A modified basin

Abstract

A basin for washing hair comprises a bowl (10, fig.1) with a drainage hole 11 at a base of the bowl and an elongate washboard style surface extending from a rear part of the bowl. An upper edge 21 of the elongate washboard is shaped to receive the neck of a user. The elongate washboard has a mid-region 23 along which hair is laid and raised lips 26 either side of the mid-region to guide flow of water and to contain hair of a user. The washboard may extend at an obtuse angle from the base. The elongate washboard may have ridges or recess 24 that extend in the same axis as the elongate washboard. A ledge 40 may be provided with a recess 43 which has an open edge to the bowl to facilitate cleaning. The basin may be provided on a height adjustable pedestal (30, fig 6). The basin may be connected to the pedestal by a pivot (32, fig.6) to allow tilting of the basin. The pedestal may be wheeled. The elongate washboard is ideally at least 500mm long.

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a modified basin for washing hair, in particular a modified backwash basin with an elongate washboard that hair being washed is laid along. Background When visiting a hairdresser it is common for hair to be washed as part of the appointment. When washing longer hair it often takes longer to fully wash and rinse the hair because the long hair gathers in the bowl of a basin and requires considerable rinsing. This results in more time spent and risk of damaging while de-tangling hair, also the use of more water to completely rinse hair and can also cause blocking of the plug hole, which slows exit of dirty water and therefore rinsing. The present invention provides a modified basin that overcomes these problems. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a modified basin for hair comprising: a bowl with a drainage hole at a base of the bowl and an elongate washboard extending from a rear part of the bowl; wherein an upper edge of the elongate washboard is shaped to receive the neck of a user and the elongate washboard has a substantially flat mid-region along which a user’s hair is laid and raised lips either side of the mid-region guide flow of water and to contain hair of the user. In this way the basin can be arranged next to a seat and a user rests their neck against the upper edge of the elongate washboard so that their hair falls along the washboard towards the bowl. A user’s hair can then be washed, treated or coloured whilst the hair is laid along the washboard (board) and hair is not gathered in the base of a bowl as is the case in traditional backwash basins. Advantageously this allows hair to be more easily handled and viewed by a hairdresser as hair is fully visible and not bunched in the bowl. The modified basin also permits quicker more efficient washing, using less water because water can be run from roots to tips of the hair shaft whilst the hair is laid on the washboard and is not held in the bowl with residue wash off water which must clear before a rinse can be completed, thereby meaning the tap must run for longer. The modified basin also ensures hair is away from the drainage hole which prevents hair becoming caught and stops the drainage hole becoming temporarily blocked by hair during washing so water wash off is able to flow away more quickly. This benefits hair by minimising friction that can cause damage to the hairs cuticles and residue is less likely to build up on the surface of the basin for enhanced hygiene and better rinsing of hair. The modified basin has a bowl with a drainage hole at a base of the bowl. The base is the lowest part of the bowl so that water or other liquids naturally drain to the drainage hole. It is appreciated that the bowl may be provided in different shapes and sizes. For example the bowl may be substantially rectangular, square, round or oval. The elongate washboard extends from one side of the bowl, extending upwards from a rear part of the bowl, so that the washboard is an extension of the bowl. The elongate wall is an extension from an upper edge of the bowl, typically referred to as a rim of a bowl. In this way the bowl is easily accessed over the rim of the bowl where the elongate board does not extend. The elongate washboard extends substantially upwards from the rear part of the bowl. Preferably the elongate washboard is integrated with the bowl so that the elongate washboard is a continuous extension. The elongate washboard has a substantially flat mid-region along which hair is laid. In this way hair can be laid as it would naturally fall from the head making it easier to separate sections of hair, for example for colouring or treatment, and making the hair easier to wash as water can be easily run over all of the hair from root to tip. Having a flat surface also encourages the hair to lay where it is placed rather than bunch together which tends to occur in traditional basins. Preferably the elongate washboard extends upwards at an obtuse angle relative to a base of the bowl. In this way the elongate washboard creates a slope from the user’s head to the drainage hole to encourage quick water runoff. Preferably the flat mid-region of the elongate washboard has a raised and / or lowered surface, for example having a grooved surface. This helps to keep hair in one position during washing and rinsing which reduces damage caused by tangling. The raised and lowered surface can also help keep hair in position if the hair is being sectioned, for example during colouring. The raised and lowered surface can also be used to provide gentle friction during washing so that hair is gently rubbed across the raised and / or lower surface to help create a lather and to help rinse the hair. Preferably the raised and lowered surface comprises substantially parallel ridges that project from the elongate board in the same axis that the elongate board extends from the bowl. In this way the ridges run in the direction that the hair falls from the user’s head. In an alternative embodiment the raised and lowered surface may comprise substantially parallel grooves (recessed into the board) that run in the same axis that the elongate washboard extends from the bowl. Preferably the raised and lowered surface does not extend to the bowl as hair does not typically extend beyond the elongate board. In this way the bowl is also easier to clean. Typically the modified basin is formed from a strong, durable, waterproof material such as a ceramic material as is common in the field of basins. It is appreciated that the basin may be formed from different materials, such a composite or stainless steel. In a preferred embodiment the length from the base of the bowl to the upper edge of the elongate washboard that receives a user’s neck is at least 350mm. In this way most hair lengths will lie along the washboard and always be spaced apart from the drainage hole. Preferably the length from the base of the bowl to the upper edge of the elongate washboard that receives a user’s neck is 500mm. It is appreciated that the basin may be provided in a variety of different sizes. In a preferred embodiment a ledge extends from part of the rim of the bowl and the ledge has at least one aperture for a tap. Typically the ledge is provided on part