U.S. patent application number 12/684191 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-06 for hair iron.
This patent application is currently assigned to Create Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Kazutoshi Kaizuka.
Application Number | 20110000501 12/684191 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43411962 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110000501 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kaizuka; Kazutoshi |
January 6, 2011 |
HAIR IRON
Abstract
A hair iron H in which a hair pinching region is formed between
a heating surface 10 of a wrapping cylinder 1 and a presser inner
surface 40 of a presser plate 4, wherein an elastic member 6 is
mounted on the heating surface of the wrapping cylinder on the
outer part of the hair pinching region, and at a position near the
side edge of the aforementioned presser plate, the elastic member
is mounted so as to extend in the long direction of the wrapping
cylinder along the side edge of the presser plate in the state
where its upper surface is equal with or slightly protruding from
the heating surface. Also, the aforementioned elastic member 6
contains a multi-element mineral powder formed by crushing a
multi-element mineral.
Inventors: |
Kaizuka; Kazutoshi; (Fukuoka
City, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WARNER NORCROSS & JUDD LLP;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP
900 FIFTH THIRD CENTER, 111 LYON STREET, N.W.
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49503-2487
US
|
Assignee: |
Create Co., Ltd.
Fukuoka City
JP
|
Family ID: |
43411962 |
Appl. No.: |
12/684191 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/232 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 1/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/232 |
International
Class: |
A45D 1/04 20060101
A45D001/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 6, 2009 |
JP |
2009-4652 |
Claims
1. A hair iron (H) comprising a wrapping cylinder (1), which is
connected to a tip of a grip part (2) and whose outer surface is
formed on a heating surface (10), and a presser plate (4), which is
pivotally supported (42) such that it can open and close in a state
where it extends in the direction from the base end side to the tip
of said wrapping cylinder, and on the inside surface of which is
formed a presser inner surface (40) which contacts the heating
surface of the wrapping cylinder, and said presser inner surface is
forced into a state where it constantly contacts the heating
surface of the wrapping cylinder; in which a hair pinching region
(S) is formed between the heating surface of said wrapping cylinder
and the presser inner surface of the presser plate; characterized
in that an elastic member (6) is mounted on the heating surface of
the wrapping cylinder on the outer part of said hair pinching
region, and at a position near the side edge (44) of said presser
plate, said elastic member is mounted so as to extend in the long
direction of the wrapping cylinder along the side edge of the
presser plate in the state where its upper surface is equal with or
slightly protruding from the heating surface.
2. The hair iron according to claim 1, wherein said elastic member
(6) contains a multi-element mineral powder formed by crushing a
multi-element mineral.
3. The hair iron according to claim 2, wherein a far-infrared
radiating powder formed by crushing a far-infrared radiating
material is mixed in said multi-element mineral powder.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present idea relates to a hair iron provided as an
industrial product for barber shops and beauty salons and as a
commercial product for home use, which is used particularly when
imparting curls or waves to hair.
[0002] Hair irons impart curls or waves to hair by the user turning
a grip part and wrapping hair around a heating surface in the state
where hair is pinched between a heating surface of a wrapping
cylinder and a presser inner surface of a presser plate. See
Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-260059.
[0003] In the past, a hair iron which has a pair of pressure
members which open and close in opposing directions, wherein an
elastic member is mounted on one of the pressure members in a state
where its top surface protrudes from the top surface of the hair
pinching surface, was proposed. See Japanese Patent No.
4152974.
[0004] When an elastic member is mounted on the top surface of the
hair pinching surface (inside the hair pinching region) in this
way, it is an effective technique because hair can be pinched
without gaps due to the elasticity of the elastic member, and there
is the advantage that damage to hair can be limited by direct
heating by the pressure members.
[0005] In a hair iron having a wrapping cylinder and a presser
plate, which imparts curls or waves to hair by the user turning a
grip part and wrapping hair around a heating surface in the state
where hair is pinched between a heating surface of a wrapping
cylinder and a presser inner surface of a presser plate, it is
important that the hair is securely wrapped around the heating
surface.
