Long hair shampooing and washing bowl

Abstract

The present invention relates to a long hair shampooing and washing bowl having a hair washing cavity/basin defined by a plurality of walls. The bowl is taller than conventional bowls/sinks, and has a greater depth to accommodate long hair and prevent hair from clogging the drain and getting tangled. The bowl has an integrated drain outlet connected to a drainage pipe to drain out the rinsed water, and a notch for supporting the neck of a user. The walls of the cavity are slanted, thereby allowing a stylist to effectively work on a user's hair and effectively rinse the hair without hair gathering at the drain outlet.

Claims

1. A long hair shampooing and washing bowl device for washing and rinsing a user's hair at a salon, the long hair shampooing and washing bowl device comprising: a pair of opposing side walls; a front wall; and a rear wall, wherein the pair of opposing side walls, the front wall, and the rear wall comprise a cavity, and further wherein the front wall comprises a U-shaped notch for supporting a user's neck during a shampooing wherein the pair of opposing side walls, the front wall, and the rear wall which form the cavity are all integrally molded to form a single piece construction; and further wherein the rear wall comprises a deep U-shaped cut-out allowing easy access to a user's hair.

2. The long hair shampooing and washing bowl device of claim 1, wherein the rear wall comprises a height less than the front wall because of the deep U-shaped cut-out.

3. The long hair shampooing and washing bowl device of claim 2 further comprising a drain outlet disposed at a bottom center of the cavity.

4. The long hair shampooing and washing bowl device of claim 3, wherein the drain outlet is connected to a drainage pipe for draining water.

5. The long hair shampooing and washing bowl device of claim 4, wherein the drainage pipe can be placed over a floor drain.

6. The long hair shampooing and washing bowl device of claim 3, wherein the pair of opposing side walls, the front wall, and the rear wall slant upwards and outwards from the drain outlet towards a top of the cavity.

7. The long hair shampooing and washing bowl device of claim 6, wherein the pair of opposing side walls, the front wall, and the rear wall slant at approximately thirty degrees from a virtual longitudinal axis.

8. The long hair shampooing and washing bowl device of claim 7, wherein vertical distance between the U-shaped notch and the drain outlet is at least three feet.

9. The long hair shampooing and washing bowl device of claim 4 further comprising a broad base connected to the drainage pipe to allow the long hair shampooing and washing bowl device to be placed on a flat surface.

10. A long hair shampooing and washing bowl device for washing and rinsing a user's long hair at a salon, the long hair shampooing and washing bowl device comprising: a pair of opposing side walls; a front wall comprising a U-shaped notch for supporting a user's neck during a shampooing; and a rear wall comprising a deep U-shaped cut-out allowing easy access to a user's hair, wherein the pair of opposing side walls, the front wall, and the rear wall comprise a cavity, wherein the cavity comprises a drain outlet disposed at a bottom center of the cavity, and further wherein the pair of opposing side walls, the front wall, and the rear wall slant upwards and outwards from the drain outlet towards a top of the cavity.

11. The long hair shampooing and washing bowl device of claim 10, wherein the rear wall comprises a height less than the front wall because of the deep U-shaped cut-out.

12. The long hair shampooing and washing bowl device of claim 11, wherein the pair of opposing side walls, the front wall, and the rear wall slant at approximately thirty degrees from a virtual longitudinal axis.

13. The long hair shampooing and washing bowl device of claim 12, wherein vertical distance between the U-shaped notch and the drain outlet is at least three feet.

14. The long hair shampooing and washing bowl device of claim 13, wherein the drain outlet is connected to a drainage pipe for draining water.

15. A long hair shampooing and washing bowl device for washing and rinsing a user's hair at a salon, the long hair shampooing and washing bowl device comprising: a pair of opposing side walls; a front wall comprising a U-shaped notch for supporting a user's neck during a shampooing; and a rear wall comprising a deep U-shaped cut-out which causes a height of the rear wall to be less than a height of the front wall, wherein the pair of opposing side walls, the front wall, and the rear wall comprise a cavity having a drain outlet disposed at a bottom center of the cavity and connected to a drainage pipe, wherein the pair of opposing side walls, the front wall, and the rear wall slant upwards and outwards from the drain outlet at approximately thirty degrees from a virtual longitudinal axis, and further wherein a vertical distance between the U-shaped notch and the drain outlet is at least three feet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of one potential embodiment of the long hair shampooing and washing bowl device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view showing a user's hair hanging into one potential embodiment of the long hair shampooing and washing bowl device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view showing one potential embodiment of the long hair shampooing and washing bowl device in use in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing a user getting her hair shampooed by a stylist in one potential embodiment of the long hair shampooing and washing bowl device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing a user getting her hair rinsed with water by a stylist in one potential embodiment of the long hair shampooing and washing bowl device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

(7) The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

(8) As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a hair washing sink that enhances the overall client experience at salons and beauty parlors. There is also a long felt need in the art for an improved hair washing sink that prevents a user's hair from being tangled. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a hair washing sink that allows a hair stylist to access the full length of a user's hair. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a hair washing sink that prevents a user's hair from being bunched and tangled in the sink, and thereby clogging the sink drain. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a hair washing sink that allows a hair stylist to easily apply hair treatment products such as shampoo, toner, color, etc., throughout the length of a user's hair. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a hair washing sink that allows a hair stylist to quickly provide hair-related services to a user, and ensures the user remains satisfied/happy. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a hair washing sink that is comfortable for both users and hair stylists, and enhances the overall salon experience for the users.

