APPLICATION TOOL FOR APPLYING A PRODUCT TO HAIR
The present disclosure relates to an application tool and method for applying a product to hair. The application tool may comprise a base and an applicator. The base may at least partially secure and enclose the applicator. The applicator may include a brush section that includes bristles and a comb section that includes teeth.
The present disclosure relates to an application tool and method for applying a product, such as a hair product. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an application tool with a base and an applicator, wherein the applicator may have a brush section and a comb section.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe use of hair dye is well known and has a long history. Hair dye may be used for many reasons, such as to change the color of a person's natural hair or to cover up gray hair. Hair dye may be used to change the color of the hair on the head, beard, or eyebrows, for instance. After hair has been dyed and the hair begins to grow out, the roots become visible. This is particularly so when hair has been dyed a color that is substantially different than a person's natural hair color, or when gray hair starts to grow and the person's natural or dyed hair color tends to emphasize the gray. For many people who dye their hair, it is undesirable to have roots exposed that show their natural hair color. Because dying hair frequently can be expensive, time consuming, messy, and in some cases can also be bad for the health of hair, people may wish to quickly and easily cover up the outgrowth at the roots of the hair without full dying of the hair. An applicator may be used to apply such a product.
One known method for applying a product to hair involves using a bottle to directly apply a cream or liquid product to the hair. In such products, the bottle containing the hair product is typically flexible, which may allow a user to squeeze the bottle to dispense the hair product. The bottle may have a spout or tip that can be used to help direct the product to specific areas of the hair. In some cases, the bottle may have an additional element that can be attached to the spout-end of the bottle to help apply product to the hair. The additional element may be rake- or claw-like, having a base and relatively few prongs, for instance fewer than ten. The prongs may have holes in them such that the product may move from the bottle through the additional element and onto the hair. This method of applying a hair product can be quite messy, as it can be difficult to precisely control the amount of product being applied. Additionally, this method may result in excess product being applied to the scalp of the hair, as opposed to the hair itself.
Another method of applying a cream or liquid product involves mixing up a hair product in, for instance, a tray and then using a device of some sort to move the product from the tray to the hair. Typically, such a device will have a relatively long handle combined with a relatively short section of bristles, not unlike a toothbrush, except that the bristles are typically positioned perpendicular to the handle. Using this type of device for applying a cream product may be messy. Further, the product may not be evenly distributed because the bristles may tend to coat only the top layer of hair. Another method for applying a product to hair uses a mascara wand. However, a mascara wand may not evenly distribute product or may result in clumping. Another method known for applying a product to hair uses a wand with a sponge-like tip. Using a wand with a sponge-like tip, however, may take a long time to apply the product and may not work well with non-liquid products. One method of applying a non-liquid product that is known in the art, comprises a lipstick-like apparatus, where a hair product may have the consistency of lipstick and may be packaged similar to a tube of lipstick. In this case, a user may apply the product to the hair just as a user might apply actual lipstick to the lips or cheeks. This method of applying a hair product may also result in clumping and uneven distribution. Standard cosmetic brushes have also been used. However, standard cosmetic brushes that generally include a relatively long wand with a brush at the end of the want may merely coat the top layer of hair, and may not provide the desired level or consistency of coverage. Therefore, a need exists for an application tool that can easily, quickly, evenly, and thoroughly apply a hair product to areas of the hair where it is desirable to apply a color.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present disclosure relates to an application tool and method for applying a hair product to hair.
The present disclosure, in one embodiment, relates to an application tool that has a base and an applicator. The applicator may have a brush section that includes bristles and a comb section that includes teeth. The base may be coupled to at least a portion of the applicator.
The present disclosure, in another embodiment, relates to a method of applying a hair product. The application tool may be coated with a desired amount of hair product. The application tool may have a base or housing and an applicator, the base having a length and a height. The applicator may have a brush section and a comb section. The hair may be arranged to receive a desired amount of product for hair. Next the application tool may be positioned at a starting point on the hair that is arranged to receive the hair product such that the length of the base is substantially parallel to the starting point. The application tool may then be pulled through the hair in a direction away from the starting point. The comb section of the applicator may function to at least partially anchor the application tool to the scalp such that the brush section may generally evenly and thoroughly coat the exposed section of roots. The process described above may be repeated until the desired amount of coverage has been achieved.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is believed that the disclosure will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figures, in which:
The present disclosure generally relates to a novel and advantageous application tool and method for applying a product to human hair.
