GB2581345A

GB2581345A - A salon device

Info

Publication number: GB2581345A
Application number: GB1901901.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rebecca Tozer Susan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-02-12
Filing date: 2019-02-12
Publication date: 2020-08-19
Also published as: GB201901901D0

Abstract

A face shield for use in a salon comprises a handle 1, an eye portion (62, fig.1), a forehead portion (63, fig. 1) and a chin portion (61, fig.1). The handle extends from the chin portion. The eye portion comprises a sealing member 64 arranged to provide a substantially sealed eye portion in use. The face shield may comprise transparent material. A perimetric sealing member 4 may also be provided, which is discontinuous at the handle. The sealing member may comprise resiliently deformable material. The handle of the device may also comprise resiliently deformable material. The device may be used in a hairdressing salon to protect the user’s face when washing the hair.

Description

A SALON DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a salon device, in particular a device for use in a salon or similar location when a user is having their hair washed or similar.

Background

Increasing numbers of users are concerned with their appearance and often use many different techniques and options to improve their appearance, for example salon procedures such as cosmetics and hairdressing.

In salon procedures such as a hairdressing procedures it is typical to wash or at least 15 wet the user's hair.

Wetting the hair in salons will often involve a sink or basin and faucet or hose provision of water, whereby the user will sit in a seat close to the sink and the water will be poured over the user's hair by a technician. Typically the user sits in front of 20 the basin for ease for the technician.

However leaning backwards into the salon basin has been linked to health complications.

Prior Art

US 2012 0 222 185 (ERIKSON) discloses a protective face mask comprising: an eye-protecting shield made essentially from a flexible plastic material and an adjustable metal nose bridge. The eye-protecting shield being dimensioned to cover at least the eye portions of a human wearer, the eye-protecting shield having a perimeter defining a surface facing the wearer's face; providing a substantially watertight and releasable sealing engagement between at least a portion of the perimeter forming an upper edge of the face mask and at least a portion of the skin of the wearer's face, a portion of the lower part of the perimeter of the mask is free from the wearer's skin, and wherein the mask extends along the contour of the wearer's face from the forehead to cheekbones and the lower perimeter thereof extends to the bridge of the nose, provides a comfortable and flexible mask without the need for adhesive, straps, or side bars, avoids pressure on the skin in the contact zone, allows free eye movement and airflow and minimizes the formation of dew. The nose bridge is made of a malleable metal material and adjusts to the contours of the wearer's bridge of nose. The mask is primarily adapted for providing a waterproof shield to ensure a dry environment during showering or during trips to the hairdresser, also allowing a person who has recently done their make-up to shower and shampoo their hair while keeping their eye make-up in a clean dry condition.

US 6 842 909 (OSTROV et al) discloses a protective face shield comprising a mask portion and a handle portion, said mask portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface, said mask portion being readily operatively attachable to and removable from said handle portion, said interior surface defining a cavity adapted to accept a substantial portion of a users face, said mask portion including an anchoring structure, said handle portion being adapted for operatively accepting said anchoring structure to attach said mask portion to said handle portion, said handle portion including a front portion and a rear portion, said front portion and said rear portion being adapted for securely maintaining said anchoring structure there between.

US 5 822 801 (VARNEY) discloses a face shield comprising: a face portion made of a rigid transparent material, said face portion having a concave shape so as to conform to the shape of a face, and having two side edges, a bottom and a top edge; a handle portion integrally formed with said face portion and extending downward from the bottom of said face portion, said handle portion being hollow and having an open bottom end; a handle grip surrounding said handle portion and having an open bottom end; and a bottom plug having a bottom surface and adapted to fit securely in said open bottom end of said handle grip, said bottom plug being divided into two halves along a centre diameter, one half being solid and one half having an opening to allow air to pass through the bottom plug and the handle portion and into the area of the face portion.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a salon device comprising a face shield and a handle, wherein the face shield comprises an eye portion, a forehead portion and a chin portion; and wherein the handle extends from chin portion, and the eye portion comprises a sealing member arranged to provide a substantially sealed eye portion in use.

In some embodiments the sealing member comprises a member that is perimetric the eye portion in use.

In some embodiments the sealing member comprises a resiliently deformable sealing member. For example the sealing member may be foam or rubber.

The eye portion or eye portion sealing member may surround the eye sockets in use. For example the eye portion sealing member or eye portion in general may comprise 15 a perimetric raised border.

In some embodiments the forehead portion comprises a sealing member. In some embodiments the sealing member comprises a resiliently deformable sealing member. For example the sealing member may be foam or rubber.

The forehead portion sealing member may be arranged to reach across the forehead in use. The forehead portion may comprise a perimetric sealing member across the shield's top edge.

In some embodiments the face shield in general comprises a sealing member, for example a perimetric sealing member or raised border. This sealing member may be at edge of the shield, or adjacent.

In some embodiments the face shield sealing member comprises a resiliently 30 deformable sealing member. For example the face shield sealing member may be foam or rubber.

The shield may comprise a substantially oval form, extending from the head portion to the chin portion, and across the face substantially from ear to ear in use.

The shield may comprise a transparent or translucent material, such as a thermoplastics such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polyethylene.

The handle may comprise a substantially rigid bar or tube, extending from the bottom 5 of the chin portion.

The handle may comprise finger indentations or a handgrip arranged to receive the user's hand or fingers.

The handle may comprise a hanging means, or lanyard attachment point, which may enable a user to hang the device when not in use.

In some embodiments the handle may comprise a rotatable handle or a rotatable part. In such manner the handle may be envisaged to be rotated for usage from a plurality of directions, for example wherein the handle or part thereof may be rotated about a vertical or longitudinal axis, so as to enable holding of the handle from a side, rear or front direction, either by the user or a third party.

The handle may comprise a resiliently deformable covering, coating or core, so as to 20 provide a more effective anti-slip grip.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; And Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is generally shown an embodiment of the device 99 comprising a face shield 2 and a handle 1, wherein the face shield 2 comprises an eye portion 62, a forehead portion 63 and a chin portion 61; and wherein the handle 1 extends from chin portion 61, and the eye portion 62 comprises a sealing member 64 arranged to provide a substantially sealed eye portion in use.

In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a mask-like device that may be held in use by a user in front of their face as their hair is washed, thereby preventing water from coming into contact with their face.

In use the embodiment protects the user's face to allow their hair to be washed safely and thereby avoids putting pressure on the user's neck advantageously providing a more comfortable alternative for the user, and putting the user in control of their salon experience.

The embodiment comprises an acrylic face shield 2 which provides excellent optical clarity to avoid the user feeling claustrophobic.

The shield 2 comprises a sealing member 4 about the shield perimeter, so as to limit 25 ingress of water onto the user's face, thereby protecting the user's skin, and/or makeup The main sealing member comprises a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) overmoulded lip 4 that borders most of the edge of the face shield providing a barrier of protection and passes through the shield for a permanent bond that won't detach after prolonged use. The lip 4 is discontinuous at a handle 1 which depends in use from the centre of the shield 2.

In this way advantageously any fluid that does get inside the shield 2 is enabled to 35 exit, through gravity at the lowest point of the device in use.

Additionally or alternatively a discontinuous lip also advantageously allows the user to breathe at all times without danger of fluid ingress.

A secondary TPU lip sealing member 64 extends towards the user and surrounds the eye portion 62 and provides another barrier against water ingress for the user. This comprises a flexible wall 9 that is inclined inwards and is sufficiently flexible to flex outwards under pressure against the user's face, so as to close any gaps. The wall includes a deviation 8 to go over the user's nose in use.

The handle 1 comprises an ergonomic handle with plural finger grooves 5. In some embodiments the finger grooves may be rotatable about the handle.

The handle comprises a lanyard attachment point 7, which comprises a strap 6 for hanging the embodiment on a salon wall.

A TPU overmoulding comprises the handle 1 over a rigid acrylic extension 3 of the shield 2, and advantageously provides a soft grip texture to ensure the handle isn't slippery when wet.

The inner surface 11 of the shield 2 may comprise an eye portion 62 that comprises a different finish outer or inner surface 10 or material, In some embodiments a decorative eyepiece pattern may be embossed into the shield, with a rougher surface finish, which aesthetically breaks up the appearance of 25 the eye portion.

In use the user may be asked if they'd like to lean backwards or forwards into the sink when having their hair washed in the salon.

If the user requests forward, the user is provided with the embodiment, which they themselves can press to their face, such that the sealing member is deformed.

With their face masked, the user leans over the sink as their hair is washed by the technician.

Their make-up and eyes are their protected from the soapy water and/or chemicals.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely 5 combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

Claims 1. A salon device comprising a face shield and a handle, wherein the face shield comprises an eye portion, a forehead portion and a chin portion; and wherein the handle extends from chin portion, and the eye portion comprises a sealing member arranged to provide a substantially sealed eye portion in use.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the face shield comprises transparent or translucent material.
3. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the face shield comprises a perimetric sealing member.
4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the sealing member comprises a resiliently deformable material.
5. A device according to claims 3 or 4 wherein the perimetric sealing member is discontinuous.
6. A device according to any of claims 3, 4 or 5 wherein the perimetric sealing members is discontinuous at the handle.
7. A device according to any preceding claim comprising an eye portion sealing member comprising a resilient wall upstanding from the shield.
8. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the handle comprises a resiliently deformable material.