Hair fiber sampling device

Abstract

Hair fiber sampling device Hair fiber sampling rod comprising a rod which extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises in the distal part a slot extending substantially longitudinally so as to form at least a first branch and at least a second branch, the length of the first branch being less than that of the second. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for sampling hair fibers Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for collecting hair fibers, and a method for collecting such fibers. Prior art

[0002] The sampling of hair fibers from a client's hair is commonly carried out by hairdressers in order to test that the effect of a product that one wishes to apply to the client's hair is in accordance with that expected.

[0003] There are various hair fiber collection devices comprising collars with a collection groove, collars with a spiked surface or adhesive material, or suction devices.

[0004] Furthermore, in certain cases, the collected hair fibers are sent to a third party, typically in an envelope, in bulk or attached, for example by means of adhesive tape or a self-tightening collar.

[0005] Sampling methods have also been developed to avoid direct contact between the fingers of the operator taking the sample and the hair fibers taken when the sample is taken as part of a forensic investigation. These methods conventionally use adhesive materials, combs, possibly including a rod for selecting and isolating a row of fibers. The fibers thus collected are generally attached before being placed in a container such as an envelope. Statement of the invention

[0006] There is a need for a tool that is easy to produce and use, allowing not only to select a desired quantity of hair fibers and to collect the selected hair fibers, but also to introduce them into a relatively small container, such as a bottle or a pillbox, allowing the transport and / or application of a treatment to said hair fibers, preferably while avoiding any direct contact between the operator responsible for the collection and the hair fibers collected.

[0007] Furthermore, there is a need to enable the collection of a predetermined quantity of hair fibers simultaneously, as well as the introduction of these fibers into a device or a bottle, in a short handling time and without resorting to a step of attaching the fibers together.

[0008] There is also an interest in benefiting from a device and a method making it possible to minimize the number of hair fibers to be collected. Summary of the invention

[0009] The invention meets all or part of these needs thanks to a hair fiber sampling rod, comprising a rod which extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises in the distal part a slot extending substantially longitudinally so as to form at least a first branch and at least a second branch, the length of the first branch being less than the length of the second branch.

[0010] The first and second branches, separated by the slit, allow in particular to select and hold the hair fibers with a view to collecting them. Indeed, the second longest branch allows to select the hair fibers to be collected. Once the hair fibers have been selected in the desired quantity, the operator can slide these hair fibers into the slit so as to block them between the first and second branches of the rod. Then, he can wind the hair fibers around the first and second branches before finally cutting the hair fibers.

[0011] The rod may have a length greater than 10 cm, and / or less than 20 cm, and preferably the length of the rod is between 13 cm and 17 cm, in particular substantially equal to 15 cm.

[0012] The term "rod" refers to a long, thin tool. In particular, the largest transverse dimension of the rod does not exceed 1 / 5 of its length. In particular, the rod does not have a wide loop at its proximal end, unlike a sardine wrench.

[0013] The length of the rod corresponds to its maximum length along the longitudinal axis X.

[0014] Such a length provides good maneuverability. In particular, it allows the operator to precisely manipulate the wand with one hand.

[0015] The length of the first branch may be less than or equal to ¾ of the length of the second branch, better still less than or equal to half the length of the second branch, more preferably less than or equal to a quarter of the length of the second branch.

[0016] The difference in length between the first branch and the second branch may be less than or equal to 2.5 cm, better still less than or equal to 2 cm, even better still less than or equal to 1.5 cm.

[0017] The length of the first branch may be less than or equal to 2 cm, preferably less than or equal to 1 cm, and / or greater than or equal to 5 mm.

[0018] The length of the second branch may be greater than or equal to 8mm, preferably greater than or equal to 1cm, and / or less than or equal to 8cm, preferably less than or equal to 4 cm.

[0019] These dimensions are particularly well suited to the collection of hair fibers.

[0020] The rod may have a generally substantially cylindrical shape, when the slot is not considered. The envelope surface containing the two branches may have a generally substantially cylindrical, or conical, shape, possibly truncated.

