Hair product application device

A hair product application device for dispensing a hair product composition directly from a glove. The hair product application device generally includes a glove having at least one blister pack containing a hair product composition. The blister pack includes a pocket that holds the hair product composition and is at least partially in contact with an exterior surface of the glove. The pocket has a rupturable membrane and optionally, a backing sheet that is located at least partially on the exterior surface of the glove. The hair product composition is released by rupturing the rupturable membrane of the blister pack by applying an external pressure to the exterior surface of the rupturable membrane or an internal pressure to the pocket using a pneumatic device.

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND

Field

Example embodiments in general relate to a hair product application device for applying a hair product composition that is dispensed directly from a glove and more specifically relate to a glove having one or more blister packs that comprise a rupturable membrane that dispenses the hair product composition in response to an internal or external pressure of sufficient force to rupture the membrane.

Related Art

In the hair styling industry, conventional disposable gloves are typically utilized to protect the wearer's hands from exposure to dyes and other harmful chemicals that may stain or otherwise damage the skin. There are also numerous gloves designed for use in other industries in which dispensing, spreading, or otherwise dispersing a substance other than the glove material itself may be desirable. Generally, this is accomplished through the use of an absorbent material or pad on the glove that is used to absorb and redistribute a liquid when placed in contact with a substance of appropriate viscosity for absorption and redistribution. While these previously known gloves are suitable for their respective purposes, they are unsuitable for direct dispensing and application of a hair styling product composition onto a glove wearer's or other individual's hair or scalp.

SUMMARY

An example embodiment of the present invention is directed to a hair product application device. The hair product application device includes a hair product application device that includes one or more blister packs containing a hair product disposed on a glove.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the hair product application device in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the hair product application device that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the hair product application device in detail, it is to be understood that the hair product application device is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The hair product application device is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Embodiments of a hair product application device may comprise a glove having a plurality of digit portions with a blister pack disposed on at least one of the digit portions, a dorsal region, or a palmar region of the glove. The blister pack may comprise a pocket at least partially in direct contact with an external surface of the glove, the pocket having a rupturable membrane that contains a hair product composition. The rupturable membrane may be ruptured when exposed to internal or external pressure thereby releasing the hair product composition for use. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the pocket may include a backing sheet that is at least partially in direct contact with the external surface of the glove.

Some embodiments may further comprise a pneumatic device that is in fluid communication with the pocket of the blister pack via a tube such that rupture of the rupturable membrane is exacted by an internal force applied to the pocket by air forced into the pocket from the pneumatic device. The tube may be coupled to the pocket via a bore in the backing sheet and a one-way valve may be in fluid communication with the bore to prevent backflow of hair product composition into the tube and/or pneumatic device. Other embodiments may alternatively utilize a tubular fitting that is coupled to the tube and is in fluid communication with the interior of the pocket via a plurality of outlet ports in the backing sheet.

A removable cover may be present in some embodiments which may be placed over the rupturable membrane to prevent inadvertent and undesired membrane rupture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration and their best mode. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the inventions, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical, chemical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented.

Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact. As used herein, phrases such as “make contact with,” “coupled to,” “touch,” “interface with” and “engage” may be used interchangeably.

For purposes of description and illustration of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, reference(s) to the hand will utilize standard and accepted anatomical terminology, so that standard anatomical positioning of the hand is the baseline with regard to terminology and description. For instance, the palm of the hand may be described as being the anterior surface or region of the hand, and the back of the hand may be described as the posterior of the hand. Also, the terms “palmar” (the palm) and “dorsal” (back of the hand) may also be used. Other terminology that may be used involves description of the fingers and thumb with relation to positioning in a hand covering article, such as a glove. The four fingers each have three (3) phalanges: a proximal phalanx, an intermediate phalanx, and a distal phalanx (bone corresponding to the tip of the finger). The thumb has a proximal phalanx and a distal phalanx, but no intermediate phalanx. These terms are referenced with regard to the positioning of elements of the glove described below, and will become more clear and evident through the examples provided herein.

