Hair-cosmetic applicator

Abstract

A hair-cosmetic applicator includes a double-barrel manifold defining chambers for a colourant composition and a developer composition, a compression assembly with plungers engaging the chambers, and a nozzle with a mixing chamber between an inlet and an outlet. Operation of the plungers simultaneously dispenses the compositions into the mixing chamber, where they are intermixed before discharge. The nozzle may be modular, incorporating a removable mixing rod, a funnelled cover, and interchangeable delivery tips such as a wiper, comb or brush. In some embodiments, deformable canisters are inserted into the manifold chambers, the canisters collapsing under compression to deliver the compositions in predetermined ratios. The nozzle may be detached for cleaning, and the manifold resealed for storage, thereby providing a convenient and adaptable system for applying hair treatments.

Description

Hair-cosmetic ApplicatorField of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to applicators for cosmetic treatments of hair and, more particularly, to devices configured for dispensing and intermixing multiple hair treatment compositions such as colourants and developers.Background of the Invention

[0002] Hair root treatments, particularly for covering regrowth and grey hairs, typically require frequent application of dye and developer mixtures. Conventional practice involves separately measuring the colourant and the developer and combining them in a bowl, followed by application with a tint brush or similar tool. This manual process can be inconvenient and prone to error, as users are required to judge or measure the correct proportions. Inaccuracies in the mixing ratio may result in uneven colour distribution, over-processing, or inadequate coverage, diminishing the reliability of the treatment.

[0003] Manual preparation is also frequently messy. Spills, drips, and splattering often occur when mixing liquids in open containers, and the use of multiple implements such as bowls, brushes, and measuring devices adds complexity. The mixed composition begins to oxidise immediately upon contact, forcing the user to apply the treatment quickly to avoid loss of potency, which can cause stress and rushed application.

[0004] Alternative approaches, such as powders, sprays, or temporary touch-up products, provide only superficial concealment of grey hairs. These products are typically removed after washing and do not address the need for a longer-lasting colour treatment. Accordingly, consumers seeking at-home solutions for hair root touch-ups often find existing methods cumbersome, time-sensitive, and limited in their ability to deliver salon-quality results.

[0005] The present invention seeks to provide a way to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[0006] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.Summary of the Disclosure

[0007] The present disclosure provides a hair-cosmetic applicator configured to deliver a dual composition hair treatment directly to hair roots. The applicator includes a double-barrel manifold defining a hair colourant composition chamber and a developer composition chamber, a compression assembly having dual plungers arranged to interface with the chambers, and a nozzle. The nozzle has an inlet fluidly connected to outlets of the chambers, an outlet, and a mixing chamber located between the inlet and the outlet.

[0008] In operation, the compression assembly advances the plungers within the chambers to simultaneously dispense the hair colourant composition and the developer composition through the mixing chamber, where the compositions are intermixed prior to discharge from the nozzle outlet for direct application to hair roots.

[0009] In some embodiments, the manifold may define a connector separately exposing the outlets of the chambers, with the nozzle being releasably attachable to the connector. This arrangement permits the manifold to be detached from the nozzle after use so that the unmixed compositions can be stored without risk of intermixing. In one embodiment, the connector may include a nozzle attachment spigot with exterior threading, while the nozzle is provided with a corresponding socket having interior threading for releasable engagement. A screw cap may be fitted over the spigot when the nozzle is removed, thereby maintaining separation of the compositions during storage.

[0010] The nozzle may optionally incorporate a modular mixing manifold defining a barrel, together with a profiled rod insertable into the barrel. The profiled rod may carry intermixing formations, and in use the rod and barrel together define the mixing chamber in which the compositions are combined before discharge. These components may be separated for proper washing post use.

