Beauty Equipment

Abstract

To provide a beauty tool capable of uniformly applying a liquid agent to hair or skin and penetrating the liquid agent into the hair or skin. [Solution] The device comprises a gripping portion 1, an actuator 4 whose base end is stored in the gripping portion 1 and whose portion other than the base end extends outward from the gripping portion 1, with at least the tip end configured as a conductive portion 5, an oscillator means provided on the base end side of the actuator 4 for ultrasonically vibrating the actuator 4, and a voltage / current generating means for applying a voltage to the conductive portion 5 of the actuator 4 to cause a current to flow, and is characterized in that when the conductive portion 5 of the actuator 4 is in contact with hair or skin, the ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to the hair or skin, and a voltage is applied to the hair or skin to cause a current to flow.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a beauty tool, and more particularly to a beauty tool that can apply a liquid agent evenly to hair or skin and can allow the liquid agent to penetrate into the hair or skin. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, hair coloring and treatment are well known as hair care methods at hair salons and at home. The current method generally involves applying hair coloring and treatment to the hair by hand or with a brush.

[0003] In recent years, a technique has been developed in which a treatment agent is applied to hair by ultrasonically vibrating a hair iron plate. However, when applying the treatment agent using a hair iron plate, it is difficult to apply the treatment agent evenly to the hair, and the treatment agent tends to be applied only to the surface of the hair.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a hair setting device that ultrasonically vibrates a thin comb-like part and applies a treatment agent while ultrasonically vibrating the hair. In this hair setting device, ultrasonically vibrating the thin comb-like part makes it easier to apply the treatment agent evenly to the hair than applying it with a hair iron plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-89679 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the hair setting device described in Patent Document 1, the treatment agent is molecularized by ultrasonic vibration and then applied to the hair, but there was a problem in that simply molecularizing the treatment agent by ultrasonic vibration did not provide an effective application effect.

[0007] In order to solve the problems of Patent Document 1, the present inventors have conducted extensive research into a beauty device that can not only apply treatment agents, but also liquid agents such as hair color agents and hair growth agents evenly to hair or skin, and can also penetrate into the hair or skin. As a result, they have completed the present invention.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a beauty tool that can apply a liquid agent evenly to hair or skin and can allow the liquid agent to penetrate into the hair or skin. Further objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The above problems are solved by the following inventions. 1. A gripping portion; an actuator having a base end housed in the gripping portion and a portion other than the base end extending outward from the gripping portion, at least a tip end of which is configured as a conductive portion; an oscillation means provided on a proximal end side of the actuator for ultrasonically vibrating the actuator; a voltage / current generating means for applying a voltage to the conductive part of the actuator to cause a current to flow; A beauty device characterized in that, with the conductive part of the operating body in contact with hair or skin, ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to the hair or skin, and a voltage is applied to the hair or skin to pass a current therethrough. 2. A grip portion having at least a part of an outer surface configured as a conductive portion; an actuator having a base end housed in the gripping portion, a portion other than the base end extending outward from the gripping portion, and at least a tip end of the actuator configured as a conductive portion insulated from the conductive portion of the gripping portion; an oscillation means provided on a proximal end side of the actuator for ultrasonically vibrating the actuator; a voltage / current generating means for generating a potential difference between the conductive part of the gripping part and the conductive part of the actuator, A beauty device characterized in that, when the conductive part of the gripping part is in contact with any part of the human body and the conductive part of the actuator is in contact with hair or skin, ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to the hair or skin and a voltage is applied to the hair or skin. 3. 3. The beauty tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the grip portion accommodates the base end side of the actuator in a tip portion thereof, and accommodates an electronic circuit board in a portion rearward of the tip portion. 4. 3. The beauty tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a base end side of the actuating body is supported by a support made of a flexible material within the grip portion. 5. 3. The beauty tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a tip side of the actuator is formed into a comb-teeth portion. 6. 3. The beauty tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the oscillation means comprises a plurality of oscillation elements attached to a front surface and a back surface of the base end side of the actuator. 7. The beauty tool according to item 5, wherein the comb teeth at the tip side of the working body have a tip end that is substantially hemispherical. 8. 3. The beauty tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tip of the actuator is a hairbrush. 9. a control unit for controlling the voltage generated by the voltage / current generating means, 3. The beauty tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit is operable to select a usage mode, and controls a voltage value and an application interval of the voltage according to the selected usage mode. 10. The beauty tool according to claim 9, wherein the grip portion houses the oscillation means, the voltage / current generating means, and the control unit and has a waterproof structure. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a beauty tool that can apply a liquid agent evenly to hair or skin and can cause the liquid agent to penetrate into the hair or skin. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing an appearance of a beauty tool according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an internal configuration of the beauty device of the embodiment shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state in which the beauty device shown in FIG. 1 is being charged. [Figure 4] Graph showing applied voltage in hair color mode [Diagram 5] Graph showing applied voltage in treatment mode [Figure 6] Graph showing applied voltage in scalp mode DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the appearance of a beauty tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. The beauty tool of this embodiment includes a grip portion 1, and at least a part of the outer surface of the grip portion is configured as a conductive portion.

