CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62804090 filed on February 11, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62904904 filed on September 24, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to applicator attachments for spray cans, and particularly to spray cans including hair-care products such as hair-coloring agents and compositions.

BACKGROUND

A range of hair-care products, treatments and medicaments are available in spray cans, including aerosol spray cans. An example of such a hair-care product is a hair-coloring composition. Spraying products on the hair can be a quick and efficient way to disperse the product over areas of a user’s head, but it comes with drawbacks: for example, an undesirable effect of spraying a hair-coloring composition on the head can be that the spray also finds its way to the user’s scalp and not just to the hair. Another undesirable effect is that some parts of the spray can land on the clothes of the use. Thus, an applicator that can protect clothing and/or scalp from errant parts of the spray can be useful. However, simply protecting the scalp from stray droplets can also mean covering hair roots. In the case of applying a hair-coloring composition, it can be desirable for an applicator to protect the scalp while exposing the hair roots. Simple applicators have been proposed in conjunction with specially designed cans that work together with the applicators. However, there is a need for an applicator that can work with a wide range of commercially available spray cans - for example, aerosol spray cans having a crimped valve cup and an actuator disposed within the valve cup. Many‘high- end’ products are provided in aerosol spray cans having a large actuator button occupying most of the valve cup, leaving only the crimp ring exposed. The actuator buttons are likely to have extended, turret-like nozzles for concentrating the spray and commercially differentiating the product. Thus, there is a need for an applicator that can be installed on a wide range of commercially available spray cans with these features, and that can be easily attached to, and detached from, such cans even those having large actuator buttons with nozzle extensions.

SUMMARY

An applicator is disclosed according to embodiments, for delivering a cosmetic agent or medical agent to a person’s head. The applicator is adapted for attachment to a spray can, and comprises: (a) a ring portion open to the bottom and partially enclosing an annular volume for receiving a part of the spray can; and (b) a shield portion extending radially outward from the ring portion along a minority of the ring portion’s circumference and including a plurality of teeth at a distal end thereof.

In some embodiments, the shield portion can include a concave section at its proximal end and a flat section at its distal end.

In some embodiments, when the applicator is attached to the spray can, the shield portion is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spray can when disposed in the operating position.

In some embodiments, the spray can may be an aerosol spray can comprising a crimped valve cup and an actuator disposed within the valve cup, and the spray-can part can include a crimped ring; the ring portion cam be configured to grasp the crimped ring so as to attach the applicator to the spray can, and can include a gap formed opposite a longitudinal centerline of the shield portion, for the passing therethrough of a radially-extending nozzle extension when the applicator is being attached or detached to the spray can; and the applicator can be formed as a single part from a thermoplastic polymer having an elastic modulus such that the applicator can be firmly attached to a valve-cup crimp ring of an aerosol spray can containing a hair-coloring composition and having a crimp ring with a diameter at least as large as the partially enclosed annular volume.

In some embodiments, the applicator can additionally comprise a visor extension extending radially outward from the ring portion along a second minority of the ring portion’s circumference and having a radially-oriented centerline that is either diametrically opposed, or within ±10° of being diametrically opposed, to a radially-oriented centerline of the shield portion. In some such embodiments, the radially-oriented centerline of the visor extension can be an axis of symmetry of the visor extension. In some such embodiments, the visor extension can have a convex upper surface. In some such embodiments, the visor extension can be thickest at the proximal end of its radially-oriented centerline. In some such embodiments, the visor extension can have a bottom surface comprising a plurality of open spaces separated by one or more ribs. In some such embodiments, a bottom surface of the visor extension can be flush with a bottom surface of the ring portion.

In some embodiments, the applicator can additionally comprise, on an inner surface of the ring portion and spaced around the perimeter of the annular volume, at least three undercut can-grasping tabs.

In some embodiments, the distal tips of the teeth can define an arc of a conic section.

In some embodiments, the shield portion can include a U-shaped opening at its proximal end so as to form, in combination with the gap in the ring portion, an uninterrupted opening. In some such embodiments, the uninterrupted opening can be effective to allow the passage therethrough, during the attachment or removal of the applicator to/from the spray can, of a radially-extending spray-can nozzle extension that is within ±10° of being aligned with the longitudinal centerline of the shield portion. In some such embodiments, a width of the gap in the ring portion is the same as a width of the U-shaped opening.

