EP1566114A1 - Device for applying a hair care product to hair strands - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (10) has a core, and end plates (12, 13) delimiting the core. One plate is formed of an elastically deformable material, such that it contacts with the other plate when a tuft of hair is wound on the core, where the plates are in a single stable equilibrium position. The plates have a slit (30) at their peripheral edges for inserting a tuft portion, and pads extending in preset direction to retain the tuft on the core. An independent claim is also included for a process for applying hair products.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for the application in locks of a hair product, in particular a coloring or discoloration product and a capillary treatment method using this device.

The device of the invention can be used for any other hair treatment, such as permanent waving of the hair, or other treatments specific.

There are various techniques for wicking a product capillary. Document FR 2 802 066 for example describes a device application of a hair dye product formed by an organ elastically deformable housed in a rigid receptacle. The organ elastically deformable delimits a reserve of product and includes a slot that a strand to color can cross. The slot is configured so to allow movement of the device relative to the wick, according to a longitudinal direction to said wick. During this trip, the wick is contacting the product contained in the device to be coated. The slot is not configured to house an entire strand of hair in order to keep it in contact with the product for a certain time.

The document FR 2 618 987 describes a device for the application of a product intended to form a permanent wave on a lock of hair. The device is formed by a tube that terminates at each end by a flabby, the lock of hair to be treated being intended to be wrapped around the tube. The wick is thus held between the two flanges by a pin to hair which is fixed in holes provided in the flanges. The product can then be applied on the wick. Such a device is not very effective for keep a wick in contact with the product. In addition, it does not allow to apply a very fluid product because nothing would prevent the product from sinking out of the device. In addition, the product being applied once the wick is wound, part of the wick may not be properly coated.

US 2 555 933 discloses a curler for making loops of hair. The curler consists of a cylindrical core on which a wick hair can be rolled up. The core ends at each of its ends by a conically shaped gripping portion which deviates from the core by flaring outward. A lock of hair can be rolled up around the kernel in this first stable configuration. Once a wick is wound, it is necessary to deform the two conical portions by turning them towards each other to keep the lock on the core by the gripping portions that then cover it in this second stable configuration. The use of this curler requires several manipulations which does not make the curler easy to use when applied on his own head.

Also, is it an object of the invention to provide a device for the application in locks of a hair product resolving in whole or in part the problems discussed above with reference to conventional devices.

It is in particular an object of the invention to provide a device for the wick application of a hair product, which makes it possible to improve sensitive the degree of impregnation of the locks.

It is another object of the invention to provide such a device which enables an easy application for the consumer.

It is also an object of the invention to provide such a device which is simple to manufacture.

Still other objects will appear in the following detailed description.

According to the invention, these objects can be achieved by providing a device for the application in locks of a hair product, in particular a product of coloring or discoloration, comprising a core on which the wick is adapted to be wound, the winding core being delimited by two flanges, at least one of the flanges being at least partly made of material elastically deformable, so that it can be brought, at least in part, in contact with the other flange, particularly when a wick is the flanges having a single position of stable equilibrium are wound on the core.

Such a configuration makes it possible to dispose of the product between the two flanges, in contact with the wick wrapped around the core. In addition, using a flange at least partly resiliently deformable which can come into contact on the other flange, it is possible to knead the wick arranged between the two flanges with the product to imbibe product, and this at different times during the laying period. By this mixing, the fibers are allowed to slip different from each other with the product to be applied so that it improves the impregnation of the product in the keratin fibers. In in addition, the flanges can take only one position of stable equilibrium, that is to say that in the absence of external constraint they can not take only one position, the device is very simple to use. Indeed, the device keep the same position, either when setting up a wick or during the exposure time.

In the vicinity of its periphery, at least one of the flanges may comprise on its internal surface of suitable means, in cooperation with a portion of the other flaccid, to retain a wick on the core.

According to one embodiment, at least one of the flanges may comprise a bead extending radially towards the other flange, away from the core, so as to retain a lock on the core. According to another mode of realization, each flange may comprise a bead, the two beads being next to each other. The two flanges can be substantially at contact one of the other at the or bead (s) when the flange is not distorted. By "substantially in contact" with each other, we mean flanges in contact with one another, or at least millimeter. This (s) bead (s) allows (thereby) to maintain the wick around the core so that when coated with product, it can stay in touch product for a relatively long time.