[0021] The rod may be of rounded cross-section, for example of circular or elliptical cross-section.

[0022] The rod may have a constant cross-section, in particular over more than half of its length. Alternatively, the rod has a cross-section of variable dimension.

[0023] Preferably, the cross-section of the rod has a largest dimension of between 3 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 4 mm and 8 mm, for example substantially equal to 5 mm.

[0024] In one embodiment, the slot extends at a distance greater than or equal to 1 mm and / or less than or equal to 5 mm, or even less than 2.5 mm, from the external surface of the rod.

[0025] The slot may extend to a depth of between 5 mm and 2 cm. The depth is measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod when the slot is parallel to it.

[0026] The slot may have a width greater than or equal to 1 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 1.5 mm.

[0027] The slot may have a width less than or equal to 2 mm, preferably less than or equal to 1.5 mm.

[0028] The distal portion of the stem may be beveled and / or truncated.

[0029] Preferably, the beveled distal portion has a conical envelope.

[0030] The beveled distal portion may be truncated.

[0031] The beveled distal portion may extend at least 5% of the length of the baguette, better at least 10% of the length of the baguette, better at least 15% of the length of the baguette.

[0032] Such a stick tapered at the end allows in particular a finer and easier selection of hair fibers in a head of hair.

[0033] Furthermore, the rod may comprise a gauge extending transversely to the longitudinal axis X.

[0034] The gauge advantageously makes it possible to estimate more precisely the quantity of hair fibers to be taken, and thus allows a calibrated, rapid and precise sampling of the fibers. In particular, the sampling of hair fibers in a head of hair by A hairdresser is often perceived as unpleasant by clients. This is why it is essential to only take a limited and necessary number of hair fibers.

[0035] The gauge may be a hole, an annular groove, or a recess intended to receive hair fibers. In particular, the gauge may form a V flush with the surface of the rod.

[0036] The gauge preferably has a maximum depth of between 0.7 mm and 1 mm, in particular the maximum depth may be approximately 0.9 mm.

[0037] The maximum width of the gauge may be between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm, in particular the maximum width may be approximately 1 mm.

[0038] These dimensions are particularly well suited to obtaining a quantity of hair fibers sufficient to carry out a test on a sample of hair fibers, in particular for the purpose of verifying the reaction of a coloring or bleaching on the hair fibers.

[0039] The gauge may be formed in a proximal or middle portion of the stem.

[0040] The gauge may be formed near the bottom of the slot, in other words near from the junction between the first branch and the second branch, in particular at a distance from the bottom of the slot less than or equal to 10 mm, 8 mm, or 5 mm.

[0041] Thus, after having selected hair fibers to be sampled and before winding the hair fibers around the first and second branches, the operator can measure the quantity of hair fibers selected by engaging it in the gauge and check whether or not this quantity corresponds to that which is desired to be sampled.

[0042] The operator can, for example, visually check whether the quantity of hair fibers selected is overflowing the gauge or whether it does not completely fill the gauge. The operator can then adjust the quantity of hair fibers before actually taking the sample.

[0043] The presence of a gauge is particularly advantageous because it allows the optimal quantity of hair fibers to be efficiently collected.

[0044] The rod may comprise a holding element intended to hold hair fibers to be taken from the rod.

[0045] Such a holding element advantageously makes it possible to transport the collected hair fibers to a container without loss, while avoiding, where appropriate, any direct contact between the operator and the collected hair fibers.

[0046] The holding element may be positioned on the rod so as to hold the hair fibers after the operator has wound the fibers around the first and second branches and before the operator severs said hair fibers.

[0047] The holding element may have the form of a ring, sliding along the rod, with slight friction if necessary.

[0048] In particular, the holding element may have a diverging insertion cone. towards the distal end of the wand and arranged to cover the coiled hair fibers during hair fiber sampling.

[0049] The holding element may be elastically deformable.

[0050] The rod may comprise at least one protuberance providing, thanks to the friction it generates, a position for immobilizing the holding element around the rod.

[0051] The rod may comprise at least two end stops for the holding element, the holding element sliding between these two stops.

[0052] Alternatively, the holding element may be removable.

