Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for treating hair, and, more particularly, relates to a hair styling apparatus incorporating a cartridge with an ultrasound transducer for heating and at least partially vaporizing a hair treatment agent dispensable from the cartridge. 
     2. Background of the Related Art 
     Hair straightener apparatii typically include two pivotal handles which are hinged at one end and pivot about the hinge between open and closed positions. Heating heads extend from each handle and have inner surfaces comprised of a heatable material, usually metal, for straightening or styling hair. An electric heater element located beneath each heatable surface is activated to warm the surfaces to a desired temperature. The inner surfaces are positionable around hair to be styled, and the hinged handles are moved to a closed position bringing the heated inner surfaces in contact with the hair. The gripped handles are then slid along the hair strands until the hair exits from the heads. One example of a hair straightener apparatus is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,532, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to further enhancements in hair straightener apparatti. In accordance with one embodiment, a hair styling apparatus includes first and second handle members adapted for movement between an open position for receiving hair therebetween and a closed position adjacent the hair, a heating element associated with at least one of the first and second handle members and a cartridge mountable to the first handle member and having a hair treatment agent for dispensing and treating hair disposed between the first and second handle members. The treatment agent may include a conditioning, strengthening, repairing or revitalizing fluid. 
     An ultrasonic transducer may be associated with the cartridge. The transducer is actuable to heat the treatment agent to affect at least partial vaporization thereof for release adjacent the heating elements and application to the hair. The cartridge may define a cartridge vapor outlet with the transducer being positioned adjacent the cartridge vapor outlet. The transducer may have channels for permitting the at least partially vaporized treatment agent to pass through the transducer and the cartridge vapor outlet. 
     The heating element of the at least one of the first and second handle members may define a channel, which is positioned adjacent the cartridge outlet to convey vaporized treatment agent along the heating element. In one embodiment, the first and second handle members include respective first and second heating elements with each the heating element having the channel for conveying the vaporized treatment agent. 
     A manually actuated ultrasonic power switch for selectively activating and deactivating the transducer. The cartridge may include electrical contacts in electrical communication with the transducer, and wherein the first handle member includes corresponding handle contacts tot engaging the electrical contacts of the cartridge for supplying power to the transducer. 
     The cartridge may be dimensioned and adapted for releasable mounting to the first handle member. A cartridge release member ma be mounted to the first handle member. The cartridge release member is movable to cause release of the cartridge from the first handle member. The cartridge may include, a cover, which is movable between an open condition to permit introduction of the treatment agent within the cartridge and a closed position. The cartridge may define an internal chamber for accommodating the treatment agent. An absorbent member may be disposed within the internal chamber for containing the treatment agent. The absorbent member is adjacent the transducer whereby heat generated by the transducer causes at least partial vaporization of the treatment agent within the absorbent member. In embodiments, a container having the treatment agent is releasably mountable to the cartridge. 
    
    
     
       BIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with references to the drawings, wherein: 
         FIGS. 1-2  are perspective views of a hair styling apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure illustrating the first and second handle members and the cartridge mounted to the first handle member; 
         FIGS. 3-5  are top plan, side elevation and axial views, respectively of the hair styling apparatus; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the hair styling apparatus illustrating the cartridge removed; 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the cartridge; 
         FIG. 8  is a side cross-sectional view of the cartridge taken along the lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged isolated view of the area of detail designated in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view illustrating a mechanism for releasably mounting the cartridge to the first handle member; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the hair styling apparatus with the second handle member removed illustrating application of the vaporized hair treatment agent to the subject&#39;s hair; and 
         FIGS. 12A-12C  are perspective views of three embodiments of the cartridge member illustrated in relation to the hair styling apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now in detail to the drawings and, in particular, to  FIGS. 1-5 , the hair styling apparatus  100  in accordance with the principles of the present invention is illustrated. The hair styling apparatus  100  may be in the form of a hair straightener utilized to generally straighten the hair of the subject. However, it is envisioned that the hair styling apparatus may includes surfaces to shape, crimp or affect any styling effect to the subject&#39;s hair. 
