Roller Hair Comb Applicator for High-Viscosity Treatments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hair treatment applicator devices are unsuitable for a wide range of hair treatment products, particularly those with higher viscosity, such as pastes or creams, and struggle to effectively apply these substances to tightly curled hair types like Afro hair.

Innovation Solution

A hair comb and applicator device with a rotatable roller and a specifically shaped wall that includes slots and teeth, allowing for effective transfer of hair treatment substances, even with high viscosity, by ensuring good contact and frictional engagement with the hair, and featuring a resilient housing for sealing in both wet and dry conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a spray nozzle is used for applying hair treatment substances, then liquid products with low viscosity can be applied effectively, but thicker substances with high viscosity tend to clog the spray nozzle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different hair treatment substance viscositiesVSAvoidclogging of spray nozzle

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the spray nozzle component from the device and replaces it with a roller applicator. The roller is positioned within the reservoir opening and rotates to apply product directly to hair, eliminating the spray nozzle that causes clogging with high viscosity substances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the application mechanism from spray (low viscosity optimized) to roller contact (suitable for all viscosities). The roller's rotational motion and contact with hair allow effective application of thick pastes and creams without clogging issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a roller is used to transfer hair treatment substance, then high viscosity substances can be applied effectively, but the roller may not provide sufficient contact area with hair for seamless application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to apply high viscosity substancesVSAvoidcontact area between roller and hair

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The roller is designed with a curved surface that conforms to the shape of hair strands, particularly accommodating tightly curled Afro hair. The curvature provides continuous contact and seamless application of high viscosity substances along the hair shaft.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The roller extends along the length of the reservoir, providing a long contact area with hair. This dimensional extension ensures that multiple hair strands are simultaneously contacted and treated, improving application effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the reservoir is left open for roller access, then the roller can rotate freely to apply product, but the device is vulnerable to water ingress in wet environments and product leakage in dry environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroller rotation and product applicationVSAvoidprotection against water ingress and product leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reservoir wall is designed with a localized opening that accommodates the roller while maintaining closure elsewhere. The opening is positioned and shaped to allow roller rotation and product application while minimizing exposure to external environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The roller acts as an intermediary element between the sealed reservoir and the external environment. It rotates within the reservoir opening to apply product while the reservoir walls remain largely closed, protecting against water ingress and product leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The device effectively transfers high viscosity hair treatment substances to hair, ensuring seamless application and preventing leakage, while being suitable for both left- and right-handed use, and accommodating Afro hair's unique characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

frictional engagement between the hair and the roller rotates the roller relative to the body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12440014B2Hair comb and applicator device

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 MYANA NATURALS LTD

AI summary

A hair comb and applicator device (1) is disclosed, comprising: a body (10, 20) enclosing a reservoir (5) for containing a hair treatment substance; a plurality of teeth (40) arranged in at least one row; and a roller (30), rotatably mounted within the body, to transfer hair treatment substance from the reservoir to hair during use. The body includes a wall 60 comprising: a concave inner surface (64) providing a seat for the roller and a convex outer surface (61) from which the plurality of teeth (40) extend. A plurality of through slots (62) are provided in the wall (60), the slots (62) being interposed between the plurality of teeth (40) and wherein each slot (62) extends as an arc along the wall.