US3653376A

US3653376A - Method and apparatus for controlling automatic shampoo machine

Info

Publication number: US3653376A
Application number: US40198A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wendell L Martin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-05-25
Filing date: 1970-05-25
Publication date: 1972-04-04
Anticipated expiration: 1989-04-04

Abstract

Apparatus and method for applying hair treating solutions to hair on the human head. Measured amounts of water are collected in individual tanks and pumped through valves to an oscillating nozzle assembly which directs jets of liquid solutions at the hair. Additives are mixed with the water while in the containers or in the valves. Probes detect the levels of liquid in the tanks and control switches which actuate and release the valves in sequence according to the levels of liquid in the tanks to allow a measured amount of one solution and then another to be supplied to the nozzle assembly. The sequence is repeated until a desired amount of solution has been applied. A rest switch allows the apparatus to operate through only a part of the hair treating process.

Description

United States Patent Martin [451 Apr. 4, 1972 [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AUTOMATIC SHAMPOO MACHINE [72] Inventor: Wendell L. Martin, 2815 Kersdale Road, Pepper Pike, Ohio 44124 [22] Filed: May 25,1970

[21] App1.N0.: 40,198

Primary Examiner-L. W. Trapp Attorney-Bosworth, Sessions, Herrstrom & Cain [5 7] ABSTRACT Apparatus and method for applying hair treating solutions to hair on the human head. Measured amounts of water are collected in individual tanks and pumped through valves to an oscillating nozzle assembly which directs jets of liquid solutions at the hair. Additives are mixed with the water while in the containers or in the valves. Probes detect the levels of liquid in the tanks and control switches which actuate and release the valves in sequence according to the levels' of liquid in the tanks to allow a measured amount of one solution and then another to be supplied to the nozzle assembly. The sequence is repeated until a desired amount of solution has been applied. A rest switch allows the apparatus to operate through only a part of the hair treating process.

12 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING I AUTOMATIC SHAMPOO MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to machines for shampooing the hair and scalp and more particularly to an improved method and apparatus for controlling the operation of such machines.

Conventionally, shampooing of the hair and scalp has been done manually by persons trained for the task. Manual shampooing offers the advantage of inherent scalp massage but is both time consuming and expensive. Prior automatic shampooing machines have been provided with variously formed projections or flexible fingers to produce a scalp massaging ef feet to accompany the application of hair treating liquids. In such machines the back part of the head including the hair and scalp is isolated in a washing area. The machines typically are provided with a helmet having a resilient waterproof gasket that surrounds the skull to prevent leakage of fluid over the face and shoulders.

More recently it has been found that the scalp massaging effect can be produced better and more efficiently by employing a plurality of liquid jets directed at the scalp. The jets not only provide a scalp massaging effect but also apply liquid treating solutions to the hair and scalp so that no contact need be made between the apparatus and the hair and scalp to be treated.

In this type of machine the jets are disposed in a housing having an opening at the front end thereof to receive the neck of the person whose hair is being treated. The cover has a complimentary opening provided with a gasket fitting about the neck, face and forehead which are outside the housing. The liquid jets are provided by a nozzle assembly that oscillates back and forth in close proximity to the scalp from the forehead to the neck, or by a plurality of stationary nozzle assemblies directed at various angles toward the hair and scalp. It is desirable to adjust the pressure so that the jets are of the proper velocity for massaging a particular scalp according to such criteria as length and thickness of hair.

in each of the automatic shampooing machines described above the different operations such as washing and rinsing are controlled in timed cycles. In machines employing liquid jets a timed cycle is of particular disadvantage in that either the cycle time must be adjusted to correspond to pressure changes or the cycle must be long enough to accommodate the minimum adjusted pressure and still provide a sufficient amount of treating liquid to the hair. The former alternative introduces added complexity to the machine and requires additional adjustment time. The latter alternative results in excess time being expended to complete the treating process and, therefore, in less efficient use of equipment. In addition, a longer time cycle results in use of excessive amounts of treating solutions when the pressure is adjusted above the minimum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A general object of this invention is to provide an automatic shampooing machine that overcomes the disadvantages noted above and encountered with prior shampoo machines. A more particular object is to provide a method and apparatus for automatically applying hair treating solutions in the form of liquid jets to the human head in which only predetermined amounts of treating solutions are applied.

