CA2766508A1

CA2766508A1 - Applicator for applying a product to hair

Info

Publication number: CA2766508A1
Application number: CA2766508A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Marianne Boskamp
Original assignee: G Pohl Boskamp GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: G Pohl Boskamp GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2009-06-23
Filing date: 2010-06-22
Publication date: 2010-12-29
Also published as: DE102009030199A1; ES1072499U; WO2010149329A1; AU2010265053A1; ITTO20100105U1; DK201000064U3; FIU20100267U0; PL65776Y1; PT10556T; DE102009030199B4; EP2445371A1; TR201004269U; DE202010007365U1; ES1072499Y; FI9155U1; AT11992U1

Abstract

The invention relates to an applicator (2) for applying a product, in particular a delousing agent based on Dimeticon, comprising a housing (4) having an application side (6) and a connection side (8), at least one application body (10) having an application channel (12) extending therein, and an outlet opening (14) connected thereto and at least two comb teeth (16). The application body (10) extends from the application side (6) of the housing (4). The comb teeth (16) are spaced apart from each other and are disposed on an end facing away from the application side (6) of the housing (4), forming at least one intermediate space, thereby enclosing an outlet opening (14). The connection side (8) comprises an inlet (18) for introducing the product into the application body (10) and a connection device (20) for connecting the housing (4) to a product container. The applicator (2) is particularly able to apply a product having a viscosity in a range between 2 and 200 mPas, especially in a range between 5 and 20 mPas, and in particular in a range between 13 and 15 mPas, and can be used particularly effectively for treating lice with a delousing agent based on Dimeticon.

Description

Applicator for Applying a Product to Hair TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an applicator for applying a product to hair as well as to the use of an applicator for applying a delousing agent based on dimethicone. The invention further relates to a delousing agent based on dimethicone as a product, which is stable when stored and which is ready for use in a container comprising an applicator for applying the delousing agent to hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Head lice are annoying and persistent. Chemical insecticides, which become effective relatively quickly, but which also harm the affected persons or animals, are used to date in the fight against head lice. Common over the counter medicines contain toxins, which are also used in agriculture against pests. However, a certain tendency towards a resistance of the head lice against such substances can be determined.

For example, alternative and rather nontoxic agents are washing-active substances based on coconut oil or gels comprising coconut oil, which leads to an encasing of the head lice, so that they suffocate. However, there is no direct success with such agents, but a very long reaction time is necessary as well as multiple applications, because nits often survive such a treatment. However, this also means that nits must be combed out repeatedly.

A different approach is pursued with delousing agents based on dimethicone, which has extraordinary flow and spreading properties. The dimethicone encases the lice and their larvae, penetrates deep into their respiratory system (tracheae), displaces the oxygen at that location and closes it irreversibly. Accordingly, the head lice and their larvae suffocate dependably, as well as their prestage, the nits. A
comparative clinical trial proved the extraordinarily high effectiveness of Nyda .

The above-mentioned "spreading behavior" describes a feature of substances of spreading on a solid body, for example the skin. The spreading value is calculated from a surface, which a substance covers within a certain time. Essential factors for good spreading properties of a substance are viscosity and surface tension. Substances having a low viscosity or average viscosity, respectively, spread quicker on a support than substances having a high viscosity.

On the one hand, bottles, from which the liquid preparation is poured directly onto the head, are used for applying delousing agents. This is associated with the danger that a lot of product remains on some areas of the hair and very little on other areas. The product can furthermore run out of the hair and can drip onto clothing and the floor. On the other hand, spray devices are used. However, these must be operated several times and the procedure is time-consuming.
It is a further disadvantage that a part of the atomized spray, which is created, does not strike the hair or the scalp, respectively. On the one hand, this represents a loss of the agent. On the other hand, this can also lead to a contamination of pieces of clothing or of the floor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention could accordingly be to propose a device for applying a delousing agent, in particular a delousing agent based on dimethicone, to hair, which is able to reduce or to completely eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages. In particular, it can be seen to be the object of the invention to propose an applicator or the like, by means of which a delousing agent based on dimethicone can be applied to hair quickly and reliably, without the appearance of individual areas, in which the product is not applied, because of a lack of experience or lack of patience.