[0011] In preferred forms, the nozzle may support a plurality of interchangeable delivery tips, allowing the user to select a tip suited to a particular stage of application. By way of example, a delivery tip may comprise a wiper defining a delivery channel, which permits the admixture to be spread directly along the hair roots. Another tip may comprise tines forming a comb, enabling the admixture to be distributed evenly through strands of hair. A further tip may comprise flexible or semi-rigid bristles forming a brush, allowing the admixture to be worked through the roots and along the shafts. The nozzle may comprise a delivery tip attachment spigot with exterior threading, each of the interchangeable delivery tips being provided with a socket having complementary interior threading. Such a construction allows secure attachment during use and easy interchange of tips when different application modes are required.

[0012] In certain embodiments, a funnelled cover may be provided between the double-barrel manifold and the delivery tip. The funnelled profile promotes smooth transition between the relatively wide manifold and the smaller tip, facilitating ergonomic handling and also serving as the mounting for the tip attachment spigot.

[0013] The mixing chamber may, in some forms, be divided into twin channels with ports therebetween. Intermixing formations may be provided in the form of baffles that direct the compositions through the ports to promote thorough blending. Some baffles may be oriented to direct composition laterally, while others may direct it longitudinally, thereby creating complex flow paths and ensuring consistent intermixing. In further embodiments, the intermixing formations may comprise discontinuous spiral sections which generate rotational mixing forces as the compositions pass through. Still further embodiments may combine different types of formations in successive sections of the chamber, so that, for example, a first section employs baffles and a second section employs spiral formations, thereby combining their respective benefits.

[0014] The applicator may, in certain forms, employ deformable canisters that are inserted into the chambers of the manifold. These canisters may comprise compressible bodies that deform under the action of the plungers of the compressionassembly, thereby discharging the compositions into the outlets of the manifold. The canisters may form part of a canister assembly including a common nozzle that interfaces with the chamber outlets.

[0015] In one arrangement, the canister assembly may include manifold discs connected by an outlet spigot. The spigot may define separate outlets corresponding with those of the chambers, thereby ensuring that the compositions remain apart until they enter the mixing chamber of the nozzle. The outlet spigot may pass through an open channel defined between the chambers, and the chambers themselves may include semicylindrical members that partially define the channel and provide support to the deformable canisters against excessive pressure. The outlet spigot may be free of threading, allowing it to be inserted quickly without rotational engagement, and each canister may include a rigid backing disc which resists deformation and prevents leakage during compression.

[0016] The canisters may be of equal length and of similar diameter to deliver the compositions in a one-to-one ratio. Alternatively, the canisters may be of equal length but of dissimilar diameters, so that a larger canister and a smaller canister are combined to provide a predetermined non-one-to-one ratio, such as a two-to-one mix. In this latter embodiment, the smaller canister may be retained within an interface tube comprising a central barrel and spacer flanges, thereby preventing lateral collapse under compression. The compression assembly may then employ a large- diameter plunger corresponding to the larger canister and a small-diameter plunger that passes through the interface tube to compress the smaller canister, thus ensuring proportional delivery of the compositions.

[0017] In another form, the compression assembly may incorporate a bridge defining a press face, with the plungers separably connected to the bridge. This allows different plunger sets to be interchanged with the same bridge depending on the type of canisters employed. The plungers may include threaded sections which engage corresponding sockets in the bridge, providing a simple and secure connection that can be removed for cleaning or replacement but is resistant to unintended disengagement during use.

[0018] In use, the applicator may be operated by inserting the colourant composition into the colourant chamber and the developer composition into the developer chamber, followed by actuating the plungers of the compression assembly so that the two compositions are simultaneously dispensed into the mixing chamber and discharged from the nozzle outlet for direct application to the hair roots.

[0019] In some examples, the nozzle is first secured to the connector of the manifold before dispensing, ensuring alignment of the inlet with the chamber outlets. After dispensing, the nozzle may be detached and the connector closed by the screw cap so that the colourant and developer compositions remain isolated within their chambers, thereby permitting storage and subsequent reuse.

