Devices and methods for processing hair

Abstract

In particular, a device (1) for treating hair (K) for the purpose of cleaning human hair (K), removing a previous dye, and / or decolorizing the hair, wherein the device (1) is intended to treat the hair (K) while the hair is in contact with a fluid, in particular a cosmetic composition (C), in which gas bubbles are present and / or generated inside, and the device has at least one transducer (4) having an emission surface (S) for emitting acoustic waves in the vicinity of the hair (K) to be treated in order to cause the rupture of the bubbles, and at least one guiding and / or combing member (70) designed to move the hair (K) close to the emission surface (S) and / or to guide it into contact with the emission surface (S).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the cleansing of human keratinous substances, and more particularly to the treatment of skin, scalp, and / or hair, especially dyed hair. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-311756 describes an ultrasonic cleaning device for cleaning silicon wafers, mask substrates, and the like. This device comprises an ultrasonic transducer attached to a nozzle through which a cleaning solution passes, and means for introducing gas to generate bubbles in the cleaning solution.

[0003] U.S. Patent Application No. 2012 / 0227761 describes a device for cleaning a surface, comprising, on the one hand, a chamber supplied with a liquid and communicating with an outlet duct opening over the surface to be cleaned, and an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting acoustic energy to the liquid contained in the chamber and the outlet duct, and on the other hand, a bubble generator for generating gas bubbles in the outlet duct. The bubble generator may be an electrochemical generator, and the liquid may contain a salt, such as potassium chloride, to make the liquid conductive. A surfactant may be added to prevent the bubbles from fusing as they travel in the outlet duct to the surface to be treated, and to ensure that they have the required size when they reach the surface to be treated.

[0004] The device is envisioned for use in cleaning the skin, particularly the skin under the fingernails of surgeons, and also for hand washing.

[0005] This application describes the possibility of adding surfactants to influence the size of the bubbles generated. Cosmetic applications for treating facial skin or hair are not disclosed.

[0006] Application ES2708149 discloses a device for cleaning a surface, comprising a sonotrode that generates ultrasonic waves near a cleaning solution present on the surface and enables the removal of dirt from the surface by cavitation.

[0007] U.S. Patent No. 8486199 describes a device for treating the surface of a semiconductor wafer, comprising a resonator for supplying ultrasonic energy to a treatment fluid containing gas bubbles.

[0008] Document EP1645342 describes a method for cleaning equipment, which consists of applying a sound field to a liquid containing bubbles.

[0009] Patent KR101152920 describes a device for cleaning the skin, comprising a vacuum pump and intended to be used near a liquid containing microbubbles on the skin.

[0010] U.S. Patent Application No. 20170080257, KR20200102956, U.S. Patent Application No. 2009 / 318853, JP2016214424, and WO2020 / 029429 disclose a method for treating the skin with cosmetics, particularly a method for cleaning the skin, using an ultrasonic device that generates microbubbles in a cosmetic composition applied to the skin to be cleaned.

[0011] Similar devices are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 2011 / 21328, U.S. Patent Application No. 2010 / 010420, and EP3634643, CN206995178, and EP2470310.

[0012] Application EP3542740 discloses a medical device for cleaning wounds, comprising a removable cleaning nozzle and an ultrasonic transducer.

[0013] Some devices require a significant amount of water and a new composition each time they are used.

[0014] The environmentally friendly design of products that promotes the sustainable use of resources has become an essential important factor for minimizing the impact of products on the environment. Producers are responsible and are encouraged to design the manufacturing methods and packaging of products to be environmentally friendly, while paying attention to optimizing industrial processes and managing production waste due to changes in consumer habits. Therefore, a vicious cycle has been built. Similarly, helping consumers reduce waste contributes to this global movement where everyone takes responsibility.

[0015] Therefore, there is a need for products with a reduced environmental footprint that can meet the increasingly realistic expectations of consumers.

[0016] Furthermore, when it is desirable to apply a dyeing treatment to already dyed hair, it may be desirable to first decolorize the above-mentioned hair, but such a decolorization treatment should ideally be carried out without damaging the hair fibers.

[0017] Here, decolorization is currently carried out using compounds that have a chemical action on hair, such as oxidizing agents, and these oxidizing agents may affect the environment, and it is desirable to avoid using them or reduce their amount. In addition, these compounds may have a relatively stimulating effect on hair fibers.

[0018] In fact, processes involving hair dyeing or decolorization are generally carried out using oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide, potassium salts, sodium salts, ammonium salts, perborates or percarbonates, persulfates or percarbamide in an alkaline solution. The oxidizing agents used in these hair treatments generally cause the disruption of disulfide bonds that link keratin chains. Therefore, repeated treatment with oxidizing agents often makes hair weak and brittle and loses its luster.

[0019] It has been suggested that after rinsing off the composition containing the oxidizing agent, a modifier such as silicone, cationic surfactant, or cationic polymer be applied to the hair.

[0020] These conditioning agents create a protective film, thereby improving the feel of the hair and reducing damage, but they do not prevent premature hair breakdown that can occur due to continuous oxidation. Furthermore, these conditioning agents have a significant impact on the environment.

[0021] Numerous solutions have been proposed to attempt to address this problem.

[0022] Therefore, U.S. Patent No. 5,100,436 discloses a hair dye composition comprising a metal chelating agent complex that allows for a reduction in the time the hair is exposed to an oxidizing composition, and thus reduces damage caused by the oxidizing agent. U.S. Patent No. 6,013,250 discloses a composition for treating hair against chemical and photodamage. U.S. Patent No. 4,138,478 discloses the use of certain compounds to reduce damage caused to hair during bleaching or dyeing. U.S. Patents No. 3,202,579 and 3,542,918 disclose other protective compounds. U.S. Patent No. 5,635,167 discloses a method for removing extrinsic metal ions attached to hair, comprising the step of contacting the hair with a mixture of chelating agents. WO97 / 24106 discloses a hair dye composition having a low pH and comprising a whitening additive for reducing damage caused to hair.

[0023] All of these solutions are based on the use of specific compounds and do not address the need to completely and perfectly dye and / or bleach hair, or to improve the environmental footprint of the treatment for washing hair. Furthermore, these solutions do not necessarily completely prevent the damage caused to hair by the action of bleaching agents such as oxidizing agents. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0024] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-311756 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0227761 [Patent Document 3] Spanish Patent Application Publication No. 2708149 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent No. 8486199 [Patent Document 5] European Patent No. 1645342 [Patent Document 6] Korean Patent Application Publication No. 101152920 Specification [Patent Document 7] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20170080257 [Patent Document 8] Korean Patent Application Publication No. 20200102956 Specification [Patent Document 9] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 318853 [Patent Document 10] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-214424 [Patent Document 11] International Publication No. 2020 / 029429 Brochure [Patent Document 12] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 21328 [Patent Document 13] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 010420 [Patent Document 14] European Patent No. 3634643 [Patent Document 15] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 206995178 Specification [Patent Document 16] European Patent No. 2470310 [Patent Document 17] European Patent No. 3542740 [Patent Document 18] U.S. Patent No. 5100436 [Patent Document 19] U.S. Patent No. 6013250 [Patent Document 20] U.S. Patent No. 4138478 [Patent Document 21] U.S. Patent No. 3202579 [Patent Document 22] U.S. Patent No. 3542918 [Patent Document 23] U.S. Patent No. 5635167 [Patent Document 24] International Publication No. 97 / 24106 Pamphlet [Patent Document 25] International Publication No. 2016 / 055883 Brochure [Non-patent literature]

[0025] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Mechanisms of single bubble cleaning", F. Reuter, Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 29 (2016) pp. 550-562 [Non-Patent Document 2] Performance of a new micro-bubble generator with a spherical body in a flowing water tube, M. Sadatomi, Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science 29 (2005) pp. 615-623 [Non-Patent Document 3] Fluidic oscillator-mediated microbubble generation to provide cost effective mass transfer and mixing efficiency to the wastewater treatment plants, Environ Res. February 2015, 137:32-9 [Non-Patent Document 4] Monodispersed microbubble formation using microchannel technique, AIChE Journal, 50 (2004), pp. 3227-3233 [Non-Patent Document 5] Progress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging Proceedings of SPIE Volume 9705, 2016 Paper number 97050D, Photothermal generation of microbubbles on plasmonic nanostructures inside microfluidic channels(Conference paper) [Non-Patent Document 6] An experimental study on microbubble generation by laser induced breakdown in water, The review of Laser Engineering (Suppl.) (2008), pp. 1273-1275(2) [Non-Patent Document 7] Producing single microbubbles with control size using microfiber, Advance in Bioscience and Biotechnology, 2 (2011), pp. 385-390 [Non-Patent Document 8] Size-controllable micro-bubble generation using a nanoimprinted plasmonic nanopillar array absorber in the near-infrared region, Applied Physics Letters. 108. 2016 [Non-Patent Document 9] Ultrasonics Sonochemistry Volume 29, March 1, 2016, pp. 604-611 [Non-Patent Document 10] Preparation of microbubble suspensions by co-axial electrohydrodynamic atomization, Medical Engineering and Physics, 29(2007), pp. 749-754 [Non-Patent Document 11] Micro-fabricated electrolytic micro-bubblers, International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 31 (2005), pp. 706-722 [Non-Patent Document 12] Microbubble generation for environmental and industrial separations, Separation and Purification Technology, 11 (1997), pp. 221-232 [Non-Patent Document 13] Microbubble generation with micro-watt power using carbon nanotube heating elements; Proceedings of the 7th IEEE International Conference on Nanotechnology, August 2-5, 2007, Hong Kong (2007) [Non-Patent Document 14] "Journal of Physics D; Applied Physics Volume 47 Issue 35, September 3, 2014, Article No. 355203, Microbubble generation by microplasma in water" [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0026] The object of the present invention is to propose a method for washing human keratinous substances, particularly facial skin, scalp, or hair, that enables effective washing of the above-mentioned keratinous substances and conforms to responsible and sustainable development practices by reducing the carbon footprint.

[0027] Another object of the present invention is to propose a device and method for treating human hair that enables the treatment of hair bleaching and dyeing by minimizing the use of chemical products for bleaching hair, limiting the consumption of water and / or surfactants, eliminating the need for environmentally harmful substances, reducing the risks associated with repeated exposure of hair and scalp to irritating substances and treatments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0028] Accordingly, a subject matter of the present invention according to a first aspect of the present invention is a method for processing a human keratin material, comprising the steps of applying a cosmetic composition comprising at least one surfactant and acoustic waves emitted by at least one ultrasonic transducer excited by a pulsed or unpulsed electrical signal, wherein the pulsed or unpulsed electrical signal has at least one frequency component between 20 kHz and 100 kHz, the duty cycle Ton / Toff when the signal is pulsed is preferably 20 to 100%, the pulse duration Ton when the signal is pulsed is preferably 0.01 to 1 s, and the acoustic intensity Isata on the surface is preferably at least 0.1 W / cm². 2 That is the method.

[0029] This makes it possible to generate bubbles near the surface of the keratin substance being washed within the cosmetic composition, and to burst these bubbles.

[0030] This method is preferably a non-therapeutic cosmetic procedure.

[0031] "Cosmetic composition" refers to a composition comprising at least one cosmetic surfactant as defined in the 76 / 768 / EEC Cosmetic Regulation. The cosmetic composition may, in particular, contain surfactants that contribute to hair cleansing and / or decolorization, as described below. According to the present invention, mineral water or tap water does not constitute a cosmetic composition.

[0032] "Human keratin material" refers to external keratin material such as skin and appendages, particularly hair and nails, as well as internal keratin material such as gums or other mucous membranes. The treatment may be carried out particularly on the surface layer of skin. The area of ​​skin treated according to the present invention may be the skin of the face, torso, back, arms, legs, hands and / or feet, or skin on the scalp. The method according to the present invention is particularly well suited for removing makeup and / or cleansing the skin of the face, particularly the forehead, cheeks, chin, neck, nose, and scalp.

[0033] The method according to the present invention may also be suitable for caring for skin or hair, or for washing and / or preparing skin, hair, or scalp, and in particular for preparing hair for dyeing or bleaching treatment.

[0034] "At least one frequency component" is understood to mean frequency in the conventional sense for periodic signals whose spectrum contains a single line, such as a sine line, and the frequency of at least one line, in particular the frequency with the highest amplitude, for periodic signals whose spectrum contains multiple lines.

[0035] Acoustic Intensity I SATA This is the value obtained by dividing the average acoustic power over the surface area onto which the acoustic wave is applied by the above surface area. I SATA =P moy It can be defined as / S, The average acoustic power is obtained from the transducer's activation voltage and from the duty cycle when the electrical signal is pulsed.

[0036] Acoustic Intensity I SATA Preferably, the power level is 0.1 to 10 W / cm². 2and more preferably, 1 to 5 W / cm 2 and more preferably, 2.5 to 5 W / cm 2 and more preferably, 3 to 4 W / cm 2 is as follows.

[0037] The method according to the invention makes it possible to remove or effectively treat both extrinsic impurities and intrinsic impurities or defects, by means of the above-mentioned parameter ranges for the signal, in particular the minimum acoustic intensity I SATA It is possible to distinguish between extrinsic impurities such as cosmetics, environmental pollution, dust, microorganisms, etc., and intrinsic impurities or defects such as excess sebum, sweat, dead cells, dead skin, dandruff, blackheads, small wounds, and / or acne, scars, etc., among the undesirable stains present on the keratinous substance in some cases (surface stains and / or stains more deeply fixed by the pores of the skin).

[0038]

[0039] The acoustic waves obtained using the above-mentioned parameter ranges for the signal can cause complete cavitation of the bubbles in the composition in order to produce a mechanical effect on the keratinous substance to be cleaned.

[0040] "Complete cavitation" is here understood to mean both the generation and rupture of bubbles at the origin of mechanical shocks on nearby surfaces. The cosmetic composition may or may not already contain bubbles inside before the acoustic waves are applied.

[0041] The generated and / or existing bubbles can also contribute to the release of chemical species such as free radicals that contribute to the cleaning of the keratinous substance.

[0042] Surfactant Preferably, the composition has a total concentration of surfactant by weight relative to the total mass of the composition of 0.01% to 20%, more preferably 0.01% to 5%, and even more preferably 0.1% to 1.5%, and therefore the composition may also have a cleaning effect in the absence of bubble bursting by acoustic waves.

[0043] The surfactant may contribute to the formation and / or stabilization of bubbles and is selected from foaming surfactants such as anionic polyoxyalkylene alkyl(amide) ether carboxylic acid surfactants, anionic surfactants other than the polyoxyalkylene alkyl(amide) ether carboxylic acids mentioned above, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric and zwitteric surfactants, and mixtures thereof, and / or from compounds present in conventional cosmetic removal compositions such as alkyl polysaccharides, fatty alcohols, polyethylene glycol, oils, and mixtures thereof. Any surfactant capable of generating micelles in the medium may be used.

[0044] acoustic waves Acoustic waves can be generated by a single transducer, or, in a modified form, by at least two transducers.

[0045] When acoustic waves are emitted by multiple transducers, these acoustic waves are directed, for example, towards the area to be processed, and the vertical axis converges to that area. Where applicable, it is possible to use two transducers positioned facing each other to process a strand of hair inserted between them. This allows both sides of the strand to be processed simultaneously. It is also possible to process a larger area with transducers positioned side by side, and the areas processed by each transducer may or may not overlap.

[0046] Each transducer comprises one or more electroactive elements for converting electric current into mechanical vibrations, and these one or more electroactive elements are based on piezoelectric materials, for example, as described below.

[0047] These one or more electroactive elements may be coupled to a sonotrode that initiates mechanical resonance and defines an emission surface for emitting acoustic waves toward a surface or target volume.

[0048] Acoustic waves may be generated continuously immediately after the processing device is activated, or, in a modified form, only when certain operating conditions are met, such as when a composition is in contact with the sonotrode and / or when a device is in contact with the area being processed, and / or when the device detects that the area contains dirt.

[0049] In a modified form, acoustic waves are generated only when there is a sufficient amount of composition in contact with the surface being cleaned, or otherwise when specific conditions for generating cavitation are detected, such as contact between the sonotrode emission surface and the surface being treated, a minimum composition height, or a composition temperature or transducer temperature within a given range.

[0050] Acoustic waves can be generated by pulsed electrical signals or continuous electrical signals, preferably pulsed electrical signals.

[0051] Acoustic waves can be generated by sinusoidal electrical signals or signals with more complex waveforms, such as those involving frequency modulation or amplitude modulation. Acoustic waves are preferably emitted at a single frequency, thereby allowing for more precise focusing of the acoustic waves into a given region; however, in a modified form, they may be emitted at multiple different frequencies.

[0052] The above frequencies are preferably 30 to 100 kHz, and more particularly 30 to 45 kHz. Such frequencies allow for both sufficient generation and bursting of bubbles in the composition, and also allow for the bursting of only any bubbles already present in the medium within the composition. The acoustic waves are generated, for example, by a transducer having a nominal frequency of about 34 kHz.

