Patent Application
20190387861
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
The invention relates generally to hair care accessories, and in particular to a hairstyling comb with fluid reservoir. In the commercial hair care industry, hair stylists have found the application of hair gel or foam mousse to be challenging and time consuming. Significant amounts of these products are often wasted, and the hair stylist's time is also a valuable resource that should be conserved.
A search of the prior art reveals various devices which have been developed to provide the features of a hairstylist's comb with application of hair gel or foam mousse. In particular, none of the prior art devices provide an internal fluid reservoir. None are closely related to the present invention, but several include features which resemble those of the present invention. Each has proven to be less than satisfactory for the present purpose in its own way.
Comb with fluid distribution means and means for attaching hair care device, U.S. Pat. No. 3,520,311 (priority May 12, 1967), provides a combination comb and hair treatment device. The comb back has a hollow interior with a first track receiving a fluid distribution member for feeding fluid through passages spaced along said back. Adjacent comb teeth have individual openings forming a second track for receiving a razor, felt pad or the like for additional hair treatment.
Fluid-reservoir hair comb, U.S. Pat. No. 4,055,195 (priority May 7, 1976), provides a hair comb which includes a fluid (e.g., hair oil) reservoir in the body of the comb. The fluid in the fluid reservoir is positively ejected under the influence of an air pump into the teeth of a comb. The fluid passes through an adjustable needle valve so that the feed rate to the teeth of the comb is precisely variable over a wide range. The fluid then passes around roller or ball bearings mounted in the teeth ends of the comb, for uniform distribution over the hair and scalp. The combination of a positive pressure fluid dispenser, and adjustable needle valve to control the positive flow of oil and distribution means, via roller bearings, provides an improved, precisely controllable, oil-reservoir hair comb with uniform fluid distribution.
Fluid dispensing comb, U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,764 (priority Jul. 17, 1992), provides a dispensing comb for applying a fluid to the hair. The comb has a body with a plurality of teeth formed thereon and at least one, preferably two, fluid reservoirs removably attached to the body such that fluid communication is provided from the reservoirs to the teeth. The two reservoirs have thin seals which rupture when the two reservoirs are interconnected such that two different fluids contained therein intermix. Attachment of the two reservoirs to the comb body similarly causes the puncture of a seal to facilitate fluid communication of the mixed components through the comb to the teeth thereof. In a first embodiment, a pin disposed upon the first reservoir punctures a seal in the second reservoir and two fluids then intermix via a bore in the pin. A similar pin, disposed upon the body, punctures a similar seal in the first reservoir to effect fluid communication from of the mixture from the two reservoirs to the teeth of the comb. In a second embodiment, a serrated annular knife simultaneously cuts through the seals of both reservoirs, thus causing their contents to intermix. A pin, having a bore formed therethrough, facilitates fluid communication from the two reservoirs to the teeth of the comb as in the first embodiment. As such, the dispensing comb of the present invention facilitates the easy and convenient application of two-component hair conditioning mixtures to the user's hair. The need to individually open separate containers, mix the contents thereof in a third container, and disperse the mixture throughout the hair with the hands, is thereby eliminated.
Comb for dispensing treatment solution to hair, U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,026 (priority Apr. 6, 1983), provides a comb for dispensing treatment solution to hair, including an elongated frame member. Groups of a plurality of teeth extend generally perpendicular to the frame member and are generally spaced from each other creating gaps therebetween. In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, trough shaped members are formed in the frame member in the gaps for separating and capturing strands of hair desired to be treated, for receiving and forming pools of hair treatment solution, and for allowing hair to be pulled through the pools of hair treatment solution. In one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the comb further includes a tooth formed in each of the gaps which includes a trough continuation member for enhancing the function of the troughs formed in the frame member. The comb further includes a spiked member attached to the first end of the frame member for picking up, raising, and/or separating the hair from the scalp. The comb further includes a handle portion which extends at an angle from the second end of the frame member to be in an angular relation to the teeth of the comb. In its most preferred form, the comb further includes a fluid conduit formed interiorly of the frame member including passageways in fluid communication with the troughs and wherein the handle portion includes a squeeze type bottle in fluid communication with the fluid conduit.
