Chalk applicator

Abstract

A system and method for applying color pigment from one or more different sticks of hair chalk. A chalk cartridge is disposed within an arm of a housing. The cartridge within the arm may hold one or more sticks of hair chalk for application to a set of hair strands. A user may use the housing to define the set of hair strands and use the device to apply pigment from the hair chalk onto the selected set of hair strands. In a case where the chalk cartridge holds multiple sticks of chalk, there may be included a mechanism to select a particular one of the multiple sticks of chalk for pigment application at any particular time, even for the same or different portions of the identified set of hair strands.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
         1 . A media applicator for a set of units of media, the set of units of media including an N number of units and the media applicator intended for a transfer of a quantity of media from a unit of media to a substrate, comprising:
 an elongate body including a motor, a power source for said motor, and a motor control coupled to said motor, said elongate body defining a longitudinal axis and said motor control defining an operating mode for said motor; and   a head, coupled to said elongate body and responsive to said motor, said head including an outer surface arrayed with a number S of longitudinally-extending slots, said number S equal to the number N;   wherein said number S of longitudinally-extending slots are each configured to secure and hold a particular one unit of media of the set of units of media; and   wherein said head vibrates in response to said operating mode to vibrate each unit of media beyond a minimum detectable vibration amplitude that enhances the transfer of the quantity of media to the substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The media applicator of  claim 1  wherein the media includes hair chalk, wherein the unit includes a stick, and wherein the substrate includes a set of strands of hair. 
     
     
         3 . The media applicator of  claim 1  wherein N is 1 and wherein S is 1. 
     
     
         4 . The media applicator of  claim 3  wherein said head includes a first mechanical interface and wherein said elongate body includes a second mechanical interface compatible to said first mechanical interface wherein said head is selectively replaceable. 
     
     
         5 . The media applicator of  claim 1  wherein N is a number selected from a set of {2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or more}. 
     
     
         6 . The media applicator of  claim 1  wherein said motor includes an electric motor, wherein said power source includes a battery, and wherein said control includes an electrical switch. 
     
     
         7 . The media applicator of  claim 1  wherein said elongate body defines a handle, wherein said handle includes a number P of longitudinally-extending flat faces. 
     
     
         8 . The media applicator of  claim 7  wherein said number P equals said number S, and wherein each said longitudinally-extending face includes a predetermined fixed angular orientation to each slot of said number S of longitudinally-extending slots. 
     
     
         9 . The media applicator of  claim 2  wherein N is 1 and wherein S is 1. 
     
     
         10 . The media applicator of  claim 9  wherein said head includes a first mechanical interface and wherein said elongate body includes a second mechanical interface compatible to said first mechanical interface wherein said head is selectively replaceable. 
     
     
         11 . The media applicator of  claim 2  wherein N is a number selected from a set of {2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or more}. 
     
     
         12 . The media applicator of  claim 2  wherein said motor includes an electric motor, wherein said power source includes a battery, and wherein said control includes an electrical switch. 
     
     
         13 . The media applicator of  claim 2  wherein said elongate body defines a handle, wherein said handle includes a number P of longitudinally-extending flat faces. 
     
     
         14 . The media applicator of  claim 13  wherein said number P equals said number S, and wherein each said longitudinally-extending face includes a predetermined fixed angular orientation to each slot of said number S of longitudinally-extending slots. 
     
     
         15 . A method for applying a quantity of a particular media to a substrate from a unit of the particular media wherein the unit of particular media is selected from a set of a number N units of media, comprising:
 a) vibrating a head having a number S slots, each slot engaging and securing one unit of media from the set of units of media including the unit of the particular media wherein said number S is equal to the number N;   b) vibrating the unit of the particular media responsive to said step a);   c) applying the unit of the particular media to the transfer; and   d) transferring the particular media to the substrate responsive to said step c).