Abstract:
A method for the styling of hair utilizing a portable small styling device suitable for convenient transport in a pocket or purse is disclosed. The device comprises a brush mounted on an applicator cap handle which mates with a container containing a hairstyling material. The brush extends from the handle on one end and has either a brush, comb teeth or set of bristles on the opposite end. The end containing the brush or bristles is placed within the housing container and the handle of the wand is used to control it during use after a hairstyle has been determined to have a portion of which is out of place. When the cap is on the vial, the brush or other applicator is positioned within the hairstyling material contained within the vial, being substantially submerged in the hairstyling material. The consumer can remove the brush or other applicator from the housing container and apply the product to the unruly portion of his or her hair.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a portable apparatus and methods for quick and convenient correction of an unruly or otherwise out-of-place portion of a person&#39;s styled hair by the application of a hair control material to the hair. 
       CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0002]    (Not applicable) 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0003]    (Not applicable) 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Today, hair styling products come in many forms, including jars, tubes and aerosol cans. Customarily, the consumer keeps such products in his or her home. When the consumer goes out for the day and needs to reapply a hair control product they cannot, quite obviously, because the product is at home. This poses an issue for consumers not only in their day-to-day activities, but also when they travel. When individuals are away from their homes, such issues are addressed in minimal fashion, for example by a quick trip to the washroom where brushing in a little water may set the hair in a desired configuration. However, such an expedient merely temporarily rearranges sulfide bonds between the keratin protein strands in the hair, and humidity in the air will gradually cause the problem to return. Indeed, if the hair is exposed to rain, high humidity, or the like, the problem will return very quickly, unlike the instance of a permanent wave which involves the cleaving, rearrangement and reattachment of the permanent disulfide bonds. In some cases, the water treated hair will not stay in place unless mechanically restrained for a period of time, for example by a hairpin, which may then be removed. 
         [0005]    While hair dressings are available which will paste down an entire head of hair, for many styles the look is undesirable and most unnatural. Accordingly, many hairstyles require a minimal amount of a material to maintain their position. Accordingly, for a part of a hair arrangement to fall out of control is common. 
         [0006]    The present invention has as its object to address these issues and create a more effective and more convenient solution for the consumer. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In accordance with the present invention, the inventive method contemplates the use of an inventive styling wand-shaped device for the correction of irregularities in styled hair. The inventive wand comprises at one end a roughly cylindrical case serving as a vial to hold a styling product and at the other end a handle, such as a cylindrical handle for supporting a wand applicator, which may be in the form of a brush secured to the handle which serves as a cap to close the vial at its end. The wand is placed inside the vial, forming a structure analogous to a mascara applicator. With the cap which supports the brush applicator sealing the vial, the inventive apparatus is in the “closed” position, which would simultaneously serve to apply the styling product to the wand brush. When the wand brush is pulled from the vial it carries with it the product deposited on the brush, which the consumer may then use to apply to his or her hair. The products may include, but are not limited to, anti-frizz products, styling waxes, styling pomades, oils, film formers, dispersions, emulsions, serums, etc. 
         [0008]    An advantage of the present invention is that the container and wand may be implemented largely using existing tooling, such as that used for mascara applicators. The inventive apparatus allows the consumer to conveniently apply product to the hair while the individual is on the go and can be taken anywhere because of its small size and self-contained nature. 
         [0009]    In accordance with the invention, a method for styling hair with an inventive styling device is provided. The method comprises providing a liquid containing vessel. The liquid containing vessel is provided with first securement structure. An applicator cap is provided with mating securement structure, that cooperates with the first securement structure. The applicator cap is provided with an applicator support member, which is secured to an applicator member. The applicator member is provided with an axially oriented support member and a plurality of substantially radially oriented material holding and applying members. 
         [0010]    The liquid containing vessel is filled with a quantity of scalp hair styling material, and the applicator member is positioned at least partially within the scalp hairstyling material. The applicator cap is positioned in substantially sealing relationship with the liquid containing vessel by causing the applicator cap to bear against the liquid containing vessel and substantially seal the liquid containing vessel, the liquid containing vessel and the applicator cap together forming an elongated styling device having an axial length and a width. 
         [0011]    One then styles an individual&#39;s scalp hair into a hairstyle. Upon observing the hairstyle, a determination is made respecting that a portion of the hairstyle, which is out of place. One that procures the elongated styling device. After removing the applicator cap from the liquid containing vessel with a quantity of the hairstyling material on the material holding and applying members, one applies the hairstyling material to the portion of the hairstyle which is out of place by working the hairstyling material into the hair forming the portion of the hairstyle which is out of place, the working being done by using the material holding and applying members. One then returns the material holding and applying member into the liquid containing vessel. The applicator cap is sealed to the liquid containing vessel for subsequent use. 
