Apparatus and Methods for Manipulating Hair Processing Materials

Abstract

Disclosed are apparatus and methods for efficiently and effectively manipulating spreadable materials. Such apparatus and methods may be incorporated for uses such as applying spreadable materials such as hair color to a surface such as the surface of strands of hair for the purpose of highlighting or otherwise coloring the hair. A variety of applicators including varying edges are disclosed, wherein each edge creates a different affect when used for hair highlighting. Furthermore, a hair colorist may select one or more of the disclosed applicators based upon ease of use for the particular hair colorist, personal preference, and/or the type of hair to be colored and/or highlighted. The applicators disclosed herein may be used to paint color on the hair, however, such applicators retain their rigidity during use, are faster-drying, and easier to clean than highlighting brushes known in the prior art.

1 . (canceled)  
   
   
       2 . An apparatus for manipulating a hair processing material comprising: 
 a head including at least one upwardly facing surface and at least one downwardly facing surface, said at least one upwardly facing surface and said at least one downwardly facing surface intersecting to form at least one latitudinal edge; and    a handle coupled to said head,    wherein at least one of the group consisting of said at least one upwardly facing surface, said at least one downwardly facing surface, and combinations thereof is tapered; and    wherein said latitudinal edge and said taper facilitate application of said hair processing material to at least one strand of hair.    
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said head is formed of a semi-rigid material.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said semi-rigid material is rubber.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said semi-rigid material is at least one of the group consisting of a thermal plastic elastomer, a low density polyethylene, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said head is formed from a non-absorbent material.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said hair processing material is at least one of the group consisting of a coloring agent, a lightener, a bleach, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said head includes at least one of the group consisting of a serrated tooth, a latitudinal straight edge, an angled edge, a rounded edge, a waved edge, an undulated edge, a jagged edge, a sinusoidal edge, a lettered edge, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of at least one of the group consisting of said head, said handle, and combinations thereof includes at least one indentation.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  further comprising: 
 at least one indentation;    wherein said indentation is a recess in said handle.    
   
   
       11 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said head includes at least one of the group consisting of a first head end, a second head end, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , 
 wherein said second head end has a first height and a first width;    wherein a second height of a proximal end of said first head end is approximately equal to said first height; and    wherein a second width of a proximal end of said first head end is approximately equal to said first width.    
   
   
       13 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein a rigidity of a material of at least a portion of said head is approximately equal in a wet state and in a dry state.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said handle is tapered.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein a distal end of said handle is pointed.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said head is formed from a material that facilitates continued reuse of said apparatus.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus for manipulating a hair processing material comprising: 
 a head including at least one upwardly facing surface and at least one downwardly facing surface, said at least one upwardly facing surface including a first longitudinal taper, and said at least one downwardly facing surface including a second longitudinal taper; and    a handle coupled to said head;    wherein a first contour of said first longitudinal taper is approximately equal to a second contour of said second longitudinal taper;    wherein said head is formed from a semi-rigid material; and    wherein said first and second longitudinal tapers and said first and second contours facilitate application of said hair processing material to at least one strand of hair.    
   
   
       18 . An apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein a first distal end of said first longitudinal taper and a second distal end of said second longitudinal taper form at least one tip.  
   
   
       19 . An apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said at least one tip includes at least one edge.  
   
   
       20 . A method of applying a hair processing material to a surface comprising the steps of: 
 applying said hair processing material to both an upwardly facing surface and a downwardly facing surface of an applicator head; and    brushing said hair processing material onto a surface via a latitudinal edge formed from an intersection of said upwardly facing surface and said downwardly facing surface; and    wherein said brushing applies said hair processing material to said surface.    
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 cleaning said upwardly facing surface and said downwardly facing surface of said applicator head via at least one of the group consisting of rinsing, wiping, and combinations thereof.    
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein said applicator head may be immediately reused after cleaning.  
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 20 , wherein said brushing includes a plurality of bi-directional strokes.