Dry Shampoo Comb

Abstract

A dry hair shampoo applicator includes a support; the support includes surface which delimits support apertures. The support apertures open through the surface of the support; further hair comb teeth or hairbrush teeth/bristles extend away from and from the support; the support apertures open into a hollow delimited by surface of the support. A container having dry shampoo material connects to the support and opens into the support hollow. A closure may close and open the apertures.

Claims

1. A dry hair shampoo applicator, comprising: a support, a plurality of apertures delimited by surface of the support; and a first plurality of teeth arranged in a first row along the support.

2. The dry hair shampoo applicator of claim 1, further comprising: a closure moveably connected to a portion of the applicator; and said closure adjustable to and from a closure first position and a closure second position.

3. The dry hair shampoo applicator of claim 2, wherein said closure further comprises: a plurality of closure through holes in the closure; and a plurality of barrier portions, each barrier portion formed with surface of said closure.

4. The dry hair shampoo applicator of claim 3, wherein, when said closure is in said first position, each closure through hole opens into a unique one of said apertures; and when said closure in said second position, each barrier portion completely covers a unique one of said apertures.

5. The dry hair shampoo applicator of claim 1, comprising: a first end portion extending in a transverse direction along a length, the first end portion includes a base; the first end the portion includes a free end opposite the base; and a second end portion extends in the transverse direction along a length, the second portion includes a base and a free end opposite the base.

6. The dry hair shampoo applicator of claim 3, further comprising: a guide residing in a support void space, the closure coupled to the guide slides relative to the guide between the first and second positions.

7. The dry hair shampoo applicator of claim 1, further comprising: a connector which delimits a void space; the connector void space resides in fluid connection with a void space delimited by said support void space.

8. The dry hair shampoo applicator of claim 7, wherein said connector further comprises: a first connector open end connected to the support.

9. The dry hair shampoo applicator of claim 8, wherein the first open end of the connector opens into the support void space.

10. The dry hair shampoo applicator of claim 9, wherein said connector further comprises: a second open end spaced from the connector first open end; said connector second open end opens into the connector void space.

11. The dry hair shampoo applicator of claim 10, further comprising: an actuator which moves to and from a first and a second position.

12. The dry hair shampoo applicator of claim 11, further comprising: a link connecting the actuator to the closure.

13. The dry hair shampoo applicator of claim 11, wherein, movement of the actuator to and from the first and the second positions moves the closure to and from the closure first and closure second position.

14. The dry hair shampoo applicator of claim 11, wherein, when said actuator resides in the first position the closure resides in the closure first position, and wherein when the actuator resides in the second position the closure resides in the closure second position.

15. The dry hair shampoo applicator of claim 12, further comprising: a container adapted to contain dry hair shampoo, said container having an interior surface defining an interior void space in which can reside the dry hair shampoo, said container connected to the connector.

16. The dry hair shampoo applicator of claim 15, wherein, a container open end of said container opens into the connector void space.

17. The dry hair shampoo applicator of claim 16, wherein, said container has a closed end opposite the open end, and when said container has dry hair shampoo in the container void space, raising said container in a transverse direction relative to the support, moves dry hair shampoo from the container through the connector and into the support void space.

18. The dry hair shampoo applicator of claim 17, further comprising a one way valve residing at the connector, the container open end, or at the support void space; said one way valve positioned and configured to at least substantially prevent backflow of dry hair shampoo having exited the container from going back into the container.

