I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to hair salons, hair styling, and hair coloring. More particularly, the present invention relates to equipment that can be used by either colorists or home consumers during the styling and coloring of hair.
II. Description of the Prior Art
The complexity and time consuming nature of modern hair coloring techniques are well recognized. Those skilled in the hair dressing arts will recognize the fact that, to minimize time and ease the amount of hand movement required during a session, the colorist should have a plurality of tools handy and readily accessible. Such tools must often be grasped by the applicator while his or her hands are covered with chemical dyes and treatments, complicating the handling of various implements used during treatment.
Typically, the hair colorist must locate and manipulate a suitable applicator brush for applying color, lightener or other chemicals. Often a probe-like pick is used substantially contemporaneously for sectioning and weaving. U.S. Pat. No. D648,072 issued Nov. 1, 2011 shows various hair styling tool apparatus for mounting on ones fingers.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,960,155 issued Jun. 1, 1976 discloses a hair styling device with finger coverings of semi-rigid material carried on adjacent fingers of the hand of a barber. During styling, hair is drawn through the gap defined between the two finger coverings.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,914 issued Aug. 30, 1988 discloses a hairdresser's glove having elongated, flexible and resilient comb teeth on the front of the fingers. The glove may optionally have provisions for discharging air into the hair at different locations along the fingers and thumb of the glove.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,020,898 issued Apr. 4, 2006 shows a glove with enclosures for the thumb and fingers that mounts a plurality of elements, such as bristles. The elements are attached by heat sealing to the hand enclosure and may be used for a variety of applications, such as tooth brushing, cleaning, polishing, massaging and the like. The article may be constructed as a glove, mitten, an enclosure with an extension, or a hand covering with no receptacles for fingers or thumb.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,15 issued Feb. 20, 2001 discloses a thermal styling glove used for all types of styling to minimize burning of the thumb, the first finger, the palm side the back side, and the web portions of the uncovered fingers that hold the hair that is being styled. The glove covers the thumb, the first finger, the palm side, the back side, and the web portions, while the middle finger, the ring finger and the pinkie fingers are uncovered, allowing these fingers to be in contact with the hair. The glove is particularly suitable for cosmetologist, beauticians, and hair stylist or by those who thermal style their own hair. It is worn on the hand not holding the thermal styling tool.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,346,955 issued Mar. 25, 2008 shows a glove for use with hair care products. A user's hand can be inserted into a cavity. A flexible strip preferably cut into fringes and flaps, is provided.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,245,715 issued Aug. 21, 2012 discloses a protective glove for hairstylists including a first finger and a second finger for adjacent fingers of a hand, a thermal shield located at least along an inner section of the first and second fingers, and a combing system including comb teeth located along the inner section of the first finger.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,479,748 issued Jul. 9, 2013 discloses a hair styling accessory using panels and attachment structures that enables each panel to be brought into and maintained in a tubular form, a connecting part that connects the panels together, and at least one hair styling implement or attachment, each arranged in connection with one of the panels. For use, the panels are brought into and maintained in their tubular form and arranged around a respective one of a pair of adjacent fingers of a user. The user can then pass hair between the panels while the implement interacts with the hair. If the accessory is used in conjunction with ironing hair, then the panels include thermally insulative material to prevent heat transfer from the hot hair to the user's fingers.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,479,749 issued Jul. 9, 2013 discloses a hair debraider comprising a cylinder placed over fingers or thumbs of the stylist. The device mounts a pick sticking upwardly from the finger, a mini comb, and a brush adjacent ends of the pick. The pick is pushed into the center of the braid and will break the braid apart. The comb or brush is used to straighten the hair as the pick breaks the braid apart.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,505,550 issued Aug. 13, 2013 shows a hair grooming tool having a pick extending therefrom and a light source. The housing is attached to a finger hair stabilizer. A user inserts one of his or her fingers in the finger hair stabilizer when the hair grooming tool is used.
U.S. Pat. Application No. 20040261810 published Dec. 30, 2004 shows a hair styling apparatus and method for styling a person's hair using a glove worn on a person's hand that can be used to produce curly or straight hair. The glove can be used to curl hair in a fist closing-type motion while hot drying air is applied. Hair may also be curled around the fingers, or the fingers may be used to put tension on hair to straighten it.
