Device for applying a hair dye

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for applying flowable hair dyes to sections of hair, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A generic device was described in WO 88 / 09632 A1. Further devices for applying bleaching or coloring agents are known from DE 30 39 829 A1 and US Pat. No. 8,671,954 B1. The invention is particularly suitable for applying hair dyes obtained by mixing an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide with at least one dye. Such compositions are prepared immediately before application and are flowable but very viscous to gel-like. The hair dyes, for example for coloring, tinting, or bleaching hair, are sometimes applied only to individual sections of hair, also referred to as "passés" or "strands."There are different techniques for this. For example, a section of hair is usually picked up with one hand and the other hand, using a comb handle that is guided across the section, divides the section into individual strands of as even a width as possible above and below the comb handle. The strands above the comb handle are then placed on a combing board and hair dye is applied using a brush. The combing board is moved along the strands until the strands have been dyed with the hair dye along their entire length. Common techniques of this type have the disadvantage that they are very complex and time-consuming, and therefore expensive for the consumer. In addition, it takes practice and experience to divide a section of hair into individual strands of even width and to dye them neatly and quickly so that a satisfactory result can be achieved for the consumer.In the daily practice of hairdressing salons, these requirements cannot always be met.

[0003] It is therefore the aim of the invention to provide a device for applying flowable hair dyes to sections of hair, which facilitates the shaping of strands and the application of hair dye with consistent quality and enables faster and cleaner work.

[0004] These objects are achieved by the features of claim 1.

[0005] Claim 1 relates to a device for applying flowable hair dye to sections of hair, in which a housing provided with a handle is provided with a housing interior for receiving the flowable hair dye, and the housing is provided with a cover which has a sequence of hair receptacles arranged next to one another in a longitudinal direction of the housing and running in a groove-like manner in a transverse direction of the housing, which hair receptacles each open towards the housing exterior for inserting sections of hair, wherein in a first group of hair receptacles the hair receptacles are each connected to the housing interior via dispensing openings for dispensing hair dye, and hair receptacles of a second group which do not contain hair dye are arranged between the hair receptacles of the first group.According to the invention, it is proposed that a brush lever provided with brushes is provided, which can be pivoted about a lever pivot axis running transversely to the longitudinal direction of the housing from a position close to the cover, in which the brush lever at least partially covers the hair receptacles from the housing exterior and the brushes protrude into the hair receptacles, into a position remote from the cover, in which the brush lever exposes the hair receptacles from the housing exterior, and a feed element for feeding hair dye from the housing interior to the dispensing openings of the hair receptacles of the first group is arranged in the housing interior.

[0006] The hair dye can be prepared outside the housing and then introduced into the housing for immediate application by opening the housing by removing or folding up the cover. The ready-to-use hair dye usually has a viscous to gel-like consistency. If necessary, the interior of the housing can also be provided with an elastic insert bag that holds the hair dye. The housing is then closed again with the cover and held close to the scalp of the person being treated in order to place a section of hair onto the cover so that the hair in the section of hair is distributed into the hair receptacles of the first and second sets and is thus also divided into individual strands by the hair receptacles. For this purpose, the hair receptacles are designed to open opposite the exterior of the housing to allow sections of hair to be inserted.By actuating the feed element, hair dye is fed from the interior of the housing to the dispensing openings of the hair receptacles of the first group, where it leaves the interior of the housing and is picked up by the corresponding channel-like hair receptacle, where it flows around the strand of hair placed in the corresponding hair receptacle in the area of ​​the dispensing opening. The hair receptacles of the second group and the strands held therein, however, remain free of hair dye. The hair receptacles of the first group and the second group are each designed like a channel and run parallel to one another on the upper side of the cover, with the channel-like hair receptacles running in a transverse direction of the cover and forming a sequence of several hair receptacles in the longitudinal direction of the cover, with each hair receptacle of the first group being followed by a hair receptacle of the second group.

[0007] In order to improve the application of color on the one hand and to enable excess hair dye to be wiped off on the other hand, the invention also proposes that a brush lever provided with brushes is provided, which can be pivoted about a lever pivot axis running transversely to the longitudinal direction of the housing from a position close to the cover, in which the brush lever at least partially covers the hair receptacles from the outside of the housing and the brushes protrude into the hair receptacles, into a position far from the cover, in which the brush lever exposes the hair receptacles from the outside of the housing.

