Coating implements with material supply – Including means to apply material-moving force – Including pressurized reservoir
Utility Patent
1998-08-18
2001-01-02
Walczak, David J. (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
Including means to apply material-moving force
Including pressurized reservoir
C401S118000
Utility Patent
active
06168335
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an applicator for dispensing and applying fluid products to a desired object, and to a dispensing device for mixing and dispensing fluid components under pressure from a plurality of containers to provide a combined multi-component product that may be directly applied to a desired object.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
It has long been known to dispense a single-component fluid product under pressure from an aerosol or pump-type container or the like. Various types of dispensers are also known which are capable of dispensing a multi-component product by means of the ejection and mixing of two different fluid constituents from separate containers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,562 discloses a dispenser of the latter type, which is used for dispensing a two-component self-heating shaving cream comprising a first component including a reducing agent and a second component including an oxidizing agent reactive with the reducing agent to liberate heat.
Dispensing devices that provide for the simultaneous release of materials from two containers in response to the pressing of a valve release button or actuation of a pump generally include tubes, ducts, or similar structure for conveying each of the two materials from the respective containers to a mixing chamber at which the materials are combined, the mixing chamber having a single outlet port or nozzle at which the mixture is dispensed. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,562, for example, a dispensing head is provided with a Y-shaped groove having lateral arms for separately conveying materials dispensed from two different containers to a median arm, where the two materials are mixed and conveyed as a combined product to a single outlet nozzle.
Various types of applicator structures are also known which are formed on, or mountable to, a single pressurized dispensing container for converting a stream of a dispensed product into a form more useable for a given application. In the hair care field, for example, one type of known applicator consists of an appliance having a comb or brush type structure mountable on a pressurized dispensing container. This type of device has internal conveying means for conveying a hair treatment fluid from a nozzle of the pressurized dispensing container to one or more outlet ports to enable the direct application of the hair treatment fluid to the user's hair. This type of device has been made available for use with products such as shampoo, conditioner, styling formula, and hair dye to enable one-hand use and easy manipulation by a consumer or stylist.
However, in fluid application processes requiring the use of a multi-component product that must be mixed immediately before application to a given object, none of the known devices is capable of dispensing, mixing and applying such products in a satisfactory manner. For example, in the use of multi-component hair dye products, the user or stylist is generally required to carefully perform a number of manual operations to properly mix the individual components before applying the mixture to the hair. This series of operations commonly includes steps of transferring a chemical dye agent from a first container into a second container containing an activating agent to produce a mixture, removing an applicator from the second container to permit proper outgassing of the mixture, sealing the second container, shaking or agitating the second container containing the mixture to assure proper mixing of the chemical agents, unsealing the second container, reinstalling the applicator on the second container, applying the mixture to a selected portion of the hair to be treated, and dispersing the mixture throughout the hair to ensure an even application of the dye. During the performance of each of the foregoing steps, the consumer or stylist is usually required to wear safety gloves to prevent staining of the hands, clothing and surrounding area. However, since the safety gloves become covered with the dye, the problem of staining is seldom avoided.
The series of operations required in the use of conventional multi-component hair dying systems are not only awkward, dirty and inconvenient, but are disadvantageous from the standpoint of safety. Moreover, outgassing of the mixture is generally accompanied with unpleasant odors associated with harmful chemicals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing device for controlling the coordinated mixing and dispensing of a plurality of fluid constituents.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved dispensing device for mixing together a plurality of fluid constituents and directly applying the mixture to a desired object.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved dispensing device simple in manufacture and which may be easily cleaned by the consumer, in which a plurality of fluid constituents may be kept under pressure in separate reservoirs until immediately prior to use, and which releases the constituents in a controlled manner for mixing and discharge.
Yet another object of the present invention is to combine a dual-component dispensing device for the mixing and dispensing of two fluid constituents with an applicator for directly applying the mixture of fluid constituents to a desired object and dispersing the mixture over the surface of the object.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved hair care accessory for use in mixing and dispensing a plurality of fluid hair care products and which has an applicator with a plurality of tines arranged in a matrix for directly applying and dispersing the mixture throughout the hair without the need for wearing safety gloves.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an applicator having tines or teeth, some of which have internal ports connectable to a source of product to be dispensed, for uniformly applying the product to a desired object, such as a person's hair.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an applicator having internal passageways which are connected at one end to a source of product to be dispensed and which are connected at their other end to internal ports formed in tines or teeth on the applicator to enable dispensing of the product through the tines or teeth.
In order to achieve the foregoing objects as well as others which will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, the present invention proposes a dispensing device capable of mixing, dispensing and applying a plurality of fluid constituents. The dispensing device of the present invention is intended for use with a plurality of individually valved fluid containers containing fluid constituents, the dispensing device comprising a mixing chamber having a plurality of inlet ports for receiving the individual fluid constituents discharged from the containers and a mixing passageway for mixing together the fluid constituents, and an applicator having one or more fluid outlet ports for dispensing and applying the constituent mixture to a desired object. The dispensing device permits the coordinated mixing, dispensing and application of a plurality of fluid constituents to a desired object in a single, easily-manipulable operation which may be performed by a one-hand operation without the need for wearing safety gloves.
In the case of multi-component hair dye systems, for example, the applicator is preferably in the form of a comb matrix having internal passageways for conveying the mixture from the mixing chamber to the one or more outlet ports. Selected ones of the tines or teeth of the comb matrix are preferably hollow with an opening at the distal end thereof for dispensing the mixture onto the hair. The tines or teeth of the comb matrix are used to dispense and apply the mixture throughout the hair to produce a uniform coating of the hair dye throughout the user's hair.
Preferably, the applica
Gray Richard F.
Mears Christopher
Arich, Inc.
Venable Law Offices
Walczak David J.
LandOfFree
Applicator and dispensing device using same does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Applicator and dispensing device using same, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Applicator and dispensing device using same will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2508259