[0006] In this regard, hair irons in which an elastic member is
mounted inside the hair pinching region as in the past are
advantageous with regard to hair pinching, but they do not control
slipping of the hair when it is wrapped around the heating
surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Thus, in the present idea, the problem is to provide a hair
iron wherein hair can be securely wrapped around the heating
surface while controlling slip when hair is wrapped around the
heating surface.
[0008] In addition, another problem is to provide a hair iron which
enables hair care and also improves the feel of hair to have
richness (smooth feel), a good feel when run through the fingers,
and appropriate consistency and luster, by utilizing the action of
negative ions and electromagnetic waves (of very low energy) of
multi-element mineral powder.
[0009] To solve the aforementioned problems, the hair iron of the
present idea (claim 1) is a hair iron (H) including a wrapping
cylinder (1), which is connected to a tip of a grip part (2) and
whose outer surface is formed on a heating surface (10), and a
presser plate (4), which is pivotally supported (42) such that it
can open and close in a state where it extends in the direction
from the base end side to the tip of said wrapping cylinder, and on
the inside surface of which is formed a presser inner surface (40)
which contacts the heating surface of the wrapping cylinder, and
said presser inner surface is forced into a state where it
constantly contacts the heating surface of the wrapping cylinder;
in which a hair pinching region (S) is formed between the heating
surface of said wrapping cylinder and the presser inner surface of
the presser plate; characterized in that an elastic member (6) is
mounted on the heating surface of the wrapping cylinder on the
outer part of said hair pinching region, and at a position near the
side edge (44) of said presser plate, said elastic member is
mounted so as to extend in the long direction of the wrapping
cylinder along the side edge of the presser plate in the state
where its upper surface is equal with or slightly protruding from
the heating surface.
[0010] In the current embodiment, the aforementioned elastic member
(6) contains a multi-element mineral powder formed by crushing a
multi-element mineral. The multi-element mineral (multi-element
mineral powder) is something which generates negative ions and
electromagnetic waves (of very low energy). These negative ions act
on the hair cuticles (glass-like fibers), and keep them in a glossy
state.
[0011] Also in the preferred embodiment, a far-infrared radiating
powder formed by crushing a far-infrared radiating material is
mixed in the aforementioned multi-element mineral powder.
Electromagnetic waves (of very low energy) of wavelength 4-14 .mu.m
radiated from the multi-element mineral (multi-element mineral
powder) electrically modify the surroundings of atomic nuclei and
put atoms and their substances in an excited state (vibration). As
a result, they have the effects of causing polymerization of water
clusters to be cut off or shortened, reducing the volume of water,
increasing specific gravity, and causing sufficient adhesion of
water (free water) to the extracellular membranes of plants and
animals, and they promote permeation of water together with
Ca.sup.2+ into cells, and stimulate various cell functions. As a
result, they enable hair care while increasing moisture retention
of the hair and providing vibrancy (richness).
[0012] In the hair iron of the present idea, a hair pinching region
is formed between the heating surface of a wrapping cylinder and
the presser inner surface of a presser plate, and an elastic member
is mounted on the heating surface of the wrapping cylinder on the
outer part of this hair pinching region.
[0013] This hair iron imparts curls or waves to hair by the user
turning the grip part and wrapping hair around the heating surface
in the state where hair is pinched between the heating surface of
the wrapping cylinder and the presser inner surface of the presser
plate.
[0014] Although prior art hair irons have an elastic member, they
differ from the configuration of the present idea in that the
elastic member is mounted on the hair pinching surface--that is,
inside the hair pinching region.
[0015] At this time, because an elastic member is mounted on the
heating surface of the wrapping cylinder on the outside of the hair
pinching region, slipping of the hair when hair is wrapped around
the heating surface can be controlled by this elastic member. As a
result, hair can be securely wrapped around the heating surface,
and curls or waves can be imparted as intended by the user.
