APPARATUS FOR SETTING AND DRYING HAIR

Abstract: Apparatus for setting and drying hair comprising a hair setting and drying unit which is connected to a suction fan for sucking in part of the hair into a spiral channel inside the unit. The walls of the spiral channel (22) consist of a heating foil element which directly heats the wet hair and evaporates the water and, if necessary, heats the hair further.

Description: Title: Apparatus for setting and drying hair. Technical field: The present invention relates to an apparatus for setting and drying hair and of the type which is described in Swedish Patent Specification No. 36443E. Background: The previously disclosed type of such an apparatus comprises a hair setting unit in the form of a nozzle with a suction opening, frequently adjacent to a spiral channel, into which a section of hair which is to be set and dried is sucked in. The unit is connected to a suction fan which maintains the necessary negative pressure. Heated air is supplied to the unit in a suitable manner to permit the hair to be dried rapidly. This hot air is heated with a separate heating element and is supplied to the suction orifice of the nozzle via a special channel so as to accompany the air being sucked in. This previously disclosed apparatus is operated in such a way that the section of hair sucked in is exposed to hot air and heating during a brief heating phase which may last for about 30 seconds. The heating element is then switched off, and the section of hair is surrounded only by cold air and is able to cool. Technical problem: Such an apparatus functions satis actorily but suffers mainly from two disadvantages. In order to convey the hot air and at the same time to suck in the section of hair, quite a strong current of air is needed, for which reason the associated suction fan unit is comparatively large and cumbersome and requires high driving power. In addition, the heating of the hot air before it is supplied to the suction orifice involves relatively high inertia and the need to generate unnecessarily large quantities of heat in order to dry the section of hair. The solution: The invention thus relates to a hair setting and drying apparatus comprising a hair setting and drying unit arranged with a handle component, a suction fan and a control unit. In accordance with the invention the module contains a hair drying channel in which a section of hair is so arranged as to be capable of being sucked in, in which case the walls of the hair drying channel consist of an electrical foil element. The hair drying channel is preferably spiral in shape and contains an essentially rectangular, elongated, tangential inlet opening and at least one essentially axial outlet opening. The inner part of the hair drying channel can consist of a part of the foil element which lacks a resistance track. The foil element in the hair drying channel should preferably terminate slightly ahead of the side walls of the module, and should leave at least one opening between the side walls of the module and the foil element, said openings being connected to the internal space of the unit, in which case the side walls comprise openings providing a connection to' the surrounding atmosphere. The surface temperature of the foil element during the heating phase is monitored by a thermistor or similar element. Advantages: The object of the present invention is thus to make available a hair setting and drying apparatus in which the above disadvantages have been considerably reduced. The apparatus thus requires a minimum quantity of sucked—in air and is supplied with the thermal energy for heating and drying the section of hair in a more efficient and expedient manner. The invention also comprises control and monitoring circuits for sensing the temperature in order to avoid overheating. Brief description of drawings: The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a number of preferred embodiments of the invention. Figure 1 thus illustrates a handle component, and Figures 2 and 3 illustrate in side views a stationary part of a hair setting and drying apparatus in accordance with the invention. Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the handle component in accordance with Figure 1 in more detail, with Figure 5 being a cross—section along the line V— in Figure 4, Figure 4 being a side view partially in cross—section, and Figure 6 being a view of the handle component from below. Figures 7—10 illustrate the hair setting and drying unit in accordance with the invention, with Figure 7 being a side view partially in cross—section, Figure 8 being a plan view. Figure 9 being an end view, and Figure 10 being a cross—section along the line X—X in Figure 7. Figure 11 illustrates the foil element in plan view, whilst Figure 12 illustrates the foil element rolled into the form of a spiral as an end view. Figure 13 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention as a side view and partially in cross—section, and Figure 14 illustrates the same embodiment as an end view. Figures 15 and 16 illustrate a third embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention as a side view and as an end view respectively. Finally, Figures 17 and 18 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the unit in accordance with the invention as a side view and as an end view respectively, and partially in cross—section. Best mode of carrying out the invention A first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 1—3. The hair setting apparatus here consists of two component parts, a handle component 1 and a stationary component 2, which are connected to one another by means of a flexible hose 3. The handle component 1 consists of a tube 4 and running from it two edges or holders 5, as may be appreciated in more detail from Figures 4-6. The hair setting unit 6 is itself arranged