WO1995003725A1

WO1995003725A1 - Electric comb for removal and collection of dandruff and residue

Info

Publication number: WO1995003725A1
Application number: PCT/IT1994/000131
Authority: WO
Inventors: Angelo Ritossa
Original assignee: Angelo Ritossa
Priority date: 1993-07-30
Filing date: 1994-07-29
Publication date: 1995-02-09
Also published as: IT233803Y1; ITTS930005V0; ITTS930005U1; AU7275794A

Abstract

The finding is efficiently employed in the field of hair treatmenent tools. One of the most annoying alterations of the human scalp is dandruff. Other particles tend to accumulate in hair: keratine residue, dust, pollen, etc. The invention is essentially made up of a hollow comb (1), a fan (3), an electric engine (2) and a container (5) for sucked-up material collection. The electric engine (2) is operated by a battery (4) or can be connected to the power grid. The teeth (6) have slits and holes (19) placed in various and alternative positions in order to grant air-way. When combing hair with the electric comb (1), this material is sucked in by air and, by going through slits (9) and holes (19) in the teeth (6), it flows through the inner space of the comb (1) eventually collecting in the container (5).

Description

Electric comb for removal and collection of dandruff and residue.

Technical Field.

It is effectively employed in the sector of tools and devices for hair cleaning, drying and treatment .

Background Art.

Dandruff is widely known as one of the most annoying alterations of human scalp. This thin laminar desquamation of the scalp causes a bothersome itching and the emerging of thousands of small particles between hair.

This last feature is particularly troublesome, as dandruff at first develops on hair only to fall on people's shoulders thus revealing to everyone the existence and extent of this kind of problem, This unaesthetic aspect often has serious psychological ripercussions, sometimes more serious than the dysfunction itself.

Unfortunately, washing hair only solves the problem in part, as anti-dandruff shampoos cannot be used frequently, whereas normal shampoos grant only a minimal relief for merely 24 hours. Dandruff, however, recreates itself in a short period of time and usually 24 hours after the shampoo the notorious aspect reappears.

Other particles, mostly deriving from smog produced by heating power grids and cars' exhaust pipes, tend to accumulate on hair as well as dust and volatile plant particles (for example, pollen, leaves and flowers residue). The presence of this material causes hair build-up and a need to wash your hair, giving rrise to a vicious circle: you wash your hair to eliminate dandruff and build-up, but your hair gets dirty on the following day because of dandruff and dust etc. so you wash your hair again only to cause an irritation of the scalp, fostering the developing of dandruff and the weakening of hair (often followed by hair loss). Also haircuts cause this annoying problem : little pieces of hair fall on the scalp and on the neck, shoulders etc. causing irritation and itching.

As everyone knows, combs and brushes are only a partial way to solve this problem. When the comb or the brush teeth go through the hair, dandruff and small external residue are removed, but such tools are designed and employed to comb hair, not to clean it. They have two main shortcomings : they cannot remove all residue (as the interstital space is too wide in comparison with the size of the particles) and they let the residue and dandruff fall on the shoulders of the person, which is obviously annoying.

Furthermore, frequent combing or brushing causes an irritation of the scalp and an increase in desquamation. Another hair treatment problem is blow-drying : air - warm or hot - is usually blown through hair, which is often lifted with a comb or a brush in order to allow the hot air to reach the root. Anyway, hair is always externally blow-dried, although the hot air eventually reaches the core. The drying process carried out in this way, however, is not uniform, since air acts differently according to the mass of s hair involved, the various range of wetness, the distance between the blow-drier and hair, etc. Disclosure of Invention

According to what is today technically available, there is no existing tool that is similar to the one in question. ιo Main aim of this finding is to create a tool for the collection and removal of dandruff and other residue accumulating in the hair. Another objective is to allow the removal of the little pieces of hair remaining on the scalp and the hair left over after the hairdresser's haircut. is A further objective is to offer the end user an object that can both remove and collect minute particles present in hair, thereby avoiding their falling on clothes and on the surrounding environment.

A fourth objective is the production of a new and original o type of blow-drier that , thanks to its special features, allows the sucking of the water present in the hair, thereby granting a fast and complete hair drying.

This and other objectives are achieved by the electric comb for the removal and collection of dandruff and residue - the

25 object of the present model which is made up essentially by an electric engine - fan- battery group, by a container for the - A -

collection of the removed material with its various components, by an electric resistance and by a comb with an empty back and perforated teeth. The electric engine is supplied by the aforementioned battery or it can be directly connected to the power grid. This engine-fan-battery group, container and electric resistance can be placed inside the electric comb or in a separate place.

