U.S. patent application number 11/238898 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-29 for hair styling implements and method of making same.
Invention is credited to Maggie Pui Sze Cheung, Garrick Wong.
Application Number | 20070068548 11/238898 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37892388 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070068548 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wong; Garrick ; et
al. |
March 29, 2007 |
Hair styling implements and method of making same
Abstract
Electrically powered hairstyling implements having heated hair
engaging elements that are coated with a specially designed coating
compound that comprises a mixture of a ceramic enamel and an ionic
mineral. The ionic mineral causes negative ions to be continuously
generated from the surfaces of the hair engaging elements which
function to reduce or prevent damage to the hair.
Inventors: |
Wong; Garrick; (Alhambra,
CA) ; Cheung; Maggie Pui Sze; (Tsing Yi, CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAMES E. BRUNTON, ESQ.
P. O. BOX 29000
GLENDALE
CA
91209
US
|
Family ID: |
37892388 |
Appl. No.: |
11/238898 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/232 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2200/202 20130101;
A45D 1/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/232 |
International
Class: |
A45D 1/04 20060101
A45D001/04 |
Claims
1. An electric hair styling implement for styling hair comprising:
(a) a supporting structure; (b) a first heated element connected to
said supporting structure, said first heated element having a
first-coated layer comprising ionic minerals intermixed with
ceramic enamel chemical compounds; and (c) a second heated element
connected to said supporting structure for movement between first
and second positions, said second heated element having a
first-coated layer comprising ionic minerals intermixed with
ceramic enamel chemical compounds.
2. The electric hair styling implement defined in claim 1 in which
said ceramic enamel chemical compounds comprise a mixture of
SiO.sub.2, Na.sub.2O, K.sub.2O, B.sub.2O.sub.3, and TiO.sub.2.
3. The electric hair styling implement defined in claim 1 in which
said ionic minerals comprise a mixture of SiO.sub.2,
Al.sub.2O.sub.3, K.sub.2O, Na.sub.2O and Fe.sub.2O.sub.3.
4. The electric hair styling implement defined in claim 1 in which
said first heated element comprises a heated rod and in which said
second heated element comprises a heated glove.
5. The electric hair styling implement defined in claim 1 in which
said first heated element comprises a first jaw and in which said
second heated element comprises a second jaw.
6. An electric hair curling implement for curling hair comprising:
(a) a handle; (b) a heated rod connected to said handle, said
heated rod having a coating comprising ionic minerals intermixed
with ceramic enamel chemical compounds; and (c) a glove pivotally
connected to said heated rod for movement between first and second
positions, said glove having a coating comprising ionic minerals
intermixed with ceramic enamel chemical compounds.
7. The electric hair styling implement defined in claim 6 in which
said ceramic enamel chemical compounds comprise a mixture of
SiO.sub.2, Na.sub.2O, K.sub.2O, Li.sub.2O, B.sub.2O.sub.3 and
TiO.sub.2.
8. The electric hair styling implement defined in claim 1 in which
said ionic minerals comprise a mixture of SiO.sub.2,
Al.sub.2O.sub.3, K.sub.2O, Na.sub.2O and Fe.sub.2O.sub.3.
9. The electric hair styling implement defined in claim 8 in which
said ionic minerals are in powder form.
10. An electric hair straightening implement for straightening hair
comprising: (a) a structural support; (b) a first jaw pivotally
connected to said structural support for movement between first and
second positions, said first jaw having a coating comprising ionic
minerals intermixed with ceramic enamel chemical compounds; and (c)
a second jaw pivotally connected to said structural support for
movement between first and second positions, said first jaw having
a coating comprising ionic minerals intermixed with ceramic enamel
chemical compounds.
11. The electric hair styling implement defined in claim 10 in
which said ceramic enamel chemical compounds comprise a mixture of
SiO.sub.2, Na.sub.2O, K.sub.2O, Li.sub.2O, B.sub.2O.sub.3, SrO,
MgO, CaO and TiO.sub.2.