     The hair styling apparatus  100  includes first and second handle members  102 , 104  connected to each other through a hinge  106 , of a conventional type. The hinge  106  typically incorporates a spring to normally bias the first and second members  102 ,  104  to the open position depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The first and second handle members  102 ,  104  are adapted to pivot about the hinge  106  between the open position of  FIGS. 1 and 2  and the closed position depicted in  FIGS. 3-5 . The first handle member  102  includes a cartridge  108  and a cartridge release button  110 , which releases the cartridge  108  from the first handle member  102 . Generally, the cartridge  108  contains a hair treatment agent, which is released in an at least partially vaporized state, between the first and second handle members  102 ,  104  for application to the subject&#39;s hair. The cartridge  108  will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow. 
     Each of the first and second handle members  102 ,  104  includes a heating element or plate  110  at the end remote from the hinge  106 . The heating plates  110  are heated by conventional electrical means (not shown) known in the art, so that hair can be positioned therebetween for styling. Each heating plate  110  includes a centrally disposed channel  112  respectively extending lengthwise or longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal axes “k 1 , k 2 ” of the respective handle members  102 ,  104 . The channels  112  may be offset with respect to the respective axes “k 1 , k 2 ”, may be non-linear, arcuate, sinusoidal or any other shape. The channels  112  convey the at least partially vaporized treatment agent, which is released from the cartridge  108  within the heating plates  110  for application to the hair of the subject. The second handle member  104  includes a pocket or recess  114  ( FIG. 1 ), which is dimensioned to correspondingly accommodate at least a segment of the cartridge  108  when the first and second handle members  102 ,  104  are in the closed position. 
     The first and second handle members  102 ,  104  may include an on/off power switch  116 , a power-on indicator or light  118  (such as an LED indicator or the like) for indicating activation of the apparatus  100  and a power cord  120  for supplying power. Contacts  122  on each of the first and second handle member  102 ,  104  may be provided to power the heating plates only when the first and second handle members  102 ,  104  are in the closed position. The first handle member  102  further includes an ultrasound power switch  124  and an ultrasound power indicator  126  such as an LED or the like—the function of which will be discussed in greater detail herein below. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , in conjunction with  FIGS. 7-9 , the cartridge  108  will be discussed in detail. The cartridge  108  includes a cartridge housing  128  having a first internal chamber  130  defining a reservoir for accommodating the treatment agent  132 . The treatment agent may be argan oil. Argan oil is extracted from the fruits of the argan tree, argania spinosa, that is endemic to Morocco. The hair care composition may solely contain argan oil, or may include argan oil in combination with other ingredients. Examples of other ingredients include pharmaceutically active agents, moisturizers, hydration agents, penetration agents, preservatives, emulsifiers, natural or synthetic oils, solvents, surfactants, detergents, gelling agents, emollients, antioxidants, fragrances, fillers, thickeners, waxes, odor absorbers, dyestuffs, coloring agents, powders, viscosity-controlling agents, buffers, protectants, pH regulators, chelating agents, humectants, conditioners, glitter, mica, minerals, silicones, polyphenols, sunblocks, phytomedicinals, and combinations thereof, as well as other additives typically used in hair care products as appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     In embodiments, the hair care composition may include argan oil and emollients and/or conditioning agents, alone or in combination with other ingredients as discussed above. In embodiments, the hair care composition includes argan oil and silicone. Silicone includes, for example, silicone oils and oils having a hydrocarbon backbone, silicone oils combining cyclic polydimethylsiloxanes, α,ω-hydroxylated polydimethylsiloxanes, α,ω-trimethylsilyl polydimethylsiloxanes, polyorganosiloxanes such as polyalkylmethylsiloxanes, polymethylphenylsiloxanes, polydiphenylsiloxanes, aminosilicone derivatives, silicone waxes, copolyether silicones (such as the oil MIRASIL DMCO sold by Rhone-Poulenc, or DC  190  sold by Dow Corning) or mixed silicone derivatives including various types of derivatization (such as polyalkylmethyl-siloxane/copolyether silicone mixed copolymers). An argan/silicon conditioning agent may strengthen, repair or condition hair, while potentially adding shine to the hair. 
     Other suitable emollients include, for example alkylmonoglycerides, alkyldiglycerides, and/or triglycerides such as oils extracted from plants and vegetables (palm oil, coconut oil, cotton seed oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, grape seed oil, sesame oil, ground nut oil, castor oil, combinations thereof, and the like), oils of marine origin (fish oils, etc.) and derivatives of these oils, such as hydrogenated oils, lanolin derivatives, mineral oils or paraffinic oils, perhydrosqualane, squalene, diols such as 1,2-propanediol and 1,3-butanediol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, polyethylene glycols or polypropylene glycols, and fatty esters such as isopropyl palmitate, 2-ethylhexyl cocoate, myristyl myristate, esters of lactic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, isostearic acid. 
