MXPA00004903A - Applicators - Google Patents

Abstract

An applicator (106, 114), for use in delivering a flowable composition, wherein a housing (116), a support (136) having a plurality of elongate parting members (144)projecting therefrom, securing means (138, 140) for securing the support to the housing, and orifice means (148) for enabling the flowable composition to be delivered from the housing (116), characterised in that the securing means includes at least one catch (138, 140) which is releasable remotely from the orifice means (148).

Description

APPLICATORS The present invention relates generally to applicators and more specifically but not exclusively to applicators for use with compositions for dyeing hair. An applicator for use with a hair dye is known from JP-A-9-75127, the applicator includes a plurality of comb teeth arranged along a slit-like opening formed in a support that is press fit into a frame. More particularly, the support is formed with a connection portion which is press-fitted into a discharge hole of the frame and which can also be formed with a skirt which is pressed into a stepped part of the frame. In the case in which the movement of the teeth of the comb can not be carried out due to knots or tangled hair, it is possible that the support simply slips off the frame. In accordance with the present invention, however, an applicator for use in supplying a fluid composition comprises a frame, a support having several elongated spacing members projecting therefrom, a fixation device for fixing the support on the frame, and an orifice device to allow the fluid composition to be supplied from the frame, characterized in that the fixing device includes at least one detent that can be released remotely from the orifice device. Accordingly, not only is there no need for the user to come into contact with the fluid composition, when the frame support is removed, but at least one detent prevents the support from being accidentally removed from the frame. Preferably, at least one detent can be resiliently deflected and can be engaged with an opening extending through the frame. If the clamping device includes a pair of detents, it is particularly preferred that one of the detents can be deflected in a resilient manner and engaged by the opening and the other of the detents can operate as a pivot. The retainer that can be deflected in a resilient manner must be able to be released through finger pressure, however, it may be possible that the support can be removed from the frame simply by rolling the frame on a hard surface. It is possible for the elongated dividing members to be flexible filaments, as in the case of a brush-type construction, but it is preferred that each of the elongated dividing members be in the form of a substantially rigid tooth providing a comb-like construction. To facilitate manufacture, particularly when molded into a plastic material, the teeth can be placed in at least one row with the teeth having generally triangular profiles of different transverse dimensions when viewed from one end of at least one row. Preferably, the orifice device includes a plurality of outlets extending through the support, and at least two (but not necessarily all) exits extending through the support extend further through respective teeth, and at least Two exits (but not necessarily all) that extend through the teeth arise at free ends of the remote teeth of the support. An advantage of supplying the fluid composition from the teeth instead of supplying it from the support, is that this can help the subsequent dispersion of the fluid composition, a uniform dispersion is especially important when the fluid composition is a composition for dyeing The hair. For greater ease and strength of assembly, the frame is preferably screwed removably with a container containing the fluid composition, the frame is formed with tongue means provided to press fit when the frame has been fully screwed onto the container, in a predetermined alignment.

Another advantage of the present invention, which results from the fact that the support is easily removable from the frame, is that there may be a plurality of supports between which one must be selected by the user, the elongated dividing members of different supports are of different types such as, for example, different configurations of teeth and / or outputs. An applicator, in accordance with the present invention, will now be described in greater detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a lid, a bottle, a bag flexible, a support tube, an insert, a valve, a spout, a sponge cushion, a comb frame and a comb - all components of a set of elements for dyeing hair incorporating the present invention; Figure 2 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view showing the lid when it is fixed on the bottle; Figure 3 is a plan view of the insert; Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view, taken perpendicular to the cross-sectional view of Figure 2 showing a dye container when connected to the insert to allow dye in the dye container to be added to the dye container. the flexible bag; Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the spout when it is fixed on the bottle; Figure 6 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5 in perspective but showing the sponge cushion when it is fixed on the spout; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the frame of the comb when it is fixed on the bottle with the comb fixed on the frame for the comb; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the figure 9; Figures 11 and 12 are, respectively, cross-sectional views of the comb and the comb frame before being fixed together. The accompanying drawings illustrate a set of elements for dyeing hair that incorporates all aspects of the present invention - the different inventive aspects for which protection is sought in the present patent application and in several contemporary patent applications, relate to a supply system as well as various applicators and applicator systems for use in the provision of a fluid composition.

