U.S. patent application number 12/083644 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-19 for hair iron.
Invention is credited to Takashi Mukai.
Application Number | 20100206322 12/083644 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40560117 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100206322 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mukai; Takashi |
August 19, 2010 |
Hair Iron
Abstract
A hair iron can regulate the surface of hair with the surfaces
of correctors and disperse force acting on cross sectional points
of each hair that are in contact with the correctors. The hair iron
has clamp arms and the correctors that are arranged on the clamp
arms, to face each other, hold hair between them, and heat the
hair. At this time, correcting surfaces hold and correct the hair.
The correcting surface of one of the correctors is roughened with
irregularities to increase contact points or contact areas with the
hair and the correcting surface of the other corrector is formed to
be smoother than the correcting surface.
Inventors: |
Mukai; Takashi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JORDAN AND HAMBURG LLP
122 EAST 42ND STREET, SUITE 4000
NEW YORK
NY
10168
US
|
Family ID: |
40560117 |
Appl. No.: |
12/083644 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
October 17, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2007/070272 |
371 Date: |
April 14, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/269 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 1/04 20130101; A45D
1/12 20130101; A45D 2001/004 20130101; A45D 2200/202 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/269 |
International
Class: |
A45D 2/00 20060101
A45D002/00 |
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. A hair iron comprising: clamp arms each having a grip, the
clamp arms being configured to carry out a clamping action
according to a gripping operation of the grips; correctors arranged
on the clamp arms in such a way as to face each other and each
having a correcting surface being brought into contact with hair in
the clamping action, the correctors being configured to hold the
hair to heat and correct the hair with the correcting surfaces in
the clamping action; a first one of the correcting surfaces of the
correctors having irregularities roughening the first one of the
correcting surfaces whereby the irregularities increase contact
points or contact areas that are in contact with the hair; and a
second one of the correcting surfaces being configured to be
smoother than the first one of the correcting surfaces.
12. The hair iron as set forth in claim 11, wherein: the first one
of the correcting surfaces is formed by regulating the surface or
roughness of a base material, and only the second one of the
correcting surfaces is formed into a mirror surface state.
13. The hair iron as set forth in claim 11, wherein: the correcting
surface of one or both of the correctors is provided with a
platinum layer.
14. The hair iron as set forth in claim 13, wherein: a titanium
layer is formed between a surface of a base material of the
corrector and the platinum layer of the corrector.
15. The hair iron as set forth in claim 14, wherein: nickel layers
are formed between the surface of the base material and the
titanium layer and between the titanium layer and the platinum
layer, respectively.
16. The hair iron as set forth in claim 11, wherein: the
irregularities of the first one of the correcting surfaces are from
5 to 15 .mu.m.
17. The hair iron as set forth in claim 11, further comprising: a
magnet arranged along a back side of at least one of the correcting
surfaces.
18. The hair iron as set forth in claim 11, further comprising: at
least one elastic corrector pusher supporting one of the correctors
movably with respect to the clamp arm such that one of the
correctors advances and retreats within a predetermined range
relative to other of the correctors from a fitted state to the
clamp arm by bending the corrector pusher; and a magnet arranged
along a back side of one of the correcting surfaces of the
correctors such that attractive force of the magnet with respect to
the other of the correcting surfaces causes attraction of the one
of the correctors to bend the corrector pusher whereby the one of
the corrector advances from the fitted state to correct a mutual
attitude.
19. The hair iron as set forth in claim 11, further comprising: at
least one elastic corrector pusher supporting one of the correctors
movably with respect to the clamp arm such that one of the
correctors advances and retreats within a predetermined range
relative to other of the correctors from a fitted state to the
clamp arm; a magnet arranged along a back side of each of the
correcting surfaces such that repulsive or attractive force between
the magnets causes repulsion or attraction to bend the corrector
pusher whereby the one of the correctors advances or retracts from
the fitted state thereby to correct a mutual attitude.
20. The hair iron as set forth in claim 18, further comprising: a
casing provided on the back side of the correcting surface of the
corrector and accommodating the magnet; and a magnet pusher
accommodated in the casing and configured to push the magnet toward
the correcting surface with respect to the casing.
21. The hair iron as set forth in claim 19, further comprising: a
casing provided on the back side of the correcting surface of the
corrector and accommodating the magnet; and a magnet pusher
accommodated in the casing and configured to push the magnet toward
the correcting surface with respect to the casing.
