U.S. patent application number 14/655347 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-12 for hair straightening with vapors.
The applicant listed for this patent is Daniel MOYAL. Invention is credited to Daniel Moyal.
Application Number | 20150320171 14/655347 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51166582 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150320171 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moyal; Daniel |
November 12, 2015 |
Hair Straightening With Vapors
Abstract
A system for straightening hair using hair straightening
formulation solution vapors, comprising: a hair straightening iron
connected to an electricity source, said hair straightening iron
comprising a pair of pressing members each having a heating block
on its inner surface, the pressing members joined by a hinge, the
heating blocks comprising holes connected to vapor conducting
tunnels accommodated inside each one of the pressing members; a
vapor conducting pipe connected to the tail end of the iron, said
vapor conducting pipe opens to the vapor conducting tunnels; and a
vaporizer connected to said vapor conducting pipe on its other end,
said vaporizer comprising a heating element connected to a source
of electricity and a container configured to be heated by said
heating element.
Inventors: |
Moyal; Daniel; (Tel Aviv,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MOYAL; Daniel |
Tel Aviv |
|
IL |
|
|
Family ID: |
51166582 |
Appl. No.: |
14/655347 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
December 17, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2013/061026 |
371 Date: |
June 25, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61751277 |
Jan 11, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/211 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2001/008 20130101;
A45D 2/001 20130101; A45D 19/16 20130101; A45D 7/06 20130101; A45D
1/04 20130101; A45D 1/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 19/16 20060101
A45D019/16; A45D 2/00 20060101 A45D002/00; A45D 7/06 20060101
A45D007/06 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. A method of straightening hair using hair straightening
formulation solution vapors, comprising: providing a solution of
hair straightening formulation; heating said solution to a boiling
temperature; conducting vapors discharged from said boiling
solution to a hair straightening iron comprising holes; and
pressing the hair with said hair straightening iron, whereby said
vapors are applied to the hair.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising using at least one
light source to produce additional heat.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein said at least one light source is
mounted in said hair straightening iron.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein said at least one light source is
external to said hair straightening iron.
10. The method of claim 7, further comprising cooling said at least
one light source.
11. (canceled)
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. A method of straightening hair using hair straightening
formulation solution vapors, comprising: providing a solution of
hair straightening formulation; heating said solution to a boiling
temperature; conducting vapors discharged from said boiling
solution to a hair straightening iron comprising first holes and
second holes; pressing the hair with said hair straightening iron,
whereby said vapors are applied to the hair through said first
holes; and applying suction to said iron through said second holes,
whereby toxic fumes are discarded.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising using at least one
light source to produce additional heat.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said at least one light source
is mounted in said hair straightening iron.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein said at least one light source
is external to said hair straightening iron.
21. The method of claim 18, further comprising cooling said at
least one light source
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention pertains to the field of hair
treatment and more particularly to a steam operated hair
straightening.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Hair straightening is a hair styling technique which
involves the flattening and straightening of hair in order to give
it a smooth, streamlined, and `sleek` appearance. It may be
accomplished using a hair iron or hot comb, chemical relaxers,
Japanese hair straightening, or Brazilian hair straightening. In
addition, some shampoos, and conditioners and hair gels can help to
make hair temporarily straight.
[0003] Hair irons and hot combs can only temporarily modify hair
texture, whereas relaxers and the other methods permanently alter
the structure of the hair, although new hair growth is not
affected.
[0004] The Brazilian Keratin Treatment is a long-term blow dry for
hair that lasts about three months. Pioneered in Brazil, the
Brazilian Keratin Treatment is said to be able to be performed on
all types of chemically treated hair (bleached, hi-lights, colored,
permed, relaxed or previously straightened). It is used on frizzy,
damaged, unhealthy, dull and mistreated hair.
[0005] Brazilian Keratin Treatment (also called escova progressiva,
keratin straightening or BKT) is a method of temporarily
straightening hair by sealing the hair with a liquid keratin and
Formaldehyde solution with a flat iron. The process involves
applying the formula to the head, waiting a prescribed time for the
formula to be absorbed and then sealing the hair with a flat
iron.