FIG. 1provides a dorsal view of an exemplary embodiment of a hair product application device10. As shown, the hair product application device10comprises a glove12which may be comprised of any flexible material that is designed to protect the user's hand while being suitable for use with a hair product composition50. In some embodiments, the glove12may be disposable and/or have lint-free, anti-static, or hypo-allergenic properties. The glove12comprises a hand portion20comprising digit portions23which may be more specifically referred to as finger portions22and a thumb portion24.

In accordance to one exemplary embodiment, the glove12may be constructed of a fibrous material which carries or otherwise holds a hair product composition50. The hair product composition50may be applied to the glove12by coating, spraying, extruding, or any other suitable method of applying a hair product composition50to a glove material. The glove12may be manufactured so as to be wearable on both the right and left hand of a user, or the glove12may also be manufactured as a pair of gloves12, one to be worn on user's right hand, and another worn on user's left hand. It is desirable that the glove(s)12be packaged in a manner that is convenient for a consumer to carry, store, and use, which will be discussed in further detail with regard toFIGS. 11-12.

FIG. 2provides a palmar view of the hair product application device10in accordance with one embodiment. One or more blister packs30containing one or more hair product compositions50may be disposed on one or more digit portions23of the glove12. As shown here, blister packs30are generally located about the anterior distal phalanx region26and the anterior intermediate phalanx region27of each finger portion22and the anterior proximal phalanx region28of the thumb portion24. WhileFIG. 2shows one exemplary embodiment, it is contemplated that any number of blister packs30may be used and that the placement of one or more blister packs30may differ from the positioning shown here to suit the particular use for which the hair product application device10is adapted and therefore, one or more blister packs30may be located on the palmar region14, dorsal region15, or anywhere on one or more digit portions23of the glove12.

As shown here, blister pack30comprises a pocket33formed by a backing sheet34and a rupturable membrane32. It should be noted, however, that backing sheet34is an optional element in all of the embodiments described herein and that pocket33may be formed by rupturable membrane32and an exterior surface of the glove13in any of the disclosed embodiments. The rupturable membrane32may be comprised of any suitable material having an appropriate tensile strength to contain a hair product composition50in the absence of an internal or external force being applied to the rupturable membrane32but that will also allow for ease of rupturing to dispense the hair product composition50when the user creates a pressure differential between interior37and exterior38surfaces of the rupturable membrane32. In some embodiments, the rupturable membrane32may comprise a rupture line35comprised of a weaker, thinner, or otherwise more easily rupturable material such that the pressure necessary to rupture the membrane32is lessened and dispensing of the hair product composition50occurs at a predetermined location of the rupturable membrane32. It may also be desirable that the rupturable membrane32be comprised of a substantially transparent material so that the user can readily identify the hair product composition50contained within the blister pack30.

The backing sheet34may be comprised of a flexible material that does not impede the user's ability to move or flex the digit or hand portion on which the blister pack30is located. In some embodiments, the backing sheet34may be comprised of multiple layers of the same or different materials. At least a portion of the backing sheet34is in direct contact with an exterior surface13of the area of the glove12upon which the blister pack30is disposed. The backing sheet34may be coupled to the exterior surface13of the glove12using any appropriate attachment technique such as for example, using an adhesive or heat-sealing method, and similarly, the rupturable membrane32may be coupled to the backing sheet34with these or other suitable methods.

FIGS. 3A-Cprovide a cross-sectional view of a finger portion22of the glove12having a blister pack30disposed on its anterior side. Backing sheet34is at least partially in direct contact with the exterior surface13of the glove12and initially, inFIG. 3A, the hair product composition50is contained within the pocket33formed by the backing sheet34and the rupturable membrane32. When an external force36is applied inFIG. 3B, a pressure differential is created between the interior37and exterior38surfaces of the rupturable membrane32, thereby causing the membrane32to rupture and dispense the hair product composition50as shown inFIG. 3C. Once the hair product composition50has been dispensed, the user may easily apply the dispensed product to the user's or another's hair or scalp.