22. The hair iron as set forth in claim 20, further comprising: a
heat generator for heating arranged between the back side of the
correcting surface and the magnet in the casing.
23. The hair iron as set forth in claim 21, further comprising: a
heat generator for heating arranged between the back side of the
correcting surface and the magnet in the casing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a hair iron used to
straighten curly hair and the like.
[0002] A conventional hair iron is, for example, the one shown in
FIG. 13 (refer to Patent Literature 1). FIG. 13(a) is a general
schematic view showing the hair iron and FIG. 13(b) is a sectional
view showing the inside thereof.
[0003] As shown in FIG. 13, the conventional hair iron 201 has an
iron body 203 to which a power source cord 205 is connected. An
intermediate part of this power source cord 205 is connected to a
temperature controller 207 and an end thereof is fitted to a power
source plug 209.
[0004] The iron body 203 has a pair of clamp arms 211 and 213 made
of resin. The clamp arms 211 and 213 have base ends 215 and 217
that are joined to be rotatable relative to each other and front
ends 219 and 221 where correctors 223 and 225 are arranged to face
each other. The correctors 223 and 225 are movably supported by the
clamp arms 211 and 213 so that the correctors can advance and
retreat within a predetermined range. Behind each of the correctors
223 and 225, there is a spring 227 to push the correctors 223, 225
in an advancing direction.
[0005] The power source plug 209 is inserted into an outlet, the
temperature controller 207 is manipulated to heat the correctors
223 and 225, and the correctors 223 and 225 are brought closer to
each other to hold hair therebetween and are slid along the hair so
that the heat of the correctors 223 and 225 may heat and correct
the hair.
[0006] In this case, correcting surfaces of the correctors 223 and
225 are mirror surfaces to regulate the surface of the hair and
easily realize glossy finishing.
[0007] However, hair gradually becomes thinner, in particular, at
hair tips that are prone to be damaged. When hair is held between,
heated by, and slid between the correctors 223 and 225, heat and
force concentrate on cross-sectional two points of each hair that
are in contact with the correctors 223 and 225. This results in
easily collapsing the section of a hair, drying the hair, and
aggravating curl of the hair.
[0008] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 2001-137038
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A problem to be solved is that treating the surface of each
hair with the surfaces of the correctors results in concentrating
heat and force on cross-sectional two side points of the hair that
are in contact with the correctors and finishing the hair in a
damaged state.
[0010] To realize treating the surface of each hair with the
surfaces of correctors and dispersing force acting on cross
sectional points of the hair that are in contact with the
correctors, a hair iron according to the present invention has
clamp arms carrying out a clamping action according to a gripping
operation of grips and the correctors that are arranged on the
clamp arms in such a way as to face each other, to heat, hold, and
correct hair with correcting surfaces thereof. The most important
characteristic of the hair iron is that a first one of the
correcting surfaces of the correctors is roughened with
irregularities whereby the irregularities increase contact points
or contact areas that are in contact with the hair and a second one
of the correcting surfaces is formed to be smoother than the first
correcting surface.
[0011] According to the present invention, the hair iron has the
clamp arms to carry out a clamping action according to a gripping
operation of the grips and the correctors that are arranged on the
clamp arms in such a way as to face each other, to heat, hold, and
correct hair with the correcting surfaces thereof. The first
correcting surface of the correctors is roughened with
irregularities to increase contact points or contact areas that are
in contact with hair and the second correcting surface is formed to
be smoother than the first correcting surface.
[0012] Accordingly, the second correcting surface can regulate and
gloss the surface of hair and the first correcting surface can
increase contact points or contact areas that are in contact with
the hair during treatment. This results in dispersing force acting
on the cross section of each hair and maintaining the hair healthy
after the treatment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a hair iron (Embodiment
1).
[0014] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the hair iron with divisional
parts removed (Embodiment 1).
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the hair iron (Embodiment
1).
[0016] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the hair iron (Embodiment
1).
[0017] FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing opened clamp arms
(Embodiment 1).
[0018] FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view seen from arrows SA of
FIG. 2 (Embodiment 1).
[0019] FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view showing an essential part of
a front end of the hair iron with the divisional parts removed
(Embodiment 1).
[0020] FIG. 8(a) is a front view showing a corrector body, FIG.
8(b) is a back view showing the same, FIG. 8(c) is a plan view
showing the same, and FIG. 8(d) is a sectional view showing the
same (Embodiment 1).
