WO2004060104A1

WO2004060104A1 - Hair fluid applicator

Info

Publication number: WO2004060104A1
Application number: PCT/US2003/033194
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lorrayne Y. Chu; May Mu; Marco Wo
Original assignee: New Basics, Inc.
Priority date: 2002-12-17
Filing date: 2003-10-17
Publication date: 2004-07-22
Also published as: AU2003279984A1

Abstract

A hair fluid applicator includes a collapsible fluid container (14), which includes an open end (18) for allowing egress of a fluid, a compressible air container (12) encasing a majority of the fluid container, and a one-way air valve (16) configured to allow air into the air container. The applicator includes a dispensing head (20) having a proximal end, which is attachable to the air container, and a distal end. The dispensing head can include a plurality of rows of bristles (26), with at least some of the bristles having one or more orifices fluidly connectable to the open end of the fluid container. At least one row of bristles is staggered along a longitudinal axis of the dispensing head with respect to another row of bristles. A one-way fluid valve (229), which allows egress of the fluid from the fluid container, can be disposed between the open end of the fluid container and the dispensing head.

Description

HAL FLUID APPLICATOR

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/434,210, filed December 17, 2002, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional hair fluid applicator devices that utilize a compressible bottle containing liquid dye are well known in the art. However, such devices typically do not provide means for controlling application of the dye to the user's hair in an acceptable manner. Furthermore, these prior art devices have no controllable means to minimize dye from coming into contact with the user's scalp, which is undesirable and may irritate the user's skin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A hair fluid applicator is provided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, hi one embodiment, the applicator includes a collapsible fluid container, which includes an open end for allowing egress of a fluid, a compressible air container encasing a majority of the fluid container, and a one-way air valve configured to allow air into the air container and to prevent air from exiting therefrom. The applicator can further include a dispensing head having a proximal end, which can be attachable to the air container, and a distal end. The dispensing head can include a plurality of rows of bristles, with at least some of the bristles having one or more orifices fluidly connectable to the open end of the fluid container. In one embodiment, at least one row of bristles is staggered along a longitudinal axis of the dispensing head with respect to another row of bristles. A one-way fluid valve, which allows egress of the fluid while preventing fluid from entering the fluid container, can be disposed between the open end of the fluid container and the dispensing head. In particular embodiments, the fluid can include at least one of dye, colorant, shampoo, conditioner, and hair straightener.

The hair fluid applicator can include one or more orifices in the dispensing head for allowing egress of the fluid. At least one orifice can be provided in the distal end of the dispensing head. In one embodiment, the at least one orifice is disposed adjacent to a plurality of bristles. hi other embodiments, the air container and the dispensing head form a positional lock to maintain the dispensing head on the air container in a predetermined orientation. In further embodiments, the air container and the dispensing head form a registration mechanism to prevent the dispensing head from being overtightened on the air container.

A collar or band can be provided that is attachable to the air container. The collar can be used to affix the fluid container to the air container. In one embodiment, the collar includes external threads configured to threadedly engage internal threads of the dispensing head. In other embodiments, the collar and air container can form a registration mechanism to position the collar on the air container in a predetermined orientation. hi other embodiments, the one-way fluid valve includes a flange that forms a seal between the fluid container and the dispensing head. A plurality of bristles can be provided at the proximal end of the applicator to provide a barrier such that the hair or fluid, or a combination thereof, is kept away from the air container. In further embodiments, at least some of the bristles are removably attachable to the dispensing head. A section of the dispensing head carrying a plurality of bristles can be removably attachable to the dispensing head. A flow control valve can be provided that allows fluid flow from the fluid container through the one or more orifices in at least some of the bristles, through at least one orifice in the distal end of the dispensing head, or a combination thereof. The one-way air valve can include one or more raised members that can support the fluid container above a slit of a duckbill valve of the one-way air valve. hi other embodiments, a hair fluid applicator is provided that includes a collapsible fluid container for containing a fluid, the fluid container having an open end for allowing egress of the fluid, a one-way valve in communication with the open end of the fluid container for allowing egress of the fluid, and a compressible air container encasing the fluid container. The air container can include an open end for receiving the fluid container and a one-way valve for allowing air into the air container. As the air container is compressed by a user, the fluid container collapses to force the fluid out of the fluid container.

The hair fluid applicator can also include a dispensing head having a proximal end, which can be attachable to the air container, a distal end, and a plurality of rows of bristles. At least some of the bristles can have one or more orifices fluidly connectable to the open end of the fluid container. In particular embodiments, at least one row of bristles is staggered along a longitudinal axis of the dispensing head with respect to another row of bristles.

