U.S. patent application number 13/713444 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-19 for hair styling apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Conair Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is CONAIR CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Anthony Kit Lun Leung.
Application Number | 20140166038 13/713444 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50929512 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140166038 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Leung; Anthony Kit Lun |
June 19, 2014 |
HAIR STYLING APPARATUS
Abstract
A hair styling apparatus includes first and second handle
members adapted for movement between an open position for receiving
hair therebetween and a closed condition adjacent the hair, a
heating element associated with at least one of said first and
second handle members and a cartridge mountable to said first
handle member and having a hair treatment agent for dispensing and
treating hair disposed between the first and second handle members.
The treatment agent may include a conditioning, strengthening,
repairing or revitalizing fluid. An ultrasonic transducer may be
associated with said cartridge. The transducer is actuable to heat
the treatment agent to affect at least partial vaporization thereof
for release adjacent the heating elements and application to the
hair.
Inventors: |
Leung; Anthony Kit Lun;
(Hong Kong, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CONAIR CORPORATION |
Stamford |
CT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Conair Corporation
Stamford
CT
|
Family ID: |
50929512 |
Appl. No.: |
13/713444 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/221 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 1/04 20130101; A45D
2001/008 20130101; A45D 2200/207 20130101; A45D 2/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/221 |
International
Class: |
A45D 2/00 20060101
A45D002/00 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. The A hair styling apparatus, which comprises: first and second
handle members adapted for movement between an open position for
receiving hair therebetween and a closed condition adjacent the
hair; a heating element associated with at least one of said first
and second handle members; a cartridge mountable to said first
handle member, said cartridge including a hair treatment agent for
dispensing and treating hair disposed between said first and second
handle members; and an ultrasonic transducer associated with said
cartridge, said transducer actuable to heat the treatment agent to
effect at least partial vaporization thereof for release adjacent
said heating element and application to the hair.
3. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said
cartridge defines a cartridge vapor outlet, said transducer
positioned adjacent said cartridge vapor outlet within said
cartridge.
4. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said
transducer has channels for permitting said at least partially
vaporized treatment agent to pass through said transducer and said
cartridge vapor outlet.
5. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said
heating element defines a channel, said channel positioned adjacent
said cartridge outlet to convey vaporized treatment agent along
said heating element.
6. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said
first and second handle members include respective first and second
heating elements, each said heating element having said channel for
conveying the vaporized treatment agent.
7. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 3 including a
manually actuated ultrasonic power switch for selectively
activating and deactivating said transducer.
8. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said
cartridge includes electrical contacts in electrical communication
with said transducer, and wherein said first handle member includes
corresponding handle contacts for engaging said electrical contacts
of said cartridge for supplying power to said transducer.
9. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said
cartridge is dimensioned and adapted for releasable mounting to
said first handle member.
10. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 9 including a
cartridge release member mounted to said first handle member, said
cartridge release member movable to cause release of said cartridge
from said first handle member.
11. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said
cartridge includes a cover, said cover being movable between an
open condition to permit introduction of said treatment agent
within said cartridge and a closed condition.
12. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said
cartridge defines an internal chamber for accommodating said
treatment agent.
13. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 12 including an
absorbent member within said internal chamber for containing said
treatment agent, said absorbent member adjacent said transducer
whereby heat generated by said transducer causes at least partial
vaporization of said treatment agent within said absorbent
member.
14. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 11 including a
container releasably mountable to said cartridge, said container
including said treatment agent.
15. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said
treatment agent includes a conditioning, strengthening, repairing
or revitalizing fluid.
16. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 15 said treatment
agent includes ARGAN oil.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for treating
hair, and, more particularly, relates to a hair styling apparatus
incorporating a cartridge with an ultrasound transducer for heating
and at least partially vaporizing a hair treatment agent
dispensable from the cartridge.
[0003] 2. Background of the Related Art
[0004] Hair straightener apparatii typically include two pivotal
handles which are hinged at one end and pivot about the hinge
between open and closed positions. Heating heads extend from each
handle and have inner surfaces comprised of a heatable material,
usually metal, for straightening or styling hair. An electric
heater element located beneath each heatable surface is activated
to warm the surfaces to a desired temperature. The inner surfaces
are positionable around hair to be styled, and the hinged handles
are moved to a closed position bringing the heated inner surfaces
in contact with the hair. The gripped handles are then slid along
the hair strands until the hair exits from the heads. One example
of a hair straightener apparatus is disclosed in commonly assigned
U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,532, the entire contents of which are
incorporated by reference herein.
