Abstract:
A two-container dispenser for storing, mixing and dispensing hair dye for touch up applications. The dispenser retains and separates two hair dye components until they are to be mixed immediately prior to application of the dye. The two containers are permanently secured together via a valve assembly. When the valve assembly is in a closed position, the interior chambers and therefore the contents of the containers remain separated. When the valve assembly is opened by rotating one of the containers through 180 degrees, the two interior chambers are in fluid communication and the contents can flow between the containers to form a hair dye mixture. The connections between the first and second containers and the valve assembly are such that all three remain secured together when the valve assembly is moved between the closed and open positions.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    This invention generally relates to hair care products. More particularly, the invention relates to hair dyes. Specifically, the invention relates to a hair dye dispenser that comprises two chambers that are permanently secured to each other via a valve assembly and which permit liquids stored separately in the two chambers to be mixed prior to dispensing by simply rotating one of the chambers relative to the other. 
         [0003]    2. Background Information 
         [0004]    It has become commonplace for people to apply dye to their hair to completely change the color of the hair or to apply highlights thereto in order to improve their overall appearance. This alteration in the color may be done in a salon by trained professionals or by the individual in the comfort of their own home. 
         [0005]    There are a variety of hair coloring systems on the market and the product selected depends on how permanent the color change is to be. Hair products may be semi-permanent, demi-permanent or permanent in nature. Semi-permanent products contain no ammonia and coat the hair with a color. The color tends to wash out of the hair over six to twelve shampoos. Demi-permanent products also contain no ammonia but do contain some peroxide. Consequently, they produce more dramatic color changes than the semi-permanent products and also tend to last longer than semi-permanent products. The demi-permanent dyes typically last between twenty and twenty-five shampoos. Finally, permanent products are used to permanently change the color of the hair or may be applied to only some strands of hair to create highlights. Permanent products permanently change the color of that portion of the hair shaft that is contacted by the product. As such, they cannot be washed out of the hair, the color change has to be “grown out” of the hair. People who have used permanent products on their hair are typically concerned about their roots—, i.e., any new hair that grows after the application of the hair product will be the natural color of the person&#39;s hair. That natural hair color differs from the color of the dyed hair and the overall effect may be aesthetically displeasing. Furthermore, activities such as swimming in chlorinated pools can strip, fade and change the color of the hair. Consequently, the hair has to be dyed again every four to six weeks. However, in the interim, it may be desirable to touch up the hair color and reduce the difference between the roots and the dyed hair or to rejuvenate the color. This may be accomplished through the use of a touch-up coloring system. 
         [0006]    All permanent hair dyes are created by mixing together a solution of a colorant dye that includes ammonia with a developer solution of hydrogen peroxide. Touch-up systems therefore tend to come with a bottle of ammonia-containing colorant and a separate bottle of hydrogen peroxide solution. A small open tray is provided for the mixing of these two chemical solutions. These systems are prone to user spillage and both the dye solution and the peroxide can permanently stain and damage furniture and clothing. Additionally, spilling even a small amount of either liquid will alter the end color of the dye and will therefore affect the outcome. Furthermore, the actual act of applying the dye to the hair by an untrained individual can be a messy and inexact process. 
         [0007]    Several devices have been proposed in the prior art to address these issues. These include the devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,946 issued to Stoeffler et al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,303 issued to Goyet et al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,481 issued to Hundertmark et al and U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,618 issued to Dovergne et al. All of these patents disclose containers that have two separated chambers that store liquids separately and allow them to be mixed immediately prior to application of the same. However, in each device at least one, and sometimes both, of the chambers must be detached from the container, opened and then reconnected in some manner to the other chamber for mixing prior to dispensing of the mixture. While this makes for neat packaging of the liquids and easier mixing of the same, it does not do away with the problems created by the potential for spillage of some of the liquid when the chambers are opened and reconnected. 