The object is solved by means of an applicator comprising the features of independent claim 1.

The applicator according to the invention comprises a housing comprising an application side and a connection side, a plurality of application bodies, each comprising an application channel extending therein, an outlet opening connected thereto and at least two comb teeth. The application body extends from the application side of the housing. The comb teeth are disposed spaced apart from each other on an end of the application bodies facing away from the application side of the housing and forming at least one intermediate space. The outlet opening is disposed in the intermediate space. The connection side of the housing comprises an inlet for introducing the product into the at least one application body as well as a connection device for connecting the housing to a product container.

With the applicator according to the invention, provision is accordingly made for a row of comb teeth, which can be moved through the hair, which is to be treated, whereby the product is applied to strands of hair, which are separated from each other, through the outlet openings between the comb teeth. An even application of the product in response to a systematic combing of all of the hair is ensured, due to the fact that the hair, which is to be treated, is oriented and is simultaneously saturated or at least wetted with the product when moving the applicator according to the invention through the hair.

It is made possible by means of an accordingly shaped connection side to attach an applicator to a container, for example a bottle, such that an operational device, which can do without the pump devices, suction lines or the like, which are common in the state of the art, is already created by connecting the product container to the applicator.

In a particularly preferred manner, the applicator according to the invention is adapted to apply a product having an average viscosity, which lies in a range of 2-200 mPas.
Particularly advantageous flow and spreading properties, which provide for a highly effective distribution of the product in the hair, can be attained by means of products having such a viscosity. This means that flow cross sections within the applicator must be dimensioned such that the product having the corresponding viscosity can flow out of the applicator without large manual exertion.

In an advantageous further development of the applicator according to the invention, the effective distribution of the product in the hair can be increased in that the applicator according to the invention is adapted to apply a product having a viscosity in a range of 5-20 mPas, in particular in a range of 13-15 mPas.

In the instant application, the specified viscosities always refer to the values measured in response to a temperature of 25 C.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the applicator according to the invention is adapted to apply a delousing agent based on dimethicone. Due to the combination of particularly advantageous flow and spreading properties as well as due to the mode of operation of a delousing agent based on dimethicone, a particularly good application to hair and thus a particularly effective fight against head lice, can be attained by means of the applicator according to the invention, even in the case of a one-time use and short reaction time.

In a preferred embodiment of the applicator according to the invention, the connection side of the housing comprises a threaded portion, which is cylindrical at least area by area, comprising an internal thread for connecting to a neck of the product container, which comprises a corresponding external thread. Due to the fact that the application bodies are disposed directly on an application side of the housing and the housing can be connected to the product container via a screw connection, a simple design is possible, which can be realized in one piece, for example, by means of an injection molding process.

In the case of an advantageous further development of the applicator according to the invention, the quality of the connection of the applicator according to the invention to a product container can be increased in that the connection side comprises a substantially ring-shaped nozzle section, which is adapted to be inserted into a neck of the product container when connecting the housing to the product container. A functional separation between sealing connection for guiding a product and a mechanical connection for holding the applicator is carried out through this. The connection device does accordingly not need to be designed for tightness. Accordingly, it is also not important, which radial extension the connection section per se comprises.
In the case of a particularly preferred embodiment of the applicator according to the invention, the outlet opening between the comb teeth is substantially round and comprises a diameter or an equivalent diameter in a range between 0.4 mm and 1.2 mm. In particular the application of liquid having an average viscosity with a viscosity in a range between 5 mPas and 20 mPas is facilitated through this. Likewise, the outlet opening between the comb teeth can comprise an elongated or gap-like shape, the smallest extension of which comprises a measure in a range between 0.4 mm and 1.2 mm.

In a preferred embodiment according to the invention of the applicator according to the invention, the application channel, which extends in an application body to the respective outlet opening, comprises a shape, which corresponds to the shape of the outlet opening and the smallest extension of which comprises a measure in a range between 0.6 mm and 1.6 mm. The application channel could accordingly comprise a slightly larger cross section than the outlet opening per se, whereby an already low spilling tendency of the applicator according to the invention is reduced even further.