SUMMARY
[0005] Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to further
enhancements in hair straightener apparatti. In accordance with one
embodiment, a hair styling apparatus includes first and second
handle members adapted for movement between an open position for
receiving hair therebetween and a closed position adjacent the
hair, a heating element associated with at least one of the first
and second handle members and a cartridge mountable to the first
handle member and having a hair treatment agent for dispensing and
treating hair disposed between the first and second handle members.
The treatment agent may include a conditioning, strengthening,
repairing or revitalizing fluid.
[0006] An ultrasonic transducer may be associated with the
cartridge. The transducer is actuable to heat the treatment agent
to affect at least partial vaporization thereof for release
adjacent the heating elements and application to the hair. The
cartridge may define a cartridge vapor outlet with the transducer
being positioned adjacent the cartridge vapor outlet. The
transducer may have channels for permitting the at least partially
vaporized treatment agent to pass through the transducer and the
cartridge vapor outlet.
[0007] The heating element of the at least one of the first and
second handle members may define a channel, which is positioned
adjacent the cartridge outlet to convey vaporized treatment agent
along the heating element. In one embodiment, the first and second
handle members include respective first and second heating elements
with each the heating element having the channel for conveying the
vaporized treatment agent.
[0008] A manually actuated ultrasonic power switch for selectively
activating and deactivating the transducer. The cartridge may
include electrical contacts in electrical communication with the
transducer, and wherein the first handle member includes
corresponding handle contacts for engaging the electrical contacts
of the cartridge for supplying power to the transducer.
[0009] The cartridge may be dimensioned and adapted for releasable
mounting to the first handle member. A cartridge release member may
be mounted to the first handle member. The cartridge release member
is movable to cause release of the cartridge from the first handle
member. The cartridge may include a cover, which is movable between
an open condition to permit introduction of the treatment agent
within the cartridge and a closed position. The cartridge may
define an internal chamber for accommodating the treatment agent.
An absorbent member may be disposed within the internal chamber for
containing the treatment agent. The absorbent member is adjacent
the transducer whereby heat generated by the transducer causes at
least partial vaporization or the treatment agent within the
absorbent member. In embodiments, a container having the treatment
agent is releasably mountable to the cartridge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described
hereinbelow with references to the drawings, wherein:
[0011] FIGS. 1-2 are perspective views of a hair styling apparatus
in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure
illustrating the first and second handle members and the cartridge
mounted to the first handle member;
[0012] FIGS. 3-5 are top plan, side elevation and axial views,
respectively of the hair styling apparatus;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hair styling apparatus
illustrating the cartridge removed;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the cartridge;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the cartridge taken
along the lines 8-8 of FIG. 7;
[0016] FIG. 9 is an enlarged isolated view of the area of detail
designated in FIG. 8;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a mechanism for
releasably mounting the cartridge to the first handle member;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the hair styling apparatus
with the second handle member removed illustrating application of
the vaporized hair treatment agent to the subject's hair; and
[0019] FIGS. 12A-12C are perspective views of three embodiments of
the cartridge member illustrated in relation to the hair styling
apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Referring now in detail to the drawings and, in particular,
to FIGS. 1-5, the hair styling apparatus 100 in accordance with the
principles of the present invention is illustrated. The hair
styling apparatus 100 may be in the form of a hair straightener
utilized to generally straighten the hair of the subject. However,
it is envisioned that the hair styling apparatus may includes
surfaces to shape, crimp or affect any styling effect to the
subject's hair.
[0021] The hair styling apparatus 100 includes first and second
handle members 102,104 connected to each other through a hinge 106,
of a conventional type. The hinge 106 typically incorporates a
spring to normally bias the first and second members 102, 104 to
the open position depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. The first and second
handle members 102, 104 are adapted to pivot about the hinge 106
between the open position of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the closed position
depicted in FIGS. 3-5. The first handle member 102 includes a
cartridge 108 and a cartridge release button 110, which releases
the cartridge 108 from the first handle member 102. Generally, the
cartridge 108 contains a hair treatment agent, which is released in
an at least partially vaporized state, between the first and second
handle members 102, 104 for application to the subject's hair. The
cartridge 108 will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow.