[0053] The holding element may have a flat on its surface facing the rod in order to limit its rotational movements around the rod, the latter then being of non-circular external section adapted to the shape of the holding element.

[0054] It may also be advantageous to be able to pack the hair fibers collected in a container intended to receive them and / or to be able to extract them from this container.

[0055] For this, the rod according to the invention may comprise an enlarged proximal part, for example of a diameter larger than that of a middle portion of the rod.

[0056] The widened portion may be formed by molding, cutting, or be an added end piece.

[0057] The enlarged part may have a greater transverse dimension, in particular a diameter of between 8 and 12 mm, preferably approximately 10 mm, and / or a length of between 5 mm and 20 mm, preferably between 7 mm and 10 mm, for example approximately 8 mm.

[0058] The widened part may be arranged so as to allow the packing of the hair fibers taken from a particular container, and preferably has a circular end section, being for example of a substantially cylindrical shape of revolution.

[0059] The rod may include a hook at the proximal end of the rod.

[0060] This hook can be provided in the aforementioned widened part, if necessary.

[0061] The hook can have a width between 2 and 9 mm, better between 4 and 6 mm.

[0062] The rod may be, at least partially, covered with a coating, so as to provide a smooth surface and / or a slightly rough surface and / or an adhesive surface.

[0063] Such a coating facilitates the adhesion of the hair fibers to the stem, in particular to the branches.

[0064] The first branch and / or the second branch may be at least partially provided with surface spikes, the spikes extending radially, the spikes preferably being flexible.

[0065] At least part of the rod, preferably the first and / or second branch(es), may be light in color, in particular a beige, pastel or white tone.

[0066] Alternatively or additionally, at least part of the rod, preferably the first and / or second branch(es), may be dark in color, in particular a gray or black tone.

[0067] Such colors make it possible to optimize contrasts with the color of the hair and to better distinguish the hair fibers to be sampled.

[0068] The stick may in particular be, at least partially, made of injected plastic or wood, for example bamboo.

[0069] The rod may have a smooth or rough surface at the sampling surface.

[0070] A device according to the invention is particularly well suited to collecting hair fibers from a head of hair.

[0071] The mass of the baguette is in particular less than or equal to 15 g, preferably less than or equal to 10 g, more preferably less than or equal to 5 g.

[0072] Such a mass allows precise handling of the rod and thus facilitates sampling.

[0073] The invention also relates to a method for collecting hair fibers, in particular by means of a rod according to the invention, comprising the following successive steps: (1) selecting the desired quantity of hair fibers to be collected, with the distal end of a rod, in particular a branch of a wand according to the invention; (2) optionally, evaluate the quantity taken preferably using the aforementioned gauge, and possibly adjust the quantity of fibers to be taken; (3) winding, around the rod, the hair fibers selected in step (1), and possibly adjusted, over a fiber length greater than or equal to 1 cm; (4) section the hair fibers to keep the fibers on the shaft coiled; (5) preferably, insert the hair fibers carried by the rod into a container, possibly inserting both the hair fibers and the rod on which the hair fibers are wound into the container, the rod possibly being used after its insertion to plug the container.

[0074] The method is preferably carried out by means of a rod according to the invention, as defined above, but as a variant it is possible to use a sardine key and a comb, or a knitting hook and a comb.

[0075] Preferably, before step (1), the method according to the invention comprises a prior step consisting of isolating a set of hair fibers using a comb, and in step (1), the fibers taken are selected from this set.

[0076] The number of hair fibers selected in step (1) may be greater than or equal to 5 and less than or equal to 15, in particular between 10 and 15, limits inclusive.

[0077] Preferably, step (2) is implemented.

[0078] The evaluation of the quantity of hair fibers to be sampled may include positioning the hair fibers, for example manually or by sliding them along the rod, in the aforementioned gauge. If the hair fibers fill the gauge, the quantity of hair fibers selected corresponds to the quantity useful for the test, if the hair fibers exceed the gauge, the quantity of hair fibers selected is greater than the quantity of hair fibers required, and if the gauge is not completely filled, the quantity of hair fibers selected is less than the quantity of hair fibers recommended.