[0020] The method may further involve selecting and attaching one of the interchangeable delivery tips to the delivery tip connector of the nozzle, enabling the admixture to be applied in different ways. A user may, for instance, employ the wiper tip to spread the composition across the roots, or alternatively the comb tip to draw the composition through strands of hair while parting them, or the brush tip to distribute the composition more finely using flexible bristles.

[0021] It is also envisaged that more than one delivery tip may be used in succession within a single treatment. For example, the wiper may first be used to deposit the composition directly at the roots, after which the comb or brush tip may be attached to continue the process and ensure uniform distribution.

[0022] When the nozzle includes a profiled rod within the mixing manifold, the dispensed compositions may be intermixed along the rod and its intermixing formations within the chamber prior to reaching the outlet, producing a consistent admixture without requiring external mixing.

[0023] After application, the nozzle may be detached from the manifold for cleaning. The profiled rod may be withdrawn from the barrel of the mixing manifold to expose the intermixing surfaces for rinsing, ensuring the nozzle can be fully cleaned and reused without contamination from previous treatments.

[0024] In embodiments employing deformable canisters, the method may involve inserting prefilled canisters into the respective chambers of the manifold andcompressing them with the plungers of the compression assembly, thereby delivering the compositions in a predetermined ratio into the mixing chamber.

[0025] Where a pair of canisters of different diameters is employed, the method may include guiding the smaller canister within an interface tube while actuating a large plunger for the larger canister and a smaller plunger that passes through the tube to act on the smaller canister, so that the compositions are dispensed in a non-one-to- one ratio as intended.

[0026] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0028] Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a hair-cosmetic applicator.

[0029] Figure 2 is a perspective disassembled view of a nozzle of the applicator with interchangeable delivery tips.

[0030] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the applicator assembly.

[0031] Figure 4 is a further exploded perspective view of the assembly showing canisters of differing diameters.

[0032] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a nozzle when assembled.

[0033] Figure 6 is a view of a profiled rod with spiral formations.

[0034] Figure 7 is a view of a profiled rod with baffle formations.

[0035] Figure 8 is an exploded view of the nozzle assembly.

[0036] Figure 9 is a rear perspective view of the double-barrel manifold.

[0037] Figure 10 is a rear perspective view of a mixing manifold.

[0038] Figure 11 is a rear view of a common nozzle of a canister assembly.Description of Embodiments

[0039] Figure 1 shows a rear perspective view of a hair-cosmetic applicator 100 for applying a dual composition hair treatment comprising an admixture of a hair dye or colourant composition and a developer composition, such as hydrogen peroxide.

[0040] With reference to the exploded representation of the assembly 100 in Figure 3, the applicator 100 comprises a double barrel manifold 101. With reference to the rear perspective view of the manifold 101 shown in Figure 9, the manifold 101 defines a hair colourant composition chamber 102A and a developer composition chamber 102B.

[0041] With reference to Figure 3, the assembly 100 further comprises a compression assembly 103 having dual plungers 104 interfacing the chambers 102 respectively. The assembly 100 further comprises a nozzle 105 having an inlet fluidly interfacing with outlets 106 of the chambers 102, an outlet 107, and a mixing chamber 108 shown in the cross-sectional view of the nozzle 105 in Figure 5.

[0042] Operation of the compression assembly 103 simultaneously squeezes the hair colourant composition and the developer composition from their respective chambers 102, through the mixing chamber 108, and out from the outlet 107 of the nozzle 105 for direct application to hair roots.

[0043] According to the preferred embodiment shown, the nozzle 105 is modularly attachable to the double barrel manifold 101. As shown in Figure 3, the manifold 101 may define a connector 109 separately exposing the outlets 106 of the chambers 102, and the nozzle 105 is configured to releasably attach to the connector 109. In the embodiment shown, the connector 109 comprises a nozzle attachment spigot with exterior threading, and the nozzle 105 comprises a socket 110 (shown in Figure 10) with corresponding interior threading for releasably engaging the spigot. The assembly 100 may further comprise a screw cap (not shown) to close the nozzle attachment spigot when the nozzle 105 is disconnected.

