Applicator for applying liquid products to hair

Details Applicator for applying liquid products to hair Applicator for applying liquid products to hair

2001-01-23

2002-10-01

Manahan, Todd E. (Department: 3732)

Toilet

Hair device

Comb

C132S901000, C132S116000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06457476

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an applicator for applying liquid products, such as dye or coloring, to the hair. The applicator can be used in conjunction with a manually squeezed or aerosol propelled dispensing type container or other type dispensing devices.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
A variety of devices for applying hair treatment products currently exist. Many such devices or applicator assemblies have applicators that include tines that are too narrow and have insufficient surface area to distribute product evenly throughout the hair. Other applicators have comb tines which are too large and too wide making it difficult to get the comb through the hair and also causing discomfort to the end user. Existing applicators also have difficulty in getting product to the hair roots because the upper section of the tines can be too large, thus not allowing the comb to penetrate the hair and get to the roots. Some applicators have too many tines or have tines which are positioned too close together. However, one commonality among all the current applicators is the mess suffered by the end users and their environment by product being dropped or “flicked” off of the device in use as a result of the problems associated with the shapes described above.
A desirable applicator would be one that evenly delivers product to the surface of the hair, the roots of the hair and the bulk of the hair. The surface of the hair is the hair that is most likely to be seen or that hair which is in plain view. Delivering product to the surface of the hair is critical to the consumer because it allows them to see what they have coated. The root of the hair is that length of the hair closest to the scalp and is normally up to about one inch from the scalp. Delivery of the product to the root of the hair is important aesthetically to the consumer. Lastly, the bulk of the hair is that area between the root and the surface. Product delivery to the bulk of the hair is important because the product acts as a lubricant when combed through the hair which adds to the comfort during application, and consistent coloration throughout the hair is preferred by the consumer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an applicator assembly has an applicator which comprises a base and a plurality of tines. The base of the applicator can be connected to an applicator housing by a skirt extending from the base. Typically, the applicator housing would connect to a manually squeezed or aerosol propelled dispensing type container or other type of liquid source or dispensing device. The plurality of tines extend outwardly on the opposite side of the base from the skirt. The tines also have a fin shaped bottom portion and a narrowed upper portion. The upper portion of the tine may have a lower aperture that is substantially at an intermediate point of the tine and/or a tip aperture adjacent to the distal end of the tine. The base may also have one or more apertures between adjacent tines. The base, tines and apertures of the applicator are designed to deliver even flow of product to the surface, root, and bulk of the consumer's hair. The tines may be partially flexible and at least some of the tines comprise a fluid pathway for delivery of product to the apertures.
Other advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which simply illustrates various modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are illustrative in nature and not restrictive.


REFERENCES:
patent: 724178 (1903-03-01), Grant
patent: 841175 (1907-01-01), Phinney
patent: 1180199 (1916-04-01), Smith
patent: 1533416 (1925-04-01), Holchin
patent: 2031774 (1936-02-01), Helfrich et al.
patent: 2259931 (1941-10-01), Griffith
patent: 2607064 (1952-08-01), Sullivan et al.
patent: 3457928 (1969-07-01), Kurshenoff
patent: 3520311 (1970-07-01), Iesersek et al.
patent: 3961635 (1976-06-01), Miya
patent: 4605026 (1986-08-01), Nolin
patent: 4913172 (1990-04-01), Chou
patent: 4987909 (1991-01-01), Snyder
patent: 5311887 (1994-05-01), Ramsey
patent: 5339839 (1994-08-01), Forcelledo et al.
patent: 5975089 (1999-11-01), Simon
patent: 6047703 (2000-04-01), Paglericcio et al.
patent: 8-131235 (1996-05-01), None
patent: 8-196332 (1996-08-01), None
patent: 9-327325 (1997-12-01), None
patent: 9-327326 (1997-12-01), None
patent: 10-075815 (1998-03-01), None
patent: 11-155626 (1999-06-01), None
patent: 11-169223 (1999-06-01), None
patent: 11-290131 (1999-10-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Applicator for applying liquid products to hair 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 for applying liquid products to hair, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Applicator for applying liquid products to hair will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2971148