Abstract:
A dispenser (10) for permanent wave rods (40) and end papers (51) from a box (50) of end papers is disclosed. The dispenser (10) includes a housing (11) and a retainer (20) for holding a plurality of rods (40). The rods (40) may be easily inserted an removed from the retainer (20) and the rod holder (25). The housing (11) is adapted to receive the retainer (20). The box (50) of end papers (51) is releasably held to the housing (11). Further, the dispenser (10) is releasably secured to the user of the dispenser (10).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to giving permanents and more particularly relates to an improved dispenser for holding permanent wave rods and end papers which is carried on the body of the user. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     By their very nature, permanents are time consuming procedures. Recent developments have vastly improved curl control and processing time, but the stylist&#39;s involvement in wrapping time has seen few advances. It is very difficult for the stylist to develop speed in wrapping for many reasons. This includes tangled rods, mixed sizes of rods, reaching and looking for the correct size of rods and reaching and separating end papers. Previously, most stylists had a tray containing a variety of rods and a separate end paper box. The stylist would reach back to obtain the correct rod then reach and find the end paper and finally would wrap the hair. 
     The tray and end papers are often put on the counter, a considerable or inconvenient distance from the stylist. Some of the stylists use caddies and trays, but the cost of a caddy is quite substantial and still requires the reaching by the stylist each time a rod and end paper was needed. 
     The present invention addresses the problems associated with the prior art and provides for a unique organizer that keeps the rods and end papers close at hand, by being releasably secured to the stylist, allowing for efficient, smooth and fast wrapping. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention includes a dispenser for permanent wave rods and end papers from a box of end papers having a housing and a retainer for holding a plurality of rods. The rods may easily be inserted and removed from the retainer. Also provided is a means for receiving the retainer. The receiving means is cooperatively connected to the housing. A means for releasably holding of box of end papers is also included. Further, a means for releasably securing the dispenser to a user of the dispenser is included and is cooperatively connected to the housing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the dispenser incorporating my present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an end view of the housing of the dispenser shown in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the housing shown in FIG. 2. 
     FIG. 4 is front view of the retainer of the dispenser shown in FIG. 1 showing rods in the retainer. 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the retainer of FIG. 4. 
     FIG. 6 is an end view of the retainer of FIG. 4. 
     FIG. 7 is a front view of the clip of the dispenser of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the clip of FIG. 7 showing a box of end papers attached thereto. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, there is generally designated at 10 a dispenser. The dispenser 10 includes a housing 11. The housing 11 has a bottom U-shaped member 12 and a top U-shaped member 13. The bottom U-shaped member 12 has a first extension 12a cooperatively connected to a second extension 12b by means of a joining member 12c. The top U-shaped member 13 has a first extension 13a cooperatively connected to a second extension 13b by means of a joining member 13c. A bottom middle member 14 is cooperatively connected to the bottom U-shaped member 12 and extends generally outward toward the open end of the U-shaped member 12. Similarly, a top middle member 15 is cooperatively connected to the top U-shaped member 13 and extends generally toward the open end of the top U-shaped member 13. A plurality of sets of guide rods are cooperatively connected between the top U-shaped member 13 and the bottom U-shaped member 12. A first set of guide rods 16a and b are cooperatively connected at one end to the first extension 12a and at their other ends to the first extension 13a. A second set of guide rods 17a and 17b are cooperatively connected at one end to the second extension 12b and at their other end to the second extension 13b. A third set of guide rods 18a and 18b are cooperatively connected at one end to the top middle member 15 and at their other end to the bottom middle member 14. The guide rods 18a and b are positioned on the side of the middle members 14 and 15 which is proximate to the first extensions 12a, and 12b. The fourth set of guide rods 19a and 19b are cooperatively connected at one end to the top middle member 15 and at their other end to the bottom middle member 14. The guide rods 19a and 19b are connected to the middle members 14 and 15 on the side proximate the second extensions 12b and 13b. Guide rods 16a, 17a, 18a and 19a are generally parallel to each other. Similarly, guide rods 16b, 17b, 18b and 19b are generally parallel to each other. 