(9) The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel hair shampooing and washing sink device for washing and rinsing a user's hair. The hair shampooing and washing sink device includes a cavity formed by a pair of opposing slanted walls, a U-shaped or semi-circular notch on the front wall for supporting a user's neck while allowing hair to dangle or hang into said cavity and a drain outlet at the bottom of the cavity such that the distance between the U-shaped or semi-circular notch and the drain outlet is long enough to accommodate a user's long hair. The sink device is narrower at the bottom of the cavity and broader at the top, due to the pair of opposing side walls slanting upwards.

(10) Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the long hair shampooing and washing bowl device of the present invention. The long hair shampooing and washing bowl device 100 of the present invention is designed to be used for washing and rinsing a user's hair at a salon or any other suitable place as is known in the art. The shampoo bowl device 100 is taller and has a greater depth than conventional shampoo bowls known in the art, and thus allows a user's long hair to hang down into the bowl device 100. The depth of the shampoo bowl device 100 is large enough to accommodate various lengths of hair to be shampooed and rinsed, and still avoids tangling and discomfort for the user. The shampoo bowl device 100 of the present invention is typically positioned behind a hair care chair and is adapted for washing and rinsing a user's hair while sitting in the hair care chair.

(11) The shampoo bowl device 100 comprises a single piece construction having a depressed structure with a depth to accommodate long lengths of hair. The shampoo bowl device 100 is generally rectangular with a slanted and slightly rectangular front wall 102, having a U-shaped notch 104 for supporting the neck and head of a user during shampooing and rinsing the hair. The rear wall 106 of the shampoo bowl device 100 has a height less than the front wall 102 allowing a stylist to easily access a user's hair to wash and rinse the hair. The rear wall 106 has a deep U-shaped cut-out 108 causing the rear wall 106 to be shorter in height than the front wall 102. A plurality of opposing side walls 110, 112 extend between the front wall 102 and the rear wall 106. The front wall 102, the rear wall 106 and the opposing side walls 110, 112 are integrally molded to form a single piece construction which forms a depression or cavity/basin 114 for accommodating a user's long hair. It should be appreciated that the shampoo bowl device 100 is a backwash bowl with the U-shaped notch 104 supporting the user's neck and head. In one embodiment, the U-shaped notch 104 can be formed in the general shape of a semi-circle and substantially contours the head/neck area of the user. However, the U-shaped notch 104 can be any suitable shape and size as is known in the art.

(12) The shampoo bowl device 100 has a drain outlet 116 disposed at the bottom center of the cavity 114 and is connected to a drainage pipe 118 for draining water and shampoo. The shampoo bowl device 100 can be placed over a floor drain such that waste water can be easily disposed from the drain outlet 116 to the drainage pipe 118, and then disposed through the floor drain. In a preferred embodiment, the vertical distance (depth) between the U-shaped notch 104 and the drain outlet 116 is at least three feet, but can be any suitable distance as is known in the art. The increased depth of the shampoo bowl device 100 does not allow the drain outlet 116 to clog up with a user's hair, and thus the water and shampooing products easily flow out of the drain outlet 116 and through the drainage pipe 118. The shampoo bowl device 100 can also be easily placed on any flat surface and has a broad base 120 which balances and supports the shampoo bowl device 100.

(13) The shampoo bowl device 100 has a narrow width near the drain outlet 116 and a larger width near the top, thereby allowing the stylist to easily wash and rinse a user's hair. Further, the walls 102, 106, 110, 112 are slanted at approximately thirty degrees from a virtual longitudinal axis 122 measured at the drain outlet 116 wherein the walls 102, 106, 110, and 112 slant upwards and outwards from the drain outlet 116 towards the top of the cavity 114. Due to the slanting shape of the front wall 102, the U-shaped notch 104 is positioned at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the base 120 of the shampoo bowl device 100.

(14) In the present embodiment, the shampoo bowl device 100 is manufactured from a ceramic material although it will be appreciated that the construction and material is not limited thereto, and that the shampoo bowl device 100 can be manufactured from any suitable material as is known in the art, such as plastic, powder coated metal, stainless steel, glass, etc. The shampoo bowl device 100 can be connected to the standard plumbing and drainage system inside a salon or any other suitable business for effective water supply and/or drainage output.

(15) FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view showing a user's hair hanging in the long hair shampooing and washing bowl device of the present invention. A user 200 reclines on a hair care chair 202 and rests the neck on the U-shaped notch 108 of the shampooing bowl device 100, which is positioned behind the hair care chair 202 for performing backwashing of a user's hair 204. The cavity/basin 114 of the shampooing bowl device 100 allows the user's 200 hair 204 to hang without clogging the drain outlet 116 and without coming in contact with the dirty water accumulated near the drain outlet 116. The hair 204, when wet, can adhere to the front wall 102 and thus does not tangle.

(16) It should be appreciated that the depth of the cavity/basin 114 i.e., the vertical distance between the U-shaped notch 108 and the drain outlet 116 is long enough to accommodate hanging hair of up to three feet. In the present embodiment, the U-shaped notch 108 can also have a soft cushion (not shown) made of foam or soft silicon, or any other suitable cushioning material as is known in the art to support a user's neck. Using the soft cushion of the U-shaped notch 108 allows a user's neck to be comfortable while the hair 204 is being treated and/or washed.

(17) FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view showing the shampoo bowl device in use. The shampoo bowl device 100 comprises a slanting front wall 102 that slants upward and outward from the bottom drain output 116 towards the U-shaped notch 108, thereby allowing the shampoo bowl device 100 to be placed next to or behind a salon chair 202. A user 200 easily places his or her neck on the U-shaped notch 108, thereby allowing a stylist 300 to access the hair 204 which is hanging in the cavity of the shampoo bowl device 100. The deep U-shaped cut-out 108 of the rear wall 106 allows the stylist 300 to easily access, wash and rinse all parts of a user's hair 204 using their hands 302. The stylist 300 does not need to bow down or bend over while washing and rinsing a user's hair 204.

(18) Further, the water, shampoo and other hair-cleaning agents can easily flow out from the drain outlet 116 through the drainage pipe 118. It should also be noted that the drainage pipe 118 is connected to an external drainage pipe for draining the wastewater out from the shampoo bowl device 100. The shampoo bowl device 100 is portable and can be easily placed at any convenient location, preferably near a salon or hair care chair 202.

(19) It should be appreciated that the hair washing bowl device has a bowl-depth configured to accommodate long hair 204 extending from the head of a user 200, without the user's hair contacting the drain outlet 116 during the hair-washing and rinsing processes performed by the stylist 300. Further, the stylist 300 can fully comb, remove tangles, apply shampoo and apply toner from the roots to the ends of a user's hair without any bending or discomfort.

(20) FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing a user getting his or her hair shampooed by a stylist in the long hair washing sink device of the present invention. The user 200 can easily and comfortably sit and recline in a salon chair 202 and the stylist 300 can easily apply shampoo 402 on the long hair 204 of the user 200 hanging in the sink device 100. The long hair 204 is easily accommodated in the cavity 114 without touching the drain outlet and accumulated wastewater, thereby providing hygiene and safety to both the user 200 and the stylist 300. The shampoo 402 can then be easily rinsed off without interrupting operation of the user's 200 hair washing.

(21) FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing a user getting his or her hair rinsed with water by a stylist in the long hair washing sink device of the present invention. When rinsing hair 204 with water 504, a user 200 can easily and comfortably sit and recline on a salon chair 202 and the stylist 300 can easily wash the hair 204 with water 504 using a faucet 502. The user's hair 204 is hung inside the cavity of the sink device 100, and is easily accommodated in the cavity 114 without touching the drain outlet and accumulated wastewater, thereby providing hygiene and safety to both the user 200 and the stylist 300.

(22) The shampoo sink device 100 of the present invention conserves water because only a small quantity of water is required to wash hair, style hair, apply toner, color, shampoo and/or remove chemical treatments or the like from a user's hair. Also, less hot water is required to rinse the hair, so less energy is needed to heat the water. Therefore, the shampoo sink device 100 also comprises environmental benefits. Of course, the placement of the hot and cold water handle(s), as well as the hose and the nozzle are up to the designer or manufacturer. For example, most shampoo bowls or sinks will have a porcelain lip on the edge where these items are typically placed or houses. However, for a more sleek appearance, said devices may also be placed elsewhere, such as on the supply or drain line, or on a hook or latch placed on the side of the shampoo sink device 100.

(23) Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “long hair shampoo bowl device”, “long hair shampooing and washing bowl device”, “shampooing sink device”, “shampooing bowl device”, “shampoo sink device” and “bowl device”, are interchangeable and refer to the long hair shampooing and washing bowl device 100 of the present invention.

(24) Notwithstanding the forgoing, the long hair shampoo bowl device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the long hair shampooing and washing bowl device 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-5 is for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the long hair shampooing and washing bowl device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the long hair shampooing and washing bowl device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the long hair shampooing and washing bowl device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

(25) Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features, and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

(26) What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.