HAIR STYLING DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH A PNEUMATIC PUMP TO REGULATE THE FLOW OF STEAM

Abstract

A hair styling device (1) comprising: - a reservoir (3) suitable for containing a liquid; - a vaporization chamber (4) in fluid communication with said reservoir (3) suitable for receiving said liquid and transforming it into vapor; - a flow regulating device (2) for the flow of said liquid from said reservoir (3) to said vaporization chamber (4); - an electronic circuit suitable for activating said flow regulating device (2); - at least one opening suitable for allowing the vapor to escape from said hair styling device (1) to the hair to be styled; wherein said flow regulating device (2) of said liquid is a pneumatic diaphragm pump, characterized in that said pneumatic diaphragm pump (2) is provided with: a) a shaft (19) capable of moving forward and backward along its own axis, b) a first chamber and a second chamber arranged at opposite ends of said shaft, wherein said shaft (19) allows continuous air exchange between said first and second chambers, c) a first diaphragm (18a) and a second diaphragm (18b) suitable for alternately filling / emptying said first and second chambers with air / liquid.

Description

HAIR STYLING DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH A PNEUMATIC PUMP TO REGULATE THE FLOW OF STEAM Technical field This utility model relates to a hair styling device suitable for supplying steam. In particular, this utility model relates to a hair styling device equipped with a pneumatic pump for regulating the steam flow. State of the art Hair styling devices have been known for some time, such as curling irons to create curls, or other devices to create wavy hair, and similar devices, such as those that can also supply steam to the hair for better hair treatment. Typically, these hair styling devices suitable for supplying steam to the hair include and utilize means that transfer certain amounts of cold water from a small reservoir present in the hair styling device to a heated element that vaporizes the water to create the steam that will be supplied onto the hair to be styled. A known means in the technique for transferring steam to the hair to be styled is formed by a plunger that is activated, for example, in a hair straightener when two arms that form the straightener approach each other. This solution is very economical and easy to manufacture. However, it has the disadvantage of producing a jet of steam only when the two arms come together to hold the iron against the hair being styled. During the rest of the straightening process, it emits no further steam. Consequently, if the hair strand is long, since there is no additional steam generation, only the first part of the strand will benefit from the steam jet, while the remaining parts will only receive increasingly limited moisture, resulting in clearly insufficient results in terms of even hair straightening. Other means of creating steam known in the art consist of vibration pumps: these have fairly high minimum steam flow rates (at least 20 grams / minute) and are therefore unattractive, since hair styling devices are relatively modest in size and only need small amounts of steam (usually less than 5 grams / minute). To solve this problem, electric pumps have recently been used, which allow the creation of steam and the transfer of a continuous flow with a small amount of water. For example, European patents EP 2,449,910 and EP 3,262,970 describe a hair styling device comprising means for regulating the flow rate of a fluid and for vaporizing the fluid, wherein the means for regulating the fluid flow rate include a peristaltic pump that ensures a relatively constant flow rate of between 1 and 5 grams per minute. The use of the peristaltic pump allows for a compact, efficient device for a relatively low and constant flow rate. However, these peristaltic pumps have the disadvantage of being particularly expensive. Patent application CN 119233771 A describes a vaporization chamber for a hair styling device that diffuses vapor, separate from the reservoir and suitable for being fed with the liquid product contained in the reservoir through at least one pumping element, such as, for example, a diaphragm pump. Patent application KR101294211 describes a steam hair straightener comprising an upper and a lower body coupled together. The water supply is coupled within the upper body; the water stored in a reservoir is connected to a steam generator via a discharge pressure chamber and a diaphragm pump. Therefore, the Applicant of this utility model has found the need to create hair styling devices equipped with an alternative device for regulating the flow of steam supplied to the hair to be styled that is effective and economical. Summary of the invention The present utility model refers to a hair styling device as indicated in claim 1. The Applicant of this application has unexpectedly found that the technical problem described above can be effectively and reliably solved by a hair styling device comprising: - a suitable container for holding a liquid; - a vaporization chamber in fluid communication with said tank suitable for receiving said liquid and transforming it into vapor; - a device for regulating the flow of said liquid from said tank to said vaporization chamber; - an electronic circuit suitable for activating said liquid flow regulating device; - at least one opening suitable to allow the vapor to escape from the hair styling device to the hair to be styled. The device used to regulate the flow of this liquid is a pneumatic pump. In this way, thanks to the presence of the pneumatic pump, the