CN106998867A - Hair dyeing device is intended for single use - Google Patents

Abstract

Device comprising a container for hair coloring formulations. The container has a source connectable to the hair coloring formula and a port element disconnected therefrom. The brush head/dispenser element is attached to and in fluid communication with the container, wherein the dye formulation in the container is dispensed via the brush head by the user squeezing the container or by a pump connectable to the container, the combination of the container and the brush head being structurally The upper is sized and configured for a single use and can thereafter be disposed of.

Description

single use hair coloring device

technical field

The present invention relates generally to hair coloring devices, in particular to at-home hair coloring devices, and more particularly to single use consumables.

Background technique

Hair coloring, particularly at home by the user, can provide satisfactory results, but can be cumbersome and in some cases leads to unexpected or unsatisfactory results. This is often time consuming and requires cleanup time. A conventional at-home process, which may also be used by a professional or in a hair salon, involves a series of specific steps including the user step of opening one or more containers and mixing their contents to produce the desired color formula. The formulation is then applied to the hair by the user, including rubbing it into the hair area and then combing it. After the process is complete, the tools need to be cleaned and stored.

There is a need for an at-home dyeing device in the form of a single-use consumable that produces predictable color results.

Contents of the invention

Accordingly, a single-use disposable hair coloring device comprises: a container assembly for a hair coloring formula having a port element capable of receiving the hair coloring formula from a source of the hair coloring formula; a brush head/dispenser element attached to the container and Fluid communication; wherein the hair coloring formula in the container is directed to the brush head/dispenser by user operation on the container or by pump operation on the container, wherein the combination is structurally sized and configured to Intended for single use hair coloring events and can also be discarded by the user after a single use.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the single use hair coloring device of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of another embodiment of the single use hair coloring device of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the hair coloring device of the present invention.

4A, 4B and 4C are top, end and cross-sectional views of portions of the embodiment of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 .

detailed description

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a single use hair coloring device 10 . In FIG. 1 , premixed hair coloring formulations of selected colors are provided in a storage unit or mixing device 14 connectable to a container 12 .

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the container 12 has a capacity of approximately 70ml, sufficient for a single hair coloring application. In such an embodiment, the capacity of the container may range from about 40 to 140 ml. Although the capacity may vary between containers depending on the amount of hair to be coloured, the hair coloring formula and the number of devices, a capacity greater than 70ml is sufficient for most single hair coloring situations.

The proximal end 18 of the container 12 includes a port connection 20 with a valve 22 therein. The port 20 securely fits in a fluid tight relationship to a mating port connection 24 in a proximal end 25 of the paint formula storage unit or formula mixing device 14 . When the container 12 and storage unit 14 are securely mated, the paint formulation can flow from the storage unit 14 into the container 12 .

At the distal end 26 of the container 12 is a brush head/dispenser 27 . The brush head/dispenser 27 is in fluid communication with the interior volume of the container via a fluid path 28 . The brush head in the illustrated embodiment comprises a plurality of individual teeth 29, the number of which may vary, and in the illustrated embodiment comprises four individual teeth. The teeth can be evenly spaced or unevenly spaced, linear or non-linear. In use the pigment formula flows from the teeth into the hair. In various embodiments, the teeth range in length from about 0.5 inches to about 1.5 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the teeth are about 0.7 inches long, each tooth having an opening 30 with a diameter at its tip of about 0.1 inches. In various embodiments, one or more of the teeth 29 includes a plurality of openings along its length to allow lateral delivery of the dye formulation. In various embodiments, the cross-section of the teeth 29 can have a variety of shapes, configurations or geometries, including circular, polygonal, conical, regular or irregular, and the like.

In various embodiments, the single-use hair color applicator 10 includes one or more structural elements made of metal, ceramic, polymer, composite material, or the like. Non-limiting examples of polymeric materials include polyvinyl chloride, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene or polyolefins, or nomopolymers or copolymers thereof.

Between the individual teeth 29 and at the ends of the brush head are individual bristle tufts 31 . The bristle tufts 31 extend beyond the teeth by a distance, acting as a standoff for the teeth relative to the user's scalp. In the illustrated embodiment, the bristle tufts generally comprise 10 tufts of bristles, wherein the tufts have a diameter of approximately 0.1 inches, however these diameters may vary.

The container 12 comprises a flexible material, wherein when the container is squeezed by a user, the dye formulation in the container is moved through and extruded from the brush head. Next, the user moves the brush head to color the hair in the usual sequence of hairline, root and rest of the hair. The container can then be discarded. Storage units can be saved for future use, or discarded.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a source of dye, generally indicated at 32 , comprising a dye pack assembly, usable with the container 12 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 . The dye pack assembly 32 of FIG. 2 shows three separate dye packs 33, 34, 35 each having a separate dye, eg, gold, red and brown. However, other numbers of packs may also be used, including single color packs. The illustrated embodiment may also include a developer pack 36, although a developer pack is not required in a single use device. Each pack includes its own separate pump 37-40. The pump is driven by a separate motor (not shown), which is correspondingly controlled by the dye programming unit. The individual motors and pumps are controlled to produce the desired color selected by the user and communicate with the programming unit via a card, barcode, etc. that can be read by the programming unit. In the embodiment shown, the dye formulation from the individual packs is directed to combined dye line 46 , while the developer formulation is directed towards developer line 48 . The two lines meet in a connecting mixing line 48 in which a mixing element 50 is arranged to produce the desired color.