[0044] This configuration allows for partial use of the compositions and subsequent storage without spoilage. For example, a portion of the composition may be dispensed through the nozzle 105, whereafter the nozzle 105 can be disconnected. The connector 109 of the double barrel manifold 101 keeps the outlets 106 separate, which can be enclosed with the screw cap without intermixing of the compositions, thereby allowing long storage shelf life. The nozzle 105, with any remnant intermixed composition therein, can be separately washed.

[0045] With reference to the exploded representation of the nozzle 105 shown in Figure 8, the nozzle 105 may comprise a modular assembly including a mixing manifold 111 defining a barrel 112 and a separate profiled rod 113 having intermixing formations insertable into the barrel 112. The barrel 112 and the profiled rod 113 together define the mixing chamber 108, as illustrated in Figure 5. The separable arrangement allows the profiled rod 113 to be removed from the mixing manifold 111 for proper cleaning of the intermixing formations and the barrel 112.

[0046] Figure 2 shows a further view of the nozzle 105 as a modular assembly with a plurality of interchangeable delivery tips 114. One delivery tip 114A may comprise a wiper 115 with a delivery channel defining the outlet 107. The wiper 115 may be rigid plastic or flexible rubber, and may be used to smear composition directly across hair roots. Another tip 114B may comprise rigid or semi-rigid tines 116 forming a comb 117 with the tines 116 extending beyond the delivery channel outlet 107. The comb 117 may be used to comb dispensed composition through the hair roots. Another tip 114C may comprise flexible bristles 118 defining a brush for brushing dispensed composition through the hair roots. According to the embodiment shown, the bristles may include thin flexible bristles 118A and thicker, more rigid bristles 118B with rounded tips, thereby providing simultaneous flexible and rigid brushing characteristics.

[0047] These tips 114 are preferably designed for interchangeable use during application of composition. For example, the wiper dispensing tip 114A may be used to initially apply composition directly to the hair roots, whereafter the comb dispensing tip 114B or the brush dispensing tip 114C may replace it for combing or brushing application of the composition.

[0048] The nozzle 105 may comprise a delivery tip connector 120 to which the delivery tips 114 are interchangeably connected. In the embodiments shown, the delivery tip connector 120 comprises a delivery tip attachment spigot with exterior threading, and each delivery tip 114 comprises a socket 121 with complementary interior threading for direct attachment thereto.

[0049] Figure 8 shows that the delivery tips 114 themselves may be of modular construction, comprising a common fixing plate 122 defining the socket 121 , which engages a peripheral clamp 123 engaging a peripheral flange 124 of a component of the delivery tip 114, such as the wiper 115. This modular arrangement reduces the number of components required and further facilitates cleaning of the delivery tip 114A.

[0050] According to the embodiment shown, the nozzle 105 comprises a funnelled cover 125 interfacing the double barrel manifold 101 and the delivery tip 114. Its funnelled profile provides an ergonomic transition between the larger double barrel manifold 101 and the smaller delivery tip 114. The funnelled cover 125 may also contain the mixing manifold 111 and may capture any composition leaking therefrom. Furthermore, the funnelled cover 125 may define the delivery tip connector 120 at its distal end.

[0051] Figure 7 shows a profiled rod 113 according to a first embodiment, and Figure 6 shows a further profiled rod 113 according to a second embodiment. The profiled rod 113 may stand on a base 126 defining ports 127 collocating with the outlets 106 of the double barrel manifold 101. The mixing chamber thus defines twin channels corresponding to these ports 127.

[0052] According to Figure 7, the profiled rod 113 comprises ports 128 between these two channels. Specifically, the profiled rod 113 may comprise flanges 129 and a web 130 therebetween, wherein the web 130 defines the ports 128 between the two channels. Furthermore, the intermixing formations may comprise baffles 131 which force the compositions through the ports 128 for intermixing.