U.S. Pat. Application No. 20060090771 published May 4, 2006 discloses a hair styling tool with at least one applicator element configured to be received between two consecutive digits of a hand. The applicator element may be configured to enable substances to be applied to a lock of hair extending between the digits. The device may also include at least one holding portion configured to enable the device to be held on the hand of the user.
U.S. Pat. Application No. 20060218696 published Oct. 5, 2006 shows a selectively adjustable glove with a removable attachment. A glove has a base portion attached to it, with a zipper pad attached to the base portion. An attachment, which can be a hair brush, is removably attached to the zipper pad.
U.S. Pat. Application No. 20100269845 published Oct. 28, 2010 depicts hair styling devices for curling and/or styling hair. In one embodiment, the hair styling device includes a glove with a cylinder positioned in a palm region of the glove. The glove may curl hair by wrapping a length of hair around the cylinder. The hair may be curled by providing heated air (i.e., via a blow drier) onto the hair and cylinder, which may heat up so as to impart heat on the hair.
U.S. Pat. Application No. 20110257474 published Oct. 20, 2011 discloses a stylist glove used for applying of colognes, perfumes and flavors to the exterior or interior of the human body. The glove has a flexible sleeve including one or more finger sections, a thumb section, and protuberances attached on at least one of the finger sections or the thumb section.
U.S. Pat. Application No. 20130000655 published Jan. 3, 2013 shows a “Ninja Pick Device” comprising a glove, a detachable pick, and a detachable finger strap. The device adds flexibility to hair grooming processes.
U.S. Pat. Application No. 20130000656 published Jan. 3, 2013 discloses a multi-task hair grooming pick attached to a glove worn by the user for diverse hair grooming procedures such as combing, parting, flipping, braiding, or separating. The hair pick is detachable; so many different varieties of hair picks may be utilized with this invention. The hair grooming device also provides illumination from an attachable light source.
I have found it desirable to simplify the usage and organization of such tools used in cosmetology.
It is desirable to provide a single glove that puts the brush and pick tools all together as one connected item. It saves time and works better as a single tool, streamlining the former process of serially locating, grasping, manipulating, and then re-sorting the various colorist hand tools, such as the brush and pick described above.
This invention provides a colorist's tool or applicator glove that comfortably fits upon a chosen hand. The glove supports a plurality of tools, preferably two, which may be removably connected at the ends of various finger sheathes of the glove. The glove body performs multiple functions, including the protection of the applicators hand from chemical dye treatments, and the semi-permanent locating of critical, colorant applicator and hair manipulation tools proximate the hands. The three main embodiments of the new glove comprise a preferred “half finger” sheathed version, a fully sheathed version, and a third arrangement with no middle finger sheathe or thumb sheath at all.
Preferably the applicator glove supports a removable colorists brush on the forefinger sheath. The brush is thus accessible continuously during coloring, and it may easily be manipulated and used for applying color. Concomitantly, it may be easily moved out of the way when necessary. It can be removed completely for replacement, cleaning and the like, through a snap fit connection joining the brush to the glove.
Concurrently a projecting, probe-like pick or comb element is attached to and projects away from the glove's little finger sheath. Hereinafter referred to as “the pick”, this structure may preferably be affixed to the finger sheath, or it may be removably coupled to the finger for varying its properties, such as size, length and weight. The pick can be used when desired in a variety of hair manipulations, such as separating, weaving. layering and the like. Again, when the pick is not being used, it may remain attached to the glove where it is readily available at a moments notice. The colorist need not replace and reposition the pick, and then try and relocate it, during the several times during normal color treatment where picks are repeatedly used off and on.
Preferably the comb and pick are mechanically mounted to the glove with resilient finger sleeves positioned within appropriate glove finger sheathes. The sleeves snugly engage the user's fingers, which are firmly inserted. Preferably the pick is fixedly attached to its sleeve, and the pick and its sleeve may comprise a single integral part.
Preferably the brush is removably snap fitted by a quick connect/disconnect connection to its sleeve. The connection is formed by a receptacle formed on the sleeve, which is engaged by an arcuate, bendable snap fitting on the brush base. In an alternative embodiment the pick may be similarly removably coupled to the glove with a quick connect/disconnect connection similar to the brush arrangement.