[0006] While keratin is indeed an ingredient in the formulas used
to perform Brazilian Hair Straightening, the true active ingredient
is Formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is known to be an aggressive
carcinogen, and its fumes are extremely dangerous. Heat and
moderate humidity levels accelerate the noxious effects of the
chemical.
[0007] Some of the known effects of Formaldehyde are:
[0008] Some people are naturally highly sensitive to Formaldehyde,
others may not be as sensitive but over time develop an allergy to
it. It's in the chemical's make up to stir the immune system and
cause sensitivity.
[0009] Runny nose, sore throat, headache, itching, and irritated
eyes can occur with low levels of exposure.
[0010] It is also a known carcinogen, and smokers in particular are
at a greater risk for cancers of the airways, including nasal
passages when they are exposed to Formaldehyde.
[0011] It would be advantageous to shorten the exposure period to
Formaldehyde in the process of hair straightening.
SUMMARY
[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided a system for straightening hair using hair
straightening formulation solution vapors, comprising: a hair
straightening iron connected to an electricity source, said hair
straightening iron comprising a pair of pressing members each
having a heating block on its inner surface, the pressing members
joined by a hinge, the heating blocks comprising holes connected to
vapor conducting tunnels accommodated inside each one of the
pressing members; a vapor conducting pipe connected to the tail end
of the iron, said vapor conducting pipe opens to the vapor
conducting tunnels; and a vaporizer connected to said vapor
conducting pipe on its other end, said vaporizer comprising a
heating element connected to a source of electricity and a
container configured to be heated by said heating element.
[0013] The system may further comprise at least one light source
adapted to produce heat.
[0014] The at least one light source may be mounted in at least one
of said pressing members.
[0015] The at least one light source may be external to said
pressing members.
[0016] The system may further comprise cooling means adapted to
cool said at least one light source.
[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention there
is provided a method of straightening hair using hair straightening
formulation solution vapors, comprising: providing a solution of
hair straightening formulation; heating said solution to a boiling
temperature; conducting vapors discharged from said boiling
solution to a hair straightening iron comprising holes; and
pressing the hair with said hair straightening iron, whereby said
vapors are applied to the hair.
[0018] The method may further comprise using at least one light
source to produce additional heat.
[0019] The at least one light source may be mounted in said hair
straightening iron.
[0020] The at least one light source may be external to said hair
straightening iron.
[0021] The method may further comprise cooling said at least one
light source.
[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention there
is provided a system for straightening hair using hair
straightening formulation solution vapors, comprising: a hair
straightening iron connected to an electricity source, said hair
straightening iron comprising a pair of pressing members each
having a heating block on its inner surface, the pressing members
joined by a hinge, the heating blocks comprising a first set of
holes connected to vapor conducting tunnels accommodated inside
each one of the pressing members and a second set of holes
connected to vapor removing tunnels accommodated inside each one of
the pressing members; a vapor conducting pipe connected to the tail
end of the iron, said vapor conducting pipe opens to the vapor
conducting tunnels; a vaporizer connected to said vapor conducting
pipe on its other end, said vaporizer comprising a heating element
connected to a source of electricity and a container configured to
be heated by said heating element; a vapor removing pipe connected
to the tail end of the iron; and a filtering device connected to
the other end of said vapor removing pipe, said filtering device
comprising a suction motor and a toxic fumes filter.
[0023] The system may additionally comprise a vapor collecting hood
mounted over a user's head, said hood connected to said filtering
device.
[0024] The system may further comprise at least one light source
adapted to produce heat.
[0025] The at least one light source may be mounted in at least one
of said pressing members.
[0026] The at least one light source may be external to said
pressing members.
[0027] The system may further comprise cooling means adapted to
cool said at least one light source.
[0028] According to another espect of the present invention there
is provided a method of straightening hair using hair straightening
formulation solution vapors, comprising: providing a solution of
hair straightening formulation; heating said solution to a boiling
temperature; conducting vapors discharged from said boiling
solution to a hair straightening iron comprising first holes and
second holes; pressing the hair with said hair straightening iron,
whereby said vapors are applied to the hair through said first
holes; and applying suction to said iron through said second holes,
whereby toxic fumes are discarded.
[0029] The method may further comprise using at least one light
source to produce additional heat.
[0030] The at least one light source may be mounted in said hair
straightening iron.
[0031] The at least one light source may be external to said hair
straightening iron.
