design, and comb teeth provided therebetween in a frame;
[0026] FIG. 18 is a side view of the design according to FIG.
17;
[0027] FIG. 19 is a top view of the design according to FIG.
17;
[0028] FIG. 20 is a longitudinal view of a design with spacers on a
sintered molded part;
[0029] FIG. 21 is a longitudinal section of a design with spacers
next to individual wicks;
[0030] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the design according to
FIG. 20 in a cutaway view;
[0031] FIG. 23 shows a design with internally reinforced wicks in a
sectional view;
[0032] FIG. 24 shows the part forming the wicks in a top view;
[0033] FIG. 25 is a section along A-B in FIG. 24;
[0034] FIG. 26 shows a design with internally reinforced wicks in a
sectional view;
[0035] FIG. 27 shows the part forming the wicks in a top view;
[0036] FIG. 28 is a section along A-B in FIG. 24;
[0037] FIG. 29 shows a design with two material components in a
section A-B; and
[0038] FIG. 30 shows the design according to FIG. 29 in a top
view.
[0039] In the design shown in FIG. 1 the applicator according to
the invention has a cylindrical container 1 having a reservoir, in
particular made of batting, located therein that is saturated with
the liquid agent to be applied. The container 1 is closed off at
one end face by a wick holder 3 through which extend multiple wicks
4 themselves extending parallel to the container axis. The wicks 4
project beyond and on both sides of the wick holder 3, and their
inner ends extend into the reservoir. The wicks 4 are arrayed
parallel to one another in parallel rows. The free ends on the
opposite side of the wick 4 project out far enough that they may be
passed through the hair in the manner of a comb in order to release
the agent on the hair. The liquid agent is used for hair cosmetics
and/or dyeing and/or bleaching.
[0040] The container 1 that acts as an applicator holder has a
coaxial annular collar starting at the container edge at the level
of the wick holder 3 and having an outer rear edge inserted into a
housing 6 that encloses the container 1. On the side opposite the
container 1 a cap 7 may be mounted on the annular collar 5 that
protects the wicks when the apparatus is not in use. A conically
expanding edge region 8 proceeds from the rim of the cap 7 and has
an increasingly larger diameter away from the reservoir, thereby
forming an annular base for a stand by means of which the apparatus
may be stood upright.
[0041] The design illustrated in FIG. 2 differs from that shown in
FIG. 1 in that the housing 6 forms a base cap 9 on the side facing
away from the wicks by means of which the housing 6 may be closed
at the rear. This base cap may have an internal support sleeve 10
that supports the reservoir wall.
[0042] In the embodiment according to FIG. 3 the wick holder 3 is
designed as one piece with the wicks 4, and rests with its end
facing away from the wicks flat against the reservoir 2 to enable
the liquid to be taken up. Comb teeth 12 are situated in spaces 11
between the wicks 4 that essentially assume a combing function
during use. Comb teeth may also be provided on the outer sides of
the wicks, as shown in FIG. 3. The comb teeth are omitted in the
embodiment according to FIG. 4.
[0043] The spaces 11 located between the wicks 4 have a width B1,
B2 that is at least half the diameter D of the wicks 4. The wicks
are arranged in a square of 4, 9, or 16 units, as shown in FIG. 16
with nine wicks. Instead of a square arrangement, the wicks located
on the outer edge may also be arranged in a circle. In a typical
design the wicks are made of a fibrous material that conveys the
liquid by capillary action. Alternatively, the wicks and/or the
wick holders in the designs according to FIGS. 3, 4, 10, 11, 13,
and 15 may be composed of sintered material, in which case the
wicks and wick holders are preferably designed in one piece.
[0044] In this case the sintered materials conveying the liquid are
composed of mixtures of pulverized materials. The proportions of
the individual materials in the mixture (such as PP and PE
plastics) determine the resultant properties. In addition to the
material composition, the grain size, sintering temperature, and
pore size determine the properties.