[0053] In the embodiment shown, the baffles 131 are right-angled and may comprise lateral sections 131 B directing composition laterally and longitudinal sections 131A directing composition longitudinally. Certain baffles 131 may allow composition to pass through the channel, but other baffles, such as the baffle comprising the angled section 131 C, may block the channel, thereby forcing all composition through the adjacent port 128.

[0054] Figure 6 shows that the intermixing formations may comprise spiral formations 132, which may be single helix or double helix. These spiral formations 132 are preferably discontinuous so as to encourage intermixing between sections thereof. Figure 6 shows that a first section may terminate at a trailing edge 133, while the next section may commence at a rotationally offset leading edge 134, thereby encouraging intermixing between the sections. As such, composition is forced to intermix between spiral sections 132 and further intermixes when travelling through the spiral channels formed thereby.

[0055] In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the mixing chamber 108 may define a first section comprising a first type of intermixing formations and a second section comprising a second type of intermixing formations, thereby deriving the intermixing benefits of both. Specifically, the first section may comprise the baffle-type intermixing formations described above, whereas the second section may comprise the spiral-type intermixing formations described above.

[0056] In embodiments, the chambers 102 may be prefilled with composition, whereafter the entire applicator 100 is discarded after use. However, in a preferred embodiment, the composition is delivered in deformable canisters 135, shown in Figure 3, which are insertable into respective chambers 102 and which comprise compressible bodies that deform under action of the compression assembly 103. The canisters 135 may comprise cylindrical walls of deformable plastic, metal or cardboard which concertina as the plungers 104 advance.

[0057] Whereas separate canisters 135 may be employed, according to the preferred embodiment shown, the canisters 135 form part of a canister assembly 136 comprising a common nozzle 152 interfacing the outlets 106 of the chambers 102. Figure 11 shows a rear view of the nozzle 152, which may comprise manifold discs 137 interfacing respective ends of the cylindrical walls of the canisters 135. The manifold discs 137 are preferably circular in cross-section to maximise the interior volume. The manifold discs 137 may interface with an outlet spigot 138 located between them, the outlet spigot 138 defining dual outlets 139 collocating with the outlets 106 of the chambers 102.

[0058] Figure 9 shows that the double barrel manifold 101 may define an open channel 140 therebetween through which the outlet spigot 138 can pass to reach the outlets 106 of the chambers 102. Figure 9 further shows that the chambers 102 may each define a respective pair of semicylindrical members 141 which project inwardly to support the edges of the deformable cylindrical walls of the canisters 135, thereby preventing bursting under excessive pressure.

[0059] Each deformable canister 135 may further comprise a rigid backing disc 142 which supports the rear ends of the deformable cylindrical walls and prevents leakage during compression.

[0060] The spigot 138 is preferably free of threading, allowing for slide-in insertion without requiring rotation to engage the outlets 106 of the chambers 102. The spigot 138 further facilitates reuse of the assembly 136, wherein its outlets 139 are exposed separately, such that the canister assembly 136 may be removed and stored with a cap over the spigot 138 without intermixing and spoilage of the compositions.

[0061] Figure 3 shows an embodiment wherein the canisters 135 are of equal length and diameter, thereby providing matching volumes for one-to-one ratio application of colourant and developer compositions. However, Figure 4 shows an embodiment wherein the canisters 135 are of equal length but of different diameters for non-one- to-one ratio application of colourant and developer compositions, such as a 2-to-1 ratio. In accordance with this embodiment, the canisters 135 comprise a larger diameter canister 135A and a smaller diameter canister 135B. During compression, these canisters deliver their respective compositions according to the ratio of their cross-sections.

[0062] The larger diameter canister 135A may be supported by the internal walls of its respective chamber 102. However, to prevent the smaller diameter canister 135B from collapsing sideways, it may be retained within an interface tube 143. The interface tube 143 may comprise a central barrel 144 within which the smaller diameter canister 135B is retained, and spacer flanges 145 to centralise the barrel 144 with respect to the respective plunger.

