U.S. patent application number 12/570162 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-30 for hair iron.
This patent application is currently assigned to CREATE CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Kazutoshi Kaizuka.
Application Number | 20100242985 12/570162 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42352508 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100242985 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kaizuka; Kazutoshi |
September 30, 2010 |
HAIR IRON
Abstract
A hair iron is capable of effectively manipulating the hair as
well as minimizing damage caused to the hair through the provision
of elastic members mounted on hair-sandwiching members, and which
is also capable of improving the qualitative nature of hair or
providing hair care as exemplified by moistening (providing a slick
texture) the hair, improving smoothness when finger-combing hair,
improving the ease in bundling hair to an appropriate degree, or
making hair glossier through the utilization of the effects of
negative ions and electromagnetic waves (micro-energy) derived from
multi-element powder.
Inventors: |
Kaizuka; Kazutoshi; (Fukuoka
City, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WARNER NORCROSS & JUDD LLP
900 FIFTH THIRD CENTER, 111 LYON STREET, N.W.
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49503-2487
US
|
Assignee: |
CREATE CO., LTD.
Fukuoka City
JP
|
Family ID: |
42352508 |
Appl. No.: |
12/570162 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/224 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2/001 20130101;
A45D 1/06 20130101; A45D 1/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/224 |
International
Class: |
A45D 1/00 20060101
A45D001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 31, 2009 |
JP |
2009-085373 |
Claims
1. A hair iron, wherein a pair of hair-sandwiching members (10) and
(20) equipped with heating means (11) and (12) are formed on the
tip of a pair of arms (1) and (2) mounted so as to be able to swing
in a freely open-able manner so that the hair-sandwiching members
are able to move in mutually approaching/separating directions as
the arms (1) and (2) open/close, a pair of elastic members (15) and
(25) are extended in the direction in which the arms (1) and (2)
are extended and are mounted on the hair-sandwiching members (10)
and (20) in a manner so that their surfaces [the surfaces of the
elastic member (15) and (25)] protrude from hair-sandwiching
surfaces (16) and (26); and the elastic members (15) and (25)
contain multi-element mineral powder obtained by grinding
multi-element minerals.
2. Hair iron of claim 1, wherein the multi-element mineral powder
contains far infrared radiation powder obtained by grinding a far
infrared radiation material.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a hair iron which is
utilized to straighten or curl hair as a professional tool utilized
at a barber's shop or beauty salon or as a commercial product for
home use.
[0002] A hair iron is a tool comprising a pair of hair-sandwiching
members which are formed on the tip of a pair of arms mounted so as
to be able to swing in a freely open-able manner so that the
hair-sandwiching members can move in mutually
approaching/separating directions as the arms open/close,
consequently it is capable of straightening or curling hair. In
such case, as the hair-sandwiching members have been formed with a
rigid material such as a metal material or ceramic material, gaps
have been created [between the hair-sandwiching members and the
hair] when the hair-sandwiching members sandwich the hair, and thus
it has not been possible to manipulate the hair effectively, or
else the direct heat from the hair-sandwiching members has damaged
the hair, which has been problematic.
[0003] In consideration of the problems stated above, such hair
iron as stated below has traditionally been proposed: a hair iron
comprising a pair of elastic members (cushioning members) which are
extended in the direction of the extended arms and which are
mounted on the hair-sandwiching members in a manner so that the
surfaces of the elastic members protrude from the surfaces of the
hair-sandwiching members (see Patent Literature 1). The traditional
hair iron stated above is capable of sandwiching hair due to the
elasticity of the elastic members; consequently, it is capable of
manipulating hair effectively as well as minimizing the damage to
hair resulting from the direct heat from the hair-sandwiching
members, which are advantageous points.
PRIOR ART LITERATURE
Patent Literature
[0004] [Patent Literature 1] Official Gazette of Patent
#4152974
[0005] However, even with the elastic members mounted on the
hair-sandwiching members as seen in the traditional model, it has
not been possible to improve the qualitative nature of the hair or
to provide hair care as exemplified by moistening (providing a
slick texture) the hair, improving smoothness when finger-combing
hair, improving the ease in bundling hair to an appropriate degree,
or making hair glossier, which have been problematic.
[0006] The present invention was developed in order to solve the
problems observed with the traditional model as stated above. The
purpose of the present invention is, thus, to provide a hair iron
that is capable of effectively manipulating hair as well as of
minimizing the damage caused to hair through the provision of
elastic members mounted on hair-sandwiching members, and which is
also capable of improving the qualitative nature of hair or of
providing hair care as exemplified by moistening (providing a slick
texture) the hair, improving smoothness when finger-combing hair,
improving the ease in bundling hair to an appropriate degree, or
making hair glossier, through the utilization of the effects of
negative ions and electromagnetic waves (micro-energy) derived from
multi-element mineral powder.
MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS
[0007] In order to solve the problems stated above, the hair iron
of the present invention (Claim 1) is constituted as stated
below:
A hair iron, wherein a pair of hair-sandwiching members (10) and
(20) equipped with heating means (11) and (12) are formed on the
tip of a pair of arms (1) and (2) mounted so as to be able to swing
in a freely openable manner so that the hair-sandwiching members
are able to move in mutually approaching/separating directions as
the arms (1) and (2) open/close, a pair of elastic members (15) and
(25) are extended in the direction of the extended arms (1) and (2)
and are mounted on the hair-sandwiching members (10) and (20) in a
manner so that their surfaces [the surfaces of the elastic members
(15) and (25)] protrude from hair-sandwiching surfaces (16) and
(26); and the elastic members (15) and (25) contain multi-element
minerals powder obtained by grinding multi-element minerals.
[0008] In addition to the above, the hair iron of the present
invention (Claim 2) is constituted as stated below:
Hair iron of Claim 1, wherein the multi-element mineral powder
contains far infrared radiation powder obtained by grinding a far
infrared radiation material.
[0009] The hair iron of the present invention (Claim 1) is
characterized by a constitution in which the elastic members are
mounted on the hair-sandwiching members and the elastic members
contain multi-element mineral powder obtained by grinding
multi-element minerals.
[0010] By mounting the elastic members on the hair-sandwiching
members [a grammar mistake in the source document; best translation
rendered], it becomes possible to sandwich the hair without any gap
[between the elastic members and the hair], this it becomes
possible to effectively manipulate the hair as well as to minimize
the damage caused to the hair by the direct heat from the
hair-sandwiching members.
[0011] The multi-element minerals (multi-element mineral powder)
serve to generate negative ions and electromagnetic waves
(micro-energy), and the electromagnetic waves (micro-energy) with a
wavelength ranging from 4 .mu.m to 14 .mu.m irradiated from the
multi-element minerals (multi-element mineral powder) possess the
following effects: the electromagnetic waves electrically change
the portion surrounding an atomic nucleus to change the atom and
the substance into an excited state (to cause vibration),
consequently, the polymerized cluster of water is cut and
shortened, the volume of water is reduced, the specific gravity of
water is increased, the water (free water) is caused to
sufficiently become adhered to the epicyte of animals/plants, the
permeation of Ca.sup.2+ and water is enhanced within a cell, and
thus the functions of the cell are activated. With the effects
stated above, in particular, it is possible to enhance the degree
of moisture of the hair, and thus it becomes possible to provide a
lively look (moisture) and excellent care for the hair.
[0012] As stated above, by causing the elastic members to contain
the multi-element mineral powder, it becomes possible to improve
the qualitative nature of the hair or to provide hair care as
exemplified by moistening (providing a slick texture) the hair,
improving smoothness when finger-combing hair, improving the ease
in bundling hair to an appropriate degree, or making hair glossier,
through the utilization of the effects of negative ions and
electromagnetic waves (micro-energy).
[0013] Moreover, by causing the multi-element mineral powder to
contain far infrared radiation powder obtained by grinding a far
infrared radiation material (Claim 2), the far infrared radiation
powder irradiates far infrared rays, and thus, the hair and the
scalp can be warmed from the inside. Consequently, the permeation
of chemicals into the hair can be enhanced.
BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an oblique view of the hair iron of Working
Example 1 of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the above hair iron when
it is cut in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which its
arms extend.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the arms of another
working example of the hair iron above.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the arms of another
working example of the above hair iron.
DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT EMBODIMENT
[0018] Hair iron H of Working Example I shown in FIG. 1 comprises a
pair of arms 1 and 2, the bases of which are mounted by means of an
axis 3 in a freely open-able manner, and a pair of hair-sandwiching
members 10 and 20 are formed on the tip of arms 1 and 2 so as to
move in mutually approaching/separating directions as the arms 1
and 2 open/close.
[0019] The above-stated hair-sandwiching members 10 and 20 may be
formed with an aluminum material, steel material, stainless
material, ceramic material, etc.; the working example utilized a
plat-like material formed with a steel material.