12. The electric hair styling implement defined in claim 10 in
which said ionic minerals comprise a mixture of SiO.sub.2,
Al.sub.2O.sub.3, K.sub.2O, Na.sub.2O and Fe.sub.2O.sub.3.
13. The electric hair styling implement defined in claim 12 in
which said ionic minerals are in powder form.
14. A method for making an electric hair styling implement for
styling hair comprising a supporting structure, a first heated
element having a heated surface connected to said supporting
structure and a second heated element having a heated surface
connected to said supporting structure, the method comprising the
steps of: (a) intermixing ionic minerals in powder form with
ceramic enamel chemical compounds to form a coating compound; (b)
depositing said coating compound on said heated surfaces of said
first and second heated elements to form prime-coated heating
elements; and (c) heating said prime-coated heating elements at an
elevated temperature for a period of time sufficient to cause said
coating compound to become securely adhered to said prime coated
heating elements to form precursor heating elements.
15. The method as defined in claim 14 in which said ceramic enamel
chemical compounds comprise a mixture of SiO.sub.2, Na.sub.2O,
K.sub.2O, Li.sub.2O and TiO.sub.2.
16. The method as defined in claim 14 in which said ionic minerals
comprise a mixture of SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, K.sub.2O,
Na.sub.2O, and Fe.sub.2O.
17. The method as defined in claim 14 in which said ionic minerals
comprise a mixture of SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, K.sub.2O,
Fe.sub.2O, TiO.sub.2, CaO, MgO and Na.sub.2O.
18. The method as defined in claim 14 in which said prime-coated
heating elements are heated at an elevated temperature of about 520
degrees C.
19. The method as defined in claim 14, including the further step
of cleaning said heated surfaces of said first and second heated
elements prior to depositing said coating compound on said heated
surfaces.
20. The method as defined in claim 14, including the further steps
of: (a) depositing said coating compound on said heated surfaces of
said precursor heating elements to form coated precursor heating
elements heating elements; and (b) heating said coated precursor
heating elements at an elevated temperature for a period of time
sufficient to cause said coating compound to become securely
adhered to said coated precursor heating elements.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to hair styling
implements. More particularly, the invention concerns hair styling
implements which include surfaces that are controllably heated as,
for example, electric curling irons, electric flatirons and like
appliances.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art
[0004] Many different types of electrically powered, hand-held
styling implements or appliances are used in professional
hairstyling salons. Such implements include electric curling irons,
electric flatirons, or hair straightening irons and like styling
implements of various configurations.
[0005] The prior art curling and flatirons typically include mating
surfaces that are electrically heated in a manner well known to
those skilled in the art. The electrically heated surfaces of these
appliances are constructed so that the hair of the user can be
controllably heated in a manner to prevent damage to the hair.
[0006] In practice, it is desirable to keep the various
hairdressing appliances handy and ready for use, which necessitates
that the electric curling irons and hair straightening irons be
pre-heated to a useful temperature for pressing hair. This requires
the use of specially designed heating elements that can
controllably withstand elevated temperatures for substantial
periods of time.
[0007] One prior art electric iron for hairdressing of which
Applicant is aware is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,253 issued
to Kaizuka. This patent concerns an electric iron for hairdressing
having cooperating, specially designed rod and glove components
that makes it possible to realize a firm curl in the short period
of time, thus preventing damage to hair due to the action of
negative ions generated from the surface of the rod and glove. In
the Kaizuka device the surfaces of the rod and glove are coated
with a mixture of fluoroplastic and powdered poly-element
minerals.
