Application Comb With Rib-Shaped Projections For Even Hair Treatment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hair coloring and bleaching application devices are limited in their ability to achieve even, multitonal coverage over the entire length of hair, especially when trying to color or lighten specific areas, leading to inhomogeneous results and difficulty in reaching the hairline.

Innovation Solution

An application comb with rib-shaped elevations on its inner tines that form a wedge-shaped gap for hair treatment preparation absorption, allowing precise selection and even application of dye or bleach from the hairline to the tip, using a handle section with inner and outer tines for guiding and separating hair strands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional application devices with limited absorption capacity are used, then the application process can be completed, but the hair treatment preparation is not evenly distributed over the entire hair length, resulting in inhomogeneous treatment results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of hair treatment applicationVSAvoidnumber of application cycles required
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The comb is divided into multiple tines with gaps between them, where each gap acts as an independent absorption chamber. This segmentation allows the comb to absorb and distribute hair treatment preparation across multiple zones simultaneously, ensuring even coverage from hairline to hair tip in a single application cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional surface application to a three-dimensional absorption volume by creating gap spaces between the tines. These gaps provide volume for storing hair treatment preparation, allowing the comb to pick up sufficient product in one dip and distribute it evenly along the entire hair length without requiring multiple application cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If brush elements are used to apply hair treatment substance, then the substance can be transferred to the hair, but the absorption capacity is very limited leading to highly discontinuous application and inhomogeneous results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of hair treatment preparation absorbedVSAvoidhomogeneity of treatment application
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The comb structure utilizes the gap spaces between tines as porous absorption zones. These gaps act as reservoirs that can hold and release hair treatment preparation, significantly increasing the absorption capacity compared to solid brush elements. The preparation is distributed through the gaps onto the hair, ensuring both sufficient quantity and homogeneous application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Measurement precision

If comb teeth are used for fine selection of hair areas, then specific strands can be targeted, but the existing comb design is inadequately suitable for precise selection and complete treatment from hairline to hair tip

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of hair strand selectionVSAvoidease of hair treatment application
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The comb is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: the tines provide precise hair strand selection through their spacing, while the gaps between tines provide absorption and distribution of hair treatment preparation. This multi-functionality allows the single device to both select specific strands for treatment and apply the product evenly from hairline to hair tip, improving ease of operation while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures complete and even treatment of hair strands with precise control over application, reducing the need for multiple treatments and minimizing hair damage by allowing a single cycle application of hair treatment products, including multitonal coloring without the use of developer substances.

Implementation Method 1

The receiving volume for the hair treatment preparation is essentially formed in the gap between two inner teeth lying next to each other. The resulting absorption volume allows the absorption of a sufficient amount of hair treatment preparation, so that the uniform treatment of the entire length of the hair strand from the hairline to the hair tip can be ensured in just one treatment cycle.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP2982265B1Application comb, and associated method for treating hair
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 HENKEL KGAA
  • EP2982265B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2982265B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

The present invention relates to an application comb (1) and an associated method for treating keratinous fibers, especially human hair, which allows the hair to be treated with a suitable preparation, in particular to be colored, in a single step. According to the invention, the application comb (1) for treating hair with a hair treatment preparation comprises a handle section (2) and several teeth (10, 40) connected to the handle section (2). At least two adjacent inner teeth (10), each of which has a rib-shaped projection (20, 30) extending along the longitudinal direction of the inner teeth (10) on one side of the application comb, projecting perpendicularly beyond the contour of the inner tooth (10). The receiving volume (5) extending in the gap between two adjacent inner teeth (13) serves to receive the hair treatment preparation.