Although the fluid composition is preferably a composition for dyeing the hair, no aspect of the present invention is limited to said specific fluid composition. Other examples of fluid compositions are: drugs such as, for example, for the care of pets; food, for example, cake mixes; cleaning fluids, for example, to care for clothes or rugs; cosmetics, for example, body lotions or humidifiers; adhesives or lubricants. The use of a composition for dyeing the hair can be problematic. One problem is that the composition for dyeing the hair may have to be prepared from two or more materials and components just before use. This means that the component materials must be stored separately in a way that allows a user to mix the component materials when required. Typically, one of the component materials is hydrogen peroxide and another of the component materials is a dye. The user, however, should not be exposed to any danger or any risk of staining when adding the dye to hydrogen peroxide. Another problem is that the hair dye composition may have to be applied to the hair through an applicator at any angle. If the applicator is fed from a simple compressible bottle, the applicator can be ready for use in any orientation when the compressible bottle is full. NeverthelessWhen the compressible bottle is progressively emptied, it is found that the applicator is not ready for immediate use in any orientation but it may be necessary to first prime said applicator to compensate for the effect of any retrosuction of the composition for dyeing the hair. This makes it difficult to control the application of the hair dye composition, especially in the profile of the scalp while avoiding staining of the skin. The set of elements for dyeing the hair of the present invention not only allows the hair dye composition to be prepared just before use, but the applicators are fed by a user-controlled delivery system wherein the composition The hair dye is discharged through a mechanically generated pressure differential (not an aerosol) such that the hair dye composition is always ready to be discharged in any orientation of the delivery system. The entire dye composition for the hair that is discharged can be administered in all orientations - which can be more than 90% or up to 95% of the hair dye composition that has been prepared. The set of hair dye elements of the present invention also allows the hair dye composition to be delivered in amounts regulated by the user through applicators to specific areas to achieve a regular dye distribution with the minimum of dyeing. application problems. No applicator is equally suitable, even when handled carefully, to apply a hair dye composition to the roots, the profile of the scalp, and the main body of the hair. It is therefore customary to offer applicators of different types selected between line applicator, surface applicator and a brush / comb type applicator. The line applicator can be a spout with a single outlet and the surface applicator can be made of a porous material with several outlets. The brush / comb type applicator may have several outlets for supplying a hair dye composition which is then dispersed by several elongated dividing members. As can be expected, the elongated division members may have similarities with the bristles of a brush or the teeth of a comb. The different types of applicators should be brought in fluid communication with a container for the hair dye composition. Specific advantages of the present set for dyeing the hair are: (a) only one type selected from three applicators of different types is exposed during use in such a way that there is no risk during manipulation of the problem hair caused by a dye composition for the hair left in other applicators or inside them; (b) a surface applicator chosen from three applicators of different types is for foam or sponge material having a porous structure compressed in a resilient manner to provide an improved dispersion of the hair dye composition; and (c) a brush / comb type applicator chosen from three applicators of different types has at least two of its outlets formed in respective members of its elongated dividing members to provide an improved dispersion of the hair dye composition. Other specific advantages of the present set of elements for dyeing the hair are that a one-piece valve simultaneously performs the two functions of controlling the air inlet and dye composition output for the hair, a support for the elongated dividing members. they are fixed on a frame through at least one detent that can be released from a remote position of the hair dye composition, and with a line applicator fixed on a container, a brush-type applicator / comb can be placed in the line applicator and nevertheless can still be fixed directly on the container. Before describing a surface applicator with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, a brush / comb type applicator will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12, a delivery system that controls a line applicator with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. A bottle 10 can be formed with a hollow body 12 having a generally oval section and closed at its lower end but having an open neck 14 at an upper end. The neck can be formed with an external thread 16. The neck 14 can also be formed by a pair of opposed tongue devices 18 of which only one is shown in Figure 1. Each of the tongue means 18 preferably includes a space 20 which is approached via a ramp 22 for a purpose that will be described later. At least the body 12 can be formed of resiliently deformable plastic material in such a way that the bottle 10 can quickly recover its shape when it is no longer compressed. The plastic material can be a low density polyethylene, a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) or polypropylene and can be transparent. If it is not transparent, the plastic material is preferably translucent and may or may not be colored.