In some embodiments, an applicator assembly can comprise the applicator according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein, , and an aerosol spray can containing a cosmetic agent or medicament or other hair-care agent for application to the hair and/or scalp, the spray can comprising a nozzle directed at an angle that is within +10° of perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spray can. In some such embodiments, the radially-extending spray- can nozzle extension can be within ±5° of being aligned with the longitudinal centerline of the shield portion of the applicator.

In some embodiments, an applicator can comprise, i.e., be produced from or formed form, a thermoplastic polymer produced from at least one of a propylene and an ethylene.

In some embodiments, the applicator additionally comprises a connector portion extending radially outward from the ring portion along a minority of the ring portion’s circumference, interposed between the ring portion and the shield portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience and clarity of presentation and not necessarily to scale. Also, in some drawings the relative sizes of objects, and the relative distances between objects, may be exaggeratedly large or small for the sake of convenience and clarity of presentation. In the drawings:

Figs. 1A and IB are respective top and bottom views of an applicator according to embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 1C is a top view of an applicator according to embodiments of the present invention.

Figs. 2A and 2B are respective top and bottom views of an applicator according to embodiments of the present invention. Figs. 3A and 3B are respective side-projection and side-top perspective views of the applicator of Figs. 1 A and IB, according to embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the applicator of Figs. 1A and IB, according to embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates the attachment of the applicator of Figs. 1A and IB to an aerosol spray can containing a hair-coloring agent, according to embodiments of the present invention.

Figs. 6 and 7 are respective side and top views of an assembly of the applicator and spray can of Fig. 5, according to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Throughout the drawings, like-referenced characters are generally used to designate like elements.

For convenience, in the context of the description herein, various terms are presented here. To the extent that definitions are provided, explicitly or implicitly, here or elsewhere in this application, such definitions are understood to be consistent with the usage of the defined terms by those of skill in the pertinent art(s). Furthermore, such definitions are to be construed in the broadest possible sense consistent with such usage.

According to various embodiments, a hair-coloring applicator can be used in conjunction with an aerosol spray can containing a hair-coloring agent (the same as a“hair coloring composition”) to apply the hair-coloring agent. Note: The embodiments described herein are equally useful for other forms of sprays and other compositions sprayed onto the hair, although the description stays with aerosol sprays of hair-coloring agent for consistency of explanation. The specific contents of the spray can and its specific working mechanism are not generally relevant to the invention.

The applicator is designed to largely block the hair-coloring agent from reaching the scalp of a user while at the same time reaching the roots (e.g., for coloring or re-coloring in the case of a hair-color composition) the roots and adjacent lower ends of the user’s hair. This can be accomplished, for example, in‘recommended use’ mode of the applicator as the term is used herein, by a user using one hand (or hand-held object such, for example, as a comb or brush) to expose the roots and lower ends of the hair to a dispersion or aerosol mist of hair-coloring agent expelled by a can-applicator assembly provided in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein. According to and during the performance of this recommended mode of use, teeth of the applicator are pressed against the user’s scalp, with the near-root regions to be colored passing through the spaces between the teeth.

Thus it is preferable that it not be necessary for the applicator to be directly handled separately from the spray can, since both of the user’s hands are presumably occupied - one with the spray can and the other with grasping, holding back or presenting a section of hair, either directly or with the help of a comb or brush. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an applicator that is firmly attachable to a spray can, such that an assembly of the can with the applicator attached to it can be used one-handed, and that the pressing against the user’ s scalp can be performed without causing the untimely disassembly of an applicator-can assembly. The utility of the applicator design is preferably such that it can be firmly attached to spray cans of slightly different sizes, or alternatively cans having slightly different-sized attachment elements for the applicator. For example, a typical aerosol spray can that is used for hair-coloring or hair-recoloring agents can be of an internal ‘bag-on-valve’ design, where a spray can includes a single circumferential crimp joining the body of the can and a valve cup, a bowl-like element generally installed on a valve stem under the nozzle.

A typical aerosol spray can 200 (shown in Fig. 5) is formed from aluminum, although in other examples, other materials may be used, including other metal-containing materials or plastic-containing materials. The crimp ring 220 is created at the intersection of a valve cup (not seen, since it is internal to the can) and the body 210 of the can. Such a crimp ring 220 may also be called a valve cup crimp. Typical aerosol spray cans used for hair-coloring or hair-recoloring agents may have a crimp ring with an outer diameter in the range of 31 to 35 mm, or 31.5 to 34 mm. It can be desirable to provide an applicator that is usable almost universally with different spray cans having crimp ring diameters in a certain range, where within such a range the diameters can have a variance of 1%, 2%, 3% or more, for example amongst various suppliers of such spray cans. Spray cans of this type often have additional features that can potentially affect the utility of an applicator. For example, instead of a simple‘button’ as a valve actuator as might be found in everyday spray cans for less-expensive industrial household products, such spray cans may have large actuators or actuator platforms or rings that occupy at least 80% or at least 90% or more of the area within the valve cup. Moreover, such cans may have extended spray nozzles, or tubes extending from nozzle outlets, so as to narrow the angle of distribution of the mist, or aerosol droplets, expelled at the nozzle outlet by actuation of the valve. Examples of these features are also shown in Fig. 5, including actuator ring 235 beneath actuator 230, and nozzle outlet extension 237. In some examples (not shown) the actuator ring and actuator may be combined in a single large actuator or button, but in such examples the combined feature also similarly occupies most or nearly all (at least 80% or at least 90% or more) of the area within the valve cup. Therefore it can be desirable to provide an applicator that can be firmly attached to a spray can - despite most or nearly all of the area within the valve cup being occupied by an actuator ring or platform, and despite the presence of a nozzle outlet extension. Moreover, it can be desirable that an applicator can be easily installed on a spray can with such a nozzle extension, and as easily detached.

Referring now to Figs. 1 A and IB, respective top and bottom views are presented of an exemplary applicator 500 according to various embodiments. The applicator 500 comprises a ring portion 510 adapted for attachment to the top of a spray can 200, and a shield portion 570 which includes a‘solid’ part 571 and a plurality of teeth 575, the teeth preferably being closely- spaced so as to more effectively protect the user’s scalp from the spray.‘Closely spaced’ as used herein means that each tooth of the plurality of teeth is separated from a laterally neighboring tooth so as to provide a minimum gap distance between neighboring teeth, along a majority of the length of the teeth, of between 0.3 mm and 1 mm. In some embodiments, the minimum gap distance is between 0.3 mm and 0.75 mm. In some embodiments, the minimum gap distance is between 0.5 mm and 1 mm. In some embodiments, the minimum gap distance is at most 1 cm or at most 0.75 cm or at most 5 mm or at most 3 mm or at most 2 mm or at most 1 mm. In some embodiments, the distal tips of the teeth define an arc of a conic section, e.g., for added user comfort.

The ring portion 510 surrounds an open volume 560. Attachment of the applicator 500 to a spray can 200, as will be explained later, includes causing the top of the spray can to pass through this open volume 560. The ring portion 510 has a gap 565 opposite the centerline 905 of the shield portion 570, to facilitate the attachment and removal of the applicator to/from a spray can 200. The gap 565 is preferably wide enough so that a nozzle extension 237 can pass through uninhibited even if it not exactly lined up with the centerline 905 of the shield portion, but also when the nozzle extension 237 is within ±5° or within ±10 ° of being aligned with the centerline 905 of the shield portion. Opening 566 is formed in the shield portion 570 adjacent to the ring gap 565, in order to create a larger and continuous three-dimensional opening in the ring portion 510 so that a nozzle extension such as nozzle extension 237 can also be passed through the ring portion 510 as part of the attachment process. The combined space of gap 565 and opening 566 is preferably wide enough so that a nozzle extension 237 can pass through uninhibited even if it not exactly lined up with the centerline 905 of the shield portion, but also when the nozzle extension 237 is within 5% or within 10% of being aligned with the centerline 905 of the shield portion. Both the ring gap 565 and shield portion opening are provided so as to line up opposite the longitudinal centerline 905 of the shield portion 570

As shown in the bottom view of the applicator 500 in Fig. IB, the inner surface of the ring portion 510 can include, a plurality of undercut tabs 518 formed thereupon, the tabs 518 being provided for grasping an element of the spray can 200 (for example, the crimp ring 220) so as to firmly attach an applicator 500 to a spray can 200.

Fig. 1C is another top view of the applicator 500 of Figs. 1A and IB, showing a connector portion 530 interposed between the ring portion 510 and the shield portion 570.

