Sanitary hairdresser implement holder

Abstract

A sanitizing hairdresser's implement holder that enables a hairdresser to easily hold a plurality of implements on his or her body when cutting hair. The holder includes a holster with a plurality of comb and scissor pockets, each designed to receive a vertically oriented comb or scissor, respectively. Located inside some or all of the pockets is a removable sleeve made of plastic or paper. The sleeves are designed to have an outer shape that matches the general shape of the implement. When the sleeve is used with a scissors pocket, it is conical with a wide top opening so that the pair of scissors are held in a vertical alignment when placed therein. The sleeves are may be imbedded or soak with an antimicrobial agent that disinfects the implement when placed into the sleeve after each use.

Description

[0001] This is a utility patent application, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/456,017 filed on Mar. 18, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to devices used for holding a hairdresser's implements, such as combs, scissors and razors, and, more particularly, to such devices designed to maintain the tools in a clean, healthful condition.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] It is widely known that hairdressers work more efficiently when their haircutting implements, such as combs, scissors, and razors are in an easily accessible location when cutting hair. Typically, these implements are temporarily stored on a shelf or drawer within easy reach of the hairdresser.

[0006] Professional practice standards require all hairdressers clean their implements after each customer. Typically, this requires that the hairdresser soak or wipe their implements with a disinfectant solution after each customer. Unfortunately, the act of cleaning is time consuming and often skipped.

[0007] What is needed is a holder specifically designed to hold the implements for a hairdresser in a convenient location which also automatically sanitizes the implements when they are not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a holder designed to be worn or carried by a hairdresser that holds commonly used implements, such as combs, scissors, a razor, and an electric clipper.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide such a holder that also sanitizes some of the implements when they are not in use.

[0010] These and other objects of the present invention are met by a hairdresser implement holder disclosed herein that comprises a body-supported holster with a plurality of pockets formed thereon designed to hold one or more implements commonly used by a hairdresser. In the preferred embodiment, the holster is supported around the user's waist with an adjustable belt.

[0011] The holster includes at least one upper comb pocket and at least two lower scissors pockets. The comb pocket and scissor pockets are aligned in separate rows so that hairdresser may easily recall their location on the holster without looking at the pockets. In the preferred embodiment, each scissor pocket includes a removable sleeve designed to hold a pair of scissors. The sleeve is flat, conical-shaped structure made of a rigid plastic or disposable paper. Small holes or openings may be formed on sleeve that allow hair clippings to removed sleeve when cleaning. During use, an antimicrobial solution may be immedded or sprayed into the sleeve to disinfect the implement when placed therein.

[0012] The holster may also include an optional razor pocket or electric clipper holder located below the comb and scissor pockets.

[0013] The holster may also include a removable rear panel or a pivoting front panel that exposes the comb pocket so that hair clippings that may have fallen into the comb pocket can be easily removed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the holder showing the body being a belt-mounted holster with a plurality of comb and scissor pockets formed thereon.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the holder showing the placement of the removable sleeves positioned inside five scissor pockets formed on the holster.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the holster showing the placement of the various implements used by a hairdresser.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the holder mounted on the belt.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a front plan view of a second embodiment of the invention with one large comb pocket, two scissor pockets and one clipper pocket.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a conical-shaped rigid sleeve used to hold a pair of scissors.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a rigid sleeve shown in FIG. 7.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the rigid sleeve shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a flexible sleeve made of paper.

[0024] FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the sleeve shown in FIG. 10.

[0025] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the sleeve shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0026] FIG. 13 is a rear elevational view of the second embodiment of the holder showing the rear panel removed thereby exposing the comb pocket.

[0027] FIG. 14 is a third embodiment similar to the second embodiment showing the comb pocket being made of a single panel that folds over along a lower edge with loop and hookd connectors located on the facing surfaces which hold the outer section of panel over the main section of panel to form the comb pocket.

[0028] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a sleeve dispenser containing a roll with a plurality of flexible sleeves formed thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0029] Shown in the accompanying FIGS. 1-15 is a sanitizing hairdresser implement holder, generally denoted by reference number 10, comprising a holster 20 with pockets 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 40, and 80 formed thereon designed to hold one or more tools or implements used by a hairdresser, such as a combs 90, scissors 92, razor 94, and a clipper 96. There are three embodiments of the holster shown and described herein denoted as 20, 20′, and 20″, respectively. The first embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1-3, is a largest embodiment that includes two or more comb pockets 31, 33, 35 each designed to hold one comb 90, two or more scissor pockets 30, 34, 36, 38, 40 each designed to hold one scissors 92, and one razor pocket 80 or one clipper holder 86 each designed to hold one razor 82 (or 84) or a clipper 88.