[0016] By having the elastic member contain a multi-element mineral
powder in this way, it enables hair care and also improves the feel
of hair to have richness (smooth feel), a good feel when run
through the fingers, and appropriate consistency and luster, by the
action of negative ions and electromagnetic waves (of very low
energy).
[0017] Also, when a far-infrared radiating powder formed by
crushing a far-infrared radiating material is mixed in the
aforementioned multi-element mineral powder, far-infrared rays are
radiated from this far-infrared radiating powder, which can heat
hair from the inside, thereby accelerating infiltration of
chemicals into the hair.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a hair iron pertaining to
an embodiment of the present idea.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram along N-N of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The hair iron H of this embodiment has a wrapping cylinder 1
by means of a round cylinder body, the outer surface of which is
formed on a heating surface 10. The base end of the wrapping
cylinder 1 is connected to the tip of a rod-shaped grip part 2 such
that it extends in the long direction of the grip part 2.
[0021] Furthermore, an end cap 11 is fit into the tip of the
wrapping cylinder 1.
[0022] A heating member 12 is fit inside the aforementioned
wrapping cylinder 1, and this heating member 12 is connected to a
power cord 33 by electrical wires not shown in the diagram, via
electrical parts such as a power switch 30, temperature switch 31
and pilot lamp 32 mounted on the top surface of the grip part
2.
[0023] On the base end portion of the aforementioned wrapping
cylinder 1, a presser plate 4 is pivotally supported (pivot part
42) such that it can open and close.
[0024] On the inner surface of this presser plate 4, a presser
inner surface 40 is formed, which contacts the heating surface 10
of the aforementioned wrapping cylinder 1. The aforementioned
presser inner surface 40 is forced by a spring 5 into a closed
state (indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1) where it constantly
contacts the heating surface 10 of the aforementioned wrapping
cylinder 1.
[0025] In this case, the shape of the cross-section perpendicular
to the long direction of the presser inner surface 40 is formed
into a substantially arc-like shape such that it matches the shape
of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the
heating surface 10 (outer surface) of the aforementioned wrapping
cylinder 1.
[0026] Also, a hair pinching region S is formed between the heating
surface 10 of the aforementioned wrapping cylinder 1 and the
presser inner surface 40 of the presser plate 4.
[0027] In this case, the inside width of the presser plate 4 is
slightly shorter than the diameter of the aforementioned wrapping
cylinder 1, and as a result, the presser inner surface 40 of the
presser plate 4 is formed such that it makes contact in a region
which is slightly narrower than the top half of the heating surface
10 of the aforementioned wrapping cylinder 1.
[0028] The aforementioned presser plate 4 is formed into a spatula
shape by a thin plate, such that its presser inner surface 40 and
outer surface 41 are arc-shaped. In the closed state where the
presser inner surface 40 contacts the heating surface 10 of the
wrapping cylinder 1, hair can also be wrapped on top of the outer
surface 41 of the presser plate 4, continuing to the heating
surface 10 of the aforementioned wrapping cylinder 1.
[0029] On the base end of the aforementioned presser plate 4, a
lever 43 is formed, extending in the direction from the pivot part
42 to the grip part 2. By pressing this lever 43 downward against
the aforementioned spring 5, it can be opened into an open state
(indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 1), in which the presser
plate 4 is released from the heating surface 10 of the wrapping
cylinder 1.
[0030] As the material of the aforementioned wrapping cylinder 1
and presser plate 4, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, ceramic
materials and so forth can be used. In this embodiment, a plate
member made of steel is used.
[0031] Also, in the hair iron H of this embodiment, the shape of
the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction is a disk,
but it is not limited thereto, and can be an elliptical shape or
rectangular shape which is chamfered by an awl at the corners. In
this case, the shape of the presser plate 4 is made to correspond
to the shape of the heating surface 10 of the wrapping cylinder
1.