         [0012]    One may portably transport the elongated styling device containing hair-styling material in a purse, pocket or other container. 
         [0013]    The hairstyling material may be waxy in consistency, or may comprise a volatile material. The hairstyling material may be substantially color and pigment free. They hairstyling material may be essentially colorless. 
         [0014]    A styling device for portably transporting and applying a hair-styling material in accordance with the invention comprises a liquid containing vessel. First securement structure is associated with the liquid containing vessel. An applicator cap includes mating securement structure associated with the applicator cap, the mating securement structure meeting with the first securement structure, and cooperating with the first securement structure to cause the applicator cap to bear against the liquid containing vessel and substantially seal the liquid containing vessel. The liquid containing vessel and the applicator cap together form an elongated styling device having an axial length and a width. An applicator support member is secured to the applicator cap. An applicator member is secured to the applicator support member, the applicator member comprising an axially oriented support member and a plurality of substantially radially oriented material holding and applying members. 
         [0015]    A quantity of scalp hair styling material is contained within the liquid containing vessel, the applicator member being positioned at least partially within the scalp hairstyling material when the applicator cap is in substantially sealing relationship with the liquid containing vessel, when the elongated styling device is positioned in the upright position. 
         [0016]    The first securement structure and the mating securement structure may comprise mating threads or bayonet structure. 
         [0017]    The scalp hairstyling material may be substantially colorless and substantially without any pigment. 
         [0018]    The substantially radially oriented material holding and applying members may comprise bristles or comb teeth. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    The inventive method and the operation of the inventive styling wand will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a plan view illustrating the inventive applicator in the upright position in a “closed” configuration, in which an applicator brush is resting within the container surrounded by hairstyling material; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  illustrates the applicator cap and brush of the applicator of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a plan view illustrating the bottle portion of the inventive applicator for containing hairstyling material; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates in plan view an alternative embodiment of the inventive applicator cap incorporating a miniaturized comb; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention fabricated from a plastic resin material; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the applicator cap and bottle of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a detailed illustration of the applicator brush in the embodiment of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of an alternative applicator brush useful in accordance with the present invention and having bristles mounted in a twisted steel wire configuration, with the wire mounted within a plastic elongated member for connection to an applicator cap; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of an applicator constructed in accordance with the present invention and incorporating a transparent bottle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the inventive styling wand  10 , has a length  12  of about 14 centimeters (cm) and a diameter of 2.5 cm. Wand  10  may comprise a generally cylindrically-shaped vial, such as a right circular vial  14 , having an exposed portion  16 . Exposed portion  16  has a length  18  of about 9 cm. An applicator cap  20  has a generally-cylindrically shaped handle portion  22  with a length  24  of about 5 cm. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the inventive hairstyling device or wand  10  comprises a cap  20  which screws into and closes vial  14  using mating threads ( FIG. 3 ). The upper portion of vial  14  bears threads  26  which mate with inner threads  28  in applicator cap  20 , as shown in phantom lines in  FIG. 2 . A brush  30  is attached to cap portion  22 . A quantity of hairstyling material  32  is contained within vial  14 . Wand cap  20  can be locked into position closing vial  14  by bringing threads  26  in contact with mating threads  28  and twisting the cap handle portion  22  over vial  14  in the manner of a conventional mascara applicator, after brush  30  has been placed within vial  14 . In this position, vial  14  is closed by cap  20 , and the inventive wand  10  may be transported, for example in a pocket or purse. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , brush  30  comprises an elongated support member  34  extending from the cap handle portion  22 , and bristles  36  mounted on elongated support member  34 . The construction of the brush may be of conventional design, for example comprising bristles mounted between a pair of twisted wires, or bristles mounted in an elongated plastic resin support member. Cap  20  may thus be grasped by cap handle portion  22  and used as a brush for the application of that portion of hairstyling material  32  deposited on bristles  36  at the end of applicator cap  20  opposite cap handle portion  22 . In accordance with the invention, bristles  36  may generally define a right circular cylindrical configuration. The bristles may have a length sufficient to extend into the hair to be styled and be stiff enough to force their way in between the strands of hair to be styled. 
         [0032]    In accordance with the invention, the vial  14  is filled with hairstyling material  32 . After that applicator cap  20  with its integral brush is inserted in the vial and screwed tight, sealing the vial and preventing deterioration of the hairstyling material  32 . When it is desired to use the inventive hairstyling wand  10 , applicator cap  20  is unscrewed and removed from vial  14 . The user uses the inventive hair styling wand  10  by grasping cap handle portion  22  and sparingly applying hairstyling material  32  to the unruly locks or other portions of the hair in need of styling, while simultaneously shaping the configuration of the hair being styled. 
