RU2838626C1 - Application of hair coloring compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: satisfaction of human vital needs.

SUBSTANCE: hair dyeing composition application device, comprising a device body comprising a first reservoir comprising a first piston, wherein the first reservoir is configured to receive the first part of the hair colouring composition; a second reservoir comprising a second piston, the second reservoir being configured to receive a second portion of the hair colouring composition; and a dispensing mechanism associated with the first piston and the second piston, wherein the dispensing mechanism is configured to tightly move the first piston within the first reservoir and the second piston within the second reservoir; and an application cap comprising a mixing mechanism and a plurality of projecting teeth, wherein the application cap is reversibly connected to the body of the device such that in a position in which the cap for application is connected to the body of the device, the first reservoir and the second reservoir are sealed with respect to the environment, except for the channels of the plurality of protruding teeth, which are in fluid communication with the first reservoir and the second reservoir by means of a mixing mechanism, and wherein the dispensing mechanism, when activated, is configured to move the first piston and the second piston in the direction of the plurality of protruding teeth to allow mixing the first part of the hair colouring composition with the second part of the hair colouring composition to form a mixed hair colouring composition to be dispensed through a plurality of protruding teeth.

EFFECT: broader functional capabilities.

17 cl, 22 dwg

Description

AREA OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates generally to hair coloring and in particular, but not exclusively, to devices, kits and methods suitable for applying hair coloring compositions to hair, especially human hair.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to and is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/036,109, filed June 8, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY

There is often a need to apply hair coloring compositions to hair, especially human hair. One particular need is to color gray hair that naturally grows, for example, in older people.

Devices and methods for applying hair dyeing compositions to hair are known, see, for example: US Patents: 5,289,835; 6,513,534 and 7,055,528; US Patent Applications: 2003/0217438; 2005/0092340; 2006/0054178; 2007/0157942; 2012/0192893; 2015/0053227; 2016/0022010 and PCT Patent Application Publications: WO 2004/073448 and WO 2004/087036.

Existing devices and methods for applying hair coloring compositions have disadvantages.

It would be useful to have a device and/or method for applying hair coloring compositions to hair that has one or more advantages over known devices and methods.

DISCLOSURE OF THE ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the present invention relate to devices, kits and methods suitable for applying hair coloring compositions to hair, especially human hair.

According to one aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there are provided application devices, kits and methods suitable for applying a hair coloring composition to the roots of hair growing from the scalp of a human being, substantially according to the present description.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for applying a hair dyeing composition, comprising: a device body, comprising: a first reservoir, comprising a first piston, wherein the first reservoir is configured to receive a first portion of the hair dyeing composition; a second reservoir, comprising a second piston, wherein the second reservoir is configured to receive a second portion of the hair dyeing composition; and a dispensing mechanism, connected to the first piston and to the second piston, wherein the dispensing mechanism is configured to hermetically move the first piston within the first reservoir and the second piston within the second reservoir; and an application cap comprising: a mixing mechanism and a plurality of projecting teeth, wherein the application cap is configured to be reversibly connected to the device body such that, in the position in which the application cap is connected to the device body, the first reservoir and the second reservoir are sealed relative to the environment, except for the channels of the plurality of projecting teeth that are in fluid communication with the first reservoir and the second reservoir via the mixing mechanism, and wherein the dispensing mechanism, when activated, is configured to move the first piston and the second piston in the direction of the plurality of projecting teeth to ensure mixing of the first portion of the hair coloring composition with the second portion of the hair coloring composition to form a mixed hair coloring composition to be dispensed through the plurality of projecting teeth.

The dispensing mechanism may comprise a first gear wheel having an internal thread and external teeth and installed under the first piston; a second gear wheel having an internal thread and external teeth and installed under the second piston; a third gear wheel having external teeth and installed between the first gear wheel and the second gear wheel and in contact with them; and an engine, wherein the first piston is connected to the first threaded shaft, and the second piston is connected to the second threaded shaft in such a way that the external thread of the first threaded shaft is in engagement with the internal thread of the first gear wheel, and the external thread of the second threaded shaft is in engagement with the internal thread of the second gear wheel, wherein the external teeth of the third gear wheel are in engagement with the external teeth of the first and second gear wheels, and wherein the engine is configured to rotate the third gear wheel to ensure rotation of the first and second gear wheels to ensure movement of the first and second pistons.

The first reservoir may be in fluid communication with the mixing mechanism via the first opening, and the second reservoir may be in fluid communication with the mixing mechanism via the second opening, wherein the mixing mechanism may comprise a static mixer installed in a channel, wherein the channel is configured to receive the first portion of the hair coloring composition and the second portion of the hair coloring composition at one end of the channel and to provide the mixed hair coloring composition at the other end of the channel.

The dispensing mechanism may comprise: a first set of transmission wheels, comprising a first transmission wheel and a second transmission wheel; a second set of transmission wheels, comprising a third transmission wheel and a fourth transmission wheel; and at least one engine, wherein the first piston is connected to the first flexible drive cable, and the second piston is connected to the second flexible drive cable in such a way that the first flexible drive cable passes between the first transmission wheel and the second transmission wheel and is in contact with them, and the second flexible drive cable passes between the third transmission wheel and the fourth transmission wheel and is in contact with them, and wherein at least one engine is configured to rotate the first, second, third and fourth transmission wheels to ensure movement of the first and second pistons.

The dispensing mechanism may comprise a first gear wheel having external teeth and installed under the first piston; a second gear wheel having external teeth and installed under the second piston; a third gear wheel having external teeth and installed between the first gear wheel and the second gear wheel and in contact with them; and an engine, wherein the first gear is connected to the first threaded shaft, and the second gear is connected to the second threaded shaft, wherein the first piston is mounted around the first threaded shaft, and the second piston is mounted around the second threaded shaft in such a way that the external thread of the first threaded shaft is engaged with the internal thread of the first piston, and the external thread of the second threaded shaft is engaged with the internal thread of the second piston, wherein the external teeth of the third gear are engaged with the external teeth of the first and second gears, and wherein the engine is configured to rotate the third gear with the provision of rotation of the first and second gears with the provision of movement of the first and second pistons.

The first reservoir may be configured to receive the first portion of the hair dyeing composition in the first capsule, and the second reservoir may be configured to receive the second portion of the hair dyeing composition in the second capsule.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a capsule for a hair dyeing composition is provided, comprising: a first reservoir containing a first portion of the hair dyeing composition; and a second reservoir containing a second portion of the hair dyeing composition.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a capsule for a hair dyeing composition is provided, comprising: a first reservoir, comprising: a first piston mounted on the lower end of the first reservoir, and a first portion of the hair dyeing composition; a second reservoir, comprising: a second piston mounted on the lower end of the second reservoir, and a second portion of the hair dyeing composition, wherein the first and second pistons are movable to ensure that the first portion of the hair dyeing composition is pushed out of the first reservoir and the second portion of the hair dyeing composition is pushed out of the second reservoir.

The capsule for the hair dyeing composition may also comprise: a first opening under the first piston; and a second opening under the second piston, wherein the first and second openings are designed with the possibility of providing contact with the first and second pistons.

The capsule for the hair coloring composition may also contain a removable lid.

The first reservoir may also comprise: a first threaded shaft extending from the lower end to the upper end of the first reservoir, wherein the first piston is mounted around the first threaded shaft and comprises an internal thread such that the external thread of the first threaded shaft is engaged with the internal thread of the first piston, and wherein the second reservoir also comprises: a second threaded shaft extending from the lower end to the upper end of the second reservoir, wherein the second piston is mounted around the second threaded shaft and comprises an internal thread such that the external thread of the second threaded shaft is engaged with the internal thread of the second piston.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a capsule for a hair dyeing composition is provided, comprising: a first reservoir comprising: a first piston having an internal thread and mounted on the lower end of the first reservoir around a first threaded shaft extending from the lower end to the upper end of the first reservoir so that the external thread of the first thread is engaged with the internal thread of the first piston; and a first portion of the hair dyeing composition; a second reservoir comprising: a second piston having an internal thread and mounted on the lower end of the second reservoir around a second threaded rod extending from the lower end to the upper end of the second reservoir so that the external thread of the second threaded rod is engaged with the internal thread of the second piston; and a second portion of the hair dyeing composition, wherein the first and second pistons are movable to ensure that the first portion of the hair dyeing composition is pushed out of the first reservoir and the second portion of the hair dyeing composition is pushed out of the second reservoir.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for applying a hair coloring composition, comprising: a device body comprising: a first reservoir configured to receive a capsule for a hair coloring composition, wherein the capsule comprises: a second reservoir containing a first portion of the hair coloring composition; and a third reservoir containing a second portion of the hair coloring composition; and a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense the first portion of the hair coloring composition and the second portion of the hair coloring composition from the capsule; and an application cap comprising: a mixing mechanism and a plurality of projecting teeth, wherein the application cap is configured to be reversibly connected to the device body such that, in the position in which the application cap is connected to the device body, the first reservoir is sealed relative to the environment, except for the channels of the plurality of projecting teeth, which are in fluid communication with the first reservoir by means of the mixing mechanism, and wherein the dispensing mechanism, when activated, is configured to dispense the hair dyeing composition from the capsule in the direction of the plurality of projecting teeth with the provision of mixing the first portion of the hair dyeing composition with the second portion of the hair dyeing composition to form a mixed hair dyeing composition to be dispensed by means of the plurality of projecting teeth.

The dispensing mechanism may comprise: a first set of transmission wheels, comprising a first transmission wheel and a second transmission wheel; a first flexible drive cable passing between the first transmission wheel and the second transmission wheel and being in contact with them; a first lifting portion connected to the upper end of the first flexible drive cable; a second set of transmission wheels, comprising a third transmission wheel and a fourth transmission wheel; a second flexible drive cable passing between the third transmission wheel and the fourth transmission wheel and being in contact with them; a second lifting portion connected to the upper end of the second flexible drive cable; and at least one motor.

The second reservoir may also comprise a first piston mounted at the lower end of the second reservoir, wherein the third reservoir also comprises a second piston mounted at the lower end of the third reservoir, wherein the first lifting portion is configured to be in contact with the first piston, and the second lifting portion is configured to be in contact with the second piston when the capsule is inserted into the first reservoir; and wherein at least one motor is configured to rotate the first, second, third and fourth transmission wheels to ensure movement of the first and second pistons.

The dispensing mechanism may comprise: a first recessed gear having external teeth and installed under the second reservoir; a second recessed gear having external teeth and installed under the third reservoir; a gear wheel having external teeth and installed between the first recessed gear and the second recessed gear and in contact with them in such a way that the external teeth of the gear wheel are in engagement with the external teeth of the first recessed gear and the external teeth of the second recessed gear; and a motor.