transfer of liquids can be regulated as needed. In fact, the pneumatic pump can have a nominal flow rate of approximately 10 grams / minute; however, the electronic circuit activates the pneumatic pump with a portion of the cycles provided by the electrical supply, proportional to the desired flow rate, which is easily adjustable, for example, to less than 5 grams / minute, or to between 2 and 4 grams / minute. The electronic circuit can also provide two or three different steam output levels. Furthermore, the pneumatic pump is quiet and remarkable in terms of performance. This pneumatic pump is a diaphragm pneumatic pump. This allows for the transfer of liquids with low, medium, or high viscosity, as well as liquids containing suspended solids. It is also possible to handle many aggressive chemicals, such as acids, since pneumatic diaphragm pumps can be manufactured with a wide variety of materials and diaphragms. This pneumatic diaphragm pump comprises: a) a shaft capable of moving forward and backward along its axis, b) a first chamber and a second chamber arranged at opposite ends of the shaft, the shaft allowing continuous air exchange between the first and second chambers, and c) a first and a second diaphragm capable of alternately filling / emptying the first and second chambers with air / liquid. This type of pump is hereby defined as a "double diaphragm" pneumatic pump. In this way, the liquid can be pumped into and out of the pump's liquid chamber. This movement creates a vacuum, which draws the liquid in through an inlet port. When the diaphragms are successively pushed back to their initial positions by compressed air, the liquid is expelled from the product chamber through an outlet port. This cycle repeats as long as the double-diaphragm pump is running, creating the pumping action. The pneumatic double-diaphragm pump allows for less diaphragm wear compared to a mechanically driven pump, thanks to pressure compensation by the compressed air. Consequently, the pneumatic double-diaphragm pump can operate for longer periods without damage and therefore has a longer lifespan. According to a preferred embodiment, said pneumatic pump is suitable for allowing a relatively constant flow, of between 1 and 5 grams / minute, of said liquid from said reservoir to said vaporization chamber. According to a first aspect of the present utility model, said hair styling device comprises a plurality of openings suitable for the release of said steam from said hair styling device to the hair to be styled. According to the first aspect of the present utility model, said hair styling device is a hair straightener having a first arm, a second arm and a hinge connecting said first arm to said second arm such that, when the two arms are next to each other, said hair straightener can assume a closed position in which the hair to be styled is held between said first arm and said second arm and, when the two arms move away from each other, said hair straightener can assume an open position in which the hair to be styled is not held between said first arm and said second arm. In this first aspect of the present utility model, one of said first or second arm comprises said tank, said vaporization chamber, said pneumatic pump and said at least one opening, preferably a plurality of openings suitable for allowing the vapor to flow out to the other said first or second arm. In this way, the pneumatic pump regulates as needed the flow of steam coming out of the openings to reach and moisten the hair to be styled, held when the two arms of the hair straightener are in the closed position. According to a preferred embodiment, at least one of said first or second arm comprises at least one heating element. According to a preferred embodiment, said electronic circuit suitable for activating said liquid flow regulating device is also suitable for detecting the closed position of said first and second arm. This heats the vaporization chamber to create steam. According to a second aspect of the present utility model, said hair styling device is a hair curling device. According to a preferred embodiment of this second aspect of the present utility model, said hair curling device comprises a handle, a main body attached to said handle, and styling elements suitable for contact with the hair, wherein said main body comprises said reservoir, said vaporization chamber, said pneumatic pump, and said at least one opening, preferably a plurality of openings, suitable for allowing the vapor to escape towards said styling elements suitable for contact with the hair. In this way, the pneumatic pump regulates, as needed, the flow of steam coming out of the openings to reach and moisten the hair that will be curled using these styling tools. According to a preferred embodiment, said styling elements suitable for contact with the hair are formed by a plurality of protrusions extending over the outside of said hair curling device. In this way, the plurality of protrusions comes into contact with the hair to be curled, which has been moistened by steam, the flow rate of which is managed by the pneumatic pump. According to a preferred embodiment, said handle comprises the electronics and the buttons connected to said electronics suitable to be actuated by the user to manage said pneumatic pump. Other features and advantages of this utility model will be further highlighted in the examination of the following detailed description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments, illustrated by way of example and not limitation, with the help of the accompanying designs, in which: - Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of