19. A method of forming a dry hair shampoo applicator, comprising: forming a support, to extend along a longitudinal length in a longitudinal direction from a first longitudinal end to a second longitudinal end, a first longitudinally extending surface extending from a first end portion to a second end portion in the longitudinal direction; a second longitudinally extending surface oppositely facing the first longitudinally extending surface, a first traverse length extending in a first transverse direction; a second transverse length extending in a second transverse direction; a support void space delimited by an internal surface portion of said support; arranging a first plurality of teeth in a first row along the longitudinal length of the of the support; orienting each tooth of said plurality relative to the support to place a portion of each tooth proximate the first longitudinally extending surface, and a free end of each tooth opposite the portion proximate; forming a plurality of apertures to each have a respective first open end, a respective second open end and a respective void space extending from each apertures' respective first open end to its respective second open end; and designing each second open end of each aperture to open into said support void space when said applicator is in a dry hair shampoo application orientation.

Description

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The use of including, comprising or having and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms mounted, connected, supported, and coupled, abutted, imparted, and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, couplings, abutments and impartments. The phrases: in, resides in, resides between, over, closed, forms and covers does not mean completely in, resides in, resides, forms between over, closed, and covers. The phrases encompass partially in, resides in, resides, forms, between, over, and covers. Further, connected and coupled and abut are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a dry hair shampoo applicator formed as a comb; a user shown in FIG. 1 uses the applicator to comb the user's hair and comb the dry hair shampoo into the hair.

[0027] FIG. 2 is an isometric left sided view of the applicator of FIG. 1 looking into the teeth, apertures and first longitudinally extending surface of the support from where the teeth extend; the view further shows an actuator at a connector and the connector interconnecting a supply container to the support.

[0028] FIG. 3 is an isometric top and left sided view of the applicator shown in FIG. 2, looking into the second longitudinally extending surface of the support; said second longitudinally extending surface oppositely facing a first longitudinally extending surface.

[0029] FIG. 4A is a left sided view of the applicator shown in FIG. 3.

[0030] FIG. 4B is a right side view of the applicator shown in FIG. 4A.

[0031] FIG. 4C is a first end view of the applicator shown in FIG. 4A, looking into the second end of the support of the applicator.

[0032] FIG. 4D is a second end view of the applicator shown in FIG. 4A, looking into a closed end of a container of the applicator.

[0033] FIG. 4E is a top sided view of the applicator shown in FIG. 4A, looking down into the teeth, apertures and first longitudinally extending surface of the support.

[0034] FIG. 4F is a back sided view of the applicator shown in FIG. 4E, looking into the second longitudinally extending surface of the support.

[0035] FIG. 4G is a left sided view of the applicator shown in FIG. 4A, the view includes dashed lines showing internal structure of the applicator.

[0036] FIG. 4H is a sectional view of the applicator shown in FIG. 4E taken along the applicator's longitudinal length showing closure through holes in a closure, the closure through holes and closure all residing in a support void space.

[0037] FIG. 4I is a sectional view of the applicator shown in FIG. 4A taken along view lines 4I-4I of FIG. 4A, the view showing a guide for the closure.

[0038] FIG. 4J is a sectional view of the applicator shown in FIG. 4A taken along view lines 4-4J of FIG. 4A, showing a guide for the closure.

[0039] FIG. 5A is a close up perspective view of the actuator shown in FIG. 4A.

[0040] FIG. 5B is a top view of the actuator shown in FIG. 5A; the actuator resides in the first position.

[0041] FIG. 5C is a top view of the actuator shown in FIG. 5B; the actuator resides in the second position.

[0042] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the applicator.

[0043] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the applicator shown in FIG. 2 with a second row of teeth.

[0044] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the alternative embodiment of the applicator shown in FIG. 3 with a second row of teeth.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a dry hair shampoo applicator (1) formed as a comb. The user (2) shown in FIG. 1 uses the applicator to comb her hair (3) and comb the dry hair shampoo into the hair. The user previously released the dry hair shampoo from the applicator to her head and into the hair.