     In embodiments, the hair care composition may include argan oil and conditioners, alone or in combination with other ingredients. Conditioners include, for example, those of natural or synthetic origin, such as those known under the generic CTFA name “Polyquaternium”, for instance the MIRAPOL A15® or MIRAPOL 550® polymers from Rhone-Poulenc, cationic polysaccharide derivatives (cationic derivatives of cellulose, of guar or of carob), such as cocodimonium hydroxyethyl cellulose, guar hydroxypropyl trimonium chloride, hydroxypropyl guar hydroxypropyl trimonium chloride (JAGUAR C13S®, JAGUAR C162® sold by Rhone-Poulenc), volatile or non-volatile silicone derivatives, for instance amodimethicone, cyclomethicones, water-insoluble, non-volatile polyorganosiloxanes, for instance oils, resins or gums, such as diphenyldimethicone gums, combinations thereof, and the like. 
     Examples of other additives which may be useful in the hair care composition include additives for promoting moisturization of the hair and/or skin (wetting agents), for instance certain carbohydrates (for example glycerol or sorbitol), polyethylene glycols or polypropylene glycols, alkoxylated derivatives of sugars or of sugar derivatives (for example methylglucose), water-soluble or water-dispersible polymers such as collagen or certain non-allergenic derivatives of marine or plant proteins (for example wheat protein hydrolysates). Thickeners, such as natural hydrocolloids (guar gum, carob gum, tara gum, etc.) or hydrocolloids derived from fermentation processes, such as xanthan gum, polysaccharides extracted from seaweed, such as carrageenans, and polycarbohydrate derivatives such as modified celluloses (for example hydroxyethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose), or nonionic derivatives (for example hydroxypropylguar), anionic derivatives (carboxymethylguar) or nonionic/anionic mixed derivatives, such as carboxy-hydroxypropyl-guars or nonionic/cationic derivatives, can also be present. 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 6-9 , the cartridge housing  128  may have a cartridge valve or cover  134  ( FIG. 8 ), which permits access to the first internal chamber  130 . The cover  134  may be movable between the closed position and the open position depicted in phantom in  FIG. 8  to permit filling/refilling of the treatment agent  132  within the first internal chamber  130  of the cartridge housing  128 . The cartridge housing  128  further includes a second internal chamber  136  in fluid communication with the first internal chamber  130 . The second internal chamber  136  may have an absorbent member  138  such as a sponge, wicking material or the like, which collects and stores a volume of the treatment agent  132 . 
     The cartridge  108  has an ultrasound emitter or transducer  140  such as a piezo electric transducer or the like. The piezo electric transducer  140  may be any conventional piezo electric transducer adapted to oscillate to generate energy in the form of heat. The transducer  140  may be disc shaped and mounted at each end within opposed channels  142  defined within the cartridge housing  128  adjacent or across a cartridge vapor outlet opening  146  of the cartridge housing  128  (see also  FIG. 6 ). An elastomeric o-ring gasket or seal  148  comprising an elastomeric material or the like may extend within each channel  144  to form a fluid tight seal about the ends of transducer  140 . The transducer  140  further includes one or more micro-openings or channels  150  extending therethrough in communication with the second internal chamber  136  to permit release of the vaporized treatment agent. 
     The cartridge  108  further includes one or more power contacts or pins  152  in electrical communication with the transducer  140 . The power pins  152  are received within corresponding power receptacles  154  disposed within the first handle member  102  adjacent the cartridge receiving recess  156  of the first handle member  102  ( FIG. 6 ). The power receptacles  154  include electrical contacts, which are in communication with the ultrasound power switch  124  and the electrical cord  122  to selectively supply power to the transducer  140 . Thus, upon mounting of the cartridge  108  fully within the cartridge receiving recess  156  of the first handle member  102 , the contact pins  152  of the cartridge  108  establish electrical contact with the contacts within the pin receiving receptacles  154  of the first handle member  102 . The cartridge receiving recess  156  is correspondingly dimensioned to accommodate the cartridge  108  in a manner to reduce the profile of the first handle member  102 . 