between the holders 5. The tube 4 is connected at one of its ends to the flexible hose 3 and constitutes an air channel for the purpose of sucking air through the unit 6 and from there through two outlet openings 7 in the holders 5 to the inside of the tube 4. The outlet openings 7 are situated axially relative to the module 6 and directly in line with two corresponding outlet openings in the unit, as described in more detail below. The flexible hose 3 is connected at its other end to an inlet 8 in the stationary component 2, which contains a suction fan 9 of a suitable type to produce the necessary negative pressure for the suction function. When it is not being used, the hose can be wound around supports 10 and a projecting component 11, as may clearly be appreciated from Figure 2. The projecting component 11 contains the necessary control electronics and adjuster wheels for setting the necessary operating parameters for the apparatus, as described in more detail below. A hair setting unit 6 in accordance with the invention is illustrated in more detail in Figures 7—10. The unit is of essentially rectangular external form with rounded edges, and includes a connection plate 13 which is provided with electrical terminal contacts 14 and mechanical terminal devices 15 of the male type. The connection plate 13 interacts with a matching connection plate 16 on the handle component 1 (see Figure 4), which is provided with corresponding electrical and mechanical terminal contacts and devices 17, 18 of the female type. Side walls 19 and end walls 20 running downwards are arranged from the rectangular connection plate 16 in the unit 6. The outer side wall 19a is bent in a gentle curve 19b, whilst the inner side wall 19c is bent in a curve 19d with a smaller radius. Between these curves 19b and 19d is formed an inlet opening 21 for the introduction and sucking—in of a section of hair. The opening 21 feeds into a spiral channel 22, the internal space of which discharges sideways or axially into two outlet openings 23, one in each of the end walls 20. The opening 21 thus has an elongated, rectangular cross—section and extends over the entire length of the module. Air is sucked in this way by the suction fan 9 through the hose 3 and the tube 4, and through the holders 5 and their outlet openings 7, via the outlet openings 23 and the spiral channel 22 from the inlet opening 21. A section of hair which is held in the vicinity of. the inlet opening 21 will thus be sucked into the spiral channel 22 over its entire length so as to dry in that shape. The length of the spiral channel must naturally be longer than the maximum length of hair, so that no part of the hair reaches the end of the spiral channel. In accordance with the invention the walls 24 in the spiral channel 22 consist of an electrical foil heating element 25 of a previously very familiar type. The foil element 25 is illustrated separately in Figures 11 and 12 and consists of a rectangular, flexible plate which is wound into the desired spiral shape, as shown in Figure 12. The foil element contains an electrical resistance track 26 which is folded in an appropriate fashion to produce the length necessary for the desired heating effect. It may be stated by way of example that a suitable effect is provided by about 300 W, but that variations from as low as 50 W up to about 900 W are conceivable in various applications. The foil element 25 is retained in the desired shape by means of -two holders 27a with spiral grooves cut into them. A third holder 27b surrounds the foil element in between the holders 27a and supports the outer coils of the foil element. The holders are fixed in the module 6 next to the respective end walls and at a point half way between them, as may be appreciated from Figure 7. The foil element additionally contains a thermistor 28 or some other heat—sensitive element which is connected via two contact strips 29a to two of the terminals 14. The resistance track of the foil element is connected via conductors 29b to the two other terminals 14. The connections are so arranged that the unit 6 can be inserted into the handle component 1 in both possible positions, for which purpose the connections to the resistance track and the thermistor must be arranged diagonally. The corresponding female electrical terminals 17 on the connection plate 16 in the handle component are connected via conductors 30 which run inside the flexible hose to an electronics and power supply unit in the part 11 of the stationary component. The handle component also contains a circuit—breaker 31 (see Figure 4) which is connected to the electronics unit via the conductors 30. The circuit—breaker 31 is intended to initiate a drying period, as described below. The foil element comprises a free part 32 which does not engage with any resistance track. This part is situated at the inner end of the spiral,, as may be appreciated from Figure 10, where the heat requirement is minimal. The apparatus in accordance with the invention functions in the following manner. A main circuit—breaker 33 situated on the stationary component 2 is first closed, causing the fan motor 9 to start up and the electronics unit to be supplied with current. Air is now sucked in through the inlet opening 21 in the unit 6, as described above. A section of hair is separated from the wet hair of the person receiving the treatment. The section of hair corresponds more or less to a lock. The section of hair is brought to the inlet opening and is sucked into the spiral channel 22. The circuit—breaker 31 on the handle component ts then actuated. The circuit—breaker 31 transmits an impulse to the electronics unit, causing an (electronic) time relay to be activated and a current to be supplied via the conductors 30 to the foil element, which is heated. The strength of current is regulated