One or more orifices can be provided in the dispensing head for allowing egress of the fluid, i other embodiments, at least one orifice can be provided in the distal end of the dispensing head adjacent to a plurality of bristles.

A method is provided for applying a fluid to hair, comprising providing a collapsible fluid container for containing a fluid, the fluid container having an open end for allowing egress of the fluid, and being encased within a compressible air container. The method can also include providing a one-way air valve that is configured to allow air into the air container and to prevent air from exiting therefrom, and providing a dispensing head coupled to the air container. The dispensing head can include a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of rows of bristles, with at least some of the bristles having one or more orifices fluidly connectable to the open end of the fluid container. At least one row of bristles can be staggered along a longitudinal axis of the dispensing head with respect to another row of bristles.

The method can further include providing a one-way fluid valve between the open end of the fluid container and the dispensing head. The one-way fluid valve allows egress of the fluid while preventing fluid from entering the fluid container. The air container can be compressed, wherein air within the air container compresses the fluid container to force fluid through the one-way fluid valve and tlirough the bristles to apply fluid to the hair to be treated.

The method can also include providing one or more apertures in the dispensing head in fluid communication with the fluid container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hair fluid applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the hair fluid applicator shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the hair fluid applicator shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a right side view of the hair fluid applicator shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the air container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a one-way air valve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of the one-way air valve shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the dispensing head shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a one-way fluid valve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of the one-way fluid valve shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a partial hair fluid applicator in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a dispensing head.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a dispensing head.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a dispensing head that includes a fluid flow-control mechanism.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of various embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A description of various embodiments of the invention follows. A hair fluid applicator 10, which can be disposable or reusable, is illustrated in FIG. 1. Generally, the applicator 10 includes an air container 12 that encases at least a majority of a collapsible fluid container 14 (FIG. 5) that can contain a fluid, such as a colorant, dye, shampoo, conditioner, hair straightener, etc. The air container 12 is resiliently compressible, i.e., deformable when squeezed, but returns to its original shape, and can include a one-way valve 16 for allowing air into the air container while preventing air from exiting therefrom. The air container 12 includes an open end 18 (FIG. 5) couplable to a dispensing head 20 through which the fluid is delivered to hair to be treated. A one-way fluid valve 22 (e.g., FIG. 9) is disposed between the open end 18 of the air container 12 and the dispensing head 20 for allowing egress of the fluid from the fluid container 14 while preventing fluid from entering the fluid container (see, for example, FIG. 47 of U.S. Patent 6,357,449, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference). hi a particular embodiment, the dispensing head 20 includes a plurality of bristles or teeth 24 (FIGS. 1 and 2). In one embodiment, three rows of bristles 26 are staggered along a longitudinal axis of the dispensing head 20. That is, at least one row of the bristles 26 is offset relative to another row so that the bristles alternate position along the head 20. This causes the strand(s) of hair to snake around the bristles 26, for example, in an S-like pattern, to aid in thoroughly applying the fluid to the hair, hi other embodiments, one or more rows of bristles 26 can be provided. At least some of these bristles 26 can include orifices at the tip, along the shaft, or at the base of the bristles through which fluid can flow, this embodiment, the orifices are provided within the shaft of the bristles 26, i.e., the orifice opening is at the tip of each bristle 26. In a particular embodiment, the orifices have an inside diameter of about two millimeters. Bristles or teeth 28 can be provided on one or both sides of bristles 26 to spread the fluid throughout the hair in a particular embodiment. Bristles or teeth 30 that can be used for applications, such as fine detail coloring, can be provided at the tip or distal end 32 of the dispensing head 20. Bristles or teeth 34 can be provided at a proximal end 36 of the dispensing head 20, for example, to provide a barrier such that the hair and fluid are kept away from the air container 12. In a particular embodiment, the bristles 24 have a height extending from the base of the head 20 in the range from about 9 to 12 millimeters, and about 11 millimeters in a particular embodiment. In other embodiments, orifices 38 (FIG. 2) can be provided along the dispensing head 20 for providing fluid at the base of bristles 24. In other embodiments, one or more orifices 38 can be provided at the base of the bristles 30 for use in fine detail applications, such as coloring, h a particular embodiment, the orifices 38 have an inside diameter of about one millimeter. The dispensing head 20 can be designed to be modular, for example, at least some of the bristles/teeth 24 can be replaced by the user to suit the user's particular need, hi particular embodiments, a section of the head 20, for example, a center section carrying the center bristles, can be removed by the user and replaced with another section having a different bristle configuration, length, stiffness, etc. hi one embodiment, the sections are designed to snap-fit into the head 20.

