Device with counter-form for ultrasonic hair cleaning

Abstract

Device with Counterform for Ultrasonic Hair Cleaning. The invention relates to a cosmetic hair cleaning device comprising: - an ultrasonic emitter, - a handpiece (18) comprising a probe (2) cooperating with a counterform (3) to pinch the hair strand between a support surface (31) of the counterform (3) and a distal outer surface (22) of the probe (2). It also relates to the cosmetic hair cleaning process employing said device, preferably with a cleaning composition comprising at least one surfactant. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device with a counter-form for ultrasonic hair cleaning

[0001] The present invention relates to a handheld device for ultrasonic hair cleaning. It also relates to a method using said handheld device in the presence of a cosmetic composition, in particular a shampoo.

[0002] More generally, a cosmetic product is a product as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223 / 2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products. Technological background

[0003] Various devices for cleaning hair are known.

[0004] Several documents relating to the hair care field concern multifunctional hair combs or brushes with water reservoirs and ultrasonic atomization systems, such as documents CN105124902, CN204909967, JPH09308518 or JPH081104.

[0005] Others relate to bowls or basins for cleaning hair, such as CN204448700, JP2015019670 or CN107716391.

[0006] Other documents also relate to shower devices, such as CN2191621.

[0007] Document US2018207690 refers to the implementation of an emulsifier for cleaning hair extensions with movement of the strands into several compartments allowing respectively washing, rinsing and then drying.

[0008] Document CN2720876 relates to a portable device with two separate compartments containing water and shampoo respectively, and an ultrasonic emitting system for washing hair. However, this device does not allow for easy gripping of the section of hair to be treated, resulting in a lack of effectiveness and loss of surfactant solution.

[0009] Patent application WO2011001084 relates to a process for treating hair fibers with the application of a cosmetic composition and sonication, these two steps being separate. This document does not mention the application of ultrasound for washing hair. Shampooing is only mentioned as a post-treatment after coloring, therefore not as a sonication step, since the two objectives are contradictory: closing the cuticles for shampooing and opening them for sonication.

[0010] Patent application WO2017118984 relates to a system for removing parasites from the hair by means of a device comprising an ultrasonic emitter for generating ultrasonic radiation and a plurality of teeth extending from The device consists of a base in which the plurality of teeth includes a vibrating tooth and a reflecting tooth. Ultrasonic radiation is transmitted by the vibrating tooth and reflected by the reflecting tooth to damage a parasite located between these teeth. This document never mentions any application other than the destruction of parasites and their larvae. In particular, hair washing is never mentioned. Furthermore, the use of the device described in this document is never accompanied by the use of any composition, whether cosmetic or otherwise.

[0011] Patent application AU2012221702 relates to a device for damaging a parasite while it is on a surface of a mammal's body, comprising an ultrasonic emitter for generating ultrasonic radiation; - a handheld device coupled to said ultrasonic emitter adapted to be placed near the parasite and transfer the ultrasonic radiation to it, wherein said handheld device comprises a plurality of teeth extending from a base of the device, wherein the plurality of teeth and / or the ultrasonic emitter comprises at least one vibrating element which is coupled to the plurality of teeth. According to this document, the parasites can be removed after irradiation by combing or under vacuum. There is no mention of an application for washing hair during irradiation.

[0012] US patent application US 16 / 805,586, filed by the Applicant on February 28, 2020, discloses a device for applying a hair formulation, comprising an electrostatic charger electrically connected to an electrode and a body structure having one or more teeth at a front end, a tooth tip including the electrode and a cartridge containing a hair formulation.

[0013] Ultrasonication is used only in one variant of the device with an electrostatic charger, and more specifically in one variant of the nebulizer for generating mist from a shampoo formulation. The nebulizer is located in the device upstream of the comb teeth. This mist is expelled through an orifice located at the distal end of the teeth. The nebulizer, optionally equipped with the ultrasonic generator, is located in the device upstream of the comb teeth. Therefore, the ultrasound waves are not emitted at the hair level.

[0014] In general, the creation of electrostatic charges on hair can hinder the adsorption of shampoo active ingredients due to repulsion phenomena, thus potentially altering their effectiveness. Positively charging the hair can limit the adsorption of anionic surfactants and anionic polymers. Positively charging the hair can limit the adsorption of cationic conditioning polymers.