         [0033]    Hairstyling material  32  is selected for having a tackiness, viscosity or combination of tackiness and viscosity sufficient to adhere the unruly hairs to each other in the desired configuration. In principle, additional security for the fix may be achieved by using material which hardens over time, such as a film former, or hairstyling material  32  with a volatile component which, when it evaporates, leaves behind a substantially harder, more tacky, viscous or otherwise more secure hairstyling structure. 
         [0034]    A suitable hairstyling material may be a hairstyling material of the type sold by L&#39;Oreal under its Mythic Oil trademark. While a wide variety of materials may achieve suitable results, a hairstyling material comprising principally cyclopentacyloxane, dimethcone, C 12-15 alkyl benzoate, avocado oil, grape seed oil, and limonene and other ingredients customarily used with such materials as are well known in the art in quantities typically used in the art will work well. 
         [0035]    In accordance with the invention it is also contemplated that styling may be done not only with the brush of applicator cap  20 , but also other means, such as the fingers of the user. Moreover, in accordance with the invention styling may be done after hairstyling material  32  has hardened partially or completely, and/or by an additional application of hairstyling material. 
         [0036]    Alternative embodiments are illustrated with numbers 100 higher than corresponding or analogous parts, where practicable, in earlier embodiments. An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in which the brush with its bristles is replaced by a comb  130 . Comb  130  carries a number of teeth  136 . The use of applicator cap  120  is similar to the use of applicator  20 , except that application of the hairstyling material is done with the teeth  136  of comb  130 . Different types of bristles and combs as well as other applicators, may be used in the inventive system to adapt the same to different products, hair styles, etc. 
         [0037]    Returning to of  FIG. 3 , the container formed by vial  14  is depicted. The vial  14  may be made of glass and thus serve as the outer shell and a container. Alternatively, a plastic material may be used when the hairstyling material is made of a material which will not attack the particular plastic used to make the vial. 
         [0038]    Still yet another alternative, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , is to fabricate the inventive styling device  210  using a plastic outer housing comprising in applicator cap  220  and a vial housing  221 , which incorporates a vial  214  for containing the hairstyling material  232 . The vial housed within housing  221  may contain the particular product for hair styling. At the top of vial  232  is a small opening  215  which is surrounded by an opening  217  in the housing  221 . 
         [0039]    A brush  230  is introduced into opening  215  of vial  232 , passing further down into the bottom of vial  232 . When this occurs, brush  236  rests inside of the vial  232 , which contains the hairstyling material. At this point the brush  230  or its bristles are submerged in the hairstyling material. Brush  230  can then be pulled out by its applicator cap  220  in order to be used for application of hairstyling material. 
         [0040]    When the consumer is done using the inventive device, he or she can place the brush  230  back into the housing  221 , as described above. In order to secure the housing  221  to applicator cap  220  together, the consumer can twist the handle  3  in a clockwise direction while applying a slight pressure towards the container  2 , which will cause the two pieces to lock together. As an alternative to mating screw threads, a bayonet type twist mating structure may be used. The same may also incorporate a positive lock indicating snapping arrangement. A simple snap or friction fit may also be employed. 
         [0041]    In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that different brush or other applicator arrangements may be implemented for both men and women and for different types of hair and hairstyles. Likewise, different hairstyling materials are also implemented for different types of hair. 
         [0042]    Instead of the cylindrical brush arrangement of the prior embodiment, the embodiment of  FIGS. 5-6  has a brush  236  with smaller diameter portions  237  and  239  ( FIG. 7 ). Portions  237  and  239  have a diameter of about 5 mm or a little more. A central portion  241  of brush  236  is of greater diameter, peaking at approximately 10 mm. Brush  236  is formed of an underlying plastic support member  243 , with bristles  245  mounted therein. 
         [0043]    The use of a varying diameter in brush  236  has the advantage of providing relatively stiff applicator end portions  237  and  239  which are more sure to penetrate relatively tightly positioned hairs. This will also separate those hairs, allowing longer brush bristles in central portion  241  to penetrate into such hairs with the longer bristles associated with central portion  241 . The bristles in central portion  241  will also penetrate into relatively thick clumps of hair, and do so easily where those clumps of hair are not too tightly bound to each other. 
         [0044]    The provision of various brush bristle lengths, in the context of shocks of hair that may be relatively long, for example compared to eyebrows, eyelashes and even men&#39;s sideburns gives the inventive device enhanced effectiveness generally, as well as enhanced effectiveness in a wide variety of styling situations. 