         [0008]    There is therefore a need in the art for an improved touch up dispenser for hair dye. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The device of the present invention comprises a two-container dispenser that is adapted to retain and separate two hair dye components until they are to be mixed immediately prior to application of the dye. The dispenser includes a mechanism for allowing transfer of the contents of one container into the other without having to detach either container from the dispenser. The dispenser further allows for mixing of the contents of the two containers and for dispensing the mixed dye from the container by simply rotating one of the containers relative to the other. The dispenser comprises two containers that are substantially permanently connected together via a valve assembly. The dispenser further includes an applicator that is secured to one of the containers and includes a dispensing hole through which the mixture is dispensed. The applicator further includes a plurality of bristles onto which the dispensed dye is fed. A cap is provided to close the dispensing hole and to cover and protect the bristles until the device is in use. The valve assembly is movable between a closed position and an open position by rotating one of the containers through an angle that is sufficient to open the valve assembly. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, second container is rotated through 180 degrees in a counter-clockwise direction. When the valve assembly is in an open position, the two components can be transferred from one container to the other. The dispenser can be shaken to ensure proper mixing of the components without fear of spillage or leakage from the dispenser. The connections between the first and second containers and the valve assembly are such that all three remain secured together when the valve assembly is moved from a closed position to an open position. Furthermore, the rotation of the containers relative to each other and to the valve assembly tears a perforated tamper evident label that is secured about the dispenser. This serves as an indicator to the consumer that the dispenser has been previously handled and that any mixed dye contained therein may have become ineffective. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hair dye dispenser in accordance with the present invention and showing the cap removed therefrom; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2   a  is a top view of the valve body; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the hair dye dispenser; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional front view of the dispenser through line A-A of  FIG. 3  and showing the dispenser in a closed non-dispensing position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of the dispenser through line B-B of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional front view of the dispenser in an open position where the contents of the chambers can be mixed; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional top view of the dispenser through line C-C of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , there is shown a hair dye dispenser in accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at  10 . Dispenser  10  comprises a first container  12 , a second container  14 , an applicator  16 , and a cap  18 . A valve assembly  20  is provided to permanently connect first and second containers  12 ,  14  together. The first container  12  is adapted to retain a first component (not shown) of the hair dye therein. The second container  14  is adapted to retain a second component (not shown) of the hair dye therein. The first and second containers  12 ,  14 , the applicator  18  and valve assembly  20  are permanently fixed together during the stages of separate storage of the first and second components of the hair dye, mixing of the first and second components; and dispensing of the mixed first and second components. At no time are any of the first and second containers  12 ,  14 , the applicator  18  and valve assembly  20  detached from each other to perform any of these steps. 
         [0020]    First container  12  comprises a generally cylindrical body  22  that has a bottom wall  22   a , a cylindrical side wall  22   b  extending outwardly away from bottom wall  22   a , and an upper end  22   c  remote from bottom wall  22   a . Upper end  22   c  is circumferentially narrower than side wall  22   b . Body  22  defines an interior chamber  24  that is adapted to hold the first component (not shown) of the hair dye. Typically, that first component is in liquid form. So, for example, interior chamber  24  may retain a hydrogen peroxide solution therein. The exterior surface of upper end  22   c  is provided with first threads  26  and includes an opening  28  that provides access to interior chamber  24 . First threads  26  preferably are oriented in such a manner that they are counterclockwise. 
         [0021]    Second container  14  also comprises a generally cylindrical body  28 . Body  28  has a side wall  28   a  that surrounds an interior chamber  30 . Body  28  also has an upper end  28   b  and a lower end  28   c , both of which are circumferentially narrower than side wall  28   a . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, lower end  28   c  is substantially the same size as upper end  22   c  of first container  12 . Upper end  28   b  of second container  14  is smaller than both of upper end  28   b  and lower end  28   c . The external surface of upper end  28   b  is provided with second threads  32  and has a first opening  34  therein that provides access to interior chamber  30 . The external surface of lower end  28   c  is provided with third threads  35 . Third threads  35  terminate in a slightly enlarged latch  37 . The purpose of latch  37  will be described later in this specification. Lower end  28   c  includes a second opening  36  into interior chamber  30 . Interior chamber  30  is adapted to hold the second component (not shown) of the hair dye. Again, second component is typically a liquid, such as a liquid colorant dye, but could also be a solid material. 