In a particular embodiment, the dispensing head 20 can be screwed onto the air container 12 or otherwise affixed thereto. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the fluid container 14 can be inserted into the air container 12 and folded over on the open end 18 to provide an open end 15 through which fluid is expelled. A band or collar 40, which can have external threads 42, is slid over a lip 41 of the air container 12 and snapped onto the air container to affix the fluid container 14 within the air container. hi one embodiment, a registration mechanism is provided to ensure that the collar 40 is positioned on the air container 12 in a predetenmned orientation, for example, to ensure that when the dispensing head 20 is tightened, the final orientation is as shown in, for example, FIGS. 1-3. In one embodiment, one or more projections 43 in the air container 12 are designed to match up with recesses in the collar 40 to ensure proper alignment of the collar on the air container. In this embodiment, the external threads 42 of the collar are designed to threadedly engage internal threads 44 of the dispensing head 20 (FIG. 8). The dispensing head 20 forms an internal conduit from the proximal end 36 toward the distal end 30 for carrying the fluid from the fluid container 14 to the bristles 26 and orifices 38. The internal conduit decreases in cross-sectional area from the proximal end 36 to the distal end 30 to provide proper fluid flow to the bristles 26 and orifices 38.

An embodiment of the one-way air valve 16 is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 and includes a duckbill-type valve 52 having a slit 54 through which air is allowed to flow into the air container 12, although other types of one-way valves can be implemented. The valve 16 includes raised members or bumpers 56 that support the fluid container 14 above the slit 54 so that air can flow into the air container 12. The valve 16 can also include a flange 58 that snap-fits into the air container 12 and provides a seal.

The one-way fluid valve 22 (FIGS. 9 and 10) can include a flange 46 that forms a seal between the fluid container 14 and the dispensing head 20. The oneway valve 22 can also include a duckbill-type valve 48 that includes a slit 50 such that the fluid passes in a one-way direction through the valve 22. hi other embodiments, other types of one-way fluid valves can be implemented.

The dispensing head 20 and the air container 12 can be configured to form a registration mechanism to prevent the user from overtightening the head 20 on the air container 12. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example, the dispensing head 20 can include one or more surfaces 21 that are configured to mate with one or more surfaces 13 of air container 12 when the head is screwed onto the air container. As also shown in FIG. 4, a positional lock can be provided to maintain the dispensing head 20 on the air container 12 in a predetermined position or orientation. In this embodiment, a projection 60 of the air container 12 interlocks with a recess 62 in the dispensing head 20, although other configurations can be used. FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a partial hair fluid applicator 10. In this embodiment, the fluid container 14 is removably insertable into the air container 12 and the external threads 42 are provided on the air container 12.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a dispensing head 20 that includes a single row of center bristles 26 having orifices therein. Bristles 28 can be provided on either side of bristles 26. Bristles 30 at the distal end 32 of the dispensing head 20 can also be provided.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of yet another dispensing head 20 that includes a single row of center bristles 26 having orifices therein. Two rows of bristles 28 can be provided on either side of bristles 26. Bristles 30 can be provided at the distal end 32 of the dispensing head 20. Other desirable numbers of rows of bristles can be provided in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, an actuator or a shut-out control can controllably direct the fluid to the center row(s) of bristles 26 and/or the orifice(s) 38 along the head 20 and/or in the distal end 32 of the head.

In operation of embodiments of the hair fluid applicator 10, when the air container 12 is compressed, the air pressure between the air container and the fluid container 14 increases since the air cannot escape. This increased pressure collapses the fluid container 14 which pumps fluid up through the one-λvay fluid valve 22 into the dispensing head 20 and out through the orifices 38 in the head and/or bristles 26. When the compression on the air container 12 is relieved, the one-way fluid valve 22 does not allow the back flow of fluid to the fluid container 14. Due to the higher outside pressure, air outside rushes in through the one-way air valve 16 and enters the space between the two containers 12, 14 to equalize the pressure. With no backflow, the fluid container 14 collapses and by repeating the steps, fluid continuously flows out of the dispensing head 20 with every compression until the desired amount of fluid is evacuated from the fluid container, regardless of the orientation of the applicator 10.

In particular embodiments, the valves 16, 22 can be formed from a flexible material, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer, such as silicone. The one-way fluid valve 22 can be formed from a chemically-resistant material. In specific embodiments, the air container 12 can be formed from a low density polyethylene and the dispensing head 20 can be formed from polypropylene, hi one embodiment, the fluid container 14 is formed from a low density polyethylene/PPO blend.

Any of the hair fluid applicators disclosed herein can be used on humans as well as animals, such as a dog.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.

