U.S. patent application number 13/986510 was filed with the patent office on 2014-11-13 for hair highlighting applicator.
This patent application is currently assigned to Orchard International Inc., a corporation of Ontario, Canada. The applicant listed for this patent is Ken Paquet, Shelley Peters, Zhao Hua (Danny Zhao) Zhi. Invention is credited to Ken Paquet, Shelley Peters, Zhao Hua (Danny Zhao) Zhi.
Application Number | 20140332026 13/986510 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51863903 |
Filed Date | 2014-11-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140332026 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Peters; Shelley ; et
al. |
November 13, 2014 |
Hair highlighting applicator
Abstract
A hair treatment material applicator comprises a lid, a base, a
hinge connecting the lid and base to allow pivotal movement of the
lid and base with respect to each other from an open position to a
closed position; and a bail pivotally mounted to the lid for
pivotal movement from a use position above the lid to a latch
position below the base holding the lid and base in the closed
position. A compressible material, such as dense foam, is
positioned in one of the lid and base; and a hair treatment
material (such as highlighter, dye, bleach, protein treatment,
etc.) is positioned in the other of the lid and base. The foam and
material are positioned to allow strands of human hair to pass
between them for uniform application of material to the strands.
The hinge is an over-molded rubber hinge biasing the lid and base
open.
Inventors: |
Peters; Shelley; (Alton,
CA) ; Paquet; Ken; (North York, CA) ; Zhi;
Zhao Hua (Danny Zhao); (Guang Xi, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Peters; Shelley
Paquet; Ken
Zhi; Zhao Hua (Danny Zhao) |
Alton
North York
Guang Xi |
|
CA
CA
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
Orchard International Inc., a
corporation of Ontario, Canada
Mississauga
CA
Ming Company Limited, a corporation of Ontario, Canada
Toronto
CA
|
Family ID: |
51863903 |
Appl. No.: |
13/986510 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/221 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 19/0008 20130101;
A45D 19/02 20130101; A45D 2019/0091 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/221 |
International
Class: |
A45D 19/00 20060101
A45D019/00 |
Claims
1. A hair treatment material applicator comprising: a lid; a base;
a hinge operatively connecting said lid and base to allow pivotal
movement of said lid and base with respect to each other from an
open position to a closed position; a bail pivotally mounted to
said lid for pivotal movement from a use position above said lid to
a latch position below said base holding said lid and base in said
closed position; and a hair treatment material mounted within at
least one of said lid and base.
2. An applicator as recited in claim 1 wherein in said use position
said bail is spaced from a top surface of said lid a distance
sufficient to allow a user to position the tip of her or his index
finger between said bail and lid to facilitate control of the
applicator.
3. An applicator as recited in claim 1 wherein said lid and base
are plastic and wherein said hinge comprises an over-molded rubber
hinge biasing said lid and base toward said open position.
4. An applicator as recited in claim 1 further comprising a dense
foam positioned in one of said lid and base, and said hair
treatment material positioned in the other of said lid and base,
said foam and material operatively positioned so as to allow
strands of human hair to pass therebetween and for material to be
substantially uniformly applied to the strands.
5. An applicator as recited in claim 4 wherein said foam presents a
sloped shape, gradually tapering from a highest position most
remote from said hinge to a lowest position closest to said
hinge.
6. An applicator as recited in claim 5 wherein said foam is also
arched as well as presenting a sloped shape, and comprises EVA foam
with a density of about 40-100 kg/m.sup.3 or the equivalent.
7. An applicator as recited in claim 5 wherein said material is
recessed within said lid or base.
8. An applicator as recited in claim 7 wherein said material is
selected from the group consisting essentially of solid,
semi-solid, gel, and high viscosity liquid impregnated pad
materials; in turn selected from the group consisting essentially
of, hair dye, highlighter, bleach, protein treatments, detangler,
conditioner, oil adder or remover, or grease removing
materials.
9. An applicator as recited in claim 4 wherein said foam is mounted
in said base and said hair treatment material is mounted in said
lid.
10. An applicator as recited in claim 9 wherein said foam is
mounted in a tray held by flexible latching hooks to said base, and
said hair treatment material is mounted in a tray held by flexible
latching hooks to said lid.
11. An applicator as recited in claim 4 wherein said lid and base
are plastic and wherein said hinge comprises an over-molded rubber
hinge biasing said lid and base toward said open position.