[0008] The housing is then slowly removed from the scalp of the person being treated using the handle. Firstly, the strands are formed by dividing the treated hair into individual hair holders. Secondly, the strands inserted into the hair holders of the first group are drawn through the hair dye and thus colored. This movement can be assisted by slightly twisting the housing. The device enables easier application while maintaining consistent quality and strand width, as the laborious shaping of the strands and brushing them with hair dye are eliminated.The process of applying the hair dye can also be carried out more quickly, since by placing the hair section on the hair holders, the strands are simultaneously shaped and colored strand by strand, whereby dripping of the hair dye or the like can be largely avoided, thus enabling clean work.

[0009] The feed element is preferably designed as a feed plate arranged inside the housing and movable in the direction of the dispensing openings of the hair receptacles of the first group. This movement exerts pressure on the hair dye held inside the housing, causing the hair dye to exit the housing via the dispensing openings. For this purpose, the handle can also have a stationary upper part and a lower part pivotable on the upper part, with the lower part pivotably connected to the feed element designed as a feed plate. Operation can therefore be carried out with a single hand, namely with the hand that also holds the handle. By closing the fist in the case of a pliers-like design of the upper and lower parts or by operating a trigger-like operating element, the pivotable lower part can be actuated, whereby the feed plate moves in the direction of the dispensing openings.In order to be able to design the housing as cuboid-shaped as possible, it is also proposed that the feed element, designed as a feed plate, be guided via a parallelogram guide during the pivoting movement of the lower part. This parallelogram guide enables a translational movement of the feed plate while maintaining a constant angular position and is implemented, for example, using a parallelogram joint.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, it is further proposed that the housing be cuboid-shaped, with a front side surface of the housing being concave. The concave design of a side surface allows the housing to be brought closer to the scalp, which is naturally not flat but curved.

[0011] With such a cuboid-shaped housing design, the dispensing openings are preferably arranged along a side edge of the cover running in the longitudinal direction of the housing. This allows the hair dye to be applied very close to the scalp.

[0012] In particular, it is advantageous if the brush lever, in its position near the cover, can be moved in the direction of a sliding axis from an active position, in which the brushes protrude into the dispensing area of ​​the dispensing openings, to an inactive position, in which the brushes are spaced from the dispensing area of ​​the dispensing openings. During the insertion of the hair section into the hair receptacles, the brush lever is in its position away from the cover so as not to impair the insertion of the hair section. After the hair section has been inserted, the brush lever can be pivoted into its position near the cover, in which the brush lever at least partially covers the hair receptacles from the exterior of the housing and the brushes protrude into the hair receptacles. A first return spring is preferably tensioned in this process. The brush lever can then be moved in the direction of the sliding axis into its active position, in which the brushes protrude into the dispensing area of ​​the dispensing openings.In this case, a second return spring is preferably tensioned. The pivoting movement and the sliding movement can preferably be performed with the thumb of a single hand, namely the hand that also holds the handle. The brush lever can preferably be locked in its active position to allow the operator to continue working without having to manually fix the brush lever in its active position. After applying the hair dye and "pulling" the device along the treated hair section, the lock can be released, whereby the second return spring moves the brush lever to its inactive position. The brush lever can then be pivoted up to its position away from the cover, assisted by the first return spring.

[0013] It is also advantageous if the sliding axis also serves as the lever pivot axis and runs at an acute angle to the side of the housing facing the handle. The acute angle will open toward a front side of the housing. This way, when the brush lever is pivoted upwards, it is simultaneously moved away from the front side, preventing accidental contact with the hair with the color-carrying brushes of the brush lever.

[0014] Furthermore, it is proposed that the handle have a longitudinal axis that runs at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the housing. As already mentioned, it is advantageous to position the housing as close to the scalp as possible. This process is facilitated by an angled handle arrangement.

