Hair colorant dispenser

• US 20040079383A1
• Filed: 10/29/2002
• Published: 04/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: J.W. Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: J.W. Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Dumas, Debra, Wayne, Jim
• Granted Patent: US 6,976,494 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 132/208
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/20 Halogens; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/442 substituted by amido group(s)
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/463 containing sulfuric acid derivatives, e.g. sodium lauryl sulfate
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/737 Galactomannans, e.g. guar; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 5/12 Preparations containing hair conditioners

Abstract

A disposable, solution-mixing hair colorant dispenser: tubular rear segment including first reservoir having rupturable front end; tubular middle segment including second reservoir having rupturable rear and front ends; tubular front segment including rear end and forward-projecting porous applicator. Rupturing member near adjacent ends of first and second reservoirs for rupturing both when first and second segments are engaged. Rupturing member near front end of second reservoir for rupturing same when second and third segments are engaged. Alternative rupturing members: double-ended between first and second reservoirs and single-ended attached to third segment; double-ended within second reservoir; single-ended within first reservoir and single-ended attached to third segment. Segments threaded for endwise engagement to seal segments and rupture reservoirs. Fluids mixed and dispensed through applicator.

Claims

1. A hair colorant mixing and dispensing apparatus, comprising a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment;

said first segment comprising;

a tubular housing, a rear end surface, and a front end surface, said tubular housing and said front end surface being adapted for forcible engagement with said second segment;

a first reservoir defined between said rear end surface and said front end surface within said tubular housing for containing a first volume of liquid; and

a first rupturing means disposed within said first reservoir;

said front end surface being rupturable by said rupturing means when said first and second segments are forcibly engaged;

said second segment comprising;

a tubular housing, a rear end surface, and a front end surface, said tubular housing and said rear end surface being adapted for forcible endwise engagement with said first segment, said tubular housing and said front end surface being adapted for forcible engagement with said third segment;

a second reservoir defined between said rear end surface and said front end surface within said tubular housing for containing a second volume of liquid;

said rear end surface being rupturable by said rupturing means of said first segment when said first and second segments are forcibly engaged;

said third segment comprising;

a tubular housing;

a rear end adapted for forcible endwise engagement with said front end of said second segment and further defining a second rupturing means; and

a front end defining an applicator,

whereby forcible engagement of said first and second segments allows said first and second reservoirs to communicate, and forcible engagement of said second and third segments allows said second reservoir to communicate with said applicator.

2. A hair colorant mixing and dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first segment and said second segment comprises sealing means for confining a fluid when said first and second segments are forcibly engaged.

3. A hair colorant mixing and dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of said second segment and said third segment comprises sealing means for confining a fluid when said second and third segments are forcibly engaged.

4. A hair colorant mixing and dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said front end surface of said first segment is rearwardly displaceable into rupturing contact with said rupturing means responsive to externally applied rearward pressure.

5. A hair colorant mixing and dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rupturing means comprises a sharp edge proximate said front end surface and is supported within said first reservoir so as to resist being rearwardly displaced by frontally applied rearward pressure.

6. A hair colorant mixing and dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said applicator comprises a porous wick.

7. A hair colorant mixing and dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said front end surface of said third segment is adapted for engagement with said front end surface of said second segment, whereby said third segment may be mounted on said front end of said second segment in an orientation such that said applicator is disposed adjacent said front end surface of said second segment.

8. A hair colorant mixing and dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said rear end surface of said third segment is engageable with said front end surface of said second segment in a fluidly sealed and secured configuration wherein said second rupturing means projects rearward a sufficient distance to rupture said front end surface of said second segment; and

said front end surface of said third segment is engageable with said front end surface of said second segment in a secured configuration wherein sufficient clearance exists for said applicator to be disposed forward of said front end surface of said second segment.

9. A hair colorant mixing and dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second rupturing means comprises:

at least one base member fixed relative to said tubular housing of said respective first and third segments; and

at least one cutting edge disposed distally on said base member;

said cutting edge and said base member cooperating, when fully engaged with said respective rear and front end surfaces of said second segment, to hold open said respective rear and front end surfaces after rupturing same, whereby fluids may easily pass between said first, second and third segments.

10. A hair colorant mixing and dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein each of said first and second rupturing means comprises a plurality of base members joined distally to form a common cutting edge and to define at least two fluid passages around said plurality of base members within said tubular housing.

11. A hair colorant mixing and dispensing apparatus, comprising endwise serially sealingly engageable first, second and third tubular segments, a first rupturing means disposed between said first and second segments, and a second rupturing means disposed between said second and third segments;

said first segment defining an interior including a first reservoir;

said second segment defining an interior including a second reservoir;

said third segment defining an interior including an applicator communicating with said interior;

said first rupturing means comprising at least one stabilizing member for securing said first rupturing means to an end of at least one of said first and second segments;

said first rupturing means comprising at least one cutting edge fixed to said at least one stabilizing member and disposed toward at least one of said respective ends of said first and second segments;

said first rupturing means comprising at least one thrusting member contacting said at least one cutting edge;

said first and second segments when so engaged defining a range of relative longitudinal displacement including first and second relative positions;

engagement in said first position, said second position, and all intermediate positions forming a seal between adjacent ends of said segments to prevent fluid leakage therefrom;

engagement in said second position resulting in the transmission of force through said at least one thrusting member thereby rupturing adjacent ends of said segments and holding said ruptured ends open for facilitating the passage of fluid;

said second rupturing means comprising at least one stabilizing member for securing said second rupturing means to an end of at least one of said second and third segments;

said second rupturing means comprising at least one cutting edge fixed to said at least one stabilizing member and disposed toward said end of said second segment;

said second rupturing means comprising at least one thrusting member contacting said at least one cutting edge;

said second and third segments when so engaged defining a range of relative longitudinal displacement including first and second relative positions;

engagement in said first position, said second position, and all intermediate positions forming a seal between adjacent ends of said segments to prevent fluid leakage therefrom;

engagement in said second position resulting in the transmission of force through said at least one thrusting member thereby rupturing an end of said second segment and holding said ruptured end open;

whereby engagement of said first, second, and third segments in said second relative positions allows said first and second reservoirs and said applicator to communicate.

12. A hair colorant mixing and dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said applicator comprises a porous wick.

13. A hair colorant mixing and dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said front end surface of said third segment is adapted for engagement with said front end surface of said second segment, whereby said third segment may be mounted on said front end of said second segment in an orientation such that said applicator is disposed adjacent said front end surface of said second segment.

14. A hair colorant mixing and dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein:

said rear end surface of said third segment is engageable with said front end surface of said second segment in a fluidly sealed and secured configuration wherein said second rupturing means projects rearward a sufficient distance to rupture said front end surface of said second segment; and

said front end surface of said third segment is engageable with said front end surface of said second segment in a secured configuration wherein sufficient clearance exists for said applicator to be disposed forward of said front end surface of said second segment.

15. A hair colorant mixing and dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein each of said first and second rupturing means comprises a plurality of base members joined distally to form a common cutting edge and to define at least two fluid passages around said plurality of base members within said tubular housing.

16. A hair colorant mixing and dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein a first stabilizing member secures a first cutting edge to said first segment and a second stabilizing member secures a second cutting edge to said second segment.

17. A hair colorant mixing and dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein a first stabilizing member secures a first cutting edge and a second cutting edge to one of said first and second segments.

18. A hair colorant mixing and dispensing apparatus, comprising a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment;

said first segment comprising;

a tubular body, a closed rear end, and an open front end, said tubular body and said front end being adapted for engagement with said second segment; and

a first reservoir defined between said rear end and said front end within said body, said first reservoir comprising a frangible front membrane disposed proximate said front end of said first segment, said first reservoir being stiff enough to resist longitudinal compression;

said second segment comprising;

a tubular body, an open rear end, and an open front end, said rear end being adapted for endwise engagement with said first segment, said front end being adapted for engagement with said third segment;

a second reservoir defined between said rear end and said front end within said body, said second reservoir comprising a frangible front membrane and a frangible rear membrane; and

rupturing means disposed within said second reservoir, said rupturing means comprising a rear punch disposed proximate said rear end surface of said second reservoir and a front punch disposed proximate said front end surface thereof and longitudinally spaced apart a first length from said rear punch;

said second reservoir being longitudinally compressible such that, when so compressed, said front membrane is disposed less than said first length from said rear membrane;