[0021] FIG. 9(a) is a sectional view showing an essential part of a
second correcting surface and FIG. 9(b) is a sectional view showing
an essential part of a first correcting surface (Embodiment 1).
[0022] FIG. 10(a) is a sectional view showing a treated state of
hair according to the embodiment (Embodiment 1) and FIG. 10(b) is a
sectional view showing a treated state of hair according to a
comparative example (Comparative example).
[0023] FIG. 11(a) is a plan view showing a first spring and FIG.
11(b) is a back view showing the same (Embodiment 1).
[0024] FIG. 12(a) is a plan view showing a second spring, FIG.
12(b) is a front view showing the same, and FIG. 12(c) is a side
view showing the same (Embodiment 1).
[0025] FIG. 13(a) is a general schematic view showing a hair iron
and FIG. 13(b) is a sectional view showing the inside thereof
(Related art).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Objects of regulating the surface of hair with the surfaces
of correctors and dispersing force acting on cross sectional points
of each hair that are in contact with the correctors are realized
by making one of the correcting surfaces rougher than the other, to
thereby increase contact points or contact areas that are in
contact with the hair.
[0027] FIGS. 1 to 5 show a hair iron according to an embodiment of
the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a general perspective
view partly omitted, FIG. 2 a plan view partly broken with
divisional parts removed, FIG. 3 a side view, FIG. 4 a plan view,
and FIG. 5 a bottom view with clamp arms opened.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the hair iron 1 has an iron body 5
to which a power source cord 3 is connected. The power source cord
3 is provided with a power source plug and the like.
[0029] The iron body 5 has a pair of clamp arms 7 and 9 and a pair
of correctors 11 and 13. The clamp arms 7 and 9 are made of resin
such as C-polyester-based engineering plastic having a liner
coefficient of expansion of, for example, 8.8.times.10.sup.-5
cm/cm/.degree. C. and are rotatably joined together at their base
ends 15 and 17 with a rotary shaft 19. The clamp arms 7 and 9 have
midsections serving as grips 21 and 23. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and
5, the grips 21 and 23 are relatively widened to easily be grasped,
the widths thereof being substantially equal to the widths of the
base ends 15 and 17.
[0030] At front ends of the grips 21 and 23, there are slopes
serving as pressing points 25 and 27. The pressing points 25 and 27
are to put the thumb and forefinger thereon when grasping the grips
21 and 23. In the side view of FIG. 3, the pressing points 25 and
27 are slightly expanded from the grips 21 and 23, so that one may
easily put the thumb and forefinger thereon.
[0031] One or both of the grips 21 and 23 has, for example, a
temperature controller 26, a temperature display 28, and the like.
The temperature controller 26 includes temperature setting buttons
30, an ON/OFF switch 32, and the like arranged on the surface of
the grip 21 or 23. The grips 21 and 23 incorporate temperature
controlling circuits that are not shown. The temperature controller
26 has a circuitry connected between the cord 3 and ceramic heaters
69 to be explained later, to phase-control AC power and adjust the
temperature of the ceramic heaters 69 according to a temperature
set with the temperature setting buttons 30. The phase-controlled
temperature is detected by a thermistor and is used for temperature
correction. An actual temperature based on the thermistor detection
is displayed on an LED of the temperature display 28 arranged on
the surface of the grip 21 or 23.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, front ends 29 and 31 of the
clamp arms 7 and 9 are narrower than the grips 21 and 23 in a
contact direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the front ends 29 and 31 are
narrower than the grips 21 and 23 and are biased to one side with
respect to the grips 21 and 23. As a result, side faces 33 of the
front ends 29 and 31 protrude from side faces 35 of the grips 21
and 23 and the side faces 33 and 35 are continued to each other
through slopes 37 to form steps. Side faces 39 of the front ends 29
and 31 are biased toward the center of the grips 21 and 23 in
conformity with the side faces 33.
[0033] The clamp arms 7, 9 are hollow, and as shown in FIG. 3, are
divided along a dividing line 41 into divisional parts 43a and 45a,
divisional parts 43b and 45b. The divisional parts 43a and 45a,
divisional parts 43b and 45b are fixed together with fasteners such
as screws 48, 49, and 51 at the front ends 29 and 31, grips 21 and
23, and base ends 15, 17. The divisional parts 43a, 43b are
provided with fastening through holes 47 at the front ends 29,
31.
[0034] The hollow grips 21 and 23 have a plurality of reinforcing
ribs 53. The clamp arm 7 has a projection 55 to face the other
clamp arm 9 and the clamp arm 9 has a recess 57 to receive the
projection 55. The projection 55 abuts against the bottom of the
recess 57, to function as a stopper.
[0035] The base ends 15 and 17 of the clamp arms 7 and 9 are
rotatably joined together, and when the grips 21 and 23 are
grasped, the front ends 29 and 31 carry out a clamping action.
[0036] Cross sections of the front ends 29 and 31 of the clamp arms
7 and 9 are configured as shown in FIG. 6 that is an enlarged
sectional view seen from arrows SA of FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is an enlarged
plan view showing sections of the correctors 11 and 13 at the front
ends 29 and 31 with the divisional parts 43a and 43b removed. The
front ends 29 and 31 of the clamp arms 7 and 9 have symmetrical
shapes, and therefore, the front end 29 will mainly be explained
and the explanation related to the front end 29 is applied to the
other front end 31.
[0037] The front end 29 has, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, flat
vertical walls 59 and 61 and a flat bottom wall 63 that contain a
core 83. The front end 31 has vertical and bottom walls that are
similar to the flat vertical walls 59 and 61 and flat bottom wall
63, to contain a core 85 of symmetrical shape. The front end 29 has
a corrector support hole 65 to movably support the corrector 11, so
that the corrector 11 may move toward and away from the other
corrector. In the corrector support hole 65, the corrector 11 is
movably supported.
[0038] The correctors 11 and 13 are arranged at the front ends 29
and 31 of the clamp arms 7 and 9, so that the correctors may face
each other to heat, hold, and correct hair when the clamp arms 7
and 9 are manipulated to clamp the hair.
[0039] The corrector 11 has a thermal plate 67, the ceramic heater
69, a magnet plate 71, and a first spring 73 and is pushed by a
second spring 75.
[0040] The thermal plate 67 is made of a light-weight and highly
heat conductive material such as aluminum and has a rectangular
shape when seen from the opposite side. The back of the thermal
plate 67 is integral with a casing 77 that is movably supported in
the corrector support hole 65 so that it can move toward and away
from the other corrector 13. This back-and-forth moving support is
also adopted by the corrector 13.
[0041] Top and bottom walls of the casing 77 have stoppers 79 and
81 to limit the protruding movement of the thermal plate 67 within
a predetermined range. The ceramic heater 69, magnet plate 71, and
first spring 73 are contained in the casing 77. Namely, the
correctors 11 and 13 each have the casing 77 behind the thermal
plate 67 and the casing 77 accommodates the magnet plate 71 serving
as a magnet and the first spring 73 serving as a magnet pushing
means to push the magnet plate 71 toward the thermal plate 67
relative to the casing 77. Behind the thermal plate 67, the magnet
plate 71 serving as a magnet is arranged along a correcting
surface. In the casing 77, there is arranged between the back of
the thermal plate 67 and the magnet plate 71 the ceramic heater 69
serving as a heat generator for carrying, out heat conduction to
the thermal plate 67 from the back thereof.
[0042] The ceramic heater 69 has a rectangular shape, generates
heat up to about 180.degree. C. at the maximum, conducts the heat
to the thermal plate 67, and is electrically connected to the power
source cord 3.
[0043] The magnet plate 71 is made of, for example, a neodymium
magnet of 15000 gausses and has a rectangular plate shape. The
magnet plates 71 of the correctors 11 and 13 are arranged so that
S-poles of the magnet plates 71 may face each other. The magnet
plates 71 may be arranged so that their N-poles face each other.
The magnet plates 71 may be permanent magnets, electromagnets, or a
combination of permanent magnet and electromagnet. It is preferred
that the magnet plate 71 is of 10000 gausses or over.
[0044] Magnetic action of the magnet plate 71 provides an ion
effect and a low-frequency water activating effect. The ion effect
magnetically generates negative ions. The low-frequency water
activating effect is achieved by low-frequency oscillations of
electromagnetic waves and electromagnetic fields around the magnet
plate 71 and periodically vibrates water in hair to energize the
water. The magnetic action also atomizes ambient water clusters so
that the atomized water may easily permeate into hair.
[0045] The first spring 73 is a plate spring that pushes the magnet
plate 71 in the casing 77 toward the back of the thermal plate 67,
so that the ceramic heater 69 is tightly attached to the back of
the thermal plate 67. At the same time, it stably supports the
magnet plate 71. The spring constant of the first spring 73 is set
so that, when the opposing magnet plates 71 are arranged with their
S-poles facing each other, the first spring 73 may not bend due to
the repulsive force of the magnet plates 71.
[0046] The second spring 75 is supported at a rear end of the
casing 77. The second spring 75 serves as a corrector pushing means
to push the correctors 11 and 13 and elastically adjust a holding
state of the correctors 11 and 13. The second spring 75 is a plate
spring having inclined ends 75a and 75b whose edges engage with
projections of the divisional part 43a in a left-right direction
(longitudinal direction) of FIG. 7.
[0047] The details of the correctors 11 and 13 and first and second
springs 73 and 75 are shown in FIGS. 8 to 12. FIG. 8(a) is a front
view showing the corrector, FIG. 8(b) a back view of the same, FIG.
8(c) a plan view of the same, FIG. 8(d) a sectional view of the
same, FIG. 9(a) a sectional view showing essential part of a second
correcting surface, FIG. 9(b) a sectional view showing essential
part of a first correcting surface, FIG. 10(a) a sectional view
showing a hair treating state according to the embodiment, FIG.
10(b) a sectional view showing a hair treating state according to a
comparative example, FIG. 11(a) a plan view of the first spring,
FIG. 11(b) a back view of the same, FIG. 12(a) a plan view of the
second spring, FIG. 12(b) a front view of the same, and FIG. 12(c)
a side view of the same.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 8(a) to 8(d), the thermal plates 67 of the
correctors 11 and 13 have the flat correcting surfaces 87 that face
each other.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 9(a), the correcting surface 87A of the
corrector 11 includes a base material 88A of aluminum (Al) whose
surface is mirror-finished and a platinum (Pt) layer 90. The
platinum layer 90 is plated to a thickness of about 0.01 .mu.m.
Between the surface of the base material 88 and the platinum layer
90, a titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2) layer 92 is formed. Between the
surface of the base material 88 and the titanium dioxide layer 92
and between the titanium dioxide layer 92 and the platinum layer
90, nickel (Ni) layers 94 and 96 are formed.
[0050] The correcting surface 87B of one of the correctors 11 and
13 is roughened with irregularities to increase contact points or
contact areas with hair and the correcting surface 87A of the other
thereof is formed to be smoother than the correcting surface
87B.
[0051] Namely, only the correcting surface 87A of the corrector 11
is formed into a mirror state, and as shown in FIG. 9(b), the
correcting surface 87B is roughened with irregularities to increase
contact points or contact areas with hair.
[0052] In connection with the correcting surface 87B of the
corrector 13, the surface of the aluminum (Al) base material 88B is
not mirror-finished but it is left as it is, or the surface
roughness thereof is adjusted, and the platinum (Pt) layer 90 is
arranged. Irregularities at the surface of the platinum layer 90 of
the correcting surface 87B are in the range of 5 to 15 .mu.m.
[0053] To adjust the surface roughness, irregular lines may be
formed in a width direction of the correcting surface 87B, i.e., in
a direction to slide the correcting surface relative to hair to
treat. For example, irregular lines are formed in a vertical
direction of FIG. 8(a). Irregular lines may obliquely be formed in
a width direction of the correcting surface 87B, or they may
obliquely be curved. Irregularities may be formed into a reticulate
state when seen from the front of the correcting surface 87B.
[0054] The platinum layer 90 of the correcting surface 87B is
plated to a thickness of about 0.01 .mu.m like that of the
correcting surface 87A. Between the surface of the base material 88
and the platinum layer 90, a titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2) layer 92
is formed. Between the surface of the base material 88 and the
titanium dioxide layer 92 and between the titanium dioxide layer 92
and the platinum layer 90, nickel (Ni) layers 94 and 96 are
formed.
[0055] The platinum layer 90 has a water-retaining function and a
catalytic function. The water-retaining function collects water
from air and provides hair with the water. The catalytic function
atomizes harmful substances and organic compounds.
[0056] The titanium dioxide layer 92 has a photocatalytic function.
This photocatalytic function converts the harmful substances
atomized by the platinum layer 90 into harmless water and carbon
dioxide. In addition, the titanium dioxide layer provides an ion
effect to generate negative ions to neutralize the harmful
substances.
[0057] The nickel layer 94 prevents oxidization of the aluminum
base material 88 when the platinum layer 90 is plated. The nickel
layer 96 helps settle the platinum layer 90 onto the titanium layer
92.
