EP0884008B1 - Device for applying a haircare product to hair strands - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for applying wicks of a product. capillary. The invention is particularly suitable for the application of a product for coloring the locks.

There are several types of hair coloring products: coloring temporary, semi-permanent coloring, permanent so-called oxidation coloring. All these coloring products can be in the form of cream, foam, or liquid of higher or lower viscosity. The products of coloring in liquid or gel form, can be used, possibly after mixture, from a "hot water bottle" or from a bowl.

Typically, the colors used from a bowl are intended either for global use, called "whole head", in which the hair is completely impregnated with the product, with a view to modifying the color of the whole, ie a more partial use, called "wicks", where only certain parts of the hair are soaked in product, in order to obtain, once the treatment is finished, an inhomogeneous effect of color, thus emphasizing this or that movement of the hair with shades of lighter or darker colors than the natural or overall shade of the hair.

According to a first known technique for carrying out such an application in wicks, we use a "wick cap" tightly covering the hair. The wicks to be colored are extracted from the cap, through orifices evenly distributed over the surface of the cup, by means of a hook type device. The coloring product is applied to the locks thus extracted, in the same manner as that used for a "whole head" coloring. The product is generally applied by means of with a brush. After complete treatment, remove the wicking cap and colored hair returns to its natural place.

The wicking cap technique is particularly tedious, and besides three major drawbacks. Indeed, after applying the hat, the hair are plated and the wicks extracted through the holes are randomly drawn, this which can lead to a result, in particular in terms of distribution of the locks, which is significantly different from the expected result. In addition, the size of wicks extracted is proportional to the diameter of the bonnet holes. This diameter being generally small (typically of the order of 1 mm to 2 mm), it results in poor juxtaposition of the locks. Finally, due to the thickness of the cup, and the thickness of the locks, due to the fact that the extracted hair are not necessarily those whose implantation on the scalp is opposite from the orifice through which they are extracted, it turns out that the coloring product deposited by this technique, does not go to the hairline, which harms the natural look of the result.

To overcome these shortcomings, a number of application devices have been imagined. In general, these application devices are derived either from comb, either with a brush or a combination of the two. Such devices are described for example in patent US-A-5,146,936 or US-A-4,691,720.

Such devices generally suffer from the same drawbacks, linked to the fact that they are used by attacking the hair from its side outside, ie on top. The product is deposited mainly on the wick surface, and little inside, the applicator then being moved relatively to the wick, from the root to the tip. Now during this movement, experience shows that the user tends to lift the applicator and make it leave a trajectory parallel to the curvature of the skull. As a result, a certain number of hairs detach from the applicator to fall back on the hair. This hair will therefore not be colored, in the case of a coloring product. The result obtained is therefore far from satisfactory.

Another type of wick type applicator is described in US-A-4 942 893. With this type of applicator, the part of the hair to be colored is introduced into a sealed capsule, containing coloring product. The wicks are kept in the capsule for the entire time necessary to the action of the coloring product. This type of applicator is well suited for the application of product requiring a certain time of installation, but is not all suitable for coloring in highlights mentioned above.

Wicking coloring devices are also known from the documents US-A-3,030,968, US-A-2,705,499, and US-A-2,463,611. All of these devices suffer from a major drawback linked to the complexity of their use. Indeed, with all these devices, it is necessary to withdraw the wick manually, or with a suitable auxiliary tool and position it on the applicator member. Besides the tedious nature of these operations, it is very difficult to be able to apply product starting at the hairline.

Document US-A-5,060,679 describes a device for applying a fluid product comprising a handle, rotatably mounted on a reservoir containing the product fluid, and a piston to force the output of the fluid towards a nozzle applicator so as to be applied to a lock of hair. Because of its configuration, it is difficult to adequately retain the wick relative to the applicator tip, especially when the latter is moved by compared to the wick.

It is therefore one of the objects of the invention to provide a device for the application in locks of a hair product, not having the disadvantages discussed above with reference to the devices of the technique earlier.

It is in particular an object of the invention to provide a device allowing the application of a hair product, which is easy to use, and which allows applying the product over the entire length of the wick, from the root to its free end.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device making it possible to obtain a wicked hairstyle whose strands can go from root to tip, including the width remains natural, and whose position emphasizes with grace and elegance such or such movement of the hair or facial feature.