Referring now to Figs. 2A and 2B, respective top and bottom views are presented of an exemplary applicator 500 according to a second applicator design. The applicator 500 of Figs. 2A and 2B comprises a ring portion 510 adapted for attachment to the top of a spray can 200, and a shield portion 570 which includes a‘solid’ part 571 and a plurality of closely spaced teeth 575. The ring portion 510 surrounds an open volume 560. The bottom view in Fig. 2B reveals that the inner surface of the ring portion 510 includes, formed thereupon, a plurality of ribs 519, the ribs 519 being provided for grasping an element of the spray can 200 (for example, the crimp ring 220) so as to firmly attach an applicator 100 to a spray can 200. The applicator 500 additionally comprises a connector portion 130, which extends radially outward from the ring portion 510 along a minority of the circumference of the ring portion 510 and is rigidly joined to the shield portion 570. The applicator 500 of Figs. 2A- 2B differs from that of Figs. 1A-1B in a number of ways, including inter alia, that the applicator of 500 of Figs. 2A-B has no extended opening 566 formed in the shield portion 570.

In any of the applicators 500 disclosed herein, the closely-spaced teeth 575 have ‘inner surfaces’ meant to be pressed against the scalp of a subject during recommended use. The term‘inner surface’ herein means‘inward-facing surface’, i.e., a surface that in the recommended use mode of the applicator will be facing inwards, i.e., towards the user’s scalp. If the spray can is held upright, then the‘inner surface’ would be a‘downward-facing surface’. However, modern spray cans may be used effectively when held sideways or at other angles, especially when omnidirectional bag-on-valve spray cans are involved - and thus the term‘inner’ is used instead of‘downward-facing’ for greater clarity. Similarly, the term‘outer surfaces’ is used for those surfaces of the applicator teeth that are facing in the opposite direction - away from the user’s scalp, and therefor in the opposite direction of the inner surfaces. During the recommended mode of use, the root regions of the hairs (the regions of the hair closest to the scalp) are made to pass through the spaces between the teeth 575 and be exposed to a mist of hair-coloring agent dispensed from a spray can 200. At the same time, the outer surfaces of the teeth 575 largely prevent hair-coloring agent from reaching the user’s scalp by blocking a portion of the spray. Thus, the hair-coloring agent coats mainly the root regions of the hairs passing through the spaces between the teeth. In this position, the applicator 500 protects the user’s scalp, face and clothing from hair coloring. With respect to the section of the shield portion 570 that is farther from the user’s hair roots, the presence of a solid section 571 is effective in preventing any aerosol droplets of hair-coloring agent from reaching the user’s face and clothing.

All of the aforementioned portions of the applicator 500 - ring portion 510 and shield portion 570 including teeth 575 - are preferably formed together as a single part or unit. For example, the entire applicator 500 can be injection-molded as a single part in one cavity. Obviously, there are other ways of fabricating such a part including (but not exhaustively) machining, 3D printing and thermoforming. The applicator 500 preferably comprises a thermoplastic polymer but can additionally or alternatively comprise a metal alloy, wood and/or a cardboard. A suitable polymer will preferably have a lower modulus of elasticity so as to provide enough elasticity for an applicator to attach to a larger- diameter crimp ring than it is nominally designed for. Higher molecular weights and low melt-flow rates are also preferable, to the extent that the polymer can be pushed into the mold without too much difficulty. An example of a suitable polymer meeting these requirements is a homopolymer polypropylene. Another example is a random copolymer polypropylene, e.g., one which includes ethylene monomers. In some embodiments of the invention, a polyethylene can be used. These polymers are commonly used in industry and are easily procurable.

As can be seen in Figs. 3 A and 3B, the shield portion 570 (in the solid part 571, sometimes called‘solid section 571’ in this disclosure) preferably defines a concave lateral trough 620 (i.e., concave in the upward-facing or‘outward-facing’ direction) in its proximal end, i.e., in the area where it adjoins the ring portion 510. The concave lateral trough of the solid part 571 can be seen in Fig. 3B to be less concave as it progresses longitudinally along the length of solid part 571, and thus the distal end of the shield portion 570 comprises a completely flat section 630 where the solid section 571 eventually meets the teeth 575 at the distal end of the solid part 571. The skilled artisan will understand that the concave trough design can add rigidity and mechanical stability to the applicator 500 without having to add material or strength-adding features, e.g., ribs, thus saving in the cost of material.