The second reservoir may also comprise: a first threaded shaft extending from the lower end to the upper end of the second reservoir; a first gear connected to the first threaded shaft and protruding from the lower end of the second reservoir; and a first piston mounted around the first threaded shaft and comprising an internal thread such that the external thread of the first threaded shaft is engaged with the internal thread of the first piston, wherein the third reservoir also comprises: a second threaded shaft extending from the lower end to the upper end of the third reservoir; a second gear connected to the second threaded shaft and protruding from the lower end of the third reservoir; and a second piston mounted around the second threaded shaft and comprising an internal thread such that the external thread of the second threaded shaft is engaged with the internal thread of the second piston, wherein the first gear is configured to be in contact with the first recessed gear, and the second gear is configured to be in contact with the second recessed gear when the capsule is inserted into the first reservoir, and wherein the engine is configured to rotate the gear wheel to ensure rotation of the first and second recessed gears to ensure movement of the first and second pistons.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a disposable application cap is provided, comprising: a plurality of projecting teeth and a mixing mechanism comprising: a static mixer mounted in a channel, wherein the channel is configured to receive a first portion of a hair coloring composition and a second portion of a hair coloring composition at one end of the channel and to provide a mixed hair coloring composition at the other end of the channel.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for applying a hair dyeing composition, comprising: a device body, comprising: a reservoir, comprising a piston, wherein the reservoir is configured to receive a first part and a second part of the hair dyeing composition; and a dispensing mechanism connected to the piston, wherein the dispensing mechanism is configured to hermetically move the piston inside the reservoir; a mixing cap, comprising: an impeller mounted on the inner side of the mixing cap; a rod connected to the impeller at one end of the rod and to a gear mounted on the outer side of the mixing cap, at the other end of the rod; and an application cap comprising a plurality of projecting teeth, wherein the mixing cap is configured to be reversibly connected to the device body such that in the position in which the mixing cap is connected to the device body, the reservoir is sealed relative to the environment, and the impeller is configured to mix the first part and the second part of the hair coloring composition to form a mixed hair coloring composition, wherein the application cap is configured to be reversibly connected to the device body such that in the position in which the application cap is connected to the device body, the reservoir is sealed relative to the environment, with the exception of the channels of the plurality of projecting teeth, which are in fluid communication with the reservoir; and wherein the dispensing mechanism, when activated, is configured to move the piston in the direction of the plurality of projecting teeth with the provision of pushing the mixed hair coloring composition to be dispensed through the plurality of projecting teeth.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for applying a hair coloring composition, comprising: a device body comprising: a reservoir comprising a piston, wherein the reservoir is configured to receive a first portion and a second portion of the hair coloring composition; a stirring mechanism; and a dispensing mechanism associated with the piston, wherein the dispensing mechanism is configured to hermetically move the piston within the reservoir; and an application cap comprising a plurality of projecting teeth, wherein the stirring mechanism is configured to mix the first portion and the second portion of the hair coloring composition to form a mixed hair coloring composition, wherein the application cap is configured to be reversibly connected to the device body such that in the position in which the application cap is connected to the device body, the reservoir is sealed relative to the environment, except for the channels of the plurality of projecting teeth in fluid communication with the reservoir; and wherein the dispensing mechanism, when activated, is configured to move the piston in the direction of the plurality of protruding teeth to push the mixed hair dyeing composition to be dispensed through the plurality of protruding teeth.

The mixing mechanism may comprise: an impeller and a shaft connected to the impeller at one end of the shaft and to a gear mounted on the outer lower side of the device body at the other end of the shaft, wherein the gear is designed to rotate to ensure rotation of the impeller and to ensure the possibility of mixing the first part and the second part of the hair dyeing composition to form a mixed hair dyeing composition.

The mixing mechanism may comprise: an impeller and a shaft connected to the impeller at one end of the shaft and to a motor at the other end of the shaft, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the shaft to ensure rotation of the impeller and to ensure the possibility of mixing the first part and the second part of the hair dyeing composition to form a mixed hair dyeing composition.

The impeller may be a collapsible impeller having at least two states, each of which has different height dimensions: a mixing state having a height dimension for the unfolded state; and a folded state having a height dimension for the folded state that is smaller than the height dimension for the unfolded state.

The gear may be configured to be reversibly connected to an external mixing motor such that when the gear is connected to the external mixing motor, the external mixing motor is driven to rotate the impeller.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit comprising: an application device as described above and a docking station.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a kit is provided, comprising: an application device according to the above description; and a docking station, comprising a mixing motor, wherein the application device and the docking station are designed with the possibility of mutually reversible connection to ensure a connected state, and in the connected state, the operation of the mixing motor leads to mixing of the fluid contents of the reservoir.

The docking station may be configured to at least one of: hold the application device in a vertical position; charge the energy storage component of the application device; perform the function of a control unit for at least one function of the application device; and weigh the contents of the reservoir.

Any of the application devices disclosed in the above description that comprises two separate reservoirs may also comprise a cap configured to seal the first reservoir and the second reservoir.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention and to demonstrate the principles of its implementation, reference is made below, solely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings.

With respect to the detailed drawings, it should be emphasized that the specific details are given by way of example and solely for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are presented for the purpose of providing the most useful and understandable description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show the structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, and the description in conjunction with the drawings provides an understanding to a person skilled in the art as several forms of the invention can be embodied in practice. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1A is a schematic side view of an embodiment of an application device according to the teachings of the present document;

FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of an application device according to the teachings of the present document;

FIG. 2A is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a docking station according to the teachings of the present document;

FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a docking station according to the teachings of the present document;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a human head ready to have a hair coloring composition applied to the hair;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of an application device according to the teachings of the present document;

FIG. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of an application device according to the teachings of the present document;

FIG. 5B is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a docking station according to the teachings of the present document;

FIG. 5C is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a docking station according to the teachings of the present document;

FIG. 6A is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a kit comprising an application device and a corresponding docking station according to the teachings of the present document;

FIG. 6B is an exploded view of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C shows an exploded view of the application device 610;

FIG. 6D shows a cross-sectional side view of the sleeve assembly 610A;

FIG. 6E shows a perspective cross-section of the sleeve assembly 610A;

FIG. 6F is a bottom perspective view of application cap 610B;

FIG. 6G is an exploded view of FIG. 6F;

FIG. 6H is an exploded top perspective view of application cap 610B;

FIG. 6I shows a bottom view of the application cap 610B;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of an application device according to the teachings of the present document;

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of an application device according to the teachings of the present document;

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of an application device and capsule according to the teachings of the present document; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of an application device and capsule according to the teachings of the present document.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the present invention relate to devices, kits and methods suitable for applying hair coloring compositions to hair, especially human hair.

The principles, applications and embodiments of the inventive concepts may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description and examples. After reading the description and examples provided herein, a person skilled in the art will be able to implement the inventive concepts without undue effort or experimentation.

Before proceeding to a detailed explanation of at least one embodiment of the invention, it should be noted that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of components and/or methods set forth herein. The invention is capable of using other embodiments or can be practiced or carried out in various ways. The wording and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered limiting.

At the time of writing, the most common hair coloring methods are based on the application of quinone-imine dyes to the hair, and these methods are implemented using a hair coloring kit containing two components: a coloring solution and a developer. The two components of the hair coloring kit are mixed together to form a hair coloring composition, which is applied to the hair to be colored. The composition is left in contact with the hair for a specified period of time (usually 30-45 minutes), during which time the dye molecules are retained within the hair shafts. After the specified period of time, the hair is rinsed and/or washed to remove any remaining hair coloring composition.

Applying such a hair coloring composition to hair growing from the scalp, especially to hair growing from the user's own scalp, is quite difficult. It is quite difficult to apply such a composition solely to the hair shafts near the scalp, and, as a rule, the entire hair shaft must come into contact with the hair coloring composition, which, upon contact, damages the hair, leaving it limp and lifeless. As noted in the introduction, various devices and methods for applying hair coloring compositions to hair have been developed, but all such devices and methods have one or more disadvantages.

Some embodiments of the principles in this document relate to devices, kits and methods suitable for applying a hair dye composition to hair, particularly to the lower portion of hair shafts growing from the human scalp (commonly referred to as "roots", which term may be used in the description below), without some of the disadvantages of known devices and methods.

The following description and the accompanying drawings describe specific embodiments of a number of devices according to the teachings of this document of application devices and docking stations suitable for applying a hair dyeing composition to hair, especially to the roots of human hair. The application device and the docking station together represent an embodiment of a set according to the teachings of this document. The use of either the application device or the docking station separately or both of the two devices together represents an embodiment of a method according to the teachings of this document.

FIG. 1A is a schematic side view and FIG. 1B is a schematic side view of a sectional view of an applicator device 10 according to embodiments of the present invention.

The application device 10 is shown with three separate units: a sleeve unit 12, a mixing cap 14, and an application cap 16.

The sleeve-shaped unit 12 is the body of the device 10 and includes a distal portion 18 with a distal end 20 and a proximal portion 22. The distal portion 18 is essentially a cylindrical wall defining a cylindrical reservoir 24 for the composition (shown in FIG. 1B) with an axis 26. It should be understood that the device 10 is not limited to a cylindrical shape. In the device 10, the axis of the reservoir and the axis of the body are coaxial and, therefore, are collectively depicted as an axis 26. The reservoir 24 is open at the distal end 20, and its proximal end is defined by the distal surface of the piston 28 intended for hermetically sealed smooth movement back and forth in the axial direction inside the reservoir 24. The dimensions of the distal portion 18 are selected such that the reservoir 24 has the required maximum volume in the position in which the piston 28 is in the closest position. For example, the volume is from 110 ml to 150 ml. Preferably, the sleeve assembly 12 is made waterproof; in other words, rinsing the device (especially the reservoir) with running water does not damage the sleeve assembly 12 or any of its components. In some embodiments, the sleeve assembly 12 is waterproof; in other words, it does not get damaged when immersed in fresh water at a depth of 1 meter for 1 hour.

The mixing cap 14 and the application cap 16 are configured to be reversibly connected to the distal end 20 of the sleeve assembly 12. For example, the outer surface of the distal end 20 of the sleeve assembly 12 may include at least one female element 30 of a twist-lock connector, and the inner portions of the mixing cap 14 and the application cap 16 may include corresponding male elements 32 of a twist-lock connector. In the unconnected state, the near end 34 of the mixing cap 14 or the application cap 16 is placed over the distal end 20 of the sleeve assembly 12 in such a way that the female and male elements 30 and 32 are joined, and then they are fixedly fixed by rotation. As a result, the reservoir 24 is sealed to prevent leakage of a viscous fluid, such as a hair coloring composition, from the reservoir 24 at the junction between the distal end 20 and the edges of the mixing cap 14 or the application cap 16.

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to male and female elements, and any suitable method of connecting the mixing cap 14 or the application cap 16 to the sleeve assembly 12 may be used.

The proximal portion 22 of the sleeve-shaped assembly 12 includes components necessary for the operation of the device 10, including at least some of the piston shaft 36 driving the piston of the engine 38, the application controller 40, which may include a speaker, a display device, a user interface 42, a rechargeable energy storage device 44 and an inductive charger 46.

It should be understood that the proximal part 22 is not limited to the content of the above-described specific components and may include at least means for moving the piston (means for driving the piston or a dispensing mechanism), a controller 40, means for controlling the device 10 (means for controlling the device), a rechargeable energy storage device 44 and means for charging the rechargeable energy storage device (means for charging).

It should also be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise locations of the components.

The near part 22 of the sleeve-shaped unit 12 is formed in one piece with the far part 18 and represents the handle of the device 10; in other words, it has a shape and dimensions that allow it to perform the function of a handle for use with one hand by a human user. During use of the device 10, a person grasps the near part 22 with a hand in such a way that the hand surrounds the near part 22 and the axis 26. In other embodiments of the device according to the ideas of the present document, the near part has other shapes and/or sections. The length of the near part of the sleeve-shaped unit of the device according to the ideas of the present document is usually determined based on the need to perform the function of a handle and the need to ensure a size sufficient for accommodating the required components in it. For example, in the device 10, the length of the sleeve-shaped unit 12 is determined, among other things, by the length of the piston shaft 36.