[0032] On the heating surface 10 of the wrapping cylinder 1, an
elastic member 6 is mounted on the outside of the aforementioned
hair pinching region S. At a position near the side edge 44 of the
aforementioned presser plate 4, this elastic member 6 is mounted so
as to extend in the long direction of the wrapping cylinder 1 along
the side edge 44 of the presser plate 4 in the state where its
upper surface is equal with or slightly protruding from the heating
surface 10 (the amount of protrusion is 1.0 mm or less, preferably
about 0.1-0.2 mm).
[0033] In this embodiment, elastic members 6 and 6 are provided
along the two side edges 44 and 44 of the presser plate 4. In this
case, a narrow groove 60 is formed along nearly the entire length
in the long direction of the wrapping cylinder 1, at or near a part
which intersects horizontal diameter line C in the cross-section
perpendicular to the axial direction of the wrapping cylinder 1, as
shown in FIG. 2. An elastic member 6 made of a silicone tube is fit
inside this groove 60 such that it extends along the entire length
of the wrapping cylinder 1.
[0034] As the aforementioned elastic member 6, a heat-resistant
elastic material, such as silicone, rubber or polyurethane, which
has been formed into a hollow tube shape, or in which a narrow rod
has been inserted inside a hollow tube, or which has been formed
into a solid rod shape without a hollow center, can be used.
[0035] Also, in this embodiment, two elastic members 6 and 6 are
mounted along the two side edges of the presser plate, but it is
also possible to mount only one elastic member 6 along either one
of the side edges of the presser plate.
[0036] Furthermore, in FIG. 1, 7 is an iron stand, which is pushed
out (indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1) when the hair iron is
placed on a table or the like, and is folded in (indicated by the
dotted line in FIG. 1) when the hair iron H is in use.
[0037] Also, the aforementioned elastic member 6 contains a
multi-element mineral powder formed by crushing a multi-element
mineral, and a far-infrared radiating powder formed by crushing a
far-infrared radiating material.
[0038] A multi-element mineral is a mineral which has a primary
ingredient of silicon like tourmaline with perlite or pitch stone,
and contains a good balance of multiple elements. Such
multi-element minerals are known to emit negative ions.
[0039] In order to mix multi-element mineral powder in with the
starting materials of the elastic member 6, for example, a
multi-element mineral is formed into a powder by crushing it to
approximately 1-3 microns in a ball mill, jet mill or the like, and
this is mixed into the starting materials of the elastic member
(silicone rubber, for example) in a ratio of 0.5-10%.
[0040] In this case, it is preferred that at least two types of
multi-element mineral powder are appropriately compounded and used,
but using one type is also acceptable.
[0041] Also, the multi-element mineral powder can be mixed with
water and heated or pressurized, after which the obtained
supernatant liquid can be used, or a powder formed by vacuum freeze
drying or spray drying can be used.
[0042] The composition of perlite, which is an example of a
multi-element mineral, is shown in Table 1 below.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Anhydrous silicon (SiO.sub.2) 71.94%
Aluminum oxide (Al.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% Alkali oxide (K.sub.2O + Na.sub.2O) 6.87% Manganese
oxide (MnO) 0.03% Anhydrous phosphorus (P.sub.2O.sub.6) 0.14%
Ignition loss 3.43% Loss on drying (at 110 degrees) 0.07% Other
titanium Trace
[0043] In Table 1, ignition loss is based on ignition loss
(500.degree. C., isothermal) of kaolin cosmetics standards.
[0044] As the far-infrared radiating material, there are alumina
(Al.sub.2O.sub.3), titania (TiO.sub.2), ferrite (Fe.sub.2O.sub.3),
chromium oxide (Cr.sub.2O.sub.3), silica (SiO.sub.2), yttria
(Y.sub.2O.sub.3), magnesia (MgO) and the like. These can be used
individually or in combination after being made into powder by
crushing.
[0045] Test results when hair was treated using the hair iron of
the present idea are shown below.
<Test Facility>
Test Technology Center, Koei Chemicals Co., Ltd.