Moreover, hair iron H of the working example is a hair straightener
that is utilized to straighten hair. However, it is needless to say
that the constitution of the present invention may be applied to a
hair curler to curl (wave) hair.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, heaters 11 and 21 are mounted as the
heating means on the rear sides of the hair-sandwiching members 10
and 20, and supporting members 12 and 22 are mounted on the rear
sides of hair-sandwiching members 10 and 20, so that these
supporting members 12 and 22 are elastically supported by means of
rubber members (elastic components) 14 and 24 onto facing side
crevices 13 and 23 of arms 1 and 2.
[0021] Cushioning members, which serve as elastic members 15 and
25, are respectively mounted onto the hair-sandwiching members 10
and 20.
In this case, grooves 17 and 27 are formed on hair-sandwiching
surfaces 16 and 26 of the hair-sandwiching members 10 and 20 in the
direction in which arms 1 and 2 extend, and elastic members 15 and
25 formed with silicone tubes are inserted into grooves 17 and 27
stated above to extend and cover the entire length of
hair-sandwiching members 10 and 20 so as to protrude from
hair-sandwiching surfaces 16 and 26.
[0022] Examples of materials to be utilized to form elastic members
15 and 25 include heat-resistant elastic materials, such as
silicon, rubber, polyurethane etc., which are formed into a
tube-like shape or a solid-stick-like form.
[0023] Furthermore, in Working Example 1, elastic members 15 and 25
are respectively mounted onto the pair of hair-sandwiching members
10 and 20. In such case, in order to prevent elastic members 15 and
25 from mutually facing when hair-sandwiching members 10 and 20 are
caused to mutually approach as arms 1 and 2 close, one elastic
member 15 is provided along the left edge of hair-sandwiching
member 10 and the other elastic member 25 is provided along the
right edge of hair-sandwiching member 20.
[0024] Moreover, the ways for mounting elastic members 15 and 25
may vary in many ways. As shown in FIG. 3, multiple or one elastic
members(s) 15 may be mounted on either one (in this case, 10) of
the pair of hair-sandwiching members 10 and 20.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, multiple elastic members 15 and
15 may be mounted on either one (in this case, 10) of the pair of
hair sandwiching members 10 and 20, and one elastic member 15 is
mounted on the other hair-sandwiching 20. Furthermore
alternatively, although it is not shown in the figures, elastic
member 15 which is mounted on one hair-sandwiching member 10 and
elastic member 25 which is mounted on the other hair-sandwiching
member 20 may be mounted in a manner so that they mutually face
when arms 1 and 2 close. The point is that the constitution in
which one or multiple elastic member(s) is(are) mounted onto one
hair-sandwiching member, as well as the constitution in which one
or multiple elastic member(s) is(are) mounted onto both of the
hair-sandwiching members, are both included in the present
invention.
[0025] In addition to the above, elastic members 15 and 20 stated
above are caused to contain the multi-element mineral powder
obtained by grinding multi-element minerals and the far infrared
radiation powder obtained by grinding a far infrared radiation
material.
[0026] Multi-element minerals refer to minerals such as perlite,
turpentine, or tourmaline (electric stone), which contain multiple
elements in a balanced manner with silicon being the main
component, and the multi-element minerals are known to generate
negative ions.
[0027] Moreover, in order to cause the raw material of elastic
members 15 and 25 to contain the multi-element mineral powder, the
following method may be utilized as an example: the multi-element
minerals may be ground into particle sizes ranging from 1 micron to
3 microns by means of a ball mill or a jet mill; the resulting
powder is then mixed with the raw material (for example, silicon
rubber) of elastic members 15 and 25 at a ratio ranging from 5% to
10%.
[0028] In such case, the multi-element mineral power is obtained in
a favorable manner by appropriately mixing two or more types of
multi-element minerals; however, it may be obtained from one type
of multi-element mineral.
Supernatant, which is obtained by mixing the multi-element mineral
power with water, heating the resulting mixture, and then applying
pressure to it, as well as powder, which is obtained through the
vacuum-freeze-dry method or the spray drying method, may be mixed
therein.
[0029] The compositions of a multi-mineral, perlite, are shown in
Table 1 below.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Anhydrous silicon (SiO.sub.2) 71.94%
Aluminum oxide (A1.sub.2O.sub.3) 14.94% Iron Oxide
(Fe.sub.2O.sub.3) 2.54% Magnesium oxide (MgO) 0.44% Calcium oxide
(CaO) 2.47% Alkaline oxide (K.sub.2O + Na.sub.2O) 6.87% Manganese
oxide (MnO) 0.03% Anhydrous phosphoric acid (P.sub.2O.sub.5) 0.14%
Ignition loss 3.43% Drying loss (at 100 degrees) 0.07% Other
(Titanium) Trace
Moreover, the ignition loss in Table 1 above is taken from the
ignition loss [it seems that two different terms are used to mean
the "ignition loss"] of kaolin as the cosmetics standard.