The display/user interface 42 may be a standard touch screen known in the art and is used to provide user commands to the application controller 40 and to visually display information to the user from the application controller 40. The application controller 40 may be a digital controller (e.g., a printed circuit board) known in the field of home appliances and microcomputing and may be configured to receive user commands via the display/user interface 42, provide information and feedback to the user via the display/user interface 42, and control other components of the application device 10, such as operating the piston driving motor 38 to move the piston 28 in the far and near directions. Depending on the particular embodiment, some specific tasks that the controller 40 is configured to perform may optionally include one or more of:

turning the device on or off 10;

receiving a user instruction to move piston 28 backwards (in the near direction to increase the volume of reservoir 24) to the maximum extent;

receiving a user instruction to move piston 28 forward (in the far direction to reduce the volume of reservoir 24) to the maximum extent;

receiving a user instruction to move the piston 28 forward at a predetermined and/or user-selected speed, which is suitable for dispensing the hair coloring composition contained in the reservoir 24;

stopping the movement of piston 28;

using a display device/user interface 42 and/or an accompanying speaker to notify the user of the amount of composition in the reservoir 24;

display that the energy storage device 44 is charging or fully charged;

displaying that the energy accumulator 44 is not sufficiently charged to fully apply the contents of the composition reservoir (in some embodiments, the application controller 40 is configured such that if the energy accumulator 44 is not sufficiently charged to fully apply the contents of the composition reservoir 24, the piston 28 cannot be moved to dispense the hair dyeing composition, which avoids the case in which the user has only partially dyed hair).

Mixing cap

In some embodiments, the application device according to the teachings of the present document is provided with a mixing cap 14, configured to preferably be reversibly connected to the sleeve assembly 12 of the application device 10. In some such embodiments, in the position in which the mixing cap 14 is not connected to the sleeve assembly 12, access to the reservoir 24 is provided, which allows adding components of the hair coloring composition to the reservoir. In some such embodiments, in the position in which the mixing cap is connected to the sleeve assembly 12, the composition located in the reservoir 24 can be mixed.

In the device 10, the mixing cap 14 comprises a near end 34, a near surface 48, a far surface 50 and an axis 52. On the near surface 48, an impeller 54 is visible, which is a mixing component of the device 10. On the far surface 50, an engaging component is shown, represented by a gear 56. The impeller 54 and the gear 56 are mutually connected by means of a rod 58, which performs the function of a mixing shaft of the device 10, passing from the far surface 50 to the near surface 48 through the mixing cap 14. The rod 58 is hermetically mounted with the possibility of rotation in the mixing cap 14 coaxially with the axis 52, which allows for coaxial rotation of the impeller 54, the gear 56 and the rod 58, but prevents leakage of a fluid medium, such as a composition for dyeing hair, passing from the near surface 48 to the far surface 50 along the length of the rod 58.

Application cap

The application device according to the teachings of the present document is provided with an application cap 16, preferably configured to be connected, more preferably reversibly connected, to a sleeve assembly 12 of the application device 10. In some such embodiments, in a position in which the application cap 16 is not connected to the sleeve assembly 12, access to the reservoir 24 is provided, which allows adding components of the hair coloring composition to the reservoir.

In the device 10, the cap 16 for application includes a near end 34, a near surface 60, a far end 62, an axis 64 and a plurality of coplanar elongated teeth 66 for application, projecting substantially in the axial direction (in some embodiments within 30°, within 25°, within 20°, within 15°, within 5° from parallel and even parallel to the axis 64 and the axis 26 of the reservoir in the position in which the cap 16 for application is connected to the sleeve-like assembly 12). The application cap 16 shown in the drawing includes eight teeth 66. In some preferred embodiments, the device according to the teachings of the present document may include at least 3 teeth (ensuring sufficient delivery of the hair coloring composition) and no more than 10 teeth (which avoids excessive resistance when pushing the teeth through the hair and ensures that all teeth remain in contact with the scalp, see below). Accordingly, in some preferred embodiments, the device according to the teachings of the present document includes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 teeth. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the range from 3 to 10 teeth.

Each tooth 66 is hollow and includes a channel 68 for the composition, providing communication through a fluid medium from the near surface 60 through the distant tip 70 of the teeth 66. The distant tips 70 of the teeth 66 do not leave scratches, since they are rounded, and have a diameter of at least 2 mm and no more than 4 mm. In preferred embodiments, the diameter is no more than 3.5 mm and even no more than 3 mm. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specified diameter values.

The cross-sectional shape of the channel 68 for the composition on the distal tip 70 of the teeth 66 is any suitable shape, preferably round. The cross-sectional size of the channel 68 for the composition on the distal tip 70 of the teeth 66 is any suitable size, in some embodiments, from 1 mm to 2 mm.

The length of the teeth 66 is usually not less than 2 cm, preferably not less than 2.5 cm, and not more than 8 cm, more preferably not more than 6 cm. The teeth 66 are made slightly elastically elastic along the axis, i.e. a force manually applied to the side of the distant tip 70 perpendicular to the axial direction, while the cap 16 for application is held in a stationary state, which leads to a bending of the tooth in such a way that the tip is displaced by a distance of up to 3 mm. A person skilled in the art can manufacture an application cap, such as the cap 16, with teeth 66 having the required properties, without inventive efforts, using standard methods (for example, injection molding) and using standard materials, such as polypropylene.

The distance between two adjacent teeth 66, measured from the center of two adjacent tips, is from 4 mm to 8 mm, more preferably not less than 5 mm and not more than 7 mm. In preferred embodiments, the channels 68 for the composition are designed in such a way that a fluid, such as a hair coloring composition, passing through the channel 68 of the tooth 66 from the near surface 60, exits from the corresponding distant tip 70 in a direction parallel to the axis 64.

Docking station

Some embodiments of the principles of the present invention relate to a docking station. In some embodiments, the application device according to the teachings of the present document is used in conjunction with the docking station or provided in conjunction with the docking station as two components of a hair coloring kit. In particular, in some preferred embodiments, the docking station according to the teachings of the present document is a holder for stably holding a sleeve-shaped assembly of the distal end of the application device. When the sleeve assembly is held by the holder, the hair dyeing composition or its components can be added to the composition reservoir if the composition reservoir is open, for example, for the application device 10, the mixing cap 14 and the application cap 16 are not attached to the sleeve assembly 12, as a result of which the reservoir 24 is open at the distal end 20. In some embodiments, when the sleeve assembly is held by the holder, the mixing cap can be connected to the distal end of the application device to seal the reservoir. In some embodiments, the docking station is configured to mix the contents of the sleeve assembly reservoir when the mixing cap is connected to it.

FIG. 2A is a schematic side view and FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a docking station 80 for use in conjunction with an applicator 10 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

The docking station 80 comprises a housing 82, a base 84, a cavity 86 and an opening 88 in the cavity opposite the base 84. When the base 84 of the docking station 80 is placed on a flat surface, such as a table, the opening 88 is directed upward. The docking station 80 also comprises a recessed mixing gear 90 at the bottom of the cavity 86. A mixing motor 92 is also located inside the housing 82, configured to rotate the mixing gear 90 when the motor, the on/off switch 96, the power source 98 and the inductive charger 100 are activated. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to an inductive charger, and any suitable charger can be used with the necessary modifications. For example, a physical connector can connect the charger to the device 10.

The cavity 86 and the opening 88 together form a holder of the docking station 80, in size and shape designed to stably hold the unit 12 in the form of a sleeve in such a way that the distant end 20 is oriented upward or downward in the position in which the mixing cap 14 is attached to it. In particular, the diameters of the opening 88 and the cavity 86 only slightly exceed the diameter of the mixing cap 14, and the depth of the cavity 86 slightly exceeds the length of the near part 22.

The docking station 80 is designed in such a way that in the position in which the on/off switch 96 is set to the "on" position, and the application device 10 with the attached mixing cap 14 is held in the cavity 86, the mixing motor 92 begins to work on turning the mixing gear 90 for a given period of time, for example, 30 seconds, with the accompanying rotation of the gear 56, rotating the impeller 54, mixing the composition inside the tank 24.

Application of the device 10 for application and the docking station 80 for hair coloring

According to embodiments of the present invention, in preparation for applying a hair coloring composition, the hair of the subject to be colored is tied into one or more ponytails to collect the hair shafts and expose the scalp and hair roots, for example, into two ponytails along the center line of the head, see FIG. 3: a first ponytail 102 extending backward from the hair collected from the back of the head and centered around the crown of the head, and a second ponytail 104 extending forward from the hair collected from the front of the head.

For use, the docking station 80 is placed on a surface (for example, on a table).

The display/user interface 42 of the sleeve-shaped node 12 is used to issue a command to the application controller 40 to activate the motor 38 to bring the piston 28 to the closest position in which the reservoir 24 has the largest volume.

The sleeve-shaped unit 12 is placed in the cavity 86 of the docking station 80 through the opening 88 in such a way that the near part 22 is completely placed inside the cavity 86, and the near part of the far part 18 is in contact with the walls of the opening 88. As a result, the sleeve-shaped unit 12 is stably held, and the far end 20 is turned upward in such a way that the axis 26 is almost perpendicular to the surface. Thus, the charging device 46 of the sleeve-shaped unit 12 and the charging device 100 are mutually arranged in such a way that the energy accumulator 44 of the sleeve-shaped unit 12 is charged from the power source 98 of the docking station 80.

In the position in which the distant end 20 is open, two components of the hair coloring composition are added by pouring into the reservoir 24, and the mixing cap 14 is attached to the distant end 20 according to the above description. The sleeve assembly 12 and the mixing cap 14 are removed together from the docking station 80, turned over and then placed back into the cavity 86 of the docking station 80 (with the mixing cap 14 forward) in such a way that the gear 56 of the mixing cap 14 is in engagement with the mixing gear 90 of the docking station 80, and the sleeve assembly 12 is stably held in a position in which the near end faces upward and the axis 26 is perpendicular to the surface. As a result, the rod 58 and the impeller 54 of the mixing cap 14 are connected to the mixing motor 92 by means of the engagement of the gear 56 with the mixing gear 90.

The user uses the on/off switch 96 to activate the mixing motor 92 to rotate the mixing gear 90, which rotates the gear 56, the rod 58 and the impeller 54. The rotation of the impeller 54 is provided with a duration and intensity sufficient to ensure sufficient mixing of the contents of the reservoir 24, which is a hair coloring composition.

Then the sleeve assembly 12 and the mixing cap 14 are removed together from the docking station 80, turned over, and the sleeve assembly 12 is placed in the cavity 86 through the opening 88 in such a way that the near part 22 is completely placed inside the cavity 86, and the near part of the far part 18 is in contact with the walls of the opening 88 in such a way that the sleeve assembly 12 is stably held, the far end 20 is facing upward, and the axis 26 is almost perpendicular to the surface. Thus, the charging device 46 of the sleeve assembly 12 and the charging device 100 are again mutually positioned in such a way that the energy accumulator 44 of the sleeve assembly 12 is charged from the power source 98 of the docking station 80.

The mixing cap 14 is disconnected from the sleeve-shaped unit 12 and washed or disposed of.

The application cap 16 is attached to the distal end 20 as described above. The sleeve assembly 12 and the application cap 16 are removed together from the docking station 80 and are held by the user by grasping the near portion 22 with his hand.

The user uses the display device/user interface 42 of the application device 10 to activate the application controller 40 to activate the motor 38 to distally move the piston 28 to remove any air trapped in the reservoir 24 and, if necessary, in the channels 68 of the teeth 66. In some embodiments, this process is performed manually, for example, by the user visually monitoring the moment when the composition reaches the tips of the teeth 66. In other embodiments, an increase in the resistance to the distal movement of the piston 28 is detected by the controller 40, indicating that all of the air has been removed and that the extrusion of the hair coloring composition into the channels 68 has begun.