Claims

CLALMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A hair fluid applicator, comprising: a collapsible fluid container for containing a fluid, the fluid container having an open end for allowing egress of the fluid; a compressible air container encasing a majority of the fluid container; a one-way air valve configured to allow air into the air container and to prevent air from exiting therefrom; a dispensing head having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being attachable to the air container, the dispensing head having a plurality of rows of bristles, at least some of the bristles having one or more orifices fluidly connectable to the open end of the fluid container, at least one row of bristles being staggered along a longitudinal axis of the dispensing head with respect to another row of bristles; and a one-way fluid valve disposed between the open end of the fluid container and the dispensing head, the one-way fluid valve allowing egress of the fluid while preventing fluid from entering the fluid container.

2. The hair fluid applicator of Claim 1, further comprising one or more orifices in the dispensing head for allowing egress of the fluid.

3. The hair fluid applicator of Claim 1, further comprising at least one orifice in the distal end of the dispensing head, the at least one orifice being disposed adjacent to a plurality of bristles.

4. The hair fluid applicator of Claim 1, wherein the air container and the dispensing head form a positional lock to maintain the dispensing head on the air container in a predetermined orientation.

5. The hair fluid applicator of Claim 1 , wherein the air container and the dispensing head form a registration mechanism to prevent the dispensing head from being overtightened on the air container.

6. The hair fluid applicator of Claim 1, further comprising a collar that is attachable to the air container, the collar affixing the fluid container to the air container.

7. The hair fluid applicator of Claim 6, wherein the collar includes external threads configured to threadedly engage internal threads of the dispensing head, the collar and the air container forming a registration mechanism to position the collar on the air container in a predetermined orientation.

8. The hair fluid applicator of Claim 1, wherein the one-way fluid valve includes a flange that forms a seal between the fluid container and the dispensing head.

9. The hair fluid applicator of Claim 1, further comprising a plurality of bristles at the proximal end of the applicator to provide a barrier such that the hair or fluid, or a combination thereof, is kept away from the air container.

10. The hair fluid applicator of Claim 1, wherein at least some of the bristles are removably attachable to the dispensing head.

11. The hair fluid applicator of Claim 1 , wherein a section of the dispensing head carrying a plurality of bristles is removably attachable to the dispensing head.

12. The hair fluid applicator of Claim 1, further comprising a flow control valve that allows fluid flow from the fluid container through the one or more orifices in the at least some of the bristles, through at least one orifice in the distal end of the dispensing head, or a combination thereof.

13. The hair fluid applicator of Claim 1 , wherein the fluid includes at least one of dye, colorant, shampoo, conditioner, and hair straightener.

14. The hair fluid applicator of Claim 1, wherein the one-way air valve includes one or more raised members that can support the fluid container above a slit of a duckbill valve of the one-way air valve.

15. A hair fluid applicator, comprising: a collapsible fluid container for containing a fluid, the fluid container having an open end for allowing egress of the fluid; a one-way valve in communication with the open end of the fluid container for allowing egress of the fluid; and a compressible air container encasing the fluid container, the air container having an open end for receiving the fluid container, the air container including a one-way valve for allowing air into the air container; wherein as the air container is compressed by a user, the fluid container collapses to force the fluid out of the fluid container.

16. The hair fluid applicator of Claim 15, further comprising a dispensing head having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being attachable to the air container, the dispensing head having a plurality of rows of bristles, at least some of the bristles having one or more orifices fluidly connectable to the open end of the fluid container, at least one row of bristles being staggered along a longitudinal axis of the dispensing head with respect to another row of bristles.

17. The hair fluid applicator of Claim 16, further comprising one or more orifices in the dispensing head for allowing egress of the fluid.

18. The hair fluid applicator of Claim 16, further comprising at least one orifice in the distal end of the dispensing head, the at least one orifice being disposed adjacent to a plurality of bristles.

19. A method of applying a fluid to hair, comprising: providing a collapsible fluid container for containing a fluid, the fluid container having an open end for allowing egress of the fluid, the fluid container being encased within a compressible air container; providing a one-way air valve that is configured to allow air into the air container and to prevent air from exiting therefrom; providing a dispensing head coupled to the air container, the dispensing head having a proximal end and a distal end, the dispensing head having a plurality of rows of bristles, at least some of the bristles having one or more orifices fluidly connectable to the open end of the fluid container, at least one row of bristles being staggered along a longitudinal axis of the dispensing head with respect to another row of bristles; providing a one-way fluid valve between the open end of the fluid container and the dispensing head, the one-way fluid valve allowing egress of the fluid while preventing fluid from entering the fluid container; and compressing the air container, wherein air within the air container compresses the fluid container to force fluid through the one-way fluid valve and tlirough the bristles to apply fluid to the hair to be treated.

20. The method of Claim 15, further comprising providing one or more apertures in the dispensing head in fluid communication with the fluid container.