GB2147204A - Moisture sensing hairgrooming device - Google Patents

Abstract

A hair grooming device such as a comb, a heated hair styler or a curler having a moisture sensing device e.g. electrodes 32 and an indicator to signal a predetermined moisture content in the hair thereby allowing the user to control the dryness of the hair while styling or curling the hair. The indicator may be a piezo noise emitting chip or a light emitting diode. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Moisture Sensing Hair Grooming Device This invention is directed to hair grooming and styling appliances and, in particular, to appliances which are used in conjunction with heat.

Background of the Invention Human hair is considered to be built up from a very complex protein called Alpha-Keratin. The protein molecules are arranged in organized patterns and are held together with hydrogen or sulfur bonds. These bonds determine the degree of curliness of hair.

The hydrogen bonds are the bonds which are broken and reformed when washing and setting hair. Breaking these bonds is accomplished by warm water, steam or heat, thus it is common for persons to wash their hair prior to reshaping a hairstyle. Moist hair, due to the breaking of these bonds, is very elastic and can be stretched and formed by various means. When dry, the hydrogen bonds reform and the hair is said to have taken a set.

Dry hair does not stretch so rough handling such as rolling and vigorous combing should be avoided as damage due to breakage is possible. Overly dried hair will become brittle and may suffer from such unrepairable conditions as split ends.

Hair, being hydroscopic, will absorb moisture from the atmosphere. Hair drying and styling appliances such as hair dryers, curling irons and styling brushes, because they are heated, provide an artificially dry condition for the hair. Hair can withstand high temperatures, but excessive dryness is known to cause damage even at low temperatures.

U.S. Patents 3,082,540,4,260,875 and 4,259,566 describe various hair appliances that have either temperature sensing probes or humidity sensors.

However, none of the appliances disclosed or any other prior art provides a moisture sensor which can be directed to a specific portion of hair by the user.

None of the prior art can be used in conjunction with another hair dryer or curling and styling appliance or provide the user with first hand moisture control unrelated to ambient heat.

The invention comprises a hair grooming device comprising, hair engaging means 31,37,41 or 50, moisture sensing means 32 associated with such hair engaging means in such a fashion that such sensing contacts the hair during grooming, and, signaling means 30, or 38 connected to be responsive to such moisture sensing means for signaling a predetermined moisture content of the hair.

In one configuration, the invention provides a comb or brush to be used in conjunction with a hair dryer, usually the hand held type, that incorporates at least two electrically conductive areas that connectively join to an electronic circuit that measures the moisture of the hair which passes therebetween. Light-emitting diodes and/or a piezo noise-emitting device can be joined to the circuit.

Dryness of the hair is indicated by the diodes and/or noise-emitting device. Batteries are contained in the body.

In another configuration, the invention provides a heated apparatus such as a curling iron, styling brush or hair roller, having at least two electrodes incorporated in the active, or heated, area, contacted by the hair during normal use. An electronic circuit measures the moisture of the hair.

All of the above embodiments have at least one setting to indicate dryness of hair. In some cases it may be desirable to have two or three settings indicating the degree of dryness.

In the Drawings Figure 1 is a partially broken-away, side view of comb according to the invention; Figure 2 is a top end view of the comb of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the comb of Figure 1 rotated 90 ; Figure 4 is a partially broken-away side view of a brush according to the invention; Figure 5 is a top end view of the brush of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a partially broken-away, side view of a heated styling brush according to the invention; Figure 7 is an end view of the heated styling brush; Figure 8 is a partially broken-away side view of a heated curling iron according to the invention; Figure 9 is a schematic view of a suitable electronic circuit using a battery as a power sources, and, Figure 10 is the same electronic circuit using a tap off the heating element as a power source.

Description of the Embodiment Before describing the various appliances shown in the illustrations, it will be appreciated that the invention is applicable to a variety of different hair grooming devices, which may or may not incorporate means for heating the hair.

Typically, when grooming the hair, a conventional hair dryer or blower may be used which will apply warm air to the hair and thus dry it. Again, typically the user will also be grooming or styling the hair with a comb or brush. The comb or brush will constantly be applied to the hair, while the hair is subjected to the action of the warm air, with a view to grooming the hair or achieving a particular styling.

In some other appliances, heat may be applied to the hair for the purposes of rolling or curling the hair. These appliances may apply direct heat to the hair, by contact, with or without heating the hair by means of heated air.

The invention is considered to have a broad application to hair grooming devices, whether heated or unheated. In addition, the invention may be applicable to certain kinds of hair dryers or blowers, where such hair dryers or blowers incorporate some means for contacting the hair.

Conceivably, other forms of hair grooming and styling devices may be developed in the future, or may exist, and the invention does not exclude in its application an adaptation to any other such forms of hair grooming devices, whether known or unknown and whether existing or developed in the future.

Referring to Figures 1,2 and 3, the comb 21 according to the invention comprises a rigid body of plastic, or other suitable material, having a main portion or bottom 22 and a top portion 23. A slidable arm 24 is movably joined to a selector switch 25 mounted on an electronic circuit board assembly 26.

Battery terminals 27 and 28 made from stainless steel or other suitable material compressively touch the ends of batteries 29. A piezo noise-emitting chip 30 is incorporatively mounted in one end, connectively joined to the aforementioned circuit board assembly.

Teeth 31 protrude outwardly from bottom portion 22. Electrodes 32 are embedded in some such teeth so that contact is made with hair as it passes through the teeth.

A removable hatch 33 is provided to allow changing of batteries.