Thus a basic object is to simplify the job of coloring hair.
A related object is to simplify the job oh hair colorists.
Another fundamental object is to make the colorists job easier, safer, quicker, and more artistic.
A further object is to provide a tool of the character described that enables a colorist to minimize their movements while working with a customer.
A related object is to avoid the use of separate, individual tools, and to replace them with a single integrated unit.
Another object is to minimize the dropping or misplacing of brushes or picks.
Another important object is to speed up the hair coloring process.
A basic object is to provide high quality hair coloring treatments in a reasonable time.
It is also an object to provide a hair coloring tool of the character described that may be used by home consumers, or “do it yourselfers.”
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent in the course of the following descriptive sections.
In the following photographs, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views:
With joint reference now directed initially to
Glove 30 is a tool used primarily by hair colorists, artists, or home consumer “do it yourselfers” to apply colorant or lightener on hair as the tool is needed. In the best mode, a brush and separating pick are concurrently attached to the singular glove structure. The water proof and durable glove 30 may be made from a combination of nitrile, plastic, Spandex-brand, Lycra-brand fabrics and/or neoprene or leather depending on the quality of fabric desired. Each glove may also comprise either a Velcro-brand closure, a button or zipper used for fastening and securing the glove to the hand. A Lycra/Spandex wristband eases glove application or removal, as well as securing the glove during use.
The body of the glove 30 has a lower wrist section 32 integral with a midsection 34 that overlies most of the wearer's upper hand. Wrist section 32 may be tightened when being worn by conventional Velcro-brand-equipped trips 35 for adjustable closing. Additionally a zipper may be provided. The glove midsection 34 is integral with a thumb sheath 36 that substantially shrouds the thumb 37 (
Importantly, glove 30 supports and carries a colorant applicator brush 50 and a spaced-apart “rat tail” pick 52. The brush is used to apply colorant, dye or bleach etc. to the hair by “painting” it on. The pick is used as a separating comb or probe for manipulating strands of hair during the color application process. The latter instruments may be permanently attached to the glove 30, or one or both of them may be removable from the glove 30 so that a variety of differently sized brushes and picks may be easily attached as desired. Both project from the glove sheath ends towards the hair to be colored. In all embodiments herein the brush is spaced-apart from and generally parallel with the pick.
The colorant applicator brush 50 projects from sheath 44. As best viewed in
Brush base 56 snap fits to a complementary finger sleeve 64 (
Although the snap fit arrangement 54 as aforedescribed is preferred, the brush (or pick) may be removably coupled to the glove 30 through a variety of other structure. For example, a ball and socket connection could be established. A threaded shaft projecting from either the brush 50 or the finger sleeve 64 could be threadably received by a suitable threaded aperture or nut. A variety of other fittings such as complementary magnets could be used. Thus, interchangeable brushes of varying sizes and shapes and bristle configurations may be releasably coupled to the glove 30, so the user's index finger will have a detachable series of paint brushes of diverse configurations for varying needs and applications.
For example, an angled brush may be used for single line painting, or double brushes may be employed for blurring the color. A brush with heavier or wider bristles may be used to apply larger amounts of product to the regrowth and/or mid shafts and hair ends. A blur brush may be used to blur the lines between two different colors being applied to the same section of hair. A balayage or hand painting brush where finer lines and more controlled application of color/lightener is desired may be substituted as well.
In
In
With joint reference now directed to
In
An “open” embodiment of the glove has been generally designated by the reference numeral 150 in
Importantly, glove 150 comprises an elongated, somewhat rectangular clearance orifice 166 defined in the glove body between the finger sheathes 156 and 160. This allows the users middle finger and ring finger to protrude form the glove 150 during use with minimal obstruction and minimal contact with the glove body. The latter structure thus facilitates easy manipulation of the middle and ring fingers, as well as the thumb, during coloring.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
This utility conversion application is based upon and claims priority from previously filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 62/158,256, filed May 7, 2015 and entitled “Colorist Blending Glove” by inventor Bradley C. Dixon (American Citizen).
Number | Date | Country | |
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62158256 | May 2015 | US |