Another object is to provide such a method and apparatus in which the pressure of the jets may be varied without affecting the amounts of treating solutions applied.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a method and apparatus in which the treating solutions are applied in cycles controlled by the levels of solutions remaining to be aplied. p Still another object is to provide a method and apparatus for applying hair treating solutions to the human head that is simple and economical compared to prior such-methods and apparatus.

Yet another object is to provide apparatus for applying hair treating solutions to the human head which can be stopped and then restarted to resume the operational sequence.

-In a preferred form the method of applying hair treating solutions to hair on a human head according to this invention comprises the steps of storing a liquid hair treating solution, directing liquid jets of the solution at the hair to be treated, detecting a predetermined decrease in the stored amount of solution, and terminating the liquid jets in response to the predetermined decrease.

A preferred fonn of apparatus for applying hair treating solutions to hair on the human head comprises means for storing hair treating solutions, a'nozzle assembly for directing jets of liquid solutions at the hair to be treated, and a pump for supplying treating solutions to the nozzle assembly. Valve means are provided between the storage means and the pump, and a control circuit controls the valve means cyclically in response to decreasing levels of liquid solutions in the storage means to allow measured amounts of the liquid treating solutions to be supplied to the nozzle assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a shampoo machine with the housing cut away to show the position of a human head in the washing area and the path of the oscillating nozzle assembly with respect to the hair and scalp to be shampooed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an automatic shampoo machine employing the control method and apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the control apparatus of this invention illustrating the cycles of operation of a shampoo machine employing the method and apparatus of this inventron.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a shampoo machine of the type employing a plurality of liquid jets directed at the hair and scalp to apply hair treating solutions thereto and to produce a scalp massaging effect. In the machine illustrated the liquid jets are provided from an oscillating and generally semi-circular nozzle assembly 12 which travels back and forth in the curved path illustrated in dashed lines at 14. A number of fixed nozzle assemblies directed at various angles toward the hair and scalp may be employed in place of the oscillating nozzle assembly.

The person whose hair is to be treated is positioned so that the back part of the head is within a washing area, generally designated 15. An electrical switch 16 is closed by the persons neck when in the position shown but opens to interrupt power to the control apparatus when the persons head is lifted as will be explained more fully below. A hood having a resilient waterproof gasket 17 surrounds the skull to prevent leakage of fluid over the face and shoulders. Excess washing and rinsing solution drains from the hair and scalp into a basin 19 and from there through an outlet 20. The various tanks, valves and other apparatus that control the operation of the shampoo machine may be positioned at suitable locations within the machine according to any advantageous physical layout.

Control apparatus for the shampoo machine is shown in FIG. 2 in block form and comprises a rinse tank 21 and a wash tank 22, which hold a predetermined amount of rinse water and wash water, respectively. Rinse tank 21 is connected through a solenoid operated fill valve 24 to a supply of water (not shown) which has been heated to the proper temperature for washing hair. Rinse tank 21 and wash tank 22 are interconnected as shown at 25 so that the rinse tank, when full, will overflow into the wash tank.

Rinse tank 21 is connected through a rinse valve 27 to a pump 28. Wash tank 22 is connected in a similar manner to pump 28 through a wash valve tank 29. Wash valve 29 and rinse valve 27 are preferably solenoid operated mixing valves. Also connected to rinse valve 27 is a reservoir 30 containing rinse additive. The rinse additive is mixed with rinse water from rinse tank 21 in rinse valve 27 to produce rinsing solution that is supplied to oscillating nozzle assembly 12 by pump 28. Similarly, a reservoir 34 containing wash additive is connected to wash valve 29 to have its contents mixed with water from wash tank 22 to produce a washing solution that is pumped to oscillating nozzle assembly 12. Rinse additive and wash additive, instead of being mixed with water in

valves

29 and 27, may be introduced directly into rinse tank 21 and wash tank 22, respectively, either before or after the tanks are filled with water.