         [0022]    In accordance with a specific feature of the present invention, valve assembly  20  is disposed between and permanently connected to both of the first and second containers  12 ,  14 . Valve assembly  20  comprises a substantially rigid valve body  38 , a flexible and resiliently compressible gasket  40 , and a rigid valve seat  42 . Valve body  38  and valve seat  42  preferably are manufactured from a substantially rigid plastic material. 
         [0023]    In accordance with a further specific feature of the present invention, valve body  38  is generally tubular in shape and has an external diameter that is substantially the same as the external diameters of side walls  22   b ,  28   a  so that dispenser  10  appears to be a substantially continuous container. Valve body  38  has a central bore  44  that is sized to receive the upper end  22   c  of first container  12  and the lower end  28   c  of second container  14  therein. Valve body  38  is provided with an interior wall  39  that extends across bore  44  and substantially at a right angle to the longitudinal axis “X” ( FIG. 5 ) of dispenser  10 . Interior wall  39  includes an annular lip  41  that extends outwardly away therefrom and is sized to be tightly received within opening  28  when valve assembly  20  is engaged with first container  12 . Interior wall  39  is perforated by a D-shaped aperture  43  ( FIG. 2   a ). The interior surface of valve body  38  is provided with fourth and fifth threads  46 ,  48  ( FIG. 4 ) that are spaced apart from each other. Fourth threads  46  are positioned to engage third threads  35  on lower end  28   c  of second container  28 . Fifth threads  48  are positioned to engage first threads  26  on upper end  22   c  of first container. Interior wall  39  is disposed intermediate fourth and fifth threads  46 ,  48 . The interior surface of valve body  38  further includes a rotation stop mechanism  50  disposed outwardly of fourth threads  46 . Stop mechanism  50  is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 7 . Mechanism  50  comprises two spaced-apart detents  80 ,  82  which are separated from each other by a groove  84 . Detent  80  is shaped so as to present an inner wall  80   a  that is oriented at right angles to the direction of counterclockwise rotation of valve body  38  around longitudinal axis “X”. Inner wall  82   a  of detent  82  is slanted at an angle other than ninety degrees. 
         [0024]    Gasket  40  is manufactured from a flexible, deformable material and includes a D-shaped aperture  40   a  therein. An adhesive layer (not shown) is applied to upper surface  40  of gasket  40  so that it may be secured to valve seat  42 . 
         [0025]    Valve seat  42  has a bottom wall  45  that is sized to be received within bore  44  of valve body  38 . A peripheral wall  47  extends upwardly away from bottom wall  45  a small spaced distance inwardly from the outer edge thereof. Consequently, a small lip  45   a  extends annularly outwardly away from peripheral wall  47 . Peripheral wall  47  is positioned to extend through the second opening  36  in the lower end  28   c  when valve assembly  20  is engaged with second container  14 . When peripheral wall  47  is so received, it tightly abuts the interior surface of the lower end  28   c  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Bottom wall  45  includes a D-shaped aperture  49  that is configured to be substantially identical to the D-shaped apertures  40   a  and  43  in gasket  40  and valve body  38 , respectively. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , applicator  16  comprises a body that has an exterior wall  54  and an interior wall  56  that extend downwardly away from an interior surface of exterior wall  54 . Interior wall  56  is substantially cylindrical in shape and has an opening  57  of a diameter sized to receive upper end  28   b  of second container  14  therein. The interior surface of interior wall  56  is provided with sixth threads  58  that are positioned to engage second threads  32  on upper end  28   b  of second container  14 . Sixth threads  58  are oriented in a counterclockwise direction. 
         [0027]    Exterior wall  54  of applicator  16  has a narrower upper end  54   a  and a wider, lower end  54   b . The diameter of lower end  54   b  is substantially the same as the external diameter of side walls  22   b ,  28   a  of first and second containers  12 ,  14 . The external surface of the lower end  54   b  of exterior wall  54  is provided with seventh threads  64 . A plurality of plastic bristles  60  are secured to and extend outwardly away from upper end  54   a . A small dispensing hole  62  ( FIG. 6 ) is provided in upper end  54   a  in the midst of bristles  60 . 
         [0028]    Cap  18  is designed to detachably be received over applicator  16 . Cap  18  comprises a body that defines a hollow interior chamber  70 . A tapered pin  72  extends downwardly from the interior surface of the top end  18   a  of cap  18 . When cap  18  is attached to dispenser  10 , pin  72  preferably is disposed substantially along the longitudinal axis “X”. Pin  72  is positioned to be received through hole  62  in upper end  54   a  of applicator  16  and is sized to plug the same when so received. The interior surface of cap  18  is also provided with eighth threads  74  that are positioned to engage seventh threads  64  on applicator  16 . 
         [0029]    Dispenser  10  is assembled in the following manner. Valve body  38  is positioned over upper end  22   c  of first container  12  so that fifth threads  48  on valve body  38  threadably engage first threads  26  on first container  12 . First container  12  is at least partially filled with the first liquid component (not shown) of the hair dye, such as a hydrogen peroxide solution. Gasket  40  is adhesively secured to the bottom wall  45  of valve seat  42  in such a manner that D-shaped apertures  40   a  and  49  are aligned with each other. Valve seat  42  and gasket  40  thereby act as a single unit. Valve seat  42  and gasket  40  are then engaged with lower end  28   c  of second container  14 . Peripheral wall  47  of valve seat  42  is inserted into second opening  36  in lower end  28   c  and because the circumference of peripheral wall  47  closely approximates the diameter of second opening  36 , valve seat  42  and gasket  40  become frictionally engaged with second container  14 . Consequently, when second container  14  is rotated, valve seat  42  and gasket  40  travel with it. 
         [0030]    Lower end  28   c  of second container  14 , with engaged valve seat  42  and gasket  40 , is then inserted into central bore  44  of valve body  38 . Second container  14  is secured to valve body  38  by threadably engaging third threads  35  with fourth threads  46 . Third and fourth threads  35 ,  46  are oriented in such a manner that when they are engaged, the first and fifth threads  26 ,  48  do not disengage, but instead become further tightened. Second container  14  is rotated to the point that gasket  40  occludes the D-shaped aperture in valve body  38  ( FIG. 4 .), i.e., to the point that the valve assembly  20  is in the closed position. At this point, the interior chamber  24  of first container  12  is sealed by gasket  40  and is also simultaneously separated from the interior chamber  30  of second container  14 . Second container  14  is then at least partially filled, through first opening  34 , with a second dye component such as a liquid colorant dye (not shown). 
         [0031]    The applicator  16  is then placed over upper end  28   b  of second container  14  so that upper end  28   b  is received into opening  57  ( FIG. 6 ) in interior wall  56 . Second threads  32  on upper end  28   b  are threadably engaged with sixth threads  58  on interior wall  56 . Cap  18  is positioned over applicator  16  so that pin  72  is received through hole  62 . Seventh threads  64  on applicator  16  are threadably engaged with eighth threads  74  on cap  18 . Pin  72  effectively seals second container  14  and prevents any the second component of the hair dye from leaking out of said second container  14 . 
         [0032]    A product label (not shown) preferably is then applied around the exterior surface of at least a portion of the connected first container  12 , valve assembly  20 , second container  14 , and at least a portion of cap  18 . The label preferably is provided with perforations and directions that indicate to the consumer where and how to rotate the relative component parts of dispenser  10 . More specifically, the label will indicate firstly how to rotate the second container  14  so as to open the valve assembly  20  and thereby permit mixing of the first and second liquid components that have been previously separated. The label will secondly indicate how to rotate cap  18  so as to remove it from over applicator  16  and to thereby open hole  62  for dispensing of mixed hair dye therethrough. Because the label rips when the components are rotated relative to each other, it therefore also provides a tamper-evident indicator for the consumer. 
         [0033]    The dispenser  10  is used in the following manner. When purchased by the consumer, the valve assembly  20  is in the closed position shown in  FIGS. 4&amp;5 . This means that apertures  49 ,  40   a  in the combined valve seat  42  and gasket  40  are out of alignment with aperture  43  in valve body  38 . Consequently, gasket  40  separates interior chambers  24 ,  30  from each other and thereby is keeping the first and second components of the hair dye separated from each other. Furthermore, because cap  18  is engaged with applicator  16 , the pin  72  is tightly seated in hole  62  and the contents of second container  14  are retained therein. 
