Single-use hair coloring appliance

Abstract

The appliance includes a receptacle for hair color formulation. The receptacle has a portal member connectable to and disconnectable from a source of hair color formulation. A brushhead/dispenser member is attached to the receptacle and is in fluid communication therewith, wherein color formulation in the receptacle is dispensed through the brushhead by the user squeezing on the receptacle or by a pump which is coupleable to the receptacle, the combination of the receptacle and the brushhead being structurally sized and adapted for a single use and to be disposable thereafter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A single-use disposable hair coloring appliance, comprising
 a receptacle assembly for a hair color formulation, the receptacle assembly having a portal member capable of receiving the hair color formulation from a source of the hair color formulation;   a brushhead/dispenser member attached to the receptacle and in fluid communication therewith;   wherein the hair color formulation in the receptacle is directed to the brushhead/dispenser by a user operating on the receptacle or by a pump operating on the receptacle, wherein the combination of the receptacle assembly and the brushhead/dispenser currently is structurally sized and adapted for a single use coloring event and further is disposable by the user after a single use.   
     
     
         2 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is sized for one hair coloring event, or is adapted to be refilled to complete one hair coloring event. 
     
     
         3 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the brushhead includes a plurality of tines having openings at distal ends thereof, wherein the color formulation moves from the receptacle assembly in operation through the tines into the hair. 
     
     
         4 . The appliance of  claim 3 , wherein tines are regularly spaced. 
     
     
         5 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the brushhead includes a plurality of tines, having openings along the lengths thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The appliance of  claim 3 , including bristle tufts located between the tines, or in addition nearby the tines, the bristle tufts extending slightly beyond the tines, acting as a standoff for the tines from the scalp. 
     
     
         7 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the source of color formulation is premixed and wherein there is a fluid-tight connection between the source of color formulation and the receptacle assembly, including a valve member in the receptacle assembly controlling the flow of color formulation into the receptacle. 
     
     
         8 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle assembly includes a flexible housing so that a user, upon application of a squeeze force to the housing, forces color formulation therein into the brushhead member. 
     
     
         9 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the source of the hair color formulation is a packet assembly, comprising at least one packet of hair color, one or no packets of a developer, a mixer assembly and an interface member for connecting the packet assembly with the receptacle assembly, the interface member including a valve for controlling the movement of color formulation into the receptacle. 
     
     
         10 . The appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the packet assembly includes two or more packets of different color formulations, and one packet of developer material, wherein the developer material and the color formulation material flow from the mixer assembly into the source of color formulation. 
     
     
         11 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the source of color formulation is integrated with the receptacle and wherein the source of color formulation includes a filler element for receiving color formulation from an external source. 
     
     
         12 . The appliance of  claim 1 , including a pump, which is driven by a motor for moving color formulation from the receptacle to the brushhead/dispenser. 
     
     
         13 . The appliance of  claim 12 , including a driving assembly for moving the brushhead/dispenser in a lateral direction back and forth wherein the distance of lateral movement is greater than one half the distance between adjacent tines but no greater than twice the distance between adjacent tines. 
     
     
         14 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance is fitable into a housing and removable therefrom. 
     
     
         15 . The appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the pump and the driving assembly are driven by a single drive motor assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the driving assembly includes crank and connecting rod members responsive to the drive motor for moving the brushhead. 
     
     
         17 . The appliance of  claim 13 , including a sealing member for preventing leakage of color formulation as the brushhead is moved back and forth.