A particularly preferred further development of the applicator according to the invention comprises two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or more application bodies, which are disposed spaced apart from each other on the application side of the housing. By attaching such a number of application bodies next to each other, more hair can be brought into contact with the product, which is to be applied, by means of the applicator according to the invention in response to each combing process, that is, when moving through one area of the hair. This is opposed to commonly used contact applicators, in the case of which only individual nozzle-like application bodies are used.
Similarly, an advantageous further development of the applicator according to the invention comprises two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or more comb teeth, which are spaced apart from each other, comprising at least one outlet opening, which is disposed in an intermediate space, at each application body. An improved application of the product by means of a finer combability could be attained through this.
A further advantageous embodiment of the applicator according to the invention comprises two end bodies, each comprising at least one comb tooth, wherein the end bodies surround the at least one application body and wherein the design thereof corresponds to that of an application body without the corresponding application channel. Due to the fact that it must be expected that the areas, which are combed through, overlap when combing through the hair, these overlap areas can be considered by means of corresponding end bodies, so that no additional product is applied to the hair in this area. An more effective application of the product to the hair is realized through this.

In addition, the object is solved by a use of an above-described applicator for applying a delousing agent based on dimethicone according to a further independent claim.

The object is furthermore solved by means of a delousing agent based on dimethicone as ready to use product in a container comprising an applicator for applying the delousing agent to hair according to a further independent claim. The applicator thereby comprises a housing comprising an application side and a connection side, a plurality of application bodies, each comprising an application channel extending therein, an outlet opening connected thereto and at least two comb teeth. The application bodies extend from the application side of the housing. The at least two comb teeth are disposed spaced apart from each other on an end of the receptive application body facing away from the application side of the housing and forming an intermediate space, in which the outlet opening is disposed. The connection side comprises an inlet for introducing the product into the application bodies as well as a connection device for connecting the housing to the container. Head lice can be fought reliably by means of this delousing agent, because the application of the delousing agent is simplified to a particularly high extent due to the advantageous applicator and because the reliability increases simultaneously.

The object is furthermore solved by means of a kit for treating a head lice attack, which comprises a product container comprising an opening, a composition based on dimethicone for treating a head lice attack and an applicator, which can be attached to the opening of the product container, for applying the composition to hair, having the above-described features and advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features, advantages and application possibilities of the instant invention result from the following description of the exemplary embodiments and the figures. All of the features, which are described and/or which are depicted, alone and in any combination thereby form the subject matter of the invention even independent on their composition in the individual claims or the dependencies thereof. The same reference numerals in the figures further represent the same or similar objects.

Figures la to le show an applicator according to the invention in sectional views, a top view and a three-dimensional view.

Figure 2 shows an applicator according to the invention on a product container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Figures la to le clearly show the exemplary design of an applicator 2 according to the invention. The applicator 2 according to the invention substantially consists of a housing 4 comprising an application side 6 and a connection side 8, which is located at an end of the housing 4 located opposite the application side. Exemplarily, four application bodies 10, each of which comprise an application channel 12, extend from the application side 6. The application channel 12 is to be understood as a continuous bore or as a continuous recess, respectively, which extends from the application side 6 of the housing 4 to a respective outlet opening 14. Exemplarily, two comb teeth 16, which are embodied such that they continuously supplement the shape of the application bodies 10 in the extension direction thereof, are disposed on the end of a respective application body 10, which faces away from the application side 6.

The comb teeth 16 are spaced apart from each other, wherein two comb teeth 16 of each application body 10 enclose a respective outlet opening 14.

The connection side 8 of the housing 4 comprises an inlet 18 for introducing the product into the application bodies 10.
This is carried out in that a continuous connection exists between the inlet 18 and the application channels 12.

The connection side 8 of the housing 4 further comprises a connection device 20, which is realized in the shape of an internal thread 22 in a substantially cylindrical section 24.
It is made possible through this to screw the housing 4 onto a product container, for example, which comprises a correspondingly shaped corresponding external thread.