The components of Figure 2 are described in more detail in a co-pending application entitled "Hair Coloring Appliance" owned by the assignee of the present invention. The content of this application is hereby incorporated by reference. The source unit 32 terminates in a connection element 52, which is connected in fluid-tight relation to the container. Whether it is desired that the dye color change or remain the same, the pack assembly 32 can be retained for other single use containers.

3-5 illustrate another embodiment of a single use container. In this case, the single use container 56 is housed in a housing 58 comprising a lower housing element 60 and an upper housing element 62 , wherein the upper housing element 62 is hinged to the lower housing element 60 at 63 . The single use container can be conveniently placed in and removed from the housing 58 . The single use container includes a dye source sachet 64 containing the desired dye, and a brush head/dispenser unit 66 . The pouch may be single-use or, in one variation, refillable via the connecting fill line 65 (Figs. 4A, 4B). The brush head 66 having the teeth 58 may be configured similarly to that shown in FIG. 1 . The brush head 66 is in fluid communication with the pouch 64 via a connecting tube 68 . A crank assembly 70 driven by a drive shaft 74 is provided on the brush head assembly. Drive shaft 74 is driven by motor 73 ( FIG. 5 ) via a two-part drive link assembly 76 , one in housing 58 and the other on the lower surface of brushhead assembly 66 .

The crankshaft assembly includes a connecting rod 77 which is connected to a movable portion 81 of the brush head assembly. As one end 79 of the connecting rod makes a circular motion and the other end 80 drives the movable portion 81 to move linearly over a selected distance, typically 0.5-1.5 times the distance between the teeth 68, the movable portion passes The action of the connecting rod slides back and forth. An O-ring 82 surrounds the movable portion and serves as a seal against fluid leakage. The drive shaft 74 and motor 73 also drive a pump 84 disposed below the crankshaft assembly which moves the dye from the pouch 64 through the line 68 into the brush head and out the teeth. The action of the pump and the movement of the brush head are thus coupled, however in some variant embodiments the crankshaft assembly and the pump may be independent. The device also includes an on/off button 90 , a control microprocessor 92 and a battery 94 . In the embodiment of Figures 3-5, the pouch and attached brush head unit may be discarded as a single use consumable when the single use event is concluded. Another pouch/brush head assembly can be inserted into the housing for the next single use event.

Accordingly, several embodiments of single use devices have been disclosed which perform a single staining event and the single consumable can be discarded after the event is complete.

Although several embodiments including preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, it should be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated into the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. substance.

Claims (17)

1. A single use disposable hair coloring device comprising: a container assembly for a hair coloring formula having a port member capable of receiving a hair coloring formula from a source of said hair coloring formula; a brush head/dispenser element attached to and in fluid communication with the container; wherein the hair coloring formula in the container is directed to a brush head/dispenser by user operation on the container or by pump operation on the container, wherein the container assembly and the brush head/dispenser The combination of implements is structurally sized and configured for a single use staining event and can also be disposed of by the user after a single use. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the container is sized for a hair coloring event, or configured to be refilled to complete a hair coloring event. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the brush head includes a plurality of teeth having openings at ends thereof, wherein in operation the dye formulation moves from the container assembly through the teeth into the hair. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the teeth are regularly spaced. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the brush head includes a plurality of teeth having openings along a length thereof. 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, comprising bristle tufts disposed between said teeth, or additionally disposed close to said teeth, the bristle tufts extending slightly beyond said teeth for use as said teeth barrier to the scalp. 7. The device of claim 1 , said source of dye formulation being premixed and wherein there is a fluid tight connection between the source of dye formulation and a container assembly, comprising a valve element in said container assembly to control access The container for the flow of the dye formulation. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the container assembly includes a flexible housing such that a user squeezes the dye formulation therein into the brush head element by applying a squeezing force to the housing. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said source of hair coloring formula is a pack assembly comprising at least one hair dye pack, no developer pack or one developer pack, including a mixer assembly and a connection element for connecting the bag assembly to the container assembly, the connection element including a valve for controlling the movement of the dye formulation into the container. 10. The device of claim 9, wherein said pack assembly comprises two or more packs of different dye formulations, and a developer material pack, wherein said developer material and said dye formulation material A source of dye formulation flows from the mixer assembly. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the source of dye formulation is integrated with the container, and wherein the source of dye formulation comprises a filling element for receiving the dye formulation from an external source. 12. The apparatus of claim 1 including a pump driven by a motor for moving the dye formulation from the container to the brush head/dispenser. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, comprising a drive assembly for reciprocating the brush head/dispenser in a lateral direction, wherein the distance of lateral movement is greater than half the distance between adjacent teeth but not greater than adjacent teeth. Twice the distance between the teeth. 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is fittable in and removable from the housing. 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the pump and the drive assembly are driven by a single drive motor assembly. 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the drive assembly includes a crankshaft and linkage member responsive to a drive motor to move the brush head. 17. The device of claim 13, including a sealing element for preventing leakage of the dye formulation when the brush head is reciprocated.