[0008] In addition to curling hair, hair stylists are often called
upon to straighten curly hairs, which may be kinky hairs or hair
curled by permanent waving. In accordance with certain prior art
the practices, a relaxer solution is applied to hair to break down
and remove cystine, which is a binding substance in hair. It is
relatively easy to straighten hairs curled by permanent waving back
to original straight hairs. However, it is more difficult to
straighten originally curly hairs or kinky hairs since removal of
the cystine loosens the pigment and cuticle, losing hair luster and
gloss. To solve this problem hair stylists often attempt to
straighten curly hairs by thermal treatment. However, such thermal
treatment can severely damage the hair. It is this problem that the
present invention seeks to overcome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide
specially designed, electrically powered hairstyling implements and
the method of making the same that include heated hair engaging
elements that are uniquely constructed to enable satisfactory
styling of the hair iron in a short time while preventing damage to
hair due to the action of negative ions being continuously
generated from the surfaces of the heated hair engaging
elements.
[0010] More particularly, it is an object of the invention to
provide electrically powered hairstyling implements of the
character described in the preceding paragraph in which the heated
hair engaging elements are coated with a specially designed coating
compound that comprises a mixture of a ceramic enamel and an ionic
mineral that will cause negative ions to be generated from the
surfaces of the hair engaging elements at all times during the hair
styling operation. (As used herein, the term "ceramic enamel" means
chemical compounds comprised of SiO.sub.2, Na.sub.2O, K.sub.2O,
Li.sub.2O, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and TiO.sub.2 and the term "Ionic
mineral" means a mineral containing a large percentage of SiO.sub.2
and various other elements, such as Al.sub.2O.sub.3, K.sub.2O and
Fe.sub.2O.sub.3.)
[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide hairstyling
implements of the aforementioned character which include
cooperating hair engaging elements that are coated with a specially
formulated coating so that when the hair of the user is clamped
between the coated hair engaging elements the negative ions being
generated by the coating will reduce the size of the aggregation of
water molecules which activate the protein in hair and will
effectively create the desired styling effect in a minimum time
with minimal damage to the user's hair.
[0012] The foregoing objectives of the invention, as well as other
related objectives, will be accomplished by the novel hairstyling
implements described in paragraphs which follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a generally perspective view of one form of the
hairstyling implements of the present invention, shown here as an
electric curling iron.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a generally perspective view of an alternate form
of hairstyling implement of the present invention, shown here as an
electric straightening iron.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, one
form of the hairstyling implement of the present invention is there
illustrated and generally designated by the numeral 14. The
hairstyling implement, which is here shown as an electric curling
iron, comprises a supporting structure 16, including a handle 17, a
first heated element 18 that is attached to the supporting
structure and a second heated element 20 that is also attached to
the supporting structure. First heated element 18 is here provided
in the form or a generally cylindrical rod 18a and second heated
element 20 is here provided in the form of a glove 20a that is
pivotally interconnected with rod 18a for movement between a first
closed position in engagement with rod 18a and a second open
position as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.
[0016] In accordance with one form of the method of the invention,
the mating surfaces of rod 18 and glove 20 are coated with ceramic
enamel mixed with ionic minerals, preferably in powder form. In
FIG. 1 the numeral 22 represents an electrical cord that is
connected to a source of electric power "S".
[0017] In using the curling iron of the present invention, the
strands of hair to be curled are first wrapped around the first
heated element or rod 18a and are held in this position for a
period of time by the closed glove 20a. The glove is then opened
and the strands of hair are unwrapped from the heated rod 18a. The
length of time the hair is held wrapped around the rod, the
temperature of the rod, the diameter of the rod and the hair's
characteristics largely determine the tightness of the curl that is
formed.
[0018] Turning to FIG. 2, an alternate form of hairstyling
implement of the present invention is there illustrated and
generally designated by the numeral 24. This hairstyling implement,
which is here shown as an electric straightening iron, comprises a
supporting structure 26 to which first and second heated elements,
or jaws 28 and 30 are pivotally connected. Jaws 28 and 30 are
adapted for movement between a first closed position wherein the
heated, mating surfaces 28a and 30a of the jaws are in engagement
and a second open position as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings.
[0019] In accordance with one form the method of the invention the
mating surfaces of the jaws 28a and 30a are coated with ceramic
enamel mixed with ionic minerals, preferably in powder form to form
a coated layer.
[0020] In using the prior art hair straightening iron of the
invention, the strands of hair to be straightened are first clamped
between the heated jaws 28 and 30 of the device and are held in
this position for a period of time. The jaws are then opened and
the hair is removed. The length of time the hair is clamped between
the heated jaws depends on the temperature of the jaws and the
characteristics of the user's hair.
[0021] Considering now in greater detail the methods of the
invention, as previously mentioned, the term "ionic mineral" as
used herein, means a mineral containing a large percentage of
SiO.sub.2 and various other elements, such as Al.sub.2O.sub.3,
K.sub.2O and Fe.sub.2O.sub.3. More particularly, the "ionic
mineral" used in the present invention is composed of the following
components in the following percentages by weight: TABLE-US-00001
SiO.sub.2 77.20% Al.sub.2O.sub.3 12.49% Fe.sub.2O.sub.3 0.70%
TiO.sub.2 0.03% CaO 0.18% MgO 0.06% K.sub.2O 4.65% Na.sub.2O 3.51%
Lg. loss 0.43%
[0022] In the preferred form of the invention, the ionic minerals
in powder form are mixed in a coating of ceramic enamel chemical
compounds comprised of the following elements in the following
percentages by weight: TABLE-US-00002 SiO.sub.2 30-40% Na.sub.2O
10-15% K.sub.2O 18-22% Li.sub.2O 12-15% TiO.sub.2 15-20%
B.sub.2O.sub.3 12-18% SrO 2-5% MgO 2-3% CaO 3-5% Al.sub.2O.sub.3
5-8%
[0023] The ionic minerals in powder form at all times generate
negative ions causing the so called "cluster phenomenon" that
impregnates water into the hair so that when the styling implement
is used, the hair will not be damaged while being compressed
between the heated elements.
[0024] The above and other, objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become readily apparent from the following
detailed description which is to be read in connection with the
accompanying drawings.
[0025] In the preferred form of the invention, the ionic minerals
in powder form are mixed in a coating of ceramic enamel chemical
compounds comprised of SiO.sub.2, Na.sub.2O, K.sub.2O, Li.sub.2O,
Al.sub.2O.sub.3, IO.sub.2 and TiO.sub.2 to form a coating compound.
This done, the hair contacting surfaces of the heated elements,
such as 18a of the rod, 20a of the glove and the mating surfaces
28a and 30a of the jaws 28 and 30 are carefully cleaned in any
suitable manner, as for example, with acid and alcohol to remove
dirt and debris. After the heated surfaces are suitably cleaned,
the coating compound is uniformly deposited, as by spraying, onto
the hair contacting surfaces of the heated elements to form
prime-coated heating elements. Next, the prime-coated heated
elements are baked at an elevated temperature of about 520 degrees
C. for a period of time sufficient to cause the coating compound to
become securely adhered to the hair contacting surfaces of the
heating elements to form first precursor heated elements each
having a first coating layer.
[0026] Following an inspection of the quality of the first coating
layer, the first precursor heated elements are then once again
sprayed with the coating compound to form twice-coated heated
elements. This done the twice-coated heating elements are baked at
an elevated temperature of about 920 degrees C. for a period of
time sufficient to cause the coating compound to securely adhere to
the further coated hair contacting surfaces to the heating elements
to form second precursor heated elements each having a second
coating layer.
[0027] Following an inspection of the quality of the second coating
layer thus formed, the second precursor heated elements are once
again sprayed with the coating compound to form thrice-coated
heated elements. This done the thrice-coated heating elements are
baked at an elevated temperature of about 970 degrees C. for a
period of time sufficient to cause the coating compound to securely
adhere to the heating elements to form the finished heated elements
each having a third coating layer. After the third coating step,
each of the finished heated elements exhibits a thickness of
approximately 0.1 mm. A careful inspection of the final product is
then made and the products of the invention can then be used in the
manner described in the preceding paragraphs to either curl or
straighten hair.
[0028] Having now described the invention in detail in accordance
with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this
art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in
the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet
specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications
may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention, as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *