Systems and Methods Associated with a Hair/Dreadlock Detoxification Station

This application is a continuation of and claims a benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 63/573,799 filed Apr. 3, 2024, which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Examples of the present disclosure are related to systems and methods associated with a hair/dreadlock detoxification station. More specifically, embodiments are directed towards a partially rotating hair/dreadlocks detoxification station that includes a plurality of removable stems, wherein the removable stems may include a plurality of different types of nozzles that are configured to emit fluids at different angles and pressures.

Hair/dreadlocks detoxification is the cosmetic act of keeping hair clean by detoxifying it. To remove substances from hair, some apply a surfactant and other solutions to their hair/dreadlocks. The solution is rinsed out with water along with the dirt that it bonds to. To hair some people use washing machines that consist of a basin, drum, basket, etc., and a hose. This basin is placed within a wash bin or wash tub that serves as a container for various fluids applied to the articles during a cleaning cycle. The basin typically includes small openings or holes for the passage of fluid in and out of the basket during the cleaning cycle.

The fluids used during a cleaning cycle typically include water that may be combined with, for example, shampoo, apple cider vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and combinations thereof. Depending upon the origin of water supplied to the appliance, various minerals, particulates, and other materials may also be present in the fluids used during a cleaning cycle. In a typical cleaning cycle, fluids are added and later removed from the wash bin during various stages or modes of washing and rinsing. However, situations arise where cleaning solution and water are not sufficient to clean hair, such as dreadlocks.

Accordingly, a need exists for more effective and efficient systems and methods for a detoxifying station that is configured to rotate along a partial rotational axis and vibrate while also supplying fluids at various angles and pressures.

Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods for a hair/dreadlock detoxification assembly. The hair/dreadlock-detoxification assembly may include a container, basin, removable stems that may include a first set of nozzles and a second set of nozzles, tubing, and an agitation system.

The container may be a housing, shell, case, etc., that is configured to hold and store the other elements of the detoxification system. The container may have a curved perimeter, a closed lower surface, and an upper surface. The upper surface of the container may include an open circumference, which is configured to receive the basin. In embodiments, the upper surface of the container may be a smooth, flat surface.

The basin may be a bucket, bowl, container, etc., that is configured to selectively hold and secure liquid and a user's hair. In specific embodiments, the basin may be a five-gallon stainless steel, tapered bucket, wherein the upper circumference of the basin is larger than the lower circumference of the basin. In further embodiments, the height of the basin may be larger than the width of the bucket. This may allow users with longer hair, such as dreadlocks, to position their hair within the basin. In embodiments, the inner circumference of the basin may be a smooth surface without any bumps, inlets, grooves, etc. This may reduce the risk of a user's hair being caught while washing. In embodiments, the basin may have an upper circumference that is slightly smaller than the open circumference of the container, which allows the basin to be inserted into and out of the container. Furthermore, because there is no overhang created by the open upper surface of the container and the inner circumference of the basin, the stems may slide in and out of the container.

The removable stems may be configured to be removable and inserted into the basin. The removable stems may utilize any known mechanism to be inserted into and removed from the basin. For example, utilizing rails, press locks, etc. In embodiments, each of the removable stems may include an inlet that is configured to receive fluid from the tubing. By allowing the removable stems to be inserted and removed from the basin, different flow patterns emitted from nozzles associated with the stems may be created based on the user's hair. This may allow a user to focus the fluid emitted from the nozzles at desirable locations while allowing the stems within the basin to be positioned in an asymmetrical or symmetrical pattern. In further embodiments, the locking mechanisms associated with securing the removable stems within the basin may be positioned at equal angles or different angles. For example, an angle between adjacent stems closer to the front of the basin may be smaller than an angle between adjacent stems closer to the rear of the basin. This may allow the underside of the user's hair to receive more fluid than the outer surface of the user's hair.

The stems may have a wavy curvature with a rear surface, tapered side surfaces, and a front surface. In embodiments, the rear surface of the stems may be configured to be positioned directly against the inner surface of the basin and may have a larger width than the front surface. The rear surface of the stems may include an inlet configured to receive fluids from the tubing. In embodiments, the rear surface of the stems may not be obstructed by any portion of the container, which may allow the stems to be easily removed from the basin while also allowing a user's hair to be more evenly positioned within the basin.

The tapered surfaces of the stems may be configured to continuously reduce the width across the stems from the rear surface to the front surface. In embodiments, the tapered surfaces may not have any projections, grooves, or notches, which may assist in not tangling a user's hair.

The front surface of the stems may include a first set of nozzles and potentially a second set of nozzles. In embodiments, the position of the nozzles on the front surface of the stems of adjacent nozzles may be staggered and offset from each other. This may assist in more evenly washing a user's hair while reducing the number of nozzles required.

The first set of nozzles may include at least one nozzle that is configured to emit water and other liquids at a first angle and a first pressure. In embodiments, each of the first set of nozzles may be spaced at even intervals at a first interval. In embodiments, each of the first set of nozzles may be configured to emit low-pressure water directly into a user's hair. In further embodiments, each of the first set of nozzles may be positioned above a fill line associated with the basin.

The second set of nozzles may be at least one nozzle, wherein the second set of nozzles is positioned below the first set of nozzles. The second set of nozzles may be positioned at a downward angle to circulate a solution within the basin. In embodiments, the solution may include warm water, baking soda, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar. In practice, when elements of the solution are positioned within the basin, the elements may sink to the bottom of the basin to be circulated by the second set of nozzles. This may assist in breaking down clogged dirt, oil, hair products, and all other impurities. In embodiments, the second set of nozzles may emit fluids at a higher pressure than the first set of nozzles.

The tubing may be configured to supply fluid to the stems. In embodiments, the tubing may have a central inlet configured to receive fluid from a single source and a plurality of outputs configured to supply fluid to the inlets of corresponding stems. In embodiments, the tubing may be configured to be positioned in an annulus between the basin and the container.

The agitation system may be configured to partially rotate the basin partially about a rotational axis. Specifically, the agitation system may allow for the basin to rotate above 45 degrees in the first direction and 45 degrees in the second direction. This partial rotation may allow the first set of nozzles to emit fluid at different areas of a user's head without hurting the user's neck because the bucket rotates, and the neck basin area is stationary. Specifically if the agitation system allowed the basin to be rotated more than 45 degrees in either direction. The agitation system may also be configured to vibrate the basin along an axis that is perpendicular to the rotational axis of the basin. This may allow the first set of nozzles to emit fluid at different areas of a user's head without hurting the user's neck. In specific embodiments, the agitation system may include a pivot, a first arm, a shaft, and a second arm.

The pivot may be configured to be positioned on a central portion of the basin. The first arm may have a first end coupled to the pivot and a second arm coupled to the shaft. The shaft may be positioned near an outer circumference of the basin and may be configured to receive forces from a distal end of the second arm. Responsive to the shaft receiving forces from the distal end of the arm, the basin may rotate.

Further embodiments may include accessories that can be coupled with or utilized along with the basin. For example, a shower wand may be fluidly coupled with the inlet of the tubing, wherein the user may manually control the shower wand to detoxify the scalp area of their hair.

These and other aspects of the invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. The following description, while indicating various embodiments of the invention and numerous specific details thereof, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many substitutions, modifications, additions, or rearrangements may be made within the scope of the invention, and the invention includes all such substitutions, modifications, additions, or rearrangements.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve the understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.

In the following description, numerous specific details are outlined to provide a thorough understanding of the present embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present embodiments. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the present embodiments.

depicts a hair washing assembly, according to an embodiment. The hair-washing assemblymay include a container, basin, removable stems, a first set of nozzles, a second set of nozzles, tubing, and an agitation system.

The containermay be a housing, shell, case, etc., that is configured to hold and store the other elements of detoxification system. The containermay have a curved perimeter, a closed lower surface, and an upper surface. The upper surfaceof the container may include an open circumference, which is configured to receive the basin. In embodiments, the upper surfaceof the container may be a smooth, flat surface. The open circumferencemay be substantially the same length as a diameter across the basin, which may allow the basin to be removed without any obstruction, overhang, etc., caused by the open circumference. Furthermore, this may allow a user's hair to freely hang over the open circumferenceand be positioned closer to the inner circumference of basin.

