Device for gathering and containment of hair setting solutions

Abstract

A device for capturing and containing hair setting solution running off of hair rollers having an elongated hollow cylindrical body with a plug at an end thereof, an upwardly curved flat portion to fit the underside of a hair roller, a left and right upwardly curved side to fit around the left and right ends of a hair roller, and a depression located centrally along the device for channeling runoff solution into the elongated hollow cylindrical body.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for gathering and containing chemical hair solutions. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device comprising an elongated hollow cylindrical body having a plug affixed at an end thereof, the opposite (non-plug) end of the handle flaring outwardly in a curved fashion and being provided with an upwardly curved edge designed to correspond with the underside of a hair roller and raised portions on either end thereof which curve in an upward manner, the curved portion tapering in a downward fashion from the topmost rounded edge and curving inwardly to form a funnel-like shape, which funnel-like shape continues downwardly to form a hollow cylindrical body.

[0003] The present invention is designed for use by beauticians during the process of creating the “permanent” or “permanent wave” hairstyle. When a patron desires to have a permanent wave procedure, the patron's hair is divided into small sections which are then rolled tightly onto plastic hair rollers. Once all the hair rollers are firmly in place, a chemical solution is applied individually to each roller to destroy bonds within the hair follicles, permitting the hair to take on a new structure conforming to the rolled position. This chemical solution frequently runs down the head of the patron and is captured by a cotton band which is applied around the face and scalp perimeter of the patron prior to application of the chemicals. However, this cotton band is not always successful in capturing all of the chemical “runoff” and, consequently, the patron may be burned by the chemicals when the facial area or neck area is contacted. The present invention is intended to prevent chemical burns by capturing the chemical runoff upon application to each individual hair roller, such that excess chemical solution will run down from the topmost rounded edge, through the funnel-like portion, and into the handle of the device, where it will be captured and held until such time as the beautician pours it into a receptacle.

[0004] 2. The Prior Art

[0005] There are a number of patents that relate to devices for catching liquids involved in hair care of some type. However, these devices involve attachment to a patron's head in the form of a visor or wrap-around device to prevent runoff solution from contacting the patron's face which may result in a chemical burn. It is believed to be novel to provide a device for capturing the runoff solution before it contacts a patron's scalp, thereby preventing runoff and subsequent chemical burns. A preliminary patentability search was conducted on this invention and the following listed references were uncovered in the search:

[0006] Publication No. U.S. 2002/0,129,831 A1 to Kelly, published Sep. 19, 2002;

	Patent No.	Name	Date
	2,182,464	Blackstone	Jul. 19, 1938
	6,412,842 B1	Winston	Jul. 2, 2002
	6,279,781 B1	Konar	Aug. 28, 2001
	5,940,885	Matthews	Aug. 24, 1999
	5,655,551	Knight	Aug. 12, 1997
	5,023,963	Vogel	Jun. 18, 1991
	4 872,594	Bloom	Oct. 10, 1989
	4,481,680	Mason, et al.	Nov. 13, 1984
	4,091,599	Lemieux	May 30, 1978
	3,731,325	Guarrasi	May 8, 1973
	2,451,653	Bazelon	Oct. 19, 1948
	Des. 389,498	Larson	Jan. 20, 1998
	Des. 303,040	Paone	Aug. 29, 1989
	Des. 301,930	Cantu	Jun. 27, 1989
	Des. 111,961	Farber	Nov. 1, 1938

[0007] The above references relating to hair care devices are not considered to be particularly pertinent to the present invention. The above references also include a number of patents which are somewhat similar in shape to the present invention but which do not relate to hair care whatsoever. Rather, they are designed for use in coin packaging.

[0008] Blackstone U.S. Pat. No. 2,182,464 shows a device for packaging loose coins into a wrapper by means of a funnel-shaped trough with a flat bottom portion attached to an elliptical handle having an open end thereon. The open end and the angle of that end are critical to this disclosure to permit the coins to enter at an angle to ease the process of getting the coins fitted into the wrapper.

