US20140060565A1

US20140060565A1 - Method and apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage

Info

Publication number: US20140060565A1
Application number: US14/115,919
Authority: US
Inventors: Emi Saito
Original assignee: Sharp Corp
Current assignee: Sharp Corp
Priority date: 2011-05-12
Filing date: 2012-04-17
Publication date: 2014-03-06
Also published as: CN103517652B; EP2708153A4; CN105768491A; WO2012153605A1; CN103517652A; EP2708153A1; JP5066284B1; JP2012250014A; EP2708153B1; ES2640250T3

Abstract

There is provided with a method for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage that humidifies hair readily and improves hair damage with the use of both positive ions and negative ions. A positive ion generation means for discharging electricity between electrodes applied by a voltage to generate positive ions combined to water molecules and a negative ion generation means for discharging electricity between electrodes applied by a voltage to generate negative ions combined to water molecules are prepared. Hair is humidified and hair damage is reduced by irradiation of hair with the positive and negative ions generated respectively by the positive ion generation means and the negative ion generation means.

Description

This application is the national phase under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2012/060316 which has an International filing date of Apr. 17, 2012 and designated the United States of America.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage for providing moisture to hair with ions and improving hair condition.

BACKGROUND

Many ladies have various worries on the cosmetics. One of typical problems is hair damage, and it is mainly caused by hair drying. The hair drying not only generates dry feeling, but also produces some problems such as easily generating static electricity and losing cohesiveness of the whole hairs as well as mote and dust easily attaching to hair.
Cosmetics, such as hair conditioner, are sold as hair care use for a long time. The basic mechanism of these cosmetics is for making hair surface smooth. As using the cosmetics, the hair friction is reduced and the hair obtains soft feeling. Additionally, the efficiency of light reflection becomes better and hence the hair obtains glossiness.
The hair conditioner is composed mainly of cationic surfactant. The cationic surfactant is easily adhered to the hair carrying a negative charge. For this property, the cationic surfactant covers the hair and then smoothens the surface of hair.
Unfortunately, the above-mentioned method of using cosmetics has temporary effects such as unable to sustain the effect under drying environment in addition to the troublesome treatment.
Recently, a cosmetic apparatus capable of hair caring at home has also been commercialized. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-275011 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-55351 disclose and commercialize cosmetic apparatuses such as hair drying and hair ironing for producing ions. These apparatuses improve hair condition with ions carrying negative charges. However, in the event of having wet hair or damaged hair, since the hair is carrying a negative charge, the hair has lower absorption efficiency even if many negative ions are generated.
On the other hand, in the event of having dry hair, in particular, in the event of brushing and drying, since the hair is carried with a positive charge through friction generated between the hair and the brush, the hair has higher absorption efficiency as many negative ions are generated.
In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-49101 discloses a hair dryer generating positive ions and negative ions. The invention of it aims to improve hair damage by cancelling a charging phenomenon on hair, similar to the inventions disclosed in Japanese Patent Applications Laid-Open No. 2003-275011 and Laid-Open No. 2004-55351.