     A retainer is generally designated at 20. The retainer 20 includes a first handle member 21 spaced from and cooperatively connected to a second handle member 22. The handle members 21 and 22 are in the general shape of an elongated U. The first handle member 21 has a first section 21a cooperatively connected to a second section 21b by means of a curved connecting section 21c. The first and second sections are generally parallel to each other. Similarly, the second handle member 22 has a first section 22a cooperatively connected to a second section 22b by means of a curved connecting section 22c. Again, the first and second sections 22a and b are generally parallel. A plurality of support members 23 are cooperatively connected across the retainer and cooperatively connected to the first section 21a and the second section 21b. Similarly, support members 24 are cooperatively connected across the second sections 21b and 22b. 
     A rod holder 25 has a first retaining member 26 spaced from and cooperatively connected to a second retaining member 27. The first retaining member 26 has a first side section 26a cooperatively connected to a second side section 26 by means of a top curved section 26c. The bottom of the first side section 26a has an inwardly protruding end 26d and the second side section 26b has an inwardly protruding end 26e. The distance X between the first side section 26a and second side section 26b is relatively uniform except toward the bottom of the retaining member wherein the sections are slightly closer together. The distance X&#39; between the second side section 27a and the second side section 27b is relatively uniform except toward the bottom of the retaining member wherein the sections are slightly closer. This closer distance is represented by Y and Y&#39;. As will be more fully discussed hereinafter, the diameter &#34;D&#34; of the rod 40 is equal to or slightly greater than the distances X and X&#39;. The distances X and X&#39; being the same and the distance Y and Y&#39; are the same. The lesser distances Y and Y&#39; are less than the diameter of the rod 40, thereby retaining the rod 40 from falling out of the rod holder 25. 
     Supports 28b, c, d and e are cooperatively connected between the first retaining member and second retaining member 27 to form the rod holder 25. The support members 28a through d are also cooperatively connected to the first handle member 21 and second handle member 22 so that the rod holder is carried by the handle members 21 and 22. 
     Preferably, the handle members 21 and 22, retaining members 26 and 27 and top and bottom U-shaped members 12 and 13 are each a single rod. While all of the members discussed to date are shown in the figures as having a circular cross-section, it is also understood that other configurations may also be used. The members described previously are preferably metal rods which are cooperatively connected to each other by means of welding or other suitable methods well-known in the art. Further, it is preferred that the rods be dip coated with a plastic material to form an aesthetically pleasing appearance. A belt fastening member 29 has a first end 29a cooperatively connected to guide rods 16a and 16b proximate the top U-shaped member 13 and a second end 29b cooperatively connected to the guide rods 16a and b proximate the bottom U-shaped member 12. A center section 29c protrudes outward from the first and second ends 29a and 29b so that a gap 30 is formed between the belt retaining member 29 and the guide rods 16a and 16b. The retaining member 29 is preferably of metal which has been welded to the guide rods 16a and b and also coated with a plastic material. 
     A plate 31 is cooperatively connected between the top U-shaped member 13 and bottom U-shaped member 12. The plate 31 may have outwardly extending side flanges 31a and 31b which, as will be described more fully hereinafter, form a guide for the box of end papers. Preferably, the flanges and plate are all formed as a one-piece unit. The plate has a centerly located opening 31c. The opening 31c is used for operatively engaging a clip 32. The clip 32, as fully shown in FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, is preferably formed from a single sheet of metal and bent to form the configuration as shown in the drawings. The clip 32 has a back member 32a cooperatively connected to and slightly spaced away from the front member 32b. A downwardly depending engaging member 32c is cooperatively connected to and slightly spaced away from the front member 32b. The engaging member 32c has a outwardly extending flange 32d. The width of the front member 32c is less than the width of the opening 31c. The clip 32 is releasably and cooperatively connected to the plate 31 by simply inserting the plate 31 between the front member 32b and engaging member 32c. The outwardly extending flange 32d assists in the engagement of the plate 31. The dispenser 10 is utilized for the dispensing of end papers 51 which typically come in a cardboard box 50. The box 50 gas a back wall 50a which is inserted into the clip 32 between the back member 32a and front member 32b. The papers 51 are then able to be dispensed through an opening 50b which is formed in the front of the box 50. 