[0032] The method may further comprise cooling said at least one
light source
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] For a better understanding of the invention and to show how
the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made,
purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings.
[0034] With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is
stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for
purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of
the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of
providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily
understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of
the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show
structural details of the invention in more detail than is
necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the
description taken with the drawings making apparent to those
skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be
embodied in practice. In the accompanying drawings:
[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a prior-art hair
straightening iron;
[0036] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a hair straightening system
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the hair straightening
iron according to the embodiment of FIG. 2;
[0038] FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of a hair straightening system
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the hair straightening
iron according to the embodiment of FIG. 4;
[0040] FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of a hair straightening system
according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 7 is a table showing various proportions of
Formaldehyde and water for obtaining a required concentration of
Formalin in a solution to be evaporated;
[0042] FIG. 8 is simplified pictorial illustration of the
straightening iron constructed and operative in accordance with
another embodiment of the invention;
[0043] FIG. 9 is a respective sectional illustration of the
embodiment of FIG. 8;
[0044] FIG. 10 is simplified pictorial illustration of the
straightening iron constructed and operative in accordance with
another embodiment of the invention;
[0045] FIG. 11 is a respective sectional illustration of the
embodiment of FIG. 10; and
[0046] FIG. 12 is simplified pictorial illustration of the
straightening iron constructed and operative in accordance with
another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0047] In the following detailed description, numerous specific
details are set forth regarding the system and method and the
environment in which the system and method may operate, etc., in
order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.
It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the
present invention may be practiced without such specific details.
In other instances, well-known components, structures and
techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid unnecessarily
obscuring the subject matter of the present invention. Moreover,
various examples are provided to explain the operation of the
present invention. It should be understood that these examples are
exemplary. It is contemplated that there are other methods and
systems that are within the scope of the present invention. Also,
the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and in the
description to refer to the same elements to simplify the
description.
[0048] The system of the present invention attempts to overcome the
problem of exposure to toxic substances during chemical hair
treatment, by reducing the exposure of the hairdresser and the
user's hair and skin to Formaldehyde, both in quantity and in
duration of time.
[0049] The system is described with reference to Formaldehyde
formulation being spread on the hair and Formaldehyde fumes being
discharged into the air during Brazilian Keratin Treatments, but is
suitable for any existing or future chemical hair treatment
requiring treatment of hair with toxic products.
[0050] The system, products and method of the present invention
provide a new way of performing hair straightening, by exposing the
hair to vaporized products instead of applying a
liquid/creme/gelatin formula to the hair and letting it be
absorbed.
[0051] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a prior-art hair
straightening iron, generally denoted 100. The hair straightening
iron 100 comprises a pair of pressing members (110, 120) each
having a heating block (150, 160 respectively), the surface of
which acts as a holding surface for hair to be straightened. The
pressing members (110, 120) are joined by a hinge 170 for free
opening and closing. An electric cord 180 connects the hair iron
100 to a source of electricity (not shown).
[0052] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a hair straightening system
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0053] The hair straightening system includes a hair straightening
iron 200 comprising a pair of pressing members (210, 215) each
having a heating block (225, 235 respectively) on its inner
surface, which acts as a holding surface for hair to be
straightened while ironing. The pressing members (210, 215) are
joined by a hinge 270 for free opening and closing. An electric
cord 280 connects the hair straightening iron 200 to a source of
electricity (not shown).
[0054] The heating blocks comprise holes 220 (only bottom surface
holes shown), connected to vapor conducting tunnels (245, 265)
accommodated inside each one of the pressing members (only upper
tunnel 245 shown in dotted lines).
[0055] A vapor conducting pipe 400 is connected to the tail end 255
of the iron, which opens to the vapor conducting tunnels.
[0056] Vapor conducting pipe 400 is connected on its other end with
a vaporizer 480, which comprises a heating element 430 connected to
a source of electricity (not shown) by electric cord 440 and a
container 410.
[0057] In operation, container 410 is filled with a Formaldehyde
solution 420 in a required concentration (see FIG. 6), which is
heated by heating element 430 to the solution's boiling
temperature, whereby vapors 450 are discharged into pipe 400,
through vapor tunnels 245 and emerge via holes 220 onto the hair
being ironed, thus performing the straightening function.