Other objects of the invention will appear in detail in the description following.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by producing a device for the application in strands of a hair product, comprising application means suitable for load in hair product, the application of the hair product on the insulated lock is making by application contacting said wick at a given point of the wick with said application means and by displacement of the means of application relative to said wick from said point, towards a free end of the wick, retaining means being provided to maintain the wick in application contact with the application means throughout said displacement, means being provided for, before treatment of a given lock, isolate said lock from the rest of the hair, and position it appropriately with respect to said application means, the latter being carried by a first part of the device, articulated around an axis relative to a second part of the device forming the retaining means. Preferably, said given point is located as close as possible to the root of the wick, so as to give as much natural possible on application. So, with a single gesture, without having to manipulate the wick with fingers, the user takes a precise wick, which can also be as fine as possible, and automatically positions it next to the means application. The gesture is simple, precise, and allows to quickly realize the wicking color desired.

In addition, while allowing relative movement between the bit and the means application (substantially along the axis of the wick), the retaining device substantially prevents movement (perpendicular to the axis of the drill bit) which would lead to breaking the contact between the means of application and all or part of the wick that has been isolated. The wick thus maintained cannot be separated from means of application before these reach the tip of the wick.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device has an X axis and comprises a first part, the first end of which carries the means application, the retaining means consisting of a second articulated part on the first around an axis A located near a second end of the first part, and perpendicular to the X axis, so that fall back on the second, said second part having means of reception for, in the folded position, to engage with the means application, and keep the wick in contact with the application means of application, during the displacement of the means of application relative to said wick when the latter is disposed between the first part and the second part. With such a configuration, the wick is "pinched" between the two parts of the device, without being too tight so as to allow the sliding of the device along the wick, from its root to the tip.

Advantageously, said means for, before treatment of a given lock, isolate said lock from the rest of the hair, and position it appropriately relative to said application means, comprise a pointed member formed by a free end of the second part, and disposed adjacent to the receiving means, and means forming an axial stop, arranged so adjacent to the receiving means, opposite the pointed member. The point is used like a "comb tail" to select a wick given. The means forming an axial stop, prevent the sampled wick from slipping axially in the direction of the articulation zone of the two parts, and therefore allows to maintain the wick taken opposite the application means. Such a design allows a particularly simple "design", which can be obtained from very economically by conventional molding techniques, do not not requiring the use of expensive molds.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first part is articulated by relative to the second so that it can be in a maximum opening position, form between them an angle greater than or equal to about 90 °, means being provided for, reversibly immobilizing the first part relative to the second in an intermediate position by forming an angle less than 90 °. Of more preferably, the maximum opening angle is greater than or equal to 180 °, the opening angle of the intermediate position being between 20 and 70 °. So, in the maximum open position, the applicator member, disposed about 180 ° from the second part, can be immersed in a bowl containing the composition to apply. The sampling of the wick to be treated is then done by placing the device in the intermediate position, which facilitates it in a wide measures manipulation. Typically, the angle of the intermediate position is about 45 °.

Advantageously, the device comprises elastic means, capable of constrain in abutment an organ carried by one of said first or second parts, against an area of an elastically deformable member carried by the other of said first or second parts, so as to immobilize so reversible the first part with respect to the second in said position intermediate. This realization allows in a simple way, with substantially no additional cost, nor addition of additional parts, to immobilize the device in said intermediate position.

The application means may include at least one row of teeth aligned parallel to the X axis. The teeth can be aligned or arranged in staggered, or irregularly, depending on the applications to be obtained.

According to one possible embodiment, the application means comprise, besides the teeth, tufts of hair. The tufts of hair can be arranged alternating with the teeth, the bristles being less than the length teeth. Such tufts of hair serve to retain the product, and to distribute it with even more regularity over the entire length of the treated wick. Alternatively, the tufts of hair are arranged in the form of at least one row parallel to the row (s) of teeth. According to another variant, the tufts of hair are arranged randomly around the teeth. According to one still another variant, the application means consist solely of bristles, as in the case of a mascara brush type brush formed by a arrangement of hairs arranged radially around a central core, in particular metallic.

Advantageously, the application means are arranged in two rows parallel located on either side of the X axis, the receiving means intended for come into engagement with the application means being made up of a portion of the second part, whose width perpendicular to the X axis is slightly less than the distance between the two rows, so that in position folded from the second part to the first, said portion is engaged between the two rows on a given height.

The device may include a stop to limit the height of engagement of said portion between the two rows of application means. This feature prevents the wick from being too tight between the two parts of the device.

Alternatively, the application means are arranged in an aligned row on the X axis, the reception means intended to come into engagement with the application means consisting of an axial groove formed on a surface of the second part opposite the application means, and intended for receive the free end of the teeth.

Positioning means can be provided between the means and axis A, so as to encourage the engagement of means of application and means of reception. Such means participate in guiding the folding movement of the second part onto the first, and avoid in particular any angular deviation (or torsion) of one of the parts by relation to the other, which deviation would inevitably lead to a bad positioning of the application means relative to the reception means. This characteristic is particularly advantageous when the hinge connecting the two parts are film hinge type.

By way of example, said positioning means comprise a boss provided on one of said first or second part, and intended to come in engagement with a corresponding recess provided on the other of said first or second part, when folding the second part on the first.

Advantageously, the device is produced by molding at least one material thermoplastic chosen from polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polystyrenes, polyvinyl chlorides, polyethylene terephthalates, etc. Still other materials can be used according to the invention. Such a device can be molded in one piece, advantageously without undercut. he can therefore be manufactured at a cost price perfectly suited to its use in coloring kits sold in supermarkets.

The hair product can be a coloring product. Alternatively, it can be a cream or a treatment product.

• la figure 1 représente une vue en perspective d'un premier mode de réalisation du dispositif selon l'invention;
• les figures 2A-2C illustrent d'autres vues du dispositif représenté en perspective à la figure 1;
• les figures 3A-3D illustrent le fonctionnement du dispositif illustré aux figures 1 et 2A-2C; et
• les figures 4A-4C illustrent un second mode de réalisation du dispositif selon l'invention.
• la figure 5 illustre une articulation préférentielle utilisée dans un mode de réalisation avantageux de l'invention.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below, with reference to nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, described with reference to the appended figures, among which:

• Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention;
• Figures 2A-2C illustrate other views of the device shown in perspective in Figure 1;
• Figures 3A-3D illustrate the operation of the device illustrated in Figures 1 and 2A-2C; and
• Figures 4A-4C illustrate a second embodiment of the device according to the invention.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred articulation used in an advantageous embodiment of the invention.

Figures 1 and 2A-2C, to which reference is now made, illustrate different views of a first embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention. Like a pair of pliers, it is made up of two parts 2, 3: one 2 carrying the application means 4, the other 3 articulated on the first (around a axis A) so as to fold over it, and to imprison the wick to be treated, so as to keep it in application contact with the application means 4.

Advantageously, the device came from molding, in one piece, of a thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The axis hinge A consists of a film hinge.

As shown in the open position in Figures 2B and 2C, the device is of axis X. The application means are arranged on the free end of part 2. These application means consist of two rows of teeth 5, each rows being located on either side of the X axis, and extending parallel said axis. The teeth are between 5 mm and 20 mm long, and preferably between 10 mm and 15 mm. Between the application means 4 and the axis hinge A, a recess or guide groove 6 is provided, suitable for receiving a boss 7 provided on a corresponding portion of the second part 3. Thus, passing from the open position to the closed position shown in FIG. 2A, the boss 7, of convex profile, enters the groove 6, thus guiding the folding movement from part 3 to part 2 This characteristic ensures good positioning of the application means 4 relative to the means of reception 13 correspondents provided for in part 3.

Part 3 (at least at the level of its part intended to come opposite the application means) is slightly less wide than the spacing between the two rows of teeth 5, so that, by folding part 2 over part 3, the portion 13, facing the teeth 5, engages between the rows of teeth 5, thus allowing to lock a lock of hair between the two parts 2, 3 of the device. This portion 13 defines reception means, suitable according to the invention to maintain the wick in application contact with the teeth 5 of the device. of the means 9, arranged adjacent to the receiving means 13, between said receiving means and the boss 7 perform a dual function. These means form on the one hand a shoulder 10 capable of preventing a wick, taken in a manner described in more detail later, to slide in the direction of the hinge A. These means also form a stop 11 or suitable flat to limit the engagement of the portion 13 between the rows of teeth 5. Typically, this stop is arranged so as to allow a height 5 to 10 mm of engagement, thus leaving a free height between the teeth, of the order of 5 to 7 mm. This height is sufficient to allow, as we will see it in more detail with reference to Figures 3A to 3D, to slide the device along the wick, when the latter is disposed between the teeth 5 of the device 1.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the part 3 is of axial length greater than the axial length of part 2. Thus; the end free 8 of part 3 forms a point 12, which, in the manner of a "tail of comb "will be used, as will be seen in more detail below, to remove a wick, and position it appropriately in relation to the means application 4 and the receiving means 13.

To use the device according to the invention, the consumer proceeds in the manner following: After having prepared its coloring composition (P) (in a bowl 20 for example), the consumer grabs the applicator by part 3, holding the applicator unfolded. It immerses the application means 4 in the mixture (figure 3A), so that a sufficient amount of mixture for a wick is held between and around the teeth 5. The liquid, essentially holds by surface tension or capillary effect. The greater or lesser viscosity of the composition promotes its hold on the means of application. Teeth can have been the subject of a treatment (by corona effect, or chemically, by example) so as to modify the surface condition, and to favor the attachment of the product on the means of application, as well as its transport for a application. Reliefs of the streak type, grooves, can also be provided at this effect on the teeth 5 of the application means.