[0079] If necessary, an adjustment of the quantity of hair fibers selected is made before collecting them.

[0080] When using a rod according to the invention the hair fibers can be slid into the slot after step (1), preferably after step (2), and before step (3). The operator can easily wind the bundled hair fibers around the rod.

[0081] In step (3), the selected hair fibers are preferably wound over a fiber length greater than or equal to 5 cm.

[0082] Preferably, the selected hair fibers are wound along their length until leaving a length of unwound fibers greater than or equal to 1 cm, preferably substantially equal to 1 cm.

[0083] In particular, when the method is implemented to collect hair fibers from the head of an individual, the hair fibers may be wound up to 1 cm from the root. Furthermore, the hair fibers are preferably taken from under the occipital bone of the head, the individual being in a sitting or standing position and keeping the head upright. Preferably, after step (3) and before step (4), the wound hair fibers are locked on the rod, for example by means of a holding element as defined above.

[0084] This holding element can be positioned on the fibers by sliding it from the distal end of the rod towards the proximal end thereof. The holding element can be arranged so as to reach an immobilization position at a larger section of the distal part, or at a protuberance present on the rod.

[0085] Alternatively, the holding element may be permanently present on the rod, for example by being held thereon by two end-of-travel stops. In this case, the capillary fibers are at least partly wound, in step (3), between these stops, then the operator slides the holding element over the wound fibers so as to immobilize them.

[0086] The method preferably comprises a step (5) of inserting the hair fibers into a container, for example a test tube or a bottle.

[0087] The hair fibers may be inserted into the container while being held immobilized on the rod. Alternatively, the hair fibers are released from the rod upon insertion into the container.

[0088] The invention also relates, according to another of its aspects, to a sampling kit comprising a rod according to the invention packaged with a reagent. Alternatively, the sampling kit comprises another tool allowing the sampling of hair fibers, for example a knitting hook or a sardine key.

[0089] The kit may comprise at least one bottle comprising or intended to contain the reagent.

[0090] The bottle can be pre-filled or to be topped up. Brief description of the drawings

[0091] The invention may be better understood by reading the detailed description which follows, non-limiting examples of its implementation, and by examining the attached drawing, in which:

[0092] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] represents an example of a rod according to the invention,

[0093] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents an enlargement of the distal part of the rod of [Fig.l];

[0094] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view along II-II of a rod such as as shown in Figures 1 and 2;

[0095] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents another example of a rod according to the invention, including a gauge,

[0096] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents another example of a rod according to the invention, comprising a holding element,

[0097] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is another example of a rod according to the invention;

[0098] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is another example of a rod according to the invention,

[0099] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] illustrates steps of the sampling method according to the invention,

[0100] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] illustrates the evaluation of the quantity of hair fibers with the gauge,

[0101] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] shows schematically the insertion of a holding element on the rod,

[0102] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] represents a sampling kit according to the invention,

[0103] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] illustrates examples of sardine keys, and

[0104] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] illustrates an example of a knitting hook.

[0105] In the remainder of the description, elements that are identical or have identical functions bear the same reference sign. Their description is not repeated with respect to each of the figures, only the main differences between the embodiments being mentioned. Detailed description

[0106] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a rod 1 for collecting hair fibers according to the invention, comprising a rod 10 which extends along a longitudinal axis X and comprises at a distal end a slot 18 extending substantially longitudinally so as to form a first branch 12 and a second branch 14, the length Li2 of the first branch measured along the X axis between its free end and the bottom of the slot 18 being less than the length Lu of the second branch.

[0107] The rod advantageously has a length L1 of between 10 cm and 20 cm, preferably between 13 cm and 17 cm, preferably substantially equal to 15 cm.

[0108] The wand 1 can be used to take hair fibers from an individual's head, for example to test the hair before coloring at a hairdresser.

[0109] The rod has a main portion 10c which is preferably of constant cross-section, for example circular.

[0110] This main portion can extend over a length LiOc greater than half of the total length Li of the rod, better still greater than two-thirds of its length LH, even better still greater than three-quarters of the length Lb.