[0058] According to this embodiment, the platinum layer 90 is
formed by electrolytic plating to a thickness of 0.01 .mu.m. The
platinum layer 90 may be formed by non-electrolytic plating. The
titanium dioxide layer 92 is formed by vapor deposition to a
thickness of 5 to 15 .mu.m. The titanium dioxide layer 92 is formed
when deposited titanium (Ti) changes into titanium dioxide
(TiO.sub.2) as time passes. Namely, a product to be marketed
includes the titanium dioxide layer 92 altered from a deposited
titanium layer. The nickel layers 94 and 96 are each formed by
coating to a thickness of 0.5 .mu.m.
[0059] The platinum layer 90, titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2) layer
92, and nickel (Ni) layers 94 and 96 may have optional thicknesses
if their respective functions are secured.
[0060] The functions of the platinum layer 90 and titanium dioxide
(TiO.sub.2) layer 92 and the magnetic action of the magnet plate 71
effectively cause oxidization and reduction to permanently process
hair without losing moisture of the hair.
[0061] Treating hair as shown in FIG. 10(a) with the corrector 11
having the correcting surface 87A and the corrector 13 having the
correcting surface 87B can regulate the surfaces of hair H and
gloss the hair due to the operation of the mirror surface of the
correcting surface 87A. In addition, the hair enters into the
recesses of the correcting surface 87B of the corrector 13, to
increase contact points or contact areas of the hair. The increased
contact points or contact areas disperse force "f" of the corrector
13 acting on the hair. In addition, the increased contact points or
contact areas disperse heat transmitted from the correcting surface
87B to the hair.
[0062] On the other hand, the comparative example of FIG. 10(b)
includes correctors 11 and 13 each having a correcting surface 87A
whose aluminum (Al) base material is mirror-finished on which a
platinum (Pt) layer 90 of about 0.01 .mu.m is plated.
[0063] When such correctors 11 and 13 are used to treat hair, heat
and force "F" concentrate on cross-sectional two points of each
hair H that are in contact with the correctors 11 and 13, to easily
collapse the cross section of the hair. In particular, each hair
gradually narrows at the tip thereof, and therefore, the heat and
force F easily concentrate on the hair tip, to finish the hair tip
in a dried state and worsen a curly state. In this way, the mirror
correcting surfaces 87A of the correctors 11 and 13 may damage the
hair.
[0064] On the other hand, according to the embodiment of the
present invention, the correcting surface 87B disperses heat and
force acting on each hair, to suppress a dry finished state and
curls. In addition, the correcting surface 87A of mirror state can
gloss the hair.
[0065] The casing 77 is hollow and is formed along a flat back 89
of the thermal plate 67. Each end of the casing 77 is open at each
end of the corrector 11 (13). From one end of the casing 77, it is
possible to insert the first spring 73, ceramic heater 69, and
magnet plate 71 into the casing 77. The casing 77 has a rear wall
91 having an opening 93. Upper and lower edges of the rear wall 91
have recesses 95 to support and slide the second spring 75.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 11, the first spring 73 is made of a plate
spring. The center of the first spring 73 has a curved portion 97.
One end of the first spring 73 has a folded portion 99 and the
other end thereof has a bent portion 101. The folded portion 99 and
bent portion 101 support the magnet plate 71.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 12, the second spring 75 is made of a plate
spring. The ends 75a and 75b of the second spring 75 are formed on
each side of a flat middle portion 103. Each widthwise edge of the
middle portion 103 forms a hook portion 105. Each edge of the ends
75a and 75b has an engaging part 107 to engage with a projection of
the divisional part 43a as mentioned above.
[0068] For assembling, the magnet plate 71 is supported with the
folded portion 99 and bent portion 101 of the first spring 73 in
advance as shown in FIG. 10. The ceramic heater 69 is arranged on
the magnet plate 71. The first spring 73, magnet plate 71, and
ceramic heater 69 are assembled into an assembly, which is inserted
into the casing 77. At this time, the assembly can easily be
inserted through an end opening of the casing 77.
[0069] Once the assembly is received in the casing 77, the curved
portion 97 of the first spring 73 bends to produce a repulsive
force that tightly pushes the ceramic heater 69 against the back 89
of the thermal plate 67. This results in fixing the assembly of the
first spring 73, magnet plate 71, and ceramic heater 69 within the
casing 77, thereby making the assembling work easier.
[0070] Next, the hook portions 105 of the second spring 75 are
engaged with the recesses 95 of the rear wall 91 of the corrector
11 (13), to attach the middle portion 103 of the second spring 75
to the rear wall 91 of the corrector 11 (13). At this time, the
second spring 75 is slid from an end of the rear wall 91.
