Single-use hair dyeing device

Abstract

Comprising a container for a hair dye formulation. The container has a port element connectable to and separable from a source of the hair dye formulation. A brush head / dispenser element is attached to and in fluid communication with the container, where the dye formulation in the container is dispensed via the brush head by a user squeezing the container or by a pump connectable to the container, the combination of the container and the brush head being structurally sized and configured for single use and disposable thereafter.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of patent application No. 201580068796.7 (PCT / US2015 / 066115) filed by the applicant on December 16, 2015 and entitled “Single-use hair dyeing device”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to hair coloring devices, particularly to hair coloring devices that can be used at home, and more particularly to single-use consumables. Background Art

[0003] Hair dyeing, particularly at home by the user, can provide satisfactory results, however can be cumbersome and lead to unexpected or unsatisfactory results in some cases. This is often time consuming and requires clean-up time. The conventional home process, which can also be used by professionals or in a hair salon, includes a series of specific steps, including the user step of opening one or more containers and mixing their contents to produce the desired color formula. The formula is then applied to the hair by the user, including rubbing it into the hair area and then combing it. After completion of the process, the tool needs to be cleaned and stored.

[0004] There is a need for a dyeing device that can be used at home in the form of a single-use consumable that produces predictable color results. Summary of the invention

[0005] Thus, a single-use disposable hair dyeing device comprises: a container assembly for a hair dyeing formula, the container assembly having a port element capable of receiving the hair dyeing formula from a source of the hair dyeing formula; a brush head / dispenser element, which is attached to the container and is in fluid communication therewith; wherein the hair dyeing formula in the container is directed to the brush head / dispenser by user operation on the container or by operation of a pump on the container, wherein the combination is structurally sized and configured for a single-use hair dyeing event and can also be discarded by the user after a single use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the single-use hair dyeing device of the present invention.

[0007] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of another embodiment of a single-use hair coloring device of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of another embodiment of the hair dyeing device of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 4A , 4B and 4C is Figure 3 Top view, end view, and cross-sectional views of portions of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Figure 1 An embodiment of a single-use hair coloring device 10 is shown. Figure 1 In the embodiment of the present invention, a premixed hair dyeing formula of a selected color is provided in a storage component or mixing device 14 which can be connected to a container 12.

[0012] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment of the present invention, the container 12 has a capacity of about 70 ml, which is sufficient for a single hair dyeing application. In this embodiment, the capacity of the container can range from about 40 to 140 ml. Although the capacity can vary between different containers depending on the amount of hair to be dyed, the hair dyeing formula, and the number of devices, a capacity greater than 70 ml is sufficient for most single hair dyeing situations.

[0013] The proximal end 18 of the container 12 includes a port connection 20 having a valve 22 therein. The port 20 securely mates in fluid-tight relation to a matching port connection 24 in a proximal end 25 of the paint formula storage unit or formula mixing device 14. When the container 12 and the storage unit 14 are securely mated, the paint formula can flow from the storage unit 14 into the container 12.

[0014] At the distal end 26 of the container 12 is a brush head / dispenser 27. The brush head / dispenser 27 is in fluid communication with the internal volume of the container via a fluid path 28. The brush head in the illustrated embodiment includes a plurality of individual teeth 29, the number of which may vary, and in the illustrated embodiment includes four individual teeth. The teeth may be evenly spaced or unevenly spaced, arranged linearly or non-linearly. In use, the pigment formula flows out of the teeth into the hair. In various embodiments, the length of the teeth ranges from about 0.5 inches to about 1.5 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the teeth are approximately 0.7 inches long, and each tooth has an opening 30, which is approximately 0.1 inches in diameter at its end. In various embodiments, one or more teeth 29 include multiple openings along their length to allow lateral delivery of the dye formula. In various embodiments, the cross-section of the teeth 29 may have a variety of shapes, configurations, or geometries, including circular, polygonal, conical, regular or irregular shapes, and the like.

[0015] In various embodiments, the single-use hair dye applicator 10 includes one or more structural elements made of metal, ceramic, polymer, composite material, etc. Non-limiting examples of polymer materials include polyvinyl chloride, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene or polyolefin, or nomopolymers or copolymers thereof.

[0016] Between the individual teeth 29 and at the end of the brush head are individual bristle tufts 31. The bristle tufts 31 extend beyond the teeth by a distance, acting as a standoff for the teeth relative to the user's scalp. In the illustrated embodiment, the bristle tufts typically include 10 tufts of bristles, wherein the tufts have a diameter of approximately 0.1 inches, however these diameters may vary.

[0017] The container 12 comprises a flexible material wherein when the container is squeezed by the user, the dye formula in the container is moved through and out of the brush head. The user then moves the brush head to dye the hair in the usual order of the hairline, roots, and the remainder of the hair. The container can then be discarded. The storage unit can be saved for future use, or discarded.