Hair fluid applicator and method, U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,679 (priority Mar. 16, 1990), provides a fluid applicator which has a rotatable handle attached to a handle on a fluid reservoir and a plunger which forces chemical from the fluid reservoir through an applicator tip for applying chemical to selected strands of hair. Applicator has a reservoir body attached to a handle portion. The reservoir has an opening in the bottom which passes fluid through a tip also located on the bottom reservoir. Tip includes a passage to applicator opening. Fluid is forced out of the reservoir by plunger attached to handle. Handle has two legs that reside in openings, to hold handle and plunger in the correct position.
Hair tonic and curling fluid dispensing comb, U.S. Pat. No. 2,601,858 (priority Sep. 27, 1950), provides a comb comprising two toothed parts joined together in a novel manner for grasping the hair therebetween and having means for carrying in each part a quantity of a fluid and for dispensing the fluid onto the hair or scalp during the operation of drawing the teeth through the hair.
Fluid dispensing comb, U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,878 (priority Jul. 17, 1992), provides a fluid dispensing comb for applying a fluid to the hair, which has a body upon which a plurality of teeth are formed such that they are configured to have a V-shape, thereby defining a groove. An absorbent pad is disposed within the groove defined by the teeth and functions as a reservoir and application means for containing and dispensing a fluid such as hair oil, coloring, or conditioner to the hair. The absorbent pad is preferably replaceable and may be inserted into the groove of the teeth from the end of the comb, from the top of the comb, or alternatively by pivoting the teeth along a living hinge, formed at the apex or one end thereof. Alternatively, the absorbent pad may be permanently molded into the groove of the teeth. A cuff may optionally be disposed upon the comb to catch and/or absorb excess fluid which would otherwise tend to drip therefrom. Thus, the dispensing comb of the present invention provides a simple and convenient means for applying fluids to the hair whereby the user avoids directly contacting the fluid with the hands.
A device which can be used to apply water, hair gel, or foam mousse at a uniform rate across a large area of the client's hair would increase productivity and eliminate waste of these products, and would be well received. A hairstylist's comb with fluid reservoir, which provides a small fluid reservoir for uniform application of fluid through small apertures between the teeth of the comb, would resolve this problem.
Accordingly, the invention is directed to a hairstyling comb with fluid reservoir. The comb provides a small internal fluid reservoir, sealed by an endcap, for uniform application of fluid through small apertures between the teeth of the comb. A large aperture is also provided next to the handle, and a cleaning brush is further provided, allowing the user to easily rinse out the reservoir, dry the reservoir with an air hose, and thus prepare the comb for use with a different styling fluid. When the comb is not in use, the cleaning brush may be easily stored within the reservoir.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is a hairstyling comb 10 with fluid reservoir.
The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a comb 10 which provides a small internal fluid reservoir, sealed by an endcap 11, for uniform application of fluid such as water, styling gel, or foam mousse through small apertures between the teeth 13 of the comb 10. A large aperture 14 is also provided next to the handle 12, and a cleaning brush 15 is further provided, allowing the user to easily rinse out the reservoir, dry the reservoir with an air hose, and thus prepare the comb for use with a different styling fluid. When the comb 10 is not in use, the cleaning brush 15 may be easily stored within the reservoir.
Alternate embodiments, wherein the comb 10 is connected via a slender, flexible hose to a larger, external reservoir, and fluid is delivered to the comb 10 from the reservoir via the hose with an electric pump, are contemplated. Other alternate embodiments, providing a button which increases pressure within the internal fluid reservoir when pressed, to apply fluid through the small apertures more rapidly, are also contemplated.
To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user may remove the endcap 11, fill the fluid reservoir with water, styling gel, foam mousse, or some other liquid, and replace the endcap 11. The user may then grasp the handle 12 and comb the client's hair, causing the liquid to flow downward from the fluid reservoir through the small apertures between the teeth 13, to be applied uniformly to the client's hair.
The comb 10 and the endcap 11 are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material, such as plastic. The cleaning brush 15 is preferably manufactured from a semi-rigid, durable material such as steel wire, providing bristles which are preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material such as horsehair or nylon. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.
This application relates back to, and claims the priority of Provisional Patent Application No. 62/530,104 filed on Jul. 8, 2017.
