Abstract:
A support stand for a hair coloring tool is disclosed that is particularly effective and efficient in supporting a hair coloring tool of the type used for performing foil highlighting and hair coloring. An advantageous embodiment of the hair coloring tool support stand comprises a bowl for containing a hair coloring liquid and a receptacle formed within a wall of the bowl for holding the hair coloring tool. The support stand also comprises a hair coloring tool support structure within the bowl of the support stand. The user may place the hair coloring tool on the hair coloring tool support structure within the bowl. The user may also place the hair coloring tool within the receptacle when the hair coloring tool is not in use.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to cosmetic and beauty supplies. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved support stand for a hair coloring tool of a type used to facilitate foil highlighting of hair.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     There are several primary objectives in applying coloring agents to hair. For example, the coloring agent (typically in the form of a liquid, paste or gel) must be applied in a manner that creates a natural appearance. In other words, the application should have an appearance that resembles natural hair color, rather than the appearance of manual coloring. One way to enhance the natural appearance of hair coloring is to avoid lines that clearly demarcate colored hair from uncolored hair. It is also important that the coloring application be quick and inexpensive. Accordingly, the desired natural appearance should not be attained at the expense of time and money. However, conventional hair coloring tools have proven to be ineffective in applying coloring agents in a manner that provides the desired natural appearance, without sacrificing time and expense.  
         [0003]     One traditional type of hair coloring technique referred to as “foil highlighting” involves coloring of only portions of the hair. The highlighted or colored hair is typically separated from the rest of the hair by scaling out successive tufts of hair, and a coloring preparation is then applied to the tufts. Strips of metal foil are used to separate the treated tufts from the rest of the hair so as to avoid the highlighting preparation from coming into contact with the rest of the hair during the time that the highlighting preparation requires to take effect. After the highlighting preparation has taken effect the strips of metal foil are removed and the highlighting preparation rinsed off.  
         [0004]     The conventional manner of carrying out foil highlighting is as follows. First, a section of hair is scaled out and held between the first and middle fingers of the hair stylist. The thin cylindrical tail of a metal tail comb (“rat tail comb”) is then woven through the section and lifted, thereby separating tufts of hair from the section. The remaining hair of the section is allowed to fall back onto the head of the person whose hair is being done. A strip of metal foil is now inserted underneath the separated tufts, with the foil being firmly advanced and pressed close to the scalp by use of the metal tail of the comb, whereupon the tufts are then released so that they fall back onto the foil. The tail comb is then set down, and a highlighting brush is picked up. A highlighting preparation is then applied to the separated tufts with the brush, using the head of the person whose hair is being done as a support.  
         [0005]     The conventional technique is slow and cumbersome, because the tail comb must be put down and the highlighting brush picked up, and then reversed, in alternating use for each tuft. The comb section of the metal tail comb is not used frequently in the foil highlighting process, so the process is significantly hampered and encumbered by the provision of two separate tools for foiling and color application.  
         [0006]     One type of hair coloring tool that is particularly useful in carrying out a foil highlighting process comprises an elongated body having a first end and a second end. The first end comprises a thin metal rod for foil highlighting. The second end comprises a highlighting brush. The user of such a hair coloring tool can alternately use each of the two ends of the tool.  
         [0007]     It would be convenient if the user of such a hair coloring tool had a support stand that was capable of properly and effectively supporting either end of the tool. There is therefore a need in the art for an improved support stand that is capable of holding and supporting such a hair coloring tool.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a support stand for effectively and efficiently holding and supporting a hair coloring tool.  
         [0009]     In one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the support stand of the present invention comprises a bowl for containing a hair coloring liquid and a receptacle formed within a wall of the bowl for holding the hair coloring tool. The support stand also comprises a hair coloring tool support structure within the bowl of the support stand. The user may place the hair coloring tool on the hair coloring tool support structure within the bowl. The user may also place the hair coloring tool within the receptacle when the hair coloring tool is not in use. Placing the hair coloring tool within the receptacle also keeps the brush of the hair coloring tool clean.  
         [0010]     In one advantageous embodiment of the invention the hair coloring tool support structure within the bowl comprises a stair structure that extends from the bottom of the bowl to the top of the bowl. When the user desires to place the hair coloring tool within the bowl the user places the hair coloring tool on the stair structure. In another advantageous embodiment of the invention the hair coloring tool support structure comprises a ladder structure that extends from the bottom of the bowl to the top of the bowl.  
         [0011]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a hair coloring tool support stand that is effective and efficient in holding and supporting a hair coloring tool.  