As can be seen in the embodiment shown in
As discussed above, and as shown in
The applicator 4 of the application tool 100 may be coupled to the base 2 as may be seen in
In the embodiments shown in
While embodiments of the application tool have been described as being used to apply a product to cover or camouflage outgrowth at the root section of the hair, it will be recognized that the application tool and method may also be used to apply highlights and/or lowlights to hair. Further, it will be recognized that the application tool may be used in other entirely different contexts without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For instance, the application tool may be used in arts and crafts projects to apply paint to different materials, for example. The application tool may also be used to decorate baked goods, or for any other suitable purpose where it is desired to apply a substance to a material.
In the foregoing description various embodiments of the disclosure have been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principals of the invention and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
Claims
1. An application tool comprising:
- a base; and
- an applicator, wherein the applicator comprises a brush section that includes bristles and a comb section that includes teeth, and wherein the base is coupled to the applicator.
2. The application tool of claim 1, wherein the comb section is positioned in the middle of the brush section.
3. The application tool of claim 1, wherein the comb section is positioned adjacent the brush section.
4. The application tool of claim 1, wherein the teeth of the comb section are longer than the bristles of the brush section.
5. The application tool of claim 1, wherein the bristles of the brush section are longer than the teeth of the comb section.
6. The application tool of claim 1, wherein the bristles of the brush are made from a natural hair source.
7. The application tool of claim 1, wherein the applicator is secured to the base by an adhesive.
8. The application tool of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the applicator is secured to the base by injection molding.
9. The application tool of claim 1, wherein the bristles of the brush are made from a synthetic material.
10. The application tool of claim 1, wherein a plurality of bristles of the brush section extend substantially the same distance from the base.
11. A compact for storing an application tool, comprising:
- a housing with at least one compartment;
- an application tool configured for placement in at least one compartment of the housing, the application tool comprising a base and an applicator, wherein the applicator includes a brush section comprised of a plurality of bristles and a comb section comprised of a plurality of teeth.
12. The compact of claim 11, further comprising at least one compartment for holding a product that is applied with the application tool.
13. The compact of claim 12, wherein the product is a hair product.
14. The compact of claim 12, wherein at least some of the plurality of bristles of the brush section of the applicator are longer than at least some of the plurality of teeth of the comb section.
15. The compact of claim 12, wherein at least some of the plurality of teeth of the comb section are longer than at least some of the plurality of bristles of the brush section of the applicator.
16. The compact of claim 12, wherein a plurality of bristles of the brush section of the application tool extend substantially the same distance from the base of the application tool.
17. A method of applying hair product comprising:
- coating an application tool with a desired amount of hair product, wherein the application tool comprises a base and an applicator, wherein the base has a length and a height, and wherein the applicator comprises a brush section and a comb section;
- arranging the hair to expose a section of roots;
- positioning the application tool at a starting point of arranged hair such that the length of the base is substantially parallel to the starting point of arranged hair; and
- pulling the application tool through the hair, wherein the comb section of the applicator generally functions to anchor the application tool to the scalp, such that the brush section substantially evenly and thoroughly coats the exposed section of roots.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the brush section of the applicator has bristles that are longer than teeth of the comb section.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein teeth of the comb section of the applicator are longer than bristles of the brush section of the applicator.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein bristles of the brush section are made from at least one natural hair source.
21. The method of claim 17, wherein the comb section of the applicator is parallel to and bisects the brush section of the applicator.
22. The method of claim 17, wherein the comb section is parallel to and adjacent the brush section of the applicator.
23. The method of claim 17, wherein a plurality of bristles of the brush section of the application tool extend substantially the same distance from the base of the application tool.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 26, 2011
Publication Date: Jul 28, 2011
Inventors: Judee Arnstein (Minneapolis, MN), Claire Dempsey (Edina, MN)
Application Number: 13/014,420
International Classification: A45D 19/00 (20060101); A45D 24/16 (20060101); A45D 40/26 (20060101);