[0046] FIGS. 2, 3, 4A, 4B, 7 and the other figures show further details of the dry hair shampoo applicator shown in FIG. 1. The applicator includes a support which can be a base. The base can be a shaft or a spine. The support includes a first end portion (5) proximate and at a first longitudinal end (6) of the support. The support includes a second end portion (7) at and proximate a second longitudinal end (8) of the support. The second longitudinal end (8) is opposite the first longitudinal end (6). The support extends along a longitudinal length of the support. The support extends from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end along a longitudinal straight line (52) extending in a longitudinal direction (12) (see FIG. 4E) from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end. The support includes a first longitudinally extending surface (9) that extends from the first end portion to the second end portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0047] The support includes a first transverse length that extends from a first transverse side (10) of the support to a second transverse side (11) of the support along a straight line that extends along the first traverse length in a first transverse direction. The first transverse length, and first transverse direction (13) extends perpendicular to the longitudinal length and longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the longitudinal line. The first transverse length can be called a width of the support. The first transverse side includes a first side surface. The second transverse side includes a second side surface.

[0048] The support includes a second transverse length extending in a second transverse direction (14) from the first longitudinally extending surface (9) to a second longitudinally extending surface (15) oppositely facing the first longitudinally extending surface (9). The length extends along a second transverse straight line. A first transverse end of the second transverse length resides at the first longitudinally extending surface (9). A second transverse end of the second transverse length resides at the second longitudinally extending surface (15). The second traverse length can be called a height of the support. The second transverse direction (14), second transverse length, second transverse line are perpendicular to the first transverse line, first transverse direction (13) and first transfer length. They are also perpendicular to the longitudinal reference line, longitudinal direction (12), and longitudinal length.

[0049] The support proximate the first longitudinal end (6) and distal the second longitudinal end (8) includes the first end portion (5) extending in the second transverse direction (14) along a length. The portion (5) includes a base or a portion at the first longitudinally extending surface (9). The portion includes a free end opposite the base. The support (4) at and proximate the second longitudinal end (8) and distal the first longitudinal end includes the second end portion (7) that extends in the second transverse direction (14) along a length. The second portion (7) includes a base or a portion at the first longitudinally extending surface (9). It includes a free end opposite the base.

[0050] A first plurality of teeth (17) are arranged in a first row along the longitudinal length of the of the support and applicator. The first plurality of teeth (17) are equally spaced from each other. The spacing arrangement between each tooth (17) are known as wide spaced. Each tooth extends (17) from the support (4) and away from the support (4) in the second transvers direction (14). Each tooth (17) includes a portion (17a) proximate and at the first longitudinally extending surface (9). Each tooth includes a free end (17b) opposite the portion proximate (17a) (could be the base) of each tooth. The free end 17 (b) is distal the first longitudinally extending surface (9). Each tooth (17) is rigid. Each tooth at its portion proximate (17a) is rigid and fixed in place relative to the support (4). The free ends of each tooth (17b) are fixed in place relative to the support (4) and each other. There are a total of 17 teeth in a single file straight line along the longitudinal length and in the direction of the support major axis. The teeth are perpendicular to a reference line extending along the longitudinal length. Each tooth extends in the second transverse direction (14). Each tooth extends in parallel relation to each other. The plurality of teeth reside between the first (5) and second end (7) portions of the support. The first (5) and second (7) end portions extend in the second transverse direction (14). In an alternative embodiment the applicator includes a second plurality of teeth (18) arranged in a single file line and row (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The second row extending between the support first end portion and second end portion of the support. The second row is spaced from the first row in the first transverse direction. In the alternative embodiment the apertures (19) reside between first (17) and second rows (18) of teeth.

