HAIR COLOR APPLICATOR

Abstract

An apparatus for applying a two-component liquid composition to a surface has a housing having an open end, and a roller ball disposed and rotatably retained in the housing and projecting through the open end. There are two containers disposed at least partially in the housing. Each container has a dispensing nozzle arranged adjacent the roller ball. The nozzles have an open end such that a liquid or pasty substance disposed in each of the containers flows from the containers through the nozzle directly to the roller ball upon application of pressure to the substances in the containers. Rolling roller ball across a surface mixes the two substances on the roller ball with each other. This occurs by virtue of the movement of the roller ball around the surface, which causes the substances to flow around the ball and mix with each other during rolling.

Claims

1. An apparatus for applying a two-component liquid composition to a surface, comprising: a housing having an open end, an inner surface and an outer surface; a roller ball disposed and rotatably retained in the housing and projecting through the open end; two containers disposed in the housing, each container having a dispensing nozzle arranged adjacent the roller ball; wherein liquid or pasty substances disposed in each of the containers flow from the containers through the nozzle directly to the roller ball upon application of pressure to the substances in the containers, and wherein rolling the roller ball mixes the two substances on the roller ball with each other.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the roller ball contains a plurality of grooves that are configured to direct the flow of substances from the containers into the grooves.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the grooves are arranged in a criss-cross pattern.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plunger connected to each of the compartments, such that pressing on the plunger pushes the substances out of the nozzles and onto the roller ball.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the compartments are formed of a bendable material and wherein pressure is applied to the substances by squeezing the containers.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the containers are encased in a single covering.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the containers are removable from the housing.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the containers contains hair color and the other one of the containers contains developer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

[0016] In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus according to the invention using a plunger mechanism;

[0018] FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the substances being dispensed and mixed on the roller ball;

[0020] FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention; and

[0021] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the applicator 10 according to the invention. Applicator 10 consists of a housing 11 that secures a roller ball 12 via a securing portion 14, which extends just past a circumferential midpoint of roller ball 12, so that roller ball 12 is securely retained inside securing portion 14. Two containers 20, 21 are disposed inside housing 11. Containers 20, 21 contain liquid substances 28, 29, respectively. These substances can be a hair colorant and a developer, or any other types of liquids that should be mixed upon application.

[0023] Containers 20, 21 have nozzles 26, 27, respectively, each located at a bottom of containers 20, 21, and which are directed downward and toward each other. substances 28, 29 flowing out of nozzles 26, 27 are directed toward each other so that they contact roller ball 12 in approximately the same region. Containers 20, 21 hold substances 28, 29 in an air-tight manner, so they do not dry out and do not flow through nozzles 26, 27 unless pressure is applied to substances 28, 29. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, this pressure can be applied in the form of plungers 22, 23, which are arranged in containers 20, 21, and which are connected by a common top 24. Pressing down on top 24 causes plungers 22, 23 to press substances 28, 29 through nozzles 26, 27 and onto roller ball 12.

[0024] Substances 28, 29 are mixed together by the rolling movement of roller ball 12, as it applies substances 28, 29 to a surface such as a section of hair. To aid in the mixing, grooves 13 are cut into roller ball 12 in a criss-cross manner. Substances 28, 29 exiting containers 20, 21 are directed into grooves 13, and intersect one another as they run along grooves 13. Containers 20, 21 can be configured to be removable and replaceable, so that housing 11 and roller ball 12 can be used to apply other substances as well. Alternatively, the entire assembly can be disposable.

[0025] An alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Here, containers 120, 130 are formed from a flexible material, such as soft plastic or metal and are fit into housing 100 via securing plate 160. A single cover 150 surrounds containers 120, 130 to give a unitary appearance. Alternatively, containers 120, 130 can be separate from one another and independently removable from housing 100.

[0026] Squeezing containers 120, 130 causes substances 28, 29 to flow out of nozzles 170, 180 and onto roller ball 12, as described above. Roller ball 12 is held in housing 100 by retaining portion 140, which extends around roller ball 12 sufficiently to retain roller ball 12 inside housing 100. Substances 28, 29 are mixed on roller ball 12 in the same manner as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-3.

[0027] The present invention provides a simple and inexpensive way to apply hair coloring or other substances in a metered and targeted fashion. The roller ball prevents any dripping of the substances and allows for a neat and precise application to a variety of surfaces. The simple construction means that the entire apparatus can be produced as a disposable package, or can be produced with disposable containers mounted in a re-usable housing with the roller ball.

[0028] Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.