12. An applicator as recited in claim 11 wherein in said use
position said bail is spaced from a top surface of said lid a
distance sufficient to allow a user to position the tip of her or
his index finger between said bail and lid.
13. A hair treatment material applicator comprising: a lid; a base;
a hinge operatively connecting said lid and base to allow pivotal
movement of said lid and base with respect to each other from an
open position to a closed position; a dense foam positioned in one
of said lid and base; and a hair treatment material positioned in
the other of said lid and base; said foam and material operatively
positioned so as to allow strands of human hair to pass
therebetween and for material to be substantially uniformly applied
to the strands.
14. An applicator as recited in claim 13 wherein said foam is
substantially arched and presents a sloped shape gradually tapering
from a highest position most remote from said hinge to a lowest
position closest to said hinge; and wherein said material is
recessed within said lid or base.
15. An applicator as recited in claim 13 wherein said material is
selected from the group consisting essentially of solid,
semi-solid, gel, and. high viscosity liquid impregnated pad
materials; in turn selected from the group consisting essentially
of, hair dye, highlighter, bleach, protein treatments, detangler,
conditioner, oil adder or remover, or grease removing
materials.
16. An applicator as recited in claim 14 wherein said foam is
mounted in said base and said hair treatment material is mounted in
said lid.
17. An applicator as recited in claim 13 wherein said lid and base
are plastic and wherein said hinge comprises an over-molded rubber
hinge biasing said lid and base toward said open position.
18. A hair treatment material applicator comprising: a plastic lid;
a plastic base; a hinge operatively connecting said lid and base to
allow pivotal movement of said lid and base with respect to each
other from an open position to a closed position, said hinge
comprising an over-molded rubber hinge biasing said lid and base
toward said open position; a compressible material positioned in
one of said lid and base; and a hair treatment material positioned
in the other of said lid and base for cooperation with said
compressible material during use to treat hair.
19. An applicator as recited in claim 18 further comprising a bail
pivotally mounted to said lid for pivotal movement from a use
position above said lid to a latch position below said base holding
said lid and base in said closed position.
20. An applicator as recited in claim 18 wherein said material is
recessed and is selected from the group consisting essentially of
solid, semi-solid, gel, and high viscosity liquid impregnated pad
materials; in turn selected from the group consisting essentially
of, hair dye, highlighter, bleach, protein treatments, detangler,
conditioner, oil adder or remover, or grease removing materials.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Many people wish to treat the hair on their head to provide
an aesthetically pleasing appearance, or to enhance the health of
their hair. While this can be done professionally in a hair salon
many women and men desire to treat their hair themselves. Many
different hair treatment applicators for professional or
non-professional use have been developed over the years, such as
shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,830,030, 5,325,878, 6,250,312, and
7,156,885, and in published U.S. Patent Applications 2008/0083418,
2008/0083419, 2008/0087293, and 2008/0087294, and commercial
products marketed under the trade names "Color Bug" and "Instant
Highlights."
[0002] The hair treatment applicator according to the invention
functions in a manner similar to those in the above-identified
prior art applicators but has a different construction that lends
itself to a number of advantages. The applicator according to the
invention is simple, is easy to use and to positively control both
by professionals and by individuals treating their own hair, is
versatile, applies hair treatment uniformly, and is relatively
inexpensive to make.
[0003] According to one aspect of the present invention there is
provided a hair treatment material applicator comprising: a lid; a
base; a hinge operatively connecting the lid and base to allow
pivotal movement of the lid and base with respect to each other
from an open position to a closed position; a bail pivotally
mounted to the lid for pivotal movement from a use position above
the lid to a latch position below the base to hold the lid and base
in the closed position; and a hair treatment material mounted in at
least one of the lid and base. In the use position the bail is
spaced from a top surface of the lid a distance sufficient to allow
a user to position the tip of her or his index finger between the
bail and lid to facilitate positive control of the applicator, and
a slope to the top front end of the lid facilitates that even
more.
[0004] Preferably the lid and base are plastic and the hinge
comprises an over-molded rubber hinge biasing the lid and base
toward the open position. That is the hinge acts like a spring and
the biasing action thereof makes the applicator easier to hold in
use since both the lid and base are pressed toward different parts
of the user's hand (e.g. index finger and thumb).