[0053] The nominal frequency is approximately 34kHz, but may vary by, for example, 34kHz + / - 5kHz.

[0054] The electrical signals that excite one or more transducers can be pulsed using pulse durations of preferably 0.01s to 0.1s, and more preferably 0.02s to 0.08s.

[0055] The duty cycle when the signal is pulsed is preferably 20% to 100%, more preferably 50% to 70%, approximately equal to, for example, 50%+ / -10%, 58.3%+ / -10%, or 66.7%+ / -10%.

[0056] Some variations of the nominal value can be obtained, where applicable, from the temperature rise of the transducer by exciting the ceramics forming the piezoelectric electroactive element. These variations can also be obtained from the temperature rise of the liquid in which cavitation occurs.

[0057] This method may include the steps of detecting the presence of a cosmetic composition in contact with a sonotrode and performing the operation of a transducer on the condition of this detection.

[0058] Therefore, this prevents the emission of acoustic waves when the composition is not present or when the device is not processing keratinous material.

[0059] Preferably, the acoustic waves are emitted without the sonotrode's emission surface contacting the surface being treated. The distance between the transducer and the surface being treated is, for example, 1 to 30 mm, more specifically 3 to 5 mm, which allows for limiting the acoustic energy emitted into the keratin material and promoting cavitation of bubbles in the composition.

[0060] The "distance between the transducer and the surface being treated" should be understood as the distance between the sonotrode's emission surface and the surface being treated.

[0061] The composition can be continuously flowed in contact with the sonotrode with the continuous operation of one or more transducers, or, in a modified form, with the pulsed operation of one or more transducers. The composition may also be supplied in pulses. Advantageously, the composition is supplied intermittently to the region to which the acoustic waves are applied, for example, during periods when no acoustic waves are generated, and then the composition present in the region is subjected to acoustic waves, with periods during which the composition is not replenished while thus exposed to acoustic waves. This can make it possible to avoid the presence of bubbles in the composition, which are repelled by the acoustic waves present in the region before they can flow into the region.

[0062] Therefore, it is possible to have pulsed operation of one or more transducers and / or composition supply, where the operation of the transducers is dependent on the operation of one or more transducers for generating acoustic waves, or vice versa, or the operation of the transducers is dependent on the supply of the composition. In other words, it is possible to time delay the supply of the composition with respect to the emission period of acoustic waves into the region to which the composition is supplied.

[0063] The propagation of acoustic waves is facilitated by the presence of liquid in the composition. Therefore, it is advantageous that the gas / liquid weight ratio in the composition is not excessively high, and the composition may, advantageously, contain thickeners as described below, or any other compounds to enhance the transient stability of the bubbles.

[0064] Preferably, 5 W / cm 2 An activation voltage is delivered to the transducer to obtain the above peak acoustic intensity I. The peak intensity I is preferably 5-10 W / cm². 2 For even better results, 6-7.5 W / cm² 2 That is the case.

[0065] The surface to be treated is subjected to acoustic waves for a duration of preferably 0.2s to 10s, more preferably 2 to 5s, for example, 4s + / - 0.4s. Such an "effective" duration of acoustic wave application allows for effective cleaning while limiting user discomfort. This duration corresponds to the measured time from the start of excitation of the transducer for treating a given surface to the end of excitation of the transducer in the treatment of the surface. This time may be applied in a single operation or in multiple additional operations.

[0066] For example, when an acoustic wave is applied to the surface to be treated for a duration equal to 4 s + / - 0.4 s, the peak acoustic intensity is 6.2 + / - 0.6 W / cm². 2 It is equal to. - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 0.8-1.5%, a pulse duration Ton of 0.020-0.080 s, and a duty cycle of 50-67%, or - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 0.5% to -0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.025~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 50~67%, or The pulse duration Ton is 0.020 to 0.080 s, and the duty cycle is 52 to 65%.

[0067] In one modified configuration, an acoustic wave is applied to the surface for a duration equal to, for example, 4 s + / - 0.4 s, and the peak acoustic intensity is 6.8 W / cm². 2 + / - 0.7 W / cm 2 Equivalent to, - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 0.5% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.027~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 50~67%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 52~67%, or - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 0.8% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.030~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 50~67%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 52~67%, or - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 1.0% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.035~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 50~67%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 52.5~67%, or - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 1.2% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.035~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 51.5~67%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 54~67%, or - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 1.5% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.038~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 54~67%, or The pulse duration (Ton) is 0.020–0.080 s, and the duty cycle is 57.5–67%.

[0068] In the modified form, an acoustic wave is applied to the surface to be treated for a duration equal to, for example, 4 s + / - 0.4 s, and the peak acoustic intensity is 7.2 W / cm². 2 + / - 0.7 W / cm 2 Equivalent to, - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 0.5+ / -0.1%, a pulse duration Ton of 0.020~0.080s, and a duty cycle of 50~67%. or - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 0.8% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.030~0.070s, and the duty cycle is 51~67%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 52.5~67%, or - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 1.0% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.030~0.070s, and the duty cycle is 52.5~67%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 55~67%. or - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 1.2% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.025~0.070s, and the duty cycle is 56~67%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 59~67%, or - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 1.5 ± 0.1%, a pulse duration Ton of 0.028 to 0.045 s, and a duty cycle of 59 to 63%.

[0069] In the modified form, an acoustic wave is applied to the surface being treated for a duration equal to, for example, 3 s + / - 0.3 s, and the peak acoustic intensity is 6.2 W / cm². 2 + / - 0.6 W / cm 2 Equivalent to, - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 0.5% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.070~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 54~60.5%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.055~0.078s, and the duty cycle is 56~62%, or - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 0.8% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.040~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 51~67%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 56~67%, or - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 1.0% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.035~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 51.5~67%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 54~67%, or - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 1.2% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.040~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 51.5~67%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 54~67%, or - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 1.5% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.035~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 55~67%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020 to 0.080 s, and the duty cycle is 57 to 67%.

[0070] In one modification, an acoustic wave is applied to the surface being treated for a duration equal to, for example, 3 s + / - 0.3 s, and the peak acoustic intensity is 6.8 W / cm². 2 + / - 0.7 W / cm 2 Equivalent to, - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 0.5% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020~0.065s, and the duty cycle is 56~67%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.035~0.075s, and the duty cycle is 53.5~64%, or - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 0.8% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.030~0.072s, and the duty cycle is 53~67%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 55~64.5%, or - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 1.0% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.032~0.070s, and the duty cycle is 54~67%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 56~64.5%, or - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 1.2% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.032~0.070s, and the duty cycle is 55.5~67%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 58~64%. or - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 1.5% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.025~0.063s, and the duty cycle is 61.5~67%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.030-0.058 s, and the duty cycle is 60-67%.

[0071] In the modified form, an acoustic wave is applied to the surface to be treated for a duration equal to, for example, 3 s + / - 0.3 s, and the peak acoustic intensity is 7.2 W / cm². 2 + / - 0.7 W / cm 2 Equivalent to, - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 0.5% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 57~65%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.030~0.065s, and the duty cycle is 55~67%, or - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 0.8% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020~0.080s, and the duty cycle is 58~67%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020~0.068s, and the duty cycle is 55~67%, or - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 1.0% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020~0.0725s, and the duty cycle is 58.5~67%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020~0.0575s, and the duty cycle is 56~67%, or - The composition has a total surfactant concentration of 1.2% + / - 0.1%. ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020~0.060s, and the duty cycle is 61~67%, or ○ The pulse duration Ton is 0.020 to 0.046 seconds, and the duty cycle is 58.5 to 67%.

[0072] gas bubbles Bubbles can be generated during the pressure drop of the composition and during the decrease in vapor pressure that causes the release of gas. Preferably, the bubbles are generated by acoustic waves, but as a variation, they are additionally generated by specific generators.

[0073] Among numerous candidates, gas bubbles include bubbles of air, CO2, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen, as well as mixtures of these gases.

[0074] All bubbles are bubbles of the same gas, or, as a variation, the composition may include bubbles of a first gas and bubbles of a second gas different from the first gas.

[0075] The gas may be obtained by decomposing the composition, for example, through fermentation, or by extracting it from the composition, or by introducing it into the composition in a modified form.

[0076] The diameter of the bubbles may be in the range of 50 nm to 700 μm, and more preferably, 500 nm to 50 μm. Here, the size is the average size D of half. 50 This indicates.

[0077] This dimensionless coefficient is the ratio d / R max Equals to R, where d is the distance from the geometric center of the bubble to the surface being cleaned when the bubble's expansion is at its maximum, and R max This is the maximum expansion diameter of the bubble, and as described in the publication "Mechanisms of single bubble cleaning," F. Reuter, Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 29(2016) pp. 550-562, it is preferably less than 3.5, and even better, less than 1.1, for maximum effectiveness.

[0078] The density of the medium formed by a cosmetic composition containing gas bubbles, when exposed to acoustic waves, is 0.1 to 1 g / cm³ (at 20°C and atmospheric pressure). 3 For even better results, 0.5g~1g / cm³ 3 That's fine.

[0079] Smaller bubble sizes facilitate penetration into skin contours and / or vesicles, such as hair follicles, cracks, wrinkles, wounds, fissures, or folds, thus allowing for effective cleansing within them. Therefore, it may be advantageous for bubbles to be 300 microns or smaller, even better, 200 microns or smaller, for example, 100 microns or smaller. In this case, the bubbles can penetrate into the vesicles before being activated by acoustic waves.

[0080] Additional generation of bubbles Preferably, bubbles are generated solely by acoustic waves in the cavitation phenomenon, which are obtained, in particular, through the minimum level of Isata and other parameters described above.

[0081] As a variation, additional bubbles may be generated within the composition. These additional bubbles may be generated by any suitable means, such as mechanical, physical, chemical, or electrochemical means. Bubbles may be generated, in particular, by reducing the pressure of the liquid, which allows the vapor pressure to decrease and causes the gas to form in the form of bubbles.

[0082] The additional bubbles may be generated before the emission of the acoustic waves, simultaneously with the emission, or cyclically in relation to the emission.

[0083] The following techniques constitute exemplary techniques that can be implemented in the present invention to generate bubbles, in particular, as described below. - Depressurization of liquids using a nozzle, for example, depressurization performed after pressurization in some cases, - In particular, rotating blades, turbines, ejectors, venturis, swirling airflow or liquid flow, fixed or rotating porous bodies, especially rotating disks, generators described in the publication Performance of a new micro-bubble generator with a spherical body in a flowing water tube, M. Sadatomi, Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science 29 (2005) pp. 615-623, venturi tubes and vortices, venturis (Iona Shower) implemented by MEC Co., or turbulence generation using shear force, - Flow concentration or co-concentration, e.g., porous membranes using a porous membrane fluid oscillator described in the paper Fluidic oscillator-mediated microbubble generation to provide cost effective mass transfer and mixing efficiency to the wastewater treatment plants, Environ Res. 2015 February, 137:32-9; and generation of laminar flow through small openings using emulsified microchannels described in Monodispersed microbubble formation using microchannel technique, AIChE Journal, 50 (2004), pp. 3227-3233. These techniques for generating bubbles via laminar flow through small openings are preferred over previous techniques due to the stability of the generated bubbles.

[0084] - Supply the following: For example, photoenergy can be obtained by irradiating nanoporous gold-coated microfluidic channels, as described in Progress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging Proceedings of SPIE Volume 9705, 2016, paper number 97050D, Photothermal generation of microbubbles on plasmonic nanostructures inside microfluidic channels (Conference paper); photoenergy can be obtained by laser irradiation, as described in An Experimental study on microbubble generation by laser induced breakdown in water, The review of Laser Engineering (Suppl.) (2008), pp. 1273-1275 (2); photoenergy can be obtained by laser irradiation on carbon nanotubes, as described in the paper Producing single microbubbles with control size using microfiber, Advance in Bioscience and Biotechnology, 2 (2011), pp. 385-390; photoenergy can be obtained by tapered optical fibers; and size-controllable micro-bubble generation using a nanoimprinted plasmonic nanopillar array absorber in the As described in *Applied Physics Letters. 108. 2016*, the light energy absorbed by plasmonic absorbers in the near-infrared region, For example, acoustic energy due to ultrasound, as described in the paper Ultrasonics Sonochemistry Volume 29, March 1, 2016, pp. 604-611; acoustic energy due to the effect of ultrasonic treatment conditions on the efficiency of ultrasonic cleaning using ultrasound in the presence of micrometer-sized air bubbles, microbubbles, acoustic activation, and nucleation sites, as described in WO2016 / 055883; Electrical energy from electrodynamic coaxial atomization, electrolysis, and field flotation, as described in the publications Preparation of microbubble suspensions by co-axial electrohydrodynamic atomization, Medical Engineering and Physics, 29 (2007), pp. 749-754; Micro-fabricated electrolytic micro-bubblers, International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 31 (2005), pp. 706-722; Microbubble generation for environmental and industrial separations, Separation and Purification Technology, 11 (1997), pp. 221-232; and Microbubble generation with micro-watt power using carbon nanotubes heating elements; Proceedings of the 7th IEEE International Conference on Electrical energy from electrically heated carbon nanotubes, as described in Nanotechnology, August 2-5, 2007, Hong Kong (2007), or electrical energy from microplasma, as described in the paper Journal of Physics D; Applied Physics Volume 47 Issue 35, September 3, 2014, paper number 355203, Microbubble generation by microplasma in water.

[0085] Additional bubbles may be generated continuously immediately after the device is activated. Alternatively, bubbles may be generated intermittently, for example, only when the composition is dispersed, or periodically at a predetermined frequency, to allow time for the composition to disperse. A certain amount of bubbles may be present in the composition before the device is activated. Alternatively, bubbles may be generated beforehand or without activating the device.

[0086] The bubble generation intensity may be constant, variable, user-adjustable where applicable, or automatically adjustable by the device, depending on the desired result or at least one operating parameter.

[0087] Bubbles may be generated by any one of the techniques described above, in particular by injecting pressurized gas into the composition, by a pump or, for example, by a compressed gas tank, by electrolysis of the cosmetic composition, by stirring the composition, by drawing gas into the composition, or by evaporation of liquefied gas mixed into or dissolved in the composition. Bubbles may arise from the reaction of two liquids, or a liquid with at least one solid, for example, in the form of a powder, granules, tablet, or any other form.

[0088] When bubbles are generated upstream, the flow rate of the liquid containing the bubbles may be in the range of 0.01 mL / s to 10 mL / s.

[0089] polishing This method may include polishing a keratinous substance using abrasive particles, and / or polishing a keratinous substance by a part of a device coming into contact with the keratinous substance.

[0090] This polishing may be performed by a device other than the acoustic wave emitting device, by the device itself, or by specific components mounted on the device, such as a grating, blade, scraper, or any other suitable accessory.

[0091] For example, the parts used for polishing are installed for polishing purposes and then removed during the time when the treatment is carried out by bubbles and acoustic waves, and are interchangeable with parts of the device used for the treatment carried out by acoustic waves and bubbles.

[0092] The polishing component may also be present during the treatment using bubbles and acoustic waves, as described below. In this case, the component may have a grid configuration among many candidates.

[0093] Polishing may be performed before the cosmetic composition and bubbles are exposed to acoustic waves, or, in a modified form, simultaneously with exposure to acoustic waves. When polishing is performed beforehand, it may be carried out by any means, in particular by mechanical or chemical action.

[0094] Polishing of keratinous materials is caused not only by the shock wave phenomenon that occurs after exposing bubbles to acoustic waves, but also at least partially by the action of abrasive particles coming into contact with the surface being treated, and these abrasive particles are, for example, present in the composition or on the surface of a device that comes into contact with an external keratinous material.

[0095] The abrasive particles present in the cosmetic composition may be insoluble in the medium of the composition, or, in a modified form, soluble in the composition, preferably in the latter case, generating a gas when the abrasive particles dissolve, which in turn generates all or part of the bubbles to which the acoustic waves are applied. The abrasive particles may be formed by a precipitation reaction linked to a chemical reaction.

[0096] The abrasive particles may be selected from abrasive powders of materials with a Mohs hardness of 3 or higher, such as powdered alumina material, powdered silica material, powdered aluminosilicate material, powdered carbonate material, or powdered silica-coated material, powdered alumina-coated material, or powdered aluminosilicate-coated material.

[0097] The abrasive particles may be powdered drupe, especially apricot seeds, wood cellulose, for example, shredded bamboo culm, shredded coconut shell, oyster shell, seashell, sand, silica, or synthetic materials such as polyamide, or mixed particles of organic and inorganic compounds, or particles coated with the above compounds.

[0098] The abrasive particles may be 0.1 to 500 microns in size, and may be 0.1 to 50 microns in the case of hair treatment, and 10 to 300 microns in the case of scalp or facial skin treatment.

[0099] The solid particles used to exert the abrasive action may have a flat, spherical, elongated, polygonal, or irregular shape.

[0100] Abrasive particles can be added to the device or liquid during processing.

[0101] The device may include a chamber used exclusively for the controlled storage and dispersion of abrasive particles or compounds that enable the formation of these particles through reaction or precipitation.