         [0012]     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a hair coloring tool support stand that comprises a bowl for holding hair coloring liquid and a receptacle within in a wall of the bowl for holding a hair coloring tool.  
         [0013]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a hair coloring tool support stand that has a hair coloring tool support structure within the bowl of the hair coloring tool support stand for supporting a hair coloring tool.  
         [0014]     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.  
         [0015]     Before undertaking the Detailed Description of the Invention below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior uses, as well as future uses, of such defined words and phrases.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates a plan view of an advantageous embodiment of a hair coloring tool of a type for use with the support stand of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side elevation of the hair coloring tool shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective side view of an advantageous embodiment of a hair coloring tool support stand constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective end view of the hair coloring tool support stand shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  illustrates a first perspective top view of the hair coloring tool support stand shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  illustrates a second perspective top view of the hair coloring tool support stand shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  illustrates a schematic cross sectional view of the hair coloring tool support stand taken along the line A-A shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary placement of a hair coloring tool within a bowl portion of the hair coloring tool support stand shown in  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary placement of a hair coloring tool within a receptacle portion of the hair coloring tool support stand shown in  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary hair coloring tool support structure having the form of a ladder structure;  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective top view of another advantageous embodiment of a hair coloring tool support stand of the present invention having a hair coloring tool support structure that does not extend down to the bottom of the hair coloring tool support stand;  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective side view of another advantageous embodiment a hair coloring tool support stand of the present invention having a foot portion that is located beneath a receptacle of the hair coloring support stand; and  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective side view of another advantageous embodiment of the hair coloring tool support stand of the present invention having a base portion beneath a bowl of the hair coloring support stand.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]      FIGS. 1 through 13  and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present invention in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present invention may be implemented in any type of suitably arranged hair coloring tool support stand.  
         [0031]     In order to better understand the structure and function of the hair coloring tool support stand of the present invention, the structure and function of an exemplary hair coloring tool will first be described. Turning initially to  FIG. 1 , hair coloring tool  10  comprises an elongated body  12  having a first end  16  and a second end  14 . The first end  16  comprises a thin metal rod that will be used for purposes that will subsequently be described.  
         [0032]     Hair coloring tool  10  also comprises a gripping handle  15  that is located between the first end  16  and the second end  14  of elongated body  12 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the thickness of the gripping handle  15  is thicker than the thickness of the second end  14  of hair coloring tool  10 . This permits a user of hair coloring tool  10  to obtain a firm grip on the central portion of hair coloring  10 . As the user alternately uses the opposite ends of the hair coloring tool  10  the user continuously rotates the hair coloring tool  10  about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hair coloring tool  10 . The presence of the gripping handle  15  facilitates the rotation of hair coloring tool  10  by the user.  
         [0033]     Gripping handle  15  is also formed having portions that form a plurality of gripping ridges  17  in the surface of gripping handle  15 . The gripping ridges  17  provide additional gripping surfaces for the user to contact when gripping the gripping handle  15 . The continuous alternate rotation of hair coloring tool  10  by the user is facilitated by the use of the gripping handle  15  and its gripping ridges  17 .  
         [0034]     The body  12  is relatively larger adjacent the opposite second end  14  and defines a substantially flat head  18 . It will also be appreciated that the body  12  presents a substantially central longitudinal axis extending from the first end  16  to the opposite second end  14 .  
         [0035]     The thin metal rod of the first end  16  has a pointed terminus  20 , and preferably a length in the range from approximately three and three fourths inches (3.75 inches) to approximately five and one half inches (5.50 inches). The pointed terminus  20  facilitates the separation of individual tufts of hair. The diameter of the thin metal rod of the first end  16  is substantially constant along its length, and is preferably about one sixteenth of an inch (0.0625 inch) . Steel is the preferred material for the thin metal rod of the first end  16 .  
         [0036]     The second end  14  of body  12  is formed of any suitable material, such as injection molded plastic, wood, or metal. When a wood material is used, the body  12  may be stained or painted. On the other hand, when the body  12  is formed of a plastic material, a pigment may be added prior to molding for providing the desired coloring. It is noted that the flat head  18  is well suited for indicia, such as a trademark or advertising.  
         [0037]     Projecting from the second end  14  of the body  12  is a plurality of flexible bristles  22  arranged in a single row of separate tufts spaced across the head  18 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the bristles  22  cooperatively define an application brush  24  spaced from the head  18 . Each illustrated tuft of bristles has a proximate end (not shown) fixed by suitable means (e.g., glue) within a cylindrical opening (also not shown) extending into the head  18 . It is also noted that the preferred tufts have generally the same overall length.  