[0051] The applicator includes the plurality of apertures (19) each with first open ends (19a) and second open ends (19b) and each aperture with a respective void space (19c) between and extending to its respective first and second open ends. Each aperture and its first open end (19a) resides in a single file line extending in the longitudinal direction and in the direction of the longitudinal line. Each aperture and its first open end resides proximate a respective unique one of each of the first plurality of teeth's portions proximate the first longitudinally extending surface (9) and at or proximate the support first longitudinally extending surface (9) and distal the second support longitudinally extending surface (15). Each aperture when in an open position opens into a support void space (20) delimited by a portion of said support. More particularly the internal surface (20a) of the support delimits the support void space (20). Each aperture at its second open end resides at or proximate a portion of the internal surface of the support and distal the first support longitudinally extending surface. Each aperture when in a closed position resides closed off from the support void space (20). In an alternative embodiment a plurality of apertures (19) could have a different construction. An aperture with the different construction would have the first open end (19a) at or proximate a tooth's free end (17b) and distal the tooth's base (17a). The aperture would have the second open end (19b) at or proximate a portion of the internal surface of the support and distal the first support longitudinally extending surface (9). The void space (19c) extends from the first open end to the second open end through the tooth.

[0052] The dry hair shampoo applicator includes a moveable structure (24). The structure can be a cover (24) or a closure (24). The closure (24) is moveable between the first position and a second position and a third position. The closure (24) includes a plurality of closure through holes (24a) arranged along the longitudinal length of the closure and in single file line. Each closure through opening (24a), each opens through portions of the closure (24). Between each adjacent closure through opening resides a continuous barrier portion (24b). Each barrier portion (24b) is formed from surface of the closure. The closure (24) resides in the support void space (20). When moved to the first position (25a) the closure orients to a first position where each closure through hole maximally opens into a unique one of the plurality of support apertures (19). When moved to the second position (25b), the closure orients to where surface of the closure, the barrier portions (25b), completely block and completely cover each aperture second opening. In more detail each barrier portion completely covers a respective unique one of said apertures (19) and more particularly each barrier portion covers each aperture second open end (19b). When moved to the third position the closure orients to a third alignment position where each closure through hole (24a) only partially opens into a unique one of the plurality of support apertures (19). The closure is slidably movable to and from each of the first (25a) and second (25b) and third positions. A guide (27) connects to the support (4) and resides in the support void space (20). The closure slides relative to the guide (27) between the first (25a) second (25b) and third positions. The guide (27) facilitates the closure's slidable movement. The closure (24) slides along the guide. The guide could or could not have through holes which always open to the support void space (20). The guide holes, apertures, and closure through holes all open up into each other and into the support void space when the closure resides in the first position. When the closure resides in the second position (25b) the closure through holes are blocked by the guide and do not open up to the support void space and do not open into the apertures. The guide can reside in a manner where the closure through openings always remain open to the supply void space (20). The guide (27) simply does not block the closure through holes (24a) regardless of the closures position.

[0053] The applicator includes a connector (30) which delimits a void space (30a). See FIG. 6. The connector void space (30a) resides in fluid connection with the support void space (20). The connector at a first connector open end (30b) attaches to the support (4) proximate and at the support first longitudinal end (6). The first connector first open end (30b) resides distal the support second longitudinal end (8). The connector first open end is open (30b) and opens into the support void space (20). The connector includes a second open end (30c) spaced from the connector first open end. The second connector open end (30c) opens into the connector void space (30a).

[0054] At the connector resides an actuator (40) and it moves the closure (24) from and to the first (25a) second (25b) and third positions. A link (26) connects the actuator (40) to the closure (24). The actuator sits in a void space (41) delimited by the connector (30). The actuator includes projections (40a) which sit in recesses (41a) formed with the connector (30). The projections sit in a unique one of the recesses for each of when the closure resides in the first or second position. The actuator slidably moves between a first and a second position which correspond to the first (24a) and second position (24b) of the closure (24). The actuator is engaged to a portion of the applicator. The actuator is slidably movable relative to the connector and support.

[0055] The applicator can include a dry hair shampoo storage and supply container (50). The container can define an interior void space (50a) in which resides the dry hair shampoo. The container can include an open end (50b) which opens into the container void space (50a). The container can have a closed end (50c) opposite the open end. The container having dry hair shampoo in the container void space can connect to the connector (30) with a thread and groove coupling as shown or a snap fit or press fit or bayonet fit. The open end of the container (50b) opens to the connector open end (30b) and to the support void space (20).