[0102] recycling Preferably, the cosmetic composition is brought into contact with a keratinous substance so that it can be recovered at least partially for recycling.

[0103] The recovered composition may be filtered to remove solid debris or particulate phases from the composition before being returned to the surface to be washed.

[0104] Preferably, the composition is recovered using a porous medium or a suction system, and in particular by suction or absorption using a pump as described below.

[0105] Application of cosmetic composition Generally, a composition itself, due to its formulation, may already contribute to the removal of impurities that are desirable to remove via the action of applying acoustic waves to bubbles. The action of applying acoustic waves to bubbles accelerates or improves this process. The association of combining the action of the composition with the waves generated by bursting bubbles may therefore have a greater effect by synergy than the effect of the waves alone or the effect of the composition alone.

[0106] The cosmetic composition may first be applied to a keratinous substance, regardless of whether bubbles already exist within the cosmetic composition; secondly, after being applied to the keratinous substance, it may be exposed to acoustic waves to generate new bubbles, and after all bubbles have burst, a shock wave may be produced.

[0107] For example, the user first applies a cosmetic composition, for example in the form of foam, to the area to be cleaned, for example, by spraying the cosmetic composition onto the area, and then brings a processing device into contact with the composition to expose the cosmetic composition to acoustic waves.

[0108] The cosmetic composition may also be applied in another manner, particularly continuously, i.e., a flow of the composition in contact with the keratinous substance being treated is established, and this flow occurs, for example, within a closed or open circuit.

[0109] When flow occurs in a closed circuit, the composition is recycled at least partially. To reduce losses, additional amounts of the composition can be introduced into the circuit continuously or intermittently.

[0110] At any time, the flow may be stopped to promote an extension of the static contact time of the composition on the surface being cleaned. The flow may occur without the presence of bubbles, and initial contact with the keratinous material may, for example, prepare the surface for cleaning.

[0111] In an open circuit, the composition is not recycled to carry out this method, but is instead drawn up, for example, into a collection container or directly drawn up with the wastewater.

[0112] The flow of the composition within the device occurs at a flow rate of, for example, 0.01 mL to 15 mL per second.

[0113] Bubbles may be formed under the action of acoustic waves and / or using a specific bubble generator of the device while the cosmetic composition is already in contact with the keratinous substance, for example, by electrolysis.

[0114] Selection of the area to be processed This method can be used to cleanse the skin of the face, scalp, or all or part of the body.

[0115] The area to be treated may be, in particular, an area of ​​keratinous material covered with cosmetics such as foundation, lipstick, blush, mascara, eyeliner, powder, emulsion, oil, or sunscreen, and the treatment may be aimed at removing this product.

[0116] This method can be carried out by moving the handpiece along the area to be treated so as to treat the entire area covered with cosmetics or other substances that are to be removed.

[0117] This method may also be used to treat areas of skin not covered with cosmetics, to perform a deep cleanse, and to remove or treat extrinsic or intrinsic impurities or defects, such as dead skin cells, traces of sebum or sweat, dandruff, bacteria, traces of dirt, blackheads, blemishes, small scratches, or acne scars. This method may also be used to treat the scalp. This method may also be used on nails to remove nail polish.

[0118] This method includes a step of detecting an area to be processed, and can automatically adjust certain parameters, such as acoustic intensity, according to requirements for cleaning or processing of the detected area.

[0119] The device may include a photodetector for detecting the presence of compounds to be removed from the skin surface, such as foundation or sunscreen. The detector may include, for example, a light emitter and a sensor for detecting the reflected signal, which can be analyzed to detect the presence of the compound to be removed and, in some cases, determine the amount present. For example, the emission power of acoustic waves may be automatically adjusted according to the intensity absorbed at a predetermined wavelength.

[0120] Detection can also be performed in the liquid obtained from the treated area, especially if the liquid is to be recycled. High turbidity of this liquid may indicate the presence of a large number of particles removed from the surface. Therefore, the intensity of the acoustic waves can be automatically adjusted according to the clarity of the liquid. For example, the intensity is automatically increased when the liquid is turbid, as the treatment removes a large number of particles, and decreased when the liquid becomes clear again. The clarity of the liquid is an indication that the treatment no longer removes as many particles.

[0121] This method can also be used to cleanse hair, particularly with the aim of removing, at least partially, any previously applied dyes.

[0122] This method can also be applied to the hair to remove excess sebum or other substances such as pathogenic or non-pathogenic biological agents and dandruff.

[0123] Additional methods Beauty treatments such as makeup application or massage may be performed before or after the method according to the present invention.

[0124] For example, makeup is applied to the skin, hair, or eyelashes, and then removed by a cleansing method according to the present invention after a certain period of time (e.g., less than 24 hours).

[0125] In another example, the skin is cleansed by performing the method according to the present invention, and then care (e.g., massage and / or application of a care composition) is performed on the cleansed area (e.g., immediately afterward or within two hours after cleansing).

[0126] Processing kit Another subject of the present invention is a processing kit for carrying out the method according to the present invention as defined above.

[0127] This kit is - A cosmetic composition that generates bubbles, - The system includes a device for exposing bubbles to acoustic waves in the vicinity of the surface to be processed.

[0128] The composition may or may not be packaged in the same package as the device.

[0129] The composition may be obtained by diluting the concentrated composition. This dilution may be carried out, for example, using a liquid or solid composition in the form of a tablet, bar, shavings, or powder, preferably a liquid composition, which contains all or some of the components (components in different proportions) of the concentrated composition.

[0130] Where applicable, the composition is contained in a container designed to be mounted on a device, which constitutes a cartridge designed to be fully or partially secured to a corresponding recess in the device, or connected to the device by an appropriate link, such as a tube.

[0131] Other compounds The composition may generally contain any compound conventionally found in cleaning and / or care formulations for human keratinous substances that is suitable for generating sufficiently stable bubbles before acoustic waves are applied.

[0132] Device for processing keratin substances Another subject of the invention according to another aspect of the present invention is a device for contacting and treating a keratinous substance with a cosmetic composition comprising at least one surfactant, and in particular a device for carrying out the method according to the first aspect of the present invention as described above, comprising at least one ultrasonic transducer designed to emit acoustic waves in the vicinity of the keratinous substance being treated, the transducer being powered by a current generator that delivers pulsed or unpulsed electrical signals to the transducer.

[0133] The device may, in particular, comprise at least one ultrasonic transducer designed to emit acoustic waves into a fluid present in the vicinity of the keratinous substance being cleaned, the transducer being powered by a current generator that delivers pulsed or unpulsed electrical signals to the transducer, preferably, - At least one frequency component between 20kHz and 100kHz, - 20-100% duty cycle Ton / Toff when the signal is pulsed, and / or - When the signal is pulsed, it has a pulse duration Ton of 0.01 to 1 s. The acoustic intensity (Isata) on the surface of the keratin material described above is preferably 0.1 W / cm². 2 It is equal to.

[0134] The characteristics of the methods described above can be applied to the device either in combination or independently.

[0135] A device for processing hair Another subject of the invention according to another aspect of the present invention is a device for treating hair, particularly for the purpose of washing human hair, removing previous dyes, and / or decolorizing the hair, wherein the device is intended to treat the hair while the hair is in contact with a fluid, particularly an aqueous fluid, particularly a cosmetic composition, in which gas bubbles are present and / or generated inside, and the device is - At least one transducer having an emission surface for emitting acoustic waves near the hair being treated in order to cause the bubbles described above to burst, - The device comprises at least one guiding and / or combing member designed to move hair to near the discharge surface and / or guide it to contact the discharge surface.

[0136] The acoustic waves emitted by the emission surface around the transducer cause, in particular, to form and burst bubbles in the fluid by cavitation, thus producing a mechanical effect on the hair that promotes the desorption of extrinsic or endogenous elements, and in particular makes it possible to decolorize the hair.

[0137] The acoustic waves emitted from the transducer's emission surface may have frequencies of 20–100 kHz, particularly 20–80 kHz, preferably 30–100 kHz, even better 30–80 kHz, and even better 30–45 kHz.

[0138] The cosmetic composition may contain a very small amount of surfactant, for example, less than 5% surfactant. This small amount of surfactant may prove particularly favorable for the action of acoustic waves on the fluid and the bubbles present in the fluid.

[0139] Among the undesirable impurities that may be present on the hair, it is possible to distinguish between extrinsic impurities such as environmental pollution, dust, and microorganisms, and intrinsic impurities or defects such as excess sebum and dead cells.

[0140] Cosmetic compositions may or may not already contain air bubbles before acoustic waves are applied.

[0141] The bubbles generated and / or present may also contribute to the release of chemical species that contribute to hair cleansing and / or decolorization, such as free radicals.

[0142] The device according to the present invention is particularly suitable for decolorizing hair, especially hair that has already been dyed and has a color that is not the hair's natural color.

[0143] The device may allow for bleaching only the outer layers of hair strands to create a sweeping effect on the hair.

[0144] The device may also allow for the bleaching of specific areas of hair, particularly specific areas of hair strands, through the intermittent emission of ultrasound.

[0145] The device, in particular at least a portion of the induction and / or combing members, can heat and / or diffuse light, thereby enabling the activation of certain compounds present in a fluid, particularly in a cosmetic composition.

[0146] A device having a pump and a tank The device according to the present invention is preferably a system for dispersing and / or recovering a composition, comprising at least one composition tank and at least one pump, the pump being particularly electrically driven and designed to guide the composition in a fluid circuit between the tank and the keratinous substance to be processed.

[0147] Therefore, another subject of the present invention is a device for contacting and processing a fluid, particularly a cosmetic composition, with a keratin substance, and this device is - A handpiece equipped with a processing head positioned to come into contact with the keratin material to be processed, - At least one transducer, designed to emit acoustic waves within the vicinity of the keratin material being transported and processed by the handpiece, and to generate bubbles in the fluid, wherein the bubbles are preferably generated exclusively by the transducer without additional bubble generators, - A system for dispersing and / or recovering a fluid, comprising at least one fluid tank and at least one pump, the pump being designed to circulate the fluid in a fluid circuit between one or more tanks and a keratinous substance to be processed.

[0148] Preferably, the device is intended for non-therapeutic use, particularly for the topical application of cosmetic compositions.

[0149] The device according to the present invention effectively processes both exogenous and intrinsic impurities or defects, while also meeting certain environmental requirements and applicable safety standards.

[0150] Systems for dispersing and / or recovering fluids allow for the conservation of water and compounds.

[0151] Preferably, the handpiece includes a handle, which may be positioned non-coaxially with the processing head. The handle may at least partially include a system for dispersing and / or recovering the fluid. In a variant, the device includes a base station connected to the handpiece by a cord, and a pump and / or one or more tanks may be located within the base station.

[0152] pump The pump may have any type of drive, particularly manual or electric drive, and preferably an electric drive.

[0153] Pumps can be of various types. Pumps can be, for example, positive displacement pumps or centrifugal pumps, and more specifically, peristaltic pumps, membrane pumps, piston pumps, or combinations of several types.

[0154] The pump can be powered by DC or AC current. Preferably, the supply voltage to the pump is less than 50V, for example, powered using a voltage in the range of 5 to 12V.

[0155] The pump is preferably suited to liquids whose properties change, particularly aqueous, oily, and mixed liquids, liquids containing suspended particles or fillers, or, optionally, polymers.

[0156] When the pump is driven by an electric motor, the motor may be, for example, a brushed DC motor or a brushless DC motor, and in particular a brushed DC motor or a brushless DC motor having permanent magnets. These magnets may be based on ferrite or rare earth elements.

[0157] When a motor is used to drive a pump, for example, its rotational speed is between 1 and 10,000 rpm.

[0158] Such speeds may be fixed or variable, and the motor may be driven by a variable speed drive or a variable frequency drive, for example, using pulse width modulation, where a (passive or active) resistance acts on the current or supply voltage.

[0159] The motor may be single-phase or three-phase.

[0160] The pump mechanism can be driven directly by a motor or by using a gearbox.

[0161] When the drive is manual, the device may have a handle that is operated by the user to operate the pump.

[0162] Preferably, the pump is configured to provide a fluid flow rate of 0.01 mL to 15 mL per second.

[0163] The pump may or may not be removable. The pump may generate negative and / or positive pressure over the fluid to allow the fluid to flow and come into contact with the skin. It may also be possible to use the pump for internal cleaning of all or part of the device.

[0164] The pump may include filters in one or more components. The pump may be mechanically or electrically insulated in the device, for example, to allow for removal from the device for cleaning.

[0165] tank The device may include one or more fluid tanks, the fluid of which is preferably the aforementioned cosmetic composition.

[0166] One or more tanks may be located inside the handpiece, particularly inside its handle, or at least partially outside the handpiece, for example, in a base station connected to the handpiece.

[0167] In a modified configuration, one or more tanks may be positioned to protrude from the handpiece.

[0168] The device may include several separate tanks, for example, a tank for the fluid to be distributed across the area to be processed, and a tank for receiving the spent fluid that has been at least partially recovered after processing.

[0169] One or more tanks may or may not be removable. One or more tanks may, for example, be single-use tanks that can be replaced when the fluid is no longer used or when the recovered fluid needs to be drained.

[0170] It is also possible to provide tanks of various capacities depending on the treatment to be performed on the keratin material, and this device may be configured to allow the installation of user-selected tanks of a capacity chosen by the user from a number of different capacities.

[0171] One or more tanks may be cleaned, filled, or emptied, for example, by being manually removed from the device from the outside beforehand, or, if fluid is still present in the device, they may be cleaned, filled, or emptied directly, for example, using a pump and fluid circuit.

[0172] In this case, the device includes a selector that allows for changing the fluid flow from, for example, a first configuration in which fluid flow occurs between a tank and a processing area, and a second configuration used to purge and / or fill the tank.

[0173] One or more tanks may have multiple compartments, in particular, multiple compartments incorporated into a single body and separated by walls, or multiple communicating compartments connected, for example, by tubes. One or more tanks may have a compartment containing a composition to be dispersed over an area to be processed, and a compartment for collecting the used composition, for example, for recycling. The two compartments may communicate, for example, through a filter.

[0174] One or more tanks may also comprise multiple compartments in which different compositions can be stored. These compositions may be mixed when used, may be in solid form, and / or in the form of rapidly dissolving powders.

[0175] For example, a tank may include a first compartment containing a solid composition, for example, in the form of a powder or crystals, and a second compartment containing a fluid composition, the two compartments being able to communicate with each other so that the fluid composition solubilizes the solid composition when in use.

[0176] The first compartment may contain a mixture of a suspended solid composition and a liquid in which the solid composition is insoluble, and the fluid composition in the second compartment solubilizes the mixture when the device is in use.

[0177] One or more tanks may be equipped with one or more filters for filtering out impurities from the recovered fluid before redistributing the recovered fluid over the area being processed. The tanks may also be equipped with vents.

[0178] One or more tanks may be equipped with devices for heating or cooling the fluid, in particular electrical resistors.

[0179] One or more tanks are preferably suited to one or more liquids having various properties, and in particular to various types of miscible or miscible compositions and various types of cleaning liquids.

[0180] One or more tanks are preferably at least partially transparent, so that the user can visually observe the tank's filling level and / or the level of cleanliness of the fluid contained within the tank.

[0181] One or more tanks may be deformable or made of a highly rigid material, particularly glass or plastic. The tanks may have removable parts and therefore have a volume that can be adjusted as desired. One or more tanks may have valves that allow the tank to be separated from the housing that receives the tank without loss of fluid.

[0182] One or more tanks may generally be cylindrical, or may be in the form of cartridges of other shapes, or may be in the form of flexible pockets.

[0183] The capacity of one or more tanks is, for example, 1 ml to 200 ml, and more preferably, 1 ml to 50 ml.

[0184] fluid circuit The fluid circuit preferably comprises multiple ducts, which are appropriately connected to generate a desired fluid flow, for example, using end-to-end connections or parallel connections that are connected to each other by appropriate connections.

[0185] The fluid circuit connects various components of devices involved in the fluid flow, such as processing heads, one or more pumps, or one or more fluid tanks, along with one or more filters or other purification or disinfection systems, or possibly additional bubble generation systems.

[0186] The fluid circuit may include one or more modifiable taps or valves, for example, one or more manual valves or electrically controlled valves.

[0187] The pump may include a filter in one or more components.

[0188] The fluid circuit may be equipped with a water intake for filling the fluid circuit with water and / or for cleaning the fluid circuit from an external network.

[0189] The fluid circuit can also be modified using removable sections, for example, sections added when cleaning the circuit. For instance, a section containing a cleaning powder that is at least partially solubilized as the liquid passes through the circuit can be added. Thus, the added section can be used solely for cleaning and then removed, or left in place until the next cleaning operation and then replaced with a new section.

[0190] One or more tanks and the fluid circuit that allows the fluid to flow may belong to the same assembly that forms a replenishment unit, which can be operated as a single unit without damage to install it on the device and remove it from the device, thereby facilitating the replenishment of the product. Such a replenishment unit may have a mechanical interface with a pump or other drive mechanism where applicable, which can establish the flow of the product from the cartridge to the processing area when activated.