one embodiment of a hair straightener of the present utility model; - Figure 2 shows a view from below of the hair straightener in Figure 1; - Figure 3 shows a detail of one arm of the hair straightener from Figure 2, showing the steam outlet holes; - Figure 4 shows a side view of an embodiment of a double-diaphragm pneumatic pump present in the hair straightener of Figure 1, in a first phase of operation; - Figure 5 shows a side view of the double diaphragm pneumatic pump of Figure 4, in a second phase of operation; - Figure 6 shows a side view of an embodiment of a hair curling device of the present utility model; - Figure 7 shows an axonometric view of the hair curling device from Figure 6; - Figure 8 shows a detail seen from below of Figure 6 showing the steam outlet holes. Detailed description The following detailed description refers to particular embodiments of the hair styling device of the present utility model, without limiting its content. In particular, Figures 1-3 show a first embodiment of a hair styling device of the present utility model, specifically a hair straightener 1a comprising a first arm 5a, a second arm 5b, and a hinge 6 connecting the first arm 5a to the second arm 5b. The hair straightener 1a can thus assume a closed position, when the two arms 5a and 5b are side by side, and an open position, when the two arms 5a and 5b are separated. In the closed position, the hair to be styled is held between the first arm 5a and the second arm 5b, while in the open position, the hair is not held between the first arm 5a and the second arm 5b.Inside the housing formed by the first arm 5a are present: a tank 3 suitable for containing a liquid; a vaporization chamber 4 in fluid communication with the tank 3 (directly or by means of a tube or a small connecting tube) suitable for receiving the liquid and transforming it into vapor; a double-diaphragm pneumatic air pump 2 capable of regulating the flow of the liquid from the tank 3 to the vaporization chamber 4; an electronic circuit (not shown in detail in the figures) is suitable for detecting the closed position of the two arms and for activating the pneumatic pump 2. As shown in Figure 2 (and in more detail in Figure 3), the first arm 5a is provided with a plate 8 directed towards the second arm 5b; in particular, a plurality of openings 7 are seen through which the steam generated in the vaporization chamber 4 exits from the first metal plate 8 to be directed towards the second arm 5b in order to moisten the hair to be straightened when it is held between the first arm 5a and the second arm 5b when these are in the closed position. At least one between the first arm 5a and the second arm 5b is equipped with a heating element (not shown in detail in the figures) capable of heating the vaporization chamber 4. Closing the first arm 5a onto the second arm 5b activates an electrical signal (via, for example, a microswitch, a sensor, or a light sensor) which alerts the electronics in one of the two arms 5a and 5b that the user has closed both arms 5a and 5b, and the pneumatic pump 2 begins to emit steam. When the arms 5a and 5b open, the pneumatic pump 2 automatically shuts off. Figures 4 and 5 show in detail one embodiment of a double-diaphragm pneumatic air pump 2 used in the hair straightening iron 1a shown in Figures 1 to 3. However, other types of pneumatic pumps may be used in other embodiments of the present utility model. In detail, the double-diaphragm air pump 2 is a pneumatic pump that uses a pneumatic valve to direct compressed air between the two sides of the pump, back and forth. This movement creates a vacuum, which draws fluid in through an inlet port. When the diaphragms are successively pushed back to their initial positions by compressed air, the fluid is expelled from the chamber through an outlet port. With particular reference to Figures 4 and 5, the double-diaphragm pneumatic air pump 2 is provided with: a) a shaft 19 capable of moving back and forth along its own axis, actuated, for example, by a spring; b) a first diaphragm 18a and a second diaphragm 18b arranged at opposite ends of the shaft 19; c) a first chamber and a second pumping chamber arranged corresponding, respectively, to the first diaphragm 18a and the second diaphragm 18b. When the first diaphragm 18a inflates, allowing the fluid to be pumped, the second diaphragm 18b deflates, creating a vacuum in the fluid chamber and thus allowing the fluid to be drawn in. Conversely, when the second diaphragm 18b inflates, the first diaphragm 18a deflates; consequently, the shaft 19 allows a continuous exchange of air between the first and second chambers. Excess air is directed to the drain 20. The liquid travels from the lower suction manifold 15 to the upper supply manifold 17, passing through the pump body 16 via the reciprocating motion of the two opposing diaphragms 18a and 18b. The suction and supply phases are regulated by ball valves (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) that are open or closed depending on the current phase and are held in position by suitable supports. Once the stroke is complete, the coaxial motor diverts the compressed air, and the cycle is reversed. The double diaphragm pneumatic pump 2 can therefore operate at any flow rate without cavitation; the liquid is not at risk of evaporating since the pressure inside the chamber will never be lower than the vapor pressure of the liquid. Membranes 18a and 18b are elastic elements, usually rubber: on one side, they come into contact with the compressed air and on the other side with the working fluid. The double diaphragm pneumatic pump 2 can be easily regulated: in fact, the water flow rate of the pump can be easily varied by decreasing the incoming compressed air pneumatic load or by closing the suction manifold. In fact, for example, the double-diaphragm pneumatic pump 2 can have a nominal flow rate of approximately 10 grams / minute. By activating pump 2 via an electronic circuit, with cycle portions provided by the electrical supply, flow rates suitable for the device of this utility model (such as 2, 3, or 4 grams / minute) can easily be achieved, sufficient to obtain the desired benefit. For example, rapid activation cycles lasting tenths of a second can be selected, utilizing a single half-wave to activate the coil. Considering that there are 50 half-waves per second at 50 Hz, a continuous flow rate can be obtained, in which the number of positive and negative half-waves varies. The number of positive half-waves determines the number of cycles in which the spring actuating shaft 9 moves from a rest position (OFF) to a compressed position (ON). The following table shows some examples of how the flow rate of a double diaphragm pneumatic pump 2 can be varied with various types of half-wave cycles. The data included in the table above shows that the flow rate of a pneumatic pump, with a nominal flow rate of approximately 10 grams / minute, can be easily modified to obtain a flow rate of approximately 2-4 grams / minute, which is the effective flow rate that must be used in a hair styling device of this utility model. In fact, by adjusting the ON and OFF half-wave sequences, effective results regarding the flow rate of the pneumatic pump can be obtained, both when cold and 5, 10, and 20 minutes after being switched on. Furthermore, the pneumatic double-diaphragm pump allows for less diaphragm wear compared to a mechanically driven pump, thanks to the pressure compensation provided by the compressed air. Consequently, the pneumatic double-diaphragm pump can operate for longer periods without damage and therefore has a longer lifespan. Figures 6-8 show a second embodiment of a hair styling device of the present utility model, in particular a hair curling device 1b, comprising a handle 11, a main body 12 attached to the handle 11, and styling elements 13 suitable for contact with the hair. The main body 12 comprises: a) a tank 3 suitable for containing a liquid, b) a vaporization chamber 4 in fluid communication with the tank 3 suitable for receiving the liquid and transforming it into vapor; c) a pneumatic pump 2 that regulates the flow of the liquid from the tank 3 to the vaporization chamber 4, and d) a plurality of openings 7 suitable for allowing the vapor to escape towards the styling elements. Handle 11 comprises the electronics and buttons connected to the electronics suitable for being operated by the user to manage the pneumatic pump 2. As shown in particular in Figure 7, the styling elements suitable for contact with the hair are formed by a plurality of protrusions 13 extending over the outside of the main body 12 of the hair curling device 1b. In this way, the plurality of protrusions 13 comes into contact with the hair to be curled that has been moistened by steam, the flow rate of which is managed by the pneumatic pump 2. The pneumatic pump 2 used in the second embodiment of this utility model shown with reference to Figures 6-8 may be the same double-diaphragm pneumatic pump 2 used in the first embodiment of this utility model shown with reference to Figures 1-5. However, in other embodiments of this utility model, other types of pneumatic pumps may be used. In this way, the pneumatic pump 2 regulates as needed the flow of steam coming out of the openings 7 to reach and moisten with a continuous flow the hair to be curled by said styling elements 13. Naturally, for people who are experts in the field, many modifications and variations of the preferred embodiments described will be evident, still within the scope of the utility model. For example, although in the embodiments described above with special reference to Figures 1-8, the pneumatic pump 2 has always been described as being inserted directly into the arm 5a of the iron 1a or into the main body 12 of the hair curling device 1b, in other embodiments the pneumatic pump 2 can be placed on a remote base and connected to the other elements of the hair styling device via tubes or other connecting means. Therefore, the present utility model is not limited to the preferred embodiments described, illustrated for illustrative and non-limiting purposes only, but is defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A hair styling device (1) comprising: - a reservoir (3) suitable for containing a liquid; - a vaporization chamber (4) in fluid communication with said reservoir (3) suitable for receiving said liquid and transforming it into vapor; - a flow regulating device (2) for the flow of said liquid from said reservoir (3) to said vaporization chamber (4); - an electronic circuit suitable for activating said flow regulating device (2) for the liquid; - at least one opening suitable for allowing the vapor to escape from said hair styling device (1) to the hair to be styled; wherein said flow regulating device (2) for the liquid is a pneumatic diaphragm pump, characterized in that said pneumatic diaphragm pump (2) is provided with: a) a shaft (19) capable of moving back and forth along its own axis,b) a first chamber and a second chamber arranged at opposite ends of said shaft, wherein said shaft (19) allows continuous air exchange between said first and second chambers, c) a first membrane (18a) and a second membrane (18b) suitable for alternately filling / emptying said first and second chambers with air / liquid.

