US1881727A - Method and apparatus for treating women's hair - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 11, 1932. LE PAGE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING WOMEN'S HAIR 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed June 28. 1950 I N VEN TOR. HEcm i LE B1 GE A TTORNE Y.

Oct. 11, 1932. LE PAGE 1,881,727

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING WOMENS HAIR Filed June 28, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m ;V=- :r; +1 lIIlIIIIIlIlIlI/IIIII I/IIIIIIIIIIIIIII/ IIIIIIII INVENTOR. /*/5c 70/ [5 1 4GB,

I a I i I A TTORNE Patented Oct. 1 l, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HECTOR LE PAGE, OI MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TB ELTlNG WOIEN'B HAIR Application filed June as, 1930. Serial no. 484,589.

The present invention relates to methods and means employed for producing an en-' 1 in a much more expeditious manner than is possible with existing apparatus. In its second aspect, the invention resides in an improved method of treatment, practice of the steps of which are productive of the results desired.

The apparatus in which the invention is embodied comprises a vapor generating chamber in which the vapor is surcharged with certain chemical fumes, a novel instrument for receiving the windings of the strands of hair thereon, with means for conducting the vapor to the said instrument, and emitting the vapors therefrom to thoroughly permeate the windings and fix the same 1n the form produced in the winding.

The method resides, among other things, in the application of the vapor at the interior of the windings of the strands of hair, which method of application has been demonstrated as productive of more satisfactory results than those which follow the older practice of external application.

The practice of my invention enables me to achieve the results desired with great 35 economies in the cost of the materials used in the treatment and in the time required for performing the operation.

In the foregoing, I have outlined the na- .ture and purposes of my invention. In that which follows, I will describe specifically the features referred to, as well as others present in the invention. In the appended claims, I will point out the features which are asserted as novel. 7

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 shows in side elevation, with certain parts in vertical section, an apparatus constructed in accordance with my inven- .tion;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal section, of the instrument about which the strands of hair are to be wound, together with the/adjustable sleeve for defining the operating zone of the instrument; and

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing a modified construction.

In the accompanying drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a standard fixed in and risin vertically from a base ll, the latter being 0 such suitable shape and extent as will serve to maintain the standard and the parts supported thereon in upright position at all times. The standard 10 has fixed upon the upper end thereof, a radial arm 12 which extenlds horizontally with relation to the standar A shelf-like upper bracket 14 having an elongated bearing 15 is clamped upon the standard by means of bolts 16, and projects radially from the standard in a direction opposite to that of the arm 12. By means of the bolts 16. the said bracket may be adjusted vertically upon the standard to any desired point intermediate the ends of the latter. and clamped in fixed position. A second shelf-like lower bracket 17, extends radially from the lower end of the bearing 15 of the bracket 14, in the vertical plane of the latter. a space between the brackets being provided, for a purpose which will later be described.

A reservoir or container 18 is positioned upon the upper bracket 14, the said reservoir being designed for the accommodation of a quantity of liquid, such as is used in treating the hair on the head of the patron. The reservoir 18 is provided with a filling orifice 9o 19. the hollow stem of which is provided with a hand operated valve 20, through which the liquid may be entered into the reservoir. At its lower side the reservoir is provided with a tubular vent 21, opened and closed by a hand operated valve 22, and with a set valve 23, which latter is adapted to be adjusted to a position which will permit a graduated quantity of the liquid to pass through the vent 21 at the desired rate of flow. When once adjusted, the valve 23 will not require further attention.

A vapor generating) chamber 24 is positioned upon the lower racket 17, immediate- 1y below the reservoir 18. The lower end of the tubular vent 21, leading from the reservoir, passes through the top of the chamber 24 and is positioned so as to deliver the liquid 1. vided with a valve 38 dripping from the vent 21, upon a plate 25, heated at the under side by an electrical unit 26, or other heating device.

The chamber 24 is provided at one side with an outlet to which is joined a coupling 27 connected with a duct 28, rising along the side of the standard 10 and extending over the radial arm 12, the duct being positioned in a longitudinal groove formed in the upper side of the said arm. The end of the duct 28 is continued downwardly around the free end of the radial arm 12, as at 29, and supports a fluid distributor, which will be described later.