[0191] The assembly forming the replacement part may be arranged to be fastened, for example, by snap fitting to another component of the device, such as a handpiece in the same housing as the housing containing the generator.

[0192] Fluid treatment and purification units The device according to the present invention may include a system for recycling a fluid at least partially, the system comprising a duct opening near the area to be processed and communicating with a suction system, in particular a suction pump.

[0193] The suction system is preferably configured to send the recovered fluid to a processing and purification unit, where the fluid is returned to a tank at the output of the processing and purification unit, for example, to be redistributed across the area to be processed.

[0194] The processing and purification unit may be located inside the handpiece, particularly within its handle, or at least partially outside, for example, to a base station connected to the handpiece by a cord.

[0195] The processing and purification unit preferably comprises one or more removable parts. The processing and purification unit is washable and is fully or partially reusable.

[0196] The processing and purification unit may include a filtration system capable of at least partially filtering any fluid flowing through the device, in particular the cosmetic composition used in the processing, or any additional liquid used to clean the device.

[0197] Preferably, the filtration system includes at least one filter, in particular a filter with a pore size of 50 microns or less.

[0198] The filter may be a nonwoven fabric and may or may not have folds. The filter may contain one or more elements selected from cloth, porous material, activated carbon particles, sand, silica, porous polymer, natural or synthetic foam.

[0199] The filter may be a filter with high capture capability, especially a nanofilter.

[0200] The filtration system may also include a pre-filter that can be positioned downstream or upstream of the suction system.

[0201] The filtration system may include sensors for detecting the efficiency of one or more filters, which are configured to indicate to the user, for example, whether a filter should be replaced or cleaned by changing color when the filtration system is saturated. Such sensors may also be pressure sensors capable of detecting filter clogging.

[0202] Where applicable, the device's fluid circuitry is designed to allow fluid to flow backward during the cleaning phase to remove filter clogging.

[0203] The processing and purification unit may comprise multiple elements distributed across various components of the device. For example, the unit may include a filtration system located in at least one duct of the fluid circuit and a disinfection system or a system intended to perform other processing, located within a tank compartment.

[0204] The treatment and purification unit may comprise a centrifuge designed to extract impurities from the used fluid in contact with the keratinous substance using the centrifugal force applied to the fluid by swirling the fluid and sending them to the recovery area.

[0205] The treatment and purification unit may comprise a disinfection unit that destroys organisms present in the recycled fluid, such as bacteria, viruses, spores or other pathogenic or non-pathogenic biological agents.

[0206] For this purpose, the disinfection unit may comprise any suitable sterilization means, preferably at least one UV lamp and / or an oxidizing agent or an ozone generator, particularly a UVC LED lamp.

[0207] Ultrasonic transducer The device comprises an ultrasonic transducer.

[0208] As described above, the transducer comprises one or more electroactive elements for converting an electric current into a mechanical vibration, and these one or more electroactive elements are preferably set to resonate mechanically and can be coupled to a sonotrode that defines an emission surface for emitting acoustic waves towards the surface or the target volume.

[0209] These acoustic waves can cause rapid pressure changes that can cause cavitation of the bubbles, and the acoustic waves can form and rupture bubbles or rupture bubbles already present in the medium, as described above.

[0210] The longitudinal axis of the transducer may indicate the longitudinal axis of the sonotrode. The sonotrode may be rotationally symmetric about its longitudinal axis or may have another shape. This longitudinal axis may be the axis of symmetry of the transducer, and the transducer may, for example, be rotationally symmetric about the above axis or have another shape.

[0211] The vertical axis may also correspond to the direction in which one or more electroactive elements have a maximum amplitude of movement when excited.

[0212] The sonotrode may be made of metal, preferably titanium, thereby improving the effect of cavitation of the bubbles. The sonotrode may be made at least partially of aluminum, stainless steel, or ceramic. The sonotrode may include a plurality of metals or alloys.

[0213] The transducer may include at least one piezoelectric material, particularly lead zirconate titanate (PZT).

[0214] Preferably, the sonotrode is made of a corrosion-resistant material that allows the sonotrode to be at least partially immersed in the composition.

[0215] The emission surface for emitting the acoustic waves of the sonotrode may be covered with a protective layer to protect the sonotrode from deterioration and / or corrosion due to cavitation of the bubbles contacting the emission surface.

[0216] The present invention is not limited to a specific shape or a given size of the sonotrode. However, a size that is compatible with the portability of the handpiece is preferred in order to allow the handpiece to be operated by the user using one hand.

[0217] The sonotrode may have an emission surface that contacts the composition, and the surface area of this emission surface ranges, for example, from the surface area of a circle with a diameter of 5 mm to the surface area of a circle with a diameter of 100 mm, more preferably from the surface area of a circle with a diameter of 5 mm to the surface area of a circle with a diameter of 50 mm, even more preferably from the surface area of a circle with a diameter of 5 mm to the surface area of a circle with a diameter of 40 mm.

[0218] The sonotrode may be given any shape adapted to the shape of the surface to be treated, for example, a round shape, an oval shape, or a polygonal shape, particularly a square or triangular shape.

[0219] The discharge surface of the transducer may be removable from the transducer so that it can be replaced by the user, for example, in particular, to provide various solutions for guiding and / or combing hair, and / or to accommodate various types of relief for the guiding and / or combing members.

[0220] Preferably, the entire transducer or sonotrode is removable, i.e., can be easily detached from the device by the user, preferably without the use of any tools. This facilitates cleaning of the transducer or sonotrode and, if desired, allows for the exchange of multiple transducers or sonotrode depending on the desired usage and energy parameters, for example, by selecting the type of transducer or sonotrode best suited for generating acoustic waves at a given frequency.

[0221] By changing the transducer, it becomes possible to change the acoustic intensity as needed.

[0222] Therefore, the device can be selected for a wide range of applications, depending on the transducer and / or sonotrode chosen. The selection of transducer and / or sonotrode may depend on various parameters, such as the characteristics of the desired processing, the type of keratin material being processed, or, in some cases, the frequency of device use (daily, weekly, etc.).

[0223] The device may also include an adjustable aperture mechanical element, such as a diaphragm, positioned in front of the sonotrode to limit the emission surface for emitting ultrasonic waves. The diaphragm may be adjustable by the user to adjust the processing power and / or the size of the processing area.

[0224] The transducer and / or sonotrode may be equipped with fastening means for fastening to the rest of the device by snap fitting, screw fastening, bayonet, friction, magnetic, clamping, in particular clamping using at least one fastening screw or hose clamp, magnet, or any other suitable means.

[0225] The transducer may move longitudinally and / or transversely, in particular, to move toward or away from the hair being processed. The transducer may rotate and / or vibrate about its longitudinal axis.

[0226] The sonotrode may have any shape at its emission surface for emitting acoustic waves.

[0227] The device may include a drive means for driving a transducer or sonotrode, configured to generate oscillation, vibration, and / or rotational motion of the transducer or sonotrode independently of the acoustic waves produced.

[0228] The transducer may be powered using DC or AC, independently of other elements of the device, particularly a pump.

[0229] The transducer or associated sonotrode may include ducts, preferably opening onto an outlet surface, connected to a fluid circuit, through which a fluid flowing within the device passes. Such a flow allows for cooling of the transducer.

[0230] The device may have multiple transducers, in particular two specific transducers. This can, for example, improve the effectiveness of the processing performed by the device.

[0231] Relief on the release surface The emission surface for emitting acoustic waves towards the liquid medium may have reliefs along the longitudinal axis of the transducer where bubbles can occur at different levels. In particular, these reliefs can provide nucleation sites at their tops and bottoms.

[0232] Thus, according to another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, another subject of the present invention is a device for treating a fluid, particularly a cosmetic composition, by bringing a keratin substance into contact with the fluid, the device comprising - at least one ultrasonic transducer having an emission surface for emitting acoustic waves into the fluid for generating bubbles in the fluid that have a mechanical action when the bubbles burst on the above-mentioned keratin substance, the emission surface having reliefs along the longitudinal axis of the transducer where bubbles can occur at different levels.

[0233] The reliefs can enable a more homogeneous generation of bubbles. In contrast, a smooth emission surface tends to generate nucleation sites that are randomly dispersed over the surface, resulting in non-optimal bubble generation. These reliefs can also promote the bursting of bubbles. This is because different levels along the longitudinal axis can generate a relatively large cavitation region without being limited to a single plane.

[0234] The reliefs can also make it possible to generate turbulence in the fluid, which can contribute to the generation of bubbles, particularly when the fluid contains a surfactant.

[0235] The reliefs can be formed in various ways.

[0236] The reliefs can be made, for example, by machining, chemical etching, electroerosion, laser etching, molding or additive synthesis, or by any method that enables creating a predefined shape by removing the keratin substance, such as by fitting foreign objects.

[0237] The relief may be integrated with the sonotrode, for example, by machining the sonotrode described above.

[0238] The relief may also be formed on at least one additional component fastened to the sonotrode.

[0239] This additional component receives at least some of the vibrations of the sonotrode, transmits them to the liquid medium, and defines at least some of the emission surface for emitting acoustic waves into the fluid.

[0240] The additional components may be made of the same material as the sonotrode, or of a different material, particularly a harder material. The additional components constituting the relief are preferably made of a highly rigid material to transmit acoustic waves without excessive attenuation. The additional components may be made of metal, alloy, or ceramic.

[0241] Using additional components to define the emission surface for emitting acoustic waves into a liquid medium can make it easier to replace the emission surface if wear occurs, as bubble bursting can easily cause wear on the emission surface.

[0242] Additional components may be fastened to the sonotrode by any means, and in particular, may be held on the sonotrode by removable fasteners. For example, additional components may be screwed to the sonotrode. When the fasteners do not need to be removable, additional components may be fastened to the sonotrode by welding or other means.

[0243] Sonotrodes can be made from materials harder than aluminum, such as titanium or stainless steel.

[0244] Therefore, the relief may be made of titanium together with the sonotrode, for example, by machining the end face of the sonotrode.

[0245] The additional components may be made of a material harder than aluminum, such as titanium or stainless steel. In this case, the sonotrode, which is not directly exposed to cavitation, may be made of titanium or a material less hard than titanium, such as aluminum.

[0246] The reliefs preferably have a predefined shape, but as a variation, they may be made randomly and have, for example, at least one random parameter, such as the size or position of the relief. All or part of the reliefs may have a random distribution across the emission surface and / or may have random sizes.

[0247] The reliefs may be arranged in a regular pattern, in other words, in a structured shape, for example, in a regular array in two dimensions (the third being the vertical axis of the sonotrode).

[0248] The reliefs may be identical; for example, the emission surface may have one identical basic pattern repeated in two mutually perpendicular directions.

[0249] This pattern may have a prism shape, for example, a pyramidal shape, for example, a hemispherical shape, a cylindrical shape, a semi-cylindrical shape, an oval shape, etc.

[0250] Reliefs may, where applicable, be in the form of ribs or ridges, which may be parallel or not parallel to each other, linear or circular, grid-like, or randomly distributed. Ridges may be formed, for example, by scratching the surface. Reliefs may be formed by exposing the surface to shot blasting or sanding, in which case a random distribution and / or random shape of relief may be obtained.

[0251] The emission surface may have a relief measuring parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sonotrode, with a height of 0.001 mm to 50 mm, more preferably 0.01 mm to 30 mm, and even more preferably 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

[0252] In the front view, that is, when the emission surface is observed along the vertical axis of the sonotrode, the maximum dimension of the relief may be 0.001 mm to 100 mm, and more preferably 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

[0253] The free end of the relief may be rounded or flattened to avoid scratching the skin if it comes into contact with it.

[0254] Therefore, the emission surface for emitting acoustic waves may comprise at least one relief having a pyramidal, frustoconical, cylindrical, hemispherical, or columnar irregular shape. The emission surface may comprise a regular array of four-sided pyramidal reliefs.

[0255] The emission surface for emitting acoustic waves may comprise at least one relief having at least two small faces oriented differently toward the region being processed.

[0256] The relief may have other additional functions, where applicable, such as guiding and / or combing the hair in the processing area.

[0257] When a relief is formed by the presence of a continuous pattern in one or two directions, the size of the pattern and the distance between the continuous patterns are, for example, when the pattern density is 1 to 10 6 Pattern / cm 2 It is selected in such a way.

[0258] When a pattern has peaks, all of the peaks belong to, for example, the same plane, or to the same spherical, cylindrical, parabolic, or elliptical surface.

[0259] In addition to reliefs on the discharge surface that contribute to improving bubble generation, the discharge surface may have reliefs that serve other purposes, such as retaining fluid or cleaning the area being treated. These are, for example, reliefs made of flexible material, such as bristle, especially flocked bristle.

[0260] The emitter surface of the transducer may have one or more reliefs, such as teeth, and / or natural and / or synthetic bristle, and / or etching, and / or micro-protrusions, and / or metal spikes, to contribute to combing and / or guiding the hair, for example, upstream or downstream of the processing area, or possibly within the processing area.

[0261] The discharge surface may have the same type of relief as the guiding and / or coaming member, or, as a modified form, may have a different type of relief.

[0262] The discharge surface may also have one or more reliefs when the guiding and / or coaming members do not have reliefs. In a modified form, the guiding and / or coaming members may have one or more reliefs when the discharge surface does not have reliefs.

[0263] Additional vibrations Another subject of the present invention is a device for processing keratin substances by bringing them into contact with a fluid, particularly a cosmetic composition, and this device is - To generate bubbles in the fluid that have a mechanical action when the bubbles burst on the keratin material described above, at least one ultrasonic transducer having an emission surface for emitting acoustic waves into the fluid described above, - A vibrator for applying additional vibrations with a frequency lower than the frequency of the acoustic wave to at least a portion of the emission surface.

[0264] It is possible to apply additional vibrations with frequencies lower than the acoustic wave frequency, for example, vibrations with frequencies of 1500 Hz or less, even better, 150 Hz or less, and in some cases, 50 Hz, to at least a portion of the emission surface.

[0265] The additional vibrations described above may be applied to the entire device. In variations, the additional vibrations may be applied to only a part of it, for example, the transducer, sonotrode, or a part thereof, or only the processing head.

[0266] For this purpose, the device may include an oscillator, for example, an oscillator having a motor that drives the imbalance to rotate.

[0267] Therefore, additional lateral and / or longitudinal and / or preferably longitudinal angular vibrations may be applied to the emission surface by the oscillator. For example, the direction of the vibration can be adjusted by acting on the orientation of the rotation axis of the transducer's imbalance with respect to its longitudinal axis.

[0268] These additional vibrations may promote greater homogeneity of cavitation and improve wetting of the emission surface for the fluid to emit acoustic waves.

[0269] Additional vibrations may be emitted simultaneously with the emission of acoustic waves, and as an alternative variation, the device may be designed to allow the generation of these vibrations to be activated or deactivated, for example, by starting or not starting a motor that drives an imbalance, or possibly by adjusting the rotational speed, where applicable.

[0270] Applying these additional vibrations to the discharge surface while the relief defined above is present on the discharge surface can be particularly advantageous, as the association between the relief and vibration makes it easier to obtain additional turbulence in the fluid in contact with the keratin material being treated, thereby improving bubble formation and bursting in the fluid, as described above.

[0271] Processing head The device comprises a processing head that comes into contact with the keratin material to be processed, the head preferably designed to disperse a fluid over the area to be processed via at least one fluid outlet and / or to at least partially recover the used fluid from the area to be processed via at least one fluid return port.

[0272] A device for processing hair may include a processing head through which a fluid, particularly a cosmetic composition, flows, and transducers and induction and / or combing members extend at least partially within the processing head.

[0273] The transducer preferably extends at least partially within the processing head. In particular, the transducer may be completely housed within the processing head.

[0274] The outlet and / or inlet are connected, for example, to the fluid circuit described above. In particular, the fluid circuit may be positioned relative to the head upstream and / or downstream of the sonotrode's discharge surface, for example, through at least one orifice on the discharge surface, to disperse and / or partially recover the fluid.

[0275] The processing head may include, for example, a heating element such as an electrical resistor for heating the composition, and / or a light source positioned to illuminate the processing area during use and / or to activate certain components of the fluid in which cavitation occurs.

[0276] The processing head may include, for example, at least one filter used to filter the composition to be recycled, which is located, for example, on the fluid return path.

[0277] The processing head may comprise a porous material and / or a material capable of releasing or diffusing fluid, in particular a continuous pore held by a removable support, especially a support in the form of a frame.

[0278] The processing head may be equipped with a dispersion orifice, such as a slot, which is closed in the resting state and has elasticity that allows it to open under the pressure of the upstream composition, increasing its volume while filling and dispersing the fluid, and the processing head is extended after the filling action is completed.

[0279] The processing head may include a chamber for storing a sufficient amount of fluid to enable the washing of keratinous material and for allowing bubbles to come into contact with the surface to be washed.