Then, the consumer selects the wick (21) that she wants to treat using end 12 (Figure 3B), using it exactly like the tail of a comb tail, which allows very great precision in the choice and selection of the wick, in its width and depth. Stop 9 prevents wicking selected to slide further forward towards hinge A, holding it thus with regard to the reception means 13.

After that, the consumer closes the applicator on itself (Figure 3C), rotating around the axis defined by the film hinge A. In the closed position, the boss 7 enters the guide groove 6, to prevent formation an angle of deviation of the respective axes of parts 2 and 3, thus allowing the rows of teeth to position themselves precisely on either side of the receiving means 13. The wick (21) is thus trapped in space delimited by the surface supporting the teeth 5, the surface 13 facing the teeth, and teeth 5 themselves. The selected wick (21) is then "drowned" at its root by the coloring product (P). According to another mode of use of the device according to this embodiment, the user partially closes the device (so as to have part 2 forming an angle of approximately 45 ° for example, with part 3), and take the bit from this position partially folded, which favors handling with one hand. She then completely close the device to apply the product to the wick selected.

Then simply slide the applicator 1 into the closed position towards the tip of the wick (21) to soak it in depth, and so regular, from root to tip (Figure 3D). This process is repeated as many whenever we want.

Thus, with the application device according to the invention, it is clear that the wick treated (21) is completely under control and maintained throughout its treatment. At the end of the gesture, i.e. when the applicator reaches the tip of the wick, this is carefully rested on the rest of the hair. In the case of a coloring product, its viscosity is such that the product cannot migrate from significantly to other untreated hair, so as not to affect the aesthetics of the application thus produced.

The embodiment of Figures 4A-4C differs from that of the figures discussed above in that the application means 4 consist of a single row of teeth 5, which row is centered on the X axis of the device 1. Two teeth adjacent are separated by a tuft of bristles 30, the length of which is preferably slightly less than the length of the teeth 5 which surround it. As for example, for teeth whose length can be of the order of 9 to 10 mm, the length of the bristles is of the order of 7 to 8 mm. The role of tufts of hair is to retain the product, and distribute it with even more regularity over the entire length of the treated wick. Indeed, these gradually release the product they transport, ensuring a uniform deposit of product over the entire length of the drill bit. As previously stated, tufts of hair may be arranged differently from the teeth. Besides, such tufts of hair can also be used in the embodiment previous, with two rows of teeth.

The receiving means 13 consist of a recess, shaped under form of a groove 31 (centered on the X axis) arranged to receive the free end of the teeth 5, and possibly tufts of bristles 30, arranged between teeth 5. As an illustration, the groove may have a depth between 2 mm and 5 mm. The rest of the device, as well as its operation, are identical to what has just been described with reference to previous figures.

FIG. 5, to which reference is now made, illustrates an articulation preferential, carried out between part 2 carrying the application means and the part 3 carrying the reception means intended to be compared with means of application. According to this embodiment, the joint is constituted a central connecting strip 101, which, in the 180 ° open position of the device, substantially forms a rounded V, and a first end of which is integral with part 2, and the other end of which is integral with part 3. The articulation also has two side bands 106, located on either side of the central connecting strip 101. Each of the lateral strips 106 comprises a thinner zone defining a film hinge, forming the axis hinge A of the device. Part 2 also has two V-shaped portions, 100, inverted with respect to the V formed by the central connecting strip 101 of which a branch 104 is substantially perpendicular to the axis of part 2, and of which the other branch 105 is oriented substantially at 45 ° relative to the first 104. The portions 100 are arranged on the outer edges of the part 2, at the in the vicinity of articulation zone A. Part 3 also relates to its two edges, projecting outwardly from the edges, two pins 102 which, when folding movement of part 2 on part 3, by elastic deformation branches 104 of the V-shaped portions, 100, cross said branches 104. Thus, by interrupting the closing movement of part 2 on part 3, the pins 7, positioned inside the V formed by the parts 100, are stressed in elastic return (produced by the central connecting strip 101, placed under stress during closing) against a stop formed at the level of the junction 103 between branches 104 and 105 of V 100, which allows to have a intermediate opening position about 45 ° from the device, which position opening to a large extent promotes manipulation of the device when removing a given wick for processing. To completely close the device, for the application of the product on the wicks, just press on part 2. When opening the device in order to withdraw a new dose of product, the crossing of the lugs 102 by elastic deformation of the branches 104, is the even.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to modes of preferred embodiments of the invention. Obviously there may be variations made without departing from the invention as claimed below.

