WO2019158245A1

WO2019158245A1 - Highlight and streak hair applicator

Info

Publication number: WO2019158245A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/084397
Authority: WO
Inventors: Venkatesh SHEREGAR; Marc Lechanoine
Original assignee: L'oreal S.A.
Priority date: 2018-02-13
Filing date: 2018-12-11
Publication date: 2019-08-22

Abstract

The invention relates to an applicator (1) for applying a product to the hair, notably a dyeing product, comprising a handle (10) and an application member (20) comprising a body (22) defining an application face (21) which carries at least a four external rows (41, 42, 43, 44) of teeth (65) and at least one internal row (50, 51, 52, 3, 54, 55) of teeth (25) disposed between the four external rows (41, 42, 43, 44).

Description

HIGHLIGHT AND STREAK HAIR APPLICATOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a product to the hair, notably a hair dyeing product for easy highlights and streaking strands or portions of hair.

Numerous devices that comprise a container and an applicator provided with teeth for distributing the product contained in the container over the hair are known. Applying the product is often complicated and requires expert hand movements in order to obtain a uniform result over all of the hair.

Application along the length of the hair, to the temples and to the roots of the hair is generally carried out with two different tools. An applicator having bristles makes it possible to apply the product along the length of the hair, and a comb makes it possible to apply the product to the temples and the roots of the hair. This complicates application.

The product is generally applied to the hair with the aid of a cannula fitted on a container and then distributed over the hair with the aid of the applicator. The application of the product makes it necessary to lift the arm above chin height and makes it uncomfortable to apply the product.

Within the meaning of the present invention, a“ cosmetic product” is understood to be a cosmetic product intended to be applied to a human being, for example a solid such as a powder, a liquid or a cream. A“cosmetic product” is more generally a product as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Applicators for applying a dyeing product to the hair, comprising an applicator that receives the dyeing product before application on one side and a comb on the other side, are known from the patent applications JP 2004-154426, JP 2006-326081, CN 103704976 and CN 203483015.

An applicator that comprises a brush on each side, the brush being connected by a hinge, is also known from the application JP 2002-65336. An applicator for applying a product to the hair, comprising a plurality of rows of application elements, the peripheral and central application elements not having the same flexibility, is also known from the application FR 2 876 255.

Nevertheless, the applicator according to FR 2 876255 does not give complete satisfaction because the dyeing product can flow out of the applicator when applying the product on the hair. This issue might complicate the application of the product, for example by reducing the amount of product poured into the applicator and increasing the number of applicator fillings.

There exists a need for a new hair applicator which:

- applies single strand of hair color highlighted streak, either thin or thick strands, in a single stroke application,

- picks a lot of product for a single stroke application,

- picks product easily directly from the hair color bowl by a dipping process,

- avoids any product dripping during application of the strokes,

- avoids multiple touch up on hair color highlight product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention meets this need with an applicator of longitudinal axis X for applying a product to the hair, notably a dyeing product, comprising a handle that allows the applicator to be gripped and an application member extending along a longitudinal axis X and comprising a body defining an application face which carries at least a four external rows of teeth and at least one internal row of teeth disposed between the four external rows, the teeth of the external rows are more flexible than the teeth of the internal rows and all the teeth of the external rows have the same shape.

Such an identical shape of the teeth of the external rows allows a large area of contact between the teeth and the hair and better retention of the product between the teeth. Moreover, the teeth of the external rows can build walls that retains the product all around the periphery of the applicator. The applicator is safe and easy to use, with no fear of dropping any product. Thanks to the identical shape of the external teeth, a tank is formed to secure the product.

The applicator according to the invention makes it possible to apply the product uniformly along the length of the hair, the temples and the roots of the hair. As internal rows of teeth extend between the external rows of teeth, it possible to define, between the teeth, spaces that can receive the cosmetic product before it is applied to the hair. This allows better control over the quantity of product applied.

The invention also relates to a kit for hair coloration comprising a dyeing product and an applicator as described above. Such a kit is easy to use for the consumer.

The invention also relates to a cosmetic process comprising:

- gripping the handle of an applicator according to any one of the preceding claims,

- pouring a product, notably a dyeing product, in a space between the teeth of the application member,

- brushing a straw of hair with the applicator.

The invention also relates to a cosmetic process comprising dipping an applicator in a bowl of a hair colour product and lifting the applicator for an application of the product on the hair. Preferably, the cosmetic process is a consumer self-application process.

Preferably, the teeth are moulded in one piece with the body of the application member and are preferably made of an elastomer material so as to impart flexibility to the application member.

In particular, the application member can have a sufficient flexibility such that the teeth and/or the body of the application member can deform during the application of the product to the hair.

MAIN DEFINITIONS

The“axis A” means the longitudinal axis A.

A“ cross section of a part of axis A” is a section perpendicular to the axis A of the part.

The expression“ longitudinal axis of the partx” denotes the line connecting all of the centers of mass of the cross sections of the part x.

A“ handle” is a gripping part.

The term“length” designates the longitudinal direction of a part of axis A, and the term “width” designates the perpendicular direction.

The teeth can be arranged in “rows” parallel to the longitudinal axis of the application member. But, the teeth of a“row” can also be arranged along any longitudinal axis. For example, the teeth of a “row” can also be arranged along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the application member.

A row of teeth may have a non-rectilinear longitudinal axis, notably one that is curved, more notably with a single curvature.

A row comprises at least two teeth, preferably three teeth.

Preferably, the spacing r between two consecutive teeth of a row is the same within one row and the same for all the external rows, as is illustrated.

An“external row” of teeth is a row delimiting the periphery of the pattern formed by the teeth.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to further advantageous aspects of the invention, the applicator comprises one or several of the following features taken in isolation or in any technically possible combinations:

All the teeth of the four external rows have a pyramidal shape, notably with a triangular base, more notably with a ridge that is oriented outward. Such a shape contributes to a better combing of the hair.

The teeth of the internal rows have a cylindrical shape, preferably with an angular profile from base to tip from which can vary from 0.5° to 5°. The lock of hair engages with the product through the internal central row, and the lock is placed in contact with the product. Thus, the application of product near the roots of the lock of hair is improved, and in addition, the lumps can be broken up between the internal teeth. The product applied is more uniformly and more effectively.

An internal raw comprises between 2 and 5 teeth. Such a repartition of the internal teeth gives rise to product tank formation between the teeth.

All the teeth of the external rows have the same length, the length of a tooth being defined between its base and its distal end along its longitudinal axis

(Y).

The external rows form a square with straight or curved sides, so as to give the user the benefit of using the applicator in all directions. Such an arrangement of bristles helps to keep product within the platform while being applied at any angle. The number of teeth of each external row is between 6 and 15. This range is optimal for highlighting streaks and strands.

The application face is curved, notably convex toward the outside. The applicator is easier to move on the whole head.

The application member comprises a depression zone located on an exterior face opposite to the application face. This gives a comfortable depressed finger grip to help apply targeted hair strands. It also provides consumers with longer hair length, ease of application with an even deposition as the movement of hand is more in an arc, hence the radius of platform helps application during the arc movement of the hand.

The handle comprises lateral reinforcements, notably lateral reinforcements with a thickness (e) of between 0.1 mm and 5 mm. The reinforcements improve the strength of the applicator and makes the hand movements more precise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of non-limiting implementation examples thereof, and with reference to the appended drawing, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an applicator according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a top view of the applicator member of the applicator of figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a perspective view of the applicator member of an applicator according to the invention;

- Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an applicator member;

- Figures 5 is a side view of an applicator;

- Figure 6 is a view according to BB of the applicator of figure 5;

- Figure 7 is a view according to FF of the applicator of figure 5;

- Figure 8 is a view according to EE of the applicator of figure 5;

- Figure 9 shows the hand movement during the application of a product from the root of the hair to the tip of the hair with an applicator according to the invention; - Figure 10 shows the applicator movement during the application of a product from the root of the hair to the tip of the hair with the applicator of figure 9;

- Figure 11 shows a base of the teeth of an external row.

The applicator 1 according to the invention shown in figure 1 comprises a handle 10 which is connected to an applicator member 20 being made of a body 22 having an application face 21 from which a set of teeth 30 project. The applicator member has a longitudinal axis X.

The handle 10 and the applicator member maybe moulded injected in one piece. The applicator can be made of thermoplastic material, notably of polyolefin, PP, PE, ABS, TPE, PET or PA. The handle 10 comprises a linear portion 11 and an inclined portion 12 for a better grip by the consumer.

Figure 2 shows the position of the set of teeth 30 on the application face 21. The face 21 and the arrangement of the set of teeth 30 on it are in a square profile in which, the length and breadth of the face is similar. This was developed specifically to allow the user to run the applicator in 360-degree direction, and not just perpendicular to the hair strands. It also helps in application of product on thinner strands, for highlights.

In the variant illustrated, the application face comprises:

- four external rows 41, 42, 43 and 44 of identical teeth 65,

- two identical internal lateral rows 50, 52, comprising two teeth,

- two identical internal lateral rows 51, 53, comprising three teeth and

- an internal central row 55 comprising two teeth.

The teeth 65 of the external rows 41, 42, 43, 44 have a pyramid shape, notably with a triangular base 57, even more notably, with a ridge 56 that is oriented outward.

Preferably, the teeth 25 of all the internal rows 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 have a cylindrical shape, notably with a circular, base. The base could be also oval or polygonal.

More preferably, teeth 65 of an external row are equidistant along the longitudinal axis of the row.

The rows 42 and 44 each extend along rectilinear longitudinal axis X₂ and X₄ parallel to the X axis of the application member 20. The row 41 and 43 each extend along non rectilinear longitudinal axis Xi and X₃ slightly curved in respect with an Y axis perpendicular to the X axis. All the internal lateral 50, 51, 52, 53 rows extend parallel to the X axis, the internal central row 55 extending along the X axis. The internal rows 50, 52 can be spaced apart from the external rows 42, 44 by a distance d of between 1 mm and 15 mm, better still between 3 mm and 10 mm, defined between the longitudinal axes of the external rows 42, 44 and the internal rows 50, 52.

The teeth of each internal rows 50, 51, 52, 53, 55 can have diameters that are different or the same in cross section. In other words, at least one of the internal rows may have teeth each having a first diameter and at least one of the internal rows may have teeth each having a second diameter, and the first diameter may be different to the second diameter, or may be the same as the second diameter. In the example illustrated, the teeth of several internal rows 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 all have the same diameter. The teeth of each internal row may all have same diameter. As illustrated, the teeth of a single internal row may all have the same diameter as each other.

Fewer internal rows may be provided than as shown in Figure 2, for example only, the central internal row 55 and two internal lateral rows 50 and 52 may be provided. The teeth of these internal rows may not all have the same height and/or the same width as described in relation to figure 3. Alternatively, additional internal rows may be provided than as shown in Figure 2.

Additionally, or alternatively, the teeth within any one of the internal rows may have an angular profile from base to tip from which can vary from 0.5° to 5°. The teeth in each of the internal rows may have such an angular profile. Alternatively, only the teeth in some of the internal rows may have such an angular profile. Alternatively, none of teeth in the internal rows may have such an angular profile.

Although not clear from Figure 2, the teeth of each internal row may all have the same height.

The teeth of the internal rows are preferably disposed in staggered rows with respect to one another.

Preferably, the internal rows are spaced apart by a distance r of between 1 mm and 6 mm, defined between the longitudinal axes of the adjacent internal rows.

The teeth 25 of each internal row can be spaced apart by a distance s of between 1 mm and 6 mm, defined between the longitudinal axes of the adjacent teeth in a row.

Preferably, the internal rows of teeth are symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane M passing through the longitudinal axis X. More preferably, the teeth 65 of the external rows are also symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal plane M.

Preferably, the internal rows of teeth are symmetrical with respect to a transverse plane N perpendicular to the plane M.

More preferable, the external rows of teeth are symmetrical with respect to the transverse plane N perpendicular to the plane M.

Figure 3 depicts an application member according to the invention. Mainly, it differs from the applicator according to figure 2 in the repartition of the internal teeth 25. The features depicted in figure 3 may be provided in combination with any of the variations described in relation to figure 2. In figure 3, the teeth of several, but not all, internal rows have the same height. In other words, at least one internal row may have teeth of a first height and at least one other internal row may have teeth of a second height, different to the first height.

In the variant illustrated, the application face comprises two internal lateral rows 50, 52 and an internal central row 55 comprising three teeth which are all the same height. The teeth in these internal rows are a different height from the teeth in the other internal rows. In this variation, the teeth of the internal rows are not all the same height and/or the same width, the width of each teeth being defined between the outermost points of its base. Thus, the height of the teeth of any of the internal rows may be different from the height of the teeth in another internal row. The width of the teeth in any one of the internal rows may be the same or different to the width of the teeth in another internal row.

The applicator comprises external teeth of pyramidal shape throughout the periphery of the application face.

As illustrated in figure 4, the application face 21 maybe curved, notably concave or convex toward the outside. The body 22 is depressed at the center and curves outwards on the sides, so as to compliment the wrist movement of the user when he moves the applicator from the base to the tip of the hair strands.

The applicator has unique teeth arrangement, with three different heights (not represented) of the teeth 25 of the internal rows having a circular base. The arrangement is made to hold product during pick up and easily release it during application. The rounded bristles 25 are more rigid. The teeth 65 of the external rows have a triangular cross sectional throughout the periphery to go through the hair easily. The length e of the external teeth 65 is advantageously comprised between 6 mm and 10 mm. This is to ensure maximum collection of product from the mixing bowl directly and deposition of product on the hair with little or no residual product left once applicator is moved through the hair.

As illustrated in figures 5 to 8, the cross sections perpendicular to the X longitudinal axis of the handle at different points have different widths:

At the cross section EE, the width is minimal. This adds a region for the thumb to rest and hold to control the direction of the applicator 1.

At the cross section FF, the width is maximum. This is the region where the palm rests and hence requires a wider area.

The end 5 of the handle 10 can be tapered to form a thin section 92. The section 92 is designed sharp with an angular profile to help parting of the hair in various straws of strands during the application process, the consumers need not use any other tool during the process of self-application.

The handle 10 preferably may comprise lateral reinforcements 61, 62 and may have, at least in part, a thickness and/or a width that decreases toward the distal end. Notably, a portion of the handle may be flattened with an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the teeth. A depression 63 may be formed continuing from the body 22 to the inclined portion 12 of the handle 10, to give a better grip for easy pickup and application.

As illustrated figure 9, the linear portion 11 of the handle is squeezed in the hand for a better grip and a more define application. As illustrated figure 10, the applicator 1 swivels around its longitudinal axis X when moving it from the root to the tip of the hair.

The variant of teeth 65 represented in figure 11 shows the triangular base 57 with a ridge 56 that is oriented outward. An equilateral triangular base is particularly preferred.

The invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments which have just been described, the characteristics of which may be combined with one another as parts of variants which are not illustrated. Any other shape of teeth could be contemplated.

Claims

1. Applicator (1) for applying a product to the hair, notably a dyeing product, comprising a handle (10) that allows the applicator (1) to be gripped and an application member (20) comprising a body (22) extending along a longitudinal axis X and defining an application face (21) which carries at least a four external rows (41, 42, 43, 44) of teeth (65) and at least one internal row (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55) of teeth (25) disposed between the four external rows (41, 42, 43, 44), the teeth of the four external rows (41, 42, 43, 44) are more flexible than the teeth of the internal rows (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55), characterized in that all the teeth of the four external rows (41, 42, 43, 44) have the same shape.

2. An applicator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that all the teeth of the four external rows (41, 42, 43, 44) have a pyramidal shape, notably with a triangular base, more notably with a ridge (56) that is oriented outward.

3. An applicator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that teeth of the internal rows (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55) have a cylindrical shape, preferably with an angular profile from base to tip from which can vary from 0.5° to 5°.

4. An applicator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an internal row (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55) comprises between 2 and 5 teeth

5. An applicator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all the teeth (65) of the external rows (41, 42, 43, 44) have the same length, the length of a tooth (65) being defined between its base and its distal end along its longitudinal axis (Y).

6. An applicator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external rows (41, 42, 43, 44) form a square with straight or curved sides.

7. An applicator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number of teeth (65) of each external row (41, 42, 43, 44) is between 6 and 15.

8. An applicator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application face (21) is curved, notably convex toward the outside.

9. An applicator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (22) comprises a depression zone (63) located on an exterior face opposite to the application face (21).

10. An applicator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle (10) comprises lateral reinforcements (61, 62), notably lateral reinforcements (61, 62) with a thickness (e) of between 0.1 mm and 5 mm.

11. A kit for hair coloration comprising a dyeing product, characterized in that it comprises an applicator (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

12. A cosmetic process comprising:

- gripping the handle (10) of an applicator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims,

- brushing a straw of hair with the applicator (1).

13. A cosmetic process comprising dipping an applicator (1) in a bowl of a hair colour product and lifting the applicator (1) for an application of the product on the hair.

14. A cosmetic process according to anyone of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that it is a consumer self-application process.