The user then uses the display/user interface 42 of the application device 10 to activate the application controller 40 to activate the motor 38 to move the piston 28 in a distal direction to expel the hair coloring composition from the reservoir 24 into the channels 68 and out through the distal tips 70 of the teeth 66 at a speed (preferably a user-selected speed) suitable for coloring the hair.

During the extrusion of the composition through the distal tips 70 of the teeth 66, the user moves the device 10 and the cap 16 for application in a distal direction parallel to the axis 26, while maintaining the distal tips 70 in tangential contact (usually at an angle of no more than 45°, preferably no more than 30°) with the scalp.

The non-scratching rounded distant tips 70 move smoothly over the scalp and do not scratch or cause discomfort to the scalp. According to embodiments of the present invention, the teeth are made flexible, which allows the teeth 70 to be aligned in such a way that they correspond to the curvature of the surface of the head, as a result of which all the teeth 70 are in contact with the scalp. It is important to note that the hair dyeing composition is continuously removed from the distant tips 70 of the teeth 66 and pushed out to any of the sides of the distant tip due to the "snowplow" effect. Without being limited by any one theory, it is currently accepted that with the proper width of the distal tip and the inter-prong spacing (as described above with reference to the cap 16 for applying the device 10), the output of the composition along the hair shafts near the scalp from the distal tip, coupled with the said snow blower effect, results in highly efficient application of the composition to the areas of the hair shafts near the scalp that are to be colored by applying the hair coloring composition.

The user continues to apply the composition as described above for any desired period of time. When the reservoir 24 reaches a state in which it is empty by 25%, 50%, 75% and 95%, the application controller 40 can, if necessary, use the speaker to sound a warning signal (or any other visual indicator, such as an LED display showing the position of the piston and, therefore, the volume of hair coloring material remaining in the reservoir 24).

In the event that there is a residue of the hair dyeing composition in the reservoir 24 after the application process is completed, the user can use the operating means of the device to activate the controller 40, which activates the piston 28 to remove the residual composition, and the composition is disposed of, for example, in a sink. Alternatively, after the application process is completed, the user can separate the cap 16 for application from the unit 12 in the form of a sleeve and rinse said two units, including washing out excess composition from the reservoir 24 with water.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the mixing cap 14 may be washed or disposed of, and the application cap 16 may also be washed or disposed of.

The reservoir 24, the distal end 20 and the distal surface of the piston 28 of the sleeve-shaped assembly 12 are washed and placed in the docking station 80 for drying and/or recharging and/or storage.

The user typically leaves the composition on the hair for the desired period of time. In some embodiments, the application controller 40 functions as a timer and indicates the moment when the desired period of time has elapsed.

After the required period of time, the hair is rinsed and/or washed, removing excess composition.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of another applicator 106 according to embodiments of the present invention. In many aspects and details, the applicator 106 is similar or identical to the applicator 10 described above. Some of the differences between the device 10 and the device 106 are disclosed in the description below.

In FIG. 4, the application device 106 is shown with two units designed to be reversibly connected: a unit 108 in the form of a sleeve and a cap 16 for application.

In addition to components similar or identical to those described above in the context of the sleeve assembly 12 of the device 10, the sleeve assembly 108 includes a gear 56, a rotary shaft 112 operatively connected to the gear 56, and a folding impeller 114 that functions as a mixing component of the device 106.

The rotary shaft 112 is an elongated cylinder (for example, made of stainless steel), mounted with the possibility of rotation inside the piston shaft 36 coaxially with it. The gear 56 is attached to the near end of the shaft 112, and the impeller 114 is attached to the far end of the shaft 112 in such a way that it extends from the far surface of the piston 28 into the reservoir 24 and is located inside the reservoir 24.

Like the gear 56 of the mixing cap 14 of the device 10, the gear 56 of the device 106 is configured to be coupled to a corresponding mixing gear, such as the mixing gear 90 of a suitably configured docking station, such as the docking station 80 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

The impeller 114 has a shape suitable for mixing a fluid medium, such as a hair coloring composition, held in the reservoir 24 for the composition, during its rotation. According to embodiments of the present invention, the impeller 114 can be a collapsible impeller having at least two states: an unfolded mixing state and a folded state. In the unfolded mixing state, the collapsible impeller 114 has a height dimension for the unfolded state along the axis 26, and in this state, the shape of the collapsible impeller 114 is suitable for mixing a fluid medium, such as a hair coloring composition, held in the reservoir 24 for the composition, during rotation of the collapsible impeller 114. In the folded state, the collapsible impeller 114 has a height dimension for the folded state along the axis 26, which is smaller than the height dimension for the unfolded state. The transition from the unfolded mixing state to the folded state is carried out, for example, by applying a force in the proximal direction to the distal end 116 of the folding impeller 114. The transition from the folded state to the unfolded mixing state is carried out, for example, due to the elasticity of the folding impeller 114 itself or during rotation of the folding impeller 114 via the rotary shaft 112, for example, as a result of the centrifugal force caused by rotation, or the force applied by the fluid inside the reservoir 24 to the folding impeller 114 during rotation of the folding impeller 114.

In some embodiments, the collapsible impeller is made of silicone rubber, and typically has a shape similar to the shape of the mixing blades of a commercial immersion blender, but is configured to elastically deform to a thin, flat shape when a force is applied in the distal direction. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a collapsible mixing component, such as the collapsible impeller 114, is at least partially made of a material that has sufficient flexibility and elasticity (such as silicone rubber), as a result of which the mixing component moves into a folded state when a force is applied, for example, when the impeller is pressed against the near surface 60 of the cap 16 for application. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the collapsible mixing component comprises at least one hinge, whereby the mixing component is moved into a collapsed state upon application of force, such as by pressing the impeller against the proximal surface 60 of the application cap 16, by rotation about such hinge.

When using the device 106, the sleeve assembly 108 is placed inside the cavity 86 of the corresponding near end of the docking station 80, initially in a position in which the piston 36 is in the most distant position so that the gear 56 is in engagement with the mixing gear 90 of the docking station 80. The precursors of the hair composition are placed inside the reservoir 24 for the composition, and the cap 16 for application is attached to the sleeve assembly 108 according to the above description.

When the docking station 80 is activated, the mixing gear 90 rotates the gear 56, which rotates the shaft 112, which rotates the impeller 114. In the case where the impeller is made collapsible, as a result of the absence of a significant force applied to the far end 116, the collapsible impeller is in an unfolded state and mixes the contents of the reservoir 24 for the composition to form a hair coloring composition.

Then the hair coloring composition is applied to the hair according to the above description. In the period close to the completion of the process of applying the hair coloring composition, the piston 28 approaches the near surface 60 of the cap 16 for application in such a way that the distant end 116 of the collapsible impeller 114 contacts the near surface 60. Further distal advancement of the piston 28 by the motor 38 creates a force on the distant end 116 of the collapsible impeller 114, as a result of which the collapsible impeller 114 begins to fold in the proximal direction from the unfolded mixing state with the height of the unfolded impeller to the folded state with the height of the folded impeller. As a result, the application of the majority, if not the entire volume of the hair coloring composition held in the reservoir 24 for the composition is ensured.

An additional embodiment of a kit according to the teachings of the present document, comprising an application device 120 and a docking station 122, is shown in FIG. 5:

FIG. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional side view of another application device 120;

FIG. 5B is a schematic side view of another docking station 122; and

FIG. 5C is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the docking station 122.

In many aspects and details, the device 120 for applying is similar or identical to the above-described devices 10 and 106 for applying. Some of the differences between the device 120 and the devices 10 and 106 are disclosed in the description below. In many aspects and details, the docking station 122 is similar or identical to the above-described docking station 80. Some of the differences between the docking station 122 and the docking station 80 are disclosed in the description below.

In FIG. 5A, the application device 120 is shown in cross-section in a side view with two units configured to be reversibly connected: a sleeve unit 124 and an application cap 16. The sleeve unit 124 includes a distal portion 18 defining a reservoir 24 for the composition and a proximal portion 22 representing a handle of the device 120.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the sleeve assembly 124 may comprise a spring-loaded activation button 126, typically biased to an external position, but the button may also be pressed into an internal position by applying force by means of the fingers or hands of the user. In the position in which the application cap 16 is attached to the sleeve assembly 124 and the button 126 is in the internal position, the motor 38 drives the piston 28 in the distal direction to dispense the composition held in the application reservoir 24 through the teeth 66 of the application cap 16. When the button 126 is released from the internal position, it returns to the external position, and the motor 38 reverses direction for a short period of time and then stops. As a result, the piston 28 is slightly retracted in the proximal direction. As a result, the release of the button 126 results in an immediate suspension of the composition dispensing through the teeth 66. In accordance with the position of the button 126, the application controller 40 activates the piston-driving motor 38. It should be understood that other types of activation buttons can be used, and the present invention is not limited to a spring-loaded activation button.

The LED matrix 128, consisting of individually actuatable LEDs, for example, 4 LEDs, is used to indicate the volume of the composition held in the composition reservoir: for example, all the illuminated LEDs indicate that the composition reservoir 24 is completely filled, a smaller number of illuminated LEDs indicate that the composition reservoir 24 is partially filled, for example, when filled by 75%, 50%, 25%, 12.5%, one LED blinks every 2 seconds, when filled by 6%, one LED blinks once a second, and blinking of all the LEDs several times can indicate the fact that the composition reservoir 24 is empty. The activation of the LED matrix 128 is performed by the application controller 40. The device 120 includes a mixing motor 130 with a rotary shaft 132 having a toothed pinion 134 at its far end as components of the sleeve-shaped assembly 124. In the position in which the piston 28 is in the most proximal position (as shown in FIG. 5A), the gear 134 is located within the lumen of the hollow shaft 136, and the teeth of the gear 134 are in mesh with internal teeth located within the lumen of the hollow shaft 136. In the position in which the device 120 is connected to the docking station 122, the mixing motor 130 can be activated to rotate, causing it to rotate the shaft 132, the gear 134, the hollow shaft 136 and the folding impeller 114. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the mixing motor 130 is powered directly by the docking station 122, and not by the batteries (energy storage 44) of the device 120. In alternative embodiments, the mixing motor 130 is optionally or exclusively powered by the integrated energy storage component of the assembly 124 in the form of a sleeve.

The docking station 122 is schematically shown in FIG. 5B (side section) and FIG. 5C (side view).

FIG. 5B shows a housing 82, a base 84, a cavity 86, an opening 88, a power source 98, an inductive charger 100 and a controller 124 of the docking station that activates all the functions and components of the docking station 122. As described above, the present invention is not limited to an inductive charger, and any suitable charger can be used with the necessary modifications. For example, a physical connector can connect the charger to the device 120.

FIG. 5C shows an exemplary external appearance of a docking station 122 comprising two buttons 142 and 144 and two indicator LEDs 146 and 148.

The mixing activation button 142, when pressed, causes the controller 124 to activate the mixing motor 130 of the device 120, connected to the docking station 122. The specified action is achieved, for example, due to the fact that, when the button 142 is pressed, the controller 124 modulates the power transmitted from the inductive charging device 100 of the docking station 122 to the inductive charging device 46 of the node 124 in the form of a sleeve, the modulation of which is determined by the controller 40 of the node 124 in the form of a sleeve.

The reset button 144, when pressed, provides the controller 124 with a command to the device 120, connected to the docking station 122, to bring the piston 28 to the most proximal position. The specified action can be achieved, for example, by modulating the transmitted power according to the above description. As an alternative or in addition, in some embodiments, a reset button is made on the unit (12, 108, 124, 610A, 710, 810, 910 and 1010, which will be described in detail below) in the form of a sleeve, performing functions identical to the functions of the reset button 144.