[0015] The invention will be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments and the accompanying figures. Fig. 1 a rear view of a perspective representation of an embodiment of the invention seen obliquely from above, Fig. 2 a rear view of a perspective representation of an embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 1 seen from below, Fig. 3 a front view of a perspective representation of an embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 1 seen from below, Fig. 4 a representation of an embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 1 seen from above, Fig. 5a a representation of an embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 1 seen from above with the section planes CC, DD and EE drawn, Fig. 5b a section for the embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 5a along the section plane DD, Fig. 5c a section for the embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 5a along the section plane CC, Fig. 5d a section for the embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 5a along the section plane EE, Fig. 6 a side view of the embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 1 seen from the side away from the handle, Fig. 7 a side view of the embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 1 seen from the handle side, Fig. 8 a rear view of the embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 1 , and the Fig. 9 a front view of the embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 1 .

[0016] First, the Fig. 1 bis 4 Reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2, which show an embodiment of the invention in different views. The device comprises a housing 1 for accommodating a hair dye, wherein the housing 1 is substantially cuboid-shaped. On one of the side surfaces of the housing 1, a handle 2 is provided with a longitudinal axis A, which is Fig. 4 is drawn, formed or attached. The relevant side surface is also referred to below as the side surface of the housing 1 facing the handle 2. In the embodiment shown, the handle 2 is arranged on the housing 1 such that the longitudinal axis L of the handle 2 runs at an angle to a longitudinal direction R of the housing 1, as shown in particular in the Fig. 4 can be seen. The handle 2 can further be provided with a grip sleeve that can be pushed onto the handle 2 in order to be able to adjust the handle 2 in terms of its cross-section or length to make it more pleasant to the hand of an operator.

[0017] A cover 3 is detachably attached to the top of the housing 1. In the embodiment shown, clip fasteners 4 are provided for this purpose, each of which has a resilient tab on the cover 3 releasably snapping into a corresponding pocket in the housing 1. The cover 3 can also be pivotally attached to the housing 1 so that it can fold up and expose the interior of the housing. Immediately before applying the hair dye to the hair of a person to be treated, the housing 1 can be opened by removing or folding up the cover 3 in order to introduce a hair dye into the housing 1. The hair dye is usually formed from a composition of at least two components that are mixed immediately before application. This preparation usually takes place outside the housing 1, with the ready-made hair dye being filled into the housing 1.The housing 1 can then be closed again by putting on or closing the cover 3.

[0018] Like the Fig. 2 and 3 can be removed, a feed element 5 is provided, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a feed plate, which also forms the housing base of the housing 1 and is arranged within the housing 1 so that it can move in the direction of the cover 3. During this movement, hair dye is conveyed in the direction of dispensing openings 6, so that the feed plate serves as a feed element 5, as will be explained in more detail. For this purpose, the handle 2 in the illustrated embodiment is designed like a pair of tongs with a stationary upper part 7 and a lower part 8 which can be pivoted on the upper part 7, wherein the lower part 8 is pivotally connected to the feed element 5. For further explanation of the mobility of the feed element 5, reference is also made to the Fig. 5 Reference is made to the drawing. In order to enable a translational movement of the feed element 5, designed as a feed plate, at a constant angular position within the housing 1, the feed plate is guided by means of a parallelogram guide, which in the present case is implemented by means of a parallelogram joint. For this purpose, the lower part 8 has a first parallelogram link 8a and a second parallelogram link 8b, which are pivotably attached on the one hand to the upper part 7 of the handle 2 about the pivot axes S1 and S2, and on the other hand to the feed plate about the pivot axes S3 and S4, as in particular the Fig. 2 and the Fig. 5c A spring element 9 ensures the return of the feed element 5 to its lower position according to the Fig. 5c safe. The operation can thus be carried out with a single hand, namely with the hand that also holds the handle 2. By closing the fist, the pivoting lower part 8 can be actuated, whereby the feed element 5, designed as a feed plate, can be moved at a constant angular position in the direction of the discharge openings 6 ( Fig. 5b ) is moved.

[0019] Furthermore, a parking piece 10 is attached to the second parallelogram link 8b, which is intended to enable the device to be parked upright when not in use.

