A HAIR WASHING STATION

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hair wash station. The hair wash station comprises a top sink configured to wash hair of a person, wherein the top sink comprising a water supply to provide water, and a bottom sink arranged at a lower level relative to the top sink, wherein the bottom sink comprising a drain for draining water from the bottom sink. The hair wash station further comprise a guiding passage connected to the top sink and configured such that water from the top sink flows along the guiding passage and into the bottom sink.

Claims

1. A hair wash station comprising: a top sink configured to wash hair of a person, the top sink comprising a water supply to provide water; a bottom sink arranged at a lower level relative to the top sink, the bottom sink comprising a drain for draining water from the bottom sink; and a guiding passage connected to the top sink and configured such that water from the top sink flows along the guiding passage and into the bottom sink.

2. The hair wash station of claim 1, wherein the top sink is height adjustable.

3. The hair wash station of claim 2, being configured such that a height of the top sink is adjustable between approximately 50 cm and 150 cm, or between approximately 60 cm and 140 cm, or between approximately 70 cm and 130 cm, or between approximately 77.5 cm and 127 cm.

4. The hair wash station of claim 2, comprising a stand for supporting at least the top sink, wherein the stand comprises a telescopic pole that is extendable in length such that a height of the top sink can be adjusted.

5. The hair wash station of claim 4, wherein the stand comprises a housing for housing parts of the water supply and/or containers for hair products, wherein the housing comprises a base part and a sleeve part that is received within the base part when the top sink is lowered.

6. The hair wash station of claim 2, comprising an actuator configured to adjust a height of the top sink.

7. The hair wash station of claim 1, comprising a flexible joint for tilting the top sink.

8. The hair wash station of claim 1, wherein the top sink comprises a recess for receiving a neck portion of the person whose hair is being washed in the top sink.

9. The hair wash station of claim 8, wherein the top sink further comprises a soft material that is provided within the recess.

10. The hair wash station of claim 9, wherein the soft material is an elastic material that fills the entire recess of the top sink.

11. The hair wash station of claim 1, wherein the guiding passage has an open end that is substantially aligned with the drain of the bottom sink.

12. The hair wash station of claim 1, wherein the top sink and the guiding passage are integrally formed.

13. The hair wash station of claim 1, wherein the guiding passage is open to provide access to the hair supported by the guiding passage.

14. The hair wash station of claim 1, wherein the drain comprises at least one of: a mesh strain, at least one brush and a filter.

15. The hair wash station of claim 1, wherein the drain comprises a mesh strain configured to capture loose hair from the bottom sink, the mesh strain extending over approximately 80% of the bottom sink, or over approximately 75%, or over approximately 70%, or over approximately 50%.

16. The hair wash station of claim 1, wherein the drain comprises a pair of brushes that are at least partially interlocked.

17. The hair wash station of claim 1, wherein the drain comprises a mesh strain configured to capture loose hair, a pair of interlocked brushes to capture grease and a filter that is configured such that no hair can move through the filter.

18.-19. (canceled)

20. A hair wash system for washing hair, the hair wash system comprising: a top sink configured to wash hair of a user, the top sink comprising a liquid supply to provide liquid; a bottom sink arranged at a lower level relative to the top sink, the bottom sink comprising a drain for draining liquid from the bottom sink; a guiding passage connected to the top sink and configured such that water from the top sink flows along the guiding passage and into the bottom sink; and a chair arranged relative to the top sink such that hair of a person sitting in the chair can be washed in the top sink.

21. A hair wash station for washing hair, the hair wash station comprising: a top sink configured to wash hair of a person, the top sink comprising a water supply to provide water; a bottom sink arranged at a lower level relative to the top sink, the bottom sink comprising a drain for draining water from the bottom sink; a guiding passage connected to the top sink and configured such that water from the top sink flows along the guiding passage and into the bottom sink; and a water recycling system comprising at least a pump and a filter, wherein the hair wash station is configured such that water drained through the drain of the bottom sink flows through the filter of the water recycling system, and wherein the pump of the water recycling system is configured to pump the water after passing the filter to the water supply of the top sink.

