Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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APPLICATORS
The present invention relates generally
applicators and more especially but not exclusively to
applicators for use in applying hair and/or scalp
compositions to the hair and/or scalp in a time-efficient,
controlled and mess-free manner.
In a hair colouring treatment, it would be desirable
to be able to control flow of a colouring fluid accurately
and to be able to target the areas to be coloured by the
coiourir:a fluid precisely. It would also be desirable to
be able ~o minimise mess during applica~ior_ and
maripulatior., and to be able to achieve an even colour
distribution throughout the areas to be coloured by the
colouring fluid.
These objectives are to be achievable even when the
applicator is to be handled by the person to whom the
colouring fluid is to be applied.
Different aspects of the present invention which
address these objectives, and similar objectives in
situations using other flowable compositions, will now be
discussed, in turn, with preferred applicators embodying
more than one or all of the different aspects of the
present invention.
A. It is known from US-A-4209027 for a hair treatment
device to be securable to a squeeze bottle containing a
hair treating liquid which is to be dispensed by a user
through discharge orifices in different applicators
simultaneously presented by the hair treatment device.
One of the applicators has an elongate tip for use
primarily as part'_ng means, and others of the applicators
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are alternative brushes and combs for use primaril}- as
spreading means, with a valve being provided for enabling
the hair treating hiquid to be directed to the parting
means or the spreading means or both.
A practical disadvantage of this known hair treatment
device is that it can be awkward to handle in a contrclled
and mess-free manner.
The result of this is that, when using one of the
spreading means, hair which is not to be treated or has
already been treated may be locally damaged or discoloured
by undesired contact with hair treating liquid in and
around the discharge orifice of the parting means, and
fur tze=-more hair treating liquid may drip or be flicked
'rom the parting means onto the user's skin, clothes or
surroundings .
According to a first aspect of the present invention,
however, an applicator system for use in delivering a
flowable composition comprises:-
a container in which the flowable composition is to
be contained; and
at least three applicators of different type, each of
the applicators having at least one outlet through which
the fiowable composition is to be applied, with a~ least a
first of the applicators being securable to the container,
and with at least a second of the applicators being
securable to the 'first of the applicators:
characterised in that only the at least one outlet of
a selected one of the at least three applicators is
exposed at any one time while applying the flowable
composition therethrough.
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s
The fact that only the at least one outie~ o' the
selected applicator is exposed, during use, means that
manipulation of the selected applicator does not involve
any rise: of mess by any flowable composition left ~.. o; on
the other applicators.
B. Many hair treatment devices have an applicator in the
form o. an elongate dispensing spout which gradually
narrows along its length to a free end provided with a
discr.arcre eryfice.
As disclosed in JP(UM)-A-7-2295'_, suca hair
:.reatment device can also have an applicator ir. the form
of G comb provided with an internal passage for directing
a hair composition from the discharge orifice of the spout
to a plurality ef small holes in teeth of the comb.
In use, the comb is a push fit over the spout such
that the comb extends beyond the free end of the spout and
is retained along part of the length of the spout by
friction.
It has been found, in practice, that if movement of
the comb is impeded by any knots or tangles in the hair,
~he bending moment and torque at the junction of the comb
with the spout can be such that the comb is sim~,~ltaneously
pulled off the spout and rotated about the spout.
A similar structure is disclosed in JP-A-9-118375,
whic~ discloses how two liquids can be mixed and then
delivered through a comb which is detachably securable to
a nozzle by any appropriate means. The two liauids may
form a hair colouring composition. However, spillage of
hair colouring composition down the outside of the nozzle
could result in failure to be able to attach the comb to
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4
the nozzle. This is because the ha=r ..cicuring
composition. would act as a lubricar:~ anc would
deleteriously affect any snap and/or threaded fit of the
comb to the nozzle.
According to a second aspect of the present
inver.~ior~, however, an applicator system fcr use in:
delivering a flowable composition comprises:-
a container in which the flowable composition. is to
be contained;
'first applicator means having first outlet means, the
first applicator means being attachable to the container
in a manner such that the flowable composition in the
container can be dispensed through the first outlet means;
and
second applicator means having second outlet means,
the second applicator means being locatable over the first
applicator means in a manner such that the flowable
composition can pass through the first outlet means before
being dispensed through the second outlet means;
characterised in that the second applicator means is
attachable to the container.
The fact that the second applicator means is attached
to the container, during use, rather than being attached
to the first applicator means, can result in a stronger
construction in which the second applicator means is far
less likely to rotate or come apart.
C,D. Hair treatment devices are typically provided with
different types of applicator to suit different hair
treatment situations.