[0015] There is therefore a need to make improved portable devices available For ultrasonic hair cleaning, the goal is to achieve effective hair cleaning while using significantly less water and surfactant(s) than current devices—specifically, ten to twenty times less water than existing devices—in order to meet current environmental requirements. Furthermore, wastewater recycling could be considered. Definition of the invention

[0016] The invention relates to a cosmetic hair cleansing device, comprising:

[0017] - an ultrasonic transmitter, comprising an ultrasonic transducer powered by a generator current generator and configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations,

[0018] - a handpiece comprising a probe coupled to the ultrasound emitter for transmitting the ultrasonic vibrations generated by the transducer towards a strand of hair to be treated, the probe extending along a longitudinal axis X between a proximal outer surface and a distal outer surface,

[0019] The handpiece further comprises a counter-form provided with a support surface, to receive at least in part, the lock of hair to be treated, the probe cooperating with the counter-form to pinch the lock of hair between the support surface of the counter-form and the distal outer surface of the probe.

[0020] With the device according to the invention, it is possible to effectively clean hair. The ultrasound can also contribute to the release of chemical species from the cleaning composition, contributing to a more thorough cleaning of keratinous materials, such as free radicals. In some cases, the bubbles in the cleaning composition generate shock waves under the effect of acoustic waves, which can exert a mechanical effect on the hair, thus improving the cleaning process.

[0021] Advantageously, the distal outer surface of the probe is placed "in the immediate vicinity of the surface of the hair to be cleaned".

[0022] The invention also relates to a cosmetic hair cleansing process comprising the operations of:

[0023] (i) Provide a device as described above,

[0024] (ii) Pinch at least one area of ​​a strand of hair between the support surface of the counter-mold and the distal outer surface of the probe,

[0025] (iii) Generate ultrasound,

[0026] (iv) If necessary, after relative displacements of said wick with respect to the probe, treat successively one or more other areas so as to clean the desired part of the wick.

[0027] Preferably, the process comprises an operation (v) consisting of applying to the hair, during operation (iii), a dose of cleansing composition comprising preferably at least one surfactant, especially anionic.

[0028] Preferably, the process is conducted dynamically with a speed of movement of said wick relative to the probe of between 5 mm / s and 5 cm / s.

[0029] Advantageously, the device does not have an electrostatic charger, so as not to disrupt the action of the cleaning composition and to avoid charging and weighing down the hair.

[0030] Preferably, the counter-form does not have a circular or semicircular cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, in order to optimize the quality of the cleaning. Main definitions

[0031] A "cross-section of a part with axis X" is a section perpendicular to the X axis of the part.

[0032] By "longitudinal axis of a part", we mean the line joining all the barycenters of the cross sections of a part.

[0033] By "in the immediate vicinity of the surface of the hair to be cleaned," it should be understood to mean close enough for the effect of the acoustic waves to have a beneficial effect on the cleaning action. For example, the distal outer surface is placed less than 15 mm from the surface of the strand to be cleaned, better less than 10 mm, even better less than 5 mm, but preferably less than 2.5 mm. The probe may be in contact with the hair to be cleaned.

[0034] The term "counter-form" refers to a part with a shape complementary to that of the probe, capable of trapping the hair between itself and the probe. The counter-form and the probe are advantageously movable relative to each other so that, when the probe and the counter-form are separated, the hair to be treated can be inserted, and then, when the probe and the counter-form are brought together or when the device is in use, pressure can be applied to the hair to ensure, in particular, better contact between the hair and the probe delivering the ultrasound.

[0035] “Ultrasound” refers to radio waves with frequencies ranging from 16 kHz to 10 MHz.

[0036] To generate ultrasound or ultrasonic waves, a "high frequency generator" converts the normal mains frequency of 50 to 60 Hz into high frequency oscillations preferably ranging from 16 to 60 kHz.

[0037] The "ultrasonic transducers" then convert these electrical oscillations into acoustic vibrations of the same frequency. The transducer is simply a resonance system, which is powered by the input of energy appropriate to the natural oscillations. It converts electrical energy into acoustic energy in the ultrasonic range, from a few mW to a few kW.

[0038] The "sonotrode" is a metallic part or tool that is coupled to the transducer, and This vibrational energy is transferred to a target element, such as hair. Within a standard frequency range for ultrasound operation, the sonotrode resonates by contracting and expanding x times per second within an amplitude of a few micrometers. This acoustic wave resonance, half a wavelength long, follows the material's constant elasticity, density (ρ), the speed of sound propagation through the material, and the frequency. Sonotrodes are made of titanium, aluminum, or steel, with or without heat treatment. Small-diameter sonotrodes are sometimes called probes. The shape of the sonotrode depends on the amount of vibrational energy and any physical constraints for a specific application.

[0039] The "acoustic waves" are generated by one or more ultrasonic transducers. According to the invention, the acoustic waves are ultrasonic waves.