A flexible bag 24 can be formed from two splice sheets 26 of the same shape sealed together around most of their common periphery to form a side seal bag having a top opening 28 and a lower V-shaped edge 30. The bag 24 defines a reserve for a first material, such as for example hydrogen peroxide and therefore must provide a good moisture barrier. Each of the sheets 26 can be of a laminated metallized material and preferably includes the following three layers: LLDPE seal / adhesive material / metallized PET (polyethylene terephthalate). The bag 24 can be inserted into the bottle 10 through the neck 14 to form a container with a deformable outer layer (body 2) and a collapsible inner layer (sheets 26) separated therebetween by an intermediate zone 32, as shown in FIG. Figure 4. As shown also in Figure 4, a support tube 34 can be inserted into the bag 24 through the opening 28. The tube 34 can have several holes 36 in its length and can provide a channel at least partially rigid open in cross section. A lower end 38 of the tube 34 may be open or closed. The lower end 38 of the tube 34 may be in contact with the bag 24 - alternatively, the lower end 38 of the tube 34 may be closed but not in contact with the V-shaped edge 30 of the bag 24. An upper end of the tube 34 may be fixed on an insert 40 by any suitable method or device and may be a simple snap fit on the insert.40. The insert 40 is partially insertable into the bag 24 through the opening 28 and is also partially insertable into the bottle 10 through the neck 14. Preferably, the insert is permanently fixed in a fluid-tight manner on the sheets 26 around the opening 28 as for example by thermal or ultrasonic welding. The insert 40 and the pouch 24 can alternatively be of unitary construction. The insert 40 is preferably fixed non-removably on the neck 14 through a simple snap fit or through any method or device that can be alternatively removable by a user to achieve a system that can be refilled. As shown in Figure 2, 4 and 6 the insert 40 can be a one-piece plastic molding having a tubular member 42 which defines a hole and extends centrally relative to a side wall 44 a transverse wall 46 and a pair of opposite lower sections 48. The side wall 44 is illustrated with a flange 50 extending outwardly at its upper end, to limit the insertion of the insert 40 in the bottle 10, and an inwardly directed rib 52 in a position which is generally midway between the flange 50 and the transverse wall 46. The transverse wall 46 is illustrated with a plurality of hole 54 for attaching the intermediate zone 32 to an annular channel 56 defined between the tubular member 42 and the side wall 44 and thus surrounding the tubular member 42. The opposing lower sections 48 are illustrated as hollow to prevent collapse in the molding and thus facilitate the fluid-tight attachment of the insert 40 on and the pouch 24. A lower end of tubular member 42 may be recessed inward to receive the upper end of the tube 34 and an upper end of the tubular member 42 may present an inward beveling. Typically, the bag 24 will be supplied to a user when it is already partially filled with a first material, such as for example hydrogen peroxide. It will therefore be necessary to prevent the first material from coming out through the tube 34 and the tubular member 42. A removable flap cover can be provided to close the upper end of the tubular member 42. Alternatively, the upper end of the tubular member 42 can be closed by a breakable movie stamp. Preferably, however, a removable lid 58 is provided as shown in Figure 2.

The lid 58 which can again be a one-piece plastic molding, may have a plug seal 60 to seal the upper end of the tubular member 42. A fastening part 62 of the lid 58 could be an adjustment Airtight with the neck 14 of the bottle 10. However, there are advantages in the formation of a fastening part 62 e the lid 58 as a non-hermetic fit. For example, it could be an internal thread 64 which is a screw type fit that can breathe with the external thread 16 in the neck 14 of the bottle 10 to provide a passage for air to the atmosphere from the annular channel 56. A advantage is that, if the hydrogen peroxide in the bag 24 becomes unstable and produces oxygen, the gasket 24 can expand with air in the intermediate zone 32 that escapes through the holes 54 in the insert 40 and then between the threads 16. and 64. Another advantage is that, if the intermediate zone 32 were subjected to an unwanted pressure change, for example as a result of an air journey, the air could again exit or enter the intermediate zone 32 through the route indicated above.