of the rim that does not have the elongate washboard. In a preferred embodiment at least one aperture is provided at a region that is opposed to the elongate washboard so that a hairdresser can easily control water flow from the position they will stand. The basin is arranged on a pedestal or a unit. The pedestal may for example be a tripod or a wheeled stand. A unit may be a fixed salon unit upon which the basin is fitted. In some embodiments the bowl connects to the pedestal or unit by means of a pivot to enable the basin to be tilted to comfortable accommodate the user taking into consideration the size and shape of the seat they are using. In some embodiments the pedestal / unit has a height adjustment means to provide further adaptation to a seat or location. It is appreciated that in some embodiments the basin may be portable so that it can be used at different location or with different seats. For example the basin may have a wheeled pedestal with a brake so that the basin can be moved easily from one location to another and the wheels locked in place when positioned for use. It is appreciated that for a portable basin the basin may include quick connect water feed that have a flexible length of pipe to permit movement, or the portable basin may be positioned next to a water supply, such as a shower head, or the portable basin may have, or be connected to, a standalone reservoir. In some embodiments the basin may be built into a unit rather than having a pedestal. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a modified basin; Figure 2 shows a side view of the first embodiment of the modified basin on a pedestal with a tap and shower head connected; Figure 3 shows a top view of a second embodiment of a modified basin; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a modified basin; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a modified basin; Figure 6 a side view of a fifth embodiment of the modified basin on a pedestal with a tap and shower head; Figure 7 shows a top view of the fifth embodiment of the modified basin; and Figure 8 shows a top view of a sixth embodiment of the modified basin. Detailed Description of Figures Figures 1 to 8 show preferred embodiments of the modified basin 100, 200, 300,400, 500, 600. Like parts have like references. The modified basin 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 has a bowl 10 with a drainage hole 11 at a base 12 of the bowl 10. The drainage hole 11 is attached to a waste pipe in use. The waste pipe is not shown in the Figures. An elongate washboard 20 extends from a rear part B (indicated by an arrow in Figure 3 and Figure 5) ofthebowMO. The elongate washboard 20 provides a platform along which hair is laid for washing, colouring or treatment. An upper edge 21 of the elongate washboard 20 is shaped to receive the neck of a user. The upper edge 21 is curved with no sharp edges presented to a user. In Figures 6 and 7 the upper edge 21 has a padded layer 25 for improved comfort for a user’s neck when rested thereupon. The elongate washboard 20 has a substantially flat mid-region 23 along which hair (not shown) is laid. The elongate washboard 20 has raised lips 26 either side of the mid-region 23 to guide flow of water and to contain hair of a user. In Figures 7 and 8 the flat mid-region 23 has a raised and lowered surface 24 to provide a textured surface to assist with washing and rinsing hair. The raised and lowered surface 24 is provided by elongate ridges or recesses 24 that extend in the direction of the elongate washboard 20, from the bowl 10 to the upper edge 21. In Figure 7 the raised and lowered portions 24 are parallel to one another. In Figure 8 the raised and lowered portions 24 are slightly splayed (substantially parallel) wherein the raised and lower portions 24 are closer together at the upper end 21 of the washboard 20 and splay apart slightly more at the end closest to the bowl 10. The modified basin shown in Figures 2 and 6 100, 500 are shown provided on a pedestal 30. The pedestal 30 may be at a permanent location, for example being a supporting built in unit that acts as the pedestal, or the pedestal is provided to support the modified basin at any location. The embodiments shown in Figures 2 and 6 have a wheeled pedestal 30 connected to an outer face 22 of the modified basin 100, 500 so that the modified basin is easily portable. The height of the pedestal 30 is adjustable by a telescoping means 31 so that the basin height can be adjusted. The pedestal 30 connects to the modified basin 100, 500 by means of a pivot 32 to enable the modified basin 200 to be tilted to correspond to the position of the user. The bowl 10 of each embodiment 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 has a ledge 40 on a front region A (indicated by an arrow in Figure 3 and Figure 5) of the bowl. The ledge 40 extends horizontally from a rim 13 of the bowl. In Figures 3, 4 and 8 the ledge 40 has apertures 44 for receiving a water supply (not shown). In Figures 2, 6 and 7 tap and hose fixtures 42 and shown fitted through apertures on the ledge 40. In the first, second, third, fifth and sixth embodiments 100, 200, 300, 500, 600 the ledge 40 also has at least one recess 43 for holding items. In Figures 4 and 8 the recess 43 also has an open edge to the bowl 10 which allows any liquid to run from the recess 43 into the bowl 10 and makes cleaning of the recess easier as it can be rinsed using the shower head 42. In the embodiment 100 shown in Figures 1,2 and 3 the preferred dimensions are as follows: - Height of the modified basin 100 from the base 12 to the top of elongate washboard 20 is 500mm - Length of the bowl 10 and elongate washboard 20 to the upper edge 21 (where the neck of a user sits) is 390mm - The curved region on the upper edge 21 where a user’s neck sits has a width of 150mm and a depth of 180mm. - Width of the elongate washboard is 500mm - Wall thickness of the raised lips 26 is 50mm - Depth of the ledge 40 is 125mm - Length of the modified basin from an outer edge of the ledge 40 to the upper edge 21 (outermost edge) is 800mm - Round recess 43 shown in Figure 3 has a diameter of 75mm - Two apertures 44 have diameters of 32m and are spaced apart at their centres by 43mm In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7 the preferred dimensions are as follows: - Height of the modified basin 200 from the base 12 to top of elongate washboard 20 is 620mm - Length of the bowl 10 and elongate washboard 20 to the upper edge 21 (where the neck of a user sits) is 550mm - Width of the curved upper edge 21 that receives the user’s neck is 150mm - Width of the elongate washboard is 500mm - Depth of the ledge 40 is 180mm - Length of the modified basin from an outer edge of the ledge 40 to the upper edge 21 is 890mm The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A modified basin for hair comprising: a bowl with a drainage hole at a base of the bowl and an elongate washboard extending from a rear part of the bowl; wherein an upper edge of the elongate washboard is shaped to receive the neck of a user and the elongate washboard has a substantially flat mid-region along which hair is laid and raised lips either side of the mid-region to guide flow of water and to contain hair of a user.