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o_- example, there can be advantages in :-~avir.g a
dispensing spout to allow a line of hair composition. tc be
applied, a dispensing pervious member such as a cloth t;
allow heir composition to be wiped over the hair, and a
dispensing comb or brush to allow hair composition to be
thorcughly worked throughout the length of the hair.
lr.deed US-A-4211247 discloses such dispensing
applicators and also discloses non-dispensing sponges for
use _.. :~ere;y spreading hair composition after the hair
composit~c~ :gas beer. applied by a dispensing app'~icator.
According to a third aspect of the present invention,
however, an applicator system for use in delivering a
flowable composition. comprises:-
a container in which the flowable composition is to
be contained; and
at least three applicators of different type,
including a line applicator in which the flowable
composition is delivered through a single outlet, a
surface applicator in which the flowable composition is
delivered through a plurality of outlets onto a surface,
and a brush/comb-like applicator in which the flowable
composition is delivered through a plurality of outlets
and dispersed by a plurality of elongate parting members;
characterised in that the surface applicator is of
foam o. sponge material having a resiliently compressible
porous structure from which the flowable composition is to
be delivered.
The fact that the surface applicator is in the form
of a resiliently compressible foam or sponge means that,
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t.
during use, t::ere car. be a muci: more ever. app;icat~cr c~
the 'lowabie composition than had hitherto been possible
just by wining with a cloth because the foam or sponge can
absorb and redistribute the flowable composition..
According to a fourth aspect of the present
invention, moreove r an applicator system for use i.-.
delivering a fiowable composition comprises:-
a container in which the flowable composi~ior. is t
be contained; and
at ~_eas~ t:.ree aaali'ators oz d~.'ferer_~ hype
including a line applicator in which the =lowable
composition. is delivered through a single cutlet, a
surface aoclicator i:: which the flowable composition. is
delivered through a plurality of outlets onto a surface,
and a brush/comb-like applicator in which the flowable
composition is delivered through a plurality of outlets
and dispersed by a plurality of elongate parting members:
characterised in that at least two of the plura'_ity
of outlets in the brush/comb-like applicator are formed in
respective ones of the elongate parting members.
The fact that at least two of the elongate parting
members have their own outlets means,that, during use, the
elongate parting members are better able to disperse the
flowable composition, which is particularly important when
the flowable composition is a hair colouring composition..
In a particularly preferred embodiment of an
applicator system, embodying all four of the above-noted
different aspects of the present invention:-
(a; one of t:~e applicators is a spout having a single
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.,
elo.~.gate passageway through which the flowab':= co:~posi Lion
is to be dispensed,
(b) another of the applicators is of foam or sponge
material having a resiliently compressible porous
structure from which the flowable composition~. is to be
delivered, and
(c) yet another of the applicators has a plurality of
elongate parting members projecting from a support to
which the flowable composition is delivered through a
housing.
Preferably, the foam or sponge material is in the
forr.; of a pad at or near one end of a carrier. For ease
of assembly, the carrier may be a detachabie,pusr. fit on
the spout. For ease of application, particu~.arly when
targeting specific areas, the pad may extend only partly
around the circumference of the carrier.
Preferably, each of the elongate parting members is
in the form of a substantially rigid tooth. For ease of
manufacture, particularly when moulding in a plastics
material, the teeth may be arranged in at least one row.
The teeth may but need not necessarily have generally
triangular outlines of different transverse dimensions
when viewed from an end of the at least one row. For ease
of subsequent dispersal, the flowable composition may be
delivered from the teeth and, for example, a free end of
each of the teeth may have at least one of the outlets.
Preferably, the elongate parting members and the
support are removably detachable from the housing. This
allows the provision of a plurality of the supports, from
which one is to be selected by a user, the elongate
parting members of different supports being of different
type. For example, a comb-like support with substantially
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6
rigid teeth may be replaced by a brus'.~.~.-lit:e support with
flexible filaments.
Preferably the elongate parting members and the
support are formed as a unit which is securable to the
housing by securing means including a catch. The catch
may be resiliently deflectable and engageabie wits an
aperture extending through the housing such that the catch
is releasable remotely from the elongate parting members.
There may be a further catch operable as a pivot. The
resil=entlv deflectable catch should be releasable by
finger pressure - it may however, be possible for the
elongate pa=tina members and the support to be removed
from the housing merely by rolling the housing over a hard
surface, thereby releasing the resiliently deflectable
catch .
For ease and strength of assembly the housing may be
a removable screw fit with the container, both the housing
and the container being formed with lug means which snap
passed one another when the housing has been fully screwed
onto the container at a predetermined alignment.
The spout may be a push fit with the container.
To facilitate delivery of the flowable composition,
when the flowable composition passes through an applicator
in the form of a spout before being dispensed through an
applicator in the form of a housing and a support with a
plurality of elongate parting members projecting from the
support, the housing may have a guide tube which receives
a free end of the spout when the housing is located over
the spout.
Preferably, the container is a bag-in-bottle
container such that the flowable composition can be
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0
delivered at any orientation of the bag-_..-b:tt_e
container.
In such containers, an inner collapsible layer
defines a reservoir, and an outer deformable layer is
separated from the inner collapsible layer by a buffer
cone. Valve means is operable to control entry of a_r
into the buffer zone (bottle) and exit of flowable
composition from the reservoir (bag). In cede= tc
sir.:plify assembly, wish consequent commercial advantages,
the valve means may comprise a valve member c' ~~itary
ccnsLruc:.ion.
Indee~~, the valve member may comprise a~ ann;:lar
flapper valve ~or cor.trclling the opening of one or more
air _..'-ets ir. the spout, the annular flapper valve
surrounding a central quadrolobe valve for controlling the
opening of the single elongate passageway in the spout,
and the central quadrolobe valve being a push fit within
the single elongate passageway in the spout.
I~ will be appreciated that the fiowable composition
may be a hair and/or scalp composition.
An applicator system, according to 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 exploded perspective view of a cap a
bottle, a flexible bag, a support tube an insert, a
valve a spout, a sponge pad, a comb housing and a comb -
all being components in a hair colouring kit embodying the
present invention;
Figure 2 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional
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1Q
view sowinc -he cao w~~en secured to the bottle;
Figure 3 is a plan view of the insert;
Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional ~-iew, taken
perpendicularly to the cross-sectional view o~ Figure ~,
showing a dye container when docked with the vnsert to
allow dve in the dve container to be added to t:~e flexible
bag;
Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the spoilt when
secured to the bottle;
Figure n is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional
view of Figure 5;
Figure ~ is a perspective view similar to Figure 5
but showing the sponge pad when secured to the spout;
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the comb
housing when secured to the bottle with the comb secured
to the comb housing;
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 9; and
Figures 11 and 12 are, respectively, cross-sectional
views of the comb and the comb housing before being
secured together.
The accompanying drawings illustrate a hair colouring
kit embodying all aspects of the present invention - the
different inventive aspects, for which protection is being
sought in the present and several contemporaneous patent
applications, relate to a delivery system as well as to
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~1
various applicators a:~d applicator svstesa for use _..
delivering a flowable composition.
Although the flowable composition is preferably a
hair colouring composition, no aspect of the present
invention is restricted to such a specific flowabie
composition. Other examples of flowable compositions are:
medicaments e.g. for petcare; foodstuffs e.g. cake mixes;
cleaning fluids e.g. for garmentcare or carpetcare;
cosmetics e.g. body lotions or moisturisers; adhesives or
lubricants.
;;se of a hair colouring composition can be
aroblematical.
One problem is gnat the hair colouring composition
may need to be prepared from two or more component
materials just prior tc use. This means that the
component materials need to be stored separately in a
manner allowing 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 must not, however, be exposed to any
danger or any risk of staining when adding the dye to the
hydrogen peroxide.
Another problem is that the hair colouring
composition may need to be applied to the hair through an
applicator at any angle. If the applicator is fed from a
simple squeeze bottle, the applicator will be ready for
use in any orientation when the squeeze bottle is full.
However, as the squeeze bottle is progressively emptied,
it is found that the applicator is not ready for immediate
use in any orientation, but may first need to be primed to
offset the effect of any suckback of the hair colouring
composition. This makes it difficult to control the
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.,
app__cation or the hair cclourinc~mp~cs_t~o::,
particularly tc the hairline wrilst avoiding stay~_g c
the skin.
The present hair colouring kit not only ~'_lows the
hair colouring composition to be prepared just prior tc
use, but has applicators fed by a user-controlled delivery
system in which the hair colouring composition is
discharged by a mechanically generated aressure
differential (not an aeroso' ) in such a way that the :air
colouring composition is always ready tc be disc:~.a=gec at
any o=ientation o' the delivery system.
F~1= orientation delivery is possible for all oa the
hair colouring composition which is discharged - whic:~ can
be over 900 or even 950 of the hair colouring compcsiLion
which :~as been prepared.
The present hair colouring kit also allows the hair
colouring composition to be delivered in user-regulated
amounts through applicators to specific areas to achieve
an even colour distribution with minimal mess.
No one applicator is equally suitable, even if
carefully manipulated, for applying hair colouring
composition to the roots, the hairline and the main body
of a head of hair. It is therefore usual to provide
applicators of different types selected from a line
applicator, a surface applicator and a brush/comb-like
applicator. The line applicator can be a spout with a
single outlet and the surface applicator can be of porous
material with a plurality of outlets. The brush/comb-like
applicator can have a plurality of outlets for dispensing
hair colouring composition which is then dispersed by a
plurality of elongate parting members. As might be
expected, the elongate parting members might resemble the
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bristles cf a brus~ or the Teeth of a coma.-,. _._~ cf t:.e
different applicator types are to be brouai:t intc fluid
communication with a container for the hair colouring
composition.
Specific advantages of the present hair colouring kit
are that:-
la) only a selected one of three applicators of different
type is exposed during use so that there is nc risk
during manipulation of the hair of mess being caused
by anv hair colouring composition left in or on the
other anclicators;
(b1 G surface applicator from three appi«ators of
different type is of foam or sponge materia_ having a
resiliently compressible porous structure to provide
improved spreading of the hair colouring composition;
and
(c) a brush/comb-like applicator from three applicators
of different type has at least two of its outlets
formed in respective ones of its elongate parting
members to provide improved dispersal of the hair
colouring composition.
Other specific advantages of the present hair
colouring kit are that a one-piece valve simultaneously
Derforms the dual functions of controlling entry of air
and exit of hair colouring composition, a support for
elongate parting members is secured to a housing by at
least one catch which is releasable from a position remote
from t:.e hair colouring composition and with a line
applicator attached to a container, a brush/comb-like
applicator is locatable over the line applicator yet is
still attachable directly to the container.
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~4
Before describing a surface applicator wit: reference
to Figures 7 and 8, and a brush/comb-like applicator with
reference to Figures 9 to i2, a delivery system
incorporating a line applicator will be described with
reference to FiQUres 1 to 6.
A bottle 10 may be formed with a hollow body ~2 which
is ef generally oval section. and is closed at a lower end
but has an open. neck 14 at an upper end. The neck: may be
formed with an externa_ thread 16. The neck '~ may also
be fcr~~ed with a pair of opposed lug means =~ of w::ich
cne ~ s show.~. ~ r. Figure 1 . Each of the lug means 18
~re~erab'_y includes a gap 20 approached by a ramp 2~ for a
Durpose to be described hereinafter.
At least the body 12 may be formed of a resiliently
deformable plastics material such that the bottle 10 can
quickly reform in shape when released from having been
squeezed. The plastics material may be low density
polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) or
polypropylene and may be transparent. If not transparent,
the plastics material is preferably translucent and may or
may not be coloured.
A flexible bag 24 may be formed of two overlapping
sheets 26 of the same shape which are sealed together
around most of their common periphery to form a side
sealed sachet having an upper opening 28 and a lower V-
shaped edge 30. The bag 24 defines a reservoir for a
first material, such as hydrogen peroxide, and should
therefore provide a good moisture barrier. Each of the
sheets 26 may be of laminated metallised material, and
preferably W eludes the following three layers: LLDPE
sealant/adhesive/metallised PET (polyethylterphalate).
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The bag 24 is insertabie into the bottle 1C ,...roug::
the neck 14 to form a container with a: cuter defc~~:abie
layer (body i2) and~ar. inner collapsible layer sheets 20'~
separated from one another by a buffer zone 32, as s:~own
in FiQUre 4.
As also shown in Figure 4, a support tube 34 may be
insertable _into the bag 24 through the opening 28. The
tube 34 may have a plurality of holes 36 along l is length
and provide ar: at least partially rigid c:~annei which is
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 can be
it contact with the bag 24 - alternatively, t:~e lower end
38 of the tube 34 may be close to but not in contact with
the v-shaped edge 30 of the bag 24. An upper end of the
t~,ibe 34 may be secured to an insert 40 by any suitable
method or means. and may be a simple push fit in the
insert 40.
The insert 40 is partially insertable into the bag 24
through the opening 28 and is also partially insertable
irte the bottle 10 through the neck 14. Preferably, the
insert is permanently fixed in a fluid tight manner to the
sheets 26 around the opening 28, for example by heat or
ultrasonic welding. The insert 40 and the bag 24 could
alternatively be of unitary construction. The insert 40
is preferably irremovably fixed to the neck ;4 by a simple
push fit or any other suitable method or means but could
alternatively be removable by a user to achieve a
refillable system.
As shown in Figures 2, 4 and 6, the insert 40 may be
a one-piece plastics moulding having a tubular member 42
which defines an orifice and extends centrally of a side
wall 44, a transverse wall 46 and a pair of opposed lower
sections 48.
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The side wall 49 is shown with an outwarcly extending
flange 50 at i is upper end, for limiting inset tion o~ the
insert 40 into the bottle 10, and an inwardly directed rib
52 at a position generally mid-way between the f'_ange 50
and t'.~.e transverse wail 96. The transverse wail 46 is
shown with a plurality of holes 54 therethroug:: for
joining the buffer 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 opposed
lower sections 48 are shown as hollow. to prevent sinkage
in -mouldi~:g, and thereby facilitate the fluid tight fixing
cf the ,:aert 40 to the bag 24.
A lower end of the t~,ibular member 42 may be inwardly
recessed for receiving the upper end of the tube 34 and an
upper end of the tubular member 42 may be inwardly
chamfered.
Typically the bag 29 will be supplied to a user when
already partially filled with a first material, such as
hydrogen peroxide. It will therefore be necessary to
prevent the first material escaping through the tube 34
and the tubular member 42. A removable flip top cap could
be provided for closing the upper end of the tubular
member 42. Alternatively, the upper end of the tubular
member 42 could be closed by a rupturable film seal.
Preferably, however, a removable cap 58 is provided, as
shown in Figure 2.
The cap 58, which may again be a one-piece plastics
moulding, may have a plug seal 60 for sealingly closing
the upper end of the tubular member 42. A securing part
62 of the cap 58 could be an airtight fit with the neck 14
of the bottle 10. However, there are advantages in
forming the securing part 62 of the cap 58 as a non-
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airtig::t fit. For example, tzere could be a:: .~..terna_
thread 64 which is a breathable screw fit with t:~e
external thread 16 on the neck 19 of the bootee iC to
provide an air passageway to atmosphere from the annular
channel 56.
One advantage is that, if hydrogen peroxide _.. t:~.e
bag 24 became unstable and produced oxygen, the bag ~4
could expand with air in the buffer zone 3~ escaping
throucth the hcles 54 in the inser t 40 and then between t:~e
t::r eads 16 and 64 .
~zother advantage is that, if the buffer cone 32 were
to be subjected to an unwanted pressure change, for
example as a result of air travel, air could again either
escape from or enter the buffer zone 32 by the above-
indicated route.
The hair colouring kit as so far described allows a
user to prepare a hair colouring composition or other
flowable composition just prior to use.
In practice, at least a second material is added to
the first material in the reservoir. If the reservoir had
been supplied in an empty state, or had been emptied in a
previous use, it would of course first be necessary to add
some first material to the reservoir. In any event, the
initially separated materials need to be allowed to mix.
As shown schematically, in Figure 4, the second
material may be stored in an entirely independent
container 66. .f the first material is hydrogen peroxide,
the second material is likely to be a dye. As dyes can be
oxygen sensitive, the container 66 may need to provide an
excellent oxygen barrier. Moreover, if the dye is in the
form of a gel, cream or paste, for example, the container
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18
6o could need to be plastically defcrmable to ~-low a use.
to squeeze the dye therefrom. On the other hand, if the
dye is in the form of a liquid, the dye might be able tc
exit the container 66 under the influence of gravity.
If the container 66 is resiliently defo~able, the
bag 24 is preferably inflated with air above the _irs
material - if the container 66 is not resi_iently
deformable, the bag 24 is preferably deflated.
T_::e user may be supplied with a plura'_ity cf the
containers 66 and eaci: of the containers 66 may contain a
different material suc:~ as a different shade o~ hair
coicrant with the intention that one or more cf the
containers 66 are to be emptied into the reservoir to form
a particular flowable composition such as a hai= colouring
composition of specifically selected shade.
It is desirable for the container 66, or each of the
containers 66, to include a long nozzle 68 which can
extend completely through the tubular member 42 into the
tube 34. T.'.~.is can give good docking in that the container
66 is less likely to come apart from the bottle 10 even
whey. the user is using both hands to squeeze the container
66. It can also promote good mixing in that the contents
ef the container 66 might be squirted from close range
directly into the contents of the bag 24. Clearly, it
will be necessary for the container 66 to be opened before
,insertion of the long nozzle 68 into the tubular member
42, and opening may be effected by breaking o~f, cutting
off or twisting off the nozzle's tip 70 (shown in broken
outline in Figure 4).
It will be appreciated that, as the second material
is emptied from the container 66 into the bag 24, the
volume or any air in the bag 24 above the first material
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wi~.l De progresSlVely reduced, and any ssch compressed air
should be encouraged to escape to prevent the bag 2~ frem
expanding.
.f the nozzle 68 is a loose fit in the tubular member
42, t:~e compressed air will escape through that loose fit.
Alternatively, one or more splines could be formed along
the 'length of the nozzle 68 and/or one or more air escape
castellations could be formed on the dye container
adjace.~.t a base of the nozzle 68. Dependent on the nature
of the second material in the container 6d, and the
dimensions, the coTpressed air might inject upwards
throuch the seco~d material to form an air pocket l:. the
~ontainer 66 which expands as the air pocket in the bag 24
contracts.
Even if the bag 24 does expand, air in the buffer
zone 32 would escape through the holes 54 in the
transverse wall 46 of the insert 40, as previously
described.
AFter sufficient of the second material has been
added to the first material, the container 66 is removed
from the bottle 10 and is either discarded, or resealed
and saved for future use.
As alternatives to adding the second material to the
first material by decanting, the second material may be
contained in a container which is formed with or located
within the bag 24 and which is rupturable. for example by
squeezing the body 12 of the bottle 10, or which is
otherwise capable of allowing 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 at this stage by
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.' shat:inc the bottle 1C. __ would be possible for the user
to prevent escape of the contents of the bag 24 by placing
a gloved finger over the upper end o' the tubuia= member
42 whilst shaking. It may be more convenient, however,
for the user to replace the cap 58 so that the plug seal
60 closes the upper end of the t~,:bular member 42. In
either case, the tube 34 acts to restrain the bag 25,
while shaking and/or inverting the bottle 10, and thereby
aids mixing by allowing the contents of the bag 24 to move
more freely than the bag 24. It is believed that optimum
mixir.Q by shaking occurs if around l00 of the volume of
the bag 24 is left as headspace. If the bag 24 and the
body 12 of the bottle 10 are both translucent, it is
possible to check visually whether or not mixing ras been
completed.
To prepare for discharge of the flowable composition
formed by the first and the second materials, or more
specifically the hair colouring composition formed by the
hydrogen peroxide and the dye, the insert 90 is again
exposed to allow a spout 72 to be attached to the insert
40, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.
The spout 72 may once again be a one-piece plastics
moulding, here comprising a cylindrical portion 74 leading
to a domed portion 7o which itself leads to a tapered
portion 78. A bottom end of the cylindrical portion 74 is
. formed with an outwardly directed rib 80. A top end of
the cylindrical portion 74 is formed adjacent a shoulder
82 presented by the domed portion 76. One or more, such
as three, air inlets 84 extend through the domed portion
76 and may be equally circumferentially spaced around the
domed portion 76. The tapered portion 78 is formed with
an elongate passageway 86 which gradually narrows along
its length from a larger lower end to a single outlet 88
at a smaller upper end. An annular recess 90 is formed in
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., .
G.
an inner s~,:rface cf the tapered portion ~8 near t:ze ~a~ge=
lower end of the passageway 86. An annular _'.b a~ _s
formed o:. an outer surface of the tapered Fort~on ''8 near
the smaller upper end of the passageway 86.
A valve member 99, which may be formed of ~ silicone
polymer and may be of unitary construction, is atta:.rab-~e
to the snout 72.
?=e'erably, the valve member 94 includes an inlet
part _.. the form of an annular flapper valve 96 w::ich acts
as a cne-way check valve to control entry of air throug
the air ir.'_e:.s 8':.
Preferably, the valve member 94 also includes an
outlet hart in the form of a central quadrolobe valve 98
which acts as a one-way check valve to control exit of
hair colouring composition through the passageway 86. A
quadrolobe valve 98 is preferred because it opens from the
centre not the side and thus gives a smoother flow of hair
colouring composition therethrough. However, as
alternatives to a quadrolobe valve 9B,-the outlet part of
the valve member 94 could be a flapper valve, an umbrella
valve or a duckbill valve.
The flapper valve 96 and the quadrolobe valve 98 may
be joined by an intermediate part including a transverse
sealing wall 100 and a frusto-conical locating wall 102
whose outer surface has an annular rib 104.
The valve member 94 is easily attached to the spout
72 by pushing the quadrolobe valve 98 into the passageway
86 until the annular rib 104 on the valve member 99
engages with the annular recess 90 in the spout '%2.
:he snout '72 is then itself easily attached to the
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insert 40 by pushing the cylindrical portion %4 of the
snout 72 into the annular channel 56 c' the insert 4C'
until the rib 80 on the cylindrical portio: % 4 s:.aps
passed the rib 52 on the insert 40, with an audible o_- at
least tangible click, at which time the shoulder 82 of the
spout 72 is brought into abutment with the flange 5C of
the insert 40 and the sealing wall 100 of the valve member
94 is brought into sealing engagement with the upper end
of the tubular member 42 of the insert 40.
In a:~ alternative construction, the spout 72 car be
attached to the insert 40 by a screw fit rather than the
above-..~.o ted push ~ l t .
The bottl a 10 could be shaken of ter the spout 72 has
been attached to the insert 40 in order to mix or re-mix
the flowable composition.
In order to deliver the hair colouring composition
from the bag 29 to the outlet 88 in the spout 72, from
where the hair colouring composition is discharged in a
line to for example the roots of a head of hair, the body
12 of the bottle 10 is squeezed by the user. This
compresses the air in the buffer zone 32 but the
compressed air cannot escape through the fluid passageway
including the holes 54, the annular channel 56 and the air
inlets 84 because the flapper valve 96 acts to close the
air inlets 84. Instead, the compressed air acts to partly
collapse the bag 24 so that some hair colouring
composition is forced out through the fluid passageway
including the tube 34, the tubular member 42, the frusto-
conical locating wall 102 and the quadrolobe valve 98,
which opens to let the hair colouring composition
therethrough. When the user stops squeezing the body 12
of the bottle 10, the bottle 10 quickly reforms in shape
so that the buffer zone 32 expands. The quadroiobe valve
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.~: 3
96 doses to prevent suc'r:bac't: of the hay= coiourinc
composition beyond the quadrolobe valve 98 and she bag 2y
maintains its partly collapsed state. Instead, air i~
sucked into the buffer zone 32 past the flapper valve 90
which opens to let air in through the air inlets 84.
Squeezing of the body 12 of the bottle 1G ~s repeated
by the user with whatever pressure and frequency is deemed
appropriate to the circumstances.
It will be appreciated ~:7at the holes 3ti in the tube
3~ can prevent the hair colouring composition becoming
trapped, as the bag 24 is progressively collapsed to bring
the sheets 26 of the bag 24 into contact with one another,
and the tube 39 might itself collapse to allow flowable
composition in the tube 34 to be discharged.
As the hair colouring composition is dispensed, the
user may see through the at least translucent body 12 that
the bag 24 is collapsing. This should reassure a user who
feared that the hair colouring composition could run out
without warning.
Although the reservoir for the first material may be
a side sealed sachet, as hereinbefore described, the
reservoir could take other forms - for example, an inner
collapsible layer distinct from an outer deformable layer
would also be provided by an inverting-half-bag bottle or
a delaminating bottle, the latter preferably peeling
progressively away from a neck thereof, or by a
compression blown bag integrally moulded with the insert.
Moreover, although the valve member may be of unitary
construction but dual function, as hereinbefore described,
the valve member could take other forms - for example,
separate valves could be provided for controlling exit of
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,, .
y
hair colcurina compos_tion and entry o= air, the latter
possibly being a simple air hole in the body cf the bottle
which a user closes with a finger.
Referring now to Figures 7 and 8. a surface
applicator 106 is shown removably secured over the outlet
88 of the spout 72. More particularly, the sur=ace
applicator 106 may include a pad 108 of foam or sponge
material zaving a resiliently compressible porous
structure. Such a structure not only has a pi~ralit~~~ of
outlets, but allows hair colouring composition emerging
'ros. t':a outlet 88 to pass through the pad 108 and by
careful manipulation be evenly spread along the hair'_ine.
The pad 108 may be located at or near an upper end ef a
carrier 110 w;th a lower half of the carrier 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 carrier 110 may be formed with an
annular recess 112 for detachably engaging with the
annular rib 92 on the spout 72 when the carrier 110 is
pushed onto the spout 72. The carrier 110 and the spout
%2 may be mutually configured to avoid relative rotation.
The pad 108 may present a curved face, to facilitate
accurate application, with the curved face extending only
partly around the circumference of an upper half of the
carrier 110. If the pad lOB is formed of a plastics
material, and the carrier 110 is also formed of a plastics
material, the pad 108 may be fixed to the carrier 110 by
use of an adhesive. Clearly, if the original surface
applicator 106 is not to be cleaned and re-used, a range
of surface applicators 106 could be provided which are
either similar if intended to be disposable or different
if intended to be interchangeable.
As shown in Figures 9 to 12, a brush/comb-like
applicator 114 could be removably secured over the outlet
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88 or the spout 72 instead of the s~,:rface applicator C6,
the brush/comb-like applicator 114 including a housi~c _'~c
and a releasable unit 118.
The brush/comb-like applicator 114 could be a screw
fit or a snap fit to the neck 14.
The housing 116 is yet another one-piece plastics
moulding here defining, considered from the top, an
aperture 120, a tapered open chamber 122 having .. series
of slotted webs 124 on its opposed major side walls, a
guide tube 120' ensuring open communication. into the
charnbeY 1 ?2 °rom a chamber 128, a slot 13C at a:: upper end
of the chamber 128, an internal thread 132 near a lower
end o' the chamber 128, and a pair of opposed lug means
134 at the lower end o' the chamber 128.
The internal thread 132 is preferably strippable from
a mould without screwing.
The housing I16 is a removable screw fit with the
bottle 10 by virtue of the internal thread 132 in the
chamber 128 engaging the external thread 16 on the neck
14. As the housing 116 is progressively screwed on, the
outlet 88 of the spout 72 enters the guide tube 126.
Finally, the lug means 134 cam along the ramps 22 of the
lug means 18 and then snap into the gaps 20 of the lug
means 18. The snap may give an audible or at least
tangible click to indicate that the housing 116 has been
fully screwed onto the bottle 10. In this final position,
with the lug means 18 and 132 interengaged, the chamber
122 opens in the direction of the major axis of the body
12, which it will be recalled is of generally oval
section.
The releasable unit 118, which is the final component
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2G
of the present hair colouring kit, may again b. formed as
a one-piece moulding cf a plastics material suc:, as
polypropylene, with an additive such as silicone tc give a
low coefficient of friction.
The releasable unit 118 can be at least in part
translucent to signal to a user that the flowable
composition is about to be delivered.
The unit i18 comprises a support i36 which is
generally planar and gradually tapers from a narrower
upper end to a wider lower end. The narrower upper end
:gas a resiliently deflectable catch 138 extending
therefrom wits a barb-like leading end 138a. The wirier
lower end has a rigid catch 140 extending therefrom with a
barb-li~:e leading end 140a. The periphery of the support
136 vs formed with a skirt 142 which is of complementary
outline to the opening of the chamber 122. A plurality of
elongate parting members such as substantially rigid
teeth 199, project from the support 136 in a direction
opposed to the resiliently deflectable catch 138, the
rigid catch 190 and the skirt 142. A plurality of outlets
196 for the flowable composition can extend through the
support 136.
As shown most clearly in Figure 9. the teeth 144 may
be arranged in two rows. The teeth 144 may but need not
necessarily have generally triangular outlines of
different transverse dimensions when viewed from the ends
of the two rows. The transverse dimensions of the teeth
144 may progressively increase from the narrower upper end
of the support 136 to the wider lower end of the support
136. Moreover, the teeth 144 of the different rows may be
staggered with respect to one another, and may again have
generally triangular outlines but now of generally similar
thicknesses when viewed from the sides of the twc rows.
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As shown most clearly in Figure 11, at least two but
possibly all of the outlets 146 further extend through
respective ones of the teeth 144. However, .t may be
desirable for one or more of the outlets 146 not tc extend
throucr:. the teeth 144. For example, at least one outlet
146 may be positioned in the support ;36 between adjacent
ones o° the teeth 144. At least two but possibly all of
the outlets 146 w:~ich extend through the teeth 144 may
emerge r!:rough cri°ices 148 at the free ends of the teeth
.44.
r fact, although it is convenient tc state that the
c=ifices 148 are at the free ends of the teeth 144, the
orifices 148 may be sprightly set back from the free ends
ef the Teeth 144, partly to avoid direct coating of the
scalp, and partly as a result of a preferred moulding
techniaue known as the passing face shut off technique,
which allows the orifices 148 to be formed by a simple
two-part mould without need of side pins.
'r'c assemble the uni t 118 with the housing 116, it is
merely necessary to locate the barb-like leading end 140a
of the rigid catch 140 in the slot 130 and then pivot.
This brings the free edge of the skirt 142 into engagement
with the slotted webs 124 and also deflects the barb-like
leading end 138a of the catch 138 to allow entry of the
catch 138 into the aperture 120. The unit 118 is fully
secured to the housing 116 when the barb-like leading end
138a of the catch 138 emerges from the aperture 120 to
snap engage with the material of the housing 116 around
the aperture 120.
To remove the unit 118 from the housing 116, the
reverse procedure is followed. The catch 138 is
releasable by finger pressure. Alternatively, it may be
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28
possible to release the catch 138 by rolling ''.:e :.c~;ainc
116 over ~ hard surface in a manner such that the and
surface knocks the barb-like leading end 138a of the catch
138 back into the aperture 120. It will be appreciated
that release of the catch 138 occurs remotely o. the
orifices 148.
One reason for removing the unit 118 from the hcusing
116 may be to facilitate cleaning of any residual hair
colouring composition.
A.~.other reason for removing the unit lib trom the
housing 116 may be to allow replacement by another unit
1.8 0' different type. For example, it may be desirable
to replace the substantially rigid teeth 144, which give a
comb-like construction, by either a brush-like
construction including a plurality of resiliently flexible
bristles, or a sponge-like construction or, indeed,
another comb-like construction in which there are teeth
and/or orifices of different dimensions and/or different
configurations. This may facilitate thorough dispersal of
dispensed hair colouring composition in different
situations, such as different hair lengths or different
hair types.
The dimensions, positions and shapes of the orifices
148 may be changed, in different units 118, dependent on
the rheology of the hair colouring composition, or on the
need for different colouring results such as root
coverage, streaking or highlighting.
As a general matter, relevant to all of the present
disclosure, the first container in which the first
material is to be held can be construed as including the
bottle when fitted with any one or combination of the
different applicators.
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29
As another Qenera'~ matter, relevant t~ all .... the
present disclosure, the flowable compositicn can be
capable of demonstrating pseudo-plastic flow behaviour,
here meaning that the flowable composition decreases in
viscosity as it is sheared and, once the shearing has
stopped, the internal structure of the flowable
composition (which was responsible for the original
viscosity) rebuilds very quickly causing an increase in
viscosity approac'.~.ing t:-pat of the original viscosity.
The f'_owable, composition should be capable o~ the
above-noted pseudo-plastic flow behaviour within a shear
strain gate range of O.Ols-l to 10,000s-', which is the most
probable shear strain. rate range to be encountered when
the flowable compositicn is a hair colouring composition.
An example of a suitable flowable composition could
have a viscosity of no less than 0. 01 ~~a-. s- :(preferably no
less than 0.15 Pa. s ) when measured at a shear strain rate
of 2000s-' and no more than S Pa.s (preferably no more than
1.4 Pa. s) when measured at a shear strain rate of 10s-'.