[0280] The processing head may have multiple independent compartments or compartments that communicate with each other.

[0281] The processing head may include components made of a flexible and / or deformable material, particularly an elastically deformable material, especially components that come into contact with the keratin material being processed.

[0282] The processing head may have various shapes depending on the desired application of the device.

[0283] The processing head may include one or more removable parts that can be easily detached from the device by the user, preferably without the use of any tools.

[0284] This makes it easier to clean the processing head after each use.

[0285] One or more removable components of the processing head may be fastened to the rest of the device via any suitable fastening means, particularly ball joints, springs, or pistons. The processing head is preferably movable and, in some examples, can be tilted or rotated by an angle greater than 180°, 270°, or 360° about at least one axis.

[0286] Preferably, the transducer is positioned relative to the processing head such that the emission surface of the sonotrode for emitting acoustic waves is maintained at a certain distance from the surface of the keratin material being processed.

[0287] Where applicable, the transducer can move relative to a fixed part of the device and is driven to rotate or move back and forth, for example, as described in other sections.

[0288] Therefore, cavitation occurs in the front of the head, i.e., in the space formed between the sonotrode emission surface and the surface of the keratin material being treated.

[0289] Therefore, a fluid can be made to flow within this space, and its flow can be regulated.

[0290] This flow can occur continuously or intermittently, as described above. While the handpiece is in a predetermined position, it is possible to fill the space with fluid and then generate acoustic waves within the fluid filling this space.

[0291] Guiding and / or coaming member In the case of hair treatment, the device according to the present invention may include at least one guiding and / or combing member designed to move the hair close to the discharge surface of the transducer and / or guide it to contact the discharge surface.

[0292] The guiding and / or combing member ensures that the hair is positioned at an appropriate distance from the emission surface for emitting acoustic waves during the treatment, thus enabling the treatment to maintain its effectiveness.

[0293] The guiding and / or combing member can, for example, maintain the hair at a predetermined distance from the discharge surface which acts as a spacer.

[0294] The guiding and / or combing members can keep the hair in the vicinity of the emission surface by preventing the hair from moving away in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the transducer or perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis of the transducer and the longitudinal direction of the hair, and the guiding and / or combing members do not prevent the hair from passing in front of the emission surface for emitting acoustic waves.

[0295] The inducting and / or combing members may not prevent hair from coming into contact with the emission surface when a spacer is not positioned in front of the emission surface for emitting acoustic waves.

[0296] The guiding and / or combing members also enable the hair bundles to be divided effectively, allowing for uniform hair thickness within the processing area, thereby enabling uniform processing of the hair bundles.

[0297] In some preferred embodiments, the inducting and / or coaming members play no active role in the emission of acoustic waves and are distinct from the sonotrode.

[0298] In some cases, the hair is combed by the aforementioned guiding and / or combing member, thereby allowing the hair to spread forward in the discharge surface, in some cases, to facilitate the action of the bubbles.

[0299] The guiding and / or combing member may be designed to guide hair laterally, for example, by having a stopper in which the hair engages.

[0300] The guiding and / or combing member may have at least one surface for guiding the hair laterally and for holding the hair in place during processing.

[0301] At least one lateral guiding surface of the guiding and / or coaming member, and more preferably two lateral guiding surfaces, may be perpendicular to the emission surface for emitting acoustic waves.

[0302] The induction and / or coaming members may be made at least partially of a metallic material and / or a polymer, such as a high-rigidity plastic.

[0303] The induction and / or combing member may have a processing area on its surface that allows for the reflection of acoustic waves, thereby enabling the processing of hair to be amplified.

[0304] The induction and / or coaming members may be removably or non-removably fastened to the device.

[0305] At least a portion of the guiding and / or coaming member may vibrate and / or rotate and / or move in the longitudinal and / or transverse directions.

[0306] The guiding and / or combing member may be in the form of a single element, or in the form of multiple elements joined together or joined to the device to perform one or more desired guiding and combing functions.

[0307] The guiding and / or combing member may comprise at least one guiding portion intended to come into contact with the hair, and at least one support portion that serves to maintain the guiding portion in a desired configuration during processing.

[0308] Guide portion of guide and / or coaming member The induction portion may be fixed to the rest of the device or movable, for example, it may be movable relative to the transducer to move closer to or away from the emission surface for emitting acoustic waves. Thus, it is possible to control the distance between the emission surface and the surface of the hair being treated with relatively precision, thereby improving the action of bubbles near the hair surface, and, if desired, avoiding direct contact between the emission surface and the hair.

[0309] When the guide portion is movable, it may be rotatable or movable in the axial direction, for example, it may rotate about the longitudinal axis of the guide portion itself and / or move along the longitudinal axis of the guide member itself and / or move along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the guide member itself.

[0310] The induction portion may have an induction surface that is at least partially opposite the discharge surface and / or extends along either side of the discharge surface, and in particular defines the processing space together with the discharge surface.

[0311] The distance between the emission surface and the induction surface may be 0.1 mm to 50 mm, in particular to adapt the device to the thickness of the hair being processed, and may also be 0.1 mm to 30 mm, in particular when it is applicable and adjustable by the user.

[0312] The guide surface may have a width greater than or equal to the width of the discharge surface, for example, 1 mm to 180 mm, and the discharge surface may have a width of, for example, 1 to 150 mm. Here, "width" specifies the dimension in a direction perpendicular to the direction of hair movement and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the transducer.

[0313] The guide portion may be hollow to define a cavity for guiding the hair to be processed, the cavity defining a processing space. This cavity is open at two opposing ends, and the hair may extend between these two ends. The guide portion may move along the bundle of hair to be processed, and the hair moves within the cavity between the ends.

[0314] The cavity is laterally open between its ends to allow hair to be inserted. In a modified form, the hair is inserted through one end and then exits through the other end.

[0315] The cavity can be formed by a generally tubular, particularly cylindrical, and especially tubular guide portion having axial slots.

[0316] The inner surface of the cavity may have reliefs that contribute to combing and / or holding the hair. These reliefs may be in the form of ridges, for example, or may have other shapes as further described below.

[0317] The induction portion allows acoustic waves from the transducer located outside the induction portion to pass through at least partially, thereby allowing the acoustic waves emitted by the transducer's emission surface to reach the fluid, in particular the cosmetic composition present in the cavity along with the hair, generating bubbles and / or rupturing the bubbles.

[0318] The induction portion may also form all or part of the transducer, particularly all or part of the sonotrode of the transducer, and moreover, define the cavity described above. In this case, the emission surface is formed by at least a portion of the surface of the cavity.

[0319] The cavity may have a constant or variable inner diameter. "Inner diameter" refers to the diameter of the largest circle inscribed within the cross-section of the cavity.

[0320] The induction portion may be located between at least two transducers, for example, between two radially opposing transducers.

[0321] For example, the induction portion defines a cavity for guiding hair located between two transducers, and this cavity opens at its axial ends between the transducers to define, for example, a slot for inserting hair.

[0322] The inductive portion is in contact with the two transducers and may, for example, form all or part of the sonotrode of the transducers and / or transmit acoustic waves emitted by the sonotrode.

[0323] The guiding portion may comprise at least two components, which are movable relative to each other between a spaced configuration for inserting hair between them and a close configuration for maintaining hair within the processing space, for example, in the form of jaws.

[0324] The induction portion comprises, for example, a proximal portion closer to the transducer and a distal portion further away.

[0325] The proximal portion can transmit acoustic waves and, in the front view, can at least partially overlap with the emission surface. "Front view" refers to a view in a direction generally perpendicular to the emission surface.

[0326] The proximal portion of the induction section may be fabricated in particular in the form of a grid, or otherwise may have holes made of a specific material that transmits acoustic waves, in order to transmit acoustic waves.

[0327] The distance between the proximal and distal portions can vary between 0 mm in the close-proximity configuration and 100 mm in the distance-spacing configuration, and particularly between 0 mm in the close-proximity configuration and 50 mm in the distance-spacing configuration.

[0328] The proximal portion may be fixed to the transducer or movable relative to the transducer.

[0329] The distal portion may be fixed to the transducer or movable relative to the transducer, provided that at least one part is movable relative to the other.

[0330] At least one of the distal and proximal portions may be prompted to move to a resting position by at least one elastic return means, such as a spring.

[0331] In particular, the proximal and distal portions may be returned to a close configuration by one or more elastic return means, or to a separated configuration as a deformed form, preferably also configured to allow the user to apply a force opposite to the return action to move the proximal and distal portions in opposite directions, for example, when inserting hair between the proximal and distal portions, when removing hair, and / or during processing.

[0332] The guide member may comprise a single guide portion or multiple guide portions.

[0333] Support portion of the guide and / or coaming member The induction and / or combing member may include at least one support portion that holds the induction and / or combing member while the device is in use.

[0334] The support portion may include a mechanism that allows translational movement of the guiding and / or combing member along the longitudinal axis of the transducer, in particular a mechanism that includes one or more springs for returning the support portion to a resting position. This resting position corresponds, for example, to pressing the hair against the guiding and / or combing member and / or the discharge surface during processing.

[0335] The support portion may be movable relative to the transducer to create space opposite the discharge surface, for example, allowing hair to be inserted into the processing area.

[0336] The support portion may be capable of translational or rotational movement, or any motion combining at least one translation and one rotation.

[0337] For example, the support portion can pivot relative to the transducer about a rotation axis perpendicular to the transducer's vertical axis.

[0338] If the guiding and / or coaming member has a two-part support section, these two sections can pivot simultaneously to switch the guiding and / or coaming member on the transducer side.

[0339] Relief on the induction and / or coaming member The guide and / or coaming member may have at least one guide and / or coaming relief on its surface.

[0340] The guide and / or coaming relief may extend continuously or discontinuously across the guide and / or coaming member. The guide and / or coaming relief may not be present on some parts of the guide and / or coaming member.

[0341] The guiding and / or combing member may have on its surface at least one guiding and / or combing microrelief, in particular at least one tooth, and / or natural or synthetic bristle that can engage with hair.

[0342] The guiding and / or combing member may have at least one micro-relief, in particular etching and / or micro-projection, on its surface, especially on the surface of at least one tooth, obtained from sanding the guiding and / or combing member.

[0343] These induction and / or combing reliefs allow the hair to be guided and / or combed during processing, and / or held and / or pulled.

[0344] At least one guiding and / or combing relief, in particular at least one tooth and / or at least one bristle, may extend into a space located opposite the discharge surface.

[0345] The guide and / or coaming member may comprise at least one guide and / or coaming relief, in particular teeth and / or bristles extending outward from the space located opposite the discharge surface. The guide and / or coaming member may comprise at least one row of teeth and / or bristles extending outward from the space located opposite the discharge surface.

[0346] The guiding and / or combing member may have at least one row of teeth or bristles in which hair can be engaged.

[0347] The distance between the longitudinal axes of teeth or bristle within a row may be between 0.1 mm and 10 mm.

[0348] All teeth or bristles in the same row can be aligned. In a variation, the teeth or bristles in the same row may be arranged in a pentagonal pattern.

[0349] At least one tooth may have a conical shape with a circular or elliptical base. As a variation, at least one tooth may have a pyramidal or cylindrical shape with a square or rectangular base.

[0350] Each of at least one tooth or bristle, particularly at least one tooth or bristle in a row, may have a height of 0.1 mm to 50 mm, particularly 0.5 mm to 20 mm.

[0351] At least a portion of the guiding and / or combing member may be in the form of a brush, such as a brush having a twisted core with natural and / or synthetic bristle.

[0352] At least a portion of the guiding and / or combing member, for example, a portion of the guiding and / or combing member in the form of a brush, such as a brush with a twisted core, may rotate below the discharge surface about the longitudinal axis of the guiding and / or combing member as hair passes between the guiding and / or combing member and the discharge surface.

[0353] The guiding and / or coaming member may have a single type of guiding and / or coaming relief, or, as a variation, may have multiple different types of guiding and / or coaming reliefs.

[0354] Fluid flow within the guiding and / or coaming members At least a portion of the guiding and / or coaming member may be hollow to allow a fluid, in particular a cosmetic composition, to flow inside.

[0355] At least a portion of the guiding and / or coaming members may be allowed to pass through a duct, thereby enabling the supply of a fluid, particularly a cosmetic composition, to a processing space, for example.

[0356] The induction and / or coaming member may, in its hollow portion, receive anhydrous compositions such as carbonate compositions, particularly sodium or calcium, and acids, such as citric acid compositions, which can be solubilized as a fluid, particularly a cosmetic composition, flows through it, and release gas bubbles.

[0357] The guiding and / or coaming member may include at least one orifice that allows a fluid flowing inside, in particular a cosmetic composition, to flow out, the orifice opening, for example, to the processing space. The orifice opening, for example, in the direction of the discharge surface, and, for example, located opposite the discharge surface.

[0358] Such orifices allow fluids, particularly cosmetic compositions, to be released and brought into direct contact with the hair, thereby potentially contributing to the effectiveness of the treatment.

[0359] The guiding and / or coaming member may have one to 100,000 or more orifices that allow fluids flowing inside, particularly cosmetic compositions, to flow out. These orifices may be formed, for example, by machining, or by the inherent structure of the material used.

[0360] Therefore, the guide and / or coaming member may be made at least partially of a porous material having a very large number of pores that allow fluids flowing inside, in particular cosmetic compositions, to flow out.

[0361] The induction and / or combing member may include at least one orifice that allows for the recovery of the fluid, particularly the cosmetic composition, after processing, for example, by aspirating the fluid, particularly the cosmetic composition.

[0362] The guiding and / or combing member may be at least partially covered by a cloth or nonwoven sleeve, which may be at least partially made of polymer so as not to damage the hair fibers. The sleeve may be shaped to allow fluid, particularly cosmetic composition, to flow out of the orifice of the guiding and / or combing member, and thus to allow better diffusion of the fluid, particularly cosmetic composition.

[0363] The sleeve may have at least partial solubility, and especially full solubility, as fluid, particularly cosmetic composition, flows out through the orifice, and thus may contribute to hair treatment by the compounds released when the fluid dissolves. For example, the sleeve may be at least partially made of any other soluble polymer, which may be in the form of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers or cloth, foil, or possibly nonwoven fabric.

[0364] At least one guide and / or combing relief may be hollow to allow a fluid, particularly a cosmetic composition, to flow inside.

[0365] At least one guide and / or combing relief may comprise at least one orifice that allows a fluid flowing inside, in particular a cosmetic composition, to drain out.

[0366] nozzle The processing head may include a nozzle, which is preferably removable and comes into contact with the keratinous material being processed.

[0367] When the nozzle is removable, it is selected, for example, according to the application, by selecting the type, size, hardness, and / or shape that is most suitable for the shape of the area to be cleaned.

[0368] lattice Another subject of the present invention is a device for cleaning a cosmetic composition in which gas bubbles are present and / or generated, by contacting it with a human keratin substance, - At least one ultrasonic transducer designed to emit acoustic waves within the vicinity of the keratinous material being cleaned, - Preferably a lattice that is non-absorbent, and in particular a lattice that is at least partially made of a non-absorbent material, defining a contact surface with the keratin material to be cleaned, and having at least one opening, preferably at least two openings, through which waves emitted by a transducer can propagate in the direction of the material to be cleaned.

[0369] The lattice allows for more precise control of the distance between the transducer and the surface of the keratin material, thereby improving the action of bubbles near the surface of the keratin material, while also avoiding direct contact between the transducer and these keratin materials.

[0370] The grid is preferably non-absorbent, i.e., the grid is not porous.

[0371] The grid, in particular, has no capacity to absorb water when immersed in water; for example, the amount of water it holds is less than 10%, and even better, the weight of the water it holds is less than 5%.

[0372] The grid is made of solid material in particular, and therefore, solid material other than foam, cloth, or felt.

[0373] The contact surface of the device with the keratin material can be defined by the non-absorbent surface of the lattice.

[0374] The region of the grid that defines an opening inside can be defined by the non-absorbent portion of the grid.

[0375] The grid is preferably removable, i.e., it can be easily detached from the device by the user, preferably without the use of any tools. This makes it easy to clean the grid, replace it after each use, or, if desired, allow for the replacement of multiple grids depending on the application, for example, by selecting the type of grid best suited to the shape of the area to be cleaned.

[0376] The contact surface defined by the lattice may be substantially flat, for example, in order to maintain a substantially constant distance between the transducer and the keratin material being cleaned, which is located opposite the emission surface for emitting acoustic waves.

[0377] As a variation, the grid may define contact surfaces that conform to the shape of the area to be cleaned, for example, a curved shape.

[0378] The grid may further have an adjustable effective diameter, where applicable. The device may include variable aperture mechanical elements, such as diaphragms, positioned upstream or downstream of the grid to adjust the accessible diameter of one or more openings. For example, the device may include a diaphragm centered on the longitudinal axis of the transducer.