At least one of the flanges may comprise one or more slot (s) opening onto a peripheral edge of said flange so as to allow insert a portion of a wick to immobilize it on the device, especially after its winding on the core. The slot can open between the two flasks.

The periphery of at least one of the flanges can be beveled on its face internally in order to facilitate the passage of the wick between the two flanges in seen from its winding around the nucleus.

The periphery of the core may be circular, polygonal or other.

According to one embodiment, the two flanges can be made in elastically deformable material. The core can also be realized in elastically deformable material.

The elastically deformable material may be a material suitable for imbibing product, in particular a porous or fibrous material, for example a foam, especially polyethylene.

The elastically deformable material can be chosen from the group of elastomers of propylene / ethylene copolymers; polyether blockamides; polyvinyls; terpolymers of ethylene, propylene and a diene (EPDM); sequenced styrene-butadiene polymers (SBS); styrene-ethylene-butadiene block polymers (SEBS-SIS); of the thermoplastic polyurethanes; polypropylene blends with one of following elastomers: styrene-ethylene-butadiene copolymers sequences (SEBS-SIS); terpolymers of ethylene, propylene and a diene (EPDM); styrene-butadiene block copolymers (SBS).

At least a portion of the outer surface of at least one of the flanges is impervious to the product. It is thus possible to knead the device without defiling the fingers.

The subject of the invention is also, independently or in combination with this above, a device for application in locks of a hair product, in particular a coloring or bleaching product comprising a core on which the wick is able to be wound, the winding core being delimited by two flanges, at least one of the flanges being at least partly made of elastically deformable material, in particular so that it may be brought, at least in part, into contact with the other flange, particular when a wick is wound on the core, the material being suitable for imbibe product.

The subject of the invention is also, independently or in combination with this above, a device for application in locks of a hair product, in particular a coloring or bleaching product comprising a core on which the wick is able to be wound, the winding core being delimited by two flanges, at least one of the flanges being at least partly made of elastically deformable material, in particular so that it may be brought, at least in part, into contact with the other flange, particular when a wick is wound on the core, the flanges being configured to prevent the flow of product from wicks to the outside, through the flanges.

a) isoler une mèche de cheveux à enduire avec le produit ;

b) disposer du produit capillaire entre les deux flasques d'un dispositif qui comprend un noyau délimité par deux flasques, au moins l'un des flasques étant au moins en partie réalisé en matériau élastiquement déformable,

c) enrouler la mèche de cheveux isolée autour du noyau du dispositif.

According to another of its aspects, the invention relates to a method for the application in locks of a hair product, in particular a coloring or discoloration product, said method consisting in:

a) isolate a lock of hair to be coated with the product;

b) disposing of the capillary product between the two flanges of a device which comprises a core delimited by two flanges, at least one of the flanges being at least partly made of elastically deformable material,

c) wrapping the insulated lock of hair around the core of the device.

The wick can be wrapped around the core before disposing of the product between the two flanges, and / or after.

It is then possible to knead at least one of the flanges made at least in part of elastically deformable material so as to imbibe the lock of product.

The invention can be used to apply a relatively fluid product, in particular a product in liquid form, in the form of a cream, or in the form of a gel.

• la figure 1 illustre une vue en perspective d'un mode de réalisation d'un dispositif pour l'application en mèche d'un produit capillaire selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente en coupe le mode de réalisation du dispositif illustré à la figure 1 ; et
• la figure 3 illustre le dispositif de la figure 1 en cours d'utilisation.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, in 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:

• FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a device for wicking a hair product according to the invention;
• Figure 2 shows in section the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; and
• Figure 3 illustrates the device of Figure 1 in use.

The device 10 according to the invention is provided to allow the application in wick a hair product, especially a coloring or discoloration product.

According to the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the device 10 is formed of a only piece of an elastically deformable material. The device 10 comprises a core 11, circular periphery, surrounded by two flanges 12 and 13 which define, with the core, an annular groove 20 intended to contain the product to apply and a lock of hair to be treated that is wrapped around the nucleus. In particular, the flanges 12 and 13 can not take that a single position of stable equilibrium which is that illustrated in the figures.

According to the illustrated example, each flange 12 and 13 has an outer face 14 and substantially planar. Alternatively, the outer faces of the flanges may be slightly domed or concave, or have any other form.

Instead of having a circular periphery, core 11 could alternatively have an oval, polygonal or other circumference. In the example illustrated, the flanges 12 and 13 are thin so that the resulting device is in the form of a disk grooved, but it is not beyond the scope of the invention if flanges are used with a thicker slice so as to form a cylinder. We can also provide that the device comprises several nuclei delimited by several flanges more or less thick so as to wrap several wicks at the same time.

According to the illustrated example, the two flanges 12 and 13 are substantially symmetrical so that the groove 20 is substantially straight and is formed in a plane parallel to the plane of the outer faces 14 and 15 of the flanges. Alternatively, the two flanges 12 and 13 may have a different shape so that the groove is not centered. The groove can also extend in an oblique plane to the plane of the flanges. Instead of being straight, the groove can also be slightly curved.

As can be seen in more detail in FIG. 2, the groove 20 is delimited by the internal faces 16 and 17 of the flanges which extend from the core 11 to the edge of the flanges 12 and 13.

The inner faces 16 and 17 of the flanges are spaced apart from each other. to form a portion 24 of the groove, adjacent to the core 11, relatively wide. This portion 24 of the groove is intended to receive product and a lock of hair. Each flask then has on its inner face 16, 17 a circular bead 18, 19, the two beads being facing one another, so as to form a necking 23 in the groove, to distance from the core 11. The constriction 23 allows in particular to maintain the wick hair and the product inside the portion 24 of the groove. The two internal faces 16 and 17 are then slightly separated from each other at level of necking when the device is not deformed. We can also provide that the two inner faces 16 and 17 are in contact with each other at level of shrinkage. The two flanges 12 and 13 are then bevelled at level of their periphery, on their inner face 16 and 17 which deviate one from the other so as to form a portion 22 of the groove which is flared for lead to the periphery of the device. This portion 22 facilitates the introduction of a wick inside the groove.

The flanges are furthermore devoid of openings which would allow the flow of the product from the wicks to the outside, through the flanges.

A slot 30 visible in Figures 1 and 3 is further provided on the slice of one of the flanges to fix the lock of hair housed in the groove on the device. The slot 30 is defined by two edges 30a and 30b in contact with each other. the other when the device is not deformed. The slot 30 extends in a plane forming a non-zero angle with the plane in which the groove 20 is formed, and preferably in a plane orthogonal to the plane of the groove 20. The slot 30 opens into the groove 20 and allows in particular to maintain the end of the wick on the application member, as seen in Figure 3. The slot 30 can be straight or alternatively slightly curved. It can also extend along several axes, and in particular have the shape of a T or Y when one is placed in a plane parallel to the plane of the groove.

The device 10 could also comprise a plurality of divided slots 30, preferably on the edge of one of the flanges, so as to minimize the length of the wick portion close to the roots hair that will not be retained in the groove. Slots can be formed on a single flange or on each flange, on either side of the groove. For example, it is possible to alternate them on both sides of the groove.

Depending on the length of the wicks to be treated, a groove is chosen more or less long, more or less deep and more or less wide. We will choose also the spacing between the two faces 16 and 17 at the necking 23 depending on the viscosity of the product to be applied. For example, the diameter the core is approximately equal to 12 mm. The depth of the groove, namely the distance between the edge of the flanges and the core 11 is approximately equal to 14 mm. The depth of the widest portion 24 of the groove is approximately equal to 9 mm. Finally, the faces 16 and 17 are separated by a distance of about equal to 5 mm at the portion 24 of the groove 20 and a distance about 1 mm at the necking.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device is made of foam, in particular made of polyethylene foam with open or semi-open cells, so as to absorb and retain product in contact with the wick.

The device preferably comprises an external surface impervious to product to prevent the user from defiling the fingers and to concentrate the produced towards the groove 20 and the wick it contains.

The outer surface of the product impermeable device can be obtained when molding it by contacting the material of this device with the mold walls. A skin is then formed on the surface.

Preferably, a solid disc is molded and then the groove of in such a way that the internal faces 16 and 17 of the flanges are permeable to product. Alternatively, the device can be obtained by cutting a block of foam and covered with a film of material impermeable to the product. The film can then be fixed, for example by gluing, on the outer faces 14 and 15 of the flanges. More preferably, the film also covers the portion of flanges, on both sides of the groove 20.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the device may be made of foam Closed cell. In this case, the product is not soaked in the device but remains only housed in the groove 20. This variant is more particularly suitable for the application of a more viscous product or a cream.

