EP2095737A1

EP2095737A1 - A device to treat hair using ultrasound

Info

Publication number: EP2095737A1
Application number: EP08152114A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Peter Scheunert
Original assignee: Wella GmbH; Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 2008-02-29
Filing date: 2008-02-29
Publication date: 2009-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 2028-02-29
Also published as: MX2010009317A; US20110100390A1; WO2009107034A1; JP2011512223A; ATE553668T1; CN101959437A; EP2095737B1

Abstract

With a device (1) to treat hair using ultrasound having two clamps (2, 3), which are connected to one another via a joint (4) and which swivel, an oscillating body (5) is arranged on an interior side (6) of a clamp (3). The oscillating body (5) is positioned such that a strand of hair (7), which is clamped between the clamps (2, 3) when the clamps are closed, comes into contact with the oscillating body (5) or is touching it. An ultrasound generator (8) and a resonator (9) are connected to one another and generate an ultrasound frequency for the oscillating body (5).

So that not only the ultrasound vibration is transmitted to the strand of hair (7) and that a product (27) is better distributed in the hair, but that also a quicker reaction of the product occurs on the hair, it is suggested to additionally design the oscillating body (5) as a heat generator. This is achieved in that the direction of oscillation (11) of the oscillating body (5) is the same as the direction (12) in which the clamp (3) having the oscillating body (5) extends.