SUMMARY

As described above, the conventional cosmetic apparatuses performing hair caring with the generation of ions improve hair damage by means of cancelling a charging phenomenon on hair. However, generating positive ions and negative ions, providing moisture to hair with the positive ions and negative ions and then improving hair damage have not been proposed.
It has been known that more serious hair damage, such as split hair or distrix, is caused at the time of drying and styling washed hair. However, any method for improving these problems other than a method of using a pack of medicine has not been proposed.
In addition, with regard to the use of a cosmetic apparatus for hair caring, it is desired to vary the amount of generated ions in accordance with events such as generating more negative ions in the case of obtaining relaxation effects.
In view of such circumstances as described above, the present invention aims to provide a method and an apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage that humidifies hair at ease and improves hair damage with the use of positive ions and negative ions and that reduces hair damage such as serious split hair or cracked hair, which easily occurs at the time of drying and styling washed hair.
A method for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage in accordance with the present invention comprises preparing a positive ion generation means for discharging electricity by the application of voltage to generate positive ions combined to water molecules and a negative ion generation means for discharging electricity by the application of voltage to generate negative ions combined to water molecules; and humidifying hair and reducing damage occurring in hair by irradiating the positive ions and negative ions generated respectively by the positive ion generation means and the negative ion generation means to hair.
The method for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage in accordance with the present invention features that the positive ion is H⁺(H₂O)_m(m is an arbitrary natural number), and the negative ion is O₂ ⁻(H₂O)_n(n is an arbitrary natural number).
The method for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage in accordance with the present invention further comprises preparing an air blowing mechanism for blowing air including the positive ions and negative ions generated respectively by the positive ion generation means and the negative ion generation means and blowing air from the air blowing mechanism.
The apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage in accordance with the present invention comprises a positive ion generation means for discharging electricity by the application of voltage to generate positive ions combined to water molecules and a negative ion generation means for discharging electricity by the application of voltage to generate negative ions combined to water molecules, and is configured to irradiate the positive ions and negative ions generated respectively by the positive ion generation means; and the negative ion generation means to hair.
With regard to the method and apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage in accordance with the present invention, the positive ion generation means discharges electricity by the application of voltage to generate positive ions combined to water molecules, and the negative ion generation means discharges electricity by the application of voltage to generate negative ions combined to water molecules. The positive ions and negative ions generated respectively by the positive ion generation means and the negative ion generation means are irradiated to hair.
The apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage in accordance with the present invention features that the positive ion is H⁺(H₂O)_m(m is an arbitrary natural number), and the negative ion is O₂ ⁻(H₂)_n(n is an arbitrary natural number).
The apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage in accordance with the present invention is configured such that the positive ion generation means and the negative ion generation means are capable of changing the amount of positive ions and negative ions to be generated respectively.
With regard to this apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage, the positive ion generation means and the negative ion generation means are capable of changing the amount of positive ions and negative ions to be generated respectively.
The apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage in accordance with the present invention further comprises an air blowing mechanism for blowing air including the positive ions and negative ions generated respectively by the positive ion generation means and the negative ion generation means.
With regard to the method and the apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage in accordance with the present invention, the air blowing mechanism blows air including the positive ions and negative ions generated respectively by the positive ion generation means and the negative ion generation means.
The apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage in accordance with the present invention is configured such that the air blowing mechanism blows air at a wind speed not more than 15 m/s.
With regard to this apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage, the air blowing mechanism blows air at a wind speed not more than 15 m/s.
The apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage in accordance with the present invention further comprises a heating means for heating air blown from the air blowing mechanism.
With regard to this apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage, the heating means heats air blown from the air blowing mechanism.
With regard to the method for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage in accordance with the present invention, the method provides moisture to hair irradiated with generated positive and negative ions by discharge, and removes static electricity so as to bring the effect of hair beauty, therefore, it is easy to handle without maintenance and cost required for buying medicine. The method for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage that humidifies hair and improves hair damage with the use of positive ions and negative ions can be realized. These positive ions and negative ions are combined to water molecules, and these water molecules adhere to the hair and provide moisture. Since positive ions and negative ions are both generated, the effect of moisture giving can be obtained with sufficient number of ions even if the hair is carried with either polarity.
According to the apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage, the apparatus provides moisture to hair irradiated with generated positive and negative ions by discharge, and removes static electricity so as to bring the effect of hair beauty, therefore, the maintenance and cost required for buying medicine is not necessary. The apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage that humidifies hair and improves hair damage with the use of positive ions and negative ions can be realized. These positive ions and negative ions are combined to water molecules, and these water molecules adhere to the hair and provide moisture. Since positive ions and negative ions are both generated, the effect of moisture giving can be obtained with sufficient number of ions even if the hair is carried with either polarity.
In addition, according to the apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage, each generation amount of positive ions and negative ions can be freely changed, therefore, the effect of ions matched with peripheral temperature and humidity conditions can be efficiently obtained.
The above and further objects and features will more fully be apparent from the following detailed description with accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a cosmetic apparatus as an embodiment of a method and an apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage related to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the cosmetic apparatus as indicated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of appearance of an ion generation apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an example of configuration of the ion generation apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a measurement result related to the variation of moisture amount of a hair sample in the case of non-wind.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing a measurement result related to the variation of moisture amount of a hair sample at a wind speed about 3 m/s.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing an example of configuration of an ion generation apparatus of a cosmetic apparatus related to the present invention.

FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram showing a diagrammatic configuration of a hair dryer for commercial use as an embodiment of a method and an apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage related to the present invention.

FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram showing the hair dryer for commercial use as indicated in FIG. 8A in a state of being used. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of appearance of an ion generation apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing a measurement result of moisture amount of a hair sample at a wind speed about 8 m/s.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing a measurement result of a number of hair damage generation in a hair sample at a wind speed about 15 m/s.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a cosmetic apparatus as an embodiment of a method and an apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage related to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the cosmetic apparatus.
The cosmetic apparatus has a substantially cylindrical shape with an air flow channel 3 formed therein. A discharge port 1 for discharging air is formed at the downstream side of the air flow channel 3, and a suction port 2 for sucking air is formed at the upstream side thereof. The air flow channel 3 is a flow channel connected from the suction port 2 to the discharge port 1. An air blowing mechanism 4 provided with a sirocco fan and a motor for driving the sirocco fan is arranged inside the air flow channel 3, and an intake port of the sirocco fan becomes the suction port 2.
The air blowing mechanism 4 sucks air through the suction port 2 and introduces the air into the air flow channel 3, and then circulates the air at the downstream side of the air flow channel 3. A heating part 5 for heating the air circulated in the air flow channel 3 is arranged in the part of the downstream side of the air flow channel 3 relative to the air blowing mechanism 4. The heating part 5 is configured with an insulation plate and a heater wire wounded up at the outside of the insulation plate.
In addition, two branch paths 3 a, 3 b are divided from the part positioning at the downstream side of the air flow channel 3 relative to the air blowing mechanism 4 and at the upstream side of the air flow channel 3 relative to the heating part 5. The branch paths 3 a, 3 b are formed inside cylindrical protrusive cylinders 7 a, 7 b jointly connected to outside from a lateral surface of the air flow channel 3, and they communicate with the air flow channel 3 at inlet ports thereof.
Each of ion generation parts 10 a, 10 b for generating positive ions and negative ions respectively is arranged inside the two branch paths 3 a, 3 b, individually. The positive ions and negative ions generated by the ion generation parts 10 a, 10 b are sent to hair with wind individually.
At the side of the suction port 2 of the air flow channel 3, a handle 21 is provided at a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the air flow channel 3. An operation switch 6 is provided at the part of the handle 21 to be grasped by a user. A main body case 14 of an ion generation apparatus including the ion generation parts 10 a, 10 b is stored inside the handle 21.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of configuration of the ion generation apparatus 10.
The ion generation apparatus 10 is provided with the main body case 14 for storing a circuit part and the ion generation parts 10 a, 10 b. The ion generation parts 10 a, 10 b are formed in a substantially hemispherical shape. Ion emission holes 14 a, 14 b formed in a circular shape with a diameter of, for example, about 8 mm are opened at the plane surface part of the hemisphere, and the top part of the hemisphere is connected to the main body case 14 through a high-voltage wire.
Discharge electrodes 11 a, 11 b formed in stylus shape are arranged in a manner of crossing in a direction perpendicular to the emission holes almost at the center inside the emission holes 14 a, 14 b. In addition, counter electrodes 12 a, 12 b formed in annular shape are arranged oppositely along the emission holes 14 a, 14 b at the surrounding of the discharge electrodes 11 a, 11 b.
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an example of configuration of the ion generation apparatus.
With regard to the ion generation apparatus 10, the counter electrodes 12 a, 12 b and the discharge electrodes 11 a, 11 b are connected to a high-voltage power supply part 13 stored inside the main body case 14.
The high-voltage power supply part 13 is connected to an AC 100V power supply 15 through an outlet, and the anode of a diode D1 is connected to one plug of the outlet. One terminal of a capacitor C1 and the anode of a two-terminal thyristor D2 are connected to the cathode of the diode D1 through a resistor R1. The other terminal of the capacitor C1 is connected to the other plug of the outlet, and the primary coil of a transformer 16 is connected between the cathode of the two-terminal thyristor D2 and the other plug of the outlet.
One terminal of the secondary coil of the transformer 16 is connected to the cathode of a diode D3 of the ion generation part 10 a, and the anode of the diode D3 is connected to the discharge electrode 11 a. The one terminal of the secondary coil of the transformer 16 is also connected to the anode of a diode D4 of the ion generation part 10 b, and the cathode of the diode D4 is connected to the discharge electrode 11 b.
The other terminal of the secondary coil of the transformer 16 is connected to the counter electrodes 12 a, 12 b.
The high-voltage power supply part 13 connected to the discharge electrode 11 a at one side generates a negative high-voltage pulse voltage (for example, a frequency of 60 Hz, a point voltage about −2 kV). The high-voltage power supply part 13 connected to the discharge electrode 11 b at the other side generates a positive high-voltage pulse voltage (for example, a frequency of 60 Hz, a point voltage about 2 kV). Therefore, the electricity discharge occurs between the tips of the discharge electrodes 11 a, 11 b and the counter electrodes 12 a, 12 b, and then plasma is generated. Because of the generated plasma, a molecule such as oxygen (O₂) and water (H₂O)_min air receives energy.