[0111] The slot 18 may be of substantially constant width, as illustrated in [Fig. 2]. This width d[8 may be greater than or equal to 1 mm and / or less than or equal to 2 mm.

[0112] The slot 18 may be less wide than the maximum thickness ei2 of the branch 12 and also less than the maximum thickness ei4 of the second branch 14, as visible in [Fig.3].

[0113] In a variant, the thickness ei2 of the first branch is equal to the thickness eM of the second branch at least at one point on the X axis.

[0114] The length Ln of the first branch is less than the length LM of the second branch.

[0115] The length Ln of the first branch may be between 5 mm and 2 cm, preferably between 5 mm and 1 cm, inclusive.

[0116] The length Lu of the second branch may be between 8 mm and 8 cm, preferably between 1 cm and 4 cm, inclusive.

[0117] The length Ln of the first branch may be less than or equal to half the length LM of the second branch, better still less than or equal to a third of the length Lm of the second branch, better still less than or equal to a quarter of the length LM of the second branch.

[0118] Preferably, as illustrated in [Fig.2], the branches 12 and 14 each have a tapered shape. Thus, the thickness of the first branch and / or the thickness of the second branch may be non-constant. In particular, the thickness of the first branch and / or the thickness of the second branch may decrease towards the distal end ldist of the rod.

[0119] Preferably, the distal end of the first branch 12 and / or the distal end of the second branch 14 are truncated.

[0120] The thickness of the first branch may be between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 2.5 mm, inclusive.

[0121] The thickness of the second branch may be greater than or equal to 2.5 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 5 mm.

[0122] Preferably, the thickness of the first branch is less than the thickness of the second branch, for a given cross-section.

[0123] The rod 1 may comprise a generally tapered distal portion 20, for example having a generally truncated conical envelope surface, the branches 12 and 14 forming part of this distal portion 20.

[0124] The distal portion may extend over a length L20 greater than the length Li2 of the first branch and / or the length LM of the second branch.

[0125] Preferably, the distal portion 20 extends over a length L20 greater than or equal to 5% of the length of the rod LH, better still greater than or equal to 10% of the length Li, even better still greater than or equal to 15% of the length Lb.

[0126] The maximum diameter of the distal portion may be greater than or equal to 5 mm and / or less than or equal to 10 mm, preferably less than or equal to 8 mm.

[0127] The distal portion may have a minimum diameter greater than or equal to 3 mm and / or less than or equal to 5 mm.

[0128] Steps of a sampling method using such a rod are detailed in [Fig.8].

[0129] A comb may be used to first isolate a set of hair fibers. The second branch then allows, during a first step (1) of the method, the operator to precisely select the hair fibers to be taken from this set, by pointing the hair root with the free end of the branch, then making a circular movement with the rod around the fibers while keeping the free end of the branch substantially still.

[0130] The operator can then slide the selected hair into the slot 18 between the two branches 12, 14.

[0131] Once the fibers are engaged in the slot, the operator slides the rod along the hair fibers thus selected while holding them in the slot and moving the rod away from the scalp, then winds the fibers around the rod or around the branches, thus forming a winding 52, which corresponds to step (3).

[0132] Preferably the fibers are wound over a length of between 1 cm and 10 cm, inclusive. The fibers may in particular be wound over a length corresponding to their total length less a cutting value of between 0.5 cm and 2 cm, in particular a cutting value substantially equal to 1 cm.

[0133] The fibers are then, in step (4), sectioned, preferably by being cut at a point located between the root and the stem.

[0134] Preferably, the hair fibers are cut at a distance dr greater than or equal to 0.5 cm from their root and preferably less than or equal to 2 cm, better still less than or equal to 1 cm.

[0135] The hair fibers can then be deposited in a container 60, in step (5), if it is planned to put them in contact with a reagent or to ship them to a remote analysis site.

[0136] The container may be a test tube or a bottle, possibly a postal envelope.

[0137] The container may contain a reagent.