In addition, the housing 4 comprises a bell-shaped closure 26, which is suitable for applying a torque from the outside for screwing together the applicator 2 according to the invention. Likewise, the closure 26 can provide for an overall shape, which is harmonic and optionally brand-oriented as well with a product container, which is to be screwed together.

Finally, just underneath the application side 6, the housing 4 comprises a substantially ring-shaped nozzle section 28, which is adapted to be inserted into a neck of the product container when connecting the housing 4 to a product container. Through this, a particularly well-sealing connection can be established between the applicator 2 according to the invention and the product container, without the connection device 20 having to provide the mechanical object of connecting as well as a sealing function. The intermediate space between the ring-shaped nozzle section 28 and the connection device 20 should be dimensioned such that a bottle neck can be screwed to the applicator 2 according to the invention, if possible without play. On an end facing the application side 6, the ring-shaped nozzle section 28 can comprise a recess 30, which firmly limits the screw-in depth of the neck of the product container, so as to reach a defined end position.

As can be seen in particular in Figures lb, id and le, the application bodies 10 and the comb teeth 16 attached thereon comprise a substantially triangular design, wherein the tip is rounded. It further becomes clear that the application bodies 10 and the corresponding comb teeth 16 form a longitudinal grouping, that is, all of the application bodies and comb teeth 16 form one row.

The application bodies 10 are surrounded on the outside by end bodies 32, which are equipped with comb teeth 16, but not with application channels 12. These end bodies are particularly useful, because the product, which is to be applied, is not applied twice to the overlapping areas of combing paths.

It becomes clear from Figure is that an application channel 12 comprises a larger width than a corresponding outlet opening 14. The illustration in the partial section in Figure lc is not to suggest that the outlet opening 14 is a circular opening, just like the application channel 12 must not be circular. Due to the triangular design of the application bodies 10 and the comb teeth 16, rectangular or slit-shaped application channels 12, respectively, are also possible. The ability of the applicator 2 according to the invention to be free from spills can be improved by means of the graduation of the width of the outlet opening 14 as compared to the width of the application channel 12.

A possible advantageous embodiment of the closure 26 could be visible from Figure ld. Trough-shaped depressions 34, which improve an application of a torque for screwing together the applicator 2 according to the invention, are illustrated therein.

As can clearly be seen by a person of skill in the art from the combination of Figures la to ld, the applicator 2 according to the invention can be produced as a one-piece component, for example by means of an injection molding process. For instance, the use of a plastic, such as polypropylene, polyethylene or other polyolefin plastics, for example, lend themselves hereby. This plastic must not be embodied to be rigid or semi-rigid, it could just as well comprise a sufficiently high elasticity, so that bothersome pressure or scratch stresses to the scalp of the test person do not occur in response to the application of a product to human hair.

An overall view of an applicator 2 according to the invention and of a product container 36, which is screwed to the applicator 2 according to the invention, is shown in Figure 2. There, an applicator 2 according to the invention is screwed to a neck 40 via the internal thread 22 with a correspondingly shaped external thread 38. The ring-shaped nozzle section 28 hereby penetrates into the neck 40 and forms a sealing connection between the applicator 2 according to the invention and the product container 36.

In the case of a sufficient elasticity of the product container 36, the delousing agent (or a different product), which is located in the product container 36, can be pushed into the applicator 2 according to the invention by applying pressure with a hand of an operator, where it then escapes from the outlet openings 14 between the corresponding comb teeth 16. In response to a simultaneous combing movement, individual strands of hair are guided between the respective comb teeth 16 and can be wetted with the product, which escapes from the respective outlet opening 14. By systematically combing the hair, all of the hair of the test person is wetted with the product from the product container 36, which is to be applied, if possible.

By using a delousing agent based on dimethicone comprising the particularly advantageous flow and spreading properties, which is also favored by the viscosity in a range between 5 mPas and 20 mPas, a particularly advantageous distribution of the delousing agent is attained by means of the applicator 2 according to the invention. It must then be expected that a complete killing of the lice is attained after a one-time use of the delousing agent based on dimethicone and after a very short reaction time, compared to other products on the market.