[0030] Examples of the far infrared radiation material include
alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3), titania (TiO.sub.2), ferrite
(Fe.sub.2O.sub.3), chromium oxide (Cr2O.sub.3), silica (SiO.sub.2)
yttria (Y.sub.2O.sub.3), magnesia (MgO), etc., and these may be
ground to be powder as a simplex or as a mixture [to form the far
infrared radiation powder].
[0031] The hair-ironing test results obtained from the utilization
of the hair iron of the present invention are shown below.
[0032] <Facilities at which the Test was Conducted>
Test Technology Center of KOEI KAGUKU SANGYO ["Koei Chemical
Industries, Co., Ltd."] (Torishima Building #5, 2-15, Suguwara-cho,
Osaka City).
<Details of the Test>
[0033] i). The moisture content of the hair was measured in order
to check its smoothness when finger-combing the hair, ease in
bundling the hair to an appropriate degree (sense of touch), and
moisture.
<Types of Hair Tested>
[0034] A: Ordinary hair to which no manipulation is conducted B:
Hair that has been manipulated by means of a hair iron equipped
with elastic members which do not contain the multi-element mineral
powder or the far infrared radiation powder (hair which is not
ionized) C: Hair that has been manipulated by means of a hair iron
equipped with elastic members which contain the multi-element
mineral powder or the far infrared radiation powder (hair which is
ionized: the product of the present invention) <Hair Utilized in
the Test> Hair of a 27-year-old Japanese female
<Method of Treating the Hair>
[0035] i). The hair was soaked and washed with hot water at a
temperature of 40.degree. C. for one hour, and subsequently it was
left to dry without using an electric dryer (the hot water was
replaced every 15 minutes). ii). After the hair became dry, the
hair iron was utilized under the following conditions.
<Conditions Under which the Hair Iron was Utilized>
1). Temperature 180.degree. C.
[0036] 2). Sliding rate: 4 seconds per 20 cm of hair, with the hair
iron sliding in the direction from the roots to the tips of the
hair 3). Pressure applied to the hair when the hair iron was
utilized: 70.0.+-.2HPA
<Calculation of Moisture Content>
[0037] i). [The hair] was left under an environment of 20.degree.
C..+-.1.degree. C. and 30.+-.2% RH for 24 hours. ii). Then [the
hair] was transferred to an environment of 20.degree.
C..+-.1.degree. C. and 65.+-.2% RH, and left there for 24 hours.
iii). Subsequently, the weight of the hair that had been oven-dried
at 105.degree. C. was measured to calculated the moisture
content.
[0038] The moisture content measurements obtained in the manner as
stated above are shown in Table 2 below.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Moisture content (%) Moisture content (%) A.
Blank 15.8 B. Hair tested #1 (Hair not ionized) 15.9 C. Hair tested
#2 (Hair ionized) 16.1
[0039] As shown in the test results in Table 2 above, the moisture
content of the hair tested C was higher than the moisture contents
of the hair tested A and B by 0.2% to 0.3%. The moisture content
being higher by 0.2% to 0.3% makes it possible to say that the hair
exhibits look of being wet, and that its moisture content has
significantly improved.
[0040] The hair iron H of the present invention heats
hair-sandwiching members 10 and 20 by means of heaters 11 and 21,
and heated hair-sandwiching members 10 and 20 sandwich the hair to
either straighten it or curl it, while the user slides them.
At this time, the effects resulting from the negative ions and the
electromagnetic waves (micro-energy) generated from the
multi-element minerals as well as the effects resulting from the
far infrared rays irradiated from the far infrared radiation powder
improve the qualitative nature of the hair or provide hair care as
exemplified by moistening (providing a slick texture) the hair,
improving smoothness when finger-combing hair, improving the ease
in bundling hair to an appropriate degree, or making hair
glossier.
EXPLANATION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0041] 1: Arm [0042] 10: Hair-sandwiching member [0043] 11: Heater
[0044] 12: Supporting member [0045] 13: Facing side crevice [0046]
14: Rubber member [0047] 15: Elastic member [0048] 16:
Hair-sandwiching surface [0049] 17: Groove [0050] 2: Arm [0051] 20:
Hair-sandwiching member [0052] 21: Heater [0053] 22: Supporting
member [0054] 23: Facing side crevice [0055] 24: Rubber member
[0056] 25: Elastic member [0057] 26: Hair-sandwiching surface
[0058] 27: Groove [0059] 3: Axis [0060] H: Hair iron
* * * * *