Toilet – Hair device – Comb
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-04
2004-07-27
Robert, Eduardo C. (Department: 3732)
Toilet
Hair device
Comb
C401S263000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06766806
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a unit for applying a product, such as a hair product (for example, a styling gel or a coloration product) that may be in the form of a cream, for example.
In this application, for reasons of simplification, when referring to a user, “he” or “his” will be used to denote, without preference, someone of the male or of the female sex.
Hair gels are typically applied by hand, which involves the user, after applying the gel, washing his hands. Experience has shown that most users who have applied gel with their hands will run a comb or a brush through their hair, so as to tidy it, or give it the desired set. In many instances, the comb then is usually rinsed. From a practical point of view, any or all of this may be unsatisfactory to a user.
Devices of the type with applicator teeth are known for applying a hair gel. The product is conveyed either to the base of the teeth or to their tips, via a channel which passes axially through the teeth.
An example of such devices is described in particular in U.S. Pat. No. 3,570,499. In that document, the applicator elements consist of teeth through which there passes a channel which opens to the tip of the teeth, and these teeth are fed from a reservoir made of flexible material that has to be punctured with a needle prior to first use.
Another arrangement in which the product is distributed via a channel passing axially through a number of teeth is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,522.
FR-A-2 744 890 describes a device, equipped with a reservoir in the form of a bellows, and surmounted by an arrangement of teeth, at the base of which a number of orifices open. The applicator head is capped by a removable lid.
A similar device is described in GB-A-1 422 081.
Devices comprising a container surmounted by an applicator head comprising a number of teeth, at the base of which orifices open, are also described in German Utility Models 89 06 735.5 and 89 12 220.8. In those documents, between two uses the orifices are closed off by means of an auxiliary closure element, mounted either slidably or pivotably on the applicator head. The closure element comprises means capable, when the closure element is in the closed position, of engaging with the orifices so as to close them off. The closure element may be either fixed permanently to the device, particularly via an articulation, or may be detached from the device at the time of application.
WO-A-88/09632 describes an applicator device, particularly for a coloration product, comprising an arrangement of teeth, at the base of which there open orifices in communication with a container containing the product that is to be applied. That document envisages no way of directly closing off the orifices.
The problems inherent to all these devices are numerous. Because of the arrangement of the orifices, namely usually between the teeth of one and the same row, or at the tips of the teeth, the product emerges directly onto the region that is to be treated, in the plane of the teeth, with the teeth serving only to guide the placement of the product. When the applicator device is run through the hair, there is therefore simultaneity between the product coming into contact with the hair, and the run-through with the applicator teeth. Uniform distribution of the product onto the hair therefore requires, in many cases, an additional run through the hair either using the applicator device itself or using an auxiliary comb.
In systems with an auxiliary closure element, sliding or articulated, as described in the two German utility models mentioned hereinabove, in its retracted (or open) position, the closure element interferes with the movement of the device through the hair, and can interfere with the correct application of the product. Furthermore, there is a risk that in its retracted position such a closure element might be broken or damaged. Finally, when the closure element is in the closed position, this element makes such an applicator device difficult to use in the manner of a simple comb. Such use, without depositing any additional product, may be desirable after applying the product, in order to improve the styling of the hair.
Furthermore, in some arrangements that use a closure element that can be detached from the applicator head with a view to making an application, the risk of forgetting to return it to the applicator head after use, or indeed losing it, is not insignificant.
Hence, one of the aspects of the invention is to produce a device for applying a hair product that completely or partially solves one or more of the problems discussed hereinabove with reference to the prior art.
One aspect of the invention is to produce an applicator device which may be simple to use and economical to produce.
Another aspect of the invention is to produce an applicator device that may make it possible, in a single action, to apply the product and to spread it uniformly through the hair.
Yet another aspect of the invention is to produce a device that may be used after the product has been applied, in the manner of a comb, to improve the styling of the hair.
Yet another aspect of the invention is to produce an applicator device equipped with a member that may be capable of, in a storage position, sealing off at least one orifice communicating with a container, and that may not interfere with the movement of applicator elements through the hair, either in the position in which the at least one orifice is closed off or in the position where it is uncovered.
Yet more aspects may become apparent in the detailed description that follows. It should be understood that certain principles of the invention could be practiced without involving one or more of the aspects discussed herein.
In one aspect, there is a device for applying a product, comprising a container configured to contain the product. The container may be associated with an applicator head comprising a plurality of applicator elements having a base and a free end, at least one opening communicating with the container and being configured to allow the product to be delivered outside of the applicator elements at a location closer to the base than the free end of the applicator elements (for example in the vicinity of the base), and a movable support that is movable between a first position in which the opening is closed off and a second position in which the opening is at least partially uncovered. Additionally, at least some of the applicator elements may be mounted on the movable support.
Within the meaning of the current application, the term “in the vicinity of”, where qualifying the position of the at least one opening, means that the at least one opening may open some distance from the free end of at least some of the applicator elements, such as closer to their base than to their free end. Also as an option, the opening may open directly onto the surface on which the applicator elements are located.
In one exemplary embodiment, the opening/closing of the at least one orifice communicating with the container may be provided by the movable support on which at least some of the applicator elements themselves are located; thus, optionally making it possible to generate practically no interference likely to interfere with application or with styling the hair, when the device is moved through the hair.
The device thus configured may be simple to use and economical to produce. Additionally, the opening/closing of the at least one orifice communicating with the container may be provided by the movable support on which the applicator elements themselves are located. This may give greater flexibility in the configuration of the applicator elements, such as in the choice of their number, their spacing, and in the choice of their dimensions (e.g., length and cross section).
In an alternative aspect, the applicator elements may be configured in the form of a row mounted on the movable support. In such a configuration, when the movable support is in the second position, the at least one opening may be outside the mean plane containin
Comstock David
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
L'Oreal
Robert Eduardo C.
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