A control circuit 36 controls the washing and rinsing cycles according to the levels of rinse water and wash water in rinse tank 21 and wash tank 22. Water levels in the rinse tank and wash tank are detected by liquid

level detecting devices

38 and 39, respectively.

Operation of theshampoo machine is initiated by actuating fill valve 24 which allows water to enter rinse tank 21, fill the tank and overflow into wash tank 22. When wash tank 22 is filled, as detected by level detector 39, the control circuit releases fill valve 24, actuated wash valve' 29 and energizes pump 28 and oscillating nozzle assembly 12. Wash additive from reservoir 34 and wash water from wash tank 22 are mixed in wash valve 29 and delivered to oscillating nozzle assembly 12 by pump 28. The wash cycle continues until the water in wash tank 22 has fallen to a predetermined level detected by level detecting device 39. At that point control circuit 36 releases wash valve 29 and actuates rinse valve 27. Rinse water from rinse tank 21 and rinse additive from reservoir 30 are then mixed in rinse valve 27 and pumped to oscillating nozzle assembly 12. The rinse operation continues until the water in rinse tank 21 has reached a predetermined level sensed by level detecting device 38, at which time rinse valve 27 is released and wash valve 29 is again actuated to initiate a second wash cycle.

Wash and rinse cycles are alternated in this manner until wash tank 22 and rinse tank 21 are empty, at which time the machine is automatically stopped. Control circuit 36 also provides for stopping and then restarting the machine to continue the operational sequence in a manner and circumstances to be described below.

The pressure at which the washing and rinsing solution is supplied to nozzle assembly 12 may be varied according to, for example, the length and thickness of the hair to be shampooed by adjustment of pump 28. Likewise the amounts of water stored in rinse tank 21 and wash tank 22 may be varied independently to control the total amount of rinsing and washing solution desired to be used for the hair of different persons.

Level detecting devices

38 and 39 may be adjusted to vary the amount of water used in each washing and rinsing cycle and the number of cycles employed.

Referring now to FIG. 3 a preferred form of control circuit 36 is illustrated schematically and in detail for controlling the wash and rinse cycles of the shampoo machine shown in FIG. 2. The control circuit includes a plurality of transistors 41 to 45 which are operated as switches and rendered conductive or non-conductive according to the levels of water in rinse tank 21 and wash tank 22. Transistors 41, 42 and 43 are controlled by the level of water in wash tank 22 while transistors 44 and 45 are controlled by the level of water in rinse tank 21. The transistors in turn control a group of relays that switch power between fill valve 24, rinse valve 27 and wash valve 29. Relays 46 to 50 are controlled by transistors 41 to 45, respectively.

Relay 46 is provided with normally

open contacts

46a and 46b. Correspondingly, relays 47, 48, 49 and 50 are provided with

contacts

470 and 47b, 48a and 48b, 49a and 49b, 50a and 50b.

Contact

46a and 46b along with contacts 47a, 48a and 490 are interconnected to cause transistors 41, 42, 43 and 44 to sequentially cease conducting in a manner to be described more fully below.

Contacts

47b, 48b, 49b and 50b are interconnected to control the sequential actuation and release of wash valve 29 and rinse valve 27 in a manner to be described below.

An additional relay 52 is connected across transistors 41 to 45 and energized through contact 460 of relay 46 or through contact 48a of relay 48. Relay 52 is provided with

contacts

52a and 52b. Contacts 52a provide a hold path for relay 52 after it has been actuated. Contacts 5212 switch AC power between fill valve 24 and pump motor 28' and nozzle assembly motor 12 as will be described below. A fill" indicating lamp 53 is connected across fill valve 24 and indicates when the valve is actuated. Likewise, a wash" indicating lamp 55 and a rinse" indicating lamp 56 are connected across wash valve 29 and rinse valve 27,'respectively, to indicate when the shampoo machine is operating in the wash and rinse cycles.

