Hair highlighting applicator

Abstract

A hair treatment material applicator comprises a lid, a base, a hinge connecting the lid and base to allow pivotal movement of the lid and base with respect to each other from an open position to a closed position; and a bail pivotally mounted to the lid for pivotal movement from a use position above the lid to a latch position below the base holding the lid and base in the closed position. A compressible material, such as dense foam, is positioned in one of the lid and base; and a hair treatment material (such as highlighter, dye, bleach, protein treatment, etc.) is positioned in the other of the lid and base. The foam and material are positioned to allow strands of human hair to pass between them for uniform application of material to the strands. The hinge is an over-molded rubber hinge biasing the lid and base open.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hair treatment material applicator comprising:
 a lid;   a base;   a hinge operatively connecting said lid and base to allow pivotal movement of said lid and base with respect to each other from an open position to a closed position;   a bail pivotally mounted to said lid for pivotal movement from a use position above said lid to a latch position below said base holding said lid and base in said closed position; and   a hair treatment material mounted within at least one of said lid and base.   
     
     
         2 . An applicator as recited in  claim 1  wherein in said use position said bail is spaced from a top surface of said lid a distance sufficient to allow a user to position the tip of her or his index finger between said bail and lid to facilitate control of the applicator. 
     
     
         3 . An applicator as recited in  claim 1  wherein said lid and base are plastic and wherein said hinge comprises an over-molded rubber hinge biasing said lid and base toward said open position. 
     
     
         4 . An applicator as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a dense foam positioned in one of said lid and base, and said hair treatment material positioned in the other of said lid and base, said foam and material operatively positioned so as to allow strands of human hair to pass therebetween and for material to be substantially uniformly applied to the strands. 
     
     
         5 . An applicator as recited in  claim 4  wherein said foam presents a sloped shape, gradually tapering from a highest position most remote from said hinge to a lowest position closest to said hinge. 
     
     
         6 . An applicator as recited in  claim 5  wherein said foam is also arched as well as presenting a sloped shape, and comprises EVA foam with a density of about 40-100 kg/m 3  or the equivalent. 
     
     
         7 . An applicator as recited in  claim 5  wherein said material is recessed within said lid or base. 
     
     
         8 . An applicator as recited in  claim 7  wherein said material is selected from the group consisting essentially of solid, semi-solid, gel, and high viscosity liquid impregnated pad materials; in turn selected from the group consisting essentially of, hair dye, highlighter, bleach, protein treatments, detangler, conditioner, oil adder or remover, or grease removing materials. 
     
     
         9 . An applicator as recited in  claim 4  wherein said foam is mounted in said base and said hair treatment material is mounted in said lid. 
     
     
         10 . An applicator as recited in  claim 9  wherein said foam is mounted in a tray held by flexible latching hooks to said base, and said hair treatment material is mounted in a tray held by flexible latching hooks to said lid. 
     
     
         11 . An applicator as recited in  claim 4  wherein said lid and base are plastic and wherein said hinge comprises an over-molded rubber hinge biasing said lid and base toward said open position. 
     
     
         12 . An applicator as recited in  claim 11  wherein in said use position said bail is spaced from a top surface of said lid a distance sufficient to allow a user to position the tip of her or his index finger between said bail and lid. 
     
     
         13 . A hair treatment material applicator comprising:
 a lid;   a base;   a hinge operatively connecting said lid and base to allow pivotal movement of said lid and base with respect to each other from an open position to a closed position;   a dense foam positioned in one of said lid and base; and   a hair treatment material positioned in the other of said lid and base;   said foam and material operatively positioned so as to allow strands of human hair to pass therebetween and for material to be substantially uniformly applied to the strands.   
     
     
         14 . An applicator as recited in  claim 13  wherein said foam is substantially arched and presents a sloped shape gradually tapering from a highest position most remote from said hinge to a lowest position closest to said hinge; and wherein said material is recessed within said lid or base. 
     
     
         15 . An applicator as recited in  claim 13  wherein said material is selected from the group consisting essentially of solid, semi-solid, gel, and. high viscosity liquid impregnated pad materials; in turn selected from the group consisting essentially of, hair dye, highlighter, bleach, protein treatments, detangler, conditioner, oil adder or remover, or grease removing materials. 
     
     
         16 . An applicator as recited in  claim 14  wherein said foam is mounted in said base and said hair treatment material is mounted in said lid. 
     
     
         17 . An applicator as recited in  claim 13  wherein said lid and base are plastic and wherein said hinge comprises an over-molded rubber hinge biasing said lid and base toward said open position. 
     
     
         18 . A hair treatment material applicator comprising:
 a plastic lid;   a plastic base;   a hinge operatively connecting said lid and base to allow pivotal movement of said lid and base with respect to each other from an open position to a closed position, said hinge comprising an over-molded rubber hinge biasing said lid and base toward said open position;   a compressible material positioned in one of said lid and base; and   a hair treatment material positioned in the other of said lid and base for cooperation with said compressible material during use to treat hair.   
     
     
         19 . An applicator as recited in  claim 18  further comprising a bail pivotally mounted to said lid for pivotal movement from a use position above said lid to a latch position below said base holding said lid and base in said closed position. 
     
     
         20 . An applicator as recited in  claim 18  wherein said material is recessed and is selected from the group consisting essentially of solid, semi-solid, gel, and high viscosity liquid impregnated pad materials; in turn selected from the group consisting essentially of, hair dye, highlighter, bleach, protein treatments, detangler, conditioner, oil adder or remover, or grease removing materials.