Figure 9 illustrates suitable electronic circuitry "c" for board 26, for processing signals received from the electrodes 32 and generating a signal. Such a signal may be visual, as in an LED display, or may be audible, as in a piezo device, or both if desired.

It will be noted that the comb 21 of Figures 1,2 and 3 does not incorporate any means for applying heat to the hair, either by direct contact or by hot air.

Typically, such a comb 21 will be used in conjunction with a hand-held hair dryer or blower.

The comb 21 will be constantly drawn through the hair while it is being subjected to the action of warm air to dry it.

The comb 21 of Figures 1,2 and 3 will thus provide an instantaneous direct read-out of the moisture content of the hair at any particular point on the scalp to which the comb 21 is applied. It can thus be used to direct the warm air from the hair dryer or lower to any particular areas of dampness which may exist even after other areas have already been dried to a sufficient degree of dryness.

Apertures 34 allow the sound made by the piezo chip 30 to reach the user's ear when the hair is suitably dry.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the brush 35 according to the invention comprises a rigid body of plastic or other suitable material having a top portion 23, hatch 33 identical to that of the comb 21 of Figures 1,2 and 3, and a bottom or main portion 36 similar to the comb 21. In this case, however, the teeth 37 protrude radially outward in several directions. Electronic components and hardware are simiiarto aforementioned comb except that the piezo noise emitting chip 30 is omitted and replaced by a light emitting diode 38 to alert the user of dryness.

Both the comb 21 and the brush 35 of this invention are provided with a selecting switch 25 and arm 24forvarying the amount of moisture sensed. In one position the user can determine that the hair is still sufficiently moist that further styling, such as using a heated styling brush or curling iron, is unlikely to cause damage due to dryness. Another position can indicate that the hair is completely dry.

Both settings are used as these devices would normally be used in conjunction with a hair dryer.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the heated styling brush 39 of this invention comprises a barrel 40 made from aluminum that has a plurality of teeth 41 made from rigid plastic, or other suitable material, protruding therefrom. A heating element 42 is located within the barrel 40 and is heated by power supplied from the mains. A handle 43 made from rigid plastic encloses an electronic circuit board assembly 44. Battery terminals 45 and 46 made from stainless steel or other suitable material compressively touch the ends of batteries 29. A piezo noise-emitting chip 30 is mounted in handle 43. A removable hatch 47 is provided in the bottom of the handle to allow changing of the batteries.

Power for the heater is provided through the cord set 48. Electrodes 32 are embedded in two teeth connectively joined to circuit board assembly 44.

Referring to Figure 8, the heated curling iron 49 according to the invention comprises a metal barrel 50 that encloses a heating element 51 having an insulated area 52 made from heat resistant insulating material. Two electrodes 53 are embedded such that they contact the user's hair under the clamp 54. A handle 55 made from rigid plastic or other suitable material encloses an electronic circuit board assembly 56 connectively joined to the electrodes 53. A light emitting diode 57 is provided to indicate dryness. A hatch as described in Figure 7 is not required as the power is drawn from tapping the heating element as shown in Figure 10, and the batteries are not required.

Figure 10 illustrates a suitable power supply circuit "P" for using mains power, in conjunction with electronic circuits "C" of Figure 9.

Both the heated styling brush 39 and the heated curling iron 49 ofthis invention do not require multiple dryness settings described in the comb 21 and brush 35 as it is not desirable to have moist hair after using this type of hair grooming appliance.

The usage of the devices according to the invention is self evident.

The comb or brush of Figures 1,2,3,4 and 5 is intended to be used in conjunction with some form of hair drying device such as a hair dryer or blower.

In this usage, the hair dryer or blower applies warm air to the hair while the cdmb or brush is simply passed through the hair. The comb or brush will give an indication of the degree of dryness of the hair independently of the operation of the hair dryer itself.

The devices, such as the styling brush or curling appliances will be used in the typical way in which such devices have been used in the past except that they will give an indication in some form or another, either by a light or a noise, of the degree of dryness of the hair. In either case, appropriate action can be taken. Where multiple settings are provided, then one setting will give an indication of the existance of certain residual moisture so that drying and styling can be continued. When a second setting is reached, it will indicate that drying must cease. As mentioned, the invention is applicable to a wide range of hair grooming or styling devices and is not confined merely to those shown herein. The devices shown herein are merely schematic illustrations, which are given by way of example only, for purposes of illustrating the invention and its application to various different uses.

The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is given here by way of example only. The invention is not to be taken as limited to any of the specific features as described, but comprehends all such variations thereof as come within the scope of the appended

Claims (11)

claims. CLAIMS

1. A hair grooming device comprising, hair engaging means, moisture sensing means associated with such hair engaging means in such a fashion that such sensing contacts the hair during grooming, and, signaling means connected to be responsive to such moisture sensing means for signaling a predetermined moisture content in the hair.

2. A hair grooming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device is a comb for use in conjunction with a hair dryer.

3. A hair grooming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device is a brush for use in conjunction with a hair dryer.

4. A hair grooming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device is a heated styling brush.

5. A hair grooming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device is a heated curling iron.

6. A hair grooming device as claimed in claim 1, including a battery power source.

7. A hair grooming device as claimed in claim 4, including a power source tapped off the heating element of said brush.

8. A hair grooming device as claimed in claim 5, including a power source tapped off the heating element of said curling iron.

9. A hair grooming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signaling device is a piezo noise emitting chip.

10. A hair grooming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signalling device is a light emitting diode.

11. A hair grooming device as claimed in Claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.