[0020] The cover 3 has on its upper side webs 11 running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction R, which form groove-like hair receptacles 12 between them. The webs 11 can also have different heights along their longitudinal extent, such as the Fig. 1 can be removed. The groove-like hair receptacles 12 form a sequence of hair receptacles 12 arranged next to one another in the longitudinal direction R of the housing 1, which each open towards the outside of the housing for inserting sections of hair, wherein in a first group of hair receptacles 12, the hair receptacles 12 are each connected to the inside of the housing via dispensing openings 6 for dispensing hair dye, and between the hair receptacles 12 of the first group, hair dye-free hair receptacles 12 of a second group are arranged, which do not have these dispensing openings 6 and are thus closed towards the inside of the housing. In the embodiment shown, the dispensing openings 6 are arranged along a side edge of the cover 3 running in the longitudinal direction R of the housing.The side surface of the housing 1 which extends along this side edge is referred to below as the front side surface 15 and is concave, such as the . Fig. 3 can be removed.

[0021] Above the cover 3 there is a brush lever 13 which is positioned approximately in the Fig. 1 can be clearly seen, which is pivoted about a lever pivot axis S5 running transversely to the longitudinal direction R of the housing 1 (see Fig. 4 ) from a position close to the cover, in which the brush lever 13 at least partially covers the hair receptacles 2 from the housing exterior and the brushes 18 of the brush lever 13 protrude into the hair receptacles 12, into a position away from the cover, in which the brush lever 13 exposes the hair receptacles 12 from the housing exterior. In addition, the brush lever 13 in the illustrated embodiment is pivotable in its position close to the cover in the direction of a sliding axis S6 (see approximately Fig. 1 or Fig. 4 ) from an active position, in which the brushes 18 protrude into the discharge area of ​​the discharge openings 6, into an inactive position, in which the brushes 18 are spaced from the discharge area of ​​the discharge openings 6. In the embodiment shown, the sliding axis S6 is also the lever pivot axis S5 and runs at an acute angle to the side surface of the housing 1 facing the handle 2. The acute angle opens in the direction of the front side surface 15 of the housing 1, as in the Fig. 4 This way, the brush lever 13 is simultaneously moved away from the front side surface 15 when pivoted upwards, thus preventing unwanted contact of the hair with the color-carrying brushes 18 of the brush lever 13. The brushes 18 were Fig. 4 and the Fig. 9 indicated.

[0022] The Fig. 6 shows a side view of the embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 1 seen from the side away from the handle. Fig. 7 shows a side view of the embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 1 seen from the handle side. The Fig. 8 shows a rear view of the embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 1 , and the Fig. 9 a front view of the embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 1 .

[0023] The operation of the device according to the invention will now be described. In the initial position for applying color to a section of hair, the device is held with the front side surface 15 of the housing 1 as close as possible to the scalp of the person to be treated. The concave design of the front side surface 15 and the angled position of the handle 2 facilitate this positioning of the housing 1 close to the head. In this initial position close to the head, a section of hair - a so-called passé - is picked up and inserted into the hair receptacles 12. The brush lever 13 is in its position away from the cover while the hair section is being inserted into the hair receptacles 12 so as not to impede the insertion of the hair section. By inserting the hair section into the cover 3, individual strands are separated from one another by the webs 11 and distributed among the hair receptacles 12.

[0024] After the section of hair has been inserted, the brush lever 13 can be pivoted about the lever pivot axis S5 into its position near the cover, in which the brush lever 13 at least partially covers the hair receptacles 12 from the exterior of the housing and the brushes 18 protrude into the hair receptacles 12. A first return spring is tensioned in the process. The brush lever 13 can then be moved in the direction of the sliding axis S6 into its active position, in which the brushes 18 protrude into the dispensing area of ​​the dispensing openings 6. The second return spring is tensioned in the process, with an operating element 14 facilitating this displacement movement. The pivoting movement and the sliding movement can preferably be carried out with the thumb of a single hand, namely with the hand that is also holding the handle 2.Preferably, the brush lever 13 can be locked in its active position to enable the operator to continue working without having to manually fix the brush lever 13 in its active position.