The teeth are perforated or they may have lengthwise grooves connected externally through slits, holes or slots placed at various positions in order to let the air go through. The aforementioned interstitial holes or grooves open into the electric comb, where some walls separate the hollow area into many grooves so as to better exploit the depression caused by the starting up of the sucking group. The teeth may have various forms or sizes, also on the same comb. Also the number, position and size of teeth holes or grooves can be different on the same comb. The electric engine-fan-battery group and material collection container are contained in two different and separable casings. The casing containing the collection container is connected on the back of the comb through a screw joint, bayonet or other power grid. Also the electric resistance is placed in a casing. Using the aforementioned electric comb, dandruff and small particles are sucked in by air, go through the slits and slots present in the teeth, continue inside the comb and collect in side the container.

This material is therefore removed defmetely and not only moved from one point to another of the scalp as it often happens with brushes and combs.

A beneficial cleansing of hair is carried out without irritating the scalp with mechanical scratches nor by weakening them with frequent shampoos.

Furthermore, such material does not fall on the shoulders or the clothes of the end user.

The electric comb, object of the present patent, can also be used for the sucking of water from hair. In this case a division wall avoids contact between water and the electric engine. The presence of the electric resistance and a switch to change engine polarity, make the electric comb also a practical blow-drier.

Last but not least advantage of this finding is the absorbtion of bad smells present in hair due to personal contact - be it accidental or not - with bad-smelling gases or substances. Brief description of the Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of this finding can be more appreciated by the description of the particular shape of the electric comb - preferred but not exclusive - hereby shown in the drawings in which : - fig. 1 shows the electric comb form a side view - fig. 2,3,4,5 and 6 show lengthwise sections of the top part of a series of teeth particularly suitable for the sucking of various hair residue;

- fig. 7 shows a lengthwise section of the tool obtained according to plan A-A underlining its inner structure;

- fig. 8 shows the electric resistance and its casing;

- fig. 9 shows a bottom view of the electric comb, with a cross section of the teeth along plan B-B of fig. 7;

- fig. 10 shows with greater detail a cross section of the teeth shown in the previous drawing, along plan B-B, in which the teeth structure is better highlighted;

- fig. 1 1 shows the lengthwise section of one of the teeth of fig.1, along plan C-C between two adjacent teeth;

- fig. 12 shows a lengthwise section of the comb, along plan D-D of fig. 1.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention The present electric comb is made up essentially by a hollow comb 1 , an electric engine group 2- fan 3 - battery 4 and by a container 5 for the collected material and by the necessary connection elements such as electric wires, clamps etc.

The engine group 2- fan 3- batter}' 4 is inserted in a casing 6; the container 5 is placed inside a separate casing 7, which contains also a non-return rolling shutter 8. Comb 1 is ideally separable in a certain number of teeth 9 and in a back 10. It has a traditional shape, the difference being that its teeth 9 and back 10 are slightly thicker compared to the average comb. The teeth 9 have a slit 11 (fig. 9, 10, 1 1 and 12) placed lengthwise and parallel to the symmetry plan involving the entire heigth of the teeth 9; it connects the external environment with the hollow area ₅ inside the comb 1 ensuring the sucking process along the entire length of the tooth 9.

The teeth 9 end surface is absent so as to allow the air entrance in the comb 1 also via these small surfaces. At the end joining part of each tooth 9 there is a hole 12 . o As previously mentioned, the comb 1 is hollow. Inside its back 10 there are dividing walls 13 that separate the hollow area in three grooves 14 having a silimialr shape of the back 10. In other words each groove 14 collects the air coming from one third of the teeth 9 exploiting one third of the inner s volume of the back 10 of the comb 1.

The casing 7 of the container 5 is screwed on the back 10 of the comb 1.

The fan 3 , with many blades, is operated by the electric engine 2, that receives the necessary energy by the battery 5. o Container 5 of the collected material is drilled (with very small holes) in which all the sucked material is collected. It is equipped with a non-return rolling shutter 8 preventing that the sucked material to come back in the hollows of the comb 1 or even out of the comb when the electric engine 2 is 5 ^off- Casing 7 is screwed to casing 6 in which the electric engine

2- fan 3 - battery 4 group is placed.