[0379] Some or all of the openings in the grid may be closed in a fully or partially controlled manner. This makes it possible to limit the surface area and intensity of treatment, if desired, in particular in the most sensitive areas, such as areas located near the eyes, depending on the area being treated. The device may include a shutter that can move between a position in which one or more openings in the grid are not closed and a closed position in which one or more openings are at least partially or possibly completely closed. This shutter may be controlled, for example, manually by the user as needed.

[0380] The grid preferably has a thickness of 0.1 to 10 mm, and more preferably 0.5 to 5 mm. This ensures that a minimum distance of at least this thickness is maintained between the transducer and the keratin material, regardless of the grid's position relative to the transducer.

[0381] The grid is preferably formed from a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as metal or rigid plastic. The grid is made from a material selected from, for example, metal, especially steel, stainless steel, alloys, silicone, polymer, especially polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polythiophene (PT), or some combination of these elements.

[0382] Under normal use, the grid does not deform to a degree that is not visible to the naked eye due to its rigidity. However, the grid may be deformable. For example, the diameter of the grid can be reduced by applying mechanical pressure to its outer shape.

[0383] The grid may, in particular, have recesses that extend along the thickness of the grid. The grid may also have, for example, deformable channels, the diameter of which may change in response to the applied pressure and, for example, extend in a non-longitudinal direction. In a deformed form, the channels may be rigid to allow fluid to flow uniformly when pressure is applied to the grid.

[0384] The lattice may also have reliefs, and may or may not be flocked.

[0385] The grid may be formed in relief or made of an inherently rough material, as it has non-smooth contact surfaces with the keratinous material. Such a surface condition allows for a mechanical polishing effect that can contribute to cleaning when the device is moved over areas that are cleaned during use.

[0386] The device may include a drive element for driving the grid, configured to generate oscillation, vibration, and / or rotational motion of the grid on a keratin material. For example, the device may include a motor for driving the grid to perform motion, such as alternating or non-alternating rotational motion, linear motion, eccentric motion, etc. The device may also include an oscillator for vibrating the grid, where applicable. The amplitude of the motion may be fixed or adjustable.

[0387] Therefore, the mechanical polishing effect can be automatically achieved due to the motion imposed on the grid by the device, and impurities can be cleaned more effectively.

[0388] Grids can be generated in various ways.

[0389] The grid may be equipped with a peripheral frame, which defines the outline of the grid in the front view. This frame is highly rigid, and in particular, more rigid than the central part of the grid that is perforated.

[0390] The outer shape of the grid in the front view may be circular, oval, polygonal, etc., and the grid preferably has a closed outer shape.

[0391] One or more openings in the grid may be substantially the same size. The grid may comprise multiple openings arranged, for example, as a regular array in rows or columns.

[0392] As a variation, one or more openings may be arranged concentrically.

[0393] The opening can have various shapes, and in particular, it can be part of one or more disks or rings.

[0394] The grid may have a single opening having a non-circular outline, for example, a slot, cross, regular polygon or irregular polygon or oval shape. Preferably, the grid has at least two openings, in particular two openings having substantially the same size.

[0395] When a single opening exists, this opening may or may not be centered.

[0396] A grid with a fine mesh improves the retention of the keratin surface being processed while the device is in use, thereby allowing for better control of the constant distance between the keratin material and the emission surface for emitting acoustic waves, and thus better control of the cavitation phenomenon.

[0397] The openings in the grid have an area of ​​at least 1 mm². 2 This is possible. In the front view, the smaller dimension of the lattice opening is, for example, at least 0.5 mm.

[0398] Preferably, the ratio of the total surface area of ​​the openings to the contact surface of the lattice with the keratin material is 0.3 or more, more preferably 0.5, and even more preferably 0.8.

[0399] Such a ratio allows keratinous material, particularly skin, to avoid contact with or deformation of the transducer, while maintaining sufficient openings so that ultrasound can reach the area being treated or its vicinity over a sufficiently wide area to produce the desired results.

[0400] Spacer with one or more legs Another subject of the present invention according to another aspect of the present invention is a device for cleaning a cosmetic composition (C) in which gas bubbles are present and / or generated, by contacting a human keratin substance (K), the device - At least one ultrasonic transducer having an emission surface for emitting acoustic waves into the vicinity of the keratinous material to be cleaned, - A spacer that contributes to maintaining keratin material at a predetermined distance from the emission surface, the spacer advantageously comprising at least one leg extending axially in front of the emission surface over a range of less than 360° about the axis of the transducer.

[0401] "Forward" should be understood to mean that the leg extends beyond the release surface in the direction of the keratinous material being processed.

[0402] The spacer may be in the form of a nozzle attached to the rest of the processing head by a fastening portion, or it may be integrated with the body of the processing head, for example.

[0403] One or more legs may be in direct contact with the keratinous material via their ends, which may have, for example, rounded heads or lugs to allow them to slide more easily over the skin. In a modified form, one or more legs may extend laterally to one or more legs, for example in the form of a ring or grid, and connect to a component that contacts the keratinous material.

[0404] Therefore, the device may include a spacer without the aforementioned grid, an independent grid without a spacer including one or more legs, or, in other cases, a spacer having at least one leg connected to the aforementioned grid.

[0405] Therefore, the grid may be advantageously held by spacers that have grid supports connected to at least one leg extending axially over less than 360° around the transducer axis, in front of the emission surface.

[0406] One or more legs are preferably linear overall and preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the transducer.

[0407] One or more legs may extend toward the keratinous material in a direction substantially perpendicular to the emission surface for emitting ultrasound.

[0408] In a modified form, one or more legs may extend away from the emission surface for emitting ultrasound, thereby improving the stability of the device's contact with the keratinous material.

[0409] The spacer may have a distal portion intended to come into contact with the keratinous material, to which one or more legs are connected.

[0410] This distal portion may extend at least partially opposite the emission surface for emitting ultrasound, or, in a modified form, may extend around it when the device is observed along the longitudinal axis of the transducer.

[0411] This distal portion may have, for example, an annular, bar-shaped, or sliding lug-shaped form, and may, for example, have at least one opening to form the aforementioned grid.

[0412] The spacer is preferably perforated laterally. For example, the spacer comprises multiple legs, the legs defining the perforations between them. For example, there may be four or fewer support legs. The angular spacing between the legs, with respect to the longitudinal axis between the transducers, may be greater than the angular range of each leg measured with respect to the longitudinal axis.

[0413] One or more legs may also have one or more perforations themselves.

[0414] Such perforations allow the composition to flow so that it comes into easier contact with the transducer when the device is in use, and in some cases, allow the user to more easily visually monitor the position of the transducer and the presence of the composition in contact with the keratinous material, and the perforations form a window that allows visual access to the space located in front of the transducer.

[0415] Perforation also, in some cases, facilitates the passage of gas or light sources, or facilitates temperature fluctuations caused in high-temperature or low-temperature generating components of the device.

[0416] The nozzle fastening portion, which allows one or more legs of the spacer to be fastened to the rest of the device, particularly the processing head, may have any shape, in particular annular, and may be equipped with fastening means for fastening by snap fitting, screw fastening, bayonet, friction, magnetic, clamping, in particular clamping using at least one fastening screw or hose clamp, or any other suitable means.

[0417] The position of the nozzle fastening portion relative to the rest of the device is preferably adjustable and can be adjusted to adjust the stationary distance between the transducer's discharge surface and the keratin material. The device may be particularly configured so that this position is adjustable by the user, for example, by acting on an adjustment member such as a control knob.

[0418] The spacer may have an adjustable height. For example, the nozzle may have multiple sub-components that can be stacked according to a desired spacing.

[0419] The spacer may also comprise an elastic return member, preferably at least one helical spring or leaf spring, which is designed to elastically bias the distal end of the spacer away from the emission surface for emitting acoustic waves, thereby allowing control of the pressure applied to the keratin material of the spacer, and thereby enabling more comfortable use of the device.

[0420] One or more legs are, for example, formed to be retractable, and an elastic return member works to extend one or more legs.

[0421] The leg may also be received in the guide so that its proximal end slides, and an elastic return member prevents the leg from being inserted into this guide.

[0422] Therefore, once fastened to the spacer, the grid may be movable relative to the rest of the device and can be returned to its initial position by an elastic return mechanism that works to bring the grid into contact with the keratin material being processed.

[0423] Where applicable, the return motion of the movable part of the grid or spacer after the device has been brought into contact with the keratin material being processed is restricted by the stopping part into contact with the grid or movable part. The return motion of the grid or this movable part may also be detected to automatically trigger the emission of acoustic waves when the device is brought into contact with the keratin material.

[0424] The support members for the grid, which hold the grid in place relative to the grid and the emission surface, may be made of different materials or not. Where applicable, the support members and the grid may be a single part, manufactured integrally by, for example, injection molding, machining, or 3D printing.

[0425] One or more legs and / or grids may also conduct electricity to deliver an electric current to the composition and / or the keratinous material being processed.

[0426] Flow of composition within spacers and / or grids The device according to the present invention may include at least one supply duct that opens near the keratin material to be processed and allows the composition to be dispersed and brought into contact with it, in particular at least one duct that extends along or within one or more legs, or more generally within and / or within the support of a grid.

[0427] When the spacer holds the grid in contact with the keratin material at its end, the supply duct may extend within the grid or within the support for the grid.

[0428] Such a device allows for the continuous application of a cosmetic composition, that is, a flow of the composition in contact with the keratinous substance being processed is established, and this flow occurs, for example, within a closed or open circuit.

[0429] Once the flow is established within the closed circuit, the device may include at least one return duct, in particular at least one duct, that is connected to a suction pump and allows for the recovery of the composition at least partially in the vicinity of the keratinous material being cleaned, in particular along one or more legs and optionally within a grid or within the supports of the grid.

[0430] A method for cleaning keratinous material using a grid and / or spacers. Another subject of the present invention is a method for cleaning a cosmetic composition in which gas bubbles are present and / or generated, by contacting it with a human keratin substance, the method being - A step of bringing the grid or spacer of the device into contact with the keratin material to be cleaned, - The process includes the step of applying gas bubbles to acoustic waves emitted in the vicinity of the keratinous material being cleaned by an ultrasonic transducer, in particular by bursting the bubbles, thereby generating a mechanical impact on the surface being cleaned and removing dirt from the surface.

[0431] Acoustic waves can propagate through at least one or two openings in the grating.

[0432] The grid or spacer may be moved intermittently during processing, for example, by remaining stationary for a certain duration and then gradually moving along the surface being processed. The grid or spacer may also be moved continuously across the surface being processed.

[0433] As described above, the grid or spacer can be driven to perform motion, in particular, oscillating motion combined with motion applied by the user.

[0434] The grid or spacer can be moved in contact with the keratin material being processed, thereby causing polishing of the keratin material.

[0435] Flexible lip The processing head may also have at least one flexible lip, which may act as a spacer to maintain the aforementioned gap between the emitting surface for emitting the transducer's acoustic waves and the surface being processed.

[0436] The flexible lip can help confine the fluid within the processing area when the processing head is applied to the keratinous material being processed.

[0437] The lip may consist of sub-lips in between which fluid can be collected.

[0438] The flexible lip is preferably formed from a material comprising silicone, polyurethane (PU), natural or synthetic rubber, plastic, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or otherwise polythiophene (PT), or some combination of these elements.

[0439] The flexible lip may be formed in relief or made of an inherently rough material, as it has a non-smooth contact surface with the keratinous material. Therefore, the flexible lip may contribute to cleaning the keratinous material through a mechanical polishing effect acquired when the device is moved over the area to be cleaned during use.

[0440] This flexible lip can also contribute to the delivery, diffusion, recovery, and / or recycling of fluids.

[0441] battery The device preferably comprises at least one battery, particularly a removable battery. The battery may serve to power the entire device or only a part of it, in particular the pump.

[0442] The battery may be of various types, for example, Li-ion or NiMH, preferably a type suitable for humid conditions, or a type that can be at least partially submerged in liquid.

[0443] The battery is preferably rechargeable, particularly by wire or induction, or when the device is placed on a support and / or docking station to recharge the battery.

[0444] The battery is preferably selected so that the device is reliably powered for multiple consecutive processes, or, in some cases, for multiple processes and cleaning of the device, without the need for recharging.

[0445] Other elements The device may comprise an electronic circuit that drives the operation of a transducer, and possibly other elements of the device, such as an electric pump.

[0446] The electronic circuit preferably comprises, for example, a control unit having a microcontroller, which may be held by the handpiece and / or distributed between the base station and the handpiece, or it may reside only on the base station.

[0447] The device may include multiple sensors other than those described above, such as sensors for detecting contact of the processing head on the keratin material being processed, or tank filling sensors, which can communicate data to a control unit.

[0448] The device may also include a human-machine interface for communicating with a control unit. The human-machine interface may include a display screen and / or control buttons.

[0449] The interface may provide various functions and / or programs for adjusting certain operating parameters of the device, or for displaying certain information to the user, such as battery level, usage time, liquid level in the tank, clogging levels of various washable elements (tanks, filters, etc.), user-specific information, or, in some cases, information regarding safety and / or device usage conditions.

[0450] The interface may communicate with a device, such as a mobile phone, via a wired or wireless link, for example, via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, to receive updates or send data linked to the use of the device.

[0451] The interface may also include functions for diagnosing the keratinous material being processed.

[0452] The device may include various switches, particularly an on switch and / or a standby switch, a program selection switch or a switch for selecting certain parameters specific to ultrasound, or, in other cases, a sensor for selecting the pump flow rate.

[0453] The device may also include one or more LED light sources that serve to illuminate the area being processed or, in other cases, act as indicators to notify the user, for example, that the tank needs to be replaced, refilled, or emptied, or that the filtration system needs to be cleaned.

[0454] As described above, the device may include a base station connected to the handpiece, the base station may be a station for refilling and / or storing the handpiece.

[0455] Bubble generator Preferably, as described above, bubbles are generated solely by acoustic waves in the cavitation phenomenon, obtained through the minimum level parameter Isata and other parameters described above.

[0456] Therefore, the device preferably does not include a bubble generator.

[0457] As a variation, the device may include a bubble generator for generating additional bubbles in the fluid.

[0458] The bubble generator may be positioned within the device to generate bubbles before emitting acoustic waves, simultaneously with emission, or cyclically generate bubbles in response to emission.

[0459] The bubble generator may use any technique suitable for generating bubbles, for example, using the mechanical, physical, chemical, or electrochemical means described above.

[0460] Therefore, the bubble generator may use techniques to reduce the pressure of the liquid, generate turbulence, or supply energy, as described above.

[0461] Methods for treating hair Another subject of the present invention is a method for treating human hair, particularly for washing and / or decolorizing it, by bringing it into contact with a fluid, particularly a cosmetic composition, which contains and / or generates gas bubbles, and this method is The process includes the step of applying gas bubbles to acoustic waves emitted in the vicinity of the hair being treated by the transducer, causing the bubbles to burst and generating a mechanical shock on the surface of the hair being treated, in particular to remove impurities and / or dyes from the surface.

[0462] The transducer may belong to the processing device according to the present invention as defined above, particularly comprising a guiding and / or combing member for guiding and / or combing hair.

[0463] Therefore, this method includes guiding and / or combing the hair before and / or after the hair passes through the processing space, and / or within the processing space itself.

[0464] This method includes sending the hair into a processing space or maintaining the hair within a processing space and / or maintaining the hair at a predetermined distance from an emission surface for emitting acoustic waves as the hair passes through the processing space, and in particular preventing the hair from moving away from the emission surface for emitting acoustic waves by a distance greater than a given distance.

[0465] This method may include vibrating and / or rotating and / or moving the induction and / or coaming members and / or transducers in a longitudinal and / or transverse manner.

[0466] The method according to the present invention may include the step of a user adjusting the distance between the guiding surface of a guiding and / or combing member and the discharge surface of a transducer to adapt the method to the desired treatment and / or treated hair.

[0467] This method may include the step of the user adjusting the internal cross-section, particularly the diameter, of the cavity defined by the guiding and / or combing member to adapt the method to the hair to be treated and the desired treatment.

[0468] This method may include the step of the user adjusting the distance between the proximal part of the guiding and / or combing member that is closer to the transducer and the distal part of the guiding and / or combing member that is further away. This adjustment may allow the method to be adapted to hair and / or a desired treatment.

[0469] The method according to the present invention comprises, for example, device heating and / or device diffuse light for activating certain compounds present in a fluid, particularly certain compounds present in a cosmetic composition.

[0470] A method for treating hair may include the step of applying a fluid, in particular a cosmetic composition, to a bundle of hair.

[0471] A fluid, particularly a cosmetic composition, may be supplied to the processing space by a guide and / or combing member, especially when the guide and / or combing member is hollow or when it is passed through a duct. This application may be continuous or discontinuous. The fluid, particularly the cosmetic composition, may be delivered to the hair through one or more orifices of the guide and / or combing member. In a variant, the fluid, particularly the cosmetic composition, may be delivered by another method, for example, by another application element of the device or applied to the hair by a method other than using the device.

