A SINGLE-USE HAIR COLORING APPLIANCE

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to hair coloring appliances, particularly those which are useful at home, and more specifically concerns such an appliance which is a single- use, consumable product.

Background

[0002] Coloring of hair, particularly by a user at home, can produce satisfactory results, but also can be cumbersome and in some cases lead to unpredictable or unsatisfactory results. It is typically time-consuming and requires clean-up time. The typical home-based process, which also can be used by a professional or in a salon, involves a sequence of specific steps, including user steps of opening one or more containers and mixing their contents to produce the desired color formulation. The formulation is then applied by the user to the hair, including rubbing it into the hair area and then combing it. Following completion of the process, the tools must be cleaned and put away.

[0003] It would be desirable to have a coloring appliance useful at home which produces predictable coloring results in the form of a single-use consumable product.

Summary

[0004] Accordingly, the single-use disposable hair coloring appliance, comprises: a receptacle assembly for hair color formulation, the receptacle assembly having a portal member capable of receiving hair color formulations from a source of the hair color formulation; a brushhead/dispenser member attached to the receptacle and in fluid communication therewith; wherein the hair color formulation in the receptacle is directed to the brushhead/dispenser by a user operating on the receptacle or by a pump operating on the receptacle, wherein the combination is structurally sized and adapted for a single use coloring event and further is disposable by the user after a single use.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the single-use coloring appliance of the present invention.

[0006] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of one portion of another embodiment of the single-use hair coloring appliance of the present invention.

[0007] Figure 3 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the hair coloring appliance of the present invention.

[0008] Figures 4A, 4B and 4C are top, end and cross-sectional views of portions of the embodiment of Figure 3.

[0009] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 3.

Best Mode

[00010] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the single-use hair coloring appliance

10. In Figure 1, pre-mixed hair coloring formulation of the selected color is provided in a storage member or a mixing device 14 connectable to the receptacle 12.

[00011] In the embodiment of Figure 1, the receptacle 12 has a volume of approximately 70 ml, sufficient for a single hair coloring use. In such embodiment, the volume of the receptacle can range from about 40 to 140 ml. While the volume can vary from receptacle to receptacle, depending upon the volume of hair to be colored, the hair color formulation and the number of applications, the above volume of 70 ml is sufficient for most single hair coloring events.

[00012] The proximal end 18 of the receptacle 12 includes a port connection 20, with a valve 22 therein. The port 20 mates securely in a fluid-tight relationship with a mating port connection 24 in a proximal end 25 of a color formulation storage unit or formulation mixing device 14. When receptacle 12 and storage unit 14 are securely mated, color formulation can flow from storage unit 14 into receptacle 12.

[00013] At the distal end 26 of receptacle 12 is a brushhead/distributor 27. The brushhead/distributor 27 is in fluid connection with the interior volume of the receptacle by a fluid pathway 28. The brushhead in the embodiment shown includes a plurality of individual tines 29, which can vary in number, but in the embodiment shown comprises four separate tines. The tines can be evenly spaced or not evenly spaced, linear or non-linear. The color formulation flows out of the tines into the hair during use. In various embodiments the length of a tine ranges from about 0.5 inches to about 1.5 inches. In the embodiment shown, the tines are approximately 0.7 inches long, with each tine having an opening 30, which is approximately 0.1 inches in diameter at the distal end thereof. In various embodiments the diameter of the tine opening ranges from approximately 0.05 inches to approximately 0.1 inch. In various, embodiments, one or more of the tines 29 include a plurality of openings along the length thereof to permit lateral delivery of color formulation. In various embodiments, the cross-section of tines 29 can have a variety of shapes, configurations or geometries, including circular, polygonal, conical, regular or irregular shapes, among others.

[00014] In various embodiments, the single use hair coloring applicator 10 includes one or more structural elements manufactured from various metals, ceramics, polymers, composite materials, or others. Non-limiting examples of polymeric materials include polyvinyl chloride, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene or polyolefm, or nomopolymers or copolymers thereof.