[0030] FIGS. 15-6 shows a second embodiment of the invention, denoted holster 20′, which includes one large, upper comb pocket 31 designed to hold several vertically aligned combs 90, two scissor pockets 30, 34 each designed to hold one vertically aligned scissor 92, and one razor or clipper pocket 82 designed to hold a razor or clipper 82. FIG. 14 shows a third embodiment of the invention, denoted holster 20″, which is has the same pockets configuration as holder 20′ but with one main panel that folds and sewn along three edges to create one large comb pocket 31.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the holster 20 includes a horizontally aligned belt passageway 23 formed along its upper edge designed to receive a belt 22 for supporting the holster 20 around the hairdresser's waist. Formed on the holster 20 are three upper comb pockets 31, 33, 35 each designed to hold one comb 90 in a vertical orientation. Also formed on the holster 20 below the comb pockets 31, 33, 35 are five middle scissor pockets 30, 34, 36, 38, 40 each designed to hold a pair of scissors 92 in a vertical orientation. In the preferred embodiment, the holster 20 comprises a main panel 20A that loops rearward along its upper edge to form the belt passageway 23. Aligned and registered over the front surface of the main panel 20A is a comb pocket panel 20B that forms the three comb pockets 31, 33, 35. Aligned and registered over the front surface is a scissors pocket panel 20C. The upper edge of the scizzors pocket panel 20B is located approximately one or two inches below the comb pocket openings 31, 33, 35 thereby forming an outward, partially stacked pocket configuration. The inside surface of the scizzors pockets 30, 34, 36, 38 and 40 is the outer surface of the comb panel 20b and the outer surface of main panel 20A.

[0032] Each scissor pocket 30, 34, 36, 38, 40 is designed to be used with either a rigid sleeve 48 or a flexible sleeve 60. The rigid sleeve 48, shown more clearly in FIGS. 7-9, has a conical shape and includes front and rear side walls 49, 51, respectively, and a top opening 53. Formed around the top opening 53 is an overhanging lip 55 that engages the front surface 20B of the holster 20 when the sleeve 48 is placed into the pocket. In the preferred embodiment, the rigid sleeve 48 is made of plastic and includes small holes 54 formed near its closed end to allow hair or beard clippings to be easily rinsed therefrom when the rigid sleeve 48 is removed from the holster 20.

[0033] The flexible sleeve 60, shown more clearly in FIGS. 10-12, is a flat structure that is unfolded into a conical shape. It includes front and rear sidewalls 62, 64, respectively, and a top opening 65. The flexible sleeve 60 is made of flexible, durable material that can withstand punctures by the tip of the scissors 92. Applied, soaked or imbedded into the sleeve 60 is an antimicrobial agent 68. The flexible sleeves 60 are designed to be discarded and replaced after each customer.

[0034] The flexible sleeves 60 may be dispensed from a dispenser 70, shown in FIG. 16, which conveniently holds a roll 72 with a plurality of sleeves 60 formed thereon.

[0035] As stated above, formed below the lower row of scissor pockets 30, 34, 36 is a razor pocket 80 is designed to hold an electric razor 82 or a blade razor 84. In FIG. 3, the pocket 80 is replaced clipper holder 36 designed to hold an electric clipper 88.

[0036] In a third embodiment, shown in FIG. 13, the holster 20″ includes a removable rear panel 90 attached to the rear surface of the main panel 20A. Hook and loop connectors 92, 93, respectively, are located at the corners of the rear surface of the main panel 20A around the rear opening 21 to selectively attach the rear panel 70 to the main panel 20A. During use, the rear panel 90 is selectively removed to clean out hair clippings 100 that may have fallen into the comb pocket 30.

[0037] FIG. 14 shows a second embodiment of the invention in which the holster 20″′ is includes a hour-glass main panel 20A that includes a lower section that folds upward and over to form one large comb pocket. Hook and loop connectors 92, 93 are used to connect the lower section over the front surface of the main panel 20A to form one large comb pocket. Aligned, registered and sewn around three edges over the outer surface of the front panel is a scissor pocket panel that forms the two scissor pockets. A razor panel is aligned and registered and sewn around three edges over the outer surface of the front panel below the scissors pocket panel to form a razor pocket as described in holster 20′.

[0038] In compliance with the statute, the invention described herein has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown, is comprised only of the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A hairdresser's tool kit, comprising:

a. a holster having a plurality of comb pockets and a plurality of scizzors pockets;

b. a removable sleeve inserted said each said scissors pocket; and,

c. means to support said holster to the body of a hairdresser.

2. The hairdresser's tool kit as recited in claim 1, further including an antimicrobial agent applied to the inside surfaces of said sleeve to disinfect a haircutting implement inserted into said sleeve.

3. The hairdresser's tool kit, as recited in claim 2, wherein said sleeve is made of plastic.

4. The hairdresser's tool kit, as recited in claim 3, further including a plurality of holes formed on said sleeve to allow loose hair to escape from said sleeve.

5. The hairdresser's tool kit, as recited in claim 2, wherein said sleeve is made of paper.

6. The hairdresser's tool kit, as recited in claim 5, further including a dispenser for hold a plurality of sleeves for use in said pockets.

7. The hairdresser's tool kit, as recited in claim 1, further including a second sleeve for insertion into said comb pockets.

8. The hairdresser's tool kit, as recited in claim 1, further including a removable panel located on said holster that when removed, provides access to said pockets so that said pockets may be cleaned.