US20160029766A1

US20160029766A1 - Hair Dye Applicator

Info

Publication number: US20160029766A1
Application number: US14/748,769
Authority: US
Inventors: Ricky Huang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-08-01
Filing date: 2015-06-24
Publication date: 2016-02-04
Also published as: CN204232484U; CN105310245A

Abstract

A hair-dye applicator for applying dye onto hair includes at least one retaining member, each retaining member having a leading edge. An insert is affixed adjacent an inner surface of each retaining member, the insert being flexible and resilient and including a plurality of slits, each slit beginning at a first end of the insert and extending into a body portion of the insert. The leading edge of each retaining member extends beyond the first end of the insert. The plurality of slits is unobstructed by the at least one retaining member, such that as a user's hair is combed with the applicator, the user's hair is caused to pass through the slits and dye that is carried on the insert is transferred to the user's hair without the insert touching the scalp.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to the field of hair dye applicators. In particular, it relates to an apparatus for applying hair dye while at the same time avoiding contact of the hair dye with the scalp.

BACKGROUND

It is common to apply hair dye to cover up greying hair or to otherwise enhance or change one's natural hair color. That being said, the process of dyeing hair presents two significant challenges; i) the dye should be applied evenly to the roots and shaft of the hair in a manner that is not wasteful of the dye, and ii) the dye should not contact the scalp, hands, or any other surfaces that are not to be dyed. A variety of dye applicators have been proposed, none of which is entirely satisfactory.
US Patent Pub. No. 2014/0130821 discloses a hair dyeing comb that includes a member that is vertically inserted into a longitudinal slot in an upper surface of the comb. The member includes a series of teeth at a bottom portion thereof which serves to hold hair color wax that is inserted into a cavity at a top portion thereof, as this comb does not include a feature to pump hair dye into the comb. Although the member is vertically adjustable within the comb body, the hair color wax cannot be advanced beyond about the midpoint of the long teeth. When the user's hair is being dyed, strands of the hair are guided between the long teeth and come into contact with the lower surface of the hair color wax. As such, the dyeing agent is applied to only one side of the hair during a single pass of the comb, necessitating several passes in order to ensure full coverage.
US Patent Pub No. 2008/0060665A1 discloses a tool for hair-dye application that includes a porous body in between two sets of teeth. Hair color is pumped onto the porous body, and is applied to the hair via the porous body. The porous body can be made of sponge-like material. In addition, the ends of the comb teeth stick out from the end of the porous body from between 0.2 to 3.0 mm. The hair color is pumped onto the comb/porous body portion, while the porous body is required not be in contact with the teeth of the comb. Unfortunately, the dye can be applied to only one side of the hair during a single pass of the comb and therefore several passes are needed to ensure full coverage.
Another device is described in TW1403289, in which a porous body is contained inside a compartment that is formed within the body of a comb. The bottom of the compartment defines spaced-apart gaps, and the porous body protrudes through these gaps to support transfer of the dye out of the compartment. A comb guide, in the form of rows of teeth, extends along the length of the body of the comb in order to space the porous body away from the user's scalp during dyeing of the user's hair. Once again, the dye is applied to only one side of the hair during a single pass of the comb, necessitating several passes in order to ensure full coverage. It would be advantageous to provide an apparatus that overcomes at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY

The hair-dye applicator in its general form will first be described, and then its implementation in terms of preferred embodiments will be detailed hereafter. These embodiments are intended to demonstrate the principle of the invention, and the manner of its implementation. The hair-dye applicator in its broadest and more specific forms will then be further described, and defined, in each of the individual claims which conclude this specification.
In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair-dye applicator comprising: a) at least one retaining member, each retaining member having a leading edge; and b) an insert affixed adjacent an inner surface of each retaining member, the insert being flexible and resilient, and including a plurality of slits, each slit beginning at a first end of the insert and extending into a body portion of the insert; wherein the leading edge of each retaining member extends beyond the first end of the insert.
The insert can be removably or permanent affixed to the at least one retaining member; i.e. it can be removed from the one or more retaining members and discarded after use, with a new insert affixed to the one or more retaining members. The insert may be absorbent of the hair-dye, and may be made of a sponge-like material, for example.
At least one retaining member can comprise one or more teeth, such that spacing between successive teeth is greater than a width of each tooth, and insert slits are within the spacing. Each slit can be placed within a central third of a respective inter-tooth spacing. In addition, at least one tooth may comprise one or more protrusions that protrude into the insert. The protrusions may extend all the way through the insert and engage a complementary structure on an opposite tooth, so as to lock the insert in place. Optionally, some of the teeth are shorter than others. For instance, the teeth may alternate long-short-long-short etc., such that fewer teeth contact the scalp and therefore the risk of the hair-dye being transferred to the scalp is further reduced.
Each retaining member can be made of a lightweight material—for example, vinyl, plastic, or combinations thereof.
In addition, the applicator can comprise of first and second retaining members, with the insert affixed between the first and second retaining members. The applicator may also include a handle.
When using the applicator, hair-dye can be placed on an outer surface of the insert.
In accordance with an aspect of at least one embodiment, there is provided a hair-dye applicator comprising: a) at least one retaining member, each retaining member having a leading edge; b) an insert affixed adjacent an inner surface of each retaining member, the insert being flexible and resilient and including a plurality of slits, each slit beginning at a first end of the insert and extending into a body portion of the insert; wherein the leading edge of each retaining member extends beyond the first end of the insert, and wherein the plurality of slits is unobstructed by the at least one retaining member, such that as a user's hair is combed with the applicator, the user's hair is caused to pass through the slits and dye that is carried on the insert is transferred to the user's hair without the insert touching the scalp.
In accordance with an aspect of at least one embodiment, there is provided a hair-dye applicator comprising: a first retaining member comprising a first row of teeth that extend away from an applicator body along a first direction; a second retaining member comprising a second row of teeth that extend away from the applicator body along the first direction, wherein the second row of teeth is disposed beside the first row of teeth, and the second row of teeth is spaced-apart from the first row of teeth to form a space therebetween; an insert disposed within the space and affixed adjacent an inner surface of each retaining member, the insert being flexible and resilient and having a plurality of slits formed therein, each slit beginning at a first end of the insert and extending into a body portion of the insert, and each slit aligned approximately centrally within a different space formed between adjacent teeth of each of the retaining members; wherein the teeth of the first and second retaining members extend past the first end of the insert along the first direction.
In accordance with an aspect of at least one embodiment, there is provided a method of applying hair-dye to a user's hair, comprising: providing a hair-dye applicator comprising an insert that is retained between two retaining members, the insert having a plurality of slits formed therein, each slit beginning at a first end of the insert and extending into a body portion of the insert, and the two retaining members each comprising teeth that extend past the first end of the insert, the teeth of each of the two retaining members being spaced-apart, such that a space is formed between each pair of adjacent teeth, and each slit being disposed approximately centrally within a different one of the spaces; loading a quantity of hair-dye product onto portions of the insert that are located within the spaces between each pair of adjacent teeth of the first retaining member; and transferring the hair-dye product to the user's hair by combing the loaded applicator through the user's hair, such that strands of the user's hair pass through the spaces between the teeth of the first retaining member, through the slits of the insert, and through the spaces between the teeth of the second retaining member, wherein the two retaining members contact the user's scalp and maintain a predetermined separation between the insert and the user's scalp.
The foregoing summarizes the principal features of the hair-dye applicator and some of its optional aspects. The hair-dye applicator may be further understood by the description of the embodiments which follow.
Wherever ranges of values are referenced within this specification, sub-ranges therein are intended to be included within the scope of the hair-dye applicator unless otherwise indicated. Where characteristics are attributed to one or another variant of the hair-dye applicator, unless otherwise indicated, such characteristics are intended to apply to all other variants of the hair-dye applicator where such characteristics are appropriate or compatible with such other variants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hair-dye applicator.

