Patent Application
20220256991
The technical field generally relates to devices and methods for applying cosmetic agents to hair, and in particular to devices and methods for coloring hair.
Balayage is a coloring technique that was developed in France the 1970s. Balayage is a freehand technique in which the colorist applies the color agent or lightener by hand rather than by using the traditional foiling or cap highlighting techniques. In the balayage process, a portion of hair is lifted and a backing board is positioned between the selected portion of hair and the rest of the head. The colorist then “paints” the portion of hair by applying the brush at a selected location, such as near the scalp, and sweeping the brush downward toward the end of the portion of hair. As a result, the colorist may selectively color portions of hair while, within the colored portions, the intensity of coloring may gradually increase from the root to the end. Thus, the balayage process results in a natural look of sun-kissed hair.
While the balayage technique provides the colorist freedom in expressing creativity and individual technique, the process of applying the color agent or lightener can be time consuming as well as physically tedious.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide devices for facilitating the application of cosmetic agents, such as color agents or lighteners, to hair. Further, it is desirable to provide methods for applying cosmetic agents, such as color agents or lighteners, to hair that reduce application time and that reduce actions by the colorist. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.
Cosmetic application products, heated palettes, and methods for applying cosmetic agents to hair are provided. An embodiment of a cosmetic application product includes a palette having a heated body portion, a heating element powered by an internal power source, a handle, and a charging element electrically connected to the internal power source. Further, the cosmetic application product includes a charging base formed with a recess for receiving the handle of the palette, including an electrical plug configured to receive power from an external power source, and including a charge connector configured to transmit power to the charging element of the palette.
In another embodiment, a heated palette for applying a cosmetic agent to hair is provided. The exemplary palette includes a handle and a body portion having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the body portion is connected to the handle. The exemplary palette further includes a conductive heating element located in the body portion.
In still another embodiment, a method for applying a cosmetic agent to hair is provided. The method includes positioning a palette adjacent to a selected portion of hair. The method further includes pushing the cosmetic agent and the selected portion of hair against the palette with an instrument. Also, the method includes heating the cosmetic agent with a heating element located in the palette.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The various embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:
The following detailed description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the embodiments of the subject matter or the application and uses of such embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.
Techniques and technologies may be described herein in terms of functional and/or logical block components, and with reference to symbolic representations of operations, processing tasks, and functions that may be performed by various computing components or devices.
Embodiments described in detail below include devices and methods for applying cosmetic agents to hair. While the process referred to as “balayage” is of interest and may be referred to specifically, the devices and methods described herein are not intended to be limited to use with balayage techniques. Further, while color agents or lighteners are specifically discussed and described, it is not intended that the cosmetic agent applied to the hair is limited to color agents or lighteners.
The balayage coloring technique requires for lightener to process at ambient or room temperature. When applying lightener at the nape of the neck and working up, the layers of hair on top of one another create a type of insulation that insulates the bottom portion of the hair and uses the natural body temperature to process. Unfortunately, the top portion of the hair less insulated and is exposed to cooler open air. Thus, the top portion of hair may undergo a slower lightening process. As a result, the top portion does not lighten as much as the bottom portion. While heat sources, such as a hooded dryer, may be used to heat the top portion to accelerate the lightening process, this causes other areas, such as the warmer bottom portion of the hair, to receive unnecessary heat. Even worse, heat sources like hooded dryers cause the lightener to dry out. When the lightener dries out, the lightening processing stops.
Herein, device and methods are described which allow for heat to be applied to the color agent before application and/or to the hair and the color agent during application of the color agent to the hair. Specifically, as described herein, a heating element is located in a palette that is held by the colorist during the coloring process. The application of heat to the hair can be performed as the colorist pushes an instrument, such as a brush, against the hair and into contact with the palette. As a result, the color agent can be heated during application and in a targeted manner to ensure an even end result. As described herein, the selectively heated palette allows the colorist to apply heat when needed and to use the heating element to mimic natural body heat.
Referring to
The exemplary embodiment of the palette 20 has an increased thickness near the side edges 45 and 46 and a substantially flat rigid surface region 47 therebetween. As shown, two spaced apart openings 51 and 52 are formed in each side edge 45 and 46. Further, as shown in
As shown in
While the heating element is located under the front surface 41 and within the body portion 24 of the palette 20, it is shown in
The heating element 70 is intended to mimic body heat, and the palette 20 is intended to be handled by the colorist without risk of injury from heat. Therefore, when the heating element 70 is activated the application temperature, i.e., the temperature at the front surface 41 of the palette 20 should be less than about 135° F. For example, the application temperature may be less than about 130° F., such as less than about 125° F., for example less than about 120° F. In certain embodiments, the application temperature may be less than about 115° F., such as less than about 110° F., for example less than about 105° F. or less than about 100° F.
On the other hand, the application temperature should be high enough to increase the activity of the color agent. For example, the application temperature may be greater than about 85° F., such as greater than about 90° F., for example greater than about 95° F., or greater than about 100° F. In certain embodiments, the application temperature may be greater than about 105° F., such as greater than about 110° F., for example greater than about 115° F., or greater than about 120° F.
The balayage palette 20 may further include on the handle 22 a control mechanism 90, such as an on/off button, and indicators 92, such as lights that indicate whether the power is on, whether recharging is necessary, whether the balayage palette 20 is currently recharging, or other desired information.
All of the electronic components of the balayage palette 20 may be electrically connected, directly or indirectly, to a printed control board 84 for controlling the heating operation. In order to avoid unintended powering off of the heating element 70, the control mechanism 90, i.e., on/off button, may be configured with a delay. For example, in certain embodiment the control mechanism must be depressed for a selected duration of time, such as three seconds, before the heating element 70 is turned off.
Referring now to
In order to facilitate use of the palette 20, the shape of the recess 32 in the charging base 30 is formed so that the palette 20 need only be set down generally over the charging base 30. More specifically, the charging base 30 guides the handle 22 of the palette 20 into proper alignment within the recess 32 under the force of gravity so that the charging element 82 of the palette 20 contacts the charge connector 34 in a charging configuration, as is shown in
Referring to
The method continues at action block 108 with grasping a selected portion of hair to treat. Then, at action block 110, the palette is positioned adjacent to the selected portion of hair. The instrument, e.g., brush, is then dipped into the cosmetic agent at action block 112.
Application of the cosmetic agent to the hair occurs at action block 114 in which the cosmetic agent is brushed against the selected portion of hair and the palette. Further, the method 100 includes heating the cosmetic agent and the selected portion of hair with heat from the heating element of the palette at action block 116, during and after brushing the selected portion of hair against the cosmetic agent and palette. Process steps 108-116 may be repeated as desired.
The method continues with grasping a selected portion of hair at action block 210 and positioning the palette adjacent the selected portion of hair at action block 212. At action block 214, the method includes brushing the selected portion of hair against the cosmetic agent and palette. The heating element of the palette may heat the cosmetic agent and selected portion of hair at action block 216, during and after brushing the selected portion of hair against the cosmetic agent and palette. Again, selected steps may be repeated as desired to obtain the desired effect.
Through the use of heat, the time required to provide the desired effect is greatly reduced as compared to conventional techniques. Further, greater uniformity is achieved as each portion of hair may be selectively heated, through contact with the heated palette. Also, as conductive heat is used, the color agent does not dry as quickly as when heated air is blown over the hair.
As described, the device provides for convenient one-handed use by the colorist. The reservoir may be selectively located at the desired side of the palette, the on/off button is located at the handle and includes a delay to avoid inadvertent activation or deactivation, and the charging base provides for gravity-assisted automatic electric contact with the palette.
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims.