[0058] FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the hair straightening
iron 200 according to the present invention, showing vapor tunnels
245, 265 and vapors 310, 320 flowing from the tunnels
[0059] FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of a hair straightening system
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0060] The hair straightening system includes a hair straightening
iron 500 comprising a pair of pressing members (510, 515) each
having a heating block (535, 545 respectively), which acts as a
holding surface for hair to be straightened. The pressing members
(510, 515) are joined by a hinge 570 for free opening and closing.
An electric cord 580 connects the hair straightening iron 500 to a
source of electricity (not shown).
[0061] The heating blocks comprise holes 520 (only bottom surface
holes shown), connected to vapor conducting tunnels (540, 542)
accommodated inside each one of the pressing members (only upper
tunnel 540 shown in dotted lines).
[0062] A vapor conducting pipe 600 is connected to the tail end 585
of the iron, which opens to the vapor conducting tunnels.
[0063] Vapor conducting pipe 600 is connected on its other end with
a vaporizer 680, similar to the vaporizer 480 of the embodiment of
FIG. 2, which comprises a heating element 630 connected to a source
of electricity (not shown) by electric cord 640 and a container
610.
[0064] The heating blocks comprise additional holes 530 (only
bottom surface holes shown), connected to a set of vapor removing
tunnels (550, 552) accommodated inside each one of the pressing
members (only upper tunnel 550 shown in dotted lines).
[0065] A vapor removing pipe 660 is connected to the tail end 585
of the iron, which opens to the vapor removing tunnels.
[0066] Vapor removing pipe 660 is connected on its other end with a
filtering device 670. Filtering device 670 comprises a suction
motor (not shown), as known in the art of vacuum cleaners and a
filter 685. Filter 685 is a filter especially designed to filter
Formaldehyde fumes, such as AC4142, provided by Philips, or
Formaldehyde Filter, provided by Airfiltronix Corp. of Clifton,
N.J. An outlet 690 discharges clean filtered air from the filtering
device 670 back into the atmosphere.
[0067] In operation, container 610 is filled with a Formaldehyde
solution 620 in a required concentration (see FIG. 6), which is
heated by heating element 630 to the solution's boiling
temperature, whereby vapors 650 are discharged into pipe 600,
through vapor conducting tunnels (540, 542) and emerge via holes
520 onto the hair being ironed.
[0068] Toxic fumes are sucked back through vapor removing tunnels
(550, 552) into vapor removing pipe 660 and into filtering device
670.
[0069] FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the hair straightening
iron 500 according to the present invention, showing vapor
conducting tunnels (530, 540) and vapors (516, 520) flowing from
the tunnels. FIG. 5 additionally shows vapor removing tunnels (550,
552) and vapors (562, 564) flowing into the tunnels.
[0070] FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of a hair straightening system
according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.
[0071] The system of FIG. 6 incorporates the system of FIG. 4 and
additional vapor suction means comprising a vapor collecting hood
700, such as known in the art of kitchen vapor collectors, which
may be mounted over the treated client's chair 720, to provide
additional fumes suction. Vapor collecting hood 700 is connected to
a flexible pipe 710 which connects it to the filtering device 670
or to a different filtering device. The vapor collecting hood 700
may be mounted on the wall, on the ceiling, or on the client's
chair.
[0072] FIG. 7 is a table showing various exemplary proportions of
Formaldehyde and water for obtaining 20 a required concentration of
Formalin in 20 ml of solution to be evaporated.
[0073] During the BKT procedure heat is required to vaporize the
Formaldehyde solution but also to heat up the hair and thereby
accelerate and enhance the absorption of the chemical into the
hair. Also, flattening is more efficient when hair is at elevated
temperature. Conventionally heat is applied to the hair by hot air
and by means of contact to the hot surfaces of the flattening
iron.
[0074] In certain embodiments of the present invention the hair is
heated by means of radiation of visible or invisible light from
light sources.