[0063] In accordance with this embodiment, the compression assembly 103 comprises a large-diameter plunger 104A and a small-diameter plunger 104B which fits within the barrel 144 of the interface tube 143. Preferably the compression assembly 103 comprises a bridge 146 defining a press face 147, shown in Figure 1 , to which the plungers 104 are attachable. As such, larger and smaller diameter plungers 104 can be interchanged with the bridge 146 depending on the type of canister 135. In the embodiment shown, each plunger 104 comprises a threaded section 148 that screws into a corresponding threaded socket 149 defined by the bridge 146, thereby providing a simple means of connection that cannot disconnect during retrieval.

[0064] Each plunger 104 may comprise a distal O-ring seal 150. The applicator 100 may comprise a prefilled double barrel manifold 101 with separate chambers 102 prefilled with respective compositions, and a second type of double barrel manifold 101 of the type shown in Figure 9 for insertion of the canisters 135. The plungers 104 with distal O-ring seals 150 can be interchangeably used with both types.

[0065] The double barrel manifold 101 may comprise peripheral flanges 151 for ergonomic purchase between the fingers. For example, the press face 147 may be pressed by the thumb in opposition to the peripheral flange 151 held between the forefinger and middle finger.

[0066] With reference to the colourant composition contained within the colourant chamber 102A, a variety of formulations may be employed depending on the intended hair treatment. In certain embodiments, the colourant composition may comprise a permanent oxidative dye composition, which develops upon admixture with the hydrogen peroxide developer composition within the mixing chamber 108. In other embodiments, the colourant composition may comprise a demi-permanent or semipermanent dye composition, wherein the concentration of ammonia or alkalising agent is reduced or absent, thereby providing gentler colouring with reduced hair damage.

[0067] The colourant composition may also be provided in different physical forms to influence handling, mixing, and application. In one embodiment, the colourantcomposition may be of gel-like viscosity, enabling precise placement at the hair roots without undesired dripping. A gelled composition further facilitates uniform admixture with the developer composition in the mixing chamber 108, as the shear forces generated by the intermixing formations act efficiently upon the viscous material. In another embodiment, the colourant composition may be provided as a cream-based formulation having high emollient content, which enhances spreadability and imparts conditioning effects during use. In yet further embodiments, the colourant composition may be a low-viscosity liquid formulation, allowing rapid dispensing and penetration along the hair shaft, though typically requiring stabilisers or thickeners to control flow behaviour.

[0068] The selection of viscosity-modifying components within the colourant composition may vary accordingly. For gel-like compositions, thickeners such as xanthan gum, carbomers, or hydroxyethylcellulose may be employed to impart high viscosity and shear-thinning behaviour, thereby assisting in root application. Creamlike compositions may utilise fatty alcohols such as cetyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol as both emulsifiers and structuring agents. Liquid compositions may include reduced levels of such agents, prioritising flow and wetting properties over retention.

[0069] The colourant composition may further incorporate conditioning agents such as quaternary ammonium compounds, natural oils (for example, argan oil or coconut oil), or silicone derivatives to enhance hair feel after treatment. Preservatives, such as parabens or phenoxyethanol, may also be included to ensure microbiological stability.

[0070] In an exemplary non-limiting method of use according to the preferred embodiment shown, the applicator 100 is initially prepared by inserting canisters 135 containing the respective colourant and developer compositions into the chambers 102A and 102B of the double barrel manifold 101. The canisters 135 are seated against the rigid backing discs 142, ensuring proper alignment and preventing leakage during subsequent compression. The plungers 104 of the compression assembly 103 are advanced until they contact the rear ends of the canisters 135.

[0071] The nozzle 105 is then attached to the connector 109 of the manifold 101 by threaded engagement between the spigot of the connector 109 and the socket 110 of the nozzle 105. A delivery tip 114 is selected according to the intended application mode and is secured to the delivery tip connector 120. For example, the wiper tip 114A may be chosen for precise application at the hair roots, whereas the comb tip 114B or the brush tip 114C may be selected for subsequent distribution of composition along the hair shafts.