The set of hair dye elements as described so far allows a user to prepare a hair dye composition or other composition that can flow just before use. In practice, at least one second material is added to the first channel in the reservation. If the reservation has been received in an empty state, or has been emptied in a previous use, it would obviously be necessary to add a certain amount of a first material to the reservation. In any case, initially separated materials must be able to mix. As shown schematically in Figure 4, the second material can be stored in a container 66 completely independent. If the first material is hydrogen peroxide, the second material will probably be a dye. Since the dyes may be sensitive to oxygen, the container 66 may require to provide an excellent oxygen barrier. However, if the dye is in the form of a gel, cream or paste as for example, the container 66 would have to be able to deform plastically to allow a user to squeeze the dye therefrom. On the other hand, if the dye is in a liquid form, the dye must be able to leave the container 66 under the influence of gravity. If the container 66 can be resiliently deformed, the bag 24 is preferably inflated with air above the first material - if the container 66 is not resiliently deformable, the bag 24 is preferably deflated. The user may receive a plurality of containers 66 and that in one of the containers 66 may contain a different material such as a different hue of hair colorant with the intention that one or more of the containers 66 must be emptied into the reserve for forming a particular fluid composition such as for example a hair dye composition of specifically selected shade. It is desirable that the container 66, or each of the containers 66, include (n) a long nozzle 68 that can be subtotably extended through the tubular member 42 in the tube 34. This can provide a good connection to the extent that the container 66 is less likely to come off the bottle 10 even when the user is using both hands to squeeze the container 66. It can also promote good mixing where the contents of the containers 66 can be expelled up close in the contents of the container. the bag 24. Clearly, it will be necessary that the container 66 be opened before the insertion of the long nozzle 68 into the tubular member 42 and the opening can be effected by breaking, cutting or twisting the nozzle tip 70 (illustrated in lines interrupted in figure 4). It will be noted that, as the second material is emptied from the container 66 towards the bag 24, the volume of air in the bag 24 above the first material will be progressively smaller, and said compressed air must be encouraged to escape in order to avoid the expansion of the stock market 24.

If the nozzle 68 is in loose fit in the tubular member 42, the compressed air will come out through this loose fitting. Alternatively, one or more grooves may be formed along the nozzle 68 and / or one or more battlements may be formed in the dye container adjacent to a nozzle base 68. According to the nature of the second material in the container 66, and according to the dimensions, the compressed air can be injected upwards through the second material in order to form an air pocket in the container 66 which expands as the air bag contracts in the bag 24. Even when the bag 24 it expands, the air in the intermediate zone 32 can escape through the holes 54 in the transverse wall 46 of the insert 40, in accordance with the previously described. After the addition of a sufficient amount of the second material to the first material, the container 66 is removed from the bottle 10 and is either discarded or sealed again and stored for future use. As alternatives to the addition of the second material to the first material by decanting, the second material can be in a container formed with the bag 24 or located within the bag 24 and which can be broken as by, for example, tightening the body 12 of the bottle 10, or else it can otherwise allow the second material to be added to the first material. When the second material has been added to the first material, they are preferably mixed in this step by stirring the bottle 10. It would be possible for the user to avoid the escape of the contents of the bag 24 by placing a gloved finger on the upper end of the bag. tubular member 42 while the agitation process is carried out. However, it may be more convenient for the user to replace the lid 58 in such a way that the plug seal 60 closes the upper end of the tubular member 42. In both cases, the tube 34 acts to restrict the bag 24, while stirring and / or reverses the bottle 10, and therefore aids mixing by allowing the contents of the bag 24 to move more freely than the bag 24. It is believed that optimum mixing occurs by agitation if about 10% of the volume of the bag 24 it remains as a space above the content. If the bag 24 and the body 12 of the bottle 20 are both translucent, it is possible to visually check whether or not the mixing has ended. To prepare the discharge of the fluid composition formed by the first and second materials, or more specifically the hair dye composition formed by the hydrogen peroxide and the dye, the insert 40 is again exposed to allow a type 72 to be Fix on the insert 40 as shown in figures 5 and 6.