[0005] The applicator also desirably further comprises a
compressible material such as dense foam positioned in one of the
lid and base, and the hair treatment material positioned in the
other of the lid and base. The foam and material are operatively
positioned so as to allow strands of human hair to pass between
them and for material to be substantially uniformly applied to the
strands. The foam is preferably presents a substantially sloped
shape, tapering from a highest position most remote from the hinge
to a lowest position closest to the hinge, and desirably the foam
is also arched as well as presenting a sloped shape. The sloped
shape may be provided by the shape of the foam itself, or by the
shape of a recess in a tray in which the foam is mounted in the
base or lid.
[0006] The material is preferably recessed within the lid or base.
While almost any hair treatment material can be used preferably the
material is selected from the group consisting essentially of
solid, semi-solid, gel, and high viscosity liquid impregnated pad,
materials; in turn selected from the group consisting essentially
of hair dye, highlighter, bleach, protein treatments, detangler,
conditioner, oil adder or remover, or grease removing
materials.
[0007] Normally the foam is mounted in the base and the hair
treatment material is mounted in the lid. The foam is mounted in a
tray preferably held by flexible latching hooks to the base, and
the hair treatment material is mounted in part by structures
including flexible latching hooks engaging the lid.
[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, a hair
treatment material applicator is provided comprising: a lid; a
base; a hinge operatively connecting the lid and base to allow
pivotal movement of the lid and base with respect to each other
from an open position to a closed position; a dense foam positioned
in one of the lid and base; and a hair treatment material
positioned in the other of the lid and base. The foam and material
are operatively positioned so as to allow strands of human hair to
pass between them and for material to be substantially uniformly
applied to the strands. The details of the components may be as
described above.
[0009] According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a hair treatment material applicator comprising: a plastic
lid; a plastic base; a hinge operatively connecting the lid and
base tallow pivotal movement of the lid and base with respect to
each other from an open position to a closed position, the hinge
comprising an over-molded rubber hinge biasing the lid and base
toward the open position; a compressible material positioned in one
of the lid and base; and a hair treatment material positioned in
the other of the lid and base for cooperation with the compressible
material during use to treat hair. Again the details of the
components may be as described above.
[0010] It is the primary object of the present invention to provide
a simple, easy to use and to positively control both by
professionals and by individuals treating their own hair,
versatile, and/or relatively inexpensive hair treatment applicator
for substantially uniformly applying treatment material to human
hair. This and other objects of the invention will become clear
from the detailed description of the drawings and from the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary applicator
according to the present invention when in a fully open
position;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the applicator of FIG. 1
when in a fully open position;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the applicator of FIG. 1 when
in a fully open position;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side view of the applicator of FIG. 1 when in a
fully open position;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the applicator of FIGS.
1-4 taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the applicator of FIGS.
1-5 taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a side view of the applicator of FIGS. 1-6 when in
a use position for highlighting or otherwise treating human
hair;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a front view of the applicator of FIGS. 1-7 when
in a latched closed position; and
[0019] FIG. 9 is a top perspective exploded view of a modified form
of an applicator according to the invention.
DETAILS DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] An applicator according to the present invention is shown
generally by reference numeral 10 in the drawings. It has two main
body components, a lid 12 and a base 14, connected together by a
hinge 16. The lid 12 and base 14 can be made of any suitable
relatively inert material but are preferably molded of plastic,
such as ABS, and preferably have a generally quadrate configuration
in plan, as illustrated in the drawings, although as shown the
edges are preferably rounded. The hinge 16 may have any
conventional construction but, as illustrated, preferably comprises
a rubber living hinge over-molded (using conventional techniques)
onto the lid 12 and base 14. The rubber hinge inherently provides a
spring bias biasing the applicator to the fully open position
illustrated in FIGS. 1-6.
[0021] Pivotally connected to the lid 12 near the sloped end 17
thereof opposite the hinge 16 is a bail 18. The spacing 19 (see
FIG. 5 in particular) between the top of the bail 18 and the top of
the lid 12 is sufficient for a user to insert the tip of her or his
index finger F under the bail 18 during use, as seen in FIG. 7.
This allows the user to comfortably and precisely control use of
the applicator 10. The slope of the end 17 assists in allowing
comfortable positioning of one's index finger F. The distance 19 is
also approximately the thickness of the base 14 so that the bail 18
can be pivoted about the axis A-A (FIG. 2) defined by the pivot
pins 20 connecting it to the lid 12 so as to latch the applicator
10 in the closed position against the bias of the hinge 16, as
illustrated in FIG. 8. Preferably the distance 19 is between about
0.25-0.75 inches.