The basinmay be a bucket, bowl, container, etc., that is configured to selectively hold and secure liquid and a user's hair. In specific embodiments, the basinmay be a five-gallon stainless steel, tapered bucket, wherein the upper circumference of the basinis larger than the lower circumference of the basin. In further embodiments, the height of the basinmay be larger than the width of the basin. This may allow users with longer hair, such as dreadlocks, to position their hair within the basin. A lower surface of basinmay include a filter, which allows fluid to flow into an outletwhile retaining sediment within basin. In specific embodiments, an entire lower surface of basinmay have a filter, while in other embodiments, only portions of the lower surface of basinmay include the filter.

In embodiments, the inner circumference of the basinmay be a smooth surface without any bumps, inlets, grooves, etc. This may reduce the risk of a user's hair being caught while washing. In embodiments, the basinmay have an upper circumference that is slightly smaller than the open circumference of the container, which allows the basinto be inserted into and out of the container. Furthermore, because there is no overhang created by the open upper surface of the containerand the inner circumference of the basin, the stemsmay slide in and out of the container.

The removable stemsmay be configured to be removably inserted into the basin. The removable stemsmay utilize any known mechanism to be inserted into and removed from the basin. For example, utilizing rails, press locks, etc. In embodiments, each of the removable stemsmay include an inletthat is configured to receive fluid from the tubing. By allowing the removable stemsto be inserted and removed from the basin, different flow patterns emitted from nozzles associated with the stems may be created based on the user's hair and the positioning of removable stemswithin basin. This may allow a user to focus the fluid emitted from the nozzles at desirable locations while allowing the stemswithin the basinto be positioned in an asymmetrical or symmetrical pattern. In further embodiments, the locking mechanisms associated with securing the removable stemswithin the basinmay be positioned at equal angles or different angles. For example, an angle between adjacent stemscloser to the front of the basinmay be smaller than an angle between adjacent stemscloser to the rear of the basin. This may allow the underside of the user's hair to receive more fluid than the outer surface of the user's hair.

Removable stemsmay have a wavy curvature with a rear surface, tapered side surfaces, and a front surface. In embodiments, the rear surface of the removable stemsmay be configured to be positioned directly against the inner surface of the basinand may have a larger width than the width of the front surface. The rear surface of the removable stemsmay include an inletconfigured to receive fluids from the tubing. In embodiments, the rear surface of the removable stemsmay not be obstructed by any portion of the container, which may allow the removable stemsto be easily removed from the basinwhile also allowing a user's hair to be more evenly positioned within the basin. Furthermore, by aligning the rear surface of removable stemswith the open upper circumference of container, the front surface of removable stemsmay be closed positioned to a central axis of basin, allowing multiple nozzles to interact with the user's hair without increasing the thickness of removable stems.

The tapered surfaces of the removable stemsmay be configured to continuously reduce the width across the removable stemsfrom the rear surface to the front surface. In embodiments, the tapered surfaces may not have any projections, grooves, or notches, which may assist in not tangling a user's hair.

The front surface of the removable stemsmay include a first set of nozzlesand potentially a second set of nozzles. In embodiments, the position of the nozzleson the front surface of adjacent removable stemsmay be staggered and vertically offset from each other. This may assist in more evenly washing a user's hair while reducing the number of nozzles required. Furthermore, nozzles may not be positioned on the tapered surfaces of removable stems, which may reduce the number of openings within basin.

The first set of nozzlesmay have at least one nozzle that is configured to emit water and other liquids at a first angle and a first pressure. In embodiments, each of the first set of nozzlesmay be spaced at even intervals at a first interval. In embodiments, each of the first set of nozzlesmay be configured to emit low-pressure water directly into a user's hair. In further embodiments, each of the first set of nozzlesmay be positioned above a fill line associated with the basin.

The second set of nozzlesmay be at least one nozzle, wherein the second set of nozzlesis positioned below the first set of nozzles. The second set of nozzlesmay be positioned at a downward angle to circulate a solution within the basin. In embodiments, the solution may include warm water, baking soda, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar. In practice, when elements of the solution are positioned within the basin, the elements may sink to the bottom of the basin to be circulated by the second set of nozzlesat a position above filter. This may assist in breaking down clogged dirt, oil, hair products, and all other impurities. In embodiments, the second set of nozzlesmay emit fluids at a higher pressure than the first set of nozzles.