[0472] In general, fluids, particularly cosmetic compositions, can already contribute to decolorization due to their formulation, and / or to the removal of impurities or dyes that are desirable to remove via the action of applying acoustic waves to bubbles. The action of applying acoustic waves to bubbles accelerates or improves this process. The association of combining the action of waves generated by bursting bubbles with the action of fluids, particularly cosmetic compositions, may have a greater effect by synergy than the effect of waves alone or the effect of fluids, particularly cosmetic compositions alone.

[0473] Bubbles are preferably generated by acoustic waves within a fluid, particularly a cosmetic composition, and the acoustic waves can then burst the bubbles. Therefore, this method may involve applying a bubble-free fluid formed under the action of acoustic waves. This makes it possible to avoid the use of a bubble generator and simplifies the implementation of the device.

[0474] In a modified form, or in addition, a fluid, particularly a cosmetic composition, is first applied, and then secondly, applied to a bundle of hair, regardless of whether bubbles already exist in the cosmetic composition, and then exposed to acoustic waves, resulting in shock waves after the bubbles burst. Bubbles can be formed, for example, using a bubble generator in the device, which operates by electrolysis.

[0475] For example, the user first applies the cosmetic composition, for example in the form of a foam, to the area to be processed, for example, on the area, particularly along the hair strands, by spraying the cosmetic composition, and then brings the processing device into contact with the composition to expose the cosmetic composition to acoustic waves.

[0476] A fluid, particularly a cosmetic composition, may be applied continuously, that is, a flow of the fluid, particularly the cosmetic composition, in contact with the hair being treated is established, and this flow occurs, for example, within a closed or open circuit.

[0477] When flow occurs in a closed circuit, the fluid, particularly the cosmetic composition, can be recycled at least partially. To mitigate losses, additional amounts of the fluid, particularly the cosmetic composition, can be introduced into the circuit continuously or intermittently.

[0478] In open circuits, fluids, particularly cosmetic compositions, are not recycled to carry out this method, but are instead drawn up into a collection container, for example, or drawn up directly with the wastewater.

[0479] The flow of fluids, particularly cosmetic compositions, occurs at flow rates of, for example, 0.01 mL to 50 mL per second.

[0480] This method involves dissolving a sleeve made of cloth or nonwoven fabric, particularly a polymer, which covers a portion of the guiding and / or coaming member. This dissolution may occur, for example, when fluid flows out through one or more orifices located on the guiding and / or coaming member.

[0481] The method according to the present invention may be applied to hair that has undergone a dyeing treatment, such as a treatment called permanent hair dyeing, a treatment called semi-permanent hair dyeing, tone-on-tone hair dyeing, strand hair dyeing, swept hair dyeing, henna hair dyeing, or in other cases, a treatment using a tint shampoo.

[0482] The method according to the present invention can be performed to decolorize hair without performing a new hair dye within 24 hours. Furthermore, within 24 hours after this method is performed, a new treatment can be performed to dye the hair that has been decolorized by the ultrasonic treatment according to the present invention.

[0483] The method according to the present invention is also performed, for example, to create a dye gradient and / or at least one pattern along a hair strand by varying the intensity and / or duration of the treatment depending on its position along the hair strand.

[0484] This method can be performed in such a way that it gives the hair a swept effect that the hair is bleached only on the outside (i.e., the side opposite the scalp).

[0485] When the method according to the present invention is used on hair to decolorize it in combination with a chemical decolorizing means, it may be possible to reduce the amount of active decolorizing agent and / or shorten the exposure time to these activators.

[0486] Therefore, the present invention may involve exposing hair to acoustic waves according to the present invention and to at least one active decolorizing agent, such as a persulfate, alkali, or oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide, potassium salt, sodium salt, ammonium perborate, or percarbonate.

[0487] The risk of irritation associated with the use of active decolorizing agents is reduced or, in some cases, eliminated.

[0488] This method may involve selectively treating a portion of the hair by generating the emission of acoustic waves only in a specific area of ​​the hair, for example, by operating the device intermittently.

[0489] The subject of the present invention is a method for treating at least one strand of hair that has undergone a permanent or semi-permanent hair dyeing treatment, which is either independently of or in combination with the above, wherein the strand of hair is in contact with a fluid such as a cosmetic composition containing at least one surfactant, and is exposed to acoustic waves generated by a transducer having a frequency and intensity selected to generate and burst bubbles via cavitation within the composition, wherein the bubbles present in the treatment area are mostly generated by or generated by the transducer.

[0490] "Permanent hair dye" or oxidative hair dye refers to dyes that cover the entire hair, while penetrating the core of the hair and, as the name suggests, are designed to last a long time.

[0491] "Semi-permanent hair dye" refers to a type of hair dye that does not use ammonia, coats the surface of the hair without reaching the core, and is gradually washed away during the shampooing process.

[0492] The decolorization method according to the present invention may include drying the hair using a hair dryer after exposure to acoustic waves.

[0493] Following this bleaching method, hair dyeing may be performed, for example, using the same color used to color the hair that was treated to bleach the hair as described above, or a different color, as a permanent or semi-permanent hair dye.

[0494] Throughout the following description, the present invention is implemented using a fluid that is an aqueous medium. However, the present invention can be implemented more generally using any fluid suitable for consumer use at home or in a beauty salon.

[0495] The present invention can be better understood by reading the following detailed description of its non-limiting exemplary implementations and by examining the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0496] [Figure 1] This figure schematically illustrates the use of an example of a processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a processing device for implementing the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure is similar to Figure 2, showing one modified implementation form of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure schematically and partially illustrates one modified embodiment of the device according to the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the modified form. [Figure 6a] This figure shows a detailed view of the example in Figure 4. [Figure 6b] This figure shows a detailed view of the example in Figure 4. [Figure 7]This figure schematically and partially illustrates one modified form of a fluid circuit according to the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the device of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure schematically and partially illustrates another modified form of the fluid circuit according to the present invention. [Figure 10] This figure schematically and partially illustrates one modified embodiment. [Figure 11a] This figure schematically and partially illustrates a modified form of the transducer according to the present invention. [Figure 11b] This figure schematically and partially illustrates a modified form of the transducer according to the present invention. [Figure 11c] This figure schematically and partially illustrates a modified form of the transducer according to the present invention. [Figure 11d] This figure schematically and partially illustrates a modified form of the transducer according to the present invention. [Figure 11e] This figure schematically and partially illustrates a modified form of the transducer according to the present invention. [Figure 12a] This figure schematically and partially illustrates an example of a transducer with relief. [Figure 12b] This figure schematically and partially illustrates an example of a transducer with relief. [Figure 13a] This figure provides a schematic and partial example of such reliefs. [Figure 13b] This figure provides a schematic and partial example of such reliefs. [Figure 13c] This figure provides a schematic and partial example of such reliefs. [Figure 14] This figure schematically and partially shows an example of an oscillator according to the present invention. [Figure 15] This figure partially and schematically illustrates another example of a processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 16] This figure partially and schematically illustrates the possibility of adjusting the stationary distance between the transducer and the grid of the device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 17a] This figure partially and schematically shows an embodiment of grid deformation in an example of a device according to the present invention. [Figure 17b] This figure partially and schematically shows an embodiment of grid deformation in an example of a device according to the present invention. [Figure 17c] This figure partially and schematically shows an embodiment of grid deformation in an example of a device according to the present invention. [Figure 17d] This figure partially and schematically shows an embodiment of grid deformation in an example of a device according to the present invention. [Figure 17e] This figure partially and schematically shows an embodiment of grid deformation in an example of a device according to the present invention. [Figure 17f] This figure partially and schematically shows an embodiment of grid deformation in an example of a device according to the present invention. [Figure 18a] This diagram schematically and partially illustrates the modified form of spacer implementation. [Figure 18b] This diagram schematically and partially illustrates the modified form of spacer implementation. [Figure 18c] This diagram schematically and partially illustrates the modified form of spacer implementation. [Figure 18d] This diagram schematically and partially illustrates the modified form of spacer implementation. [Figure 18e] This diagram schematically and partially illustrates the modified form of spacer implementation. [Figure 19a] This figure schematically and partially illustrates another modified embodiment of the device according to the present invention. [Figure 19b] This figure schematically and partially illustrates another modified embodiment of the device according to the present invention. [Figure 20] This figure schematically and partially illustrates another modified embodiment of the device according to the present invention. [Figure 21] This figure partially and schematically shows an example of a modulated electrical signal that excites one or more ultrasonic transducers. [Figure 22]This is a partial schematic diagram of an example of an electrical circuit equipped with a transducer. [Figure 23] This figure partially and schematically shows an example of a processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 24] This figure is similar to Figure 1, showing a modified form of the processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 25] This figure is similar to Figure 1, showing a modified form of the processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 26] This figure is similar to Figure 1, showing a modified form of the processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 27] This figure is similar to Figure 1, showing a modified form of the processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 28] This figure is similar to Figure 1, showing a modified form of the processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 29] This figure is similar to Figure 1, showing a modified form of the processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 30] This figure is similar to Figure 1, showing a modified form of the processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 31] This figure is similar to Figure 1, showing a modified form of the processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 32] This figure is similar to Figure 1, showing a modified form of the processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 33] This figure is similar to Figure 1, showing a modified form of the processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 34] This figure is similar to Figure 1, showing a modified form of the processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 35] This figure shows the color intensity within hair fibers for three hair samples. [Figure 36] This figure shows the fluorescence staining levels of the hair for the same three hair samples, similar to Figure 14. [Figure 37] This figure shows untreated hair bundles A and B with dyed hair, and treated hair bundles C and D with dyed hair. [Figure 38] This figure shows the color intensity within the hair for five hair samples. [Figure 39]This figure shows the results of a statistical analysis of color intensity for the same five hair samples as in Figure 16. [Figure 40a] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 40b] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 40c] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect according to the method of the present invention. [Figure 40d] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect according to the method of the present invention. [Figure 40e] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 41a] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 41b] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 41c] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 41d] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 41e] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 42a] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 42b] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 42c]This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 42d] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 42e] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 43a] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 43b] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 43c] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 43d] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 43e] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 44a] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 44b] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 44c] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 44d] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 44e] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 45a]This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 45b] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 45c] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 45d] This figure shows a calculated response surface illustrating an example of parameters that provide a sufficient cleaning effect using the method of the present invention. [Figure 45e] This figure shows an empty response surface illustrating an example of a parameter combination that does not produce the desired cleaning effect. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0497] The method according to the present invention includes generating bubbles in a cosmetic composition and bursting the bubbles by exposing them to acoustic waves.

[0498] Figure 1 shows a first exemplary implementation of the present invention, in which a cosmetic composition C is present on the surface of a keratin material K to be treated, and a processing device 1 is brought into contact with the composition C to emit acoustic waves within the composition C.

[0499] Composition C may not contain bubbles before the acoustic waves are emitted. In a modified form, composition C may already contain bubbles, for example, in the form of foam, and these bubbles may also be formed by the acoustic waves.

[0500] Keratin substance K is formed, for example, by the skin of the face or hair.

[0501] For example, to remove makeup residue more quickly and effectively, it is desirable to cleanse the skin.

[0502] The processing device 1 includes a handpiece that holds the sonotrode 4 in contact with the composition, and acoustic waves are emitted from the sonotrode 4.

[0503] The handpiece can be manipulated to create a small space with the keratin material K, thereby avoiding contact between the sonotrode 4 and the keratin material.

[0504] In a modified form, the handpiece is designed to maintain such a distance by one or more elements 49 intended to come into contact with the keratinous material, with the sonotrode 4 located behind the elements 49.

[0505] Under the effect of acoustic waves, bubbles are generated within composition C, which are then burst, thereby generating shock waves. These shock waves have been proven effective for cleansing the skin.

[0506] In the example shown in Figure 1, composition C is applied, for example, from a pressurized container to generate foam, and then a handpiece holding the sonotrode 4 is brought into contact with the foam.

[0507] The composition can also be applied by device 1, which generates acoustic waves, as shown in Figure 2.

[0508] In this figure, device 1 includes a processing head 10 designed to disperse composition C across a region to be processed, for example, through at least one opening 31.

[0509] Device 1 may comprise, as shown in the figure, a chamber 32 through which composition C flows, and at least one ultrasonic transducer 4 for emitting acoustic waves into the chamber 32. The transducer 4 is powered by a generator 15, which may or may not form part of the handpiece and may be located, for example, in a base station to which the handpiece is connected by a cable.

[0510] Composition C may be supplied to the chamber 32 by duct 16, for example, from composition tank 22.

[0511] In the example in Figure 2, the handpiece moves along the area being processed, and the composition delivered through the opening 31 is not recycled.

[0512] In the modified form shown in Figure 3, the composition is recycled.

[0513] In this example of Figure 3, the device 1 used to carry out the method according to the present invention comprises at least one ultrasonic transducer 4 that emits acoustic waves into a chamber 32, similar to the example of Figure 2.

[0514] However, the composition C dispersed on the area K being processed through the opening 31 is recovered via at least one duct 27 for recycling purposes.

[0515] In the example under consideration, the duct 27 is open around the opening 31 to collect the composition that is in contact with the area being processed.

[0516] Device 1 may, where applicable, contain the composition and may be equipped with a sealing element 19 around the duct 27, such as a flexible lip, to facilitate the return of the composition through the duct 27. The lip may consist of a sub-lip in which fluid can be recovered.

[0517] The duct 27 communicates with a suction pump 20, such as an electric pump, which can send the returned composition to a filter 21, as shown in the figure. The filter may be designed to stop airborne particles in the composition, such as skin debris that is removed during washing.

[0518] The composition is returned to the chamber at the outlet of filter 21.

[0519] The composition may be delivered, for example, from a tank 22, schematically shown, which is held by a handpiece.

[0520] The tank 22 allows the composition to fill the circuit through which it flows during the device's operation, and makes it possible to compensate for any loss of the composition if any portion of it is not recycled.

[0521] The corresponding detailed drawings in Figures 4 and 5 and 6a and 6b illustrate another example of a device according to the present invention, which comprises an ultrasonic transducer 4, two tanks 22a and 22b, a pump 20, and a fluid circuit, the fluid circuit comprising ducts 23, 25, and 27 that allow composition C to flow between tanks 22a and 22b and the keratinous substance K to be processed.

[0522] In the example under consideration, device 1 is in the form of a handpiece comprising a handle 9 and a processing head 10, the processing head 10 comprising a spacer 7 that comes into contact with the keratin material K to be processed.

[0523] The device does not have any bubble generators other than transducer 4, and bubbles are generated by cavitation caused by acoustic waves.

[0524] The transducer 4 is positioned relative to the spacer 7 so as to form a space E between the emission surface for emitting acoustic waves and the surface of the keratin material K to be treated.

[0525] Cavitation of bubbles occurs in this space E, as shown in Figure 6a.

[0526] Device 1 may include a grid 6 that comes into contact with the keratin material to be processed, the grid 6 being fastened, for example, to spacers 7 and having regular openings arranged in rows and columns, for example, as shown in Figure 6b.

[0527] Device 1 further comprises an electronic circuit 12 connected by a connector 120 to an electronic generator 40 that supplies power to a transducer, as shown in Figure 4. This generator comprises, for example, an oscillator and a power stage.

[0528] The electronic circuit 12 may include a control unit capable of communicating with a human-machine interface 41, the human-machine interface 41 comprising a screen, particularly an LED screen, and / or control buttons, or optionally, a device such as a mobile phone, which can communicate via a wireless link.

[0529] The human-machine interface 41 allows adjustment of certain operating parameters of the device, such as the intensity at which acoustic waves are emitted.

[0530] The electronic circuit 12 drives the operation of the pump 20, the operation of the battery 15 that supplies power to the device (particularly its load), and can receive data from one or more sensors (not shown), such as a sensor for detecting contact of the device on the skin.

[0531] In the latter case, the electronic circuit 12 may start the pump 20 and emit acoustic waves only when the area being processed is in contact with the grid 6, in particular, so that the composition can be recycled.

[0532] The electronic circuit may also communicate with the photodetector 650, as highly schematicly shown in Figure 5, to detect the presence of compounds to be removed from the skin surface and, in some cases, to determine the amount present.

[0533] As described above, a system for the flow of a composition, comprising a fluid circuit, one or more tanks, and a pump, can be arranged in various ways.

[0534] In the example shown in Figures 4 and 5, device 1 comprises two separate tanks 22a and 22b. Tank 22a is, for example, a tank for the composition to be dispersed and is connected to a pump 20, which can deliver the composition C to a processing area via a duct 25 opening through an outlet 250, as shown in the figure.

[0535] Tank 22b collects the composition in contact with the area being processed via a duct 27 that opens above the outlet 270, as shown in Figure 6a.

[0536] Device 1 may, where applicable, contain the composition and may be provided with a sealing element 19, such as a flexible lip, around the periphery of the end of the processing head to facilitate the return of the composition through the duct 27.

[0537] Tanks 22a and 22b may be at least partially transparent, so that the user can visually monitor the tank's fill level and / or clog level through a transparent window provided in the handle, where applicable. Each of the tanks and / or the assembly formed by one or more tanks and fluid circuits may preferably be removable so that they can be easily cleaned or replaced by the user.