[0040] Acoustic waves can be generated by a single transducer, or alternatively by at least two transducers. Each transducer may include a sonotrode, typically made of metal, which can define a surface through which the acoustic waves are emitted. The transducer may include at least one piezoelectric material.

[0041] Acoustic waves can be generated permanently as soon as the device is switched on, or alternatively only be generated when certain operating conditions are met, such as, for example, the presence of the device near the hair.

[0042] Acoustic waves can be generated by a sinusoidal signal or by a signal of a more complex shape, for example, a frequency-modulated or amplitude-modulated signal. Acoustic waves are preferably emitted at a single frequency, which allows them to be focused more precisely into a given area, but alternatively, they can be emitted at several different frequencies. Acoustic waves can be emitted continuously or in the form of pulses.

[0043] The device may also include a system for detecting the presence of the device in contact with the hair to be treated and conditioning the operation of the transducer(s) to this detection.

[0044] A "probe" allows the emission and reception of a signal, for example ultrasound.

[0045] Suction unit

[0046] The device according to the invention may include, for recovering the used cleaning composition and the residues from washing (natural or chemical soiling, remnants of altered keratin present on the surface of the hair), a suction system. The suction system may, for example, include a fan and a filter and / or a pump and a filter and / or a liquid recovery system, collecting the particles and / or an electrostatic system which, by creating a potential field, attracts particles onto a surface. The device according to the invention optionally includes a reservoir of used surfactant composition, which is aspirated by the suction system.

[0047] Preferably, the power of the suction unit is set between 80 and 120 Air Watts.

[0048] The air watt rating is the ratio between the airflow rate, suction power, and electrical power consumption. According to the ASTM international standard, this rating is calculated as follows:

[0049] P = 1 / 8.5 x F x S

[0050] where P signifies the power in Air Watts; F, the air flow rate in CFM; and S, the water column.

[0051] The Air Watts therefore indicate the overall performance of the suction unit motor, and thus the efficiency of the suction unit.

[0052] Recycling

[0053] Advantageously, the cleansing composition is sent into contact with the hair so that it is at least partially recovered for recycling and / or filtering.

[0054] The recovered composition can be filtered to remove solid debris or its particulate phase, before being returned to the hair strand to be cleaned.

[0055] Preferably, the composition is recovered by aspiration or absorption, for example using a porous support.

[0056] Advantageously, a treatment and purification unit includes an inlet of the treatment unit for receiving a used composition comprising the composition having been in contact with the hair and a separator.

[0057] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the treatment and purification unit comprises a disinfection unit which kills bacteria in the recycled composition, said disinfection unit comprising a UV lamp and / or an oxidant or ozone generator and / or a chemical or bactericide dispenser and / or a heating device.

[0058] Preferably, the treatment and purification unit comprises a filter having a pore size of 50 microns or less. The filter may be a non-woven material, with or without pleats.

[0059] Sprayer or nebulizer

[0060] The device according to the invention may be an electrically powered device including a nebulizing component for forming a mist, spraying, or atomizing a cleaning composition. Preferably, it includes a unit for treating and recycling a used cleaning composition.

[0061] In one embodiment, the nebulizer includes a compressor, a pump, and uses ultrasonic waves to generate mist from the composition of cleaning and air. Preferred modes of implementation

[0062] Preferably, the application element according to the invention has one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination:

[0063] The counter-form delimits a receptacle whose base defines the bearing surface. This shape promotes the blocking and retention of the drill bit.

[0064] The probe is traversed by an axial guide channel. Preferably, the probe has a flared and hollowed shape. Wave guidance is optimized by the guide channel.

[0065] The probe has a flared shape towards its distal end. This shape facilitates the passage of ultrasound, and possibly the distribution of a cleaning composition.

[0066] The support surface of the counter-form and the distal outer surface of the probe are parallel. Preferably, the contact angle between the longitudinal axis of the probe and the hair is close to 90°. In this case, the base of the probe is advantageously flat against the hair, which provides better treatment efficacy.

[0067] In one variant, the handpiece includes a first comb or brush disposed next to the probe and oriented towards the counter-form, in order to detangle and aerate the hair strand before, during or after its treatment by ultrasound, thus promoting the passage of ultrasound between the hairs.

[0068] In this variant, the counter-form includes a second comb or a second brush disposed outside the bearing surface and oriented towards the probe.

[0069] The counter-form is then preferably equipped with a groove formed in its inner contour and positioned, in the device's operating position, between the first comb or brush and the second comb or brush. This groove may provide a space to facilitate the removal of the used composition during combing or brushing.

[0070] The ultrasonic frequency used of the transducer ranges from 16 kHz to 10 MHz, and preferably from 16 kHz to 60 kHz.

[0071] It includes a supply conduit for a cleaning composition connected to an outlet of a tank containing the cleaning composition.

[0072] It preferably comprises an evacuation conduit of a used composition connected to the counter-form.

[0073] It preferably comprises a unit for treating and recycling a used cleaning composition. The device then includes a system for recovering the used cleaning composition, in particular a soiled surfactant solution. Even more preferably, this recovery device includes a suction device. Description of the figures

[0074] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, non-limiting examples of its implementation, and from examination of the accompanying schematic and partial drawing, in which: Description of Figures

[0075] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 is an inclined perspective view of a device according to the invention,

[0076] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is an exploded view of the device in Fig.1.

[0077] [Fig. 3] Fig. 3 illustrates a device according to Figures 1 and 2 connected to a reservoir containing a cleaning composition,

[0078] [Fig.4] Fig.4 illustrates the positioning of a lock of hair in a device according to the invention.

[0079] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an example of an embodiment of the invention, in which the processing device comprises an ultrasonic transducer 13 for emitting acoustic waves at the probe inlet. The transducer 13 is powered by a current generator 15, which may or may not be part of the handpiece 18, for example, being located within a base station to which the handpiece 18 is connected by a cable.

[0080] The device 1 comprises a counter-form 3 for receiving a lock of hair subjected to acoustic waves emitted by the hollow and flared probe 2. The probe 2 has a longitudinal axis X extending between its proximal outer surface 21 and its distal outer surface 22.

[0081] The probe 2 and the counter-form 3 are mobile relative to each other between a distant configuration (not shown) for introducing a strand of hair between them and a close-up processing configuration, illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0082] The probe 2 and the counterform 3 can be carried by respective upper and lower arms, which are, for example, independent of each other or connected at one end by a joint, the handpiece 18 thus forming a clamp. The invention is not limited to a particular way of connecting the probe 2 and the counterform 3. However, the presence of a joint may be preferred for the ergonomic advantages it provides.

[0083] The probe 2 and the counter-form 3 define between them a hair treatment zone, intended to receive a strand of hair to be treated, which is moved during the treatment, for example in the direction from the root to the tip of the hair to ensure complete cleaning of the strand.

[0084] It can be seen in the figures that the probe 2 comprises an elongated, partially hollow body including a flared and flattened head intended to come into contact with or near a lock of hair spread out in a sheet on the support surface 31 formed by the bottom of the receptacle 30, so that an area of ​​the lock to be treated is located opposite the distal outer surface 22 of the probe 2.

[0085] The probe 2 forms a removable part associated with the counter-form 3, which is designed to cooperate by providing, between the bearing surface 31 and the distal outer surface 22, a space constituting a housing 60 for the drill bit. In the example shown, the probe 2 is moved by the user along the longitudinal axis X of the handpiece 18, to be moved away from or closer to the counter-form 3, so as to position the distal outer surface 22 and the bearing surface 31 opposite each other, thus simultaneously pinching the drill bit.

[0086] A groove 39 can be arranged on the edges of the upper surface 36 of the counter-form 3, for example to promote the evacuation of the used cleaning composition.

[0087] In Figures 1 and 2, two first combs 32, 33 are arranged opposite each other on either side of the probe, and two second combs 34, 35 are arranged opposite each other on either side of the longitudinal edges of the counter-form. The first two combs 32, 33 are symmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane of the probe 2, and the two second combs 34, 35 are symmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane of the counter-form 3.

[0088] Figure 3 shows a device conforming to Figures 1 and 2, supplied with cleaning composition via a supply conduit 45 connected to a mixer 41, optionally connected to a water reservoir 42 and a reservoir of a concentrated cleaning solution 43, which advantageously comprises at least one surfactant, preferably anionic. The hair composition passes through the probe via the axial guide channel before being distributed onto the hair, for example by a sprayer or nebulizer, after passing through the outlet orifice of the guide channel.

[0089] The counter-form 3 includes a conduit for the evacuation of the used hair composition, passing for example through a side wall 37 of the housing 60 receiving the hair strand, and opening into a cup 48 collecting the used composition.

[0090] The supply and discharge conduits can be equipped with a motor system 40 facilitating drainage.

[0091] In [Fig.4], a lock of hair M ready to be schematically represented is shown to be inserted between probe 2 and combs 34, 35 of counter-form 3 when probe 2 is brought closer to counter-form 3.