AC power is supplied to the control circuit through lines 59 and 60, start pushbutton switch 61 or contacts 500 and normally closed stop" pushbutton switch 63. Start switch 61 provides a temporary path for current flow. The current path is maintained through contacts 50a when relay 50 is actuated. Lines 59 and 60 supply AC power to fill valve 24, wash valve 29, rinse valve 27, pump motor 28' and oscillating nonle assembly motor 12' through

contacts

47b, 48b, 49b, 50b and 52b. The head lift switch 16 interrupts power to pump motor 28 and oscillating nozzle assembly 12 when the head being shampooed is lifted out of the washing area (FIG. 1).

Power is supplied to the emitters of transistors 41 to 45 through a transformer 66 and a full wave rectifier 67. The positive output terminal of rectifier 67 is connected to the emitters of transistors 41 to 45 while the negative output terminal is connected to rinse tank 21 and wash tank 22. A potential difference, therefore, exists between wash tank 22 and the emitters of transistors 41, 42 and 43 and between rinse tank 21 and the emitters of transistors 44 and 45. A trio of wire probes 70, 71 and 72, corresponding to level detecting device 39 in FIG. 2, extend to different depths in wash tank 22. Similarly, wire probes 73, 74, corresponding to level detecting device 38, extend to different depths in rinse tank 21. The remaining ends of the respective wire probes are connected to one of a pair of biasing resistors 78 and 79, 80 and 81, 82 and 83, 84 and 85, 86 and 87 that bias transistors 41 to 45, respectively, into conduction when there is a current path through the biasing resistors.

When the level of water in the wash tank 22 is high enough to cover one or more of the wire probes 70, 71, 72 a current path is established through the associated biasing resistors, the submerged wire probe, the wash water in tank 22 and the tank itself. In like manner, when the level of water in rinse tank 21 is sufficiently high to cover one or both probes 73 and 74 a current path is established through the associated biasing resistors, the submerged probe and rinse tank 21. When such a current path is established through a particular wire probe the corresponding transistor is biased toward conduction and actuates a relay in its collector circuit providing that a current path exists through

contacts

47a, 48a, 49a and 46a or 520 to the negative output terminal of rectifier 67.

A reset switch 91 has one set of normally open contacts 91a connected between relay 48 and the negative output terminal of rectifier 67 and a second pair of normally open contacts 91b connected across transistor 43 for a purpose to be described below.

A complete shampooing cycle of operation is initiated by actuating start switch 61 which completes a current path to transformer 66. The voltage induced in the secondary of transformer 66 is rectified by bridge rectifier 67. At this time power is also being supplied through start switch 61 and relay contacts 52 to fill valve 24 causing water to enter rinse tank 21 in the manner described above. As seen in the drawing, wire probe 74 extends virtually to the bottom of rinse tank 21. As a result only a very small amount of water must enter the rinse tank before a current path is established that allows transistor 45 to conduct and actuate relay 50. Contacts 50a are then closed and a current path is maintained after start switch 61 is released.

Water continues to flow into rinse tank 21 and overflows into wash tank 22 as described above. During this time fill indicating lamp 53 is lit. When wash tank 22 is filled wire probe 70 is submerged and transistor 41 is rendered conductive and actuates relay 46. Contacts 46a then allow relay 52 to be actuated. Contacts 52a seal a hold path for relay 52 while contacts 52b transfer AC power from fill valve 24 to pump motor 28' and nozzle assembly motor 12'.

it will be noted at this point that wire probes 70, 71 and 72 are submerged in wash tank 22 while probes 73 and 74 are likewise submerged in rinse tank 21. As a result, transistors 41 to 45 are biased into conduction. Transistors 42, 43 and 44, however, cannot conduct until a current path is completed to the negative output terminal of rectifier 67. The actuation of relay 46 provides that path. Contact 46b along with either' contact 460 or contact 520 completes a current path for transistor 42 which actuated relay 47. Contacts 47a thereupon complete the conduction path for transistor 44 which actuates relay 49 causing contacts 49a to complete the conduction path for transistor 43. Relay 48 is actuated by conduction of transistor 43 causing contact 480 to provide an alternate conduction path for the transistors through either contacts 46a or 520. With all relays actuated

contacts

50a, 52b and 47b provide a current path to actuate solenoid controlled wash valve 29. No current path is established for solenoid operated rinse valve 27.

