Hair coloring applicator bottle

A hair coloring applicator bottle including, in an axially aligned relation, and applicator spout including a base portion and an applicator tip portion, an elongated liquid receptacle, a timer mechanism, and a base. Time period indicia and timer pointer indicia are alternately provided on the liquid receptacle and base for setting the timer mechanism. The liquid receptacle includes a collapsible plastic container and a container holder. The plastic container defines an open mouth which is removably closed by the applicator spout. The timer mechanism is secured to the container holder and includes a timer shaft which rotates relative to the timer mechanism, and is connected to the base. By such construction, the base is secured to the container housing in a manner preventing separation of the liquid receptacle from the timer mechanism. An annular reservoir surrounds the base of the applicator tip portion for capturing excess hair coloring mixture which inadvertently escapes from the applicator tip portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to bottles, and, more particularly, to a hair 
coloring applicator bottle with a timer mechanism. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Typical hair coloring techniques involve preparing a hair color mixture. 
Hair color mixtures typically include a hair coloring ingredient which is 
admixed with a developing lotion. The developing lotion is usually 
contained in an applicatior bottle to which the hair coloring ingredient 
is added. Before applying the resultant color mixture, the hair coloring 
ingredient and developing lotion interact for a predetermined time period. 
Hair coloring is often performed by trained professional hairdressers in 
beauty salons. Hairdressers commonly work on more than one individual at a 
time. Rather than sitting idle while the hair coloring ingredients for one 
customer are interacting, a hairdresser often fills this time by caring 
for other customers as by cutting hair, providing permanents, or a 
multitude of other hair care operations. 
All hair coloring applications must be timed. The length or period of time 
that the ingredients need to react with each other is relatively short. 
The length or period of time the resultant color mixture is applied to the 
hair varies as a function of several factors. Other hair care operations 
being concurrently performed by a busy professional hairdresser also fill 
relatively short time periods. During busy periods in the salon, it is 
difficult, at best, for a hairdresser to timely coordinate all of these 
ongoing activities. Yet, unless hair coloring applications are timed, the 
result for the customer may be other than that desired. 
In view of such demanding time requirements, separate timers are a common 
sight in beauty salons. Such timers are selectively set to monitor and 
measure time and are located proximate to the particular hair coloring 
bottle for which the time is being measured or monitored. 
Hair coloring applicator bottles and timers are separate items which lead 
to problems when trying to identify which applicator bottle and timer 
belong together. Separation of the timer from the applicator bottle 
further complicates the hair coloring process. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the above, and in accordance with the present invention, there 
is provided a hair coloring applicator bottle with a timer mechanism 
connected thereto. In a preferred form, the timer mechanism is mounted on 
a base of the applicator bottle. The timer mechanism is mounted such that 
the hairdresser can quickly assess the amount of time remaining for a 
particular hair coloring process or procedure. 
More specifically, the hair coloring applicator bottle of the present 
invention includes, preferably in an axially aligned relationship, an 
applicator spout, an elongated liquid receptacle, a timer mechanism, and a 
base. Time period indicia is provided on either the liquid receptacle or 
the base. Timer pointer indicia is arranged in combination with the time 
period indicia. As will be appreciated, the timer pointer indicia is on 
the other of the liquid receptacle or the base. The liquid receptacle can 
be rotated relative to the base to selectively position the time period 
indicia relative to the timer pointer indicia to selectively set the timer 
mechanism. 
In a preferred form of the invention, the liquid receptacle includes an 
elongated and collapsible plastic container having an open mouth portion 
defining a discharge end of the receptacle. The liquid receptacle further 
includes a container holder arranged at the end of the plastic container 
opposite the open mouth. To facilitate a proper mixture of ingredients 
within the container, the container is preferably translucent and has 
liquid volume indicia thereon. 
The applicator spout is removably secured to the discharge end of the 
liquid receptacle. In this regard, the applicator spout defines an 
internal thread which is screwably engaged with an external thread 
provided on the mouth portion of the container. The applicator spout 
includes a base portion and a frusto-conically shaped applicator tip 
portion which axially extends from the base portion of the spout. The 
applicator tip portion defines a fluid passage the size of which changes 
along its axial length. A concave recessed area is provided at the lower 
end of the applicator tip portion. This recessed area acts as a reservoir 
for any excess hair coloring liquid that may flow along the outside of the 
applicator tip portion. 