Claims (18)

1. Device (1) for applying a hair care product (P) to locks of hair, comprising applicator means (4) capable of becoming laden with hair care product, the hair care product being applied to the isolated lock of hair by bringing the said lock (21) at a given point on the lock into application contact with the said applicator means (4) and by moving the applicator means (4) relative to the said lock of hair from the said point onwards to a free end of the lock, retaining means (3, 13) being provided for holding the lock of hair (21) in application contact with the applicator means (4) throughout the said movement, the device comprising means (9, 10, 12) for, before a given lock of hair (21) is treated, picking out the said lock (21) from the head of hair and positioning it appropriately with respect to the said applicator means (4), characterized in that these latter (4) are carried by a first part (2) of the device, which part is articulated about an axis (A) with respect to a second part (3) of the device which forms the said retaining means.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the device is of axis X, the axis of articulation (A) of the first part (2) with respect to the second (3) being located near a second end of the first part (2) and perpendicular to the axis X so as to be able to fold down onto the second, the said second part (3) having receiving means (13) so as, in the folded position, to engage with the applicator means (4) and to hold the lock of hair (21) in application contact with the applicator means (4) while the applicator means are being moved relative to the said lock (21) when the latter is arranged between the first part (2) and the second part (3).
3. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the said means (9, 10, 12) for isolating the said lock (21) from the rest of the head of hair prior to treatment of a given lock (21) and for positioning it appropriately with respect to the said applicator means (4) comprise a pointed member (12) formed of a free end of the second part (3) and arranged adjacent to the receiving means (13), and means forming an axial stop which are arranged adjacent to the receiving means, at the opposite end to the pointed member (12).
4. Device according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first part (2) is articulated with respect to the second (3) in such a way as to be able, in a wide open position, to form between them an angle greater than or equal to about 90°, means (100-105) being provided to reversibly immobilize the first part with respect to the second in an intermediate position forming an angle smaller than 90°.
5. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the wide-open angle is greater than or equal to about 180°, the angle of the intermediate position being between 20 and 70°.
6. Device according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that it comprises elastic means (101) capable of forcing a member (102) carried by one of the said first (2) or second (3) parts into abutment against a region (103) of an elastically deformable member (100) carried by the other of the said first (2) or second (3) parts, so as to reversibly immobilize the first part (2) with respect to the second (3) in the said intermediate position.
7. Device according to any one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the applicator means (4) comprise at least one row of teeth (5) aligned parallel to the axis X.
8. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the applicator means comprise tufts of bristles (30).
9. Device according to Claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the tufts of bristles (30) are arranged so that they alternate with the said teeth (5), the bristles being shorter than the teeth.
10. Device according to Claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the tufts of bristles (30) are arranged in the form of at least one row parallel to the row(s) of teeth (5) or randomly around the said teeth (5).
11. Device according to any one of Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the applicator means are arranged in two parallel rows situated one on each side of the axis X, the receiving means intended to engage with the applicator means consisting of a portion (13) of the second part (3), whose width perpendicular to the axis X is slightly smaller than the distance separating the two rows so that when the second part (3) is in the position in which it is folded onto the first (2), the said portion (13) is engaged between the two rows over a given height.
12. Device according to Claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a stop (9, 11) for limiting the depth of engagement of the said portion (13) between the two rows of the applicator means (4).
13. Device according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the applicator means are arranged in a row aligned on the axis X, the receiving means (13) intended to engage with the applicator means (4) consisting of an axial groove (31) formed on a surface of the second part facing the applicator means (4) and intended to receive the free end of the teeth (5).
14. Device according to any one of Claims 2 to 13, characterized in that positioning means (6, 7) are provided between the applicator means (4) and the axis A, so as to encourage the applicator means (4) and the receiving means (13) to engage.
15. Device according to Claim 14, characterized in that the said positioning means comprise a boss (7) provided on one of the said first or second parts, and intended to engage with a corresponding recess (6) provided on the other of the said first or second parts, when the second part (3) is in the position in which it is folded down onto the first (2).
16. Device according to any one of Claims 2 to 15, characterized in that it is produced by moulding at least one thermoplastic material chosen from polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polystyrenes, polyvinyl chlorides, polyethylene terephthalates, etc.
17. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second part (3) is articulated to the first (2) about an axis of articulation (A) consisting of a film hinge.
18. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hair care product (P) is a colouring product.

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