[0022] Each of the first and second handle members 102, 104
includes a heating element or plate 110 at the end remote from the
hinge 106. The heating plates 110 are heated by conventional
electrical means (not shown) known in the art, so that hair can be
positioned therebetween for styling. Each heating plate 110
includes a centrally disposed channel 112 respectively extending
lengthwise or longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal axes
"k1, k2" of the respective handle members 102, 104. The channels
112 may be offset with respect to the respective axes "k1, k2", may
be non-linear, arcuate, sinusoidal or any other shape. The channels
112 convey the at least partially vaporized treatment agent, which
is released from the cartridge 108 within the heating plates 110
for application to the hair of the subject. The second handle
member 104 includes a pocket or recess 114 (FIG. 1), which is
dimensioned to correspondingly accommodate at least a segment of
the cartridge 108 when the first and second handle members 102, 104
are in the closed position.
[0023] The first and second handle members 102, 104 may include an
on/off power switch 116, a power-on indicator or light 118 (such as
an LED indicator or the like) for indicating activation of the
apparatus 100 and a power cord 120 for supplying power. Contacts
122 on each of the first and second handle member 102, 104 may be
provided to power the heating plates only when the first and second
handle members 102, 104 are in the closed position. The first
handle member 102 further includes an ultrasound power switch 124
and an ultrasound power indicator 126 such as an LED or the
like--the function of which will be discussed in greater detail
herein below.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 6, in conjunction with FIGS. 7-9, the
cartridge 108 will be discussed in detail. The cartridge 108
includes a cartridge housing 128 having a first internal chamber
130 defining a reservoir for accommodating the treatment agent 132.
The treatment agent may be argan oil. Argan oil is extracted from
the fruits of the argan tree, argania spinosa, that is endemic to
Morocco. The hair care composition may solely contain argan oil, or
may include argan oil in combination with other ingredients.
Examples of other ingredients include pharmaceutically active
agents, moisturizers, hydration agents, penetration agents,
preservatives, emulsifiers, natural or synthetic oils, solvents,
surfactants, detergents, gelling agents, emollients, antioxidants,
fragrances, fillers, thickeners, waxes, odor absorbers, dyestuffs,
coloring agents, powders, viscosity-controlling agents, buffers,
protectants, pH regulators, chelating agents, humectants,
conditioners, glitter, mica, minerals, silicones, polyphenols,
sunblocks, phytomedicinals, and combinations thereof, as well as
other additives typically used in hair care products as appreciated
by those skilled in the art.
[0025] In embodiments, the hair care composition may include argan
oil and emollients and/or conditioning agents, alone or in
combination with other ingredients as discussed above. In
embodiments, the hair care composition includes argan oil and
silicone. Silicone includes, for example, silicone oils and oils
having a hydrocarbon backbone, silicone oils combining cyclic
polydimethylsiloxanes, .alpha.,.omega.-hydroxylated
polydimethylsiloxanes, .alpha.,.omega.-trimethylsilyl
polydimethylsiloxanes, polyorganosiloxanes such as
polyalkylmethylsiloxanes, polymethylphenylsiloxanes,
polydiphenylsiloxanes, aminosilicone derivatives, silicone waxes,
copolyether silicones (such as the oil MIRASIL DMCO sold by
Rhone-Poulenc, or DC 190 sold by Dow Corning) or mixed silicone
derivatives including various types of derivatization (such as
polyalkylmethyl-siloxane/copolyether silicone mixed copolymers). An
argan/silicon conditioning agent may strengthen, repair or
condition hair, while potentially adding shine to the hair.
[0026] Other suitable emollients include, for example
alkylmonoglycerides, alkyldiglycerides, and/or triglycerides such
as oils extracted from plants and vegetables (palm oil, coconut
oil, cotton seed oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, grape
seed oil, sesame oil, ground nut oil, castor oil, combinations
thereof, and the like), oils of marine origin (fish oils, etc.) and
derivatives of these oils, such as hydrogenated oils, lanolin
derivatives, mineral oils or paraffinic oils, perhydrosqualane,
squalene, diols such as 1,2-propanediol and 1,3-butanediol, cetyl
alcohol, stearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, polyethylene glycols or
polypropylene glycols, and fatty esters such as isopropyl
palmitate, 2-ethylhexyl cocoate, myristyl myristate, esters of
lactic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, isostearic acid.
[0027] In embodiments, the hair care composition may include argan
oil and conditioners, alone or in combination with other
ingredients. Conditioners include, for example, those of natural or
synthetic origin, such as those known under the generic CTFA name
"Polyquaternium", for instance the MIRAPOL A15.RTM. or MIRAPOL
550.RTM. polymers from Rhone-Poulenc, cationic polysaccharide
derivatives (cationic derivatives of cellulose, of guar or of
carob), such as cocodimonium hydroxyethyl cellulose, guar
hydroxypropyl trimonium chloride, hydroxypropyl guar hydroxypropyl
trimonium chloride (JAGUAR C13S.RTM., JAGUAR C162.RTM. sold by
Rhone-Poulenc), volatile or non-volatile silicone derivatives, for
instance amodimethicone, cyclomethicones, water-insoluble,
non-volatile polyorganosiloxanes, for instance oils, resins or
gums, such as diphenyldimethicone gums, combinations thereof, and
the like.
[0028] Examples of other additives which may be useful in the hair
care composition include additives for promoting moisturization of
the hair and/or skin (wetting agents), for instance certain
carbohydrates (for example glycerol or sorbitol), polyethylene
glycols or polypropylene glycols, alkoxylated derivatives of sugars
or of sugar derivatives (for example methylglucose), water-soluble
or water-dispersible polymers such as collagen or certain
non-allergenic derivatives of marine or plant proteins (for example
wheat protein hydrolysates). Thickeners, such as natural
hydrocolloids (guar gum, carob gum, tara gum, etc.) or
hydrocolloids derived from fermentation processes, such as xanthan
gum, polysaccharides extracted from seaweed, such as carrageenans,
and polycarbohydrate derivatives such as modified celluloses (for
example hydroxyethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose), or nonionic
derivatives (for example hydroxypropylguar), anionic derivatives
(carboxymethylguar) or nonionic/anionic mixed derivatives, such as
carboxy-hydroxypropyl-guars or nonionic/cationic derivatives, can
also be present.
[0029] Referring still to FIGS. 6-9, the cartridge housing 128 may
have a cartridge valve or cover 134 (FIG. 8), which permits access
to the first internal chamber 130. The cover 134 may be movable
between the closed position and the open position depicted in
phantom in FIG. 8 to permit filling/refilling of the treatment
agent 132 within the first internal chamber 130 of the cartridge
housing 128. The cartridge housing 128 further includes a second
internal chamber 136 in fluid communication with the first internal
chamber 130. The second internal chamber 136 may have an absorbent
member 138 such as a sponge, wicking material or the like, which
collects and stores a volume of the treatment agent 132.
[0030] The cartridge 108 has an ultrasound emitter or transducer
140 such as a piezo electric transducer or the like. The piezo
electric transducer 140 may be any conventional piezo electric
transducer adapted to oscillate to generate energy in the form of
heat. The transducer 140 may be disc shaped and mounted at each end
within opposed channels 142 defined within the cartridge housing
128 adjacent or across a cartridge vapor outlet opening 146 of the
cartridge housing 128 (see also FIG. 6). An elastomeric o-ring
gasket or seal 148 comprising an elastomeric material or the like
may extend within each channel 144 to form a fluid tight seal about
the ends of transducer 142. The transducer 142 further includes one
or more micro-openings or channels 150 extending therethrough in
communication with the second internal chamber 136 to permit
release of the vaporized treatment agent.
[0031] The cartridge 108 further includes one or more power
contacts or pins 152 in electrical communication with the
transducer 142. The power pins 152 are received within
corresponding power receptacles 154 disposed within the first
handle member 102 adjacent the cartridge receiving recess 156 of
the first handle member 102 (FIG. 6). The power receptacles 154
include electrical contacts, which are in communication with the
ultrasound power switch 124 and the electrical cord 122 to
selectively supply power to the transducer 142. Thus, upon mounting
of the cartridge 108 fully within the cartridge receiving recess
156 of the first handle member 102, the contact pins 152 of the
cartridge 108 establish electrical contact with the contacts within
the pin receiving receptacles 154 of the first handle member 102.
The cartridge receiving recess 156 is correspondingly dimensioned
to accommodate the cartridge 108 in a manner to reduce the profile
of the first handle member 102.
[0032] The cartridge housing 128 may have at least one locking
detent 158, which is selectively engaged by the cartridge release
button 110 to releasably secure the cartridge 108 relative to the
first handle member 102. Any type of releasable connection means
are envisioned including, e.g., tongue and groove arrangements,
bayonet couplings, sliding release arrangements or the like. In one
embodiment schematically depicted in FIG. 10, the cartridge release
button 110 includes a depending resilient member 160, which is
receivable within the locking detent 158 of the cartridge housing
128. Depression of the release button 110 will cause the resilient
member 160 to deflect in the direction "m" and become released from
the locking detent 158, thereby permitting removal of the cartridge
108 from the cartridge receiving recess 156 of the first handle
member 102.
[0033] The use of the hair styling apparatus 100 for styling hair
will now be discussed. The cartridge 108 filled with the hair
treatment agent 132 is mounted within the outer cartridge receiving
recess 156 of the first handle member 102. Electrical contact is
established between the contact pins 152 of the cartridge housing
128 and the contacts within the pin receiving receptacles 154 of
the first handle member 102. The power switch 118 is activated to
charge the heating elements 110 of the first and second handle
members 102, 104. The subject's hair is positioned between the open
first and second handle members 102, 104 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and the
first and second handle members 102, 104 are moved to the closed
position of FIGS. 3-5. The hair is treated, e.g., straightened, as
it passes along the heating elements 110. When it is desired to
apply the hair treatment agent 132, the transducer power switch 124
is activated causing the transducer 142 to oscillate. As the
transducer 142 oscillates, heat is generated sufficient to at least
partially vaporize the treatment agent 132 within the absorbent
member 138 in the second internal chamber 136. As depicted in FIGS.
9 and 11, the vaporized treatment agent "132v" is released through
the micro-openings 150 extending through the transducer 140 and out
the cartridge vapor outlet opening 146 of the cartridge housing
128. FIG. 11 depicts the first handle member 102 removed for
illustration purposes. The vaporized treatment agent "132v"
communicates through the opening of the first handle member, and is
conveyed through the channels 112 of the first and second handle
members 102, 104 for application to the subject's hair. The
treatment agent 132v released in the vaporized state from the
absorbent or wicking member 138 is continuously replenished with
the treatment agent stored within the first internal chamber 130.
The ultrasound transducer 140 may be deactivated at any time during
the procedure via the ultrasound power switch 124. In the event
more treatment agent 132 is needed, the cartridge 108 is released
from the first handle member 102 by depression of the cartridge
release button 110. The closure seal or cover of the cartridge 134
may be opened, and additional treatment agent 132 is introduced
within the first internal chamber 130. The cover 134 is closed and
the cartridge 108 is reinserted into the cartridge receiving recess
156 of the first handle member 102.
[0034] The wicking or absorbent member 138 maintains the treatment
agent in the liquid state adjacent the transducer 140 while
preventing the liquid treatment agent from interfering with the
functioning of the transducer 140. When subjected to heat generated
by the transducer 140, the treatment agent 132 at least partially
vaporizes for release through the channels 150 of the transducer
140. The vaporized treatment agent 132v will not interfere with the
functioning of the transducer. The vaporized treatment agent 132v
also protects the hair when subjected to the heat of the heating
elements 110.
[0035] FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate alternate embodiments of the
cartridge 108. In FIG. 12A, the cartridge 200 is similar to the
cartridge 108 of the first embodiment and incorporates a cover 202
which is selectively opened and closed to permit access to the
internal chambers for refilling of the treatment agent. In FIG.
12B, the cartridge 300 includes a threaded opening 302 which
receives a threaded bottle member 304 containing the treatment
agent. The bottle 304 may replace the first internal chamber and
supply the treatment agent to the absorbent member. Upon emptying
of the bottle 304, the bottle may be released and replaced with a
new bottle of agent or refilled and connected to the cartridge 300.
In FIG. 12C, a flexible pouch 308, e.g., a foil pouch, having a
threaded segment 310 may be received within the threaded opening
302 of the cartridge 300. Multiple pouches 308 may be provided as
replacement pouches during use of the apparatus 100.
[0036] The above description and the drawings are provided for the
purpose of describing embodiments of the present disclosure and are
not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way. It
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made without departing from the
spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the
present disclosure cover the modifications and variations of this
disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *