Patent Application
20240023687
The disclosed subject matter relates generally to dispensing containers, and more particularly, to apparatuses and kits fully integrating separated components of fluid compositions for mixing at time of use as well as into a single device together with interchangeable applicators.
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A portion of the disclosure of this patent document may contain material, which is subject to copyright protection. This patent document may show and/or describe matter which is or may become trade dress of the owner. The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights and trade dress rights whatsoever.
Hair dyeing has its roots as an ancient art that involves treating the hair with certain chemical compounds. In antiquity, these compounds were derived from plants, including henna, indigo, walnuts, leeks, and turmeric, among others. Synthetic compounds were developed for dyeing hair in the 19th century, and today, one can apply innumerable shades, lasting various lengths of time depending on the formulation, to their hair with relative ease. In fact, many hair dye compositions are now available for use by amateurs on their own hair, at their leisure, and in the comfort of their own home.
In order to penetrate and fix deposited color along the hair shaft, components provided in long lasting “permanent” hair dye kits comprise dye precursors or coloring agents emulsified with alkaline chemicals in a cream base and a separately packaged developer, also known as an activator or oxidizer, carefully dosed to form the final dye molecules and lift existing hair color by varying degrees, depending on the desired or advertised outcome. These components must be packaged separately for mixing immediately prior to use. This is because the chemical mechanism for preparing the hair to receive dye and developing the dye itself—oxidation—occurs over a limited period of time that begins as a soon as such components mix. Leaving mixed components to oxidize for too long can cause several unwanted results, including, but not limited to, uneven color results, darker coloring than intended, greenish discoloration, chemical burns, noxious fumes, and, depending on the mixing container, even explosions.
Some no-mix hair dyes have been offered on the marketplace, but these are generally only available to temporarily fix color to the outer surface of the hair shaft. Such colors will wash away with water and shampoo.
Similar issues plague those mixing fluid compositions in other contexts as well. For instance, certain fluid components of adhesive chemicals must be mixed immediately prior to use, and failing to do so may render the efficacy of such adhesive suboptimal.
Some have provided mixing kits to enable users to mix components immediately prior to use. For instance, crafting resin kits and even home hair dye kits often include a mixing bottle or cup for mixing, gloves to protect the user's skin from contact, and wipes to clean messes as they occur. Consumers may otherwise obtain mixing bowls and implements, hair parting combs, protective gloves, shower caps, foil, and applicators, such as brushes, on an ad hoc basis. In the context of hair dyeing in particular, obtaining supplies in this manner can be particularly costly and inconvenient to purchase and store in the event that a user simply wishes to color a small portion of hair, such as the eyebrows, beard, or other facial hair, or even the roots of the user's head hair.
In light of the foregoing, some containers configured to mix separated liquids at time of use have been proposed. These include, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,321 to Halm, U.S. Pat. No. 7,409,957 to Abergel, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2008/0289976 filed by Henry; U.S. Pat. No. 7,377,383 to Henry, U.S. Pat. No. 10,017,316 to May et al., U.S. Pat. No. 10,279,977 to Fleischman et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 9,114,910 to Schommer.
Still, although various proposals have been made to improve difficulties associated with hair dye application, none of those in existence combine the characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, there remains a need for a compact and tidy fluid dispenser, and in particular, a hair dye dispenser and kit, that minimizes dependence on or need for additional accessories to utilize.
The present disclosure is directed to combination mixing and dispensing containers, and more particularly, to apparatuses and kits fully integrating separated components of fluid compositions for mixing immediately prior to dispensing on a targeted surface. Such containers are configured to receive a variety of interchangeable applicators, depending on such factors as the surface and intended outcome.
For purposes of summarizing, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features have been described. It is to be understood that not all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment. Thus, the disclosed subject matter may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages without achieving all advantages as may be taught or suggested. In particular, examples provided in the disclosure are directed to fluid hair dye compositions comprising a dye composition and a developer, otherwise known as an oxidizer or activator, composition to be mixed immediately prior to or at the time of use. However, it is contemplated that the modular multi-chamber fluid dispenser disclosed herein may be used to hold and dispense many different types of multi-part fluid compositions that would benefit from storing separately before mixing immediately prior to use, such as, for example only and not limitation, certain cleaning fluids, automotive compositions, resins, medicines, chemical tests, drug tests, pastry and baking compositions, makeup, and adhesives, among others. a
In accordance with one embodiment, the dispenser comprises a first and second chamber configured to each hold a fluid substance and threadedly engage one another. More particularly, the first chamber may have a front end defining an opening and a rear end defining a threaded rear opening, while the second chamber, axially aligned with the first chamber, may have a front end configured to threadedly engage the rear opening of the first chamber and a sealed rear end. In an exemplary kit, a first and second fluid substance may comprise, respectively, hair dye and a developer, activator, or oxidizer.