<Test Contents>
[0046] a) Measurement of hair moisture ratio for verifying good
feel when run through fingers and appropriate consistency or
richness of bundles of hair.
<Objects of Testing>
[0047] A. Untreated normal hair B. Hair treated by a hair iron
having an elastic member in which no multi-element mineral powder
or far-infrared radiating powder was mixed, on a plate in which
2.0-2.5% multi-element mineral powder and far-infrared radiating
powder were mixed in the plating layer of the heating plate C. Hair
treated by a hair iron having an elastic member in which 2.0-2.5%
multi-element mineral powder and far-infrared radiating powder were
mixed, on a plate in which 2.0-2.5% multi-element mineral powder
and far-infrared radiating powder were mixed in the plating layer
of the heating plate
[0048] It is desirable that the multi-element mineral powder and
far-infrared radiating powder of the plating layer and elastic
member are mixed in the aforementioned ratios, but it does not
matter if it is more or less.
<Used Hair>
[0049] 27-year-old Japanese woman
<Treatment of Hair>
[0050] a) After being rinsed for one hour in 40.degree. C. hot
water, it was allowed to dry naturally (the hot water was replaced
every 15 minutes). b) After it was dry, a hair iron was used under
the following conditions of use.
<Conditions of Use of Hair Iron>
1) Temperature: 180.degree. C.
[0051] 2) Sliding speed: Slid from the root to the tip of the hair,
taking 4 seconds for hair 20 cm long 3) Pressure applied to hair
during use of iron: 70.0.+-.2 HPA
<Calculation of Moisture Ratio>
[0052] a) Left for 24 hours in an environment at 20.degree.
C..+-.1.degree. C., 30.+-.2% RH. b) Moved to an environment at
20.degree. C..+-.1.degree. C., 65.+-.2% RH, and left for 24 hours.
c) After that, it was dried at 105.degree. C., after which the
weight was measured and the moisture ratio was calculated.
[0053] The results of measuring hair moisture ratio measured as
described above are shown in Table 2.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Moisture Ratio (%) Moisture Ratio A.
Untreated normal hair 15.8 B. Heating plate plating layer was
ionized, elastic member was not ionized 15.9 C. Heating plate
plating layer and elastic member were both ionized 16.1
[0054] As is understood from the test results shown in Table 2, the
moisture ratio of test object C was 0.2-0.3% higher than those of
test objects A and B.
[0055] The fact that the hair moisture ratio was 0.2-0.3% higher
means that the hair exhibited a state as if it was wet, and the
amount of moisture retention was markedly improved.
[0056] Therefore, when the hair iron is used, it imparts curls or
waves to hair by the user turning the grip part and wrapping hair
around the heating surface in the state where hair is pinched
between the heating surface of the wrapping cylinder and the
presser inner surface of the presser plate.
[0057] At this time, slipping of the hair when hair is wrapped
around the heating surface can be controlled by the elastic member.
As a result, hair can be securely wrapped around the heating
surface, and curls or waves can be imparted as intended by the
user.
[0058] Also, by the effect of negative ions and electromagnetic
waves (of very low energy) generated by a multi-element mineral and
by the effect of far-infrared rays radiated from a far-infrared
radiating powder contained in the elastic member, it enables hair
care and also improves the feel of hair to have richness (smooth
feel), a good feel when run through the fingers, and appropriate
consistency and luster.
SUMMARY OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0059] 1: Wrapping cylinder [0060] 10: Heating surface [0061] 11:
End cap [0062] 12: Heating member [0063] 2: Grip part [0064] 30:
Power switch [0065] 31: Temperature switch [0066] 32: Pilot lamp
[0067] 33: Power cord [0068] 4: Presser plate [0069] 40: Presser
inner surface [0070] 41: Outer surface [0071] 42: Pivot part [0072]
43: Lever [0073] 44: Side edge [0074] 5: Spring [0075] 6: Elastic
member [0076] 60: Groove [0077] H: Hair iron [0078] S: Hair
pinching region
* * * * *