[0022] Since the bail 18 is outside the applicator 10, the lid 12
and base 14 are free and clear of any restriction so that during
use strands of human hair H (see FIG. 7) do not get caught on any
edges. The bail may be held by conventional detents (not shown) in
the latched position of FIG. 8, if desired.
[0023] The functional hair-treating components of the applicator 10
are the hair treatment material component 22 provided in lid 12 and
preferably slightly recessed therein, as clear from both FIGS. 4
and 5, and the compressible material (e. g. foam or sponge)
component 24 in the base 14 and extending upwardly therefrom, as
clear from FIGS. 4-7. While it is preferred that the component 22
be mounted in lid 12 and the foam 24 in base 14, if desired
component 22 could be mounted in the base 14 and foam 24 in lid
12.
[0024] The component 24 is a compressible material, and preferably
comprises a dense foam or sponge. Desirably the foam is
ethylene-vinyl acetates (EVA) foam, such as shown in U.S. Patent
Publication 2006/0089241, and has a density of between about 40-100
kg/m.sup.3(e. g. about 60 kg/m.sup.3), or equivalent other closed
cell foams of comparable density. The foam 24 is preferably arched
(or barrel-shaped, see FIG. 6) and presents a sloped-shape,
extending above the inner face of base 14 as most clearly seen in
FIGS. 1, 5 and 6. The portion of the foam 24 extending above the
base 14 preferably tapers gradually so that the arched center is
the highest at the end 25 most remote from hinge 16 and the lowest
at the end 27 closest to hinge 16, as most clearly seen in FIGS. 4
and 5.
[0025] The gradual taper of the foam 24 allows for less stress on
the over-molded rubber hinge 16 and less pinching of hair strands H
(see FIG. 7) adjacent the hinge 16 when the applicator unit 10 in
is use. The arched and sloped shape of the foam/sponge 24, as well
as a smooth surface on the top thereof, also allows it to be in
substantially uniform operative contact with the hair treatment
component 22 providing a more even pressure on the hair strands H
when moving relative to the applicator 10 and thus depositing a
substantially uniform amount of treatment material on the hair
strands H. Also the smooth top surface of foam 24 substantially
precludes absorption of hair oils thereby.
[0026] The foam/sponge 24 is glued, taped, or otherwise provided in
a plastic (e.g. ABS) insert tray 28 (see FIGS. 5 & 6) which
then snaps and locks into the base 14 using any suitable mechanism,
such as the flexible latch hooks 29 seen in FIG. 6. The tray 28 may
be designed to be either readily removable (so that the entire tray
and sponge can be replaced when worn out), or permanently mounted
in the base 14, depending upon the materials and construction of
the tray 28 and the flexibility of the latch hooks 29.
Alternatively, the sponge 24 may be removed with a substantial
enough force to break the adhesive attraction of the glue or tape,
etc. holding it into tray 28, and a new sponge 24 may be fastened
in its place.
[0027] The treatment material component 22 comprises a treatment
material 30 positioned in a tray 31 (see FIG. 5), such as glued
therein. The plastic (e.g. ABS) tray 31 may be releasably (so that
the tray and material may be replaced when consumed, or when a
different type of treatment is desired) or permanently held within
lid 12 by the flexible latch hooks 32, as seen in FIG. 5, or any
other suitable mechanism.
[0028] The material 30 may be any solid, semi-solid, gel, or pad
impregnated with high viscosity liquid, material capable of
treating hair. Exemplary materials include highlighter, dye,
bleach, detangler, protein treatments, oil adder or remover,
conditioner, grease remover, etc. The details of the material 30
are not part of the invention; rather any conventional (such as
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,030, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein) or hereinafter developed suitable
material 30 may be used, as long as it is in a form that will not
leak out of the applicator 10 and that is capable of being
substantially uniformly transferred to hair strands H (see FIG. 7)
when the foam 24 and material 30 move over the strands H. One
particular material 30 that is especially useful is a commercially
available custom hair highlighting product sold by Orchard
International, Inc. of Ontario, Canada and known as a "hair chalk."
The "hair chalk" hair highlighting formulation comprises an
anhydrous powder which may include talc, mica, colorants, and
TiO.sub.2, and also including silicone, esters, oils, and/or amino
acids to act as binders so that the powder is in solid form in the
applicator 10 and will bond with human hair to which it is
applied.