When it is desired to use the apparatus in the performance of its functions, the electrical heating unit 26 is placed in circuit, and the hand operated valve 22 is opened to permit the liquid in the reservoir to flow through the vent 21, and drip upon the heated plate 25 in the vapor generating chamber. The fluid flowing from the reservoir into the chamber is thus converted into vapor and is passed through the duct 28 to the distributor before mentioned. A by-pass 30 connects the vapor generating chamber 24 with the reservoir 18, so as to maintain an even pressure upon the liquid in the latter. The lower end of the duct 28 is provided with a trap 31, in which any vapor remaining in the duct 28 below the horizontal portion thereof will be condensed, and may be drawn off by opening the valve 32, at the conclusion of the use of the apparatus.

In the form illustrated, the fluid distributor before mentioned is formed "as a ring 33 of tubular cross section having a plurality of radially arranged connecting tubes 34, the inner ends of which latter are centered in a hub 35, in which the downturned end 29' of the duct 28 is entered, so as to support the distributor in a suspended position. A trap 36 leads downwardly from the hub 35 of the distributor, to receive condensation of the vapor in the distributor. Such condensation may be withdrawn from the distributor and the hub thereof by opening a hand operated valve 37. It is preferable that the radially arranged ducts 34 incline downwardly to ward the central hub 35, to insure the complete draining of the distributor into the trap 36.

The hollow ring 33 and the radially extended connecting tubes 34, are provided at their under side with a plurality of outlets in the form of nipples, each of which is proleading to a flexible tube 39. The number of such outlets from the distributor and the number of connected flexible tubes, will be suflicient to enable the apparatus to perform its function in a proper manner. When the valves 38 are opened, the vapor will flow through the flexible tubes 39.

In order that a wavy and ornamental effect may be produced in the arrangement of the hair on the head of the patron who is being treated, the strands are wound as helixes about curlers, and while so wound are subjected to a heating or steaming operation, the action of which is to give a permanent set to the coiled strands of hair. In the devices heretofore employed in this art. the heat has been applied exteriorly to the windings of the hair about the curlers. This method of applying the heat requires the use of adjunctive devices and materials, both of which involve considerable expense, and which are not required in the connection with the use of my improved apparatus, or in the application of the new method devised by me.

The curler, or implement which I use is of specially constructed tubular formation, the walls of which are provided with a multitude of small perforations, the latter constituting emission pqts for the vapor generated in the chamber 24. Such a tubular curler with perforated walls is indicated by the numeral 40 in Fig. 1, and shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 4, it being constituted as a tube preferably of light metal, slightly tapered toward one end, and provided with numerous small perforations 41. The smaller end of the tube is closed by a plug 42, having in its outer end a longitudinally extending slit 43, in which is wedged the thread used to confine the strand of hair about the tube.

The larger end of the tubular curler or implement 40 is slipped into the free end of the flexible tubing 39, and may be adjusted longitudinally therein to seal such of the ports 41 as are not covered by the winding of the strand of hair about the tube, and thus conserve the vapor and cause all of it to pass outwardly through the unsealed perforations in the curler, and effect the better permeation of the winding of hair.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated a modification of the appliance shown in Fig. 3, in that a sleeve 44 may receive the tubular curler or implement 40, one end of the sleeve being entered in the flexible tube 39. The open end of the sleeve 44 is provided with radial projections 43, to which are pivoted snap levers 46. A sealing gasket 47 encircles the tubular curler or implement 40, and is lodged in a circular depression in the free end of the sleeve 44. A ring 48 surrounding the tubular curler 40 is provided on its inner face with an annular rib 49, having an inclined pression is effected by means oflinks 50 piv- 5 oted at one end to the ring 48 and at the other to the snap levers 46. By pressing the free ends of the snap levers into engagement with the sides of the sleeve 44, the asket will be compressed, with the result he ore stated.

A solution which I find well ada ted for the achievement of the purposes 0 my mvention, is composed of sodium in water. Ammonium or any other agent of the required properties may be used. This solution, when passed into the heating chamber 24, will by contact with the heated plate be converted into a vapor surcharged with the properties of the chemicals used. In some instances, the liquid used in treatment results without the addition thereto of any chemicals. It will therefore be within my invention to use water only, and treat the hair of the patron with the steam generated therefrom. V

In using the invention in a professional way, the strands of hair on the head of the patron are wound about the several tubular curlers 40, or as many of these as may be required in the operation. The number required will vary at times. The patron will then be seated immediately under the distributor, which in practice, is maintainedat such an elevation as not to interfere with the free movement of the patron into and out of seated position. The tubular curlers or implements 40, will then be connected with the flexible tubes 39, and the valves 38 of such of the flexible tubes 39 as may be in use, will be opened. With the generation of the vapor in the chamber 24, the vapor will flow through the duct 28, and be distributed through the flexible tubes 39 and curlers 40,

passing out through the perforations in the latter, and thoroughly permeating the strands of hair wound thereabout. This method of applying :heat from the inside of the coiled strands of hair, effects a great economy in the time required to set the windings in permanent form. Moreover, it saves the time heretofore required in preparation for external treatment. The pressure upon the vapor is sufficient to cause it to pass rapidly through and completely penetrate the windings of the hair, and I have found that the movement of the vapor through the strands of hair in' a continuous manner, is

productive of results superior to those which follow the practice of the older methods. After the treatment has continued for the required length of time, the circuit to the heater 26 is broken and the outlet valves are closed. The curlers are disconnected from. the flexible tubes, and then disengaged from I claim and desire to secureby maybe water; I have obtained satisfactory the head of the patron, and the condensation drawn ofi. I

Having thus'described my invention, what ent of the United States, is:

1. In an apparatus for producing ornamental efiects in the arrangement of human hair, a tubular curler the walls of which are perforated for-the passage 'of vapor to effect permeation of strands of. hair wound about the said curler, means for generating vapor, and a connectionleading from the gene:- atin means to the tubular curler, with a tubu ar sleeve in which the curler may be adjusted longitudinally to close some of the perforations therein, and a sealing gasket or dam at the end of the sleeve.

2. In an apparatus for producing ornamental effects in the arrangement of human hair, a liquid reservoir, a chamber in which the liquid is vaporized and means therein for effecting such vaporization, a distributor with connections thereto from'the chamber, tubular curlers upon the perforated walls of which strands of hair are wound, and conducting means leadings from the distributor to the curlers, such conducting means comprising a sleeve encircling one end of the curler and movable thereover to close some of the perforations with a sealing gasket or dam'encircling the tubular curlers at the end of the sleeve, whereby impregnation of the strands of hair by the vapor is effected.

' 3. In an apparatus for producing ornamental efiects in the arrangement of human hair, a liquid reservoir, a chamber in which the liquid dripping from the reservoir is vaporized, a hot plate therein and means for heating the same for effecting such vaporization, valved connections between the reservoir and the chamber for controlling the flow of liquid as it drips from the reservoir, a distributor with connections thereto from the vaporizing chamber, curlers upon which strands of hair are wound, and meansleading from the distributor to the curlers, whereby impregnation of the strands of hair by the vapor is effected.

4. In an apparatus for producing ornamental effects 1n the'arrangement of human hair, a liquid reservoir, a chamber in which the liquid is vaporized and means therein for effecting such vaporization, connections between the reservoir and the chamber for controlling the flow of liquid dripping from the reservoir into the chamber, a distributor with connections thereto from the said chamber, perforated tubular curlers upon which strands of hair are wound, and means leading from the distributor to L the curlers, whereby impregnation of the strands of hair by the vapor is effected from the inside of the windings about the curlers.

5. In an apparatus for producing ornamental effects in the arrangement of human Letters Pathair, a standard, a liquid reservoir having means to control the flow of liquid therefrom, a communicating chamber into which the liquid drips and is vaporized, means therein for effecting such vaporization, a distributor supported upon the standard with connections to the distributor from the vaporizing chamber, perforated tubular curlers having perforated walls about which strands: of hair are wound, and means leading from the distributor to the curlers, whereby impregnation by the vapor of the strands of hair is efiected from the interior of the windings about the curlers. 16 In testimony whereof, I have signed my name at Milwaukee, this 19th day of June,

1930. HECTOR LE PAGE.

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