2. Hair styling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pneumatic pump (2) is suitable for allowing a relatively constant flow, of between 1 and 5 grams / minute, of said liquid from said reservoir (3) to said vaporization chamber (4).

3. Hair styling device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said hair styling device (1) is a hair straightener (1a) provided with a first arm (5a), a second arm (5b) and a hinge (6) connecting said first arm (5a) to said second arm (5b) such that,When the two arms (5a, 5b) are side by side, said hair straightening iron (1a) can assume a closed position in which the hair to be styled is held between said first arm (5a) and said second arm (5b), and, when the two arms (5a, 5b) move away from each other, said hair straightening iron (1a) can assume an open position in which the hair to be styled is not held between said first arm (5a) and said second arm (5b), and wherein one of said first or second arm (5a, 5b) comprises said reservoir (3), said vaporization chamber (4), said pneumatic pump (2) and a plurality of openings (7), wherein said plurality of openings (7) are suitable for allowing the vapor to escape to the other of said first or second arm (5a, 5b).

4. Hair styling device (1) according to claim 3, wherein at least one of said first or second arm (5a,5b) of said hair straightening iron (1a) comprises at least one heating element.

5. Hair styling device (1) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein said hair styling device (1) is a hair curling device (1b).

6. Hair styling device (1) according to claim 5, wherein said hair curling device (1b) comprises a handle (11), a main body (12) attached to said handle (11), and styling elements (13) suitable for contact with the hair, wherein said main body (12) comprises said reservoir (3), said vaporization chamber (4), said pneumatic pump (2), and a plurality of openings (7), wherein said plurality of openings (7) are suitable for allowing said vapor to escape into said styling elements (13) suitable for contact with the hair.

7. Hair styling device (1) according to claim 6,wherein said styling elements (13) suitable for contact with the hair are formed by a plurality of protrusions extending from the outside of said hair curling device (1b).

8. Hair styling device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said handle (11) comprises said electronic circuit and the buttons connected to said electronic circuit to be actuated by the user to operate said pneumatic pump (2).

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