Description

The subject matter of the application relates to the salon industry and a device for treating hair using ultrasound therein.
Ultrasound is used to treat hair to achieve improved provision of a liquid into the hair as compared to the manual distribution of the liquid, e.g. using a comb. The ultrasound generated by the device does not just cause an improved wetting of the hair strands but also provides for improved contact of the liquid with individual hairs.
EP 1 728 450 A2 discloses a device to treat hair using ultrasound. This device has two clamps, which are connected to one another via a joint and swivel, and an oscillating body on one interior side of a clamp. The oscillating body is arranged such that a strand of hair, which is clamped between the clamps when the clamps are closed, makes contact with the oscillating body. An ultrasound generator and a resonator are used to generate the ultrasound. The ultrasound generator is connected to the oscillating body via the resonator in order to transfer the ultrasound vibration to the oscillating body.
The known device has the disadvantage that it does not heat up either the hair to be treated or the liquid to be put on the hair, whereby the treatment time is relatively long.
Thus, the object was to design a device according to the preamble of Claim 1 such that it can accommodate a heating device in an easy and economical manner that would directly and therefore effectively heat up the hair and, if a liquid is being used to treat the hair, heat up this liquid as well.
The object is achieved according to the characterizing portion of Claim 1. Accordingly, the direction of oscillation of the oscillating body is provided such that it proceeds in the same direction in which the clamp having the oscillating body or part of the clamp extends.
The suggested device has the advantage that the function of a heating device is obtained by aligning the ultrasound vibration in the direction of the clamp of the oscillating body. The technical solution is easy and economical, because no additional component is required, contrary to the known prior art. Whereas, with the known oscillating body, the ultrasound vibration proceeds at a right angle with respect to the alignment of the part of the clamp, which houses the oscillating body, and thus no heating occurs on the strand of hair clamped between the clamps, the suggested direction of oscillation creates friction between the oscillating body and the strand of hair to the extent that the strand of hair as well as a liquid to wet the strand of hair is heated. Thus, the device can be used, for example, to cause permanent wave liquid to have a quicker effect in the hair with the application of heat, which then makes the hair more quickly deformable, and, while doing so, or subsequently, to smooth the hair using ultrasound. A flat iron, which is relatively hot and which could potentially damage the hair and which would otherwise be required, can then be omitted. The suggested device generates heat that does not heat the hair up to a damaging 200°C (as with flat irons) but that still significantly accelerates the chemical reaction (the breaking of sulfur bonds) when permanent wave liquid is used.
Advantageous embodiments of the suggested device are described in Claims 2 through 11.
A particularly effective and compact design of the unit to generate heat and ultrasound is achieved when the ultrasound generator, the resonator, and the oscillating body are arranged one after another in a row, in the direction of the clamp, according to Claim 2.
The direction of the clamp or the direction in which the clamp extends is understood to mean the direction in which the clamp is aligned or approximately aligned. A crease or bend in the clamp in this case is sufficient to support the assumption that the clamp is aligned approximately in one direction. The phrase "part of the clamp" is understood to mean a section of the clamp in which the oscillating body is located. In this process, this part can oscillate in a direction (x direction) corresponding with the alignment of the clamp or a direction that is perpendicular to this (y or z direction). The only thing that is important is that this direction be transverse with respect to a clamped strand of hair in order to heat the strand of hair using friction. With the known prior art, the ultrasound vibration is always applied toward and away from the hair, i.e. executed in a normal direction with respect to the hair (which means that the hair is quasi compressed and released with ultrasound frequency), whereby there is no heating of the hair from the ultrasound.
If a gap is provided between the resonator and oscillating body on one side as well as the clamp on the other side, so that there is no contact between these oscillating components and the clamp housing the components (Claim 3), it thus prevents the clamp itself from heating up via ultrasound. This precludes any damage to the clamp, particularly melting of a plastic comprising the clamp.
A strand of hair can be securely clamped in the device if, according to Claim 4 (with the device closed), a contact surface is formed on each of the clamps on the opposing sides of the oscillating body and the closed clamps lie on top of one another on said contact surfaces.
If, according to Claim 5, a recess is provided in the clamp that swivels against the clamp which has the oscillating body, such that the swiveled clamp has no contact with the oscillating body when the clamps are closed, then the swiveled clamp is also protected from direct heating caused by ultrasound.
A relatively narrow treatment surface and therefore a location-specific, more energetic effective surface of the oscillating body is achieved when the oscillating body has a round cross-section and preferably is designed in the shape of a cylinder, and the contact surfaces are positioned lower than the uppermost area of the oscillating body (Claim 6). In doing so, a certain width of the treatment surface on the strand of hair is achieved when, in addition, the contact surfaces are aligned diagonally and tangentially towards the oscillating body (Claim 7).
An easy and reliable technique for automatic switch-on of the ultrasound when the device is closing and switch-off when the device is opening is achieved when the joint has a ring that rotates around the axis of a joint body and a cam is provided at said ring, according to Claim 8. In this process, the ring is rigidly connected to the moveable clamp and the cam is designed such that it activates a switch when the clamps are closed, and said switch provides the ultrasound generator with current from a supply line as long as the cam is actuating the switch. In a particularly preferred embodiment, either the cam can be shifted along the ring or the height of the switch can be adjusted such that a certain closing angle of the device can be preselected for its operation. In a compact design, the switch can be connected with a printed circuit board, which is connected to the ultrasound generator via at least one line (Claim 9). The electrical and electronic components for the ultrasound generator, along with the switch, can then be assembled in one assembly.
The device can be operated, against the force of the spring, by pressing the clamps together, and subsequently the clamps return to their original position if, according to Claim 2, the spring is provided between the clamps to keep the clamps in an open position.
Before the device is used to smooth hair, the hair is initially saturated with a permanent wave liquid. After a certain exposure period, the hair is rinsed with water. A strand of hair is then separated off and placed onto the oscillating body of the device. By pressing the clamps together, the oscillating body is switched on and swivels tangentially with respect to the strand of hair. When pressed together, the device is pulled along the strand of hair, wherein the hairs are clamped in their longitudinal direction and against the oscillating body via the contact surfaces. In doing so, the ultrasound vibrations are transmitted to the hair. The hair, which has been saturated with the permanent wave liquid, is heated up greatly due to the friction that occurs, whereby the chemical reaction of the permanent wave liquid is significantly accelerated. This causes the sulfur bonds in the hair to be broken more quickly. The sulfur bonds are additionally subjected to mechanical stress by the sound waves and are easier to break. Furthermore, there is additional movement in the permanent wave liquid due to the use of ultrasound, whereby its penetration into the hair is improved. This action and, in particular, the heat generated in the hair ensure that the concentration of permanent wave liquid can be reduced and that the hair can be deformed, this means, e.g. smoothed, in a more gentle manner.
A liquid that is suitable for the treatment of hair can be applied, in an economical manner, directly to the site for hair deformation if, according to Claim 11, the oscillating body is designed as a container with a reservoir, the reservoir having at least one passage for dispensing a product toward the interior side of the clamp, which is holding the oscillating body, and an agent for the treatment of hair is provided as a product. Then, during operation, the device, supported by the ultrasound, will dispense product from the oscillating body directly to the heated and treated site of the strands.
The suggested device is described in more detail in the following using figures showing two exemplary embodiments. The following is shown:

Figure 1: shows a side view of a clamp-like device to treat hair are using ultrasound, in a closed state;
Figure 2: shows a side view with a partial vertical cut-out of the device according to Figure 1 in an opened state;
Figure 3: shows a top view of a part of the lower clamp of the device according to Figures 1 and 2, wherein a strand of hair is placed across an oscillating body providing ultrasound;
Figure 4: shows a cross-section along A-A of Figure 1 of the hair strand of Figure 3 in the closed device; and
Figure 5: shows a side view of an oscillating body, which is designed as a container with passages to dispense a product for the treatment of hair.

On a device 1 to treat hair using ultrasound, two clamps 2, 3 are connected to one another via a joint 4 and swivel (Figures 1 and 2). An oscillating body 5 is arranged at an interior side 6 of a clamp 3 such that a strand of hair 7, which is clamped between two clamps 2, 3 when the clamps are closed, comes into contact with the oscillating body 5 or is touching it (Figures 3 and 4). An ultrasound generator 8 and a resonator 9 are installed in the active clamp 3, wherein the oscillating body 5 is connected to the resonator 9 line via a connection 10. The direction of oscillation 11 of the oscillating body 5 is the same as the direction 12 in which the clamp 3 having the oscillating body 5 extends. The ultrasound generator 8, the resonator 9, and the oscillating body 5 are arranged underneath one another in a row, in the direction 12 of the clamp 3. A gap 13 is provided between the resonator 9 and the oscillating body 5 on one side as well as the clamp 3 on the other side so that there is no contact between these oscillating components and the clamp 3 holding the components. This prevents the plastic of the active clamp 3 from heating up excessively.
There is a contact surface 14 formed on each opposing side of the oscillating body 5 extending in the direction 12 of the clamp 3; the clamps 2, 3 lie on top of one another on the contact surfaces 14 and, in doing so, keep the strand of hair 7 in position. A recess 15 is provided in the passive clamp 2, which can swivel against the clamp 3 having the oscillating body 5, which means that this clamp 2 does not make any contact with the oscillating body 5 when the clamps 2, 3 are closed, and this clamp 2 is also not heated excessively.
The oscillating body 5 has a round cross-section and is designed in the shape of a cylinder. The contact surfaces 14 are positioned lower than the uppermost area 16 of the oscillating body 5. The contact surfaces 14 are arranged diagonally so that the clamped strand of hair 7 is guided tangentially from the opposing sides to the upper area 16 of the oscillating body 16 (Figure 4). The device 1 is then pulled along the strand of hair 7 in the closed state, wherein the deformed hair, which has been saturated with a permanent wave liquid, is heated and smoothed due to the friction of the oscillating body 5, which is oscillating transversely with respect to the movement of the strand of hair 7.
A spring 22 between the clamps 2, 3 ensures the opening of the device 1 with the release of the previously manually applied closure force (Figure 2). The joint 4 has a ring 19 that rotates around an axis 17 of a joint body 18, and a cam 20 is provided on the ring 19. The ring 19 is rigidly connected to the passive clamp 2. The cam 20 is designed such that it actuates the switch 21 when the clamps 2, 3 are closed; this switch 21 provides current from an infeed line 24 to the ultrasound generator 8 as long as the cam 20 is actuating the switch 21. Thus, after release of the manually applied closing pressure, the device 1 switches off automatically. The switch 21 is connected to a printed circuit board 23 and to the ultrasound generator 8 via additional lines 24.
Instead of having to wet a strand of hair 7 before using the device 1, the hair can also be wetted during the ultrasound application by the oscillating body 5. To do this, the oscillating body 5 is designed as a container with a reservoir 25 (Figure 5). The reservoir 25 has a row of passages 26 for dispensing a product toward the interior side 6 of the clamp 3, which is holding the oscillating body 5. A permanent wave agent is contained in the reservoir 25 as a product 27. It has a relatively high concentration so that it can be distributed into the wet hair in small quantities. For an improved, uniform product flow, the product 27 can also be held in and dispensed from an absorbent material in the reservoir 25.