[0138] Once collected and placed in the container, the operator can pack the hair fibers in it, so as to position them correctly inside said container, for example to minimize the quantity of reagent used.

[0139] The rod may advantageously comprise for this purpose a proximal part 24 having an enlarged diameter and the end lprox of which defines a substantially flat surface S.

[0140] The proximal part 24 may have a cylindrical envelope surface of revolution of axis X.

[0141] The proximal part 24 may be integral with the rod or be added.

[0142] There may be an interest in extracting the hair fibers from the container once the analysis carried out, for example so as to allow the container to be recycled.

[0143] It is then preferable to avoid any contact between the reagent present in the container and the operator.

[0144] The rod may advantageously include a hook 26 allowing the hair fibers to be extracted from the container.

[0145] This hook 26 may be formed, as seen in [Fig.l], in the proximal portion 24 of the rod. The hook 26 may be formed between substantially parallel opposite surfaces S24i and S242 which are inclined at angles α and [3 respectively, these angles each being for example substantially 45 0 relative to the longitudinal axis X.

[0146] The hook 26 may alternatively be formed of a tab 26' extending axially towards the distal end as shown in [Fig.7].

[0147] We see in [Fig.5] that the hook and the slot can each have a symmetrical shape with respect to a median plane containing the X axis, parallel to the plane of [Fig.5].

[0148] The variant of [Fig.6] illustrates the possibility of producing the proximal part without a hook.

[0149] Preferably, after step (1) and before step (4), the operator performs a step of checking the quantity of hair fibers being collected. Preferably, this checking step is carried out during the implementation of a step (2).

[0150] The rod may for this purpose include a gauge 22 as illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0151] This gauge 22 may be a hollow relief formed in the rod and preferably extends along a Y axis perpendicular to the X axis.

[0152] The gauge 22 may be a V-shaped section notch as illustrated, or alternatively have any other hollow shape of predefined section, defining a space for receiving the fibers.

[0153] The gauge 22 may be formed at a distance d from the bottom of the slot 18, this distance d preferably being greater than or equal to 5 mm and / or less than or equal to 2 cm.

[0154] The maximum width L22 of the gauge is for example between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably being substantially equal to 1 mm.

[0155] The length h22 of the gauge depends on its depth and is for example less than half the circumference of the rod.

[0156] The maximum depth of gauge 22 (measured at mid-length) is for example between 0.7 mm and 1 mm, this depth being measured radially.

[0157] As illustrated in [Fig.9], the operator can position the capillary fibers 50 in the gauge 22, for example by bringing their ends into the gauge.

[0158] In particular embodiments, the operator can slide the hair fibers 50 into the gauge when implementing step 3, when the operator begins to wind the hair fibers around the rod, step (2) then being carried out simultaneously with step (3). This advantageously makes it possible to avoid any contact with the hair fibers.

[0159] The operator can optionally tactilely check whether the gauge is filled by passing his finger over the surface thereof. Preferably, the operator visually checks whether the capillary fibers 50 fill the gauge 22.

[0160] In order to avoid any loss of hair fibers during the transfer of the fibers from the collection location to the container, the wand may include a holding element 30, as illustrated in [Fig.5].

[0161] The holding element 30 can slide along the rod, and has, for example, an annular shape.

[0162] This holding element 30 is configured so as to allow the fibers to be held on the rod during sampling, the capillary fibers being held tight between the holding element 30 and the rod 10.

[0163] As illustrated in [Fig.10], the operator can, after having wound the hair fibers on the rod, position the holding element on the fibers wound on the rod by sliding it from the distal end towards the proximal end of the rod.

[0164] Generally, the rod 1 may be, at least partially, made of injected plastic and / or wood and / or plastic and / or metal.

[0165] The rod may be machined and / or molded

[0166] In particular, the rod may be made of an inert plastic material.

[0167] The rod can be manufactured by molding, in particular by injection. It can possibly be manufactured by 3D printing.

[0168] The surface condition of the rod may optionally be adjusted by treatment such as sanding, so as to obtain the desired adhesion to the hair.