[0045] FIGS. 5 through 9 illustrate the manner in which a wick
holder is composed of three interconnected holding layers 3a
through 3c, each having semicylindrical indentations 3e for holding
the wicks 3 after the holding layers are folded over. To prevent
the wicks from sliding longitudinally, pointed projections 15 that
penetrate the material of the wicks 4 protrude into the
indentations 3e. These pointed projections 15 are designed in one
piece with the material of the layers, i.e. the wick holder.
[0046] The illustrated embodiment according to FIG. 9 differs from
that of FIGS. 5 through 8 in that three rows of wicks 4 are held
between four wick holder layers 3a through 3d.
[0047] In the designs according to FIGS. 10, 11, and 17 through 19
the comb teeth 12 (in particular designed in one piece) are
connected to a frame 14 that encloses the wicks 4 and/or the wick
holder 3.
[0048] The embodiments according to FIGS. 12 through 14 have
different shapes of the one-piece applicator. The wicks and wick
holder are designed in one piece and are composed of a fibrous or
sintered material. The free ends of the wicks 4 are pointed,
gabled, or rounded, in particular hemispherical. The free ends
taper in a semi-oval shape, or form two or more tips.
[0049] FIGS. 20 through 22 illustrate pin-shaped spacers 16 made of
plastic that are attached axially parallel next to the wicks 4 in a
row or rows, and whose free ends project beyond the free ends of
the wicks, thus preventing the wicks 4 from contacting the scalp.
The spacers 16 have a smaller diameter than the wicks, and are
externally positioned around and/or between the wicks. The diameter
of the spacers 16 may taper outward, in particular conically. The
spacers 16 held by the wick holder 3 may in particular be attached
thereto, in particular integrally molded thereon.
[0050] The number of spacers 16 is based on the number that ensures
that a sufficient distance is always provided between the ends of
the wicks and the scalp in any position of the apparatus. In the
illustrated embodiment according to FIGS. 20 and 22, eight spacers
16 are arranged in an outwardly enclosing row, spaced at equal
distances.
[0051] In the illustrated embodiments according to FIGS. 23 through
28, the wicks 4 each have a longitudinal cavity 17, in particular
made of ceramic, sintered, or fibrous material, thus forming a
tubular design. In the design according to FIGS. 23 through 25, the
cavities 17 are closed at the outer end and are each filled by a
reinforcing pin-shaped element 18 that is enclosed in a form-fit
manner and braces the wick 4. Additional spacers 16 are located on
the outer side of and/or between the wicks.
[0052] The illustrated embodiment according to FIGS. 26 through 28
differs from the previous illustrated embodiments in that the
cylindrical cavity 17 is open to the outside, and the pin-shaped
reinforcing element 18 projects beyond the wick 4 and also acts as
a spacer 16, similar to the spacers described above.
[0053] In the illustrated embodiment according to FIGS. 29 and 30,
the wicks 4 are made of thermoplastic plastic, and at the back side
are integrally molded onto a first plate 19 made of the same
material, and pass through openings in a second plate 20 that is
composed of a thermoplastic plastic that is harder than the first
plate 19. In this manner the wicks 4 have sufficient flexibility
and acquire adequate stability as a result of the second plate
20.
[0054] In FIGS. 29 and 30 the wicks 4 are hollow and are open at
the front end. However, as illustrated in FIGS. 23 through 35 [sic;
25], the wicks may also be closed at the front end. In addition,
the cavity 17 may be filled by a reinforcing element 18.
[0055] On account of the porous, in particular open-pore, structure
of the plastic of the wicks 4, it is possible for the liquid agent
to flow outward from the wicks, and/or to pass through the wick
cavity 17 and emerge at the front, and/or to flow outward through
thin channels (not illustrated) provided in the wall of the wick. A
reinforcing element 18 may be situated inside the wick cavity, as
described above. The element 18 does not hinder the liquid flow
when the diameter of the element is slightly smaller than the
internal diameter of the cavity 17.
* * * * *