1: Device
2, 3: Clamp
4: Joint
5: Oscillating body
6: Interior side
7: Strand of hair
8: Ultrasound generator
9: Resonator
10: Connection
11: Direction of oscillation
12: Direction of a clamp 3
13: Gap
14: Contact surface
15: Recess
16: Area of oscillating body
17: Axis
18: Joint body
19: Ring
20: Cam
21: Switch
22: Spring
23: Printed circuit board
24: Line
25: Reservoir
26: Passage
27: Product

Claims

A device (1) to treat hair using ultrasound, with two clamps (2, 3), which are connected with one another via a joint (4) and which swivel, an oscillating body (5) on one interior side (6) of a clamp (3), wherein the oscillating body is arranged such that a strand of hair (7), which is clamped between the clamps (2, 3) when the clamps (2, 3) are closed, comes into contact with the oscillating body (5) or is touching it, with an ultrasound generator (8) and a resonator (9), wherein the oscillating body (5) is connected to the resonator (9) via a connection (10), characterized in that the direction of oscillation (11) of the oscillating body (5) is the same direction (12) in which the clamp (3) having the oscillating body (5) or the part of the clamp (3) extends.
The device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the ultrasound generator (8), the resonator (9), and the oscillating body (5) are arranged, one after another in a row, in the direction (12) of the clamp (3).
The device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that a gap (13) is provided between the resonator (9) and the oscillating body (5) on one side as well as the clamp (3) on the other side, which means that there is no contact between these oscillating components and the clamp (3) housing the components.
The device according to Claim 1, Claim 2, or Claim 3, characterized in that a contact surface (14) is formed on the clamps (2, 3) on each of the opposing sides of the oscillating body (5), wherein the closed clamps (2, 3) lie on top of one another on the contact surfaces (14).
The device according to any of Claims 1 through 4, characterized in that a recess (15) is provided in the clamp (2), which swivels against the clamp (3) having the oscillating body (5), which means that the clamp (2) does not come into contact with the oscillating body (5) when the clamps (2, 3) are closed.
The device according to Claim 4 and Claim 5, characterized in that the oscillating body (5) has a round cross-section and is preferably designed in the shape of a cylinder, and that the contact surfaces (14) are positioned lower than the uppermost area (16) of the oscillating body (5).
The device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the contact surfaces (14) are aligned diagonally and tangentially towards the oscillating body (5).
The device according to any of Claims 1 through 7, characterized in that the joint (4) has a ring (19) which rotates around an axis (17) of a joint body (18) and a cam (20) is provided at this ring (19), that the ring (19) is rigidly connected to the moveable clamps (2), and that the cam (20) is designed in such a way that it actuates a switch (21) when the clamps (2, 3) are closed and that this switch (21) provides the ultrasound generator (8) with current from a supply line (22) as long as the cam (20) is actuating the switch (21).
The device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the switch (22) is connected to a printed circuit board (23), which is connected to the ultrasound generator (8) via at least one line (24).
The device according to any of Claims 1 through 9, characterized in that a spring (25) is provided between the clamps (2, 3) to keep the clamps (2, 3) in an open position.
The device according to any of Claims 1 through 10, characterized in that the oscillating body (5) is designed as a container with a reservoir (25), that the reservoir (25) has at least one passage (26) for dispensing a product to the interior side (6) of the clamp (3), which is holding the oscillating body (5), and that an agent for the treatment of hair, particularly a permanent wave agent, is provided as a product (27).