The two casings 6 and 7 are the handle of the comb 1.

The fan 3 - with many blades - is operated by the electric engine 2 which receives the necessary energy from the battery 4. The electric engine 2 is connected to two switches: one to switch on and off the electric circuit and one to change the engine 2 polarity .

A drilled cap 15 closes the back of the casing 6. The entire comb , the back 8 and teeth 7 are divided lengthwise into two parts, joined with wedges, through screws, etc.

Fig. 2,3,4,5 and 6 show the other different shapes of teeth 9, the best ones in order to carry out their sucking function, They are equipped with teeth holes 16 or teeth grooves 17, divided by teeth walls 18. These holes 16 and grooves 17 lead directly to the outside of the comb 9 or are connected to it via side holes 19 or teeth slits 20.

The peculiar shape of such drilled teeth 9 allow to suck hair all the way trough the scalp. „

Teeth grooves 17 and holes 16 are deeper and wider as compared to side teeth holes and slots 20, connecting them to the outside , with the specific function of creating a greater depression and therefore a stronger sucking power behind holes 18 and slots 20. The turning on of the electric engine 2 gives a strong rotation speed to fan 3 , producing a depression inside grooves 14 of comb 1.

While combing hair with the electric comb, the depression causes the detachment of dandruff, dust and samll particles deposited on the scalp or between hair and - going through lengthwise slit 1 1 and holes 12 present between the teeth 9 (or through teeth holes 16, teeth grooves 17, side holes 19 or teeth slots 20 if they are envisaged in teeth 9) enter the grooves 14 to collect in container 5. The air goes through the latter filtrating walls exiting outside through the drilled cap 15.

As previously said, casing 6 is screwed to casing 7. When these two parts are separated, container 5 may be easily emptied and cleaned. When the cap 15 is taken off the battery 4 may be changed.

To the same end the back 10 can be opened lengthwise to allow the cleaning of the grooves 14, possibly blocked up by dandruff particles or other material clumped up near or along holes 12, 16 and teeth grooves 17.

When the electric comb 1 is used as blow-drier , the back 10 is taken off from casing 7, and the latter from casing 6, by unscrewing the various parts. Casing 7 with container 5 is then put away and casing 21 - containing the electric resistance 22- is screwed on back 10 . Casing 6 - containing electric engine 2-fan 3 - batter}' 4 group is screwed on casing 21 , thus reassembling again the comb handle 1.

When the switch for the electric engine 2 polarity change is turned on the fan 3 rotation direction is inverted. The air is sucked from the outside though the drilled cap 15 and after having gone through the electric resistance 22, flows warmly through grooves 14 and blows through the hair leaving holes 12 and lengthwise slot 1 1 or through other openings present in the various types of teeth 9.

The electric comb works thus like a blow-drier with the advantages that, since the warm air reaches directly the hair the drying process is faster and more accurate. Hair is separated one strand from the other by teeth 9 and blow- dried along the length of each hair strand up to the very root. The invention is open to many modifications and changes all in the framework of the invention. Furthermore, all details are replaceable with other ones technically equivalent. Among the aforementioned changes it is important to mention the possibility for the electric engine 2 - fan 3 - battery 4 group , container 5 for sucked-up material collection and electric resistance 22 to be placed in only one main casing separate from comb 1 and connected to it through a flexible pipe for air-way. The electric engine 2 and fan 3 may be bigger , thus improving its sucking power but to the detriment of the transportability of the comb. As regards the possibility of having a separate casing from comb 1, there is another option that envisages inside the casing two compartments, the first of which hosting an electric engine 2- fan 3- battery 4 group, container 5 for material collection, rolling shutter 8 and water-tight protection wall, and the second compartment comprising a second electric engine 2- fan 3 - battery 4 group and the electric resistance 22. Both compartments are equipped with a pipe union for the flexible pipe connected to comb 1. Fans 2 will be shaped in such a way that the first can be exploited for the maximum sucking power supply and the second for the maximum blowing power supply.

Another option consits in joining more combs side by side and parallel to each other. Such combs are joined with through screws or with a frame with grooves 14 inserted in the casing 7 containing container 5 for material collection, forming an electric comb and curry-comb combing horses, dogs and animals in general.