The design of the applicator spout facilitates the hair coloring 
application for the hairdresser. Because the size of the fluid passage 
changes along the axial length of the applicator spout, the outlet opening 
of the applicator spout can be relatively small or enlarged depending at 
what height and angle the applicator tip portion is cut through from the 
base portion of the applicator spout. 
All hair coloring mixtures when oxidized "brown out," i.e, they look the 
same. To avoid confusion of which applicator bottle contains which hair 
coloring mixture, it is desirable to manufacture the applicator bottle in 
different colors to simplify identification. 
Preferably, the timer pointer indicia is provided on the base and the time 
period indicia is provided on the liquid receptacle. By such construction, 
the time period indicia rotates when the applicator bottle is placed on 
its base. 
The timer mechanism of the present invention is secured to the container 
holder and includes a timer shaft. The timer shaft rotates relative to the 
timer mechanism and is connected to the base of the bottle in a manner 
preventing separation of the liquid receptacle from the timer mechanism. 
In one form, the timer mechanism produces a signal upon expiration of a 
preset time period. 
With the timer mechanism of the present invention connected to the 
applicator bottle, the problem of disassociation of these two elements has 
been eliminated. Moreover, the timer mechanism of the present invention 
permits the operator to quickly assess the amount of time remaining for a 
particular hair coloring procedure or process thereby facilitating time 
management for a professional hairdresser. 
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily 
apparent from the following detailed description, appended drawings, and 
accompanying claims.

DETAILED OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiments in various forms, 
there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described, a 
presently preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding 
that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of 
the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific 
embodiment illustrated. 
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like 
parts throughout the several views, there is illustrated a refillable hair 
coloring applicator bottle 10. In its presently preferred form, bottle 10 
includes, in axial aligned order, an applicator spout 12, a liquid 
receptacle 14, and a base 16 connected to the liquid receptacle 14. 
Turning to FIG. 3, a timer mechanism 18 operably interconnects base 16 
with liquid receptacle 14. Returning to FIG. 1, time period indicia 20 is 
provided on the liquid receptacle 14. Timer pointer indicia 22 is provided 
on the base 16. As will be appreciated, the location of the time period 
indicia 20 and timer pointer indicia 22 could be readily reversed without 
detracting from the spirit or scope of the pesent invention. 
As illustrated, applicator spout 12 is adapted to be removably secured to 
the liquid receptacle 14 and may be formed of a suitable synthetic resin 
such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Spout 12 is of a generally circular 
configuration and includes a base portion 24 and a frusto-conically shaped 
applicator tip portion 26 axially extending from base portion 24. As 
presently preferred, base portion 24 includes a depending cylindrical 
skirt wall 28 adapted to encircle an upper end of the liquid receptacle or 
container 14. 
Spout 12 defines a fluid passage 30 which extends through the base portion 
and axially along the length of the applicator tip portion 26. As 
illustrated in FIG. 3, the cross-sectional size of fluid passage 30 
changes along its axial length. 
Applicator spout 12 may be plated or painted in different colors to 
simplify identification of a particular bottle. 
Spout 12 further defines a circular central recessed portion 32 which is 
axially with passage 30. Recessed portion 32 defines an annular sealing 
end wall 34 and an internal thread 36. If desired, a separate sealing 
member made of a different synthetic resin, etc., may be disposed in the 
recessed portion instead of forming the annular sealing end wall integral 
with the applicator spout. 
Liquid receptacle 14 includes an axially elongated liquid receiving 
container 40 and a container holder 42. As illustrated in FIG. 3, 
container 40 is formed from a collapsible plastic material and defines a 
liquid receiving chamber or cavity 44. Preferably, the plastic material 
forming container 40 is translucent and has liquid volume indicia thereon. 
Container 40 further defines an open mouth or neck portion 46 defining a 
discharge end of the liquid receptacle 14. The mouth or neck portion 46 is 
cylindrical in shape and on its peripheral surface is formed with an 
external thread 47 which is adapted to cooperate with the internal thread 
36 on application spout 12. 
Container holder 42 is affixed to the opposite end of container 40. Holder 
42 is preferably formed as a cylindrical member having an annular wall or 
web 48 provided intermediate its ends. Web 48 effectively divides holder 
42 into first and second open ended chambers 50 and 52. Chamber 50 is 
sized to securely accommodate container 40. A pair of legs 54 and 56 
extend into chamber 52 and depend from web 48. 