[0075] Melanin found in hair shaft is an efficient light absorbent
in a wide range of wavelengths, spanning the ultraviolet, the
visible light and the near infrared (IR). When light is absorbed by
the hair, heat is generated which then diffuses to other parts of
the hair. This absorption of light by melanin was exploited for the
purpose of bodily hair removal where hair follicle is damaged by
the heating effect of the absorbed light, known as
photothermolysis. While the action of light sources in hair removal
application is to provide sufficient power and energy dose for
photothermolysis, these light sources are well suited to provide
non-damaging heat to hair depending on the mode of operation,
notably and most readily by driving these light sources at powers
below the damage threshold. In fact, it is often more challenging
to operate the light sources at conditions necessary for
photothermolysis than these required to elevate the temperature.
For example, the fluence (energy per unit area) emitted from light
emitting diodes (LED) may be insufficient to induce
photothermolysis, yet can be used for the purpose of heating.
Secondly, when light is applied to the skin it can be absorbed by
other chromophores, particularly water and oxyhemoglobin.
Therefore, in hair removal one is limited to a narrow range of
wavelengths of approximately 700 to 1000 nanometer (nm) where the
light is selectively absorbed by melanin, that is, at a wavelength
range where light is primarily absorbed by melanin and less so by
water or oxyhemoglobin. Nevertheless, high power light sources
emitting at 700 nm to 1000 nm are readily available, particularly
laser diodes (LD).
[0076] Reference is made now to FIG. 8 which is a simplified
pictorial illustration of the straightening iron constructed and
operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the
invention, and to FIG. 9 which is a respective sectional
illustration of the invention. As seen in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 the
straightening iron 800 comprises transparent windows 801 for
passing the light 902 from a light sources 903 located behind the
windows (shown in sectional illustration FIG. 9).
[0077] The light sources used are any light sources that emit at
the wavelength absorbed by melanin. Melanin has a broad absorption
spectrum, with higher absorption in the ultraviolet (UV), however
because of health hazards consideration, it may be preferable to
operate at visible light or near IR range. High power LED arrays
are one such sort of light sources. The LED arrays are further
provided with optical assembly 904 to guide the light through the
exit window. In available commercial LED illuminators optical
components such as lenses, reflectors, or collimators are used.
[0078] In another arrangement the light sources can be laser diodes
(LD) as a single emitters or stacked arrays such as for example
available from DILAS
http://www.dilas.com/pages/products.php?category=16&series=7.
[0079] As in most light sources, most of the electrical energy is
converted to heat. Typically for LEDs the watt-to-watt efficiency,
namely power of emitted light vs electrical power input, ranges
from 40% for red light to 15% for green light. To operate the light
source at high efficiency and prevent source damage heat needs to
be removed. The process of heat dissipation from the light source
can be viewed as accomplished in two steps: The first involves the
transport of thermal energy away from the source to an external
heat sink that absorbs the intense thermal energy. In the second
stage the heat is dissipated into the surrounding environment. This
is primary accomplished by either natural or forced air convection.
Forced air convection typically involves an electric fan
responsible for cooling the heat sink. In another preferred
embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 10 and respective
sectional illustration FIG. 11, the straightening iron 1000 is
provided with at least one electrical fan 1008 (two shown) that
forces air flow around the light source 1103. The resulted heated
air 1105 is further conveyed through air conducting channels (not
shown) and forced through ventilation openings 1006 located at the
blades 1010 of the straightening iron.
[0080] One effective method for guiding a light from a light source
is by optical fiber. In accordance with yet another embodiment of
the invention shown in FIG. 12 the light sources 1303 are located
in a separate module 1305 wherein the light 1301 emitted from the
light sources 1303 is guided through the windows 1302 located
within the blades 1310 of the straightening iron 1300, by means of
optical fibers 1304. In such arrangement the advantage is that the
light sources are not limited to space within the straightening
iron, and hence the provided light power can be considerably
higher, and more efficient cooling of the light sources. In
accordance with previously described embodiment, if the light
sources are cooled by forced air produced by an electrical fan, the
resulting hot air can be further utilized for heating the hair. The
fan 1307 in FIG. 13 forces the air 1308 around the light sources
1303 and through a flexible hose 1308 towards the ventilation holes
1311 located within the straightening iron.
[0081] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly
shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present
invention is defined by the appended claims and includes both
combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described
hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof which
would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the
foregoing description.
[0082] For example, pipes 400 and 600, and possibly optical fiber
1304 may be packed in one tube and/or vaporizer 680 and filtering
device 670 may be assembled in a single casing.
* * * * *
References