[0013] The grip portion 1 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material, has an outer shape that allows the user of the beauty tool to easily grip it with one hand, and is hollow. The means for forming the hollow grip portion 1 is not particularly limited. The conductive portion may be a plated layer formed by, for example, plating on the outer surface of the grip portion 1. The plating is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, nickel plating. The conductive portion made of a plated layer may be the entire outer surface of the grip portion 1 or only a part of the outer surface.

[0014] The outer surface of the grip part 1 may be formed by providing a shell of a metal material or a conductive resin material on a part or the whole of the outer surface, instead of the above-mentioned plating treatment. The metal material is preferably a material that does not easily rust, such as stainless steel. The entire grip portion 1 may be made of a metal material or a conductive resin material, and not only the outer surface but the entire outer shell portion may be made conductive.

[0015] The grip portion 1 is provided with a power switch 2. In this embodiment, the main power source of the beauty tool is a rechargeable battery housed in the grip portion 1, but it may be a non-rechargeable dry cell battery or an external power source supplied via a power cord (not shown).

[0016] A mode indicator light 3 that indicates a selected use mode is provided on the grip part 1. In this embodiment, the use mode is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, three modes: a hair color mode, a treatment mode, and a scalp mode. The mode indicator lamp 3 consists of three LEDs. The mode indicator lamp 3 can be switched by pressing the power switch 2 a number of times. If any of the LEDs of the mode indicator lamp 3 is lit, the usage mode indicated by the lit LED has been selected. The contents of the usage modes will be described later.

[0017] This beauty tool includes an actuator 4. In this embodiment, the actuator 4 is a flat comb having comb teeth 5. The actuator 4 has a base end supported within the grip portion 1 with the base end housed within the grip portion 1. The portion of the actuating body 4 other than the base end side extends outward from the gripping part 1. At least the comb-tooth portion 5 on the tip side of the actuating body 4 is a conductive portion insulated from the conductive portion of the gripping part 1.

[0018] The hollow gripping portion 1 preferably accommodates the base end side of the actuation body 4 at its tip portion, and an electronic circuit board (described later) at a portion rearward of the tip portion.

[0019] The actuator 4 may be entirely made of a metal material or a conductive resin material, and not only the tip side (the comb tooth portion 5) but the entire actuator may be made conductive. The metal material is preferably a material that does not easily rust, such as stainless steel. Furthermore, in the case of a metal material, it is preferable to perform a polishing process.

[0020] The actuator 4 may be made of, for example, a synthetic resin material, and its outer surface may be plated, with the plated layer serving as the conductive portion. The plating may be, but is not particularly limited to, nickel plating, for example. The conductive portion may be the entire outer surface of the actuator 4, or only the outer surface of the tip side (comb tooth portion 5).

[0021] It is preferable that the tip of each tooth of the comb tooth portion 5 on the tip side of the actuator 4 is substantially hemispherical. This is to prevent the current density generated by the application of a voltage, which will be described later, from concentrating at the tip, if there is such a tip.