To protect the rupturable membrane32from inadvertent or undesired rupture, a removable cover39or cap may be placed over the rupturable membrane32when the hair product application device10is not in use. The removable cover39may couple to the blister pack30by fitting into a groove or other recess in the backing sheet34or may be adhered, such as by non-limiting example, using a pressure-sensitive acrylate adhesive to adhere the removable cover39to a releasable liner31located at or about the perimeter of the rupturable membrane32as shown inFIG. 3D. While the removable cover39is shown relative to the embodiment ofFIGS. 3A-D, it is to be understood that the removable cover39may be used in conjunction with any of the embodiments described herein.

FIGS. 4-5depict an alternative embodiment in which the blister pack30is located on a palmar region14of the glove12. Such a configuration may allow for a larger volume of a single hair product composition50to be contained within the blister pack30and dispensed by squeezing or applying pressure to the rupturable membrane32of the blister pack30, which together with the backing sheet34that is at least partially in direct contact with the exterior surface13of the palmar region14of the glove12forms the pocket33that houses the hair product composition50.

FIGS. 6-7Bdepict yet another alternative embodiment of a hair product application device10. As shown, a pneumatic device60in fluid communication with one or more blister packs30via one or more tubes64may be used to create an internal pressure within the pocket33of the blister pack30to dispense a hair product composition50. The pneumatic device60may, by non-limiting example, comprise a depressible bulb that functions as a pump to push air into the pocket33of one or more blister packs30to rupture the rupturable membrane32. It is contemplated that any number of mechanisms and combinations of chambers, conduits, valves, pumps, etc. may comprise the pneumatic device60and its related components. As depicted in the cross-sectional views ofFIGS. 7A-B, the one or more tubes64may be disposed between one or more external surface layers13of the glove12and one or more interior surface layers16of the glove12and the pneumatic device60may be integrally disposed to the glove12. In this configuration, the tubes64are not visible and the smooth exterior surface13of the glove12is maintained which is desirable when applying the hair product composition50to a user's hair or scalp. While the pneumatic device60is shown here located on the palmar region14of the glove12, the location is not limited as such and the pneumatic device60may be located anywhere on the glove12that allows for fluid communication between the pneumatic device60and the pocket33of the blister pack30via one or more tubes64.

As shown inFIGS. 7A-B, the backing sheet34may comprise an opening or bore65through which the tube64fluidly communicates with the pocket33of the blister pack30. When an external force36is applied to the pneumatic device60, shown here as a depressible bulb, air that previously filled the pneumatic device60travels through the tube64and enters the pocket33of the blister pack30through the bore65in the backing sheet34. This creates an increase in the internal pressure of the pocket33thereby causing the rupturable membrane32to rupture and dispense hair product composition50. A one-way valve68may be located within the pocket33adjacent to the bore65to prevent hair product composition50from being pulled back into the tube64. The one-way valve68may comprise a one-way ball valve, flapper valve, or any other suitable one-way valve.

FIGS. 8-9Bdepict an alternative embodiment in which the tube64that is in fluid communication with the pneumatic device60and the pocket33is coupled to a tubular fitting66that fluidly communicates with a plurality of outlet ports69passing through a plurality of apertures in the backing sheet34. When an external force36is exerted upon the pneumatic device60, air that previously filled the pneumatic device60travels through the tube64and tubular fitting66and enters the pocket33of the blister pack30through the plurality of outlet ports69in the backing sheet34. This creates an increase in the internal pressure of the pocket33thereby causing the rupturable membrane32to rupture and dispense hair product composition50. The pneumatic device60may further comprise an inlet63through which air may enter the pneumatic device60. The inlet63may further comprise a one-way valve68to prevent previously dispensed hair product composition50from entering the pneumatic device60through the inlet63.

FIG. 10provides a dorsal view of an exemplary embodiment of the hair product application device10comprising an elongated sleeve portion21that may provide enhanced protection of the user's arm to prevent exposure to dyes and other harmful chemicals during application of one or more hair products.

Additionally, any of the embodiments described herein may be stored in and dispensed from the exemplary embodiments of a hair product application device dispenser as depicted inFIGS. 11-12. These dispensers are particularly useful when the hair product application device10comprises a disposable glove12.FIG. 11depicts a pouch40which may be comprised of a lightweight material such as a plastic or more specifically a low density plastic polymer material such as a low density polyethylene, polypropylene, or other similar materials. A plurality of gloves12may be nested or stacked inside the pouch40and the pouch40may be sized to conveniently fit within a user's garment pocket, purse, or other receptacle that facilitates ease of use. The pouch40may comprise a sealed, openable slit42located anywhere on a surface of the pouch which may be opened and spread apart to allow removal of one or more gloves12.

As shown inFIG. 12, the hair product application device10may also be dispensed from a rigid or semi-rigid dispenser container70which may contain a pouch40in which a plurality of gloves12are nested or stacked for dispensing through an openable slit42. The container70may comprise an enclosed structure having a front wall76, a rear wall77, and opposing side walls74extending upward from a bottom wall. The container70may comprise a lid78pivotally coupled to the rear wall77using one or more hinges which may, for example, be thermoformed during manufacturing. The lid78may comprise a window71which may be centrally-positioned on the lid78(shown inFIG. 12as oval-shaped, although any suitable shape is contemplated). Within the window71is a lid slit72which is configured to align with the openable slit42of the pouch40when the lid78of the container70is in a closed position so that a user may pass a glove12from the pouch40through the lid slit72. The container70may be comprised of any suitable material such as a plastic, or preferably, from 20 gauge polystyrene or any other heat formable material such as polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene that may be easily and inexpensively manufactured using known techniques such as thermoforming and injection molding.

The hair product composition50comprises formulations that are ideally suitable for various hair care treatments such as, by non-limiting example, shampoos, pomades, grease mixtures, styling gels, mousses, relaxers, straighteners, detanglers, conditioners, emollients, coloring agents, and any other suitable hair or scalp treatment product. Thus, an additional advantage provide by at least some of the embodiments disclosed herein is that a user may utilize one or more hair product compositions50from multiple blister packs30located on a single glove12or pair of gloves12during a single hair care treatment event. In accordance with an exemplary method of using the hair product application device10, a glove12or pair of gloves12having a plurality of blister packs30may be selected and placed on the hand(s) of a user. The user may then rupture a first blister pack30by creating a pressure differential between the interior rupturable membrane surface37and the exterior rupturable membrane surface38according to any of the embodiments previously discussed in this disclosure. The user may then apply the resultant released hair product composition50to the user's or to another individual's hair or scalp. If desired, the user may then rupture a second blister pack30containing the same or a different hair product composition50for additional application. This process may be repeated to dispense and apply as many hair product compositions50as desired by the user. For example, a user may accomplish an efficient application of multiple products such as a pre-treatment relaxer followed by a relaxer composition without needing to change gloves or utilize bottles or other dispensing mechanisms for the various hair product compositions50.

In accordance with one embodiment, the hair product composition50comprises a at least one of a relaxer or a straightener formulation, the composition comprising one or more of the following agents: emulsifying wax, petrolatum, PPG-12-PEG-50 lanolin, PEG-75 lanolin, steareth-21, steareth-10, polysorbate-60, mineral oil, propylene glycol, water, calcium hydroxide, xanthan gum, guanidine carbonate, calcium, magnesium, and a metal ion chelating agent, the metal ion chelating agent selected from the group consisting of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, ethanol diglycine, ethylenebis(hydroxyphenylglycine), N-dihydroxyethylglycine, iminodisuccinic acid, ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid, polyaspartic acid, and water soluble alkali metal salts thereof, employed singly or in combination.

It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims are not limited in application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and/or illustrated in drawings. Rather, the description and/or the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned, but the claims are not limited to any particular embodiment or a preferred embodiment disclosed and/or identified in the specification. Any drawing figures that may be provided are for illustrative purposes only, and merely provide practical examples of the invention disclosed herein. Therefore, any drawing figures provided should not be viewed as restricting the scope of the claims to what is depicted.

The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways, including various combinations and sub-combinations of the features described above but that may not have been explicitly disclosed in specific combinations and sub-combinations.