With wash valve 29 actuated washing solution is applied to oscillating nozzle assembly 12 in the manner described above. The water level in wash tank 22 fa'lls quickly to such a level that probe 70 is no longer submerged so that transistor 41 ceases to conduct and relay 46 is released. This does not, however, affect the hold path for the remaining relays which is through

contacts

52a and 48a. Wash indicating lamp 55 indicates that the machine is operating in a wash cycle.

The first washing cycle continues in the manner described above until the level of water in wash tank 22 is such that probe 71 is no longer submerged. At that point transistor 42 ceased to conduct and relay 47 is released. The current path to wash valve 29 through contacts 47b is interrupted and a current path to rinse valve 27 is established through contacts 47b and 49b. Wash indicating lamp 55 is extinguished and rinse indicating lamp 56 is lighted to indicate that the machine is operating in a rinse cycle.

The machine continues to operate in the first rinse cycle until the level of water in rinse tank 21 is such that probe 73 is no longer submerged. Transistor 44 is then rendered non-conductive and relay 49 is released. The current path to rinse valve 27 through contacts 49b is interrupted and a current path is established to wash valve 29 through

contacts

47b, 49b and 48b. Rinse indicating lamp 55 is extinguished and wash indicating lamp 55 is lighted indicating that the machine is operating in a wash cycle.

Operation continues in the second wash cycle until the water in wash tank 22 falls below the level of probe 72. At that point transistor 43 ceases to conduct and relay 48 is released. The current path to wash valve 29 through contacts 48b is interrupted and a current path to rinse valve 27 is established through

contacts

50b, 48b, 49b and 47b. Wash indicating lamp 55 is again extinguished and rinse indicating lamp 56 is lighted to indicate that the machine is operating in a rinse cycle.

The machine continues to operate in the second rinse cycle until the level of water in rinse tank 21 falls below the level of probe 74 at which time transistor 45 ceases to conduct and relay 50 is released. Contacts 50a open interrupting power to the control circuit and ending the complete cycle of operation.

The operation of the machine may be halted at any time during the cycles of operation by depressing stop switch 63. The head lift switch 16 allows operation to be halted temporarily if the person whose hair is being treated lifts his head out of the washing area shown in FIG. 1. The person may, for example, desire to change position slightly and find it necessary to lift his head in so doing. In such case the head lift switch temporarily interrupts operation of the machine so that no washing or rinsing solution is wasted or allowed to escape from the washing area. When the person's head is again properly positioned in the washing area head lift switch 16 is closed and operation resumes from the point of interruption.

Reset switch 91 may be used to abbreviate the operational sequence when it is not desired to operate the machine through a complete hair treating process. While the machine is operating in the fill cycle, for example, actuating reset switch 91 will energize relay 48 and cause contacts 480 to complete a current path for relay 52. The actuation of relay 52 terminates the fill cycle and also establishes a hold path for relay 48 through contacts 52a and 480. No pull path is established for

relays

47 or 49 through the contacts of relay 46.

Assuming that the level of wash water in tank 22 is above probe 72, the machine begins operation in the second wash cycle which continues until the level of wash water in wash tank 22 falls below the level of probe 72. Operation then continues in the normal manner as described above. if the level of wash water in tank 22 is not above probe 72 operation begins in the second rinse cycle.

Similarly, if the machine should be stopped at any time during its operation by depressing stop switch 63 the machine may be restarted and continue its operational sequence by depressing start switch 61 and then depressing reset switch 91. Depressing the start switch will reapply power to the control circuit and initiate the fill cycle while depressing the reset switch will bypass the fill cycle and resume operation at second wash or rinse cycle depending upon the level of water in wash tank 22 as described above.

