Device for applying a product to the hair

Abstract

Device for applying a liquid agent to human or animal hair, with a handle (1, 2) and at least one receptacle (3) arranged at one end of the handle (1, 2) for at least one sponge (4), characterized in that the receptacle consists of a flat material and has two mutually opposite grooves (5) into which a plate (6) on which the sponge (4) is fastened can be pushed in and pulled out.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for applying a liquid agent to human or animal hair according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a device for the targeted coloring of limited areas of hair, wherein the coloring agent is to be applied as quickly and efficiently as possible.

[0003] Coloring hair, strands, or sections of hair is one of the long-established cultural techniques of humans to make one's appearance more attractive, to distinguish oneself from others, or to express a certain lifestyle through one's appearance. Over the centuries, various coloring techniques have been developed, with the dyes used and the tools and aids required varying depending on the culture.

[0004] Today, many countries use techniques such as balayage (touching up the roots) or tools such as brushes made of plastic or natural hair to color hair. Another method uses a colorant stored in a plastic bottle, which is applied to the hairline through a small opening in the plastic bottle. With this method, the colorant must also be picked up with a brush and distributed evenly and precisely. Excess colorant is time-consuming to remove.

[0005] DE 10 2019 214 328 A1 shows a glove in which individual receiving areas made of sponge-like material are arranged on the palm of the hand, which can be impregnated with an application agent (hair dye) so that hair can be dyed via the corresponding use of the glove.

[0006] The subject of DE 299 11 779 U1 is a hair dye stick containing hair dye and two tweezers-like sponges arranged at the tip. These sponges can be applied with the hair dye and / or opened or closed like scissors by applying pressure.

[0007] EP 3 413 746 B1 shows a device in which the strands of hair to be dyed are pulled between two superimposed parts of a hair treatment product, the first part being a tray containing hair dye and the second part being a sponge.

[0008] The publications DE 10 2005 058 188 A1 and EP 0251190 B1 show possibilities for fixing a sponge applicator in a way that makes it easy to handle.

[0009] A disadvantage of the known techniques is that the application element, e.g., the sponge, is permanently attached to the application device, i.e., the handling tool. Thus, the tool must be changed if a different color is required or if the sponge is damaged or worn out. Another disadvantage is that the application devices used, such as sponges or brushes, cannot be quickly changed when switching from one color to another.

[0010] The object is therefore to design a device for applying a liquid agent to human or animal hair in such a way that simpler, faster and more cost-effective handling is possible.

[0011] This problem is solved by the characterizing features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments can be found in the subclaims.

[0012] The invention is characterized in that it comprises a handle and at least one receptacle for at least one sponge arranged at the end of the handle. This receptacle is made of a flat material and has two opposing grooves into which a plate, to which the sponge is attached, can be inserted and removed. In this way, the unit consisting of the plate and sponge can be quickly removed, replaced, and reinserted without having to replace the tool. A quick change to a different color is also possible.

[0013] Preferably, the holder is screwed, riveted or glued to the handle, which is stronger than the flat material, so that a stable tool is created.

[0014] Preferably, the holder is formed in one piece with the handle made of the same flat material in order to avoid additional screw connections.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the handle has the shape of a pair of pliers with a central region and two free ends, wherein a corresponding receptacle is arranged at each free end of the pliers and wherein the sponges located in the receptacles are opposite one another, so that strands of hair or hair can be clamped between the sponges.

[0016] Advantageously, the contact area of ​​the opposing sponges increases with increasing pressure on the tongs and the hair in between.

[0017] The flat material preferably has a thickness of 0.4 to 0.7 mm and is made of steel, preferably stainless steel, which can also be painted. The flat material can also be made of plastic or another, preferably resilient, material and, depending on its flexibility, have a thickness between 0.4 and 1 mm. For handling reasons, it is essential to combine the lowest possible weight of the tool with an optimally controlled clamping force.

[0018] The or each sponge preferably has a thickness of between 3 and 10 mm and consists, for example, of closed-cell polyvinyl chloride rigid foam or a polyester rigid foam.

[0019] The plate may preferably have a thickness between 0.5 and 1.5 mm and be made of a plastic.

[0020] An embodiment of the invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention. Fig. 2 a perspective view of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention without inserted sponges; Fig. 3 a representation according to Fig. 2 with the two sponges on corresponding plates in partially inserted state.

[0021] The simplest embodiment of the invention is in Fig. 1. This shows a device for applying a liquid agent to human or animal hair, which device has a handle 1 that is designed so that it can be comfortably gripped by hand, i.e. has corresponding dimensions, and can be made of wood, metal, plastic, or a mixed material. Arranged on the handle 1 is a receptacle 3 for a sponge. This is a flat material that is connected to the handle 1 via screws 10. Alternatively, the connection can also be made by gluing, riveting, or other suitable connections. The flat material is connected to the handle 1 via screws 10. Alternatively, the connection can also be made by gluing, riveting, or other suitable connections. The flat material that forms the receptacle 3 is an extension of the handle 1 in the longitudinal direction and is somewhat wider than the handle 1.At its two opposite ends, parallel to the handle 1, opposing grooves 5 run so as to form a type of receiving shaft which is open at the top. A plate 6, onto which a sponge 4 is permanently applied, in particular glued, can be pushed into this receiving shaft. The displacement of the plate 6 with the sponge 4 in grooves 5 of the receptacle 3 takes place by linearly pushing the plate 6 with the sponge 4 into the receptacle 3 in the direction of the handle 1 until the plate 6 lies completely in the receptacle 3 formed by the grooves 5, i.e. no longer protrudes beyond the ends of the grooves 5 and the receptacle 3. This state is shown in . Fig. 1 shown.