     The cartridge housing  128  may have at least one locking detent  158 , which is selectively engaged by the cartridge release button  110  to releasably secure the cartridge  108  relative to the first handle member  102 . Any type of releasable connection means are envisioned including, e.g., tongue and groove arrangements, bayonet couplings, sliding release arrangements or the like. In one embodiment schematically depicted in  FIG. 10 , the cartridge release button  110  includes a depending resilient member  160 , which is receivable within the locking detent  158  of the cartridge housing  128 . Depression of the release button  110  will cause the resilient member  160  to deflect in the direction “m” and become released from the locking detent  158 , thereby permitting removal of the cartridge  108  from the cartridge receiving recess  156  of the first handle member  102 . 
     The use of the hair styling apparatus  100  for styling hair will now be discussed. The cartridge  108  filled with the hair treatment agent  132  is mounted within the outer cartridge receiving recess  156  of the first handle member  102 . Electrical contact is established between the contact pins  152  of the cartridge housing  128  and the contacts within the pin receiving receptacles  154  of the first handle member  102 . The power switch  118  is activated to charge the heating elements  110  of the first and second handle members  102 ,  104 . The subject&#39;s hair is positioned between the open first and second handle members  102 ,  104  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and the first and second handle members  102 ,  104  are moved to the closed position of  FIGS. 3-5 . The hair is treated, e.g., straightened, as it passes along the heating elements  110 . When it is desired to apply the hair treatment agent  132 , the transducer power switch  124  is activated causing the transducer  140  to oscillate. As the transducer  140  oscillates, heat is generated sufficient to at least partially vaporize the treatment agent  132  within the absorbent member  138  in the second internal chamber  136 . As depicted in  FIGS. 9 and 11 , the vaporized treatment agent “ 132   v ” is released through the micro-openings  150  extending through the transducer  140  and out the cartridge vapor outlet opening  146  of the cartridge housing  128 .  FIG. 11  depicts the first handle member  102  removed for illustration purposes. The vaporized treatment agent “ 132   v ” communicates through the opening of the first handle member, and is conveyed through the channels  112  of the first and second handle members  102 ,  104  for application to the subject&#39;s hair. The treatment agent  132   v  released in the vaporized state from the absorbent or wicking member  138  is continuously replenished with the treatment agent stored within the first internal chamber  130 . The ultrasound transducer  140  may be deactivated at any time during the procedure via the ultrasound power switch  124 . In the event more treatment agent  132  is needed, the cartridge  108  is released from the first handle member  102  by depression of the cartridge release button  110 . The closure seal or cover of the cartridge  134  may be opened, and additional treatment agent  132  is introduced within the first internal chamber  130 . The cover  134  is closed and the cartridge  108  is reinserted into the cartridge receiving recess  156  of the first handle member  102 . 
     The wicking or absorbent member  138  maintains the treatment agent in the liquid state adjacent the transducer  140  while preventing the liquid treatment agent from interfering with the functioning of the transducer  140 . When subjected to heat generated by the transducer  140 , the treatment agent  132  at least partially vaporizes for release through the channels  150  of the transducer  140 . The vaporized treatment agent  132   v  will not interfere with the functioning of the transducer. The vaporized treatment agent  132   v  also protects the hair when subjected to the heat of the heating elements  110 . 
       FIGS. 12A-12C  illustrate alternate embodiments of the cartridge  108 . In  FIG. 12A , the cartridge  200  is similar to the cartridge  108  of the first embodiment and incorporates a cover  202  which is selectively opened and closed to permit access to the internal chambers for refilling of the treatment agent. In  FIG. 12B , the cartridge  300  includes a threaded opening  302  which receives a threaded bottle member  304  containing the treatment agent. The bottle  304  may replace the first internal chamber and supply the treatment agent to the absorbent member. Upon emptying of the bottle  304 , the bottle may be released and replaced with a new bottle of agent or refilled and connected to the cartridge  300 . In  FIG. 12C , a flexible pouch  308 , e.g., a foil pouch, having a threaded segment  310  may be received within the threaded opening  302  of the cartridge  300 . Multiple pouches  308  may be provided as replacement pouches during use of the apparatus  100 . 
     The above description and the drawings are provided for the purpose of describing embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Technology Category: a