The LED 146 of the charging indicator flashes when the device 120 is connected to the docking station 122 and is being charged by the inductive charger 46 (or, in some embodiments, a direct contact charger), and stops flashing and lights up steadily when the batteries of the device 120 are charged sufficiently to dispense the entire contents of the reservoir for the composition of the device 120.

The power indicator LED 148 lights when the docking station 122 is connected to a power source.

In an alternative embodiment, the docking station includes a single button with two integrated LEDs: a red LED and a green LED. In the position in which the applicator is placed in the docking station, is being charged, and the energy storage device of the applicator does not have enough charge to dispense the entire contents of the reservoir, the red LED flashes. When the button is pressed, nothing happens. In the position in which the energy storage device of the applicator is charged to a degree sufficient to dispense the entire contents of the reservoir, the red LED goes out and the green LED lights up. In the position in which the green LED lights up, pressing the button causes the stirring mechanism to be activated to stir the contents of the reservoir.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, any of the above-described application devices 10, 106 and 120 may be configured to receive or enclose within the reservoir 24 a cartridge or capsule with a hair coloring composition.

In the case of the device 10, the capsule can be, for example, a compressible or breakable capsule divided into two cavities, each of which contains a different part of the hair coloring composition, for example, peroxide and coloring paste. The user can break the partition between the cavities, followed by shaking the capsule to evenly mix the hair coloring composition. Then, the capsule can be inserted into the reservoir 24, and the device can operate as described above. When pushing the piston 28 in the direction of the teeth, the capsule is broken, ensuring that the hair coloring composition is pushed in the direction of the teeth.

In the case of the devices 106 and 120, the capsule can be, for example, a compressible or destructible capsule divided into two cavities, each of which contains a different part of the hair coloring composition. In the position in which the capsule is inserted into the reservoir 24, the partition between the cavities can be destroyed by means of the impeller 114, which is in contact with the lower side of the capsule for uniform mixing of the hair coloring composition. Then, the device can operate according to the above description. When pushing the piston 28 in the direction of the teeth, the hair coloring composition is pushed in the direction of the teeth. It should be understood that the above-described capsules are given solely as an example, and any capsule can be used that ensures the possibility of mixing the hair coloring composition and delivering it through the teeth. The capsule body, the upper side and the lower side can be made, for example, of a destructible material, a foldable material, a soluble material, etc. The upper and/or lower sides of the capsules may be covered with a removable lid, such as a foil lid, allowing the capsule to be opened before being inserted into the reservoir 24. It should be understood that the capsule may be inserted into the reservoir 24 in a position in which the opening of the reservoir faces upward, or in a position in which the opening of the reservoir faces downward, after which the user turns the reservoir upside down together with the capsule.

An additional embodiment of a kit 600 according to the teachings of the present document, comprising an application device 610 and a docking station 620, is shown in FIG. 6:

FIG. 6A shows a front view of another application kit 600 comprising another docking station 620; and another application device 610 comprising a sleeve assembly 610A, an application cap 610B, and a cup 610C. It should be understood that the application device 610 is not limited to the embodiment in which it comprises a cup 610C.

FIG. 6B shows an exploded view of FIG. 6A.

Fig. 6C shows an exploded view of the application device 610 with two assemblies configured to be reversibly connected: an assembly 610A in the form of a sleeve and an application cap 610B. The assembly 610A in the form of a sleeve includes two separate reservoirs 630A and 630B.

In many aspects and details, the device 610 for applying is similar or identical to the above-described devices 10, 106 and 120 for applying. Some of the differences between the device 610 and the devices 10, 106 and 120 are disclosed in the description below. In many aspects and details, the docking station 620 is similar or identical to the above-described docking station 122. Some of the differences between the docking station 620 and the docking station 122 are disclosed in the description below.

FIG. 6D shows a cross-sectional side view of the sleeve assembly 610A.

FIG. 6E shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the sleeve assembly 610A.

The sleeve assembly 610A comprises two separate reservoirs 630A and 630B, each of which comprises a piston 640A and 640B, respectively, designed to push the contents held in the reservoirs 630A and 630B in the direction of the teeth 602 for applying the cap 610B for applying. According to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 6D and 6E, each piston 640A and 640B is mutually connected to a threaded rod 641A and 642B, respectively, and each piston passes through a gear wheel 643A and 644B, respectively, such that the external thread of each threaded rod 641A and 642B is in engagement with the internal thread of the corresponding gear wheel 643A and 644B. The gear wheels 643A and 644B are made without the possibility of moving upward and downward and are made exclusively with the possibility of rotation and, thus, when the gear wheels rotate in one direction, the pistons move upward, and when the gear wheels rotate in the opposite direction, the pistons move downward. According to embodiments of the present invention, each threaded rod 641A and 642B can be provided with a driving channel or pin that provides the possibility of moving the pistons 640A and 640B upward and downward, but does not provide the possibility of rotation.

The sleeve assembly 610A also comprises a gear wheel 650 mounted between the gear wheels 643A and 644B and in contact with them in such a way that the teeth of the gear wheel 650 are in mesh with the teeth of the gear wheels 643A and 644B; and a motor 660 designed to rotate the gear wheel 650, rotating the gear wheels 643A and 644B with the provision of movement of the pistons 640A and 640B. The sleeve assembly 610A may also comprise components necessary for the operation of the device 610, including at least some of (not shown) an application controller, which may include a speaker, a display, a user interface, a rechargeable energy storage device and a charger.

Referring to FIG. 6A, according to embodiments of the present invention, the sleeve assembly 610A may comprise a spring-loaded activation button 601, typically biased to an external position, but the button may also be pressed into an internal position by applying force by means of the fingers or hands of the user. In the position in which the application cap 610B is attached to the sleeve assembly 610A and the button 601 is in the internal position, the motor 660 drives the gear wheel 650, which drives the gear wheels 643A and 644B to move the pistons 640A and 640B in the distal direction to dispense the contents held in the reservoirs 630A and 630B through the teeth 602 of the application cap 610B. When the button 601 is released from the inner position, it returns to the outer position, and the motor 660 briefly reverses direction and then stops. As a result, the pistons 640A and 640B are slightly retracted in the proximal direction and the dispensing of the composition through the teeth 66 (retraction) is immediately suspended. In accordance with the position of the button 601, the application controller activates the motor 660 driving the piston. It should be understood that other types of activation buttons can be used, and the present invention is not limited to a spring-loaded activation button.

The LED matrix 603, consisting of individually activated LEDs, for example, 4 LEDs, is used to indicate the volume of content held in the composition reservoirs: for example, all illuminated LEDs indicate that the composition reservoirs 630A and 630B are completely full, a smaller number of illuminated LEDs indicate that the composition reservoirs 630A and 630B are partially filled, for example, when filled by 75%, 50%, 25%, 12.5% one LED blinks, when filled by 6% one LED blinks faster, and blinking of all LEDs several times can indicate that the composition reservoirs 630A and 630B are empty. The activation of the LED matrix 603 is performed by the application controller. According to embodiments of the present invention, the sleeve assembly 610A can also comprise a reset button 604 that operates as described above.

FIG. 6F shows a bottom perspective view of the application cap 610B.

FIG. 6G is an exploded view of FIG. 6F.

FIG. 6H shows an exploded top perspective view of the application cap 610B.

FIG. 6I shows a bottom view of the application cap 610B.

The application cap 610B comprises two caps 611B and 612B designed to seal the reservoirs 630A and 630B, respectively, each of which comprises an opening 613B and 614B through which the contents of each reservoir 630A and 630B can pass in the direction of the teeth 602. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6F, the application cap 610B is designed to be reversibly connected to the sleeve assembly 610A by means of pins 615. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to connecting the application cap 610B to the sleeve assembly 610A by means of pins 615, and any suitable method can be used, such as twisting, screwing, clamping or any other suitable method known in the art.

With reference to FIG. 6G, 6H and 6I, the application cap 610B also comprises a static mixer 670 mounted in a channel 671 mounted between the portion 665 and the application teeth 602. The channel 671 is sealed and is in fluid communication with the openings 613B and 614B at one end and is in fluid communication with the teeth 602 at the other end. When the pistons 640A and 640B push the contents of the reservoirs 630A and 630B in the direction of the teeth 602, the contents of each reservoir pass through its corresponding opening 613B and 614B and pass to the entrance of the channel 671, designated by the reference signs 671A and 671B. When the contents of both reservoirs pass through the static mixer 670, the contents are mixed to form a homogeneous composition on the other side (outlet) of the channel 671, designated by the reference designation 671C and associated with the teeth 602. The homogeneous composition fills the elongated space 671D located under the teeth, as a result of which the composition is pushed through the teeth 602 only in the position in which the space 671D is filled with the homogeneous composition, for uniform output through all the teeth. It should be understood that the space 671D is not limited to an elongated shape and does not necessarily have to be filled. As an alternative, other methods can be used to ensure uniform output of the composition through the teeth.

As noted above, according to embodiments of the present invention, each of the above-described application devices can be configured to receive a cartridge or capsule with a hair coloring composition. In such a case, each reservoir 630A and 630B can be configured to receive a capsule with a different portion of the hair coloring composition. Therefore, instead of pouring materials directly into the reservoir 630A and 630B, the user inserts two capsules, each of which contains a different portion of the hair coloring composition, and the device can operate according to the above description or with minor modifications.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the sleeve-shaped unit 610A, instead of two separate reservoirs 630A and 630B, may comprise one reservoir configured to receive a capsule. In such an embodiment, the user may insert the corresponding capsule into said reservoir, and the device may operate as described above or with minor modifications. The corresponding capsule may comprise two separate reservoirs, each of which contains a different part of the hair coloring composition in such a way that each reservoir is installed above the piston. Said capsule may also comprise an upper cover that may be removed by the user or torn by the force applied by the contents of each reservoir when the contents are pushed by the pistons in the direction of the teeth; and a lower cover that may be removed by the user or torn by the force applied by the pistons.

An additional embodiment of the application device according to the teachings of the present document is the application device according to FIG. 7:

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of another applicator 700 comprising two assemblies configured to be reversibly connected: a sleeve assembly 710 and an applicator cap 720.

The sleeve assembly 710 includes two separate reservoirs 710A and 710B, each of which is configured to receive a different portion of the hair coloring composition.

In many aspects and details, the device 700 for applying is similar or identical to the above-described devices 10, 106, 120 and 610 for applying. Some of the differences between the device 700 and the devices 10, 106, 120 and 610 are disclosed in the description below. In many aspects and details, the docking station (not shown) of the device 700 for applying is similar or identical to the above-described docking stations 122 and 620. In many aspects and details, the cap 720 for applying is similar or identical to the above-described cap 610B for applying.

The sleeve assembly 710 comprises two separate reservoirs 710A and 710B, each of which comprises a piston 730A and 730B, respectively, designed to push the contents held in the reservoirs 710A and 710B in the direction of the teeth 702 for applying the cap 720 for applying. According to an exemplary embodiment, each piston is connected to a flexible drive cable 740A and 740B, each of which passes through the bottom of the corresponding reservoir into the lower cavity 750 of the sleeve assembly 710 and through the drive mechanism (dispensing mechanism). The drive mechanism may be any drive mechanism configured to drive the flexible drive cables 740A and 740B to push the pistons in the direction of the teeth 702, which ensures that the hair coloring composition contained in the reservoirs 710A and 710B is released through the teeth 702. In this exemplary embodiment, each drive mechanism comprises two transmission wheels, one of which is designated by reference designations 760A and 760B, and the other by reference designations 760C and 760D, driven by a motor (not shown) in such a way that, to drive the pistons in the direction of the teeth, the transmission wheels 760A and 760C rotate counterclockwise, and the transmission wheels 760B and 760D rotate clockwise.

The sleeve assembly 710 may also contain components necessary for operation of the device 700, including at least some of (not shown) an application controller that may include a speaker, a display device, a user interface, a rechargeable energy storage device, and a charger.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the sleeve assembly 710 may include a spring-loaded activation button and a reset button (not shown) that operate as described above.

An additional embodiment of the application device according to the teachings of the present document is the application device according to FIG. 8:

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional side view of another applicator 800 comprising two assemblies configured to be reversibly connected: a sleeve assembly 810 and an applicator cap 820.

The sleeve-shaped assembly 810 includes two separate reservoirs 810A and 810B, each of which is configured to receive a different portion of the hair coloring composition.

In many aspects and details, the device 800 for applying is similar or identical to the above-described devices 10, 106, 120, 610 and 700 for applying. Some of the differences between the device 800 and the devices 10, 106, 120, 610 and 700 are disclosed in the description below. In many aspects and details, the docking station (not shown) of the device 800 for applying is similar or identical to the above-described docking stations 122 and 620. In many aspects and details, the cap 820 for applying is similar or identical to the above-described cap 610B for applying.

The sleeve assembly 810 comprises two separate reservoirs 810A and 810B, each of which comprises a piston 830A and 830B, respectively, designed to push the content held in the reservoirs 810A and 810B in the direction of the teeth 802 for applying the cap 820 for applying. According to an exemplary embodiment, each piston is mounted around a rotary threaded shaft 840A and 840B, respectively, such that the external thread of each threaded shaft 840A and 840B is engaged with the internal thread of the corresponding piston 830A and 830B. Each of the rotary threaded shafts 840A and 840B passes through the bottom of the corresponding reservoir into the lower cavity 850 of the sleeve assembly 810 and is mutually connected to the drive mechanism. In this exemplary embodiment, each rotary threaded shaft 840A and 840B is mutually connected to a gear wheel 860A and 860B, respectively, in such a way that when the gear wheels move in one direction, the pistons move upward, and when the gear wheels move in the other direction, the pistons move downward. According to embodiments of the present invention, the movement of each piston 830A and 830B can be provided by a driving channel or pin installed inside the corresponding reservoir of each piston with the ability to move the pistons 830A and 830B up and down, but without the ability to rotate.

The drive mechanism may be any drive mechanism configured to rotate the gear wheels 860A and 860B to rotate the shafts 840A and 840B and to push the pistons in the direction of the teeth 802, which ensures that the hair coloring composition contained in the reservoirs 810A and 810B is discharged through the teeth 802. In this exemplary embodiment, the drive mechanism comprises a gear wheel 870 mounted between the gear wheels 860A and 860B and in contact with them in such a way that the teeth of the gear wheel 870 are in engagement with the teeth of the gear wheels 860A and 860B; and a motor 880 designed to rotate a gear wheel 870, which rotates gear wheels 860A and 860B to ensure movement of pistons 830A and 830B.

The sleeve assembly 810 may also contain components necessary for the operation of the device 800, including at least some of (not shown) an application controller that may include a speaker, a display device, a user interface, a rechargeable energy storage device, and a charger. According to embodiments of the present invention, the sleeve assembly 810 may contain a spring-loaded activation button and a reset button (not shown) that operate as described above.

An additional embodiment of the application device according to the teachings of the present document is the application device according to FIG. 9:

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional side view of another applicator 900 comprising two assemblies configured to be reversibly connected: a sleeve assembly 910 and an applicator cap 920.

The sleeve-shaped unit 910 includes a reservoir 910A configured to receive a capsule or cartridge 915 with a hair dyeing composition.

In many aspects and details, the device 900 for applying is similar or identical to the above-described devices 10, 106, 120, 610, 700 and 800 for applying. Some of the differences between the device 900 and the devices 10, 106, 120, 610, 700 and 800 are disclosed in the description below. In many aspects and details, the docking station (not shown) of the device 900 for applying is similar or identical to the above-described docking stations 122 and 620. In many aspects and details, the cap 920 for applying is similar or identical to the above-described cap 610B for applying.

The sleeve assembly 910 comprises a reservoir 910A comprising two lifting parts 930A and 930B designed to push pistons 915C and 915D, respectively, with a corresponding pushing of the content held in the capsule 915 in the direction of the teeth 902 for applying the cap 920 for applying. According to an exemplary embodiment, each lifting part is connected to a flexible drive cable 940A and 940B, each of which passes through the bottom of the reservoir 910A into the lower cavity 950 of the sleeve assembly 910 and into the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism may be any drive mechanism configured to drive the flexible drive cables 940A and 940B to move the pistons 915C and 915D in the direction of the teeth 902, which ensures that the hair coloring composition contained in the reservoirs 915A and 915B is discharged through the teeth 902. In this exemplary embodiment, each drive mechanism comprises two transmission wheels, one of which is designated by reference designations 960A and 960B, and the other by reference designations 960C and 960D, driven by a motor (not shown) in such a way that, to drive the lifting parts in the direction of the teeth, the transmission wheels 960A and 960C rotate counterclockwise, and the transmission wheels 960B and 960D rotate clockwise.

The sleeve assembly 910 may also contain components necessary for operation of the device 900, including at least some of (not shown) an application controller that may include a speaker, a display device, a user interface, a rechargeable energy storage device, and a charger.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the sleeve assembly 910 may include a spring-loaded activation button and a reset button (not shown) that operate as discussed above.

As mentioned above, the device 900 is configured to receive a capsule 915. The capsule 915 comprises two separate reservoirs 915A and 915B, each of which is configured to contain a different portion of the hair dyeing composition. Each of the reservoirs 915A and 915B comprises a piston 915C and 915D, respectively, configured to move upwards inside the corresponding compartment of the reservoir. The bottom of the capsule 915 comprises two openings 915E and 915F, intended to ensure the possibility of contact of the pistons 915C and 915D with the lifting parts 930A and 930B, respectively, when the capsule 915 is inserted into the reservoir 910A. The capsule 915 is also designed to allow the hair coloring composition contained in the reservoirs 915A and 915B to be discharged through the upper side of the capsule in the direction of the teeth 902. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the capsule 915 also comprises a lid 970, for example made of foil, designed to be removed by the user before inserting the capsule 915 into the application device 900. It should be understood that the capsule 915 is not limited to a foil lid, and the lid is not necessarily designed to be completely removed. Alternatively, the lid can be made of any material; the lid can be designed to be opened only in combination with the above-described openings 613B and 614B; the lid can be designed to be opened only in combination with the above-described caps 611B and 612B; the lid can be made of a destructible material, etc.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional side view of another applicator device 1000 comprising two assemblies configured to be reversibly connected: a sleeve assembly 1010 and an applicator cap 1020.

The sleeve-shaped unit 1010 includes a reservoir 1010A designed to receive a capsule or cartridge 1015 with a hair dyeing composition.

In many aspects and details, the device 1000 for applying is similar or identical to the above-described devices 10, 106, 120, 610, 700, 800 and 900 for applying. Some of the differences between the device 1000 and the devices 10, 106, 120, 610, 700, 800 and 900 are disclosed in the description below. In many aspects and details, the docking station (not shown) of the device 1000 for applying is similar or identical to the above-described docking stations 122 and 620. In many aspects and details, the cap 1020 for applying is similar or identical to the above-described cap 610B for applying.

As mentioned above, the device 1000 is designed to receive a capsule 1015. The capsule 1015 comprises two separate reservoirs 1015A and 1015B, each of which is designed to contain a different part of the hair coloring composition. Each of the reservoirs 1015A and 1015B comprises a piston 1015C and 1015D, respectively, designed to move upward inside the corresponding reservoir. According to an exemplary embodiment, each piston 1015C and 1015D is mounted around a rotary threaded shaft 1040A and 1040B, respectively, in such a way that the external thread of each threaded shaft 1040A and 1040B is engaged with the internal thread of the corresponding piston 1015C and 1015D. Each of the rotary threaded shafts 1040A and 1040B passes through the bottom of the corresponding compartment and is mutually connected to the gears 1030A and 1030B, respectively. The bottom of the reservoir 1010A contains two openings 1015E and 1015F, intended to ensure the possibility of contact of the gears 1030A and 1030B with the drive mechanism installed in the lower cavity 1050 of the unit 1010 in the form of a sleeve, when the capsule 1015 is inserted into the reservoir 1010A. The drive mechanism may be any drive mechanism configured to rotate the gears 1030A and 1030B to rotate the shafts 1040A and 1040B and to push the pistons in the direction of the teeth 1002, which ensures that the hair coloring composition contained in the reservoirs 1015A and 1015B is released through the upper side of the capsule in the direction of the teeth 802. According to an exemplary embodiment, the drive mechanism comprises two recessed gears 1060A and 1060B mounted in the cavity 1050 below the openings 1015E and 1015F, a gear wheel 1070 mounted between the recessed gears 1060A and 1060B and in contact with them in such a way that the teeth of the gear wheel 1070 are in mesh with the outer teeth recessed gears 1060A and 1060B; and a motor 1080 configured to rotate a gear wheel 1070 that rotates gears 1060A and 1060B to move pistons 1015C and 1015D. In the position in which the capsule 1015 is inserted into the reservoir 1010A, each gear 1030A and 1030B is in engagement with a corresponding recessed gear 1060A and 1060B such that when the recessed gears 1060A and 1060B rotate, the gears 1030A and 1030B rotate to move the pistons 1015C and 1015D in the direction of the teeth 1002. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the capsule 1015 also comprises a lid 1090, such as made of foil, intended to be removed by the user before inserting the capsule 1015 into the application device 1000. It should be understood that the capsule 1015 is not limited to a foil lid, and the lid is not necessarily intended to be completely removed. Alternatively, the lid can be made of any material; the lid may be designed to be opened only in combination with the above-described openings 613B and 614B; the lid may be designed to be opened only in combination with the above-described caps 611B and 612B; the lid may also be made of a destructible material, etc. According to embodiments of the present invention, the movement of each piston 1015C and 1015D may be provided by a drive channel or pin installed inside the corresponding reservoir of each piston to allow the pistons 1015C and 1015D to move up and down, but without providing the ability to rotate.

The sleeve assembly 1010 may also contain components necessary for operation of the device 1000, including at least some of (not shown) an application controller that may include a speaker, a display device, a user interface, a rechargeable energy storage device, and a charger.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the sleeve assembly 1010 may include a spring-loaded activation button and a reset button (not shown) that operate as described above.

It should be understood that any of the above-described embodiments may require sealing solutions. For example, a seal between reservoirs and application cups, a seal between pistons and reservoirs, a seal between the upper part and the lower part of the sleeve-type assemblies, a seal between parts extending from one cavity to another, and in general any seal necessary to prevent leakage associated with parts in contact with at least a portion of the hair coloring composition. It should be noted that the present invention covers such sealing solutions. Exemplary sealing solutions may include, without limitation, o-rings, rubber, gaskets, or any other sealing solution known in the art.

It should also be understood that the above-described sleeve assemblies are preferably water-resistant, i.e., rinsing the device (especially the tanks or compartments) with running water does not damage the sleeve assemblies or any of their components.

According to embodiments of the present invention, each of the above-described capsules may comprise a cap 610B for application, connected thereto to form a single unit. In such a case, the capsule together with the cap for application is made disposable, and the user only needs to insert a new capsule into the sleeve-shaped unit to ensure operation of the device.