Alternatively, the middle portion 103 of the second spring 75 is
placed on the rear wall 91 and is pressed to the rear wall 91. When
the second spring 75 is attached to the rear wall 91, the middle
portion 103 is attracted by the magnet plate 71 and the second
spring 75 is thereby positioned with respect to the rear wall 91.
In this way, the second spring 75 can freely be moved relative to
the rear wall 91 and can be positioned at a moved location with the
magnetic force mentioned above. In this way, the positioning of the
second spring 75 can very easily be carried out.
[0071] Thereafter, the corrector 11 (13) with the assembly of the
second spring 75 is placed in the corrector support hole 65 of the
divisional part 45a (45b), the other divisional part 43a (43b) is
attached thereto, and predetermined locations are fastened to
complete the fabrication.
[0072] Operation of the hair iron 1 to straighten curly hair or
artificial permanent waves of hair will be explained.
[0073] When using the hair iron 1, a first water solution mainly
containing a mercapto compound (reduction agent) such as thioglycol
acid and cysteine is prepared. To the first water solution, a basic
material such as ammonia, monoethanolamine, and triethanolamine is
added to adjust pH to 6 to 10. This liquid is applied to hair. The
liquid reduces disulfide bonds of cystine contained in keratin
protein of the hair and cuts the same as mercapto groups.
Thereafter, the hair is washed with water and is successively dried
with a drier. The hair iron 1 is adjusted to a temperature of 160
to 180.degree. C. and is applied to the hair to straighten the
hair.
[0074] More precisely, the grips 21 and 23 of the clamp arms 7 and
9 are grasped and the thumb and forefinger are put on the pressing
points 25 and 27, to hold hair between the thermal plates 67 of the
correctors 11 and 13. While keeping this state, the clamp arms 7
and 9 are slid toward the tips of the hair. At this time, the hair
is heated and straightened between the thermal plates 67 heated
with the ceramic heaters 69.
[0075] At this time, the correcting surface 87B disperses heat and
force acting on the hair, to suppress dryness and curl of finished
hair and the mirror-state correcting surface 87A glosses the hair.
The correcting surface 87A must be put on the surface side of the
hair, to gloss the surface of the hair. To make the correcting
surfaces 87A and 87B visually distinguishable from each other, the
surfaces of the clamp arms 7 and 9 may have indications.
[0076] The platinum layers 90 of the correctors 11 and 13 collect
ambient moisture and make the hair absorb the moisture, to thereby
prevent the hair treated between the thermal plates 67 from drying.
At this time, the magnet plates 71 achieve magnetic action to
pulverize ambient water clusters so that the hair may easily absorb
the water. Namely, the magnet plates pulverize the ambient water
clusters collected by the platinum layers 90 so that the hair may
easily absorb water and increase water content.
[0077] Each platinum layer 90 achieves a catalytic function to
atomize harmful substances and organic compounds and each titanium
dioxide layer 92 carries out a photocatalytic function to convert
the substances atomized by the platinum layer 90 into harmless
water and carbon dioxide. The photocatalytic function of the
titanium dioxide layers 92 also generates negative ions to
neutralize the harmful substances.
[0078] At the same time, each magnet plate 71 performs a magnetic
action to generate negative ions. In addition, the magnet plates 71
create low-frequency oscillations of electromagnetic waves and
electromagnetic fields around the same to periodically vibrate
water in the hair, energize the water, and activate the water.
[0079] In this way, each platinum layer 90 achieves the water
sustaining effect on the hair, so that the thermal plates 67 may
surely correct curls of the hair and secure a gloss of the
hair.
[0080] The platinum layers 90 and titanium dioxide layers 92
provide a synergistic effect (catalytic effect) to treat hair and
promote health of the hair.
[0081] The synergistic effect of the platinum layers 90 and
titanium dioxide layers 92 decomposes harmful substances into
harmless substances to improve a hair treating environment.
[0082] The platinum layers 90, titanium dioxide layers 92, and
magnet plates 71 provide synergistic effects of minimizing damages
on hair due to heat and pressure produced by the hair iron 1 and
atomizing, decomposing, and removing harmful substances and organic
compounds, to maintain best hair treating conditions.