When the voltage applied to the discharge electrode is a positive voltage, a water molecule in air is ionized and then a hydrogen ion (H⁺) is generated. The hydrogen ion clusters around a water molecule in air, and then a positive ion composed of H⁺(H₂O)_m(m is an arbitrary natural number) is mainly generated. Then, the positive ions are emitted from the emission hole 14 b with the discharge electrode 11 b.
When the voltage applied to the discharge electrode is a negative voltage, an oxygen molecule or a water molecule in air is ionized, and then an oxygen ion (O₂ ⁻) is generated. The oxygen ion clusters around a water molecule in air, and then a negative ion composed of O₂ ⁻(H₂O)_n(n is an arbitrary natural number) is mainly generated. Then, the negative ions are emitted from the emission hole 14 a with the discharge electrode 11 a.
With regard to the Embodiment 1, the positive ion generation part and the negative ion generation part are arranged at the positions mutually opposite to each other relative to the air flow channel 3 and the discharge port 1. Since the ions which are generated by the positive ion generation part and the negative ion generation part respectively and flowed with the air sent from the discharge port 1 can reach the user's hair without being combined and eliminated by the attractive force of ions with reverse polarity, it is possible to arrange both ion generation parts to each other closely.
Based on the confirmation made by the inventors, if the positive ion generation part and the negative ion generation part are about 20 mm away from the direction which is orthogonal to the delivery direction of air, then the effect of ions can be attained.
Moreover, though the positive ion generation part and the negative ion generation part are further arranged closely to the extent of making a contact to each other, it is unavoidable that a part of ions is eliminated by combination, however, the effect is not necessarily lost. It is preferable that the positive ion generation part and the negative ion generation part are arranged such that the positive ions and negative ions are transported by the air sent from the discharge port 1.
The operation of the cosmetic apparatus having such configuration is described hereinafter.
With regard to this cosmetic apparatus, when the operation switch 6 is on, the air blowing mechanism 4 and the ion generation apparatus 10 are activated. In this case, the air blowing mechanism 4 blows air below a wind speed of 15 m/s at the position of an object.
The air blowing mechanism 4 sends the air sucked in through the suction port 2 from the discharge port 1. During the “drying operation” for generating warming air to be used for drying hair, the heating part 5 is in operation.
The negative ions and positive ions generated by the ion generation parts 10 a, 10 b respectively are emitted, individually. The generated ions are emitted to the front through air, which flows through the branch paths 3 a, 3 b, and then the generated ions flowed with the air stream to be sent from the discharge port 1 are irradiated on the user's hair.
With regard to the cosmetic apparatus described in Embodiment 1, it is configured such that a moisture retaining operation and a drying operation are selectable. During the moisture retaining operation, the air blowing mechanism 4 and the ion generation apparatus 10 are in operation. In addition, during the drying operation, the air blowing mechanism 4 and the heating part 5 are in operation.
The moisture generated by the combination of a positive ion H⁺(H₂O)_mand a negative ion O₂ ⁻(H₂O)_nand the moisture clustering around the both ions are different from commonly recognized water. Due to the size of molecule level, it is considered that the moisture amount is directly increased with the penetration into the interior regardless of the surface tissue of hair.
Generally, the ion generation apparatus by discharge can generate various kinds of ions, however, it is preferable to generate less nitrogen oxides in view of the influence on hair.
With regard to the water sucked into hair generated by the ion reactions or the water sucked into hair clustering around ions, a molecular motion is activated by heating and then a diffusion into air is caused. Therefore, it is preferable not to activate the heating part 5 during the moisture retaining operation.
On the contrary, during the drying operation, since the both generated ions act as electrical charges, ions with polarity reverse to the electrical charge included in hair are mainly sucked into hair and then electric static charges are removed. Generally, as hair is easily carried with a positive charge, the negative ions to be sent are sucked into hair and then the positive ions are repelled.
As described above, although it is not expected to have the effect of moisture retaining during the drying operation, the effect of charge removing can be attained. Therefore, it is preferable that the ion generation apparatus 10 is capable of maintaining operation.
Accordingly, the user-friendliness can be enhanced by providing a “drying operation” mode to operate the air blowing mechanism 4, the heating part 5 and the ion generation apparatus 10 and a “moisture retaining operation” mode to operate only the air blowing mechanism 4 and the ion generation apparatus 10.
Instead of an automatic operation, it is possible that all functions can be selected by a user. It is preferable that air quantity of the air blowing mechanism 4 can be selected by “strong”, “weak” and “stop”, and it is preferable that “operation”/“stop” of the ion generation apparatus 10 and “operation”/“stop” of the heating part 5 are selectable. Generally, configuring the operation switch 6 as a multi-circuit switch or providing switch separately to make on/off on each function means is a well-known matter, therefore, the detailed description is omitted.

Embodiment 2

Since the electrification of hair is changed by seasons and quality of hair, in addition to the Embodiment 1, it is preferable to configure an ion generation apparatus 10 such that the user can change the amount of ion generation.
Similarly, the user-friendliness can be enhanced by making a configuration capable of changing air blowing quantity from the air blowing mechanism 4. In this case, it is preferable to increase the amount of ion generation made by the ion generation apparatus 10 to maintain the concentration of ions even if the air blowing quantity is large.
Generally, the amount of ion generation made by the ion generation apparatus 10 is naturally increased with the increasing air flow passing through the ion generation parts 10 a, 10 b without changing a voltage applied to the discharge electrodes 11 a, 11 b. However, it is not necessarily to sustain the expected concentration of ions, therefore, it is preferable to make a configuration capable of changing a pulse applied to the discharge electrodes 11 a, 11 b.
FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing an example of configuration of an ion generation apparatus of a cosmetic apparatus as the Embodiment 2 related to the present invention.
This ion generation apparatus 10 c is an example of adding a switching element conducted by the computer control at the exterior in the configuration of the ion generation apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 4.
This switching element is an NPN transistor TR, the base is connected to the output terminal of a microcomputer through a resistor R3, and the collector is connected to the cathode of a photodiode D5 in a photocoupler 17 through a resistor R2. A resistor R4 is connected between the base and emitter of the transistor TR, and the negative terminal of a 12V battery 19 is connected to the emitter. The positive terminal of the battery 19 is connected to the anode of the photodiode D5.
The photo-receiving side (output side) of the photocoupler 17 is a bidirectional photodiode T, and the bidirectional photodiode T is connected between the other terminal of an AC 100V power supply and the other terminal of a capacitor C1.
It is also possible to incorporate the switching element TR into the main body circuit of the ion generation apparatus 10 c. The number of pulses applied to the ion generation parts 10 a, 10 b can be changed by storing the switching element TR in the main body of the ion generation apparatus 10 c and then switching power to be supplied to the ion generation apparatus 10 c on/off at any arbitrary timing through the microcomputer.
Generally, the amount of ion generation is increased with the increasing number of pulses, and the amount of ion generation is decreased with the decreasing number of pulses. It is common to provide a means for uniformly designating increasing and decreasing amount of ions in the main body of the cosmetic apparatus, that is, a “increasing amount/decreasing amount” switch, “increasing amount” button and “decreasing amount” button for enhancing the user-friendliness.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a diagrammatic configuration of a hair dryer for commercial use as an Embodiment 3 of a method and an apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage related to the present invention.
The hair dryer for commercial use is a large-sized hair dryer machine to be used in hair salon and the like that is worn in a manner of covering the user's head entirely, as shown in FIG. 8B.
With regard to the hair dryer for commercial use shown in FIG. 8A, a plurality of openings 207 for sucking in air are arranged and formed in circular shape at the top part of a dome-shaped enclosure 201, and a blower 202 and a heating device 203 are provided at the top part inside the dome-shaped enclosure 201. In addition, a hole-opening disc-shaped partition plate 205 for partitioning the space between the blower 202 and the heating device 203 forms a space 206 for accommodating the user's head. A humidification part 208 including a sponge and the like having a water retention function for humidifying air to be sucked in is provided at each opening 207.
A plurality of ion generation apparatuses 204 are arranged at the bottom surfaces of the partition plates 205. The ion generation apparatus 204 used herein is a unit-type which is embedded with a high-voltage circuit and includes a positive ion generation part and a negative ion generation part.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of appearance of the ion generation apparatus 204.
The plurality of ion generation apparatuses 204 are arranged in circular shape centered on the opening part at the center of the partition plate 205 (FIG. 8) and supply sufficient amount of ions to the space 206 (FIG. 8).
This ion generation apparatus 204 includes a positive ion generation part 204 a and a negative ion generation part 204 b, and an induction electrode 204 c formed with a hole-opening metal plate is arranged such that it is opposite to the positive ion generation part 204 a and the negative ion generation part 204 b respectively. The positive ion generation part 204 a and the negative generation part 204 b are discharge electrodes formed in stylus shape respectively, and ions are generated by applying a high voltage between the parts 204 a, 204 b and the induction electrodes 204 c.
With regard to the hair dryer 20 for commercial use, the necessary function, without making particular changes in each case of the Embodiments 1 and 2, includes a “Warm Air Drying Mode” for heating air to dry hair and a “Cool Air Drying Mode” for drying hair without heating air.
The effect of readily trimming hair by removing the electrification of hair in the “Warm Air Drying Mode” is expected to be similar in each case of the Embodiments 1 and 2.
Accordingly, the blower 202, the heating device 203 and the ion generation apparatus 204 are operated in the “Warm Air Drying Mode”.
Additionally, with regard to the “Cool Air Drying Mode”, the effect of providing moisture to hair and improving the quality of hair is expected, and the blower 202 and the ion generation apparatus 204 are in operation.
It is preferable to provide an ion quantity adjusting means for changing the amount of ions as similar in each case of the Embodiments 1 and 2 for adjusting drying conditions differed by the seasons and hair quality.
In the both operation modes, air is sucked into the plurality of openings 207 arranged at the top part of the dome-shaped enclosure 201 and sent to the space 206 from the gap between the partition plate 205 and the inner wall of the dome-shaped enclosure 201.
Generally, the hair dryer for commercial use is provided with a timer device (not shown) for controlling a drying time and with a temperature setting device (not shown) for controlling the degree of heating, which is a well-known matter, therefore, the detailed description is omitted.

(Verification 1)

The experiments about the variation of moisture amount of hair blown by the air containing positive ions and negative ions generated by the ion generation parts 10 a, 10 b and the air free of ions were conducted, and the results are explained hereinafter.

(Experimental Method)

A 15 cm, 2 g black hair bundle was soaked in a 1% polyoxyethylene (POE) sodium lauryl sulfate aqueous solution at 30 to 35° C. for 1 minute.
After rinsing the sample with flowing water and wiping off moisture with a towel, the sample was dried by a dryer.
After the hair was soaked in the mixed solution containing 4.5% hydrogen peroxide and 2.5% ammonia in a ratio of 1:1 for 20 minutes, rinsed with flowing water and wiped off moisture with a towel, the hair was dried by a dryer.

Ions with different concentration were irradiated to the hair sample in the room at the temperature of 20±2° C. and the humidity of 50±5%.

2 g of the hair sample after ion irradiation was taken and heated at the temperature of 65° C. for 40 minutes. The total weight decreased during this heating process was regarded as moisture amount, and the moisture amount decreased herein was regarded as primary transpiration moisture.
Moreover, the hair sample was heated at 180° C. for 30 minutes and then the weight was measured. The moisture amount decreased herein was regarded as secondary transpiration moisture.
Based on the obtained value, the secondary transpiration moisture amount (secondary transpiration moisture percentage) relative to the drying weight of hair (the weight of hair after being heated at 180° C. for 30 minutes) was evaluated.

(Experiment 1)

To achieve the concentration of ions to be irradiated to the hair sample at positive and negative 100,000 ions/cm³, the hair sample for conducting damage processing was arranged at the position 50 cm away from an ion generation apparatus provided with an ion generating element and a fan for diffusing ions and was irradiated for 8 hours. Since the wind speed at the position of the sample was 0.05 m/s, it was contrasted with natural standing because of the similar condition as no-wind.
Thus, the measurement result of the variation of moisture amount of hair sample is shown in FIG. 5. The graph shown in FIG. 5 illustrates temporal variations in the moisture amount of hair in contact with the air containing positive and negative ions and in the moisture amount of hair in natural standing with the air containing no ions.
According to this graph, the hair irradiated with positive and negative ions had a moisture amount of 115.1% as compared with the case prior to performing irradiation, however, the hair irradiated with only wind had a moisture amount of 68.2%. With regard to the hair irradiated with ions, the result of increased moisture amount was obtained as compared with the hair not irradiated with ions.

(Experiment 2)

To achieve the concentration of ions to be irradiated to the hair sample at positive and negative 3,000,000 ions/cm³, the hair sample for conducting damage processing was arranged at the position 10 cm away from an ion generation apparatus provided with an ion generating element and a fan for diffusing ions and was irradiated for 8 hours. Since the wind speed at the position of the sample was 2.9 m/s, it was contrasted with conducting only blowing with a use of same fan.
Thus, the measurement result of the variation of moisture amount of hair sample is shown in FIG. 6. The graph shown in FIG. 6 illustrates temporal variations in the moisture amount of hair in contact with the air containing positive and negative ions and in the moisture amount of hair in contact with the air containing no ions.
According to this graph, the hair irradiated with positive and negative ions had a moisture amount of about 113.2% as compared with the case prior to performing irradiation, however, the hair irradiated with only wind had a moisture amount of 88.3%. With regard to the hair irradiated with ions, the result of increased moisture amount was obtained as compared with the hair not irradiated with ions.

(Experiment 3)

To achieve the concentration of ions to be irradiated to the hair sample at positive and negative 2,000,000 ions/cm³, the hair sample for conducting damage processing was arranged at the position 15 cm away from an ion generation apparatus provided with an ion generating element and a fan for diffusing ions and was irradiated for 20 minutes. Since the wind speed at the position of the sample was 8.4 m/s, it was contrasted with conducting only blowing with a use of the same fan.
Thus, the measurement result of the variation of moisture amount of hair sample is shown in FIG. 10. The graph shown in FIG. 10 illustrates temporal variations in the moisture amount of hair in contact with the air containing positive and negative ions and in the moisture amount of hair in contact with the air containing no ions.
According to this graph, the hair irradiated with positive and negative ions had a moisture amount of about 110.4% as compared with the hair only blown by the air containing no ions. With regard to the hair irradiated with ions, the result of increased moisture amount was obtained as compared with the hair not irradiated with ions.
Therefore, in the case of hair, it was verified that moisture retention can be achieved regardless of wind speed.

(Verification 2)

The experiments about the amount of hair damage generation with the air containing positive ions and negative ions generated by the ion generation parts 10 a, 10 b and the air free of ions were conducted, and the results are explained hereinafter.

(Experimental Method)

A 60 cm, 5 g black hair bundle was soaked in a 1% polyoxyethylene (POE) sodium lauryl sulfate aqueous solution at 30 to 35° C. for 1 minute.
After rinsing the sample with flowing water and wiping off moisture with a towel, the sample was dried by a dryer.
After the hair was soaked in the mixed solution containing 4.5% hydrogen peroxide and 2.5% ammonia in a ratio of 1:1 for 20 minutes, rinsed with flowing water and wiped off moisture with a towel, the hair was dried by a dryer.

In the room at the temperature of 20±2° C. and the humidity of 50±5%, the hair sample for conducting damage processing was arranged at the position 15 cm away from an ion generation apparatus provided with an ion generating element and a fan for diffusing ions in order to achieve the concentration of ions to be irradiated to the hair sample at positive and negative 3,000,000 ions/cm³. The hair sample was brushed with the revolution speed of 100 turns per minute and was irradiated with ions through a hot air (about 125° C.) for 15 minutes. Since the wind speed at the position of sample was 14 m/s to 15 m/s, it was contrasted with conducting only blowing with a use of the same fan.

A hair bundle to which treatment was conducted was observed, and number of pieces of generated split hair and cracked hair was counted.
Thus, the counting result of the damaged hair generated on the hair sample is shown in FIG. 11. The graph shown in FIG. 11 illustrates the number of pieces of split hair and cracked hair generated on the hair in contact with the air containing positive and negative ions as well as the hair in contact with the air containing no ions.
According to this graph, the number of pieces of split hair or cracked hair on the hair irradiated with positive and negative ions is halved approximately as compared with the hair in contact with the air containing no ions. The hair irradiated with ions attained the effect of suppressing damage as compared with the hair not irradiated with ions.
The above-mentioned effect is capable of neutralizing a brush carried with a negative charge and a brush carried with a positive charge to reduce friction during brushing because the method for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage not only provides moisture to hair and enhances hair strength but also generates positive and negative ions.
The method and the apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage related to the present invention are capable of conducting water retention to hair safely and easily along with reducing damage during brushing by applying to a hair dryer for commercial use utilized in a hand dryer and a hair dresser salon without using medicine and steam.
The present invention is applicable to the method and the apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage that are utilized for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage for readily improving humidification of hair and damage of hair using both positive ions and negative ions as well as reducing hair injury such as serious split hair or cracked hair, which easily occurs at the time of drying and styling washed hair.
It is to be noted that the disclosed embodiment is illustrative and not restrictive in all aspects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.

Claims

1.-9. (canceled)

10. A method for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage, comprising:

preparing a positive ion generation unit which discharges electricity by the application of voltage to generate positive ions combined to water molecules and a negative ion generation unit which discharges electricity by the application of voltage to generate negative ions combined to water molecules; and

humidifying hair and reducing damage occurring in hair by irradiating the positive ions and negative ions generated respectively by the positive ion generation unit and the negative ion generation unit to hair.

11. The method for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage according to claim 10,

wherein the positive ion is H⁺(H₂O)_m(m is an arbitrary natural number), and the negative ion is O₂ ⁻(H₂O)_n(n is an arbitrary natural number).

12. The method for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage according to claim 10, further comprising:

preparing an air blowing mechanism which blows air including the positive ions and negative ions generated respectively by the positive ion generation unit and the negative ion generation unit; and

blowing air from the air blowing mechanism.

13. An apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage, comprising:

a positive ion generation unit which discharges electricity by the application of voltage to generate positive ions combined to water molecules; and

a negative ion generation unit which discharges electricity by the application of voltage to generate negative ions combined to water molecules,

wherein hair is irradiated with the positive ions and negative ions generated respectively by the positive ion generation unit and the negative ion generation unit.

14. The apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage according to claim 13,

15. The apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage according to claim 13,

wherein the positive ion generation unit and the negative ion generation unit are capable of changing the amount of positive ions and negative ions to be generated respectively.

16. The apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage according to claim 13, further comprising:

an air blowing mechanism which blows air including the positive ions and negative ions generated respectively by the positive ion generation unit and the negative ion generation unit.

17. The apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage according to claim 16,

wherein the air blowing mechanism blows air at a wind speed not more than 15 m/s to an object to be blown.

18. The apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage according to claim 16, further comprising:

a heating unit which heats air blown from the air blowing mechanism.