         [0038]     In operation, the user grasps hair coloring tool  10  by the gripping handle  35  while using either the application brush  24  defined by the bristles  22  or the thin metal rod of the first end  16 . Function can be quickly alternated between foiling with the thin metal rod of the first end  16  and color application with the application brush  24  of the second end  14 , without having to set down and pick up separate tools. In these respects, hair coloring tool  10  is particularly useful in efficiently and effectively applying hair coloring agents to the hair and facilitating foil highlighting.  
         [0039]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective side view of an advantageous embodiment of a hair coloring tool support stand  300  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Hair coloring tool support stand  300  comprises portions that form a bowl  310  and a receptacle  320 . Bowl  310  contains a hair coloring liquid (e.g., hair dye). In operation, the user of hair coloring tool  10  dips the application brush  24  of hair coloring tool  10  within the hair coloring liquid that is within bowl  310 . Whenever the user requires additional hair coloring liquid on the application brush  24 , the user dips the application brush  24  of hair coloring tool  10  in the hair coloring liquid within bowl  310 .  
         [0040]     In one exemplary embodiment of hair coloring tool support stand  300  the distance from the bottom of bowl  310  to a maximum fill line for the hair coloring liquid is approximately two and five eighths inches (2.625 inches) . This dimension is shown in  FIG. 3  as dimension  330 . In this exemplary embodiment of hair coloring tool support stand  300  the external diameter of the top of bowl  310  is approximately four inches (4.0 inches) and the internal diameter of the top of bowl  310  is approximately three and five eighths inches (3.625 inches). These dimensions are respectively shown in  FIG. 3  as dimension  340  and dimension  350 .  
         [0041]     The function of the receptacle  320  is to hold and to support hair coloring tool  10 . Whenever the user ceases using hair coloring tool  10 , the user places the application brush  24  of hair coloring tool  10  within in receptacle  320 . The width of receptacle  320  is sufficient to receive the hair coloring tool  10 . When the user releases his or her grip on the hair coloring tool  10 , the hair coloring  10  drops into receptacle  320  and the application brush  24  of hair coloring tool  10  comes to rest on the bottom of receptacle  320 . Receptacle  320  is sufficiently deep so that the hair coloring tool  10  remains vertically supported within receptacle  320 .  
         [0042]     In one exemplary embodiment of hair coloring tool support stand  300  the external distance from the top of receptacle  320  to the bottom of receptacle  320  is approximately one and three eighths inches (1.375 inches). This dimension is shown in  FIG. 3  as dimension  360 . In this exemplary embodiment of hair coloring tool support stand  300  the internal depth of receptacle  320  is approximately one and two eights inches (1.250 inches). This dimension is not shown in  FIG. 3 . In this exemplary embodiment of hair coloring tool support stand  300  the width of receptacle  320  is approximately two and five eights inches (2.625 inches). This dimension is shown in  FIG. 5  as dimension  510 .  
         [0043]     Beneath the bottom of receptacle  320  is a foot portion  370  of receptacle  320 . The foot portion  370  of receptacle  320  provides structural support for the bottom of receptacle  320  and resists forces that would tend to separate the receptacle  320  from the bowl  310 . In this exemplary embodiment of hair coloring tool support stand  300  the height of foot portion  370  of receptacle  320  is approximately one and two eights inches (2.250 inches) . This dimension is shown in  FIG. 3  as dimension  380 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective end view of the hair coloring tool support stand  300 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a direct end view of receptacle  320  and the foot portion  370  of receptacle  320 . The dotted line within receptacle  320  represents the interior dimensions of receptacle  320 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective top view of the hair coloring tool support stand  300 . As previously mentioned, the width of receptacle  320  is shown in  FIG. 5  as dimension  510 . Also shown in  FIG. 5  is a plan view of a hair coloring tool support structure  520  formed adjacent to a wall of bowl  310  that is adjacent to receptacle  320 . In the advantageous embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  the hair coloring tool support structure  520  comprises a stair structure  520 . Stair structure  520  comprises a plurality of steps  530  that extend in stairstep fashion from the bottom of bowl  310  to the top of bowl  310 . In one advantageous embodiment each of the plurality of steps  530  is a curved step having a center at the central axis of bowl  310 . In one advantageous embodiment the stair structure  520  has the general shape of a circular sector having a center at the central axis of bowl  310  and having as boundaries radii from the central axis of bowl  310  to the edges of the wall of bowl  310  that are adjacent to receptacle  320 .  
         [0046]     It is understood that the concentric structure of stair structure  520  that has been described is merely one example of the geometry of stair structure  520 . Stair structures  520  of other geometric types (e.g., with parallel, non curved steps  530 ) may also be fashioned and used within bowl  310 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of hair coloring tool support stand  300 .  FIG. 6  shows the location of stair structure  520  within bowl  310  of support stand  300  with respect to the location of receptacle  320 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a schematic cross sectional view of the hair coloring tool support stand  300  taken along the line A-A shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary placement of a hair coloring tool  300  within bowl  310  of the hair coloring tool support stand  300  shown in  FIG. 7 . When hair coloring tool  10  is placed within bowl  310  then the side of hair coloring tool  10  rests upon the stair structure  520 . In this manner the stair structure  520  provides support for hair coloring tool  10 .  
         [0049]     The steps  530  of stair structure  520  may also be used to remove excess hair coloring liquid from hair coloring tool  10 . When the user dips the application brush  24  of hair coloring tool  10  into the hair coloring liquid, the user can remove excess portions of the hair coloring liquid by moving the application brush  24  against one or more steps  530  that are located above the surface of the hair coloring liquid in bowl  310 . Because stair structure  520  extends from the bottom of bowl  310  to the top of bowl  310  there will always be some steps  530  that are located above the surface of the hair coloring liquid in bowl  310 . The excess hair coloring liquid that falls on the steps  530  flows back down into the reservoir of hair coloring liquid in the bottom of bowl  310 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary placement of hair coloring tool  10  within receptacle  320  of the hair coloring tool support stand  300  shown in  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the application brush  24  of hair coloring tool  10  rests against the bottom of receptacle  320 .  
         [0051]     The hair coloring tool support stand  300  provides a very useful and efficient support stand for hair coloring tool  10 . The user has the convenience of placing hair coloring tool  10  on the stair structure  520  in bowl  310  (within the hair coloring liquid) or within receptacle  320  (away from the hair coloring liquid). This feature allows the user to better control the amount of hair coloring liquid that is present on hair coloring tool  10  during a hair coloring process.  
         [0052]     It is understood that the hair coloring tool support structure  520  that has been described as a stair structure  520  is merely one example of a possible geometry for hair coloring tool support structure  520 . Other types of hair coloring tool support structures  520  may also be fashioned and used within bowl  310 . For example, hair coloring tool support structure  520  may comprise a ladder structure  520  of the type shown in  FIG. 10 . Ladder structure  520  comprises a plurality of rungs  530  that extend in ladder fashion from the bottom of bowl  310  to the top of bowl  310 . In an alternate embodiment of the invention the plurality of rungs  530  of ladder structure  520  do not extend all the way down to the bottom of bowl  310 . From this example, it is understood that other types of geometry for hair coloring tool support structure  520  may also be employed.  
         [0053]      FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective top view of another advantageous embodiment of a hair coloring tool support stand  1100 . Hair coloring tool support stand  1100  comprises a hair coloring tool support structure  1110  that does not extend down to the bottom of the hair coloring tool support stand  1100 . Hair coloring tool support structure  1110  may be formed as an integral part of the wall of bowl  310  that is adjacent to receptacle  320 . The hair coloring tool support structure  1110  may be used to remove excess hair coloring liquid from hair coloring tool  10  in the manner that has been previously described.  
         [0054]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective side view of another advantageous embodiment a hair coloring tool support stand  1200 . Hair coloring tool support stand  1200  comprises an extended foot portion  1210  that is located beneath the receptacle  320  of the hair coloring tool support stand  1200 . The extended foot portion  1210  provides structural support for the bottom of receptacle  320 . The extended foot portion  1210  also prevents the hair coloring support stand  1200  from tipping over in the direction of the receptacle  320 .  
         [0055]      FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective side view of another advantageous embodiment a hair coloring tool support stand  1300 . Hair coloring tool support stand  1300  comprises a base portion  1310  that is located beneath bowl  310  of the hair coloring support stand  1300 . Base portion  1310  prevents the hair coloring tool support stand  1300  from tipping over in any direction. A layer of non-slip material  1320  (e.g., rubber) may be affixed to the bottom of base portion  1310  in order to prevent the base portion  1310  of hair coloring tool support stand  1300  from sliding when the hair coloring tool support stand  1300  is being used.  
         [0056]     Although the present invention has been described using exemplary embodiments, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.