automatically with the help of the thermistor, so that the foil element will assume a surface temperature of 130°C, for example. The temperature is adjustable by means of a wheel on the part 11. The period may be 20 seconds, for example, and can be varied between 10 seconds and 90 seconds. The electrical power supply to the foil element is of the low voltage type, for example 24V or 48V, for which reason the apparatus is entirely safe from the electrical point of view. After the current supply to the foil unit has been switched off, cold air will be sucked into the spiral channel 22, allowing the section of hair to cool. The section of hair is then removed from the spiral channel by removing the handle component 1 from the head of the person receiving the treatment, and a new section of hair is treated. During the heating period the foil element is heated to a surface temperature of not more than about 130°C (or to the temperature set by means of the temperature wheel, for example between 100°C and 150°C). The section of hair lies against the inner wall of the spiral channel 22 and is heated further to a temperature close to the softening temperature of the hair, causing the lock to be imparted to a certain extent with a permanent wave in the form of the spiral. The section of hair can, of course, also be soaked with desired (chemical) means in order to impart a permanent wave, softening or similar in accordance with previously disclosed methods. Once the section of hair has been dried and (if appropriate) heated further, the time relay will terminate the heating phase and will interrupt the supply of current to the foil element. The air which continues to be sucked into the spiral channel will now cool the section of hair to room temperature. The foil element is cooled at the same time. As may best be appreciated from Figure.10, the foil element 25 leaves two small openings 34 and 35 to either side of the inlet opening 21. The two small openings are connected to an inner space 36 within the foil element inside the unit 6. The side walls 19 of the unit are provided with openings 37 next to the connection plate 16. When air is sucked in through the spiral channel 22, a negative pressure is created at the small openings 34 and 35, which to a certain extent suck the air from the inner space 36 and out through the spiral channel.. During the heating and drying phase this additional air flow will improve the utilization of the foil element, since the heat given off at the outside of the foil element can also be actively utilized for drying. The electrical drying effect supplied can be reduced in this way. Furthermore, and more important, this additional air supply means that the foil element is cooled more rapidly during the cooling phase, since the hot air in the inner space 36 is sucked out rapidly through the openings 34 and 35. The supply of heat provided in this way exhibits very little inertia, which is essential for the rapid function of the apparatus. Because the part 32 of the foil element lacks a resistance track, this part does not require to be cooled, which further increases the speed. A further effect of this additional air flow is that the hot air which is present in the inner space 36 can now be used to dry the section of hair next to the root and the scalp next to the section of hair. Only the foil element is hot during the drying period, whereas the air whic flows around the section of hair is essentially cold. This characteristic differs from all previously disclosed methods which resemble the present invention, since in previously disclosed technology an effort has always been made to heat the air which surrounds the section of hair. Through this new principle in accordance with the present invention the heat loss to the surroundings is reduced considerably, and the major proportion of the heat input is applied for its intended purpose, that is to say to evaporate the water in the wet hair and to heat the section of hair further, if so desired. The only task required of the air flow is to convey the evaporated water away and to suck the section of hair into the spiral channel. At the same time the air flow can be reduced considerably relative to previously disclosed technology, since one was obliged in the case of these apparatuses to supply hot air at the hair roots or next to the inlet opening. It is thus possible for the suction fan 9 to be much smaller, which makes the entire apparatus less expensive. It is also possible in this way to install the suction fan in the handle component, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, which illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. Here the handle component 40 is provided, as before, with holders 41 for a module 6. However, the handle component includes two handles 42, each of which contains a fan motor 43 with its associaed impeller wheel 44. A suction channel 45 is indicated by means of broken lines in Figure 13. The electronics can be housed in one or both of the handles 42. The apparatus is preferably supplied with power via a cable 30 from a transformer 47 which steps the voltage down to about 24V or 48V. It is also conceivable to use a direct mains supply at 220V, if this is approved by the competent authorities. A further embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention in shown in Figures 15 and 16. In this illustrative embodiment a fan and electronics unit 51 has been connected directly to the handle component 1 in accordance with Figure 1 where the hose 3 was previously connected. The electronics unit 51 contains adjuster wheels, etc., as may be appreciated from Figure 16. It is also provided with a balanced suspension 52 enabling the apparatus to be hung from a hook or holder above the person receiving the treatment. It is possible in this way to work with two apparatuses simultaneously, which