Patent Publication Number: US-2015083152-A1

Title: Hair coloring dispensing device and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/960,534, filed Sep. 21, 2013. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus and method which allow for a precise, quick and easy application of hair highlighting and coloring and other chemical compositions on hair. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Coloring hair has long been considered fashionable. Through a variety of devices and compositions, hair may be dyed, colored, highlighted, low-lighted, or the like. In some instances, an entire body of hair, for example all hair on a scalp, may be colored. In other instances, targeted strands or groups may be colored. Hair coloring is often a time and labor intensive process, requiring a great amount of skill. As such, hair coloring can be costly. Therefore, there exists a significant need for a device, method or combination thereof for reducing the time and skill required to color hair. 
     SUMMARY 
     A hair coloring system comprising a handle, the handle comprising: a first handle portion having a first end and a second end; a second handle portion having a first end and a second end; wherein the first handle portion first end is hingedly coupled to the second handle portion first end; wherein the handle is moveable between an open position, where the first handle portion and second handle portion are spaced apart, and a closed position, where the first handle portion and second handle portion are adjacent to one another; a first extension coupled to the first handle second end; a second extension coupled to the second handle second end; and a sling extending between the first extension and second extension. 
     A hair coloring system comprising: a handle, the handle comprising a first handle portion hingedly coupled to a second handle portion, the handle moveable between an open position, where the first handle portion and second handle portion are spaced apart, and a closed position, where the first handle portion and second handle portion are adjacent to one another; a dispensing portion comprising: a first arm releasably coupled to the first handle portion; a first extension coupled to the first arm; a second arm releasably coupled to the second handle portion; and a second extension coupled to the second arm; and a sling extending between the first arm and second arm. 
     A method for coloring hair comprising: providing a first arm and a second arm and a sling extending between the first arm and second arm; dispensing coloring atop the sling; placing hair atop the sling; and moving the first arm adjacent to the second arm so as to press the hair into the coloring. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hair coloring dispensing system in a holder; 
         FIG. 2  is perspective view of the hair coloring dispensing system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the dispensing portion of the hair coloring dispensing system of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the hair coloring dispensing system with the handle in an open position; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the hair coloring dispensing system with the extensions in a stowed position; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the hair coloring dispensing system with the handle in a closed position; and 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of an edging pallet. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-6 , an illustrative hair coloring dispensing device or system  100  is shown. The dispensing device generally includes a handle  102  and a dispensing portion  104 . The handle  102  includes a first handle portion  106  and a second handle portion  108  hingedly coupled together. The first and second handle portions include respective first ends  103 ,  105 , which are hingedly coupled together, and second ends  107 ,  109 . The first and second handle portions  106 ,  108  are selectively movable between an open position (see e.g.  FIG. 4 ), where the handle portions  106 ,  108  are spaced apart, and a closed position (see e.g.  FIG. 6 ), where the handle portions  106 ,  108  are adjacent to one another. As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the handle portions  106 ,  108  are moved in the direction of the arrows  110  in order to move the handle portions  106 ,  108  from the open position to the closed position. 
     The handle  102  may include a resilient member  112  affixed between the handle portions  106 ,  108  and configured to bias the handle portions  106 ,  108  in the open position. The resilient member  112  may be any suitable device for biasing the handle portions  106 ,  108 . For example, the resilient member may be a compression spring, an elastomeric member, or any other suitable device, combination of devices, means or technique for biasing the handle portions  106 ,  108  in the open position. 
     Further, as will be discussed in greater detail below, each handle portion  106 ,  108  may include an opening  114  for receiving a portion  120  of corresponding insert arm  116  of the dispensing portion  104 . While the illustrative embodiment shows the handle  102  in releasable engagement with the dispensing portion  104 , it will be appreciated that the openings  114  in the handle  102  may be adapted to receive any suitable appliance(s) or tool(s) for use in hair styling and, as such, the handle  102  may be used in a plurality of suitable styling operations or techniques and is not solely limited for use in hair coloring. In one non-limiting example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , an edging pallet  200  may be used in one or both handle portions  106 ,  108 . The insert arm  218 , distal end  222 , and tabs  223  may be similar to those illustrated with respect to the dispensing portion  104  of  FIGS. 6-9 . Other non-limiting examples of tools or appliances that may be used similarly include comb, brush, etc. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-6 , the dispensing portion  104  includes a first insert arm  116  and a second insert arm  118 . The distal ends  120 ,  122  of each insert arm  116 ,  118  are adapted to be releasably received by a corresponding opening  114  of the handle  102 . While the distal ends  120 ,  122  are illustrated generally as including tabs  123  that are releasably received by corresponding apertures  124  in the handle  102 , it will be appreciated that the dispensing portion  104  may be releasably coupled to the handle  102  via any suitable means, technique, device or combination of devices and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, and without limitation, the dispensing device may be coupled to to the handle by magnets, Velcro®, any suitable mechanical device or devices, any suitable cooperating configurations on the handle portions and dispensing portion  104 , or by way of any suitable means. Therefore, it will be understood that the scope of the present disclosure is in no way limited to such tabs  123  and apertures  124  and that any suitable means for releasably coupling the dispensing portion  104  to the handle  102  is expressly contemplated and considered within the scope of the present disclosure. In an alternative embodiment, each handle portion  106 ,  108  is rigidly coupled to a corresponding insert arm  116 ,  118  or otherwise integral with the first and second extensions  126 ,  128 . In yet another alternative, the first and second extensions  126 ,  128  are hingedly coupled to a corresponding handle portion  106 ,  108 . 