FIG. 2 is front plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of a second embodiment the hair-dye applicator.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an embodiment including a guard member.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of a hair-dye applicator is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an embodiment of the hair-dye applicator (5), which includes a first retaining member (10) and a second retaining member (15). A hair-dye applicator can also be constructed using only one retaining member. In this embodiment, each retaining member (10, 15) includes a series of teeth (12, 17). While teeth are illustrated, it is understood that one or both retaining members may have alternate structures, rather than teeth. The spacing between successive teeth is greater than the width of each tooth. The retaining members (10, 15) are connected to a common handle (30). An insert (20) that is flexible and resilient is set snugly between each retaining member (10, 15), and is affixed adjacent an inner surface of each retaining member (10, 15). The insert (20), which is porous, can be made of a foam- or sponge-like material. Furthermore, the insert (20) includes a plurality of slits (25), each of which begins at one end or edge (22) of the insert (20), and extends into the body of the insert (20). In this embodiment, the slits (25) extend all the way through the body of the insert, although it is understood that the slits may extend only partway through the body of the insert (20). The edge (22) of the insert (20) does not extend to the leading edge (40, 45) of each retaining member (10, 15). As an example, the insert (20) may extend to within 0.5 mm-3 mm, or within 1 mm of the leading edge (40, 45) of each retaining member (10, 15).
The insert (20) can be affixed by conventional means, for example, by adhesive, to the inner surface of each retaining member (10, 15). Alternatively, the insert can be affixed by just protrusions on the inner surface of teeth.
In a second embodiment, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the insert can also be affixed by an optional use of protrusions (50) on the inner surface of teeth (12, 17). The protrusions can be placed randomly or evenly on the inner surface of the teeth (12, 17), i.e. on one or more teeth; on the top and/or bottom; along the length of the teeth, or partway thereof, or any combination thereof. The protrusions provide an additional structure for affixing the insert (20) to the retaining members (10, 15) by friction between the protrusions (50) and the insert (20).
Now referring generally to FIGS. 1-6, the first and second retaining members (10, 15) are configured and arranged relative to the insert (20) such that the slits (25) are unobstructed. In the illustrated embodiments, the retaining members are provided in the form of rows of teeth (12, 17), in which the teeth (12) of the first retaining member (10) are arranged opposite the teeth (17) of the second retaining member (15). Each insert slit (25) is disposed approximately centrally between two adjacent teeth (12) of the first retaining member (10), and between the opposite two adjacent teeth (17) of the second retaining member (15). Further, each insert slit (25) extends all the way through the insert (20), between a side of the insert (20) that is adjacent to the first retaining member (10) and the opposite side of the insert (20) that is adjacent to the second retaining member (15).
In order to use the hair-dye applicator, the hair dye is applied to the spacing between the teeth (12, 17), onto an outer surface of the insert (20). The applicator (5) is then applied to the root of hair, such that the leading edges (40, 45) of each retaining member (10, 15) touch the root of the hair. As the hair is combed through with the applicator (5), the hair passes through the slits (25) and teeth (12, 17) of the applicator (5), the dye on the insert (20) covers the entire hair strand from the root to the tip, without touching the scalp—since the insert (20) does not touch the scalp.
The plurality of slits (25) serves at least two functions. First, since the insert (20) is flexible and resilient, and since it is held tightly between the retaining members (10, 15), the hair strands are coated on all sides as they pass through the slits (25). As a result, a more even application of the hair-dye is achieved with fewer passes than is required using the prior art devices that have been described previously. Second, the dye-transfer region of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention is much longer than the dye-transfer region of the prior art devices. This is because dye transfer occurs along the length of each of the slits (25), and thus the length of the dye-transfer region is the sum of the lengths of the plurality of slits. In contradistinction the dye transfer region in the prior art devices corresponds essentially to the first end (22) of the insert (20). The increase length of the dye-transfer region allows more hair to be dyed in a single pass of the applicator (5) compared to the prior art devices, and/or ensures more complete and more even application of the hair dye to each strand of hair.
The following description is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. In particular, the invention is described in terms of the specific application of forming butt-welded blanks, but it is to be understood that other applications are also envisaged, such as for instance welding coated sheet-formed components. Further, various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
In other embodiments, it is contemplated that the insert (20) can be removed after it is worn out, or, replaced by another insert for use with another color.
In other embodiments, it is contemplated that a guard member (70) is provided for minimizing the transfer of hair-dye to the user's hands or other surfaces to which the hair-dye is not to be applied. FIG. 7 is a side view and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an embodiment that includes a guard member (70), which is mounted adjacent to the second retaining member (15) of the applicator (5). The guard member (70) is flexible and resilient, and is mounted at a mounting end thereof to the applicator (5). The guard member (70) extends along a direction toward the leading edge (45) of the second retaining member (15), becoming increasingly spaced-apart from the second retaining member (15) and terminating at a free end (72) that is approximately aligned with the one end or edge (22) of the insert (20). Optionally, at least the free end (72) of the guard member (70) is formed of a material that is absorbent of the hair-dye, such that the formation of drips is minimized.
In some embodiments the guard member (70) is fixedly secured to the second retaining member (15) (i.e., non-removeably secured). In other embodiments the guard member (70) includes a mounting structure (not shown) for mating to a corresponding mounting structure (not shown) of the second retaining member (15), such that the guard member (70) may be removeably attached to the applicator (5). For instance, the mounting structure of the second retaining member (15) includes channels or guides for receiving edge structures of the guard member (70) and a locking mechanism for retaining the guard member (70) in place when the edge portions thereof are received within the channels or guides. Alternatively, the locking mechanism is carried on the guard member (70). Of course, any other suitable mounting structures may be employed to retain the guard member (70) in place.
During use, the guard member (70) guides the hair after it emerges from the slits (25) in the insert (20). The guide member (70) catches hair-dye that splatters from the hair, or that splatters directly from the insert (20) itself.
While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the invent of embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.
All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms. The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases.
Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.
As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.
It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.
Numerical ranges include the end-point values that define the ranges. For instance, “between X and Y” includes both X and Y, as well as all temperature values between X and Y.
In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.
The foregoing description of methods and embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention and all equivalents be defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A hair-dye applicator comprising:

a) at least one retaining member, each retaining member having a leading edge;

b) an insert affixed adjacent an inner surface of each retaining member, the insert being flexible and resilient and including a plurality of slits, each slit beginning at a first end of the insert and extending into a body portion of the insert;

wherein the leading edge of each retaining member extends beyond the first end of the insert, and

wherein the plurality of slits is unobstructed by the at least one retaining member, such that as a user's hair is combed with the applicator, the user's hair is caused to pass through the slits and dye that is carried on the insert is transferred to the user's hair without the insert touching the scalp.

2. The hair-dye applicator of claim 1, wherein the insert is removably affixed to the at least one retaining member.

3. The hair-dye applicator of claim 1, wherein the insert is permanently affixed to the at least one retaining member.

4. The hair-dye applicator of claim 1, wherein the insert is absorbent of the hair-dye.

5. The hair-dye applicator of claim 1, wherein the at least one retaining member comprises first and second retaining members, wherein the insert is affixed between the first and second retaining members.

6. The hair-dye applicator of claim 1, wherein each retaining member comprises a plurality of teeth, such that spacing between successive teeth is greater than a width of each tooth, and wherein each slit of the plurality of slits of the insert is within a different spacing between respective successive teeth of the retaining members.

7. The hair-dye applicator of claim 6, wherein each slit is disposed approximately centrally within said different spacing.

8. The hair-dye applicator of claim 6, wherein at least one tooth of the at least one retaining member comprises one or more protrusions that protrude into the insert.

9. The hair-dye applicator of claim 1, wherein the insert is made of a sponge-like material.

10. The hair-dye applicator of claim 1, wherein the hair dye is placed on an outer surface of the insert.

11. The hair-dye applicator of claim 1, wherein each retaining member is made of a lightweight material selected from plastic, vinyl and a combination thereof.

12. The hair-dye applicator of claim 5, comprising a guard member having a mounting end that is mounted to the second retaining member opposite the leading edge thereof, and having a free end that is aligned approximately with the first end of the insert and that is spaced-apart from the second retaining member.

13. A hair-dye applicator comprising:

a first retaining member comprising a first row of teeth that extend away from an applicator body along a first direction;

a second retaining member comprising a second row of teeth that extend away from the applicator body along the first direction, wherein the second row of teeth is disposed beside the first row of teeth, and the second row of teeth is spaced-apart from the first row of teeth to form a space therebetween;

an insert disposed within the space and affixed adjacent an inner surface of each retaining member, the insert being flexible and resilient and having a plurality of slits formed therein, each slit beginning at a first end of the insert and extending into a body portion of the insert, and each slit aligned approximately centrally within a different space formed between adjacent teeth of each of the retaining members;

wherein the teeth of the first and second retaining members extend past the first end of the insert along the first direction.

14. The hair-dye applicator of claim 13, wherein the insert is removably disposed within the space.

15. The hair-dye applicator of claim 13, wherein the insert is permanently affixed within the space.

16. The hair-dye applicator of claim 13, wherein the insert is absorbent of the hair-dye.

17. The hair-dye applicator of claim 13, wherein at least one tooth of at least one of the first and second retaining members comprises one or more protrusions that protrude into the insert.

18. The hair-dye applicator of claim 13, wherein the insert is made of a sponge-like material.

19. The hair-dye applicator of claim 13, comprising a guard member that is mounted at a mounting end thereof to the second retaining member, the guard member being increasingly spaced-apart from the first retaining member along the first direction, and the guard member terminating at a free end thereof that is aligned approximately with the first end of the insert.

20. A method of applying hair-dye to a user's hair, comprising:

providing a hair-dye applicator comprising an insert that is retained between two retaining members, the insert having a plurality of slits formed therein, each slit beginning at a first end of the insert and extending into a body portion of the insert, and the two retaining members each comprising teeth that extend past the first end of the insert, the teeth of each of the two retaining members being spaced-apart, such that a space is formed between each pair of adjacent teeth, and each slit being disposed approximately centrally within a different one of the spaces;

loading a quantity of hair-dye product onto portions of the insert that are located within the spaces between each pair of adjacent teeth of the first retaining member; and

transferring the hair-dye product to the user's hair by combing the loaded applicator through the user's hair, such that strands of the user's hair pass through the spaces between the teeth of the first retaining member, through the slits of the insert, and through the spaces between the teeth of the second retaining member,

wherein the two retaining members contact the user's scalp and maintain a predetermined separation between the insert and the user's scalp.