The spout 72 may again be a one piece plastic molding comprising here a cylindrical portion 74 leading to a dome-like portion 76 which in turn leads to a tapered portion 78. A lower end of the cylindrical portion 74, it is formed with an outwardly directed rib 80. An upper end of the cylindrical portion 74 is formed adjacent a shoulder 82 presented by the domed portion 76. One or several, such as for example 3, air inlets 84 extend through the dome-shaped portion 76 and may be circumferentially spaced equally around the dome-shaped portion 76. The tapered portion 78 is formed with an elongate passageway 86 that gradually becomes narrower along its length from a larger lower end to a single outlet 88 at a smaller upper end. An annular recess 90 is formed on an inner surface of the tapered portion 78 near the larger lower end of the passage 86. An annular rib 92 is formed on the outer surface of the tapered portion 78 near the smaller upper end of the passage 86. A valve member 94, which may be formed of a silicone polymer and may have unitary construction, can be fixed on the spout 72. Preferably, the valve member 94 includes an inlet portion in the form of an annular butterfly valve 96 which acts as a one-way check valve to control the entry of air through the inlets. of air 84. Preferably, the valve member 94 also includes an outlet portion in the form of a central four-lobe valve 98 which acts as a one-way retention valve to control the output of the hair coloring composition to through passage 86. A four-lobe valve 98 is preferred because it opens from the center not on the side and therefore offers a milder flow of dye composition to the hair therethrough. However, as alternatives to a four-lobe valve 98, an outlet part of the valve member 94 could be a throttle valve, a sunshade valve or a duckbill valve. The butterfly valve 96 and the four-lobe valve 98 may be joined by an intermediate portion including a transverse seal wall 100 and a frusto-conical locating wall 102 whose outer surface has an annular rib 104. The valve member 94 it is easily fixed on the spout 72 by pushing the four-lobe valve 98 in the passage 86 until the annular rib 104 in the valve member 94 engages the annular recess 90 in the spout 72. The spout 72 is then easily fixed on the insert 40 by pushing the cylindrical portion 74 of the spout 72 into the annular channel 56 of the insert 40 until the rib 80 in the cylindrical position 74 fits past the rib 52 in the insert 40, with a audible or at least tangible noise, at which time the shoulder 82 of the spout 72 abuts against the flange 50 of the insert 40 and the seal wall 100 of the valve member 94 comes into engagement seal with the upper end of the tubular member 42 of the insert 40. In an alternative construction, the jet 72 can be fixed on the insert 40 through a screw adjustment instead of the aforementioned snap fit. The bottle 10 can be agitated after fixing the spout 72 on the insert 40 to mix or mix the fluid composition again. In order to release the hair dye composition from the bag 24 towards the outlet 88 at the jet 72, from which the hair dye composition is discharged in a line towards, for example, the roots of the hair , the body 12 of the bottle 10 is squeezed by the user. This compresses the air in the intermediate zone 32 but the compressed air can not exit through the fluid passage including the holes 54, the annular channel 56 and the air inlets 84 since the throttle valve 96 acts to close the inlets. of air 84. On the contrary, the compressed air acts to partially collapse the bag 24 in such a way that a certain part of the hair dye composition has to exit through the fluid passage including the tube 34, the tubular member 42 , the frusto-conical locating wall 102 and the four-lobe valves 98, which opens to allow the passage of the hair dye composition. When the user stops tightening the body 12 of the bottle 10, the bottle 10 quickly returns to its shape in such a way that the intermediate zone 32 expands. The four-lobe valve 98 is closed to prevent retrosurization of the hair dye composition beyond the four-lobed valve 98 and the bag 24 maintains its partially collapsed condition. Air is sucked into the intermediate zone 32 past the butterfly valve 96 which opens to allow air to penetrate through the inlets 84. Pressing the body 12 of the bottle 10 is repeated by the user with the pressure and frequency that are considered appropriate to the circumstances. It will be noted that the holes 36 in the tube 34 can prevent the hair dye composition from becoming trapped, as the bag 24 is progressively collapsed to bring the sheets 26 of the bag 24 in contact with each other and the tube 34 may be collapsed to allow a fluid composition in the tube 34 to be discharged.

As the hair dye composition is supplied, the user can see through the body 12 at least translucent that the bag 24 is collapsing. This should reassure a user who fears that the hair dye composition will run out without warning. Even though the reserve for the first material may be a sealed side bag, in accordance with what is described above, the reserve may have other shapes - for example, an internal layer that may collapse other than an external deformable layer that could be provided by a bottle of a half-bag of investment or a bottle of delamination, preferably detaching the latter from a neck thereof, or by means of a compression-blow bag integrally molded with the insert. Further, even though the valve member may be of a unitary construction but with a double function, in accordance with what is described above, the valve member may take other forms - for example, separate valves could be provided to control the output of the composition of hair dye and air intake, the latter possibly being a simple air hole in the body of the bottle that a user can close with his finger. Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown a surface applicator 106 removably affixed to the outlet 88 of the jet 72. More particularly, the surface applicator 106 may include a cushion 108 of foam or a sponge-like material that It has a resiliently compressible porous structure. Said structure not only has a plurality of outlets, but also allows a dyeing composition to come out from the outlet 88 to pass through the cushion 108 and through careful handling can be dispersed in a regular manner along the profile of the scalp. The cushion 108 may be located at or near an upper end of a support 110 with a lower half of the support 110 being frusto-conical in the direction leading from a smaller upper end to a larger lower end. An inner surface of the lower half of the support 110 can be formed with an annular recess 112 for releasably engaging the annular rib 92 in the spout 72 when the support 110 is pushed into the spout 72. The support 110 and the spout 72 can configure itself to avoid a relative rotation. The cushion 108 can have a curved face, to facilitate precise application, with the curved face extending only partially around the circumference of an upper half of the support 110. If the cushion 108 is formed of a plastic material and the support 110 is also formed of a plastic material, the cushion 108 can be fixed on the support 110 by the use of an adhesive. Clearly, if the original surface applicator 106 is not to be cleaned or reused, several similar surface applicators 106 must be provided if it is to be discarded or different if it is to be exchanged. As shown in Figures 9 to 12, a brush / comb type applicator 114 could be removably affixed on the outlet 88 of the spout 72 instead of the surface applicator 106, the brush / comb type applicator 114 including a frame 116. and a releasable unit 118. The brush / comb type applicator 114 could be a screw fit or snap fit on the neck 14. The frame 116 is another one-piece plastic model defined herein, considered from the top , an aperture 120, a tapered open chamber 122 having a series of slit structures 124 on its opposite major side walls, a guide tube 126 that ensures open communication with the chamber 122 from a chamber 128, a slit 130 in an upper end of the chamber 128, an internal thread 132 near a lower end of the chamber 128, and a pair of opposed tongue devices 134 at the lower end of the chamber 128. The internal thread No. 132 is preferably removable from a mold without screwing. The frame 116 has a removable screw fit with the bottle 10 under the internal thread 132 in the chamber 128 which engages the external thread 16 in the neck 14.

As the frame 116 is progressively screwed, the outlet 88 of the spout 72 enters the guide tube 126. Finally, the tongue device 134 abuts along the ramps 22 of the tongue device 18 and is then pressed into the spaces 20 of the tongue devices 18. The press fit can provide audible or at least tangible noise to indicate that the frame 116 has been fully screwed into the bottle 10. In this final position, with the tongue devices 18 and 132, the chamber 122 opens in the direction of the main axis of the body 12, which, as will be remembered, is generally oval in cross-section. The releasable unit 118 which is the final component of the set of hair dyeing elements of the present invention can be formed again as a one-piece molding of a plastic material such as polypropylene, with an additive such as silicone, for example. a low coefficient of friction The releasable unit 118 may be at least partially translucent to signal to a user that the fluid composition is about to be administered. The unit 118 comprises a support 136 generally flat and tapering gradually from a narrower upper end towards a wider lower end. The narrower upper end has a resiliently deflectable detent 138 extending therefrom with a barb-like front end 138a. The wider lower end has a rigid retainer 140 extending therefrom with a barbed front end 140a. The periphery of the support 136 is formed with a skirt 142 having a profile complementary to the opening of the chamber 122. A plurality of elongated dividing members such as for example substantially rigid teeth 144 project from the support 136 in a direction opposite to the resiliently deflectable detent 138, rigid retainer 140 and skirt 142. Several outlets 146 for fluid composition can extend through support 136. As will be illustrated more clearly from Figure 9, teeth 144 can be arranged in two rows . The teeth 144 may have generally triangular profiles of different transverse dimensions when viewed from the ends of the two rows, but this is not necessary. The transverse dimensions of the teeth 144 can be progressively increased from the narrower upper end of the support 136 to the narrower lower end of the support 136 .. In addition, the teeth 144 of the different rows can be staggered relative to one another and can have again triangular profiles generally but now of generally similar thicknesses when observed from the sides of the two rows.

As shown more clearly in Figure 11, at least two of the outlets 146 but possibly all of said outlets 146 extend further through the respective teeth 144. However, it may be desirable that one or more of the outlets 146 does not extend through the teeth 144. For example, at least one outlet 146 may be placed in the holder 136 between adjacent teeth 144. At least two but possibly all of the outlets 146 that extend through the teeth 144 can arise through holes 148 in the free ends of the teeth 144. In fact, while it is convenient to declare that the holes 148 are at the free ends of the teeth 144, the holes 148 can be slightly backward from the free ends of the teeth 144, partially to avoid a direct application on the scalp, and partially as a result of a preferred molding technique known as a technical a through-face closure, which allows the holes 148 to be formed by simple molding of two parts without the need of side pins. To assemble the unit 118 with the frame 116, it is simply necessary to place the barb-like front end 140a of the rigid retainer 140 in the slit 130 and then to pivot. This carries the free edge of the skirt 142 in engagement with the split fabrics 124 and also deflects the barb-like front end 138a of the stop 138 to allow entry into the opening 120. The unit 118 is fully fixed on the frame 116 when the end Pillar-type front 138a of the detent 138 arises from the opening 120 for snap-engagement with the material of the frame 116 around the opening 120. To remove the unit 118 from the frame 116, the reverse procedure is carried out. The retainer 138 can be released by finger pressure. Alternatively, it may be possible to release the detent 138 by rolling the frame 116 on a hard surface in such a manner that the hard surface returns to the barb-like front end 138 a of the retainer 138 returned in the opening 120. It will be noted that the release of the retainer 138 occurs at a distance from the holes 148. One reason for the removal of the unit 118 from the frame 116 may be to facilitate the cleaning of a residual hair dye composition. Another reason for the removal of the unit 118 from the frame 116 may be to allow replacement by another unit 118 of a different type. For example, it may be desirable to replace the substantially rigid teeth 144, which provide a comb-like construction, either through a brush-like construction that includes a plurality of resiliently flexible bristles, or a sponge-like construction, or also another comb type construction in which there are teeth and / or holes of different dimensions and / or different configurations. This can facilitate the complete dispersion of the hair dye composition assorted in different situations such as for example different hair lengths or different types of hair. The dimensions, positions and shapes of the holes 148 can be changed, in different units 118, according to the rheology of the hair dye composition or according to the need for different dyeing results such as for example root coverage, lines or enhancement . In general, and in a manner relevant to the entire disclosure, the first container in which the first material must be maintained can be considered as including the bottle when it has one of the different applicators or a combination of said different applicators. Another general issue relevant to all of the disclosure presented herein, the fluid composition may be able to exhibit a pseudoplastic flow behavior, meaning here that the fluid composition decreases in viscosity as it is subjected to shear, and once suspended. the shear stress, the internal structure of the fluid composition (which was responsible for the original viscosity) is reconstructed very quickly causing an increase in viscosity that approaches the original viscosity. The fluid composition must be capable of the aforementioned pseudoplastic flow behavior within a range of shear deformation of O.Ols-1 to 10, OOOs "1, which is the range of shear deformation pulp most likely when the fluid composition is a hair dye composition An example of a suitable fluid composition could be a viscosity not less than 0.01 Pa.s (preferably not less than 0.15 Pa.s) when measured at an effort strain rate cutting speed of 2000s_1 and not more than 5 Pa.s (preferably not more than 1.4 Pa.s) when measured with a shear deformation rate of lOs "1.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS An applicator for use in the supply of a fluid composition, comprising a frame, a support having a plurality of elongated dividing members projecting therefrom, fixing member for fixing the support on the frame, and means of holes to allow the fluid composition to be supplied from the frame, characterized in that the fixing means includes at least one retainer that can be released remotely from the hole means. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the at least one detent is resiliently deflectable and can engage with an opening extending through the frame. An applicator according to claim 2, wherein the fixing means includes a pair of detents of which one can engage with the opening and the other can operate as a pivot. An applicator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the elongated dividing members is in the form of a substantially rigid tooth. An applicator according to claim 4, wherein the teeth are arranged in at least one row, with the teeth generally having triangular profiles of different transverse dimensions when viewed from one end of the at least one row. 6. An applicator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the orifice device includes a plurality of outlets extending through the support. An applicator according to claim 4 or according to claim 5, wherein the orifice means includes a plurality of outlets extending through the support, and at least two of the outlets extending through the support. support are further extended through respective teeth. 8. An applicator according to claim 7, wherein at least two of the outlets extending through the teeth arise at the free ends of the remote teeth of the support. 9. An applicator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is removably screwed with a container in which the fluid composition is to be packaged. An applicator according to claim 9, wherein the frame is formed with tongue means provided to fit in position when the frame has been fully screwed into the container. 11. An applicator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein there are several supports of which one can be selected by a user, the elongated dividing members of different supports being of different types.