[0022] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an internal configuration of the beauty tool of the embodiment shown in FIG. It is preferable that the grip part 1 has a waterproof structure. A protection grade is specified for the waterproof structure, and in this embodiment, for example, the grade is "IPX5". The waterproof structure is realized by providing a rubber packing 6 at the butt joint of the upper shell 1a and the lower shell 1b that form the outer shell of the grip part 1, as shown in Fig. 2. In addition, although not shown, it is preferable to provide an O-ring around the set screw.

[0023] The grip part 1 contains multiple electronic elements that make up the electronic circuit, and a rechargeable battery 7 that serves as the main power source. The electronic elements are multiple oscillation elements 8 that are attached to the base end side of the actuator 4 and make up the oscillation means, and multiple electronic elements mounted on an electronic circuit board 9. The electronic elements mounted on the electronic circuit board 9 make up a control circuit that also serves as a voltage control unit, and a charging circuit that charges the rechargeable battery 7. The electronic circuit board 9 is attached to a board holder 10. The oscillation means is composed of a rechargeable battery 7, a control circuit, and an oscillation element 8.

[0024] The oscillation elements 8 are attached to the front and back surfaces of the base end of the actuating body 4, one each, and are controlled by a control circuit to ultrasonically vibrate the actuating body 4. The two oscillation elements 8 are synchronized in frequency and phase of the ultrasonic vibrations they generate. The frequency of the ultrasonic vibrations generated by the oscillation elements 8 is, for example, about 200 KHz to 1.5 MHz. This frequency is constant regardless of which of the usage modes described below is selected.

[0025] The base end side of the actuator 4 is supported by a substrate holder 10 within the gripping portion 1 via multiple supports 11 made of a flexible material such as rubber, so that the propagation of ultrasonic vibrations from the oscillator element 8 is not impeded.

[0026] The beauty tool of the present invention includes a voltage / current generating means for applying a voltage to the conductive part of the actuator 4 to cause a current to flow, or for generating a potential difference between the conductive part of the grip part 1 and the conductive part of the actuator 4. The voltage / current generating means is configured as a part of the control circuit, and the voltage to be applied and the current to be flowed are controlled by the control circuit. The voltage and current generating means is composed of a rechargeable battery 7 and a control circuit.

[0027] The control circuit has contacts 12 on electronic circuit board 9, which are electrically connected to the conductive part of grip part 1 from within grip part 1. Electrical connection between the conductive part of grip part 1 and contacts 12 can be achieved by plating the inner surface of grip part 1, or by providing a terminal. The control circuit also has an output terminal which is electrically connected to the conductive part of actuator 4. The control circuit generates a potential difference between contacts 12 and the output terminal. When the actuator 4 is entirely made of a conductor such as a metal, the output terminal may be connected to the base end side of the actuator 4.

[0028] The control of the applied voltage by the control circuit may control the generated potential difference, or may control the amount of voltage drop by controlling the resistance value between the gripping part 1 or the conductive part of the actuation body 4. Controlling the resistance value also includes breaking the circuit, that is, making the resistance value infinite.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which the beauty tool is being charged. As shown in FIG. 3, this beauty tool can be attached to a charging stand 13 and the rechargeable battery 7 (see FIG. 2) in the grip portion 1 can be charged by connecting this charging stand 13 and a charger 14 with a charging cable (USB cable) 15. During charging, the charging lamp 16 on the charging stand 13 flashes, and when charging is complete, the charging lamp 16 lights up.

[0030] A power receiving terminal that comes into contact with a charging terminal (not shown) of the charging stand 13 is provided at the rear end (lower end in FIG. 3) of the grip part 1. This power receiving terminal is, for example, composed of three terminals lined up in a row, with two positive terminals on the left and right and one ground terminal in the center. This ensures that the charging terminal of the charging stand 13 and the positive terminal of the power receiving terminal come into contact with each other reliably.

[0031] The tip side of the actuator 4 may be a hairbrush instead of the comb teeth portion 5. The hairbrush may be made of a material such as conductive silicon, or may be made of metal.

[0032] Depending on the mode of use, this beauty device applies a voltage to the conductive part of the actuator to pass a current while the conductive part of the actuator is in contact with the hair or skin, or the conductive part of the gripping part 1 is in contact with any part of the human body (i.e., gripping part 1 is held with bare hands) and the conductive part of the actuator is in contact with the hair or skin, and transmits ultrasonic vibrations to the hair or skin and applies a voltage to the hair or skin.

[0033] This beauty device combines ultrasonic vibrations with the application of voltage and electric current to enable liquid agents used to improve hair quality to penetrate into the hair, something that could not previously be achieved with ultrasonic vibrations alone. Hair care includes coloring (dyeing) and treatment, and in order for the liquid agents used in each of these to penetrate and adhere to the hair efficiently, the liquid agents are not only molecularized using ultrasound, but also ionized by applying a pulsed voltage, allowing them to penetrate and adhere to the hair.

[0034] The control circuit serving as the control section can select an operating mode by using the power switch 2, and controls the voltage value and application interval of the applied voltage according to the selected operating mode. To select a usage mode, with the main power off, press power switch 2 once to turn on the main power and select hair color mode. With hair color mode selected, press power switch 2 once to select treatment mode. With treatment mode selected, press power switch 2 once to select scalp mode. With scalp mode selected, press power switch 2 once to cut off the main power.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the applied voltage in the hair color mode. In the hair color mode, as shown in FIG. 4, at the start, a high + voltage (e.g., 10 V or more) is applied to pass a current, then a +- voltage lower than that at the start is applied in pulses to pass a current, a high - voltage (e.g., -10 V or less) is applied to pass a current, and then a low +- voltage is applied in pulses to pass a current, and this process is repeated.

[0036] In the hair color mode, since ultrasound alone is not sufficient to molecularize oil-based or water-based liquids, the liquid is broken down by applying a relatively high voltage to both positive and negative directions, and a certain amount of electric current is passed through to generate ions near the comb teeth.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a graph showing the applied voltage in the treatment mode. In the treatment mode, as shown in FIG. 5, a negative voltage is applied in pulses from the start, a positive voltage is applied for a short period of time, and then the negative voltage is applied in pulses again, and this process is repeated.

[0038] In treatment mode, the penetration and application of treatment agents used for improving hair quality is improved. This is because ultrasonic waves are used to molecularize the agent, and because hair is normally negatively charged, multiple pulses of negative voltage of a certain level are applied, which acts as if the molecularized agent is hitting the hair to which it is applied, and pulses of positive voltage are applied to make it blend in. In this way, the agent is ionized, allowing it to penetrate the cuticle of the hair and repair it.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a graph showing the applied voltage in the scalp mode. In scalp mode, as shown in FIG. 6, a high + voltage (e.g., 10 V or more) is applied in pulses at the start, and after a certain period of time a high - voltage (e.g., -10 V or less) is applied in pulses, and this is repeated.

[0040] In scalp mode, in order to penetrate beauty serums and scalp agents into the skin (mainly the scalp), a voltage pulse is applied using techniques such as electroporation, which creates tiny holes in the skin and allows the agents to penetrate using ultrasonic vibrations.

[0041] As described above, each mode molecularizes the drug using ultrasound, and by applying a specific voltage pulse to the hair or skin to which the molecularized drug has been applied, it is possible to stimulate the hair or skin and promote the penetration of the drug. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 Grip part 1a Upper shell 1b Lower shell 2 Power switch 3 Mode indicator 4. Working body (comb) 5 Comb teeth 6 Rubber packing 7 Rechargeable batteries 8 Oscillator 9. Electronic Circuit Boards 10 Substrate holder 11 Support 12 Contact 13 Charging Station 14 Charger 15 Charging cable (USB cable) 16 Charging lamp