[0029] As seen most clearly in FIG. 5, as earlier indicated the top
surface of the material 30 is preferably recessed in the lid 12.
One reason for this is to allow for the edges of the insert tray 31
to have a radius on the plastic perimeter thereof, creating an area
for hair strands H to go through the unit 10 without getting caught
on any edges whatsoever. The strands H glide only through the
material 30 and do not engage any other part of the applicator 10
except for the foam 24.
[0030] FIG. 9 illustrates a slightly revised version of the
applicator 110 of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-8. In the FIG. 9
embodiment components comparable to those in FIGS. 1-8 are shown by
the same reference numerals, only preceded by the number "1."
[0031] In the FIG. 9 embodiment the foam/sponge 124 presents a
generally sloped and arched shape to the material 30 just as in the
FIGS. 1-8 embodiment only this shape is determined by the shape of
the tray 128 mounting the foam 124, not by the shape of the foam
itself. That is the foam 124 has a straight bottom and is not
itself wedge-shaped but rather the bottom 33 of the tray 128 is
sloped so as to be deeper closest to the over-molded hinge 116 and
shallower at the point of tray 128 most remote from hinge 116. Thus
the FIG. 9 embodiment presents the same look of the sponge 124 as
for the sponge 24 in FIG. 4 and the only difference is whether the
sponge 24/124 sloped shape is achieved by the shape of the foam
itself or the shape of the tray 128 in which it sits.
[0032] In the FIG. 9 embodiment the tray 128 is held within the
hollow base 114 by the flexible latching hooks 129 connected to the
tray 128 itself, and mating with recesses 35 in the interior of the
tray 128. The tray 131 which locks the material 130 in the recessed
position within lid 112 may be releasably or permanently held in
place by the flexible latching projections 132 which cooperate with
recesses (not visible in FIG. 9) in the lid 112 comparable to the
recesses 35.
[0033] The material 130 may be provided within a pan 36 which in
turn is inserted into a separate plastic (e. g. ABS) make-up tray
37. The tray 37 may be releasably latched, sonically welded, or
otherwise attached to the "bottom" of lid 112 as seen in FIG. 9.
This allows easy installation of the material 130 into the
applicator 110. Also the provision of the pan 36 and tray 37 allow
the "top" of the pan 36 (as seen in FIG. 9) to contact the
underside of the locking tray 131. This in turn allows higher
pressure of the foam 124 on the material 130 during use.
[0034] In an exemplary use of the applicator unit 10, 110 to
highlight hair, where the material 30, 130 is a hair highlighting
material (such as the "hair chalk" described above), which will be
described only with respect to the FIGS. 1-8 embodiment although
the use is the same for the FIG. 9 embodiment, the user moves the
bail 18 from the latched position in FIG. 8 to the use position in
FIG. 7 by pivoting the bail 18 about the axis A-A defined by pivot
pins 20. The lid 12 and base 14 are allowed to separate slightly
more than is illustrated in FIG. 7, under the bias of the spring
hinge 16, to allow for a plurality of strands of hair H to pass
between the foam 24 and material 30. Then with her or his index
finger F and thumb T in the approximate positions illustrated in
FIG. 7, and the lid 12 and base 14 biased into contact with the
user's finger F and thumb T by the hinge 16, the user slides the
unit 10 over the hair strands H starting near the roots and
finishing once the ends of the hair strands H pass out of the unit
10. The user applies sufficient pressure pushing the lid 12 and
base 14 toward each other so as to insure application of the
highlighter material 30 while still allowing the hair strands H to
pass smoothly through the applicator unit 10. The combined arched
and slope shape presented by the foam 24 facilitates uniform
treatment of the hair strands H.
[0035] While the terms "above," "top," "bottom," and the like are
used herein for convenience, it is to be understood that the
applicator of the invention is not restricted to the orientation of
the component parts with respect to earth.
[0036] While the invention has been herein shown and described in
what is presently conceived to be the most practical and preferred
embodiment thereof many modifications may be made thereof within
the scope of the invention, which scope is to be restricted only by
the prior art. For example the invention includes all specific
intermediate ranges within a broad range; e. g. "about 40-100
kg/m.sup.3" means 39-61, 59-75, 80-101, and all other narrower
ranges within the broad range. The invention is to be accorded the
broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass
all equivalents.
* * * * *