2. A modified basin according to claim 1 wherein the elongate washboard extends at an obtuse angle relative to a base of the bowl.

3. A modified basin according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein at least part of the elongate washboard has a raised and lowered surface.

4. A modified basin according to claim 3 wherein the raised and lowered surface comprises parallel, or substantially parallel ridges in the same axis that the elongate washboard extends from the bowl.

5. A modified basin according to claim 3 wherein the raised and lowered surface comprises parallel, or substantially parallel recesses in the same axis that the elongate washboard extends from the bowl.

6. A modified basin according to any preceding claim including a ledge with at least one aperture for a water supply.

7. A modified basin according to claim 6 wherein the ledge includes at least one recess.

8. A modified basin according to claim 7 wherein the at least one recess has an open edge to the bowl.

9. A modified basin according to any preceding claim wherein the basin is arranged on a pedestal.

10. A modified basin according to claim 9 wherein the basin connects to the pedestal by means of a pivot to enable the basin to be tilted.

11. A modified basin according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the pedestal has a height adjustment means.

12. A modified basin according to any of claims 9 to 11 wherein the pedestal is wheeled.

13. A modified basin according to any preceding claim wherein the length from the base of the bowl to the upper edge of the elongate washboard that receives a user’s neck is at least 500mm.

14. A modified basin according to any preceding claim wherein the length from the base of the bowl to the upper edge of the elongate washboard that receives a user’s neck is 550mm.

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