22.-23. (canceled)

24. The hair wash station of claim 21 being portable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0044] Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of a hair wash station in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] FIG. 2 is a side view of the hair washing station of FIG. 1;

[0047] FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the neck portion of the hair washing station of FIG. 1;

[0048] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a drain of the hair wash station of FIG. 1;

[0049] FIG. 5 is a schematic isometric view of a hair wash station in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0050] FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of a shelf that is attachable to the hair wash station of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0051] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a hair wash station for washing hair of a person, such as a customer in a hair dressing salon. The hair wash station may be stationary or portable. The hair wash station comprises a top sink and a bottom sink. The top sink is configured to wash the hair of a person and comprises a water supply to provide water, such as a water mixer with a handheld shower head. The bottom sink is arranged at a lower level relative to the top sink and comprises a drain for drainage of the water from the top sink. The hair wash station further comprises a guiding passage that is directly connected to the top sink and configured such that water from the top sink, for example from the shower head, can flow along the guiding passage and into the bottom sink. The guiding passage may, for example, have a surface area configured to support the hair of the person while the hair is being washed. In this way, the hair of the person can fully extend while the hair is being washed. Even more so, a hair dresser or any other person who is washing the person's hair may brush the hair while it is being supported on the surface area of the guiding passage.

[0052] The inventor of the present invention discovered that with conventional hair wash stations that typically have a drain located at the bottom of the basin in the centre, hair becomes tangled due to the hair washing process. This may be due to conventional hair wash stations being relatively shallow so that particularly long hair blocks the drain and with the water supply it creates a whirlpool that than results in entanglement of the hair Embodiments of the present invention have the advantage that there may be no need to provide a drain in the top sink in which the hair is being washed. This may reduce the likelihood of entanglement and less breakage of the hair

[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a stationary hair wash station 100 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the hair wash station 100 comprises of a top sink 102 that is configured to wash a person's hair In this regard, the top sink 102 comprises a water supply in the form of a water mixer 104 and a handset in the form of a handheld shower head 106. In addition, the top sink 102 may comprise a liquid mixer (not shown) to provide hair products, including but not limited to shampoo, conditioner, soap or the like.

[0054] The hair wash station 100 further comprises a bottom sink 108 that is arranged at a lower level relative to the top sink 102. The bottom sink 108 comprises a drain 110. In this particular example, the top sink 102 does not comprise a drain. The top sink 102 is connected to a guiding passage entry 112. The guiding passage entry 112 is configured such that water from the top sink 102 can flow along the guiding passage 112/130/132/134 and into the bottom sink 108 where it flows through the drain 110 and enters into the sewer through the pipes below the floor 144.

[0055] The hair wash station 100 further comprises a stand 114 that is configured to support the top sink 102, the guiding passage 112/130/132/134 and the bottom sink 108. The stand 114 comprises a housing 116 to conceal parts of the hair wash station 100, such as water pipes, a pump or the like as shown in FIG. 2. The housing 116 may further be configured to provide a space for hair washing utensils and products, such as shampoo, conditioner and the like. In this particular example, the stand 114 is configured such that a height of the top sink 102 can be adjusted. This has the advantage that the height of the top sink 102 in which a person's hair is washed can be adjusted to fit most people and a variety of chairs the person sits on. In this way, the hair wash station 100 may provide sufficient flexibility to accommodate for a variety of chairs that can be used in connection with the hair wash station 100. Even more so, the hair wash station 100 may be used in connection with a wheelchair In this example, the stand 114 comprises an actuator 118 for adjusting the height of the top sink 102. This may be implemented in any suitable way, including but not limited to a mechanical, electronical or hydraulic method. In this example, the stand 114 comprises a telescopic pole 120 which supports the top sink 102 and can be extended. In this regard, the telescopic pole 120 is configured such that the height of the top sink 102 can be adjusted manually or electronically by moving the top sink 102 up or down.

