Device for treating keratin fibers

Abstract

Device for treating keratin fibers, which comprises a vibration generator and a vibration transmitter, in which the vibration transmitter is secured on the hair during the treatment, and in which vibrations are transmitted to the keratin fibers in this clamped position during the treatment.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60,541,123, filed Feb. 2, 2004. This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of German Application DE 10 2004 005 092.9, filed Feb. 2, 2004.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention pertains to the field of keratin fiber treatment. In particular, the invention concerns a treatment device for treating keratin fibers, a method for treating keratin fibers, the use of a treatment device for dyeing or bleaching a person's hair, and preparations for dyeing or bleaching keratin fibers. [0003] The treatment of keratin fibers, especially hair, can have various objectives. For one thing, the treatment can have the purpose of shaping the keratin fibers. For example, the keratin fibers can be shaped into waves, or wavy keratin fibers can be straightened by suitable treatment. Human hair is now being treated in many different way...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] In accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, a treatment device for treating keratin fibers is specified, which has a vibration generator for generating vibrations and a vibration transmitter, which is connected with the vibration generator, for transmitting vibrations to the keratin fibers. The vibration transmitter has sections that can be brought into a treatment position, in which the keratin fibers are secured between the sections. For example, the vibration transmitter can be realized in the form of a metal clip or clamp. The keratin fibers are preferably secured in such a way that the vibration transmitter does not slip from the keratin fibers during the treatment, i.e., in such a way that it does not slip, e.g., due to its own weight, from the clamped keratin fibers, such as tufts of hair.

[0013] This device has the advantage that it is merely necessary for the person operating it, for example, for the purpose of treating a person's hair, to apply the vibration transmitter to the hair to be dyed. The treatment can then be performed without the person operating the device having to carry out any other action. After the treatment, the vibration transmitter is removed from the hair and, for example, hung on a suitable holder. Preferably, several vibration transmitters are provided.

[0015] In accordance with this embodiment, vibrations are transmitted to the hair in an advantageous way without contact via a medium, namely, the vapor. The micromovements of the hair caused by the vibrations allow a better hair treatment. For example, improved hair dyeing can be achieved in this way, as well as better shaping or straightening of the hair. Especially the combination of the vapor heat and the micromovement produced in the hair can be advantageous.

[0017] This makes a very easily handled hair treatment device available. During treatment, for example, the device can be supported on a holder, while the vibration transmitter is being used on the hair.

[0018] The use of the treatment device of the invention for hair dyeing or bleaching is especially advantageous. The use of vibrations or waves in the ultrasonic range or even in the audible range, for example, kHz, allows the active substance combinations of the hair treatment preparation to penetrate the hair faster. Furthermore, deeper penetration of the active substances into the fiber sheath of the hair and thus improved stability of the products produced by the dyeing process can be achieved. In addition, a significant increase in color intensity can be achieved. The power of a vibration generator of the type that can be used in the treatment device of the present invention is, for example, in the range of 5 to 200 watts. The power is preferably on the order of 100 watts. Examples of vibration generators that can be used are resonators or multivibrators, such as those used, for example, in power whistles and sirens. In addition, it is possible to use, for example, magnetostrictive transducers, piezoelectric transducers, and piezomagnetic transducers, for example, nickel-copper-cobalt ferrites.

Problems solved by technology

It is the nature of this product category that continuous color loss occurs.

The use of an ultrasonic device of this type presents certain problems in a modern salon operation, since it takes the person handling the ultrasonic device a very long time to repeatedly go over all of the person's hair one tuft at a time.

Especially in the case of long hair, the time required for this is considerable.

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