[0022] Alternatively to the embodiment according to Fig. 1, the holder 3 and the handle 1 can also be formed in one piece from the same material.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment, which is described in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the handle 2 is designed in the form of a pair of pliers, which has a central region 7 and two free ends 8 and 9. At each of the two free ends 8 and 9 of these pliers, there is a receptacle 3, with the sponges 4 located in the receptacles 3 being opposite each other. Fig. Figure 2 shows this advantageous embodiment without inserted plates and sponges, whereby the receptacle 3 and the lateral grooves 5 at the second free end 9 of the device are particularly clearly visible.

[0024] In Fig. 3 is the same arrangement as in Fig. 2, where the two plates 6 with sponges 4 arranged thereon are being inserted into the receptacles 3, i.e., between the two opposing grooves 5 at both the first end 8 and the second end 9 of the tong-shaped device. In the state shown, the two plates 6 are only inserted a short distance into the grooves 5. The functional state arises as soon as the two plates 6 with the sponges 4 are completely inserted into these grooves 5 (cf. Fig. 1).

[0025] The geometry of the forceps-shaped device as seen in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, is selected by the design of the central region 7 such that the opposing sponges 4 increase the contact area with each other and thus also with the strands of hair arranged between them as the pressure on the pliers increases.

[0026] In all embodiments, the flat material is preferably made of optionally painted stainless steel with a thickness between 0.4 and 0.7 mm. Each sponge 4 can have a thickness between 3 and 10 mm and can be made, for example, of closed-cell polyvinyl chloride rigid foam or a polyester rigid foam, or of any other closed-cell or open-cell foam.

[0027] The or each plate 6 preferably has a thickness of between 0.5 and 1.5 mm and is made either of plastic, metal or a mixed material.

[0028] The described device has the advantage that the sponges are very quick and easy to replace. Once removed, the sponges are very easy to clean with water and can be reused up to 50 times. The same device is immediately ready for use by another customer or for a different color. Waste is avoided because only a small portion of the device's material needs to be disposed of after repeated use—namely, the plates 6 with the sponges 4.

[0029] With the device according to the invention, in particular in the embodiments according to the Fig. 2 and Fig.3, the colorant can be applied simultaneously from all sides to the hair sections to be colored. The colorant is absorbed by brushing over absorbent material. With light pressure on the hair sections to be colored, the colorant is released again. By varying the contact force, the amount of colorant required for optimal coloring of the hair sections can be precisely metered. This method allows for very smooth transitions, even to previously colored areas. Even if an excess of colorant is applied, it can be easily absorbed using absorbent material. Foam is very suitable here and serves as a kind of depot from which the colorant can be removed or excess can be absorbed.

[0030] The process enabled by the device according to the invention can be applied to the various previously known coloring methods. By using absorbent and soft material, the aforementioned advantages are achieved in all of the coloring techniques listed, for example, the so-called freelight technique, bayalage, air touch, highlights, babylights, and the ombré method.

[0031] Significant time savings are achieved when coloring long hair styles, hair highlights, hairpieces and when re-coloring the hairline. Reference symbol 1, 2 handle 3 Recording 4 sponge 5 grooves 6 plates 7 Middle area 8, 9 free ends 10 screws QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2019 214 328 A1

[0005] DE 299 11 779 U1

[0006] EP 3 413 746 B1

[0007] DE 10 2005 058 188 A1

[0008] EP 0251190 B1

[0008]

Claims

[1] Device for applying a liquid agent to human or animal hair, comprising a handle (1, 2) and at least one receptacle (3) arranged at one end of the handle (1, 2) for at least one sponge (4), characterized by , that the receptacle consists of a flat material and has two opposing grooves (5) into which a plate (6), on which the sponge (4) is attached, can be inserted and removed. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the mount (3) is screwed, riveted or glued to the handle (1), which is stronger than the flat material. [3] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the receiver (3) is formed in one piece with the handle (2) which is made of the same flat material. [4] Device according to claim 3, characterized by, that the handle (2) is designed in the form of pliers with a central area (7) and two free ends (8, 9) and a receptacle is arranged at each free end (8, 9) of the pliers, with the sponges (4) located in the receptacles being opposite each other. [5] Device according to claim 4, characterized by , that the contact area of ​​the opposing sponges (4) increases with increasing pressure on the pliers. [6] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the flat material is optionally painted metal, in particular steel, with a thickness of 0.4 to 1.00 mm, preferably 0.4 to 0.7 mm. [7] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sponge or each sponge (4) has a thickness between 3 and 10 mm and is made of closed-cell polyvinyl chloride rigid foam or polyester rigid foam. [8] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the or each plate (6) has a thickness between 0.5 and 1.5 mm and is made of a plastic.

Images