It is to be emphasized at this point that the applicator according to the invention is not limited to a use for applying a delousing agent. Instead, it is also possible to apply other substances or products, respectively, with the applicator according to the invention, in particular such substances, which comprise an average viscosity in a range between 5 mPas and 20 mPas.

In addition, it must be pointed out that "comprising" does not exclude any other elements or steps and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. It must furthermore be pointed out that features, which have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments, can also be used in combination with other features of other above-described exemplary embodiments. Reference numerals in the claims are not to be considered to be a limitation.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

2 applicator 4 housing 6 application side 8 connection side application body 12 application channel 14 outlet opening 16 comb tooth 18 inlet connection device 22 internal thread 24 cylindrical section 26 closure 28 nozzle section recess 32 end body 34 depression 36 product container 38 external thread neck

Claims

1. An applicator (2) for applying a product to hair, comprising - a housing (4) comprising an application side (6) and a connection side (8), - a plurality of application bodies (10), each comprising an application channel (12) extending therein and an outlet opening (14) connected thereto and at least two comb teeth (16), which are disposed spaced apart from each other at a side facing away from the application side (6) of the housing (4) and forming an intermediate space, wherein the outlet opening (14) is disposed in the intermediate space, wherein the application bodies (10) extend from the application side (6) of the hosing (4), wherein the connection side (8) comprises an inlet (18) for introducing the product into the application bodies (10) as well as a connection device (20) for connecting the housing (4) to a product container (36).

2. The applicator (2) according to claim 1, which is adapted to apply a product having a viscosity in a range of 2-200 mPas in response to a temperature of 25°C.

3. The applicator (2) according to claim 1, which is adapted to apply a product having a viscosity in a range of 5-20 mPas in response to a temperature of 25°C.

4. The applicator (2) according to claim 1, which is adapted to apply a product having a viscosity in a range of 13-15 mPas in response to a temperature of 25°C.

5. The applicator (2) according to claim 1 or 2, which is adapted to apply a delousing agent based on dimethicone.

6. The applicator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection side (8) of the housing (4) comprises a thread portion (24), which is cylindrical at least area by area, comprising an internal thread (22) for connecting to a neck (40) of the product container (36), which comprises a corresponding external thread (38).

7. The applicator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection side (8) comprises a substantially ring-shaped nozzle section (28), which is adapted to be inserted into a neck (40) of the product container (36) when connecting the housing (4) to the product container (36).

8. The applicator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet opening (14) is substantially round and comprises a diameter or an equivalent diameter in a range between 0.4 mm and 1.2 mm.

9. The applicator (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the outlet opening (14) comprises an elongated or gap-like shape, the smallest extension of which comprises a measure in a range between 0.4 mm and 1.2 mm.

10. The applicator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the application channel (12) comprises a shape, which corresponds to the shape of the outlet opening (14) and the smallest extension of which comprises a measure in a range between 0.6 mm and 1.6 mm.

11. The applicator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or more application bodies (10), which are disposed spaced apart from each other on the application side (6) of the housing (4).

12. The applicator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or more comb teeth (16), which are spaced apart from each other, comprising at least one outlet opening (14) in at least one intermediate space at each application body (10).

13. The applicator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising two end bodies (32), each comprising at least one comb tooth (16), wherein the end bodies (32) surround the at least one application body (10) and wherein the design thereof corresponds to that of an application body (10) without the corresponding application channel (12).

14. A use of an applicator (2) according to one of claims 1 to 13 for applying a delousing agent based on dimethicone.

15. A delousing agent based on dimethicone as a ready to use product in a product container (36) comprising an applicator (2) for applying the delousing agent to hair according to one of claims 1 to 13.

16. A kit for treating a head lice attack, comprising - a product container (36) comprising an opening, - a composition based on dimethicone for treating a head lice attack and - an applicator (2), which can be attached to the opening of the product container (36) according to one of claims 1-13 for applying the composition to hair.