[0092] To use the device according to the invention, the probe 2 and the counter-form 3 are moved apart so that a lock of hair can be placed between them. The probe 2 and the counter-form 3 are then brought together to pinch the lock of hair between the distal outer surface 22 of the probe 2 and the support surface 31 of the counter-form 3.

[0093] The handpiece 18 comprises a base station 19, preferably cylindrical in shape. It houses an electrical power source, for example one or more accumulators or batteries, and a printed circuit board carrying the electronic components of the device. These components ensure, for example, the generation of the pressure necessary for the possible spraying of the cleaning composition, the control of the various electrical elements, and can perform ancillary functions such as, for example, calculating the quantity of product remaining to be sprayed, in order to signal to the user the need to replace a cartridge containing the cleaning composition.

[0094] The user switches on the power supply to expose the hair strand to ultrasonic vibrations for a chosen duration, in particular at least 1 second. The spraying of the cleaning composition can start and stop simultaneously with the activation of the transducer 13, or the respective activations can be delayed.

[0095] The user then moves the wick relative to the receptacle 30 so as to ensure its complete cleaning, over its entire length or the desired length.

[0096] The cleaning composition preferably comprises one or more surfactants. Preferred surfactants are nonionic, anionic, or amphoteric. Even more preferably, the cleaning composition comprises at least one anionic surfactant. The anionic surfactant may, in particular, be an alkyl sulfate salt or an alkyl ether sulfate salt.

[0097] Preferably, the concentration of surfactants in the cleaning composition varies from 0.05% to 20% by weight, better from 0.1% to 10% by weight, even better from 0.2% to 5% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

[0098] The cleansing composition may also include one or more hair conditioning agents selected in particular from non-siliconized cationic or amphoteric polymers, non-ionic or cationic silicone oils or gums, mineral oils, vegetable oils, vegetable waxes or butters.

[0099] It may also include other compounds selected from thickening agents, pearlescent or mattifying agents, alkalizing or acidifying agents, anti-UV agents, preservatives, antibacterial agents, anti-hair loss agents, anti-grease agents, perfumer agents.

[0100] The invention is not limited to the examples specifically described. It includes, in particular, other structures of the handpiece 18 and other relative arrangement modes of the transducer 13 and the probe 2.

Claims

Claims

1. Cosmetic hair cleaning device, comprising: - an ultrasound transmitter, comprising an ultrasound transducer (13) powered by a current generator and configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations, - a handpiece (18) comprising a probe (2) coupled to the ultrasound transmitter to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations generated by the transducer (13) to a lock of hair to be treated, the probe (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) between a proximal outer surface (21) and a distal outer surface (22), characterized in that the handpiece (18) further comprises a counter-form (3) provided with a bearing surface (31), to receive at least in part, the lock of hair to be treated, the probe (2) cooperating with the counter-form (3) to pinch the lock of hair between the bearing surface (31) of the counter-form (3) and the distal outer surface (22) of the probe (2),and the counter-form (3) delimits a receptacle (30) whose bottom defines the support surface (31).,

2. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the probe (2) is crossed by an axial guide channel.

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the probe (2) has a flared shape towards its distal end.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing surface (31) of the counter-form (3) and the distal outer surface (22) of the probe (2) are parallel.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handpiece (18) comprises a first comb or a first brush (32) arranged next to the probe (2) and oriented towards the counter-form (3).

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the counter-form (3) comprises a second comb or a second brush (34) arranged outside the support surface (31) and oriented towards the probe (2).

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the counter-form (3) is equipped with a groove (39) formed in its inner contour and arranged, in the position of use of the device, between the first comb or the first brush (32) and the second comb or the second brush (34).

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ultrasonic frequency used of the transducer (13) ranges from 16 kHz to 10 MHz and preferably from 16 kHz to 60 kHz.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a supply conduit (45) connected to a mixer (41) connected to a reservoir of a concentrated cleaning solution (43).

10. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the concentrated cleaning solution (43) comprises at least one surfactant, preferably anionic.

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a discharge conduit (44) for a used cleaning composition connected to the counter-form (3).

12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a unit for treating and recycling a used cleaning composition.

13. Cosmetic method for cleaning hair comprising the operations of: i. Providing a device according to any one of the preceding claims, ii. Clamping at least one area of ​​a lock of hair between the bearing surface (31) of the counter-form (3) and the distal outer surface (22) of the probe (2), iii. Generating ultrasound, iv. Where appropriate, after relative movements of said lock with respect to the probe (2), successively treating one or more other areas so as to clean the desired part of the lock.

14. Method according to the preceding claim, comprising an operation (v) consisting of applying to the hair, during operation (iii) a dose of cleaning composition preferably comprising at least one surfactant, in particular anionic.

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