Actuator for dispensing aerosol hair care products closer to the scalp

Abstract

An actuator useful for applying an aerosolized hair care product close to or onto the scalp includes an elongated tubular member with proximal end configured to sealingly fit to a male or female valve aerosol valve and a distal end terminating in a distributor head comprising internal channels and at least two exit orifices for distributing the aerosolized product in a vertical, angled or entirely lateral direction to evenly reach the portions of the hair closest to the scalp or the scalp directly.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said distributor head includes from 2 to 10 exit orifices. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said aerosol valve comprises a vertical valve. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said aerosol valve comprises a tilt-valve. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said plate is in hinging arrangement with said ring and substantially within said aperture. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 11 , further including at least one mechanical break-up insert positioned in said axial bore of said elongated tubular member. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 11 , further including at least one mechanical break-up insert positioned in at least one of said internal channels of said distributor head. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said insert is positioned at the first end of said elongated tubular member. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said insert is positioned at the second end of said elongated tubular member. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said insert is positioned at each of the said exit orifices. 
     
     
         11 . A method for applying an aerosolized hair-care product to portions of hair close to a scalp, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a hair-care product in an aerosol package, said package comprising a propellant, an aerosol can, a male or female valve assembly, and an aerosol actuator comprising:   a. an elongated tubular member comprising a first end, a second end, and an axial bore therethrough, said first end dimensioned to fit sealingly onto a valve stem of the male aerosol valve or to fit sealingly into a valve seat of the female aerosol valve;   b. a distributor head integral to said second end of said elongated tubular member, said distributor head further comprising at least two internal channels within said head and at least two exit orifices configured on said head, said axial bore of said tubular member in fluidic communication with said channels, said channels in fluidic communication with said exit orifices;   c. a cap structure comprising:
 i. a ring having an outer circumference, said ring having an aperture therethrough; 
 ii. a relatively flat plate having a center location through which said axial bore of said tubular member extends, said plate movable within the aperture of said ring; and 
 iii. a circumferential skirt contiguous with the outer circumference of said horizontal ring, said skirt configured to fit over an aerosol can; and 
   d. an actuating button, the movement of which actuates said valve, the button being molded onto said plate and comprising a finger-sized platform for the depression or the leverage of said button;   teasing apart hair with said actuator and positioning said distributor head close to a scalp; and   actuating said package by depression or lateral movement of said actuating button to distribute said hair-care product through said distributor head onto hair.   
     
     
         12 . A method for applying an aerosolized personal care product onto a scalp, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a personal care product in an aerosol package, said package comprising a propellant, an aerosol can, a male or female valve assembly, and an aerosol actuator comprising:   a. an elongated tubular member comprising a first end, a second end, and an axial bore therethrough, said first end dimensioned to fit sealingly onto a valve stem of a male aerosol valve or to fit sealingly into a valve seat of a female aerosol valve;   b. a distributor head integral to said second end of said elongated tubular member, said distributor head further comprising at least two internal channels within said head and at least two exit orifices configured on said head, said axial bore of said tubular member in fluidic communication with said channels, said channels in fluidic communication with said exit orifices;   c. a cap structure comprising:
 i. a ring having an outer circumference, said ring having an aperture therethrough; 
 ii. a relatively flat plate having a center location through which said axial bore of said tubular member extends, said plate movable within the aperture of said ring; and 
 iii. a circumferential skirt contiguous with the outer circumference of said horizontal ring, said skirt configured to fit over an aerosol can; and 
   d. an actuating button, the movement of which actuates said valve, the button being molded onto said plate and comprising a finger-sized platform for the depression or the leverage of said button;   teasing apart hair with said actuator and positioning said distributor head close to a scalp; and   actuating said package by depression or lateral movement of said actuating button to distribute said product through said distributor head directly onto a scalp.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said product is selected from the group consisting of perfumes, hair colorants, hair styling aids, hair conditioners, scalp conditioners, anti-dandruff treatments, and hair shampoos, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said product is a dry shampoo for hair. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said valve comprises an up/down valve. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said product is selected from the group consisting of perfumes, hair colorants, hair styling aids, hair conditioners, scalp conditioners, anti-dandruff treatments, and hair shampoos, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said product is a dry shampoo for hair. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said valve comprises an up/down valve. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further including at least one mechanical break-up insert positioned in said axial bore of said elongated tubular member. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , further including at least one mechanical break-up insert positioned in at least one of said internal channels of said distributor head.