[0056] In this example, the hair wash station 100 is configured such that the height of the top sink 102 is adjustable between approximately 77.5 cm and 127 cm. However, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that other ranges are envisaged, including but not limited to approximately 50 cm and 150 cm, in particular between approximately 60 cm and 140 cm, or in particular between approximately 70 cm and 130 cm.

[0057] The housing 116 comprises a base part 122 and a sleeve part 124 as best shown in FIG. 2. The sleeve part 124 is configured to slide into the base part 122 when the top sink 102 is lowered. This may improve the aesthetics of the hair wash station 100.

[0058] As shown particularly in FIG. 2, the hair wash station 100 further comprises a flexible joint in the form of a tilt mechanism 128. The tilt mechanism 128 is configured such that the top sink 102 can be tilted. The top sink 102 comprises a recess 154 for receiving a neck portion of the person whose hair is being washed in the top sink 102. As such, by tilting the top sink 102, a height and angle of the recess 154 can be modified. This has the advantage that comfort for the person whose hair is to be washed may be improved. In this particular example, the flexible joint in the form of a tilt mechanism 128 enables the top sink 102 to be tilted about 45°. However, a person skilled in the art will appreciated that other tilt angles are envisaged, including but not limited to about 60°, about 50°, about 40° about 30°, about 20° or about 10°. The tilt mechanism 128 is configured such that the top sink 102 can be tilted in any radial direction.

[0059] Referring now in particular to the recess 154 which is shown in further detail in FIG. 3. The recess 154 is shaped to receive the neck portion of a person. In this example as shown in FIG. 3, the recess 154 comprises a layer of soft material 156. The soft material 156 provides the function of providing a cushion for the neck portion to improve comfort for the person. In this example, the soft material 156 is an elastic material. The elastic material 156 fills the entire recess 154 of the top sink 102 and is configured such that the elastic material 156 snugly fits around the neck portion of the person to improve comfort. In this way, the elastic material 156 may function as a seal such that water from the top sink 102 may not flow down the person's neck portion but is retained to the person's scalp and hair. In one example, the elastic material 156 comprises silicone.

[0060] Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the hair wash station 100 comprises a guiding passage 112/130/132/134 connected to the top sink 102 and configured such that water from the top sink 102 flows along the guiding passage 112/130/132/134 and into the bottom sink 108. In this particular example, the guiding passage 112/130/132/134 is not directly connected to the bottom sink 108. Instead, the guiding passage 112/130/132/134 comprises an open end 130 that is arranged such that water flowing from the top sink 102 along the guiding passage 112/132/130/134 is guided into the bottom sink 108. Specifically, the open end 130 is located at a top portion of the bottom sink 108 and substantially aligned with the drain 110. Providing an open end 130 has the advantage that a height of the top sink 102 can be adjusted without the need of any adjustment of the bottom sink 108.

[0061] In this example, the top sink 102 and the guiding passage 112/130/132/134 are integrally formed. A person skilled in the art will appreciated that any suitable material is envisaged for components of the hair wash station 100. In the example in which the top sink 102 and the guiding passage 112/130/132/134 are integrally formed, the material may be ceramic. In another example, components of the hair washing station 100 may be made of a plastics material, such as epoxy. In this regard, components of the hair washing station 100 may be 3D printed.

[0062] The guiding passage 112/130/132/134 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a base surface 132 and walls 134 on each side of the base surface 132. The base surface 132 has a portion that is relatively flat such that hair extending from the top sink 102 into the guiding passage entry 112 can be fully supported by the base surface 132. Providing a relatively flat surface has the advantage that the hair supported by the base surface 132 can be brushed on the base surface 132. As such, the guiding passage entry 112 is open to provide access to the hair of the person.

[0063] Due to the guiding passage 112/130/132/134 being open, there may be water spillage when the water flows from the top sink 102 through the guiding passage 112/130/132/134 into the bottom sink 108. In order to reduce the likelihood of water spillage, the hair wash station 100 further comprises a protective splash panel 136 connected to a side wall of the bottom sink 108. The protective splash panel 136 is configured to extend a height of the side wall of the bottom sink 108 to a height sufficient to reduce water spillage from the top sink 102 as well as the bottom sink 108.