         [0045]    The various versions of the inventive applicator may be made from a range of suitable materials, such as plastic, glass, white metal, pot metal, aluminum, steel or finer metals, such as silver, brass or gold. The brush may take various forms and incorporate various types of bristles  5  composed of different materials (such as nylon, bristle, rigid comb teeth and other applicator structures known in the art) and be fabricated in a number of different formations (such as cylindrical, elliptical, or tapered), being held together by various means (such as twisted steel wire, supported in a plastic mounting member, or other structures known to the art). 
         [0046]      FIG. 8  illustrates a brush  336  which may be used for a range of different hair products. Because various hair products may be different, in accordance with the invention, components may be modified to accommodate particular hairstyling materials. For example, anti-frizz oil is much less dense than a styling wax and a higher density of bristles may be employed to increase the amount of oil carried by the brush. Conversely, a large quantity of a styling wax is likely to be carried by even the simple structures such as a tiny comb. 
         [0047]    Brush  336  illustrated in  FIG. 8  has a length of about 1.8 cm and a diameter of about 7 mm. Bristles  331  in  FIG. 8  are about 3 millimeters long. Bristles  331  or held in place between a pair of twisted steel wires  340 , which are mounted in elongated plastic support  342 . The invention is not limited to these sizes or materials, as the overall size of the device may be altered in order to better fit the needs of various users. Different models may be larger or smaller than others and be made of different materials. 
         [0048]    In the alternative embodiment depicted in  FIG. 9 , the inventive styling material applicator  410  is smaller in size, about 9 cm in length. The length of the bristles is about 25 mm and they are disposed along about 2 cm of the length of brush  436 . The length of the applicator cap  420  is about 4 cm and the cylindrically shaped shell within which styling brush  436  is contained, when it is not in use, is about 4.5 cm in length. The invention is not limited to these dimensions, but the various embodiments disclosed herein show how some models may differ from others in order to better meet the needs of different applications and users. 
         [0049]    The inventive hair styling applicator may be manufactured with differing sizes in order to be more effective for different users, increase the amount of hairstyling material contained in the vial, and to accommodate other needs of users. A user with longer, thicker hair may find a longer brush with shorter bristles more efficient than other configurations. Size may also be an issue for users who may want to use this product when traveling away from home and travelling by air. With the restrictions on carry-on luggage, which restricts liquids to a few ounces, the user could buy a smaller version of the product in order to be able to bring the product with them on an airplane. 
         [0050]    The invention may be sold with bristles of different length thickness, stiffness and so forth in order to better work with the hair length, style, and texture of the user. Different lengths of bristles and densities of bristles may be used in order to better apply the product, as well. Bristles may vary in such aspects such as, but not limited to, density, length, texture, shape, size, cross-sectional shape, and flexibility. 
         [0051]    As alluded to above the inventive applicator may come with, but is not limited to, a comb of different variations in order to better fit the hair length, style, and texture of the user. Different lengths of combs and densities of comb teeth may be used in order to better fit the product, as well. Such combs may have alterations in aspects such as, but not limited to, density, length, texture, shape, size, and flexibility. 
         [0052]    The bottle portion of the applicator containing the product may also differ in its material in order to change the aesthetics of the invention. Some products may have an attractive color that the user would select. The bottle may be transparent. The material may have color. Alternatively, a clear material may be used as a hairstyling material. 
         [0053]    As alluded to above, with any of the above embodiments the user will take the applicator cap with its brush and remove it from the inventive applicator, either by un-screwing it or pulling it apart if a friction fit is employed instead of screw threads or the like. Once the two pieces can be moved freely by the user, the user can dip the brush back into the bottle containing the product to submerge the brush (or other type of applicator) into the product. The user then pulls the brush out of the bottle containing the product and can run the brush (or other type of end) through his or her hair. This can be done as needed in order to meet their cosmetic goals. Once the user is done, he or she places the brush back inside of the end containing the product and then secures the two pieces together, for example, by twisting. 
         [0054]    In accordance with the invention, a wide variety of hairstyling materials may be employed. The same may be cremes, pomades, waxes, volatile and non-volatile lotions, waxes, oils, water in oil formulations, oil in water formulations, suspensions, emulsions, solutions or mixtures of the same. 
         [0055]    The invention can be taken with the user and stored in practically any location, such as, but not limited to, a pocket, purse, wallet, backpack, or handbag. This will allow the user to use the product throughout the day and while on trips, rather than having to rely on their products to last the entire day (almost all of which do not last that long). 
         [0056]    While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, it is noted that various modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the above description and drawings. Such modifications are within the scope of the invention which is limited and defined only by the following claims.