[0009] The present invention comprises a funnel-shaped trough having a channel therein, which channel slopes both downwardly and inwardly so as to come to a point at the center thereof at about the same point where the handle of the device begins to take shape. The handle is cylindrical in shape, rather than the elliptical shape set forth in Blackstone, for the comfort of a beautician who uses the device. Finally, the present invention has a closed end to the handle so that the solution is contained inside the handle until the beautician pours it into a receptacle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention comprises an elongated hollow cylindrical body having a plug affixed at an end thereof, an opposite (non-plug) end of the handle expanding outwardly in a curved fashion to engage the lower portion of a hair roller such as would be used for giving permanent waves, the curved upper portion of the device having a rounded edge which corresponds with the underside of a rounded hair roller and having raised portions on either end thereof which curve in an upward manner around the outer edges of a hair roller such that the curved upper portion of the device will fully cover the underside of a hair roller when the hair roller is disposed horizontally, the curved upper portion tapering down from the topmost rounded edge and curving inwardly until a funnel-like shape is achieved, which funnel-like shape continues downwardly to form a hollow cylindrical body having a plug affixed thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a three-quarter view of the device of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a front view of the device of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a front view of the device of the present invention employed in conjunction with a hair roller and setting solution bottle.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a three-quarter view of the device of the present invention employed in conjunction with a hair roller and setting solution bottle.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a side view of the device of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view similar to that of FIG. 3 showing the path of solution as channeled and collected by the device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 shows a three-quarter view of a device for capturing and containing runoff hair setting solution 10 having an elongated hollow cylindrical body 12 which flares outwardly to form a left side and a right side 16 and a straight edge 14 at the uppermost portion thereof. The device is further provided with a depression 18. The hollow cylindrical body 12 is designed to fit comfortably into the hand of the user 26.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a front view which is essentially the same as that shown in FIG. 1, but wherein the plug 20 affixed to the lower end is visible.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a front view of a device for capturing and containing runoff hair setting solution 10 showing the device in conjunction with hair rollers 22 and a solution applicator bottle 24. The device 10 is held by the user 26 by gripping the elongated hollow cylindrical body 12 and placing the straight upper edge 14 against the head of the patron 28 and fitting the roller 22 between the left and right sides 16 of the device such that the underside and ends of the hair roller are fully contained within the boundaries of the device. When the applicator bottle 24 dispenses the hair setting solution (see FIG. 6), the solution will run off the hair roller 22 and into the depression 18 in the device. The curved left and right sides 16 and the upwardly curved straight portion 14 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) cooperate to channel the hair setting solution toward the depression 18 after which the solution is directed downward into the elongated hollow cylindrical body 12 and captured and contained therein by means of the sides of the elongated hollow cylindrical body 12 and the plug 20.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a one-quarter view which is essentially the same as that shown in FIG. 3 but showing another perspective of the device employed in use.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a side view of a device for capturing and containing runoff hair setting solution 10 showing the left side elevation of the elongated hollow cylindrical body 12, a left side 16 thereof and a partial view of the right side 16, a straight edge 14 at the uppermost portion thereof, and the underside of the depression 18.

[0022] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view similar to that depicted in FIG. 3 showing the path taken by the hair setting solution 30 as it leaves the applicator bottle 24, travels down the straight upper portion 14 and curved sides 16 toward the depression 18 and into the elongated hollow cylindrical body 12 of the device 10.

Claims

1. A device for gathering and containing excess liquid solutions running off hair rollers comprising a hollow elongated cylindrical body having an upper end, a central section, and a lower end, a plug affixed at the lower end, the upper end of the cylindrical body being flared outwardly and terminating in a straight edge at the upper end thereof, the central portion and upper end of the device having a left side and a right side, which sides are curved in an upward manner to receive a hair roller between the left and right sides thereby causing the underside of the hair roller to be surrounded, the central portion being further provided with a depression located therein to funnel excess solution into the hollow cylindrical body.

2. A device for gathering and containing excess liquid solutions running off hair rollers as set forth in claim 1 wherein the straight edge at the upper end is curved in an upward manner to allow the edge to bear against the underside of a hair roller.

3. A device for gathering and containing excess liquid solutions running off hair rollers as set forth in claim 1 wherein the left and right side portions of the upper section of the device are curved such that each side portion corresponds to an end of a hair roller to allow the ends of the hair roller to be contained within the boundaries of the device.