[0064] In an alternative example, the guiding passage 112/130/132/134 may be in the form of a tube or tunnel. This may provide the advantage that the risk of spilling water may be reduced.

[0065] Referring now in particular to FIG. 4, there is shown the drain 110 of the bottom sink 108. In this example, the drain 110 comprises a mesh strain 138, a pair of brushes 140 and a filter 142. The drain 110 is connected to a water outlet in the form of a pipe 144. The water outlet may further comprise a hygienic self-sealing waste valve connected to the pipe 144.

[0066] The drain 110 has the function to capture loose hair and grease from hair products, such as shampoo and conditioner. In this embodiment, the drain 110 comprises three components: a mesh strain 138, a pair of brushes 140 and a relatively fine filter 142. However, a person skilled in the art will appreciated that the drain may only comprise one or two components. As shown in FIG. 4, the mesh strain 138 extends over a relatively large surface area of a lower surface area of the bottom sink 108 and is configured to capture loose hair. In this specific embodiment, the mesh strain 138 extends over approximately 80% of the lower surface area of the bottom sink 108. However, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that any size of the mesh strain is envisaged, including but not limited to 75%, or approximately 70%, or approximately 50% of the lower surface area of the bottom sink 108.

[0067] The pair of brushes 140 are partially interlocked and have the function of capturing in particular grease from the bottom sink 108. Grease may be a result from the hair that is being washed in the top sink 102 and/or from the hair products, such as shampoo, conditioner and the like. The pair of interlocked brushes 140 may also capture some further loose hair that moved through the mesh strain 138.

[0068] The third component is a filter 142. The filter 142 has a relatively fine mesh so that no or only little hair can move through the filter 142. This will reduce the risk that the pipe 144 and/or the hygienic self-sealing waste valve will be blocked by a blockage of hair and grease. All components of the drain 110 are removable. This allows to clean the drain 110 in a relatively easy manner.

[0069] The drain 110 as shown in FIG. 4 may be particularly suitable for a portable hair wash station in which water can be recycled as will be described further below.

[0070] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a hair wash station 200 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The hair wash station 200 also comprises a top sink 202 to wash hair of a person, a bottom sink 204 with a drain, and a guiding passage 206 that is connected to the top sink 202 and configured such that water from the top sink 202 flows along the guiding passage 206 and into the bottom sink 204.

[0071] The top sink 202 also comprises a water supply in the form of a water mixer 208 and a handset in the form of a shower head 210. However, in this particular example, the shower head 210 further comprises brush elements 212. The brush elements 212 protrude from the shower head 210 where the water outlets are. When the shower head 210 is in use, water flows through the brush elements 212 and hair can be brushed while the hair is being rinsed. The inventor of the present invention has discovered that brushing of hair may be simplified with the presence of water and other liquids such as conditioners or the like. In this example, the brush elements 212 are supported by a hair tool element (not shown) that is interchangable with a variety of alternative brush and other hair tool elements for example for massaging the scalp of a person. The hair tool element is attachable to the shower head 210, for example by a snap fit mechanism. In this way, a hair tool or brush can be selected depending on the type of hair that is being washed. The hair tool element may further comprise a hair removal element that facilitates removing of hair remaining between the brush elements 212. In this regard, the hair removal element may remove the hair by pushing the hair along the brush elements 212 and away from the hair tool element.

[0072] Furthermore, the top sink 202 comprises a mixing component 214. The mixing component 214 is in communication with a plurality of storage containers (not shown) that are fillable with hair products, including but not limited to different varieties of shampoos and conditioners or the like. The mixing component 214 comprises a plurality of buttons and is configured such that a hair product can be selectively dispensed by pushing one of the plurality of buttons. Upon pushing one of the plurality of buttons, a pre-set amount of the selected hair product will be dispensed. The containers filled with hair products may be located within the stand 216, alongside the stand 216 of the hair wash station 200, similar to the hair wash station 100, or in other locations of the hair studio.