[0083] When the hair iron 1 is used on hair after carrying out a
one-liquid treatment of the permanent liquid in a permanent
process, the particle decomposing function of the platinum layers
90 atomizes harmful substances and organic compounds. At the same
time, the titanium dioxide layers 92 achieve the
oxidation-reduction catalytic action and ion effect. These
functions and effects deodorize the permanent liquid and decompose
harmful substances.
[0084] Generally, an odor of ammonia remains on hair after a
two-liquid treatment in the permanent process. The platinum layers
90 and titanium dioxide layers 92 can remove the smell of ammonia
remaining after the permanent process, to maintain a proper hair
treating environment.
[0085] The hair is moved at a given speed between the magnet plates
71 whose S- or N-poles are facing each other. The magnet plates 71
generate reduction energy due to the Fleming's right-hand rule.
This energy is generated by the S-pole of each magnet plate 71
where electrons turn rightward, to promote a reduction action of
the one-liquid. The energy also works to close cuticles on the
surface of each hair. Closing the cuticles prevents ultraviolet
rays from entering and damaging the hair.
[0086] The reduction energy makes water clusters in the first
liquid smaller. The small water clusters help the first liquid
permeating into hair. The reduction energy also promotes reduction
of the first liquid, to shorten a treatment time to thereby prevent
the hair from being damaged.
[0087] Thereafter, the two-liquid, i.e., a water solution of
oxidant such as sodium bromate and hydrogen peroxide is applied to
the hair, to oxidize mercapto groups and produce new disulfide
bonds on the hair. This results in settling the straightened state
of the hair.
[0088] In the case of the magnet plates 71 arranged so that their
S-poles face each other, the magnet plates 71 repel each other when
the correctors 11 and 13 are brought closer to each other by
grasping the clamp arms 7 and 9. The second springs 75 bend in
proportion to the repelling action so that the magnet plates 71
become parallel to each other. This results in aligning the
correctors 11 and 13 and automatically making the correcting
surfaces 87 parallel to each other. When the clamp arms 7 and 9 are
further grasped, the correcting surfaces 87 of the correctors 11
and 13 that are already in parallel with each other come in contact
with each other.
[0089] If the magnet plates 71 are arranged so that their S- and
N-poles face each other, the magnet plates 71 quickly attract each
other. At this time, the second springs 75 bend to make the magnet
plates 71 parallel to each other. Namely, when the correcting
surfaces 87 of the correctors 11 and 13 are brought in contact with
each other, the correcting surfaces 87 are already in parallel with
each other.
[0090] In this way, when the correctors 11 and 13 are brought
closer to each other by grasping the clamp arms 7 and 9, the magnet
plates 71 and second springs 75 cooperate to automatically make the
correctors 11 and 13 parallel to each other.
[0091] When the correctors 11 and 13 hold hair between them, the
correctors 11 and 13 are parallel to each other from the beginning,
to prevent the uneven ironing of the hair due to uneven
contact.
[0092] When the magnet plates 71 are arranged with their S- and
N-poles facing each other, the correctors 11 and 13 will quickly
attract each other when the clamp arms 7 and 9 are grasped. At this
time, the second springs 75 absorb a shock, to properly treat
hair.
[0093] Each magnet plate 71 is pressed toward the thermal plate 67
by the first spring 73, so that the magnet plate 71 is stably
supported on the corrector 11 (13). The magnet plates 71 and first
springs 73 cooperate to surely align the correctors 11 and 13
relative to each other.
[0094] Between the back 89 of the thermal plate 67 and the magnet
plate 71 in the casing 77, the ceramic heater 69 is arranged to
conduct heat through the back 89 to the thermal plate 67. The
ceramic heater 69 is tightly attached to the back 89 of the thermal
plate 67 by the pressing force of the first spring 71, so that the
ceramic heater 69 can efficiently conduct heat to the thermal plate
67.
[0095] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned
embodiment.
[0096] For example, the body 5 may have an optional shape. The
temperature controller and temperature display can be arranged at
optional locations on the body 5.
[0097] The magnet plate 71 may be arranged on only one of the
correctors 11 and 13 and the other of the correctors 11 and 13 may
be made of a magnetic material to be attracted by the magnet plate
71. It is possible to omit the first spring 73. One of the
correcting surfaces 87A and 87B may be convex and the other
concave.
[0098] Only one of the correcting surfaces 87 of the correctors 11
and 13 may have the platinum layer 90, titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2)
layer 92, and nickel (Ni) layers 94 and 96.
[0099] It is possible to omit the titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2)
layer 92 and/or the nickel (Ni) layers 94 and 96.
* * * * *