Claims

1 - Electric comb for removal and collection of dandruff and residue, comprising the following four parts:

- a hollow comb (1 ) , equipped with one or more inner walls (13) dividing the hollow area in one or more grooves (14), supplied with teeth (9), which are drilled and lengthwise separable into two parts;

- one electric engine (2)-fan (3) - battery (4) group;

- one container (5) for sucked-up material collection with its elements as a non-return rolling shutter (8) and a water-tight protection wall for the electric engine (2) when water is sucked in;

- one or more electric resistances (22) which are added to the electric comb when it works as a blow-drier; and in which :

- the hollow comb (1) has teeth equipped with one or more slits (11), parallel to or crossing the symmetry plan of the comb (1) and involving the entire length - or not - of the teeth (9) and/or the holes (12) placed at the surface between each tooth (9) and/or teeth holes (16) and/or teeth grooves (17) (divided by teeth walls (18)) crossing lengthwise and completely - or not - the entire tooth (9) and in which the aforementioned holes (16) and grooves (17) are connected either directly to the outside or through holes (19), slits (20) or slots placed on all sides of the tooth (9) and at all levels; - the electric engine (2) - fan (3) - battery (4) group is placed inside a casing (6) equipped with a drilled cap (15) and connected ( by screws, bayonet, pressure, hooks, etc.) equipped with on/off switches for the circuit and the polarity inversion;

- a container (5) for the sucked-up material collection is placed inside a casing (7) together with its elements; the aforementioned casing (7) is equipped with a double joining (screws, bayonet, pressure, hooks, etc)

- an electric resistance (22) is placed inside a casing (21) with a double joining (screws, bayonet, pressure, hooks, etc);

- the casing (6) can be joined to casing (7) and the latter to the comb (1);

- the casing (6) can be joined to casing (21) and the latter to the comb (1);

2 - Electric comb for removal and collection of dandruff and residue, according to the previous claim, characterized by the fact that the teeth holes (16) and the grooves (17) are deeper and wider as against teeth holes (19) , slits (20) or slots connecting to outside and by the fact that grooves (17), holes (16) and slots in the teeth (9) have the function of sucking - or blowing - air along the entire length of the tooth.

3 - Electric comb for removal and collection of dandruff and residue, according to the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the grooves (14) inside the comb (1) are connected on one side with one or more teeth (9) and on the other side with the hollow areas inside the casings (6), (7) and (21) and by the fact these grooves (14) have the function of ensuring the sucking or blowing of warm air through all the comb (1) teeth (9). 4 - Electric comb for removal and collection of dandruff and residue, according to the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the electric engine (2) - fan (3) - battery (4) group, the container (5) for material collection and the electric resistance (22) may be placed in a casing separate from the comb (1) and by the fact that such a casing has two compartments, one of which hosting an electric engine (2) - fan (3) - battery (4) group and the container (5) with its relative elements, the second of which comprising a second electric engine (2) - fan (3) - battery (4) group and the electric resitence (22); such compartments are equipped with pipe unions to which the flexible pipe(s) are connected to be joined to the comb (1).

5 - Electric comb for removal and collection of dandruff and residue, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized by the fact that the electric engine (2) operating fan (3) and the electric resistance (22) can be connected directly to the power grid or have both possibilities (power grid and batteries (4)).

6- Electric comb for removal and collection of dandruff and residue, according to claims 1, characterized by the fact that the teeth (9) cross section can be multifarious : trapeze, rectangular, prysm, etc, thereby forming cylindrical, parallelepipedon and prysmatic rotation solids.

7 - Electric comb for removal and collection of dandruff and residue, according to the previous claims, characterized by the fact that according to the appropriate sucking pressures, the electric comb (1) can suck in water and hair wetness up to their complete drying.

8 - Electric comb for removal and collection of dandruff and residue, according to the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the comb becomes a blow-drier with the polarity change of the electric engine (2) (and the consequent fan rotation inversion (3)) and the replacement of the container (5) with the electric resistance (22).

9 - Electric comb for removal and collection of dandruff and residue, according to the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the teeth (6) may have different shapes, openings (holes and slits) and sizes - plus many series of teeth - on the same comb (1).

10 - Electric comb for removal and collection of dandruff and residue, according to the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the teeth (9) or the entire comb are replaceable to grant a better working of the teeth (9) in the sucking phase or in the air blowing phase for greater hygiene.

11 - Electric comb for removal and collection of dandruff and residue, according to the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the casings (6) and (7) or in alternative casings (6) and (21) make up the handle of the comb (1).