[0073] The guiding passage 206 is open so that the hair can be supported on a surface area of the guiding passage 206. Furthermore, the guiding passage 206 has an open end 218 at a bottom portion of the guiding passage 206 that is substantially aligned with a drain (not shown) of the bottom sink 204, similar to the hair wash station 100. However, in this particular example, a protective splash panel 220 is attached to the open end 218 of the guiding passage 206. In this example, the protective splash panel 220 is attached to the guiding passage 206 using clips 222. Thus, when a height of the top sink 202 is adjusted, the guiding passage 206 and the protective splash panel 220 move together with the top sink 202.

[0074] The top sink 202 further comprises pins 224 that are located at a top portion of the sink 202 adjacent to the water mixer 208, the shower head 210 and the mixing components 212. The pins 224 are located where a shelf may be attached to the top sink 202, for example, to hold utensils, hair products or the like.

[0075] An exemplary shelf 230 for attaching to the hair wash station 200 is shown in FIG. 6. In this example, the shelf 230 comprises hooks 232 for attaching the shelf 230 to the top sink 202 of the hair wash station 200 such that the platform 234 of the shelf 230 remains level when the top sink 202 is tilted. In this regard, the shelf 230 is attachable to the top sink 202 by virtue of a swivel joint (not shown). This has the particular advantage that when the top sink 202 is tilted, there is no need to remove any items located on the platform 234 of the shelf 230 as the platform 234 remains level. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the shelf 230 may be in any suitable form and may comprise multiple levels and/or pull-out drawers.

[0076] In a further embodiment (not shown), there is provided a portable hair wash station. The portable hair wash station is configured in a similar manner as hair wash stations 100 and 200. Specifically, the portable hair wash station also comprises a top sink with a water supply, a guiding passage connected to the top sink and a bottom sink with a drain. The portable hair washing station further comprises a plurality of wheels so that the hair wash station can be moved. In addition, the portable hair washing station may comprise a water inlet and a water outlet for connecting the portable hair washing station to an existing plumbing system, for example in a kitchen or bathroom. Alternatively, the portable hair wash station may comprise a water recycling system as will be described below.

[0077] In a further embodiment (not shown), there is provided a hair wash station configured such that water used within the hair wash station can be re-used. In this regard, the hair wash station may comprise a water recycling system. This is particularly advantageous for a portable hair wash station, but a person skilled in the art will appreciate that a water recycling system also provides advantages to a stationary hair wash station.

[0078] In one particular example, the water recycling system comprises at least one of a filter system, a pump, a heater and a water tank for storing water. All these components may be located within a housing of the hair wash station, such as the housing 122 of the hair wash station 100.

[0079] In comparison to hair wash station 100, instead of the water flowing from the bottom sink through the drain into the sewer, in this example the water flows through the filter system of the water recycling system into the water tank. A suitable filter system may for example be the one shown in FIG. 4. Once the water is filtered and contained within the water tank, the heater may heat the water to a desired temperature such that the pump can pump the heated water to the water supply at the top sink. In this way, the water within the hair wash station can be re-used.

[0080] In this example where the water tank is located within the stand of the hair wash basin, the water tank may be collapsible so that a size of the water tank can be minimised. Furthermore, the hair wash station may further comprise a water outlet such that the pump may empty the water tank once the hair wash station is to be moved or the water needs replacing.

[0081] In a further embodiment (not shown), there is provided a hair wash system for washing hair The hair wash system may comprise the hair wash station 100 or the hair wash station 200 described above connected to a chair for the person whose hair is to be washed.

[0082] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments and/or aspects without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. For example, it will be apparent that certain features of the invention can be combined to form further embodiments. The present embodiments and aspects are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Several embodiments are described above with reference to the drawings. These drawings illustrate certain details of specific embodiments that implement the systems and methods and programs of the present invention. However, describing the invention with drawings should not be construed as imposing on the invention any limitations associated with features shown in the drawings.