         [0034]    When the consumer wishes to dye their hair, they grasp dispenser  10  and rotate the second chamber  14  through 180 degrees in a counterclockwise direction relative to valve assembly  20  and first container  12 . This is indicated by the arrow “Y” in  FIG. 1 . This counterclockwise rotation through 180 degrees brings the D-shaped apertures  49 ,  40   a  in valve seat  42  and gasket  40 , into alignment with D-shaped aperture  43  in valve body  38 .  FIGS. 2&amp;7  show that dispenser  10  is provided with the stop mechanism  50  that ensures that there is no over-rotation of the second container  14 . Stop mechanism  50  also provides an indicator to the consumer that there is exact alignment of the D-shaped apertures  43 ,  49  and  40   a  and the valve assembly  20  is in the fully open position and first and second interior cavities  24 ,  30  are in fluid communication with each other. Stop mechanism  50  functions as follows. As mentioned previously, the terminal end of the third threads  35  on the lower end  28   c  of second container  28  is slightly enlarged to form a latch  37 . As second container  14  is rotated, latch  37  slides over detent  82  and into groove  84 . First and second containers  12 ,  14  are blow-molded and are flexible in nature. Consequently, latch  37  is able to slide over detent  82  and into groove  84  when the second container is moved in a counter-clockwise direction. Once in groove  84 , latch  37  abuts right angled inner wall  80   a  of detent  80  and no further rotation of the second container  14  in a counter-clockwise direction is possible. Inner wall  82   a  of detent  82  is slanted at an angle other than ninety degrees but still provides sufficient resistance to latch  37  to maintain it within groove  84 . Valve assembly  20  is therefore retained in fully open position unless a force is applied to rotate second container  14  in a clockwise direction. It should be noted that the fifth threads  48  on valve body  38  that engage first threads  26  on first container  12  are oriented so that the counter-clockwise rotation of second container  14  tightens the connection between valve body  38  and first container  12 . It will be understood that because of the arrangement and functioning of the various elements of dispenser  50 , that dispenser  50  grows slightly in overall length when second container  14  is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction. The resiliency of gasket  40  allows it to expand slightly to occupy the space between valve seat  42  and valve body  38  so that no liquids leak from dispenser  10 . 
         [0035]    Dispenser  10  is now in a condition where the contents of interior chambers  24 ,  30  of first and second containers  12 ,  14  can flow in either direction through the aligned apertures  49 ,  43  and  40   a . The consumer then shakes dispenser  10  vigorously to mix the first and second hair dye components. Directions printed on the label will instruct the consumer how long to shake dispenser  10  to ensure proper mixing of the first and second components. Once dispenser  10  has been shaken for the required amount of time, the consumer grasps dispenser  10  in such a manner as to rotate cap  18  in a counter-clockwise direction. This rotation causes eighth threads  74  to disengage from seventh threads  64 , releasing the cap  18  from applicator  16 . As cap  18  is removed from applicator  16 , pin  72  is withdrawn from hole  62 . The dispenser  10  may then be inverted and mixed hair dye flows out of hole  62  and onto bristles  60 . The dye may thereby be transferred onto strands of the consumer&#39;s hair as the bristles  60  are engaged therewith. 
         [0036]    The cap  18  may be threadably engaged with applicator  16  to seal off second container  14  and prevent any further dispensing of mixed dye therefrom. 
         [0037]    It has been disclosed, in this specification, that first and second threads  26 ,  32  are oriented in a counter-clockwise direction and that rotating second container  14  and cap  18  in a counter-clockwise direction simply tightens the engagement of first container  12  with valve body  38  and applicator  16  with second container  14 . It will, however, be understood that first and second threads  26 ,  32  could instead be oriented in a clockwise direction and second container  14  and cap  18  could be rotated in a clockwise relative to valve body  20  and applicator  16  respectively without departing from the spirit of the present invention, although this arrangement of components would not be conventional. 
         [0038]    It will also be understood that while stop mechanism  50  is provided on valve body  38  and latch  37  is provided on second container  14 ; the stop mechanism could, alternatively, be provided on the second container  14  and the latch provided on the valve body  38  without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
         [0039]    In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
         [0040]    Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.