The practical usefulness of the reset switch is apparent when it is desirable to apply only a special rinsing solution to the hair. This may be readily accomplished by filling rinse tank 21 with the appropriate rinsing solution to the level desired by depressing start switch 61. Depressing the reset switch momentarily actuates relay 48 and actuates relay 52. The contacts of relay 52 terminate the fill cycle. Since there is no wash water in wash tank 22 relay 48 is released when the reset switch is released. The rinse cycle continues until the level of rinsing solution in rinse tank 21 can no longer be detected by probe 74 at which time relay 50 is released and the machine is stopped in the manner described above.

One of the important features of the control circuit described above is the definite lock-out of each relay after its probe is uncovered. In other words, as their associated probes make contact with the rinsing water level in the fill or the rinse tanks, each of relays 47 through 49 is energized through a conduction path to the negative side of the power supply and which includes the contacts of relay 46 in its energized position. As the water level in wash tank 22 recedes, probe is first to be out of contact with the water, causing relay 46 to drop out. Relays 47 through 49 continue to be energized, however, through the conduction path to the negative side of the power supply provided through the contact 48a of energized relay 48. It will be apparent that relays 47 and 49, for example, are maintained energized through contacts 48a but, once they drop out due to the falling of liquid level below their associated probes or sensors, they cannot be re-energizedshould their associated probes be covered by rinsing liquid level. These relays can only be energized through the contacts of energized relay 46.

This feature prevents a relay chattering that would occur as the liquid level falls and perhaps momentarily separates and re-establishes contact with the probe due to motion of the liquid. A corresponding undesirable chatter of the solenoid valves is thus also prevented by this feature.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications may be made in the apparatus and method described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. The method of applying hair treating solution to hair on a human head comprising the steps of storing a liquid hair treating solution, directing jets of the solution at the hair to be treated, detecting a predetermined decrease in the stored amount of the solution, and terminating the jets of hair treating solution in response to the predetermined decrease in the stored amount of solution. I

2. The method of applying treating solutions to hair on a .,human head comprising the steps of, in sequence, directing liquid jets of a first hair treating solution at the hair to be treated until a predetermined amount of said first solution has been used independent of the time during which said solution is directed at the hair, directing jets of a second hair treating solution at the hair to be treated until a predetermined amount of said second solution has been used independent of the time during which said solution is directed at the hair, and repeating said sequence for a number of cycles dependent upon the amounts of said solutions to be applied.

3. The method of applying treating solutions to hair on a human head comprising the steps of storing hair treating solutions to be applied, and, in sequence, directing jets of a first hair treating solution at the hair to be treated, detecting a predetermined decrease in the stored amount of the first solution, terminating the jets of first hair treating solution in response to the predetermined decrease in the stored amount of the first solution, directing jets of a second hair treating solution at the hair to be treated, detecting a predetermined decrease in the stored amount of the second solution, terminating the jets of second hair treating solution in response to the predetermined decrease in the stored amount of the second solution, and repeating the sequence until measured amounts of solutions have been applied.

4. Apparatus for applying hair treating solutions to hair on the human' head comprising means for storing hair treating solutions, a nozzle assembly for directing jets of solution at the hair to be treated, a pump for supplying treating solution to said nozzle assembly, valve means between said storage means and said pump, and a control circuit for cyclically controlling said valve means in response to predetermined decreasing levels of liquid solution in said storage means to allow measured amounts of liquid treating solution to be supplied to said nozzle assembly.