According to embodiments of the present invention, any of the above-described kits may also comprise a flushing compartment designed to be connected to the application cap 610B, whereby to clean the application cap, the user fills the flushing compartment with a cleaning fluid, such as water, attaches the compartment to the cap and squeezes the compartment to allow the cleaning fluid to pass through the teeth and clean the cap, including the static mixer and the teeth.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the application cap 610B may be disposable, whereby any of the above-described kits may comprise only a sleeve assembly, a sleeve assembly and a docking station, or a sleeve assembly, a docking station, and at least one disposable application cap.

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described capsule designs, and any suitable capsule may be used that comprises two separate compartments, each containing a different portion of the hair coloring composition; and means may be used to expel the contents retained in each compartment from the capsule.

It should also be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described drive mechanisms, and any drive mechanism capable of providing movement of the capsule pistons, such as a telescopic drive mechanism, may be used.

It should also be understood that any of the piston-related components, including the mechanism for driving the corresponding piston, described in combination with any of the above capsules, can be implemented in the assembly 610A in the form of a sleeve.

It should also be understood that any of the above-described sleeve-shaped units represents the body of the device.

Some of the above described application caps include a mixing mechanism and it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to a static mixer or static mixing and any suitable mixing mechanism may be used.

The reversibly connectable assemblies that comprise the applicator according to the teachings of the present document may be reversibly connectable in any suitable manner. In the exemplary embodiments of the invention illustrated above, the sleeve assembly 12 and the mixing cap 14 or the applicator cap 16 may be reversibly connectable by means of a twist lock. Other suitable configurations include, for example, mating screw threads on the sleeve/cap assembly.

The application device according to the teachings of the present document may have any suitable handle according to the above description. The above-described application device 10 comprises a proximal portion 22 of the unit 12 in the form of a sleeve, which is the handle of the device 10, having the shape of a cylinder with parallel walls with a diameter of 6 cm. In some embodiments, such a handle has a different diameter, for example, from 4 cm to 6 cm, or from 4.5 cm to 6 cm, or even from 4 cm to 5 cm, or another shape. As mentioned above, the unit 12 in the form of a sleeve, which is the handle of the device 10, is not limited to a cylindrical shape and can have any shape.

The application device and/or the docking station according to the teachings of the present document may comprise any suitable user interface for receiving user commands and providing information to the user. In the above-described exemplary embodiments, the application devices include a speaker for providing audio information to the user. Alternatively or additionally, some embodiments of the device include other information-providing components, for example, some embodiments include a vibrating component (for example, including a piezoelectric vibrating part known in the field of mobile telephony) for providing tactile information to the user. In some of the embodiments described above with reference to the drawings, any of the above-described application devices may include a display device/user interface 42, such as a touch screen known in the field of digital input/output devices. In some embodiments, other components of the display device and/or other input components (for example, physical buttons, knobs and dials) may be used to implement the principles presented herein, as described, for example, with reference to device 120.

In the above-described embodiments, the maximum movement of any of the pistons in the proximal direction is performed upon receipt of a command from the user. In some preferred embodiments, for ease of use, the device is designed in such a way that if there is no command for a specified time (for example, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes), which indicates that the device is not used, the piston is automatically moved in the proximal direction to the maximum distance.

It should be understood that any of the above pistons can be designed to move upward during operation and downward to the initial position upon completion of the process, when returning the device to its initial position, before turning off the device, etc.

In some embodiments, during use or immediately prior to use, the controller and other electronic components of the application device are configured to be ready for immediate use, but if no command is received for a specified time (e.g., 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes), indicating that immediate use of the device is unlikely, the controller and/or other components enter a low-power "standby" state.

The above description describes how the application devices are designed so that when the actual application of the composition is required, the drive mechanism operates continuously to continuously drive at least one piston in the distal direction. When the application needs to be suspended, even temporarily, the application device is designed to automatically briefly activate the drive mechanism in the reverse direction to retract at least one piston in the proximal direction by a short distance. As a result, the immediate suspension of the dispensing of the composition through the teeth, which could otherwise leak or leak from the distal tips of the teeth, is ensured.

In the embodiments described above with reference to the drawings, the application devices include rechargeable batteries as an energy storage device 44, charged by means of an inductive charging device 46. In some embodiments, such an energy storage device is charged by means of a wired charger (direct contact). In some embodiments, the application device includes non-rechargeable replaceable batteries, such as AA or AAA batteries.

In some of the embodiments described above with reference to some of the drawings, the tank axis and the tooth axes are parallel to the housing axis. In some embodiments, the tank axis and the tooth axes are at an angle of within 30°, within 25°, within 20°, within 15°, within 10°, within 5° from parallel and even parallel to the housing axis (according to the embodiments described).

As noted above, the teeth of the application device are preferably designed to be non-scratching, i.e. when pushed along the scalp, they should be designed in such a way that they do not cause any physical damage or irritation to the scalp. In preferred embodiments, the distal tips of the teeth are rounded.

In the embodiments described above with reference to the drawings, the application devices comprise eight hollow teeth for applying a hair dyeing composition. In some embodiments, the application device according to the teachings of the present document has 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 teeth, wherein a channel for the composition passes through the barrel of each of the teeth, providing fluid communication from at least one reservoir for the composition to the distal tip of the tooth. Accordingly, in preferred embodiments, the device according to the teachings of the present document has 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 teeth.

The cross-sectional size of the channels passing through the teeth is any suitable size and is usually at least partially dependent on the viscosity of the hair coloring composition and/or the components of the hair coloring composition intended to be retained in the composition reservoir. However, taking into account the viscosity of known hair coloring compositions, in some embodiments, the cross-sectional size of the channels passing through the teeth is equivalent to the size of a circle having a diameter of 1 mm to 2 mm.

In the embodiment described above with reference to the drawings, it is noted that the distance between any two adjacent teeth, measured from the center of two adjacent tips, is from 4 mm to 8 mm, more preferably not less than 5 mm and not more than 7 mm. The specific value of the distance between the teeth is not arbitrary, but it was unexpectedly found that it provides excellent results when moving the application device in accordance with the teachings of the present document, among other things, as a result of the absence of excessive resistance to the movement of the teeth through the hair (which could occur when the teeth are placed closer to each other) and sufficient coverage of the hair dyeing composition of the part of the hair shafts close to the scalp (the said coverage could be insufficient when the teeth are placed further from each other).

As noted above, it is currently believed that achieving the "snowplow" effect is critical to effectively distributing the hair coloring composition. One factor in achieving this effect is that the distal tips of the teeth are not pointed and sharp, but have a more rounded shape, which has the additional advantage of avoiding discomfort for the user's scalp. In some preferred embodiments, the teeth have rounded distal tips and have a diameter near the distal end of at least 2 mm and no more than 4 mm. In preferred embodiments, the diameter is no more than 3.5 mm and even no more than 3 mm.

The length of the teeth is any suitable length, preferably long enough to pass under the hair, but not too long that it may cause discomfort when using the device. It has been found that for shorter hair, the preferred length of the teeth is from 2.5 cm to 3.5 cm, and for long hair, the preferred length of the teeth is from 3.5 cm to 8 cm, more preferably from 3.5 cm to 6 cm.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1A, 1B, 4, 5A, 6B and 7-10, the distal end of the application cap is not flat but concave. It has been found that a concave distal end of the application cap is preferable to reduce the likelihood of the distal end coming into contact with the scalp.

It should be understood that any of the above-described drive mechanisms can also be called a dispensing mechanism.

It should be understood that the above-described parts of the hair coloring composition may be a coloring solution and a developer or any other parts included in the hair coloring composition.

It should also be understood that in a separated state, the said parts are designed for long-term storage. Only after mixing the said parts is the period of time for their use limited.

Therefore, according to embodiments of the present invention, any of the devices described in the context of FIGS. 6-10 may include a lid or cap.

Because each device stores two parts of the hair coloring composition separately, the device lid may cover the reservoirs instead of or in addition to the application cap to allow for further use.

In the embodiments described above with reference to the drawings, the mixing cap and the application cap are designed with the possibility of reversible connection with the sleeve-shaped unit, and the application device is designed with the possibility of at least partial reuse. In some embodiments, the application device is preferably designed as a disposable one and is provided with a reservoir for the composition, pre-filled with the components of the hair coloring composition. During use, the user controls the device for combining and mixing the individual components of the hair coloring composition to form a hair coloring composition in the reservoir, and then activates the device essentially according to the above description. In the above-described embodiment, the mixing motor 92 for mixing the hair coloring composition placed in the reservoir 24 is a component of the docking station 80. As a result, the docking station 80 not only functions as a convenient holder for facilitating the operation of the application device 10, in particular for filling the reservoir 24 with the components of the hair coloring composition, but also maintains a small weight, in some embodiments no more than 350 g, when completely filled with the hair coloring composition. In some alternative embodiments, the mixing motor is a component of the sleeve assembly as described with reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C. In some alternative embodiments, the components of the hair coloring composition are mixed during use as described with reference to FIGS. 6-10.

In some embodiments, a docking station, such as a docking station 80, 122 or 620, includes a scale indicating (e.g., on a display device of the docking station) the weight of an object held by a holder of the docking station. When calculating the weight of the sleeve-shaped unit held in this manner as a tare weight, such a docking station can indicate the amount of material added to the reservoir, which allows a user (especially a hair care professional) to add the required amount of components of the hair coloring composition (e.g., proportionally more or less developer to achieve a greater or lesser degree of lift).

In some embodiments, the device according to the ideas of the present document comprises a camera configured to capture video images of the area around the distal tips of the teeth for applying and transmitting said images to a suitable image display device. The image transmission can be carried out by means of any suitable technology, for example, Bluetooth®. The image display device can be any suitable display device, for example, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a personal computer, or a display screen of any kind.

As noted above, in some embodiments, the device has a predetermined and/or user-selected speed of dispensing the hair coloring composition held in the reservoir or capsule. In some embodiments, the device includes a sensor for determining the moment of contact of the application teeth with the scalp (for example, the sensor detects a force applied to the tips of the teeth), and the dispensing of the hair coloring composition from the reservoir is carried out only if the sensor indicates the presence of contact of the teeth with the scalp. In some embodiments, the device includes a sensor (for example, an accelerometer known in the field of smartphones) for determining the speed with which the teeth move along the scalp, and the speed of dispensing the hair coloring composition from the reservoir also depends on the speed determined by the sensor. In some embodiments, the distant teeth may be slightly longer than the remaining teeth, and the device may be designed to operate only when there is contact of these longer teeth with the scalp.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In case of conflict, the present description, including definitions, will control.

As used in this document, the terms "piston" and "plunger" (as used in the priority documents) are synonymous and refer to the mechanical component described in this document that performs a function similar to that of the plunger of a syringe.

In this document, the terms "comprising", "including", "having" and grammatical variants thereof shall be considered to indicate the specified features, integers, steps or components, but not to exclude the addition of one or more additional features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. The specified terms cover the terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of".

In this document, the singular forms "a" or "an" mean "at least one" or "one or more" unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In this document, when a numerical value is preceded by the term "about", the term "approximately" is intended to indicate a value of +/- 10%.

As used herein, an expression of the form "A and/or B" means a selection from the group consisting of (A), (B), or (A and B). As used herein, an expression of the form "at least one of A, B, and C" means a selection from the group consisting of (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A and B and C).

It should be understood that some features of the invention, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided individually or in any suitable subcombination or in any suitable combination in any other embodiment of the invention described. Some features described in the context of different embodiments should not be considered essential features of said embodiments, provided that said embodiment is not inoperative without the said elements.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is obvious that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present description should be considered to cover all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations that fall within the scope of the present invention.

The citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference constitutes prior art to the present invention.

The section headings in this document are used to facilitate understanding of the description and are not necessarily limiting.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the specific illustrations and description above. Rather, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes combinations and subcombinations of the various features disclosed in the above description, as well as variations and modifications thereof that are apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the preceding description.

Claims (107)

1. A device for applying a hair coloring composition, comprising: - a device body containing: a first reservoir containing a first piston, wherein the first reservoir is configured to receive a first portion of the hair dyeing composition; a second reservoir comprising a second piston, the second reservoir being configured to receive a second portion of the hair dyeing composition; and an electrical dispensing mechanism connected to said first piston and said second piston, wherein the dispensing mechanism, when activated, is configured to hermetically move said first piston within said first reservoir and said second piston within said second reservoir; and - a cap for applying a hair coloring composition, containing: mixing mechanism; a containing space in fluid communication with said mixing mechanism; and a plurality of projecting teeth, each of which is in fluid communication with said containing space; wherein said application cap is configured to be reversibly connected to said device body such that, in a position in which said application cap is connected to said device body, said first reservoir and said second reservoir are sealed relative to the environment, except for passages of said plurality of projecting teeth in fluid communication with said first reservoir and said second reservoir via said mixing mechanism and said containing space; and wherein said electrical dispensing mechanism, when activated, is configured to move said first piston and said second piston in the direction of said plurality of projecting teeth to ensure mixing of said first portion of said hair dyeing composition with said second portion of said hair dyeing composition to form a mixed hair dyeing composition to be dispensed through said plurality of projecting teeth when said containing space is completely filled, ensuring the possibility of uniform dispensing of said mixed hair dyeing composition by means of said plurality of projecting teeth. 2. The application device according to item 1, wherein said dispensing mechanism comprises: a first gear wheel having an internal thread and external teeth and mounted under said first piston; a second gear wheel having an internal thread and external teeth and located under the said second piston; a third gear wheel having external teeth and located between said first gear wheel and said second gear wheel and in contact with them; and engine; wherein said first piston is connected to the first threaded shaft, and said second piston is connected to the second threaded shaft in such a way that the external thread of said first threaded shaft is engaged with the internal thread of said first gear wheel, and the external thread of said second threaded shaft is engaged with the internal thread of said second gear wheel; wherein said external teeth of said third gear are in engagement with said external teeth of said first and second gears; and wherein said engine is designed with the possibility of rotating said third gear wheel, ensuring rotation of said first and second gear wheels, ensuring movement of said first and second pistons. 3. The application device of claim 1, wherein said first reservoir is in fluid communication with said mixing mechanism via a first opening, and said second reservoir is in fluid communication with said mixing mechanism via a second opening; wherein said mixing mechanism comprises a static mixer located in a channel, and wherein said channel is configured to receive said first portion of said hair dyeing composition and said second portion of said hair dyeing composition at one end of the channel and to provide a mixed hair dyeing composition at the other end of the channel. 4. The application device according to item 1, wherein said dispensing mechanism comprises: a first set of transmission wheels comprising a first transmission wheel and a second transmission wheel; a second set of transmission wheels comprising a third transmission wheel and a fourth transmission wheel; and at least one engine; wherein said first piston is connected to a first flexible drive cable, and said second piston is connected to a second flexible drive cable in such a way that said first flexible drive cable passes between said first transmission wheel and said second transmission wheel and is in contact with them, and said second flexible drive cable passes between said third transmission wheel and said fourth transmission wheel and is in contact with them; and wherein said at least one engine is designed with the possibility of rotating said first, second, third and fourth transmission wheels, ensuring the movement of said first and second pistons. 5. The application device according to item 1, wherein said dispensing mechanism comprises: a first gear wheel having external teeth and located under said first piston; a second gear wheel having external teeth and located under said second piston; a third gear wheel having external teeth and located between said first gear wheel and said second gear wheel and in contact with them; and engine; wherein said first gear wheel is connected to the first threaded shaft, and said second gear wheel is connected to the second threaded shaft; wherein said first piston is mounted around said first threaded shaft, and said second piston is mounted around said second threaded shaft in such a way that the external thread of said first threaded shaft is engaged with the internal thread of said first piston, and the external thread of said second threaded shaft is engaged with the internal thread of said second piston; wherein said external teeth of said third gear are in engagement with said external teeth of said first and second gears; and wherein said engine is designed with the possibility of rotating said third gear wheel, ensuring rotation of said first and second gear wheels, ensuring movement of said first and second pistons. 6. The application device according to claim 1, wherein said first reservoir is configured to receive said first portion of the hair dyeing composition in a first capsule, and wherein said second reservoir is configured to receive said second portion of the hair dyeing composition in a second capsule. 7. A device for applying a hair coloring composition, comprising: - a device body containing: a first reservoir configured to receive a capsule for a hair dyeing composition, said capsule comprising: a second reservoir containing a first portion of the hair coloring composition; and a third reservoir containing a second portion of the hair coloring composition; and an electrical dispensing mechanism, when activated, configured to dispense said first portion of said hair coloring composition and said second portion of said hair coloring composition from said capsule; and - a cap for applying a hair coloring composition, containing: mixing mechanism; a containing space in fluid communication with said mixing mechanism; and a plurality of projecting teeth, each of which is in fluid communication with said containing space; wherein said application cap is configured to be reversibly connected to said device body such that, in the position in which said application cap is connected to said device body, said first reservoir is sealed relative to the environment, with the exception of the channels of said plurality of projecting teeth in fluid communication with said first reservoir by means of said mixing mechanism and said containing space, and wherein said electrical dispensing mechanism, when activated, is configured to dispense said hair dyeing composition from said capsule in the direction of said plurality of projecting teeth, ensuring mixing of said first portion of said hair dyeing composition with said second portion of said hair dyeing composition, to be dispensed through said plurality of projecting teeth, when said containing space is completely filled, ensuring the possibility of uniformly dispensing said mixed hair dyeing composition by means of said plurality of projecting teeth. 8. The application device according to item 7, wherein said dispensing mechanism comprises: a first set of transmission wheels comprising a first transmission wheel and a second transmission wheel; a first flexible drive cable passing between said first transmission wheel and said second transmission wheel and being in contact with them; a first lifting portion connected to the upper end of said first flexible guide cable; a second set of transmission wheels comprising a third transmission wheel and a fourth transmission wheel; a second flexible drive cable passing between said third transmission wheel and said fourth transmission wheel and being in contact with them; a second lifting portion connected to the upper end of said second flexible guide cable; And at least one engine. 9. The application device according to claim 8, wherein said second reservoir also comprises a first piston located at the lower end of said second reservoir; wherein said third reservoir also comprises a second piston located at the lower end of said third reservoir; wherein said first lifting part is configured to be in contact with said first piston, and said second lifting part is configured to be in contact with said second piston, when said capsule is inserted into said first reservoir; and wherein said at least one motor is configured to rotate said first, second, third and fourth transmission wheels to ensure movement of said first and second pistons. 10. The application device according to item 7, wherein said dispensing mechanism comprises: a first recessed gear having external teeth and located under said second reservoir; a second recessed gear having external teeth and located under said third reservoir; a gear wheel having external teeth and located between said first recessed pinion and said second recessed pinion and in contact with them in such a way that said external teeth of said gear wheel are in mesh with said external teeth of said first recessed pinion and said external teeth of said second recessed pinion; and engine. 11. The application device according to claim 10, wherein said second reservoir also comprises: a first threaded shaft extending from the lower end to the upper end of said second reservoir; a first gear connected to said first threaded shaft and protruding from the lower end of said second reservoir; and a first piston mounted around said first threaded shaft and comprising an internal thread such that the external thread of said first threaded shaft is engaged with the internal thread of said first piston; wherein said third reservoir also contains: a second threaded shaft extending from the lower end to the upper end of said third reservoir; a second gear connected to said second threaded shaft and protruding from the lower end of said third reservoir; and a second piston mounted around said second threaded shaft and comprising an internal thread such that the external thread of said second threaded shaft is engaged with the internal thread of said second piston; wherein said first gear is configured to be in contact with said first recessed gear, and said second gear is configured to be in contact with said second recessed gear when said capsule is inserted into said first reservoir; and wherein said engine is designed with the possibility of rotating said gear wheel, ensuring rotation of said first and second recessed gears, ensuring movement of said first and second pistons. 12. A device for applying a hair coloring composition, comprising: - a device body containing: a reservoir containing a piston, wherein said reservoir is configured to receive a first part and a second part of the hair dyeing composition; And an electric dispensing mechanism connected to said piston, wherein said dispensing mechanism, when activated, is configured to hermetically move said piston within said reservoir; - a mixing cap containing: an impeller located on the inner side of the said mixing cap; a rod connected to said impeller at one end of the rod and to a gear mounted on the outside of said mixing cap at the other end of the rod; and - a cap for applying a hair dye composition, containing a plurality of protruding teeth; wherein said mixing cap is designed with the possibility of reversible connection with said device body in such a way that in the position in which said mixing cap is connected to said device body, said reservoir is sealed with respect to the environment, and said impeller is designed with the possibility of mixing said first part and said second part of said hair dyeing composition to form a mixed hair dyeing composition; wherein said gear is designed with the possibility of reversible connection with a mixing motor, thereby ensuring the possibility of rotation of said impeller and mixing of said first part and said second part of said hair dyeing composition; wherein said application cap is configured to be reversibly connected to said device body such that, in the position in which said application cap is connected to said device body, said reservoir is sealed relative to the environment, except for the channels of said plurality of projecting teeth communicating via fluid medium with said reservoir; and wherein said dispensing mechanism, when activated, is configured to move said piston in the direction of said plurality of protruding teeth to ensure pushing of said mixed hair dyeing composition to be uniformly dispensed through said plurality of protruding teeth. 13. A device for applying a hair coloring composition, comprising: - a device body containing: a reservoir containing a piston, wherein said reservoir is configured to receive a first part and a second part of the hair dyeing composition; a stirring mechanism comprising a folding impeller; and an electrical dispensing mechanism connected to said piston, wherein said dispensing mechanism, when activated, is configured to hermetically move said piston within said reservoir; and - a cap for applying a hair dye composition, containing a plurality of protruding teeth; wherein said mixing mechanism is configured to mix said first part and said second part of said hair dyeing composition to form a mixed hair dyeing composition; wherein said application cap is configured to be reversibly connected to said device body such that, in the position in which said application cap is connected to said device body, said reservoir is sealed relative to the environment, except for the channels of said plurality of projecting teeth communicating via fluid medium with said reservoir; and wherein said dispensing mechanism, when activated, is configured to move said piston in the direction of said plurality of protruding teeth to ensure pushing of said mixed hair dyeing composition to be uniformly dispensed through said plurality of protruding teeth. 14. The application device according to claim 13, wherein said mixing mechanism also comprises: a shaft connected to said impeller at one end of the shaft and to a gear mounted on the outer lower side of said device body at the other end of the shaft; wherein said gear is designed to rotate to ensure rotation of said impeller and to ensure the possibility of mixing said first part and said second part of said hair dyeing composition to form a mixed hair dyeing composition. 15. The application device according to claim 13, wherein said mixing mechanism also comprises: a shaft connected to said impeller at one end of the shaft and to a motor at the other end of the shaft; wherein said engine is designed with the possibility of rotating said shaft to ensure rotation of said impeller and to ensure the possibility of mixing said first part and said second part of said hair dyeing composition to form a mixed hair dyeing composition. 16. The application device according to claim 13, wherein said folding impeller has at least two states, in each of which it has different dimensions in height: a state of mixing having the height dimension of the unstacked state; and a folded state having a height dimension for the folded state that is less than the specified height dimension for the unfolded state. 17. The application device according to 14, wherein said gear is configured to be reversibly coupled to an external mixing motor such that when said gear is coupled to said external mixing motor, said external mixing motor is driven to rotate said impeller.