As previously discussed hereinabove, the applicator 500 preferably can be pressed on the scalp without causing the applicator to‘pop off the spray can 200. Therefore it can be desirable to provide an additional feature that facilitates detachment of the applicator 500 from a can 200 without depending on using the shield portion 570 as a lever.

Referring again to Figs. 1A-1B, a visor-like extension 610 (henceforth called a visor or visor extension) extends from the ring portion 510 in the opposite direction from the shield portion 570. The visor-like extension 610 is shown according to the applicator design of Figs. 1A-B but it will be apparent to the skilled artisan that that a visor extension 610 can be added to the applicator 500 as well. The visor extension 610 facilitates removal of an applicator 500 from a spray can 200 (e.g., by a user using the more robust visor extension 610 to‘pop’ the applicator off the spray can 200 without putting excessive stresses on the thinner plastic of the shield portion 570. It is thus desirable for the visor extension 610 to be robust, and thus it is preferably flush on the bottom with ring portion 510 and convex— with the thickest part in the center (around centerline 906), thinning out towards the two ends marked as A and B in Fig. 4. In the other direction, the visor 610 is thickest where closest to the ring portion 510 itself and is thinner where farther from the ring portion 510. As shown in Fig. IB, the visor 610 can be reinforced with ribs 622 (and similar solid sections) defining and separating openings 621.

In order to have the applicator come off easily from the spray can without getting blocked by nozzle extension 237, centerline 906 (in Figs. 1A and 4) of the visor extension 610 preferably lines up with centerline 905 of the shield portion 570. In some

embodiments, the preferred placement of centerline 906 of the visor extension 610 is diametrically opposite centerline 905 of the shield portion 570. Centerline 906 of the visor extension 610 can also be within 10° or within 5° of diametrically opposite centerline 905 of the shield portion 570, and in such cases the nozzle extension may still pass through the combined ring-gap 565 (and, optionally, shield-portion opening 566), depending, of course, on the width of the openings. Both ring-gap 565 shield-portion opening 566 preferably have the same width.

Fig 5 illustrates a preferred method for attaching an applicator 500 to a spray can 200. As indicated by the arrows, the ring portion 500 can be lowered over the top of the spray can 200; the activator 230 and activator ring 235 pass through open volume 560, and the nozzle extension 237 passes through ring gap 565 and shield opening 566. The downward movement of the applicator 500 can be continued until the undercut tabs 518 formed on the inner surface of the ring portion 510 grasp the crimp ring 220 of the spray can 200, in some embodiments with a noticeable‘click’ or‘snap.’ As an example, a user can hold the spray can 200 in one hand, and the applicator 500 in the other hand, with the hand holding the applicator 500 preferably holding the ring portion 510 which has to be forced down over the crimp ring 220. The resulting assembly 600 of applicator 500 attached to spray can 200 is illustrated in Fig. 6 in elevation (side) view projection and in Fig. 7 in plan (top) view projection. The nozzle extension 237 is aligned up with the centerline 905 of the shield portion 570 of the applicator 500, or within ±5° of the centerline 905 or within ±10° of the centerline 905.

The applicator and applicator assembly have been explained in terms of an applicator for delivering a hair-coloring agent. The prevent inventor also notes that the same applicator and/or system and/or kit may be used to deliver any agent - e.g., a cosmetic agent and/or medicament and/or any other hair-care agent - to the hair and/or scalp.

Additional discussion

Embodiments of an applicator 500, for delivering a cosmetic agent and/or medicament and/or any other hair-care agent to the hair and/or scalp, are now disclosed. The applicator 500 is adapted for attachment to a spray can 200 and comprising: a ring portion 510 open to the bottom and partially enclosing an annular volume 561 for receiving a part of the spray can 200; a shield portion 570 extending radially outward from the ring portion 510 along a first minority of the ring portion’s circumference and including a plurality of teeth 575 at a distal end thereof; and a visor extension 610 extending radially outward from the ring portion 510 along a second minority of the ring portion’s circumference and having a radially-oriented centerline 906 that is either diametrically opposed, or within ±10° of being diametrically opposed, to a radially- oriented centerline 905 of the shield portion 570. The radially-oriented centerline 906 of the visor extension 610 can be an axis of symmetry of the visor extension 610. The visor extension 610 can have a convex upper surface 611. The visor extension 610 can be thickest at the proximal end of its radially-oriented centerline 906. The visor extension 610 can have has a bottom surface 612 comprising a plurality of open spaces 621 separated by one or more ribs 622. A bottom surface 612 of the visor extension 610 can be flush with a bottom surface 625 of the ring portion 510. The applicator 500 can additionally comprise, on an inner surface 561 of the ring portion and spaced around the perimeter of the annular volume, at least three undercut can-grasping tabs 518. The shield portion 570 can include a concave section 620 at its proximal end and a flat section 630 at its distal end. The distal tips of the teeth 575 can define an arc of a conic section. An applicator assembly 600 can comprise an applicator 500 and an aerosol spray can 200 containing a cosmetic agent or medicament or other hair-care agent for application to the hair and/or scalp; the spray can 200 can comprise a nozzle 237 directed at an angle that is within +10° of perpendicular 908 to a longitudinal axis 907 of the spray can 200.