     In operation, the user of the dispenser 10 decides on what side the user wishes to wear the dispenser 10. It has been found that it is most advantageous to wear the dispenser 10 on the side of the wearer and further that the sections 12c and 13c be facing forward. The dispenser 10 is versatile in that it may be worn on either side of the wearing. The wearer simply has to rotate the dispenser 180° for use on the other side. To secure the dispenser 10 to the wearer, it is only necessary that a belt of the wearer be inserted through the gap 30 and the belt then tightened around the waist of the wearer. The rod holder 25 is first loaded with a plurality of rods 40. Prior to insertion of the rods 40 into the rod holder 25, the rods are cleaned. To insert the rods 40 into the rod holder 25, it is only necessary to place the rod holder 25 over the rod 40 and then press down on the rod 40. The distances Y and Y&#39; are less than the diameter of the rod 40. Therefore it is necessary that the distances Y and Y&#39; be increased by deformation as the rods are on pushed onto the rod holder 25. By pressing down on the rod 40, the first retaining member 26 and second retaining member 27 are deformed and the distance Y and Y&#39; is increased to allow for the rod to be inserted into the rod holder 25. Since the distances X and X&#39; are greater than the diameter of the rod 40, the rod is then gradually pushed up into the rod holder 25 as subsequent rod 40 are inserted into the bottom of the rod holder. While the rod holder 25 may be sized to accommodate a varying number of rods, it has been found that 12 to 16 rods is the preferred number of rods to be inserted into the rod holder 25. With more rods than this, tangling of the bands, which are attached to the rods, may occur. 
     When it is necessary to use more than one size rod for giving a permanent, the dispenser 10 can easily handle this requirement. The rod holder 25 is easily modified to accept different sized rods. It is a simple matter of having the retaining members 26 and 27 be spaced slightly farther apart and have the distances X and X&#39; increased to accommodate a larger sized rod. Further, as shown in the Figures, the retaining members 26 and 27 are spaced such that the retaining members 26 and 27 are between the guide rods 17a and 17b. However, if larger sized rods were to used, the retaining members 26 and 27 are spaced farther apart and they would then be outside of the guide rods 17a and 17b when inserted. 
     Once the rod holder 25 is loaded with rods, the user grasps the retainer 20 at the U-shaped ends and inserts the rod holder 25 into the dispenser 10. The two sets of guide rods 17a and 17b and 19a and 19b form one slot for the rod holder 25 and the other guide rods 18a and 18b and 16a and 16b form another slot for a second rod holder 25. In more detail, the first section 21a would slide just inside of the guide rod 19b, the first section 22a would slide just inside of the guide rod 19a, the second section 21b would slide just inside of the guide rod 17b and the second section 22b would slide just inside of the guide rod 17a. The entire retainer assembly 20 is stopped from going complete through the slot formed between the guide rods by the support members 23 and 24 coming in contact with the top 15 and second extension 13b respectively. The distance between the top 15 and the second extension 13b, which forms the width of the slot for the retainer 20, is sized to accommodate the retainer 20. However, if it is necessary that the slot be slightly increased in width, the dispenser is easily deformed at its open end of the U-shaped members. A second rod holder 20 is then inserted into the other slot formed by the guide rods 16a and 16b,  guide rods 8 and 18b and the top 15 and first extension 13a. This rod holder may or may not have different sized rods than the previous holder 25. This would be dependent upon the type of permanent the user is planning on giving. 
     The clip 32 is then positioned onto the dispenser 10 by simple insertion into the opening 31c. The plate 31 is positioned between the front 32b and the engaging member 32c and thereby becomes releasably connected to the dispenser 10. Depending upon the orientation of the dispenser 10 on the user, the clip may be inserted into either the top or the bottom of the opening 31c. Once the clip 32 is in position, the user then takes a box 50 of containing end papers 51 and places it onto the back member 32a. This is accomplished by inserting the back wall 50a of the box 50 between the back member 32a and the front member 32b, as shown in FIG. 8. End papers 51 may then be easily dispensed from the opening 50b formed in the box 50. Similarly, rods may now be easily dispensed through the bottom of the rod holder 25. 
     The user is now in a position to give a permanent without having tangled rods and mixed sized rods in a box. Further, there is no reaching and hunting for the correct rod sizes and there is no reaching and separating of end papers. The rods and the end paper which the user needs are literally at the user&#39;s side which results in a more uniform permanent wave in a shorter period of time. The hair does not have a chance to dry out as long because the user is able to wrap the hair more quickly. Further, the amount of reaching and twisting is greatly reduced, thereby reducing possibilities of back injuries. 
     Other modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. This description is intended to provide specific examples of individual embodiments which clearly disclose the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to these embodiments or the use of elements having specific configurations and shapes as presented herein. All alternative modifications and variations of the present invention which follow in the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims are included.