[0169] The rod 10 may be at least partially covered with a coating, so as to provide a smooth surface and / or a slightly rough surface and / or an adhesive surface; in particular, the first and / or the second branch may be at least partially covered with such a coating.

[0170] The first branch and / or the second branch may be at least partially provided with surface spikes, the spikes extending radially, preferably being flexible.

[0171] At least part of the wand, preferably the first branch and / or the second branch, may be light in color, in particular a beige, pastel or white tone.

[0172] The invention also relates to a sampling kit 2 comprising a container 60, a rod 1 according to the invention, and possibly packaging 62.

[0173] Preferably, the container is a bottle.

[0174] The kit may include a reagent. In particular, the reagent may be intended for testing the fibers before applying a treatment product to the hair, for example a hair coloring.

[0175] The reagent may be contained in one or more vials.

[0176] The reagent can be ready to use or can be prepared by mixing the contents of several bottles and / or by topping up with an aqueous solution.

[0177] The invention is however not limited to a kit comprising a rod according to the invention, nor to an implementation of the sampling method using a rod according to the invention.

[0178] In particular, the kit may include a sardine key 64 or a knitting hook instead of the rod according to the invention.

[0179] The sampling method can thus be implemented using a sardine key or a knitting hook.

[0180] A sardine key conventionally comprises a rod 10', the latter comprising at a distal end two branches 12'; 14' separated by a slot 18', and at a proximal end a portion forming a loop 24' with a flattened head 28', as shown diagrammatically in [Fig. 11].

[0181] A sardine key is not a rod according to the invention, due to the presence of the wide loop at the end. Furthermore, the largest dimension in section transverse is located at the 24' loop and is greater than 1 / 5 of the length of the sardine key.

[0182] Alternatively, a knitting hook 66 may be used to implement the method according to the invention.

[0183] A knitting hook typically has a 10” shank, the latter having a 40” hook at its distal end, as shown in [Fig. 10].

Claims

Claims

1. Hair fiber sampling rod (1) comprising a rod (10) which extends along a longitudinal axis (X) and comprises in the distal part a slot (18) extending substantially longitudinally so as to form at least a first branch (12) and at least a second branch (14), the length of the first branch being less than that of the second.

2. Sampling rod according to the preceding claim, in which the distal part (20) of the rod is beveled and / or truncated.

3. Sampling rod according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a gauge (22) extending transversely to the longitudinal axis X.

4. A rod according to any preceding claim, comprising a holding member (30) for holding the hair fibers on the rod.

5. A rod according to any preceding claim, wherein the rod has a substantially cylindrical general shape.

6. A rod according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a proximal portion (24) having a section enlarged relative to that of a middle portion of the rod.

7. A wand according to any one of the preceding claims, at least part of the wand, preferably the first and / or second branch(es), being light in color, in particular a beige, pastel or white tone.

8. A wand according to any preceding claim, being, at least partially, made of injected plastic and / or wood.

9. Sampling kit (2) comprising a wand (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and at least one container (60), in particular a container containing a reagent making it possible to test the effect of a coloring on the hair.

10. Method for sampling hair fibers, in particular by means of a wand according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or a kit according to claim 9, comprising the following successive steps: (1) selecting a desired quantity of hair fibers to be sampled, with the distal end of a rod, in particular a branch of a wand according to any one of claims 1 to 8;

11.

12. (2) optionally, assess the quantity taken, preferably using the aforementioned gauge, and possibly adjust the quantity of fibers to be taken; (3) winding, around the rod, the hair fibers selected in step (1), and possibly adjusted, over a length of hair fibers greater than or equal to 1 cm; (4) section the hair fibers to keep the fibers on the shaft coiled; (5) preferably, insert the hair fibers carried by the rod into a container, possibly inserting both the hair fibers and the rod on which the hair fibers are wound into the container, the rod possibly being used after its insertion to plug the container. Method according to the preceding claim, being implemented by means of a rod according to one of claims 1 to 8, a sardine key and a comb, or a knitting hook and a comb. Method according to one of claims 10 and 11, the number of selected hair fibers being greater than or equal to 5 and less than or equal to 15, preferably being between 10 and 15.

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