will thus halve the treatment time. As has previously been disclosed, treatment can be performed very quickly, and the treatment time for drying and setting the hair can normally be completed in about 10 minutes. Different units 6 can, of course, be used in conjunction with the apparatus in accordance with the invention. Certain persons will wish to curl their hair, for which the unit 6 in accordance with Figure 10 is suitable. Other persons will wish to remove the curls and to straight—perm their hair, for which the unit 55 in accordance with Figures 17 and 18 is suitable. In this module the foil element forms a long, straight channel 56 into which the hair is sucked. An expert will appreciate that the unit can be manufactured in many different forms in order to satisfy different needs and desires. The foil element 25 is of conventional design and consists of outer surfaces of Teflon ® (polytetrafluoroethylene), Mylar ® (polyester), Kapton ® (polyimide) or similar, which exhibit very low adhesion to different types of substances such as chemicals and similar. It is very easy for this reason to clean the spiral channel, even if it is comparatively inaccessible. As mentioned above, the surface temperature of the foil element 25 is monitored by a thermistor 28. Other temperature—sensitive materials can also be used, such as a section of the resistance track of the foil element itself. A further possibility is described below in greater detail. The foil element is subjected to a current impulse during the positive half of the voltage of the a.c. supply. During the negative half of the voltage the foil element is dead, which can be achieved by means of a diode. It is during this dead period that a measurement impulse is sent out by the electronics, which measures the existing resistance value of the foil element. This value is proportional to the temperature of the foil element. During the next half period a current impulse is then transmitted which may be shortened, if necessary, if the temperature is too high, by means of a thyristor or similar element. No separate, temperature—sensitive body is thus required, but the foil element itself constitutes the sensing element. Complete integration or coverage of the entire surface of the foil element is also achieved in this way, enabling even local temperature peaks to be revealed. It is also possible to perform the temperature measurement by the method outlined above during a compulsory dead period at the start of the positive phase of the a.c. supply. The dead state can be achieved by means of a thyristor, which is then made live after a suitable time delay depending on the measured temperature. Temperature control with immediate effect is achieved in this way without unnecessary inertia. If the a.c. supply is also full—wave rectified, the whole of the power supplied can be utilized with the exception of the short measurement period, which may be of the order of 0.5 ms or less. The time delay in firing the thyristor will thus be varied by the electronics from 0.5 ms to 10 ms, which covers the entire scale from to all intents and purposes full power supply to no power supply (at 50 Hz, full— ave rectified). If it is wished to avoid full— ave rectification, then either the negative half period can be cut off completely, which occurs automatically with the thyristor, or a double thyristor (known as a triac) can be used. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described above in detail with reference to preferred embodiments of the invention. The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described, but the invention may be modified in a manner which will be evident to an expert within the scope of the idea of invention. The invention is restricted only by the following Patent Claims.

Claims: Patent Claims: 1. Apparatus for setting and drying hair comprising a hair setting and drying unit (6) comprising a nozzle or similar with a channel (22) in which part of the hair is so arranged as to be capable of being sucked in and arranged in conjunction with a handle " component (1), a suction fan (9) and a- control unit (1), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the channel (22) of the unit (6) is executed with walls which are so arranged as to be heated directly by means of an electrical resistance element, in particular a foil element (25). 2. Apparatus according to Patent Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d in that the duct (22) is spiral in form and includes an essentially rectangular, elongated, tangential inlet opening (21) and at least one essentially axial outlet opening (23). 3. Apparatus according to Patent Claims 1 or 2, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that the inner part of the channel (22) consists of a part (32) of said foil element, which in this representation lacks a resistance track (26). 4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Patent Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the foil element (25) in the channel (22) terminates slightly ahead of its outer end where it leaves at least one opening (34, 35) free, said openings standing in relationship with the unit for the purpose of providing a connection to the surrounding atmosphere so as to permit air to be sucked into the channel preferably via the interior space (36) of the unit and openings (37) in its enclosing walls. 5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Patent Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that, for the purpose of sensing the surface temperature of the foil element during the heating process, a thermistor (28) or similar element is provided.

Inventors: JOSEFSON BARBRO, JOSEFSON, BARBRO
Applicants: NP NEW PROD NORDINVENT INVEST, N.P.-NEW PRODUCTS NORDINVENT INVESTMENT AB
Application year: 1984
Main classification: A45D2
IPC codes: A45D6