[0056] In the present example the dry hair shampoo takes the form of fine power such as powder containing fine rice starch. In an alternative embodiment, the applicator can include a one way valve (51) such as a ball valve or flapper valve to allow dry hair shampoo to exit the container but prevent or at least sustainably prevent backflow of the dry hair shampoo having exited the container (50) from going back into the container. The ball or flapper valve can reside at the connector, the container open end or at the support void space.

[0057] The user (2) engages the applicator (1) to apply dry hair shampoo to the user's hair (3) including its roots. The user obtains the applicator having dry hair shampoo in the form of a powder in the container and the container (50) connected to the connector (3). To apply the dry hair shampoo the user can tilt the applicator to raise the container closed end (50c) in the second transverse direction (14) relative to the support second end (7). The raising causes dry hair shampoo in the form of a powder to move into the support void space (20). The powder before entering the support void space passes through the connector void space (30a) and they second (30c) and first (30b) connector open ends. The applicator could include the one way valve to present backflow of the dry hair shampoo. Once the support void space (20) contains the dry hair shampoo, the user levels the container closed end (50c) with support second end (7). The leveling places the support longitudinal reference line level with the horizon or perpendicular with the user's torso. The user then places the free end (17b) of the teeth (17) on the hair (3) and/or scalp (3a). The user, with the applicator's teeth on the hair and/or scalp or just above the scalp of hair, moves the actuator to the first position. The movement moves the closure to the first position (25a). The movement of the closure orients the apertures into the open position. Dry hair shampoo when the apertures are in the open position moves from the support void space (20) to and through the closure through holes (24a). Subsequent to passing through the closure through holes (24a), the powder exits the apertures (19) at the aperture first open end (19a). Accordingly moving the actuator to the first position enables dry hair shampoo to exit the apertures from the support void space (20). The dry hair shampoo from the apertures moves to the hair and/or scalp. It is believed the teeth (17) facilitate movement of the powder to the hair and scalp. Further facilitation of the powder to the hair and/or scalp occurs during movement of the teeth (17) relative to the user's scalp or hair. Spread of the powder occurs during combing of the hair while and after the powder is released.

[0058] In the present embodiment the applicator (1) includes a dispensing system which comprises the apertures (19), the closure (24), the support void space (20), and container void space (50a). In an alternative embodiment the dry hair shampoo could be maintained under pressure in the container (50). The container would be connected to a valve configured to allow an actuator accessible to the user to engage the valve to release the dry hair shampoo under pressure through a gas sealed passage open to the apertures. The dry hair shampoo under pressure would exit the apertures (19) which could be configured to provide the dry hair shampoo in spray formation. The dry hair shampoo could be a liquid solution under pressure as opposed to a dry powder. The gas used to pressurize the container having the dry hair shampoo could be butane or any other suitable propellant. The pressure would be suitable to provide sufficient force to propel the dry hair shampoo through and from the container to and through the apertures (19). A pressure of 15 psi would seem to work.

[0059] The above described applicator forms a comb. Alternatively the applicator can be constructed to form a brush. A support would have a width to accommodate at least five rows of longitudinally extending teeth. Each longitudinal row could have at least 12 teeth. Each tooth forming part of a unique longitudinally extending row, would form part of a unique transversely extending row. Each transverse row could have five teeth. The teeth would be less rigid than those of a comb and flexible to the touch. The above described brush would have a support carrying the transverse rows of teeth and the five longitudinal rows of teeth. The term teeth is broad enough to include bristles.

[0060] As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited to the details of the examples illustrated herein. It is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications using other similar or related features or techniques will occur to those skilled in the art. It is accordingly intended that all such modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are deemed to be covered by the present invention. Other aspects, objects, and advantages of the 10 present invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosures, and the appended claims.