The device 10 can also be flocked, in particular on the internal faces 16 and 17 flanges and on the core 11, so as to facilitate the winding and the retention of the wick inside the groove 20. The floc also allows to increase the area of contact between the hair of the wick and the product which is retained in the groove. The floc also gives a softness to the device that prevents damage to the hair.

To use the device according to the invention, a lock of hair of the whole of the hair. The coloring product is introduced into the groove 20. The insulated wick is then inserted into the groove by attaching the tip of the wick in the slot 30, as seen in Figure 3. The wick is then wound in the groove up to the root. Depending on the thickness of the wick and the width of the necking 23, we will force slightly the passage of the wick at the necking, slightly spreading the flanges of one another. To improve the attachment of the wick in the device can also fix the portion of the wick near the root in the slot 30.

The user can slightly press on the two flanges 12 and 13 so to knead the wick and the product contained in the groove. This mixing allows a slight movement of the hair relative to each other which improves the penetration of the product in the wick.

It is thus possible to coat a lock of hair on substantially all its length, ie between the root and the tip, but one can also apply of the product on only a portion of the length of a wick.

We see that the flasks always remain in the same configuration, that this either at the time of winding the wick around the core, or once the wick is wound during the exposure time. The device is therefore very simple to use and does not require a configuration change when its use.

In the above detailed description, reference has been made to modes of preferred embodiment of the invention. It is obvious that variants can to be made without departing from the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Throughout the description, the phrase "with one" must be understood synonymous with "having at least one", unless the opposite is true specified.

Claims (17)

Device (10) for the wicking application of a hair product, in particular a coloring or bleaching product comprising a core (11) on which the wick is adapted to be wound, the winding core being delimited by two flanges (12; 13), at least one of the flanges being at least partly made of elastically deformable material, so that it may be brought, at least in part, into contact with the other flange, particular when a wick is wound on the core, the flanges having a only stable equilibrium position. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that, in the vicinity of its periphery, at least one of the flanges (12; 13) has on its inner surface means capable, in cooperation with a portion of the other flange, of hold a lock on the core. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the flanges (12; 13) comprises at least one slot (30) opening on a peripheral edge of said flange so as to allow insertion of a portion of a wick to immobilize it on the device, especially after its winding on the core. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the slot (30) opens between the two flanges. - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the flanges (12; 13) comprises a bead (18; 19) extending radially towards the other flange, at a distance of the nucleus, so as to retain a lock on the nucleus. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that each flange comprises a bead (18; 19) facing one another. Device according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the two flanges (12; 13) are substantially in contact with one another at the level of the bead (s) (18; 19) when the flange is not deformed. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the periphery of at least one of the flanges is beveled on its inner face so as to facilitate the passage of the wick between the two flanges in view of its winding around the core. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the periphery of the core (11) is circular or polygonal. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two flanges (12; 13) are made of elastically deformable material. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the core (11) is made of elastically deformable material. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastically deformable material is a material capable of imbibing product, in particular a porous or fibrous material. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the elastically deformable material is a foam, in particular polyethylene. - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the (or) elastically deformable material (s) is (are) chosen from the group of elastomers of propylene / ethylene copolymers; polyether blockamides; polyvinyls; terpolymers of ethylene, propylene and a diene (EPDM); sequenced styrene-butadiene polymers (SBS); styrene-ethylene-butadiene block polymers (SEBS-SIS); thermoplastic polyurethanes; polypropylene blends with one of the following elastomers: styrene-ethylene-butadiene block copolymers (SEBS-SIS); terpolymers of ethylene, propylene and a diene (EPDM); styrene-butadiene block copolymers (SBS). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of the external surface of at least one of the flanges is impervious to the product. A method for wicking a hair product, especially a coloring or bleaching product, said method comprising: a) isolate a lock of hair to be coated with the product; b) disposing of the capillary product between the two flanges of a device which comprises a core delimited by two flanges, at least one of the flanges being at least partly made of elastically deformable material, c) wrapping the insulated lock of hair around the core of the device. Process according to Claim 16, characterized in that at least one of the flanges made of at least a portion of elastically deformable material is kneaded so as to imbibe the wick of product.

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