[00015] Positioned between the separate tines 29 and at the ends of the brushhead are individual bristle tufts 31. The bristle tufts 31 extend a distance beyond the tines, acting as a standoff for the tines relative to the scalp of the user. In the embodiment shown, the bristle tufts typically comprise 10 bristles, with the tufts having a diameter of approximately 0.1 inches, although these dimensions can vary.

[00016] The receptacle 12 comprises a flexible material which, when squeezed by the user, results in the color formulation present in the receptacle being moved through and then out from the brushhead. The user then moves the brushhead, coloring the hair in a typical sequence of the hairline, the roots and the remainder of the hair. The receptacle can then be discarded. The storage unit can be retained for future use or discarded.

[00017] Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the source of color material, shown generally at 32, involving a color packet assembly, usable with the receptacle 12 of the embodiment of Figure 1. The color packet assembly 32 in Figure 2 shows three individual color packets 33, 34, 35, each having a separate color, for instance, blonde, red and brown. However, other numbers of packets can be used, including a single color packet. The embodiment shown also includes a developer packet 36, although a developer packet is not required in the single use appliance. Each of the packets includes its own separate pump 37-40. The pumps are driven by individual motors (not shown), which are in turn controlled by a color programming unit. The individual motors and pumps are controlled to produce the desired color selected by the user and communicated to the programming unit by card, barcode or the like, which is read by the programming unit. In the embodiment shown, the color formulations from the individual packets are directed to a combination color line 46, while the developer formulation is directed toward a developer line 48. The two lines meet in a connecting mixing line 48, in which is positioned a mixing element 50 to produce the desired color.

[00018] The assembly of Figure 2 is described in more detail in co-pending application entitled "Hair Coloring Appliance", owned by the assignee of the present invention. The contents of that application are hereby incorporated by reference herein. The source unit 32 terminates in a connecting member 52 which connects in a fluid-tight relationship to the receptacle. The packet assembly 32 can be retained for use with other single-use receptacles whether the desired color changes or remains the same.

[00019] Figures 3-5 show another embodiment of a single-use receptacle. In this case, the single-use receptacle 56 is contained within a housing 58, which comprises a lower housing member 60 and an upper housing member 62, with the upper housing member 62 being hinged at 63 to the lower housing member 60. The single-use receptacle is conveniently positionable into and removable from the housing 58. The single-use receptacle includes a color source sachet 64 containing the desired color and a brushhead/distributor unit 66. The sachet can be single use or in a variation can be refilled through a connecting fill line 65 (Figures 4A, 4B). The brushhead 66 with its tines 68 can be configured similarly to that shown in Figure 1. The brushhead 66 is in fluid communication with sachet 64 via a connecting tube 68. Positioned on the brushhead assembly is a crank assembly 70 driven by a drive shaft 74. The drive shaft 74 is driven by a motor 73 (Figure 5) through a two-part drive coupling assembly 76, one part of which is in the housing 58 and the other part of which is on a lower surface of the brushhead assembly 66.

[00020] The crank assembly includes a connecting rod 77 which connects to a movable portion 81 of the brushhead assembly. The movable portion slides back and forth by action of the connecting rod, as one end 79 thereof describes a circular motion and the other end 80 drives the movable portion 81 linearly over a selected distance, usually 1/2-1-1/2 times the distance between tines 68. An O-ring 82 surrounds the movable portion, acting as a seal against fluid leakage. The driveshaft 74 and motor 73 also drive a pump 84, located below the crank assembly, which moves the color material from sachet 64 into the brushhead and out the tines through line 68. The action of the pump and the motion of the brushhead are thus linked together, although in a variation, the crank assembly and the pump could be independent. The appliance also includes an on/off button 90, a control microprocessor 92 and a battery 94. In the embodiment of Figures 3-5, when the single-use event is over, the sachet and the connecting brushhead unit can be disposed of as a single-use consumable. Another sachet/brushhead assembly can be inserted into the housing for the next single-use event.

[00021] Accordingly, a single-use appliance has been disclosed which, in the form of several embodiments, produces a single coloring event, with the single event consumable being disposed of when the event is concluded.

[00022] Although various embodiments, including the preferred embodiment of the invention have been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention, which is defined by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is: