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(11) | EP 3 039 989 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | TOOL FOR APPLYING A PRODUCT ON HAIR |
| (57) A hairdressing tool is disclosed that is used to apply a colour on hair and comprises
a plurality of flexible elements of elongated shape arranged for entering at least
partially a tuft of hair and for sliding through the tuft in the direction of the
hair, the shape of said flexible elements having at least one fold for which the longitudinal
extent thereof is not rectilinear, said folds being oriented in relation to one another
in the space in a disorderly manner, so that the tool releases the colour on the hair
randomly, obtaining nuanced chromatic effects.
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Background
[0001] The invention relates to a hairdressing tool for applying a product on hair, in particular for applying a colouring or decolouring product.
[0002] Specifically but not exclusively, the invention can be applied to select randomly a limited amount of hair and to distribute the (colouring or decolouring) product in a non-uniform manner on the selected hairs.
[0003] Applying a colouring product by using a brush or a sponge on a tuft of selected hair is known.
[0004] One of the limits of the currently used techniques for distributing colour on hair is the formation of very clear separations of colour, with possible formation of strips of colour or other chromatic effects that are too defined, hardly nuanced and aesthetically not always appreciable.
[0005] Another limit is the uniformity of distribution of the colour, which can cause poor light or gloss in the final result and difficulty in using different ranges of colour with satisfactory effects.
[0006] Further, the techniques currently used are very laborious and require considerable time for obtaining good-quality colouring.
Summary of the invention
[0007] One object of the invention is to give rise to a tool for applying a product on hair that is an alternative to known tools.
[0008] One object of the invention is to make a tool that is able to overcome one or more of the aforesaid limits and drawbacks of the prior art.
[0009] One advantage is to make available a tool for applying a product on hair that it is easy to use and permits high quality results.
[0010] One advantage is to reduce significantly the time that is necessary for applying the product on the hair (in particular a colouring or decolouring product).
[0011] One advantage is to provide a tool that enables results to be obtained that are aesthetically very appreciable, in particular hair with nuanced and glossy colours.
[0012] One advantage is to permit hair to be obtained that is devoid of streaks of colours or defined separations of colour, or other clear chromatic effects.
[0013] One advantage is to provide a tool that is able to release the colour randomly, in quantities that are variable from one zone to another, with greater or lesser depth in the head of hair, improving the lightness and/or gloss of the hair.
[0014] One advantage is to obtain new aesthetic effects on the hair, with multiple and/or variegated nuances and/or with luminous reflections.
[0015] One advantage is to give the treated hair a natural appearance, distributing the colour at random in multiple micropoints, both in the surface of the head of hair, and in depth, thus generating irregular nuanced reflections and with a less clear appearance.
[0016] One advantage is to give rise to a tool that is light and is at the same time provided a very wide hair selection area.
[0017] One advantage is to perform simultaneously both the random selection of a limited amount of hair and the distribution of the (colouring or decolouring) product in a non-uniform manner on the selected hair.
[0018] Such objects and advantages and still others are achieved by the tool according to any one of the claims set out below.
[0019] In one embodiment, a tool for applying a (colouring or decolouring) product on hair comprises a plurality of elements of elongated shape that are able to receive the product and are arranged for entering at least partially a tuft of hair and for sliding through the tuft in the direction of the hair, said elements having at least one fold so that the longitudinal extent thereof is not rectilinear, said folds being oriented in the space in a disorderly manner with respect to one another.
Brief description of the drawings
[0020] The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings that illustrate one embodiment thereof by way of non-limiting example.
Figure 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of a tool made according to the invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of an enlarged detail of the embodiment of figure 1.
Detailed description
[0021] With reference to the aforesaid figures, overall with 1 a tool for applying a product on hair has been indicated. In particular, the product to be applied may comprise a colouring or decolouring product for hair.
[0022] In figure 1 the tool is shown to scale, with a dimension that is equal to about double the original. It is nevertheless possible to provide tools of shape and dimensions that are different from those shown.
[0023] The tool 1 may comprise, for example, a base 2 and a plurality of flexible elements 3, of elongated shape, attached to the base 2.
[0024] Each flexible element 3 may have, in particular, a first end fixed to the base and a second end, opposite the first end, which is free and is movable by virtue of the flexibility of the element.
[0025] The surface of the flexible elements 3 is suitable for receiving at least one layer of the (colouring) product to be applied that will remain attached to the surface.
[0026] The flexible elements 3 may be distributed, as in the specific case, in a disorderly manner on the base 2.
[0027] The flexible elements 3 are shaped and arranged so as to be able to enter at least partially a tuft of hair and to be able to slide through the tuft in the direction of the hairs. In use, the operator can take a tuft of hair with one hand and with the other the tool 1, distributing the colouring product by making the tool slide in the direction of the hair that goes from the tip to the root.
[0028] The longitudinal extent of each flexible element 3 may have, as in this example, at least one change in direction, so that the longitudinal extent of the flexible elements is not rectilinear.
[0029] The flexible elements 3 may be arranged on the base 2 so that the aforesaid changes in direction are oriented in the space in a disorderly manner with respect to one another. Each change in direction may comprise, as in this example, at least one curve and/or one fold of the respective flexible element, this variation being arranged between the fixed first end and the free second end.
[0030] Each flexible element 3 may have, as in this example, a straight cross section of oblong shape. This oblong shape (or spatula shape) can give the flexible element an ability to receive a greater quantity of product than, for example, with a circular or square shape.
[0031] The flexible elements 3 may be arranged on the base 2, as in the specific example, in such a manner that the oblong section of an element 3 is oriented in a different manner from the oblong section of another element 3. In other words, the various oblong sections may be arranged in a disorderly manner. The (optional) fact that the oblong sections of the various flexible elements 3 are oriented in a disorderly manner from one another can enable a more random distribution of the dye, with final chromatic effects that are even more nuanced and natural.
[0032] The oblong section of a flexible element 3 may have a maximum dimension and a minimum dimension in which the maximum dimension may be at least twice (or at least three times, or at least four times) the minimum dimension.
[0033] In particular, the maximum dimension may be greater than 1 mm, or greater than 2 mm, or greater than 3 mm. In particular, the maximum dimension may be less than 4 mm, or less than 5 mm, or less than 6 mm.
[0034] In particular, the minimum dimension may be greater than 0.1 mm, or greater than 0.2 mm, or greater than 0.3 mm, or greater than 0.4 mm, or greater than 0.5 mm. In particular, the minimum dimension may be less than 1 mm, or less than 1.5 mm, or less than 2 mm, or less than 3mm.
[0035] The flexible elements 3 may be made, in particular, of plastics, such as, for example, polyethylene, polystyrene, PET, PVC, polypropylene, polyamide, ABS, or another natural or synthetic polymer material.
[0036] The base 2 has at least one (flat) surface on which the first ends of the elements 2 are fixed. This surface may have, in particular, an area greater than 10 cm2, or greater than 20 cm2, or greater than 30 cm2.
[0037] The flexible elements may be distributed on the surface of the base with an average density, for example, greater than 2 elements per cm2, or greater than 4 elements per cm2, or greater than 6 elements per cm2, or greater than 8 elements per cm2.
[0038] A flexible element 3 may have, in particular, a longitudinal extent, considered in a rectilinear extended configuration, for example greater than 2 mm, o greater than 5 mm, or greater than 10 mm, or greater than 20 mm.
[0039] A flexible element 3 may have, for example, a straight cross section with an area greater than 1 mm2, or greater than 2 mm2, or greater than 3 mm2.
[0040] The base 2 may have, as in this specific example, at least one recess 4 that is suitable for introducing and/or resting at least one finger of an operator. This can facilitate grasping of the tool 1 by an operator who intends to apply the colouring product on the hair.
[0041] It is possible to provide other embodiments of the invention that are not illustrated in which the base does not have any recess for the finger, or has two recesses, or three recesses, or four recesses, in which the recesses for the finger may be arranged, for example, respectively at 180°, or at 120°, or at 90° with respect to one another.
[0042] In use, the flexible elements 3 first receive a certain quantity of dye (the collecting zone may be extended over most of the length of the elements 3), then the operator, whilst holding a tuft of hair extended with one hand, with the other passes the tool through the hair in the direction that goes from the tips to the roots of the hair. The flexible elements penetrate at least partly the body of hair, going to distribute the colouring product not only on the surface but also in depth. Further, the dye is not applied evenly but irregularly, by micropoints and/or veins distributed randomly, more in depth in certain zones and less in others, with quantities that are always variable from one zone to the other of the tuft of hair.
1. Tool (1) for applying a product on hair, said tool comprising:
- a base (2); and
- a plurality of flexible elements (3), each of which has a first end fixed to said base (2) and a second free and movable end, opposite said first end, said flexible elements (3) being conformed and arranged for entering at least partially a tuft of hair and sliding through the tuft in the direction of the hair, the longitudinal extent of said flexible elements (3) having at least one direction variation so that said longitudinal extent is not rectilinear.
2. Tool according to claim 1, wherein said flexible elements (3) are arranged on said
base (2) in such a manner that said variations in direction are oriented in the space
in a disorderly manner in relation to one another.
3. Tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said flexible elements (3) each have a straight
cross section of oblong shape.
4. Tool according to claim 3, wherein said flexible elements (3) are arranged on said
base (2) in such a manner that the oblong section of an element is oriented in a different
manner from the oblong section of another element.
5. Tool according to claim 4, wherein the oblong sections of the various flexible elements
(3) are oriented in a disorderly manner from one another.
6. Tool according to any one of claims 3 to 4, wherein said oblong section has a maximum
dimension and a minimum dimension, said maximum dimension being at least twice said
minimum dimension, said maximum dimension being, in particular, comprised between
1 and 5 mm, said minimum dimension being, in particular comprised between 0.2 and
2 mm.
7. Tool according to any preceding claim, wherein said flexible elements (3) are distributed
in a disorderly manner on said base (2).
8. Tool according to any preceding claim, wherein each direction change comprises at
least one bend and/or fold of the respective flexible element (3) arranged between
said first and second end.
9. Tool according to any preceding claim, wherein said flexible elements (3) are made
of plastics, for example polyethylene, polystyrene, PET, PVC, polypropylene, polyamide
or ABS.
10. Tool according to any preceding claim, wherein said base (2) has a surface on which
said first ends are fixed, said surface having an area greater than 10 cm2, or greater than 20 cm2, said flexible elements (3) being distributed on said surface with an average density
greater than 2 elements per cm2, or greater than 4 elements per cm2.
11. Tool according to any preceding claim, wherein said flexible elements (3) each have
a longitudinal extent, considered in a rectilinear extended configuration, greater
than 5 mm, or greater than 10 mm, and a straight cross section with an area greater
than 1 mm2.
12. Tool according to any preceding claim, wherein said base (2) has at least one recess
(4) that is suitable for introducing and/or resting at least one finger of an operator.
13. Tool according to claim 12, wherein said base has two, or three or four recesses,
each recess being suitable for introducing and/or resting a finger of an operator,
said recesses being arranged, for example, respectively, at 180°, or at 120°, or at
90° to one another.