[0072] Once assembled, the applicator 100 is positioned adjacent the user’s hair roots, and pressure is applied to the press face 147 of the bridge 146, causing simultaneous advancement of the plungers 104 into the canisters 135. The colourant and developer compositions are thereby dispensed in controlled ratio through the outlets 106, into the mixing chamber 108 of the nozzle 105. Within the mixing chamber 108, the compositions are intermixed by passage along the profiled rod 113 and its intermixing formations, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, resulting in a uniform admixture delivered to the selected delivery tip 114.

[0073] During application, the modular delivery tip 114 directs the admixture precisely to the desired location. The wiper 115 provides direct deposition and spreading across the hair roots, the comb 117 distributes the composition while simultaneously parting hair strands, and the bristles 118 facilitate brushing through the hair for even coverage. The tips 114 may be interchanged mid-application without disturbing the remainder of the assembly, allowing different dispensing characteristics to be employed in sequence as required.

[0074] Upon completion of the application, the nozzle 105 can be detached from the connector 109, leaving the canisters 135 sealed within the manifold 101. The screw cap may then be applied to the connector 109 to cover the outlets 106, thereby preventing intermixing of the compositions and allowing the canisters 135 to be stored for later use. The separated nozzle 105, including the mixing manifold 111 and delivery tip 114, may then be rinsed under water, and the profiled rod 113 may be removed from the barrel 112 to expose all surfaces for thorough cleaning.

[0075] This method of use allows the applicator 100 to be reconfigured between applications, with different delivery tips 114 fitted to suit different hair treatment stages, and with the nozzle 105 cleaned independently of the manifold 101. The canisters 135 may be replaced when empty, and the compression assembly 103 and plungers 104 can be interchanged to accommodate canisters of different diameters, thereby permitting use with a variety of composition ratios. The funnelled cover 125 further assists in aligning the larger manifold 101 with the smaller nozzle 105 and contains any minor leakage, simplifying handling during use and cleaning thereafter.

[0076] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims1. A hair-cosmetic applicator comprising: a double-barrel manifold defining a hair colourant composition chamber and a developer composition chamber; a compression assembly having dual plungers interfacing the chambers respectively; and a nozzle having an inlet fluidly interfacing outlets of the chambers, an outlet, and a mixing chamber between the inlet and the outlet, wherein operation of the compression assembly simultaneously squeezes the hair colourant composition and the developer composition through the mixing chamber and from the outlet of the nozzle for direct application to hair roots.

2. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 1 , wherein the manifold defines a connector separately exposing the outlets of the chambers and wherein the nozzle is configured to releasably attach to the connector so that the manifold can be separated from the nozzle and stored without intermixing of the hair colourant composition and the developer composition after application.

3. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 2, wherein the connector comprises a nozzle attachment spigot with exterior threading, the nozzle comprises a socket with corresponding interior threading for releasably engaging the spigot, and wherein the applicator further comprises a screw cap to close the nozzle attachment spigot when the nozzle is disconnected.

4. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle comprises a mixing manifold defining a barrel and a profiled rod having intermixing formations insertable into the barrel, the barrel and profiled rod together defining the mixing chamber.

5. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle comprises a plurality of interchangeable delivery tips.

6. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 5, wherein one of the delivery tips comprises a wiper with a delivery channel through the wiper.

7. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 5, wherein one of the delivery tips comprises tines extending beyond a delivery channel outlet.

8. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 5, wherein one of the delivery tips comprises bristles extending beyond a delivery channel outlet.

9. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 5, wherein the nozzle comprises a delivery tip attachment spigot with exterior threading and the delivery tips comprise sockets with corresponding interior threading for releasably engaging the spigot.

10. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle further comprises a funnelled cover interfacing the manifold and defining the delivery tip attachment spigot.11 . The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 4, wherein the mixing chamber defines twin channels with ports therebetween and wherein the intermixing formations comprise baffles which force the compositions through the ports.

12. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 11 , wherein the baffles direct composition laterally.

13. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 11 , wherein the baffles direct composition longitudinally.

14. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 4, wherein the intermixing formations comprise discontinuous spiral formations.

15. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 4, wherein the mixing chamber comprises a first section comprising a first type of intermixing formations and a second section comprising a second type of intermixing formations.

16. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 1 , further comprising deformable canisters insertable into the chambers, the canisters comprising compressible bodies deformable under compression of the compression assembly.

17. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 16, wherein the canisters form part of a canister assembly comprising a common nozzle interfacing the outlets of the chambers.

18. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 17, wherein the nozzle comprises manifold discs interfacing an outlet spigot between the manifold discs, the outlet spigot defining dual outlets for separate delivery of the compositions.

19. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 17, wherein the chambers define an open channel therebetween through which the outlet spigot can pass to the outlets of the chambers.

20. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 19, wherein the chambers define respective pairs of semicylindrical members partially defining the open channel.

21. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 17, wherein the outlet spigot is free of threading.

22. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 16, wherein each deformable canister comprises a respective backing disc.

23. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 16, wherein the canisters are of equal length and of similar diameters.

24. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 16, wherein the canisters are of equal length and of dissimilar diameters.

25. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 24, wherein the canisters comprise a large- diameter canister and a small-diameter canister, and wherein the applicator further comprises an interface tube for the small-diameter canister, and wherein the compression assembly comprises a large-diameter plunger for the large-diameter canister and a small-diameter plunger for the small-diameter canister that fits through the interface tube.

26. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 1 , wherein the compression assembly comprises a bridge defining a press face and wherein the plungers are separable from the bridge.

27. The hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 26, wherein the plungers comprise threaded sections that screw into respective threaded sockets of the bridge.

28. A method of applying a hair root treatment comprising: providing the hair-cosmetic applicator of claim 1 ; inserting a hair colourant composition into the hair colourant composition chamber; inserting a developer composition into the developer composition chamber; and operating the compression assembly to dispense the hair colourant composition and the developer composition through the mixing chamber and from the outlet of the nozzle for direct application to hair roots.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising attaching the nozzle to the connector of the manifold prior to dispensing the hair colourant composition and the developer composition.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising detaching the nozzle from the connector after dispensing and closing the connector with the screw cap to prevent intermixing of the hair colourant composition and the developer composition during storage.

31. The method of claim 28, further comprising selecting one of the plurality of interchangeable delivery tips and attaching the selected delivery tip to the delivery tip attachment spigot of the nozzle.

32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the selected delivery tip comprises the wiper and wherein the method comprises applying the dispensed admixture directly across hair roots using the wiper.

33. The method of claim 31 , wherein the selected delivery tip comprises the comb and wherein the method comprises combing the dispensed admixture through the hair roots using the comb.

34. The method of claim 31 , wherein the selected delivery tip comprises the bristles and wherein the method comprises brushing the dispensed admixture through the hair roots using the bristles.

35. The method of claim 28, further comprising interchanging delivery tips during application so that the wiper, comb or bristles may be used sequentially in a single treatment.

36. The method of claim 28, wherein the nozzle comprises the profiled rod and wherein the method comprises intermixing the hair colourant composition and the developer composition along the intermixing formations of the profiled rod within the mixing chamber prior to dispensing.

37. The method of claim 28, further comprising detaching the nozzle from the manifold after dispensing and rinsing the nozzle, including removing the profiled rod from the barrel of the mixing manifold for cleaning.

38. The method of claim 28, wherein the hair colourant composition and the developer composition are contained within the deformable canisters, and wherein operating the compression assembly compresses the canisters to deliver their respective compositions in a predetermined ratio to the mixing chamber.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the canisters comprise the large-diameter canister and the small-diameter canister, and wherein the method comprises guiding the small-diameter canister within the interface tube while actuating the large- diameter plunger and the small-diameter plunger to deliver the compositions in a non- one-to-one ratio.

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