5. The apparatus .as defined in claim 4 wherein said storage means comprises a first storage tank for storing a first treating solution and a second storage tank for storing a second treating solution, said valve means comprises a first valve for controlling the fiow of first treating solution, a second valve for controlling the flow of second treating solution, said control circuit opening and closing said first and second valves alternately in response to predetermined decreasing levels of liquid solutions in said first and second storage tanks for a number of cycles determined by the amounts of treating solutions in said storage tanks.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said control circuit comprises a first liquid level sensing means for sensing particular liquid levels in said first tank, second liquid level sensing means for sensing particular liquid levels in said second tank, first switch means responsive to said first level sensing means for actuating said first valve in response to particular decreasing levels of liquid solution in said first tank, second switch means responsive to said second level sensing means for actuating said second valve in response to particular decreasing levels in said second tank, said first and second switch means being interlocked to actuate said first and second valves alternately, whereby said valves are alternately opened and closed to permit measured amounts of first and second treating solution to be supplied in sequence to said nozzle assembly, said sequence being repeated for a number of cycles dependent upon the amounts of treating solutions in said tanks.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said first and second liquid level sensing means comprise pluralities of electrically conductive probes extending to different depths in said first and second tanks, respectively, said probes, when submerged, completing current paths to control said first and second switch means, said first and second switch means opening and closing said first and second valves 1n response to different combinations of submerged and unsubmerged probes as the liquid levels decrease in said first and second tanks.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 further comprising switch means for interrupting said sequence.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 further comprising reset switch means for causing said sequence, after interruption, to be resumed at a point in said sequence determined by the levels of solutions in said first and second tanks.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said first tank is adapted to overflow into said second tank and further comprising a fill valve connected to said first tank, and fill switch means controlling said fill valve for allowing said tanks to be filled with liquid, said fill switch means being responsive to a particular level of liquid in said second tank for releasing said fill valve.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 further comprising reset switch means for releasing said fill valve independent of the level of liquid in said second tank.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said control circuit includes means for detecting a predetermined decrease in. the amount of stored solution and means responsive to said detecting means for cyclically controlling said valve means to allow measued amounts of liquid treating solution to be supplied to said noule assembly.

Inventor(s) Patent No.

April- 4, 1972 Dated Wendell L. Martin EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR.' Attesting Officer It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the Abstract, second last line, change "rest" to reset- Column 2, line 72, "tank" should be omitted Column 3, line 21, change "actuated" to 'actuates' line 69, change "Contact" to -Contacts Column 4, line 56, before "switch" insert -pushbutton Column 5, line 15, change "actuated" to -actuates-- line 37, change "ceased" to -ceases- I line 49, change numeral "55" to 56- Signed and sealed this 21st day of November 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-IOSO (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 i 0.5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: I919 0-3Il-33

Claims

1. The method of applying hair treating solution to hair on a human head comprising the steps of storing a liquid hair treating solution, directing jets of the solution at the hair to be treated, detecting a predetermined decrease in the stored amount of the solution, and terminating the jets of hair treating solution in response to the predetermined decrease in the stored amount of solution.

2. The method of applying treating solutions to hair on a human head comprising the steps of, in sequence, directing liquid jets of a first hair treating solution at the hair to be treated until a predetermined amount of said first solution has been used independent of the time during which said solution is directed at the hair, directing jets of a second hair treating solution at the hair to be treated until a predetermined amount of said second solution has been used independent of the time during which said solution is directed at the hair, and repeating said sequence for a number of cycles dependent upon the amounts of said solutions to be applied.

4. Apparatus for applying hair treating solutions to hair on the human head comprising means for storing hair treating solutions, a nozzle assembly for directing jets of solution at the hair to be treated, a pump for supplying treating solution to said nozzle assembly, valve means between said storage means and said pump, and a control circuit for cyclically controlling said valve means in response to predetermined decreasing levels of liquid solution in said storage means to allow measured amounts of liquid treating solution to be supplied to said nozzle assembly.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said storage means comprises a first storage tank for storing a first treating solution and a second storage tank for storing a second treating solution, said valve means comprises a first valve for controlling the flow of first treating solution, a second valve for controlling the flow of second treating solution, said control circuit opening and closing said first and second valves alternately in response to predetermined decreasing levels of liquid solutions in said first and second storage tanks for a number of cycles determined by the amounts of treating solutions in said storage tanks.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said first and second liquid level sensing means comprise pluralities of electrically conductive probes extending to different depths in said first and second tanks, respectively, said probes, when submerged, completing current paths to control said first and second switch means, said first and second switch means opening and closing said first and second valves in response to different combinations of submerged and unsubmerged probes as the liquid levels decrease in said first and second tanks.

12. The Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said control circuit includes means for detecting a predetermined decrease in the amount of stored solution and means responsive to said detecting means for cyclically controlling said valve means to allow measued amounts of liquid treating solution to be supplied to said nozzle assembly.