[0025] By actuating the lower part 8 of the handle 2 and the resulting pivoting of the feed plate 5 in the direction of the dispensing openings 6, hair dye is fed from the interior of the housing to the dispensing openings 6 of the hair receptacles 12 of the first group, where it leaves the interior of the housing and is picked up by the corresponding, groove-like hair receptacle 12 of the first group, where it flows around the strand of hair inserted in the corresponding hair receptacle 12 in the area of ​​the dispensing opening 6. The hair receptacles 12 of the second group, however, remain devoid of hair dye. The housing 1 is then slowly removed from the scalp of the treated person with the aid of the handle 2, whereby on the one hand the strands are formed by dividing the treated section of hair between the hair receptacles 12, and on the other hand the strands inserted in the hair receptacles 12 of the first group are pulled through the hair dye and are thus colored with the aid of the brushes 18.This movement can be accompanied by a slight twisting of the housing 1. The brushes 18 of the brush lever 13, on the one hand, improve the application of color to the section of hair to be colored and, on the other hand, allow for the removal of excess hair dye. To improve the removal of excess hair dye and prevent hair dye from dripping, color wipers 17 can also be provided. These are designed as knobs or pins and are arranged along the side edge of the cover 3 running in the longitudinal direction R of the housing 1 (see . Fig. 9 ).

[0026] After applying the hair dye and "pulling" the device along the treated section of hair, the locking mechanism can be released by actuating a pin 16. The second return spring moves the brush lever 13 along the sliding axis S6 to its inactive position. The brush lever 13 can then be pivoted upwards about the lever pivot axis S5 to its position away from the cover, assisted by the first return spring. The device is now ready for applying hair dye to another section of hair.

[0027] It is also conceivable to design the cover 3 to be interchangeable and to design the cover 3 differently, for example with different widths of the hair receptacles 12, or with a variable clear cross-section of the hair receptacles along their longitudinal extent, in order to achieve different effects in the colored hair.

[0028] The device facilitates the styling of strands and the application of hair dye while maintaining consistent quality, allowing for faster and cleaner work. In particular, the laborious styling of strands and the brushing of hair dye can be eliminated. The process of applying hair dye can also be completed more quickly, and dripping of hair dye or similar can be largely avoided, thus enabling a clean work environment.

Claims

1. Device for applying flowable hair dye to sections of hair, in which a housing (1) provided with a handle (2) is provided with a housing interior for receiving the flowable hair dye, and the housing (1) is provided with a cover (3) which has a sequence of hair receptacles (12) arranged next to one another in a longitudinal direction (R) of the housing (1) and extending in a groove-like manner in a transverse direction of the housing (1), which hair receptacles (12) each open towards the housing exterior for inserting sections of hair, wherein in a first group of hair receptacles (12), the hair receptacles (12) are each connected to the housing interior via dispensing openings (6) for dispensing hair dye, and hair receptacles (12) of a second group that do not contain hair dye are arranged between the hair receptacles (12) of the first group, characterized in that a brush lever (13) provided with brushes (18) is provided, which can be rotated about a lever pivot axis (S5) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (R) of the housing (1) from a position close to the cover, in which the brush lever (13) at least partially covers the hair receptacles (12) from the housing exterior and the brushes (18) protrude into the hair receptacles (12), into a position remote from the cover, in which the brush lever (13) exposes the hair receptacles (12) from the housing exterior, and a feed element (5) for feeding hair dye from the housing interior to the dispensing openings (6) of the hair receptacles (12) of the first group is arranged in the housing interior.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the feed element (5) is designed as a feed plate arranged within the housing interior and to be movable in the direction of the dispensing openings (6) of the hair receptacles (12) of the first group.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the handle (2) has a stationary upper part (7) and a lower part (8) pivotable on the upper part (7), wherein the lower part (8) is pivotably connected to the feed element (5) designed as a feed plate.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the feed element (5), which is designed as a feed plate, is guided via a parallelogram guide in the course of the pivoting movement of the lower part (8).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the housing (1) is of cuboidal design, wherein a front side surface (15) of the housing (1) is of concave design.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the housing (1) is of cuboidal design, and the dispensing openings (6) are arranged along a side edge of the cover (3) extending in the longitudinal direction (R) of the housing (1).

7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the brush lever (13) is displaceable in its position close to the cover in the direction of a sliding axis (S6) from an active position, in which the brushes (18) project into the dispensing area of the dispensing openings (6), into an inactive position, in which the brushes (18) are spaced apart from the dispensing area of the dispensing openings (6).

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the sliding axis (S6) is at the same time the lever pivot axis (S5) and extends at an acute angle to the side surface of the housing (1) facing the handle (2).

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the handle (2) has a longitudinal axis (L) that is angled with respect to the longitudinal direction (R) of the housing (1).