The tubingmay be configured to supply fluid to the stems. In embodiments, the tubingmay have a central inletconfigured to receive fluid from a single source and a plurality of outputs configured to supply fluid to the inletsof corresponding stems. In embodiments, the tubingmay be configured to be positioned in an annulus between the basinand the container. Tubingmay also include an outlet, which may operate as a drain for basin. The drain may be configured to allow the solution, water, and other elements within basinto be removed. In further embodiments, the drain may include a pump that is configured to remove all of the liquids from basininto a sink, into a bucket, etc., allowing fresh water to be positioned within basin. This process may be repeated multiple times until the liquids within the basinare clear.

The agitation systemmay be configured to partially rotate the basinpartially about a partial rotational axis. Specifically, the agitation systemmay allow for the basinto rotate above 45 degrees in the first direction and 45 degrees in the second direction. This partial rotation may allow the first set of nozzlesto emit fluid at different areas of a user's head without hurting the user's neck because the basinrotates, and the containeris stationary. Specifically, if the agitation systemallows the basin to be rotated more than 45 degrees in either direction. The agitation systemmay also be configured to vibrate the basinalong an axis that is perpendicular to the rotational axis of the basin. This may allow the first set of nozzles,, to emit fluid at different areas of a user's head without hurting the user's neck. In embodiments, the first set of nozzlesand second set of nozzlesmay be utilized during wash cycles, wherein during the wash cycles pressure associated with the nozzles may dynamically change, such that both sets of nozzles may be used independently or together. Furthermore, during the wash cycles basinmay be configured to rotate while vibrate, wherein the nozzles may be or may not be emitting fluid while the basinis rotating and vibrating.

depicts a hair washing assembly, according to an embodiment. Elements depicted inmay be the same as or similar to those described above in relation to, and for the sake of brevity, a further description of these elements may be omitted.

depict bottom views of hair washing assembly, according to an embodiment. Elements depicted inmay be the same as or similar to those described above in relation to, and for the sake of brevity, a further description of these elements may be omitted.

Specifically,depicts the agitation systemthat is configured to partially rotate the basin about a rotational axis. The agitation systemmay include a pivot, first arm, shaft, and second arm.

The pivotmay be configured to be positioned on a central portion of basin. The first armmay have a first end coupled to the pivotand a second armcoupled to the shaft. The shaftmay be positioned near an outer circumference of the basinand may be configured to receive forces from a distal end of the second arm. Responsive to the shaftreceiving forces from the distal end of the second arm, the basinmay rotate.

As further depicted, second armmay be coupled to a rotating arm, which is configured to apply the forces to move second arm. Specifically, rotating armmay be configured to rotate 360 degrees, which may change the positioning of the proximal end of second arm. This may, in turn, push and pull the second arm. However, the rotating of basinmay be limited based on the length of rotating arm.

depicts an alternative embodiment of hair washing assembly, according to an embodiment. Elements depicted inmay be the same as or similar to those described above in relation to, and for the sake of brevity, a further description of these elements may be omitted.

As depicted in, positioned at the top of each removable stem may be a lock. Responsive to activated lock, stemmay not be removed from basin. However, after releasing lock, stemmay be removed from basin.

depicts methodfor utilizing a hair-washing assembly, according to an embodiment. The operations of methodpresented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, methodmay be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of methodare illustrated inand described below is not intended to be limiting, wherein operations may occur simultaneously.

At operation, removable stems may be inserted or removed from a basin until a desired layout for the removable stems is coupled to the basin. The removable stems may be positioned in a symmetrical or asymmetrical layout.

At operation, the basin may be filled with fluid, such as water, to a fill line. A solution may be added to the basin. In embodiments, the solution may include loc detoxication, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, etc. for dreadlocks.

At operation, the basin may vibrate and agitate. In embodiments, the basin may continue to vibrate during the following operations.

At operation, a first set of nozzles may be configured to emit low-pressure water directly into the user's hair at a first pressure.

At operation, a second set of nozzles positioned below the first set of nozzles, and at the bottom of the basin, may emit higher-pressure water at a downward angle to circulate the solution within the basin.

At operation, the basin may be rotated in the first direction while the basin vibrates.

At operation, the basin may be rotated in a second direction while the basin vibrates.

At operation, the basin may be drained of fluids and the solution.

depicts an alternative embodiment of hair washing assembly, according to an embodiment. Elements depicted inmay be the same as or similar to those described above in relation to, and for the sake of brevity, a further description of these elements may be omitted.