Claims

1. A gripping portion that houses a main power source and a control circuit therein and has at least a part of an outer surface formed as a conductive portion; an actuator having a base end housed in the gripping portion, a portion other than the base end extending outward from the gripping portion, and at least a tip end configured as a conductive portion insulated from a conductive portion of the gripping portion, the actuator being a flat comb-shaped portion; An oscillation means provided on the base end side of the actuator, the oscillation means including an oscillation element for ultrasonically vibrating the actuator, the main power supply, and a control circuit; a voltage / current generating means configured with the main power supply and the control circuit, for generating a potential difference between the conductive part of the gripping part and the conductive part of the actuation body; a conductive portion of the gripping portion contacts any part of the human body, and a flat conductive portion of the actuator contacts hair or skin, the ultrasonic vibration generated by the oscillation element is propagated to the hair or skin, and a voltage generated by the voltage / current generating means is applied to the hair or skin to cause a current to flow; a control circuit for the voltage / current generating means for selecting a use mode and controlling a voltage value and an application interval of the voltage in accordance with the selected use mode; When the selected usage mode is a hair color mode, the beauty device is characterized in that at the start, a high + voltage is applied to pass a current, then a +- voltage lower than that at the start is applied in a pulsed manner to pass a current, then a high - voltage is applied to pass a current, and then a low +- voltage is applied in a pulsed manner to pass a current, and this is repeated.

2. A gripping portion that houses a main power source and a control circuit therein and has at least a part of an outer surface formed as a conductive portion; an actuator having a base end housed in the gripping portion, a portion other than the base end extending outward from the gripping portion, and at least a tip end configured as a conductive portion insulated from a conductive portion of the gripping portion, the actuator being a flat comb-shaped portion; An oscillation means provided on the base end side of the actuator, the oscillation means including an oscillation element for ultrasonically vibrating the actuator, the main power supply, and a control circuit; a voltage / current generating means configured with the main power supply and the control circuit, for generating a potential difference between the conductive part of the gripping part and the conductive part of the actuation body; The conductive part of the gripping part comes into contact with any part of the human body, and the flat conductive part of the actuator is pulled by the hair. While in contact with hair or skin, ultrasonic vibrations generated by the oscillation element are propagated to the hair or skin, and a voltage generated by the voltage / current generating means is applied to the hair or skin to pass a current therethrough; a control circuit for the voltage / current generating means for selecting a use mode and controlling a voltage value and an application interval of the voltage in accordance with the selected use mode; When the selected usage mode is a treatment mode, a negative voltage is applied in pulses from the start, a positive voltage is applied for a short period of time, and then the application of the negative voltage in pulses is resumed, and this process is repeated.

3. A gripping portion that houses a main power source and a control circuit therein and has at least a part of an outer surface formed as a conductive portion; an actuator having a base end housed in the gripping portion, a portion other than the base end extending outward from the gripping portion, and at least a tip end configured as a conductive portion insulated from a conductive portion of the gripping portion, the actuator being a flat comb-shaped portion; An oscillation means provided on the base end side of the actuator, the oscillation means including an oscillation element for ultrasonically vibrating the actuator, the main power supply, and a control circuit; a voltage / current generating means configured with the main power supply and the control circuit, for generating a potential difference between the conductive part of the gripping part and the conductive part of the actuation body; a conductive portion of the gripping portion contacts any part of the human body, and a flat conductive portion of the actuator contacts hair or skin, the ultrasonic vibration generated by the oscillation element is propagated to the hair or skin, and a voltage generated by the voltage / current generating means is applied to the hair or skin to cause a current to flow; a control circuit for the voltage / current generating means for selecting a use mode and controlling a voltage value and an application interval of the voltage in accordance with the selected use mode; This beauty device is characterized in that when the selected usage mode is a scalp mode, a high positive voltage is applied in pulses at the start, and after a certain period of time, a high negative voltage is applied in pulses, and this is repeated.

4. 4. The beauty tool according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the grip portion houses the base end side of the actuator in a tip portion, and houses an electronic circuit board including at least the control circuit and a charging circuit for charging a main power source in a portion rearward of the tip portion.

5. 4. The beauty tool according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a base end side of the actuator is supported by a support made of a flexible material within the grip portion.

6. 4. The beauty tool according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the oscillation element of the oscillation means is a plurality of oscillation elements attached to a front surface and a back surface of the base end side of the actuator.

7. 4. The beauty tool according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the tip of each of the comb teeth at the tip side of the working body is substantially hemispherical.

8. 4. The beauty tool according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the grip portion houses the oscillation means, the voltage / current generating means and the control circuit, and has a waterproof structure.

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