     As used herein, the term “coupled” includes coupling via a separate object and includes direct coupling. The term “coupled” also encompasses two or more components that are continuous with one another by virtue of each of the components being formed from the same piece of material. Also, the term “coupled” may include chemical, such as via a chemical bond, mechanical, thermal, magnetic, or electrical coupling. Also, unless otherwise provided, “coupled” includes both permanent coupling as well as selectively releasable coupling. Further, as used herein, color or coloring refers to any suitable compound for changing or otherwise altering the color of hair, including, but not limited to dyes, coloring, bleaches or any other such compound. 
     Each insert arm  116 ,  118  includes an extension  126  (first extension),  128  (second extension) coupled thereto. Each extension  126 ,  128  may include a compression plate  148 ,  149 . In one embodiment, each extension  126 ,  128  is hingedly coupled to a corresponding insert arm  116 ,  118  such that each extension  126 ,  128  may be moved between a working position (e.g.  FIG. 2 ), where the extensions  126 ,  128  extend generally perpendicular, or at any other suitable angle, from the insert arms  116 ,  118 , and a stowed position, where the extensions  126 ,  128  are rotated in the direction of the arrows  130  in  FIG. 3  such that each extension  126 ,  128  is adjacent to and generally parallel with a corresponding insert arm  116 ,  118  (e.g.  FIG. 5 ). In an alternative embodiment, each extension  126 ,  128  may be rigidly coupled to a corresponding insert arm  116 ,  118  and/or corresponding handle portion  106 ,  108  such that the extensions  126 ,  128  remain in a working position. Alternatively, each extension  126 ,  128  may be hingedly coupled to a corresponding handle portion  106 ,  108 . 
     A sling  132  extends between the extensions  126 ,  128  and is coupled thereto. The sling  132  is adapted to receive and apply hair coloring to hair. The sling  132  may be formed from any suitable material capable of receiving and applying hair coloring to hair. In one embodiment, the sling  132  is formed from a non-absorbent material. In one embodiment, the sling  132  is formed from a vinyl coated non-woven fiber sheeting. In one embodiment, the sling  132  is formed from an absorbent material. In one embodiment, the sling  132  is formed from a flexible material such that the sling  132  may fold between the extensions  126 ,  128  when the handle  102  is moved from an open position to a closed position. Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the sling  132  may include one or more markings  134  thereon so that the amount of hair color dispensed on the sling  132  may be measured. 
     In one embodiment, a liner  142  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) may be placed atop the sling  132  prior to color being disposed atop the sling  132 ; in this embodiment, the coloring is disposed on the liner  142  and coloring and liner  142  are both applied to the hair. The liner  142  may include a body  144  and one or more tabs  146  so that the liner  142  may be releasably coupled to the sling  132  and such that the liner  142  may be selectively released from the sling  132  whereby the liner  142  may remain with the hair receiving the color. The liner may be formed from a foil, paper, or any combination thereof. However, it will be appreciated that a liner  142  may not be used and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Also, as best shown in  FIG. 1 , the device  100  may be received and maintained in a holder  136 . In one embodiment, the holder  136  is generally frustoconical in shape with an aperture  238  for receiving the handle  102 . The aperture  238  may be adapted to hold the handle  102  in the open or closed position. It will be appreciated that any suitable device may be employed for storing the device  100  and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. It will further be appreciated that a holder is optional and a device  100  without a holder is considered within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     In use, hair coloring is dispensed atop the sling  132  or a liner  142  coupled to the sling  132 . Hair for receiving the coloring is then disposed atop the sling  132  or liner  142 . In one embodiment, the handle  102  is closest to the scalp when the hair is disposed atop the sling  132  or liner  142 . Also, the hair disposed atop the sling  132  or liner  142  is preferably generally parallel with the extensions  126 ,  128 , or, stated differently, if the sling  132  and/or liner  142  includes a crease  240 , generally parallel with the crease  240 . It will be appreciated that the sling  132  and/or liner  142  may or may not include such a crease  240 . 
     The handle  102  is then moved from the open position to the closed position by moving the handle portions  106 ,  108  towards one another. As the handle  102  is moved towards the closed position, the device  102  is simultaneously moved away from the scalp such that coloring is applied along the length of the hair atop the sling  132  and/or such that the liner  142  is released from the sling  132 . Once coloring and/or the liner  142  has been applied along the desired length of hair (either the entire length or less than the entire length), the handle  102  may be moved to the open position by releasing the amount of force applied to move the handle  102  to the closed position and such that the resilient member  112  is capable of moving the handle  102  to the open position. 
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.