Embodiments of an applicator 500, for delivering a cosmetic agent and/or medicament and/or any other hair-care agent to the hair and/or scalp, are now disclosed. The applicator 500 is for delivering a cosmetic agent and/or medicament and/or any other hair-care agent to the hair and/or scalp, the applicator 500 being adapted for attachment to a spray can 200 and comprising: a ring portion 510 open to the bottom and partially enclosing an annular volume for receiving a part of the spray can 200; and a shield portion 570 extending radially outward from the ring portion 510 along a minority of the ring portion’s circumference and including a plurality of teeth 575 at a distal end thereof, wherein the ring portion 510 includes a gap 565 formed opposite a longitudinal centerline 905 of the shield portion 570. The shield portion 570 can include a U-shaped opening 566 at its proximal end so as to form, in combination with the gap 565 in the ring portion 510, an uninterrupted opening. The gap 565 opening can be effective to allow the passage therethrough, during the attachment or removal of the applicator 500 to/from the spray can 200, of a radially-extending spray-can nozzle extension 237 that is within ±10° of being aligned with the longitudinal centerline 905 of the shield portion 570. The uninterrupted opening can be effective to allow the passage therethrough, during the attachment or removal of the applicator 500 to/from the spray can 200, of a radially-extending spray-can nozzle extension 237 that is within ±10° of being aligned with the longitudinal centerline 905 of the shield portion 570. Width of the gap 565 in the ring portion 510 can be the same as a width of the U-shaped opening 566. The applicator 500 can additionally comprise, on an inner surface 561 of the ring portion 510 and spaced around the perimeter of the annular volume, at least three undercut can-grasping tabs 518. The shield portion 570 can include a concave section 620 at its proximal end and a flat section 630 at its distal end. The distal tips of the teeth 575 can define an arc of a conic section. An applicator assembly 600 can comprise an applicator 500 and an aerosol spray can 200 containing a cosmetic agent or medicament or other hair-care agent for application to the hair and/or scalp; the spray can 200 can comprising a nozzle 237 directed at an angle that is within +10° of perpendicular 908 to a longitudinal axis of the spray can 907. The radially-extending spray-can nozzle extension 237 can be within ±5° of being aligned with the longitudinal centerline 905 of the shield portion 570 of the applicator 500.

The present invention has been described using detailed descriptions of embodiments thereof that are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The described embodiments comprise different features, not all of which are required in all embodiments of the invention. Some embodiments of the present invention utilize only some of the features or possible combinations of the features. Variations of embodiments of the present invention that are described and embodiments of the present invention comprising different combinations of features noted in the described embodiments will occur to persons skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

In the description and claims of the present disclosure, each of the verbs, "comprise", "include" and "have", and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb. As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a marking" or "at least one marking" may include a plurality of markings.

The applicator and applicator assembly have been explained in terms of an applicator for delivering a hair-coloring agent. The prevent inventor also notes that the same applicator and/or system and/or kit may be used to deliver any agent - e.g., a cosmetic agent and/or medicament and/or any other hair-care agent - to the hair and/or scalp.

The present invention has been described using detailed descriptions of embodiments thereof that are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The described embodiments comprise different features, not all of which are required in all embodiments of the invention. Some embodiments of the present invention utilize only some of the features or possible combinations of the features. Variations of embodiments of the present invention that are described and embodiments of the present invention comprising different combinations of features noted in the described embodiments will occur to persons skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

In the description and claims of the present disclosure, each of the verbs, "comprise", "include" and "have", and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb. As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a marking" or "at least one marking" may include a plurality of markings.