A pressure activated gate may be internally disposed between the chambers and configured to selectively permit fluids held therein to mix upon screwing the chambers into one another. As such, it will be recognized that any fluids contained respectively within the first and second chambers may be held apart from one another until desired. This separation may be further insured by a removable spacer disposed between the chambers to prevent breach of the gate, unwittingly or accidentally, for example, until desired.
It is contemplated that the rear end of the first chamber may be configured to impart the pressure required to breach the gate. In some embodiments, for instance, the pressure activated gate may be a leak prevention or tamper evident foil seal known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the rear end of the chamber may be configured to pierce, tear, puncture, remove, or otherwise disable such foil seal in order to permit fluid exchange between the first and second chambers. In some embodiments, however, the pressure activated gate may be a valve configured to permit fluids to mix. Activation of the valve may occur by twisting or screwing each of the first and second chambers in to one another. Of course, other pressure activated gates configured to selectively permit the contents of each chamber are possible; the foregoing are offered by way of example only and not limitation.
The dispenser may further comprise an outlet secured within the front end opening of the first chamber, where such outlet may be configured to dispense mixed fluid via one or more of its own openings. That is, the outlet may define one or more openings configured to fluidly receive and direct mixed chamber contents to a targeted surface. As a non-limited example, the outlet may comprise one or more channels to direct mixed fluid. It is contemplated that providing channels smaller than the first chamber front end opening may prevent excessive spillage and even aid in more accurate and even more precise application of the mixed contents to the desired surface than otherwise possible. It is contemplated that the first and second chambers may be soft-bodied, or in other words, fabricated from compressible materials, such as sheets of plastic laminate, polypropylene, high density polyethylene, silicone, and even combinations of the same with sheets of metal such as aluminum. Providing soft-bodied chambers may aid passage of the mixed fluid through the outlet and may even aid thorough mixing.
In some embodiments, effective application of ejected fluid is even further achieved by providing one or more interchangeable applicators configured to be coupled to the outlet. Returning to the exemplary hair dye, it is contemplated that an interchangeable applicator may be a bristled brush which may be configured to evenly distribute fluid compositions, such as mixed hair coloring agents and developers, along strands of hair. Other possible applicators may be a porous sponge, a rigid comb, a flexible comb, a tube or series of tubes, or any other applicator as may be needed or desired. The size of such applicator may be determined or selected according to the texture, length, or even location of the hair comprising the target surface for the mixed fluid hair coloring agents and developer, in the present exemplary embodiment. For instance, effectively, precisely, or efficiently applying hair dye compositions to relatively small areas such as eyebrows may benefit from an applicator that is relatively smaller than that used to apply hair dye compositions to relatively larger areas such as human heads. Similarly, a rigid applicator may be more effective at spreading hair dye along coarse and densely packed hairs, such as some beard hair, than a softer bristled brush. Of course, these are merely examples provided to clarify that various interchangeable applicators may be provided and many different types of applicators will be sufficient to practice the invention.
A lid configured to cover the outlet and/or an applicator engaged with the outlet may be provided to prevent spillage.
It is worth noting that while the rear end of the second chamber may be sealed, in some embodiments, the rear end of the second chamber may define an opening sealed by a removable cap. In such embodiments, fluid substances emptied from the second chamber may be replaced for possible reuse of the dispenser. Likewise, it is contemplated that fluid substances emptied from the first chamber may be replaced via the openings defined by the front and/or rear ends of the first chamber. However, it is contemplated that the device may be configured as a single use item. Indeed, configuring the device as a single use dispenser for mixing fluid substances at time of use may reduce potential risks of mess or damage caused by directly accessing an interior of the chambers to replace used fluid substances. In the case of hair dye compositions, for example, configuring the device as a single use dispenser in which fluid substances are mixed while enclosed within a container may prevent damage to skin and surfaces that has been known to occur while mixing dye and developers. Of course, it will be understood that the same will benefit other potentially damaging or noxious compositions as well.
In some embodiments, providing a removeable seal in the manner described may enable a third, fourth, and even more chambers, configured as previously described, to be sequentially and axially aligned with the first and second chambers. In some embodiments, this may enable either or both of the first and second chambers to be replaced with another chamber configured as previously described. In any event, it is contemplated that a pressure activated gate and spacer will be disposed between any threadedly engaged chambers to prevent any fluids held therein from mixing until desired.
It is contemplated that providing a modular multi-chamber fluid dispenser according to the disclosure and claims provided below may prevent early expiration of volatile compositions, while minimizing user reliance on implements which would otherwise be needed to mix components in a tidy fashion.
Thus, it is an object of the invention to reduce use of gloves, bowls, mixers, cleansing wipes, and other accessories frequently used for hair dying.
It is a further object of the invention to reduce the mess and potential damage to surfaces, fibers, skin, and the like, as may be associated with mixing certain fluids when not effectively contained.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide various interchangeable means for applying mixed fluids to targeted surfaces.
One or more of the above-disclosed embodiments, in addition to certain alternatives, are provided in further detail below with reference to the attached figures. The disclosed subject matter is not, however, limited to any particular embodiment disclosed.
The disclosed embodiments may be better understood by referring to the figures in the attached drawings, as provided below. The attached figures are provided as non-limiting examples for providing an enabling description of the method and system claimed. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered as limiting of its scope. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without some of the details included in order to provide a thorough enabling description of such embodiments. Well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.
Having summarized various aspects of the present disclosure, reference will now be made in detail to that which is illustrated in the drawings. While the disclosure will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
With reference to
With reference to
In some embodiments, providing a removeable seal in the manner described may enable a third, fourth, and even more chambers, configured as previously described, to be sequentially and axially aligned with the first and second chambers 110, 120. In some embodiments, this may enable either or both of the first and second chambers 110, 120 to be replaced with another chamber configured as previously described. In any event, it is contemplated that a pressure activated gate and spacer will be disposed between any threadedly engaged chambers to prevent any fluids held therein from mixing until desired.
A pressure activated gate 150 may be internally disposed between the chambers and configured to selectively permit fluids held therein to mix upon screwing the chambers 110, 120 into one another. As such, it will be recognized that any fluids contained respectively within the first and second chambers may be held apart from one another until desired. This separation may be further insured by the removable spacer 130, disposed between the chambers 110, 120 to prevent breach of the gate 150 until desired.
Turning to
In any event, threading ends of the first and second chambers 110, 120 in to one another may reveal yet another opening, this time defined by the exemplary valve 150, operative to permit fluid exchange between the chambers. In some embodiments the pressure activated gate may be operative to enable fluid exchange in two directions, between both chambers. However, in some embodiments, it is contemplated that the pressure activated gate may permit fluid to travel only from the second chamber 120 to the first 130, or, more particularly, in the direction of the outlet 160. In such cases, mixing of any fluid substances contained in the chambers will occur in the first chamber 110.
Of course, other pressure activated gates configured to selectively permit the contents of each chamber are possible; the foregoing are offered by way of example only and not limitation.
In an exemplary kit, the chambers may be pre-filled with fluid substances fit for a particular use. For instance, as previously noted, a first and second fluid substance may comprise, respectively, hair coloring agents and a developer, activator, or oxidizer known to those of ordinary skill in the art. They may be provided in a volume sufficient to deposit color, to some extent, on various hair types including, but not limited to eyebrows, mustaches, beards, head hair, and any other facial, head, or body hair desired in any length, texture.
In hair dye kits, often, an activator or developer will be provided in equal amounts by volume. Thus, in one embodiment, equal amounts of activator or developer and hair coloring agents, which often includes ingredients for both coloring the hair and opening the hair cuticle, may be provided in the first and chambers 110, 120, respectively. As an example, each chamber may hold one each, respectively, of about 0.25 to about 3.0 fluid ounces of activator or developer and about 0.25 to about 3.0 fluid ounces of coloring agent. As another example, each chamber may hold one of, respectively, about 0.5 fluid ounces of activator or developer and about 0.5 fluid ounces of coloring agent. As another example, each chamber may hold one of, up to, respectively, about 2 fluid ounces of activator or developer and 2 fluid ounces of coloring agent. However, it is contemplated that amount may differ as between any fluid substances held between the first and second chambers. For instance, it is contemplated that certain intended applications of hair dye may require more or less activator or developer than others. Thus, relative amounts of fluid substance as held by each of the chambers comprising the dispenser will not limit the invention.
To that end, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the particular dimensions of each chamber and of the device itself may vary. In some non-limiting, exemplary embodiments, for instance, the chambers may be about 1 cm to about 5 cm in width or diameter, as the case may be. The particular girth and length of each chamber may depend on or be selected for any desired fluid volume.
The manner of mixing the fluids contained in the dispenser may depend on the fluids themselves and will also not limit the invention. For instance, particularly viscous fluid substances may require relatively more agitation to mix than some watery substances. Once the pressure activated gate is breached, the fluids may be mixed by shaking, tapping, or agitating the dispenser. In some embodiments, the rear end of the second chamber may be blunt to aid mixing by tapping. Many hair dye compositions, for instance, can be creamy, or thick, liquids, and may even be viscous.
In some embodiments, the first and second chambers 110, 120 may be soft-bodied, or in other words, fabricated from compressible materials, such as sheets of plastic laminate, polypropylene, high density polyethylene, silicone, and even combinations of the same with sheets of metal such as aluminum. It is contemplated that this will aid effective mixing.
It may be necessary not only to agitate the dispenser to ensure even mixing of a first and second hair dyeing fluid substance, but also to wait some amount of time for oxidation, which effectuates permanent hair dye, to occur. For instance, it may be necessary or desirable to wait one minute, up to five minutes, up to 10 minutes, up to 20 minutes or more to ensure oxidation occurs before dispensing a particular mixture from the device. In some embodiments, one or more of the chambers may comprise an at least partially transparent portion permitting view of any visual indicator that the mixed fluid is ready to dispense. In the case of hair dye, this may be that the oxidized coloring agent, when mixed with the activator or developer, has visibly darkened. It is also contemplated, however, that one or both chambers may be opaque in order to prevent damage to the fluid contents by, for example, exposure to light, as needed or desired.
Returning to
Fabricating the chambers as soft-bodied chambers as previously noted may further aid passage of the mixed fluid through the outlet and may even aid thorough mixing. That is, it is contemplated that a portion of the chambers 110, 120 fabricated from compressible materials may be squeezed to move the mixed fluid through the outlet 160. In some embodiments, an exterior surface of one chamber, such as the first chamber 110, may define a depression 170 shaped to support ergonomic handling of the device. It is contemplated that this may aid squeezing or otherwise manipulating the device to apply dispensed fluids.
With reference now to
A lid 140 configured to removably yet securably cover the outlet and/or an applicator engaged with the outlet may be provided to prevent spillage, and indeed, the lid may be configured to define internal stoppers 141 aligning with any openings 161 in the outlet 160 to even further prevent spillage when in place.
Selection of such head may be based on application type. Though, it is contemplated that the choice of applicator may simply be comfort or preference based. In some embodiments, and in particular where the dispenser contains hair dye compositions, the configuration of the applicator may aid effective, precise, and even tidy application of dye to targeted hair. It is contemplated that applicators may be changed out for others throughout use. For example, ears have an irregular surface shape and topography and are thus apt to staining by sloppy application of hair dye to and around the sideburns. A smaller applicator than that used for the head hair at large may prevent dye stains in this area. Of course, this is just one example. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize countless scenarios in which different applicators may be more optimal for use as compared to one another.
As non-limiting examples, then, is contemplated that an interchangeable applicator 162 may be a bristled brush 163 which may be configured to evenly distribute fluid compositions, such as mixed hair dye and developers, along strands of hair. Other exemplary applicators 162 may be a porous sponge 164, and a rigid comb 165. Other possible applicators 162, not pictured for the sake of brevity, include a flexible comb, a tube or series of tubes, or any other applicator as may be needed or desired. The size of such applicator 162 may be determined or selected according to the texture, length, or even location of the hair comprising the target surface for the mixed fluid coloring agent and developer, in the present exemplary embodiment. For instance, effectively, precisely, or efficiently applying hair dye compositions to relatively small areas such as eyebrows may benefit from an applicator that is relatively smaller than that used to apply hair dye compositions to relatively larger areas such as human heads. Similarly, a rigid applicator may be more effective at spreading hair dye along coarse and densely packed hairs, such as some beard hair, than a softer bristled brush. Of course, these are merely examples provided to clarify that various interchangeable applicators may be provided and many different types of applicators will be sufficient to practice the invention.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.
Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.
While certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications are contemplated and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the particular size of the dispenser, and relative sizes of each chamber may be selected based on amounts of mixed fluid needed depending on the application. Likewise, the interchangeable applicators may be sized, configured and fabricated according to the fluid and surface desired for application. Any of the aesthetic considerations made for aesthetic aspects of the dispenser, such as its color, will not limit the invention either. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited, except as by the appended claim(s).
The teachings disclosed herein may be applied to other systems, and may not necessarily be limited to any described herein. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.
Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being refined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the modular multi-chamber fluid dispenser with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be constructed to limit the modular multi-chamber fluid dispenser to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification unless the above description section explicitly define such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosed system, method and apparatus. The above description of embodiments of the modular multi-chamber fluid dispenser is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed above or to a particular field of usage.
While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the method, system, and apparatus are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible for which those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.
While certain aspects of the method and system disclosed are presented below in particular claim forms, various aspects of the method, system, and apparatus are contemplated in any number of claim forms. Thus, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the modular multi-chamber fluid dispenser.
