Fluid applicators

Details Fluid applicators Fluid applicators

2000-05-19

2001-10-16

Walczak, David J. (Department: 3751)

Coating implements with material supply

Diverse coating tools

Separable for independent use

C401S016000, C401S023000, C401S025000, C401S036000, C401S183000, C132S148000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06302607

ABSTRACT:

The present invention relates generally to applicators and more especially but not exclusively to applicators for use in applying hair and/or scalp compositions to the hair and/or scalp in a time-efficient, controlled and mess-free manner.
In a hair colouring treatment, it would be desirable to be able to control flow of a colouring fluid accurately and to be able to target the areas to be coloured by the colouring fluid precisely. It would also be desirable to be able to minimise mess during application and manipulation, and to be able to achieve an even colour distribution throughout the areas to be coloured by the colouring fluid.
These objectives are to be achievable even when the applicator is to be handled by the person to whom the colouring fluid is to be applied.
Different aspects of the present invention which address these objectives, and similar objectives in situations using other flowable compositions, will now be discussed, in turn, with preferred applicators embodying more than one or all of the different aspects of the present invention.
A. It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,209,027 for a hair treatment device to be securable to a squeeze bottle containing a hair treating liquid which is to be dispensed by a user through discharge orifices in different applicators simultaneously presented by the hair treatment device.
One of the applicators has an elongate tip for use primarily as parting means, and others of the applicators are alternative brushes and combs for use primarily as spreading means, with a valve being provided for enabling the hair treating liquid to be directed to the parting means or the spreading means or both.
A practical disadvantage of this known hair treatment device is that it can be awkward to handle in a controlled and mess-free manner.
The result of this is that, when using one of the spreading means, hair which is not to be treated or has already been treated may be locally damaged or discoloured by undesired contact with hair treating liquid in and around the discharge orifice of the parting means, and furthermore hair treating liquid may drip or be flicked from the parting means onto the user's skin, clothes or surroundings.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, however, an applicator system for use in delivering a flowable composition comprises:
a container in which the flowable composition is to be contained; and
at least three applicators of different type, each of the applicators having at least one outlet through which the flowable composition is to be applied, with at least a first of the applicators being securable to the container, and with at least a second of the applicators being securable to the first of the applicators;
characterised in that only the at least one outlet of a selected one of the at least three applicators is exposed at any one time while applying the flowable composition therethrough.
The fact that only the at least one outlet of the selected applicator is exposed, during use, means that manipulation of the selected applicator does not involve any risk of mess by any flowable composition left in or on the other applicators.
B. Many hair treatment devices have an applicator in the form of an elongate dispensing spout which gradually narrows along its length to a free end provided with a discharge orifice.
As disclosed in JP(UM)-A-7-22951, such a hair treatment device can also have an applicator in the form of a comb provided with an internal passage for directing a hair composition from the discharge orifice of the spout to a plurality of small holes in teeth of the comb.
In use, the comb is a push fit over the spout such that the comb extends beyond the free end of the spout and is retained along part of the length of the spout by friction.
It has been found, in practice, that if movement of the comb is impeded by any knots or tangles in the hair, the bending moment and torque at the junction of the comb with the spout can be such that the comb is simultaneously pulled off the spout and rotated about the spout.
A similar structure is disclosed in JP-A-9-118375, which discloses how two liquids can be mixed and then delivered through a comb which is detachably securable to a nozzle by any appropriate means. The two liquids may form a hair colouring composition. However, spillage of hair colouring composition down the outside of the nozzle could result in failure to be able to attach the comb to the nozzle. This is because the hair colouring composition would act as a lubricant and would deleteriously affect any snap and/or threaded fit of the comb to the nozzle.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, however, an applicator system for use in delivering a flowable composition comprises:
a container in which the flowable composition is to be contained;
first applicator means having first outlet means, the first applicator means being attachable to the container in a manner such that the flowable composition in the container can be dispensed through the first outlet means; and
second applicator means having second outlet means, the second applicator means being locatable over the first applicator means in a manner such that the flowable composition can pass through the first outlet means before being dispensed through the second outlet means;
characterised in that the second applicator means is attachable to the container.
The fact that the second applicator means is attached to the container, during use, rather than being attached to the first applicator means, can result in a stronger construction in which the second applicator means is far less likely to rotate or come apart.
C,D. Hair treatment devices are typically provided with different types of applicator to suit different hair treatment situations.
For example, there can be advantages in having a dispensing spout to allow a line of hair composition to be applied, a dispensing pervious member such as a cloth to allow hair composition to be wiped over the hair, and a dispensing comb or brush to allow hair composition to be thoroughly worked throughout the length of the hair.
Indeed U.S. Pat. No. 4,211,247 discloses such dispensing applicators and also discloses non-dispensing sponges for use in merely spreading hair composition after the hair composition has been applied by a dispensing applicator.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, however, an applicator system for use in delivering a flowable composition comprises:
a container in which the flowable composition is to be contained; and
at least three applicators of different type, including a line applicator in which the flowable composition is delivered through a single outlet, a surface applicator in which the flowable composition is delivered through a plurality of outlets onto a surface, and a brush/comb-like applicator in which the flowable composition is delivered through a plurality of outlets and dispersed by a plurality of elongate parting members;
characterised in that the surface applicator is of foam or sponge material having a resiliently compressible porous structure from which the flowable composition is to be delivered.
The fact that the surface applicator is in the form of a resiliently compressible foam or sponge means that, during use, there can be a much more even application of the flowable composition than had hitherto been possible just by wiping with a cloth because the foam or sponge can absorb and redistribute the flowable composition.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, moreover, an applicator system for use in delivering a flowable composition comprises:
a container in which the flowable composition is to be contained; and
at least three applicators of different type, including a line applicator in which the flowable composition is delivered through a single outlet, a surface applicator in which the flowable composition is delivered through a plurality of outlets onto a surface, and a brush/comb-like applicator in which the flowable composition is delivered through a plurality of outlets and dispersed by

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