To facilitate timing of a hair coloring mixture, timer mechanism 18 is 
arranged in combination with the liquid receptacle 14. As illustrated, 
timer mechanism 18 includes a mounting plate 58 and a timer assembly 60 
suitably affixed thereto. Mounting plate 58 allows the timer mechanism 18 
to be secured to the container housing 42 as by suitable securement to the 
free ends of the legs 54 and 56 depending from the annular web 48. 
The timer assembly 60 may be of the type sold by Pop Corporation of Seoul, 
Korea under Model No. BT-21. Suffice it to say, timer assembly 60 is a 
spring action timer having a rotatable timer shaft 62 depending therefrom 
and extending through the mounting plate 58. In its preferred form, timer 
assembly 60 includes suitable means 61 for producing a signal, preferably 
in the form of an audible sound, upon expiration of a predetermined time 
period. Timer shaft 62 is provided with a cross pin 64 arranged toward a 
lower end of the shaft 62. 
Base 16 is rotatably interconnected, preferably in an axially aligned 
relation, with the liquid receptacle 14 for normally maintaining bottle 10 
in a generally vertical orientation. In its preferred form, base 16 
includes a cylindrical skirt wall 68 and a centrally arranged post 70 
which is connected to the skirt wall 68. Skirt wall 68 of base 16 is sized 
to provide vertical stability to the bottle 10. As illustrated, skirt wall 
68 is substantially the same diameter as container housing 42. 
Post 70 defines an axially extending counterbore 72 which extends 
therethrough and defines a shoulder 73. The larger diameter portion 74 of 
bore 72 is adapted to receive the free end of timer shaft 62. 
Turning to FIG. 4, post 70 further defines a pair diametrically opposed 
slots 76 and 78 which radially extend outward from counterbore 72. Slots 
76 and 78 are sized to accommodate cross pin 64 therewithin. An upwardly 
extending fastener 80 threadably engages the free end of timer shaft 62 
and secures base 16 to container housing 42 in a manner preventing the 
separation of liquid receptacle 14 from its associated timer mechanism 18. 
The timer period indicia 20 and timer pointer indicia 22 are provided on 
bottle 10 to facilitate setting of the timer mechanism 18. In one form, 
the time period indicia 20 is a circular band 81 (FIG. 3) which is 
preferably secured to container housing 42. As best illustrated in FIG. 1, 
the time period indicia is graduated in time increments. The timer pointer 
indicia 22 is preferably arranged on the skirt wall 68 of base 16. Timer 
pointer indicia may comprise a projection, groove or other suitable form 
of pointer which, when viewed in combination with the time period indicia 
20, readily indicates how much time remains before the end of a selected 
predetermined time period. 
As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the applicator spout 12 further 
defines an annular reservoir 84 for capturing any excess hair coloring 
mixture which inadvertently escapes from the applicator tip portion 26. In 
a preferred form of the invention, reservoir 84 is defined by an annular, 
shallow, concave recess 86 defined by the base portion 24 of spout 12 
surrounding the applicator tip 26. 
The hair coloring applicator bottle 10 of the present invention is easy to 
manufacture and is relatively simply in construction. By having timer 
mechanism 18 affixed to the container 40, the problem of maintaining 
integrity between the applicator bottle and timer mechanism has been 
eliminated. The timer mechanism 18 may be selectively set as required and 
provides a signal indicative of the expiration of a predetermined time 
period set by the operator. The time period indicia 20 and timer pointer 
indicia 22 provide quick and ready access to the time remaining in the 
predetermined set time period in a manner facilitating time management. 
Having container 40 formed from a translucent plastic with volume indicia 
facilitates preparation of the hair coloring mixture. 
When the applicator spout 12 is secured to the liquid receptacle 14, the 
sealing end wall 34 removably seals the discharge end of the liquid 
receptacle 14. Having the fluid passage 30 vary in size as a function of 
its length readily lends the spout 12 to different hair coloring 
applications. That is, the size of the outlet for the fluid passage 30 may 
be varied depending on whether a root application or a overall hair 
coloring treatment is to be performed on the customer. Moreover, reservoir 
84 at the base of the applicator tip 26 will capture inadvertent excess 
hair coloring mixture that along from the applicator tip portion 26. 
Thus, there has been described numerous modifications and variations which 
can be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the 
novel concept of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the 
present disclosure is intended as an exemplification of the invention, and 
is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment 
illustrated. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims 
all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.