[0018] Figure 2 Another embodiment of a source of dye, generally indicated at 32, is shown, the dye source including a dye package assembly that can be used Figure 1 Container 12 of an embodiment. Figure 2 The dye bag assembly 32 of the present invention shows three independent dye bags 33,34,35, and each of them has independent dye, for example, gold, red and brown. However, other number of bags can also be used, including monochrome bags. Although developer packaging is not needed in the single-use device, the embodiment shown can also include developer bag 36. Each bag includes its own independent pump 37-40. The pump is driven by an independent motor (not shown), which is controlled by the dye programming unit accordingly. The independent motor and pump are controlled to produce the desired color selected by the user and communicate with the programming unit by the card, bar code, etc. that can be read by the programming unit. In the embodiment shown, the dye formula from the independent bag is guided to the combined dye pipeline 46, and the developer formula is guided toward the developer pipeline 48. The two pipelines meet in the connecting mixing pipeline 48, in which a mixing element 50 is provided to produce the desired color.

[0019] The invention is more particularly described in a co-pending application entitled "Hair Coloring Appliance" owned by the assignee of the present invention. Figure 2 The contents of this application are hereby incorporated by reference. The source unit 32 terminates in a connecting element 52, which is connected to the container in a fluid-tight relationship. Whether the desired dye color changes or remains the same, the package assembly 32 can be retained for use with other single-use containers.

[0020] Figure 3-5Another embodiment of a single-use container is shown. In this case, a single-use container 56 is housed in a housing 58, which includes a lower housing element 60 and an upper housing element 62, wherein the upper housing element 62 is hinged to the lower housing element 60 at 63. The single-use container can be conveniently placed in and removed from the housing 58. The single-use container includes a dye source pouch 64 containing the desired dye, and a brush head / dispenser unit 66. The pouch can be used once or, in a variation, can be connected via a fill line 65 ( Figure 4A , 4B ) refill. The brush head 66 having teeth 58 can be configured to Figure 1 The brush head 66 is in fluid communication with the pouch 64 via a connecting tube 68. A crank assembly 70 driven by a drive shaft 74 is disposed on the brush head assembly. The drive shaft 74 is driven by a motor 73 ( Figure 5 ) is driven via a two-part drive link assembly 76, one part of which is in the housing 58 and the other part is on the lower surface of the brush head assembly 66.

[0021] The crankshaft assembly includes a connecting rod 77, which is connected to a movable portion 81 of the brush head assembly. The movable portion slides back and forth through the action of the connecting rod as one end 79 of the connecting rod performs a circular motion and the other end 80 drives the movable portion 81 to move linearly over a selected distance, which is typically 0.5-1.5 times the distance between the teeth 68. An O-ring 82 surrounds the movable portion and acts as a seal to prevent fluid leakage. The drive shaft 74 and motor 73 also drive a pump 84 disposed below the crankshaft assembly, which moves dye from the pouch 64 through the pipeline 68 into the brush head and out of the teeth. The action of the pump is therefore coupled to the movement of the brush head, however in some variant embodiments, the crankshaft assembly and the pump may be independent. The device also includes an on / off button 90, a control microprocessor 92 and a battery 94. In Figure 3-5 In an embodiment, when a single use event ends, the pouch and connected brush head unit can be discarded as a single use consumable. Another pouch / brush head assembly can be inserted into the housing for the next single use event.

[0022] Thus, several embodiments of single-use devices have been disclosed that perform a single staining event and a single consumable that can be discarded after the event is completed.

[0023] While several embodiments, including preferred embodiments of the invention, have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, it will be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated into the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A single-use disposable hair dyeing device comprising: A container assembly for a hair dye formulation, the container assembly having a port connector with a valve at the proximal end of the container, the container assembly having an internal capacity of 40 to 140 ml; a brush head / dispenser element attached to the distal end of the container and in fluid communication with the interior contents of the container via a fluid path; and a mixing device connected to the port connector at a proximal end of the container; wherein the hair dye formula in the container is directed to the brush head / dispenser by user operation on the container or by pump operation on the container, wherein the combination of the container assembly and the brush head / dispenser is structurally sized and configured for a single-use dyeing event and is discarded by the user after a single use.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the container is sized for use in one hair dyeing event or is configured to be refilled to complete one hair dyeing event.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the brush head includes a plurality of teeth having openings at a distal end thereof, wherein in operation the hair coloring formula passes from the container assembly through the teeth and into the hair.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the teeth are regularly spaced.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the brush head comprises a plurality of teeth having openings along their length.

6. The device of claim 3, comprising tufts of bristles disposed between the teeth, or additional tufts of bristles disposed proximate to the teeth, the tufts of bristles extending slightly beyond the teeth to serve as barriers between the teeth and the scalp.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the container assembly comprises a flexible housing, so that a user can squeeze the hair dyeing formula therein into the brush head element by applying a squeezing force to the housing.

8. The device of claim 1 including a pump driven by a motor for moving the hair dyeing formula from the container to the brush head / dispenser.

9. The device of claim 8, comprising a drive assembly for reciprocating the brush head / dispenser in a lateral direction, wherein the distance of lateral movement is greater than half the distance between adjacent teeth but not greater than twice the distance between adjacent teeth.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is mountable in and removable from a housing.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pump and the drive assembly are driven by a single drive motor assembly.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the drive assembly includes a crankshaft and a connecting rod member that moves the brush head in response to the drive motor.

13. The device of claim 9, comprising a sealing element for preventing leakage of the hair coloring formula when the brush head is reciprocated.

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