[0538] The filter may also be placed in the duct connecting tanks 22a and 22b.

[0539] The filter may also be held by tank 22b so as to allow it to be automatically replaced when the composition is discharged and the tank is replaced.

[0540] In the modified configuration shown in Figure 7, tanks 22a and 22b are directly connected to the processing area via ducts 25 and 27, respectively.

[0541] In this example, the pump 20 is connected to tanks 22a and 22b without the composition flowing through it in any other way, and the pump is able to generate positive air pressure in tank 22a for the composition to be dispersed and negative pressure in tank 22b for the recovered composition in order to maintain flow in ducts 25 and 27 between the processing area and the tanks.

[0542] The pump 20 may also contribute to generating bubbles in the tank 22a before dispersing the composition across the processing area.

[0543] In one variant, the device may include a single tank 22, which may or may not include an internal filter, and the internal filter may be removable.

[0544] For example, the composition is recovered using a suction system 28, such as a suction pump, which can be located at various positions in the fluid circuit, for example, directly within a processing head 7 where the composition is recovered and maintained by a flexible lip 19, as schematically shown in Figure 8.

[0545] Device 1 may include a processing and purification unit 29 for the composition, as shown in Figure 8, thereby enabling recycling of the composition for the purpose of returning it to a keratinous substance to be processed. In this case, the composition flows through a closed circuit, at least partially.

[0546] The processing and purification unit 29 is, for example, a filtration system schematically shown in Figure 8, comprising one or more filters designed to stop particles floating in the composition, such as skin debris removed during washing.

[0547] The filtration system may be positioned between the suction system 28 and the tank 22, as shown in Figure 8.

[0548] In the modified configuration shown in Figure 9, the tank 22 comprises two compartments 220 and 225 separated by a piston 230. Compartment 220 contains, for example, a composition C to be dispersed and is directly connected to the processing head by a duct 25 that opens over the processing area.

[0549] The composition is recovered by a duct 27 connecting the processing area to the pump 20, and the pump 20 returns the used composition to the second compartment 225 of the tank 22.

[0550] The filter 21 may be placed in the duct 27 between the processing area and the pump 20, as shown in the figure.

[0551] The flow is established by the movement of the pump 20 and the piston 230 in the tank 22. In this example, the compartments 220 and 225 of the tank 22 are not in communication.

[0552] The tank 22 is preferably partially or completely transparent so that the user can assess the position of the piston and the remaining levels of the dispersed composition and the used liquid, respectively.

[0553] The device may further include one or more control buttons 39, for example, an on button or a standby button, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0554] The device is charged, for example, using a USB port (not shown) directly positioned on the main body of the device, or otherwise by being placed on a base station provided for this purpose, inductively or using any suitable connector.

[0555] The battery 15 can also be removed and charged separately. The device may also include an outlet 31 for delivering composition C and a transducer 4 positioned offset from the outlet 31, as shown in Figure 10. In this case, the composition disposed on the area K to be processed passes under the transducer 4 after the device has been moved relative to the area to be processed, where it is exposed to acoustic waves.

[0556] The device may be equipped with an additional bubble generator 17.

[0557] The spacing element 49 may be a flexible lip that separates the transducer 4 from the area being processed, thus avoiding, for example, direct contact with the skin.

[0558] The transducer 4 or its sonotrode is preferably removable. Therefore, the transducer 4 and sonotrode can be easily removed from the device for cleaning.

[0559] By swapping out various transducers and sonotrodes, it is also possible to provide sonotrodes of different sizes and / or transducers that generate waves of various frequencies and acoustic intensities, in particular, depending on the desired application of the device.

[0560] For this purpose, the transducer or sonotrode may be equipped with various fastening means for fastening to the handpiece.

[0561] The fastening means is, for example, a screw-fastened fastening means as shown in Figures 11a and 11b.

[0562] The transducer 4 may have a threaded rod 102 at one end, as shown in Figure 11a, which can be screwed to a nut 103 that fastens to the device, particularly the processing head.

[0563] In contrast, as shown in Figure 11b, the transducer 4 may be provided with a nut 103 on its upper surface, and the threaded rod 102 may be fastened to the processing head 7.

[0564] The removable transducer may be fastened by snap-fitting, as shown in Figure 11c, or by clamping, in particular by host clamp 106, as shown in Figure 11d, or by seal 107 made of polymer or rubber, for example, as shown in Figure 11e.

[0565] The emission surface for emitting acoustic waves may have a relief 420 at which bubbles can rise at various levels along the longitudinal axis X of the transducer during cavitation.

[0566] These reliefs 420 may be integral with the sonotrode, as shown in Figure 12a, or they may be formed on an additional part 95 added to the sonotrode, as shown in Figure 12b, which is fastened to the sonotrode, for example, by screws.

[0567] All or part of the relief 420 may have a random distribution across the emission surface and / or a random size, as shown in Figure 13a.

[0568] As a variation, the reliefs may have a predetermined shape, for example, a pyramidal shape as shown in Figure 13b, or they may be arranged in a regular pattern, for example, as a regular array as shown in Figure 13c.

[0569] The relief 420 preferably has a height h of 0.001 mm to 50 mm, more preferably 0.01 mm to 30 mm, and even better, 0.1 mm to 1 mm, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the sonotrode.

[0570] The device may also include an oscillator 750 for applying additional vibrations with frequencies lower than the acoustic wave frequencies to at least a portion of the emission surface.

[0571] The oscillator 750 includes a motor 751 that drives the imbalance 752 to rotate, for example, as shown in Figure 14.

[0572] Figure 15 shows another example of device 1 according to the present invention. Device 1 comprises a body 2 that houses a transducer 4, a spacer 7 in the form of a nozzle that is added to the processing head, and a grid 6 positioned in front of the transducer 4.

[0573] The transducer 4 comprises an electroactive element coupled to a sonotrode, which is typically made of metal and defines an emission surface S through which acoustic waves are emitted to the keratin material being treated.

[0574] The main body 2 of the processing device 1 may be in the form of a handpiece operated by the user to bring the grid 6 into contact with the area to be processed.

[0575] As shown in Figure 16, composition C containing bubbles B is present on the surface of the keratin material K being cleaned while device 1 is in use.

[0576] Composition C is, for example, in the form of a foam or another composition, and is applied to the keratin material before the device comes into contact with the keratin material. Composition C may also be delivered by device 1 or is at least partially present before device 1 comes into contact with the keratin material and is partially supplied by the device.

[0577] Keratin substance K is formed, for example, by the skin of the face or hair.

[0578] Transducer 4 comes into contact with composition C.

[0579] Under the effect of acoustic waves, bubbles burst on their own, thereby generating shock waves, which have been proven effective in washing away keratinous substance K. Acoustic waves can contribute to bubble formation when applicable.

[0580] Grid 6 can be fabricated in various ways.

[0581] The grid 6 comprises at least one opening 300, and the grid 6 may have exactly one opening as shown in Figure 17f, or exactly two openings as shown in Figure 17a, or more openings.

[0582] The openings may be mostly of similar size, or all of them may be of similar size, as shown in Figures 17b, 17d, or 17e. The openings may have various shapes, for example, square, round, or in other cases, they may be part of a disk or ring, as shown in Figure 17c.

[0583] Preferably, the lattice 6 has a ratio of the total surface area of ​​the openings to the contact surface with the keratin material of 0.5 or more, thereby providing the benefit of relatively wide openings so that shock waves generated by the bursting of bubbles can reach the keratin material K over a suitable surface area.

[0584] The grid 6 may have a circular outline as shown in Figures 17a to 17f, or it may have an outline of another shape, such as a polygonal outline.

[0585] The outer surface of the grid 6 may be flat, or for example, oriented perpendicular to the vertical axis X.

[0586] The grid 6 may be a single part formed, for example, by machining or injection molding.

[0587] The thickness of the grid 6 may be selected to obtain the desired rigidity.

[0588] The grid may be made of metal, and the surfaces of the grid that come into contact with the keratinous material may be smooth or rough. The grid may be made of, for example, aluminum or an aluminum alloy or stainless steel. The grid may also be formed from a high-rigidity plastic or made of ceramic. The grid may also be made of a composite material, for example, a frame embedded in a plastic matrix.

[0589] The grid may be made of a deformable and / or compressible material. Therefore, the grid may be compressed to a thickness such that, during use, a minimum distance is ensured between the emission surface and the surface of the keratin material being treated.

[0590] A smooth surface can facilitate movement, particularly on the skin, while a rough surface can exert a mechanical effect that contributes to skin cleansing.

[0591] Each opening in the grid may be separated by a sharp edge on the surface to which the keratin material is applied. Such sharp edges can promote cleaning by rubbing against the keratin material as the grid moves in contact with it.

[0592] As shown in Figure 15, each device according to the present invention may include a spacer 7 having a plurality of support legs 115 that extend axially over a range of less than 360° around the axis X of the transducer, in front of the emission surface S.

[0593] The grid 6 is held by spacers 7, as in the example under consideration, in which case the spacers may have a retaining portion 110 for the grid 6, and one or more support legs 115 act as a high-rigidity link between the fastening portion 100 and the retaining portion 110 for fastening the spacers to the device.

[0594] The device may not have a grid, but may only include a spacer 7 that defines the contact surface with the keratin material to be processed.

[0595] In a modified configuration, the spacer 7 may be directly held by the transducer 4, and, where applicable, a damper may be used between the two spacers to limit the transmission of vibrations from the transducer to the spacer.

[0596] The spacer 7 allows the transducer 4 to be maintained at a distance d from the keratin material in order to avoid direct contact between the emission surface S and the keratin material. When the device comprises a grid 6 held by the spacer 7, the distance d is equal to at least the thickness of the grid 6.

[0597] The spacer 7 is preferably perforated laterally, and these perforations are defined by the space between the support legs 115, for example, as shown in Figure 15, thereby allowing the position of the transducer 4 to be observed and facilitating the flow of the composition between the transducer 4 and the keratin material.

[0598] In the example shown in Figure 15, the spacer 7 comprises three support legs 115 arranged at 120° intervals from each other with respect to the vertical axis X of the device. These support legs 115 form a link between the fastening portion 100 and the holding portion 110 for the grid, and both the fastening portion 100 and the holding portion 110 are annular in shape.

[0599] Other spacer shapes are possible.

[0600] For example, the spacer 7 may have a single support leg 115 that extends substantially perpendicularly to the emission surface S of the transducer 4 and is in direct contact with the keratin material through its free end, as shown in Figure 18a.

[0601] The spacer 7 may also comprise three or four linear support legs 115 arranged at 120° or 90° angles to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the device. These legs may be parallel to the longitudinal axis X, as shown in Figure 18b, or they may be angled outward to improve the stability of the device's contact with the keratin material, as shown in Figure 18c.

[0602] One or more support legs 115 extend laterally with respect to the legs and connect to distal portions 116 that face or extend around an emission surface S for emitting ultrasound (in a front view).

[0603] The distal portion 116 may, for example, have an annular shape as shown in Figure 18d, or in other cases, have a bar shape as shown in Figure 18e.

[0604] One or more legs and / or distal portions may be made of a rigid material, such as metal, or a rigid plastic, or a semi-rigid or flexible material.

[0605] The spacer may be integrated with the device body or may be in the form of a removable nozzle.

[0606] When the spacer 7 is in the form of a nozzle, it can be fastened to the device body 2 by various means, for example, by screw fastening using screws 15, as shown in Figure 15.

[0607] The axial position of the spacer may be adjustable along the vertical axis X of the device with respect to the vertical axis X of the transducer. For example, the spacer may be partially engaged with the body of device 2, in which case the spacer may be fastened to the selected position using screws 15, as shown in Figure 1.

[0608] This adjustable position allows for precise adjustment of the resting distance d between the transducer 4 and the keratin material, as desired.

[0609] The nozzle 7 may be extendable or retractable at the support legs 115. Each of the legs 115 may be height-adjustable, for example, to adapt the position of the grid to the form of the keratinous material being cleaned. This may, for example, allow the plane of the grid to be tilted obliquely with respect to the axis X.

[0610] The one or more support legs 115 of the spacer 7 may also be equipped with elastic return means 8, for example, one or more springs as highly schematicly shown in Figure 19a, or an extendable link as shown in Figure 19b.

[0611] Such elastic means 8 changes the distance d between the transducer 4 and the keratin material K based on the pressure applied to the keratin material K being cleaned, and / or maintains a constant applied pressure when the device is moved, allowing, for example, the keratin material to conform to any relief.

[0612] As shown in Figure 20, the device 1 may also include one or more supply ducts 25 that pass from the composition tank 22 through the spacer 7, particularly extending along one or more support legs 115 and opening through at least one outlet 250 located near the area to be processed during use.

[0613] One or more supply ducts 25 may extend within the grid and / or support sections 110 for the grid 6 when the grid 6 is held in place by the spacers 7. Device 1 includes, for example, a plurality of outlets 250 located on the grid 6 or on support sections 110 for the grid 6 (not shown).

[0614] Figure 23 shows a processing device 1 according to the present invention, which comprises a transducer 4 having an emission surface S for emitting acoustic waves into a cosmetic composition C, and a guiding member 70 for guiding a bundle of hair K, enabling the hair K to be guided as it passes through the processing area.

[0615] The processing device 1 may operate autonomously or may be in the form of a handpiece (not shown) connected to a base station.

[0616] Transducer 4 can be attached to the device in a removable or non-removable manner.

[0617] The guide member 70 may be made of one or more parts, and these parts can be disassembled and / or assembled and / or replaced and / or modified by the user.

[0618] The transducer 4 is powered by a generator (not shown), which may form part of device 1, for example, by being incorporated into the handpiece or connected to the handpiece by a flexible cable.

[0619] The guide member 70 may be detachably or non-detachably mounted on the rest of the device 1 and may be movable or immovable relative to the rest of the device 1 between, for example, a use configuration in which the member 70 guides the hair K and a disengaged configuration in which the member 70 is separated from the transducer 4, allowing the insertion of a bundle of hair K. The guide member 70 may also be fixedly mounted on the device 1 and form a passage for inserting a bundle of hair K to be processed.

[0620] The guide member 70 defines space using the discharge surface S through which the hair K passes during processing, and may be arranged to extend at least partially opposite the discharge surface as shown in the figure, for example having a guide portion 71 that defines a guide surface 72 substantially parallel to the discharge surface S.

[0621] The guiding surface 72 may be flat, or it may have another shape adapted to move on the hair bundle, such as a circular shape.

[0622] The guide surface 72 has a width L greater than or equal to the width of the discharge surface, and may have a width L of, for example, 1 mm to 180 mm, while the discharge surface has a width of, for example, 1 to 150 mm.

[0623] The guiding member 70 may, for example, include a support portion 73 that extends along the transducer 4 and is connected by any suitable means to the body of the device 1 at the end opposite the guiding portion 71.

[0624] The guide member 70 may, advantageously, serve to supply the cosmetic composition C to the processing area. For this purpose, the guide member 70 may pass through at least one duct 74 opening through one or more orifices 75 of the guide portion 71 facing the discharge surface S.

[0625] The duct 74 is connected to a fluid circuit that ensures flow, for example, by obtaining a flow of composition from a tank.

[0626] The distance D between the emission surface S and the induction surface 72 is, for example, 0.1 mm to 30 mm.

[0627] This distance D may be fixed or adjustable, for example, by a specific mounting of the induction member 70 on the device 1, allowing the user to move the induction member 70 relative to the transducer 4 as needed.

[0628] The orifices 75 are, for example, regularly spaced along the guide portion 71 as shown in the figure, but in a modified form, they may be spaced differently.

[0629] The orifice 75 is, for example, circular, but may be manufactured in a different shape, such as the shape of one or more slots.

[0630] To use device 1 in Figure 23, the user can engage a bundle of hair K between the induction portion 71 and the transducer 4, and then move device 1 along the bundle of hair K, for example, starting from the hair root and going to the tip.

[0631] During this motion, composition C is delivered to the processing area by device 1, particularly via the dispersion orifice 75.

[0632] The composition C present within the processing area comes into contact with the hair K and is subjected to the action of acoustic waves emitted by the transducer 4.

[0633] Bubbles are generated by cavitation in the processing area, and then burst, generating contributing shock waves produced by the washing and / or decolorization of hair K.

[0634] The composition delivered to the processing area can be discharged from the device or recycled.

[0635] The guide member 70 may also be formed to comb the hair K upstream or downstream of the processing area, or optionally within the processing area. This may, for example, allow for hair bundles of a more uniform thickness facing the discharge surface S, and the hair bundles engaged with the device may be divided into smaller, more easily accessible hair bundles by teeth and / or bristle and / or etching and / or microrelief.

[0636] Figure 24 shows a modified form of the guide member 70 that makes such combing possible, and in this respect, the presence of at least one row of teeth 80, as schematically shown, indicates a different form of the guide member 70 from the guide member 70 in Figure 23.

[0637] These teeth 80 extend, for example, as shown in the figure, and the longitudinal axis Y of these teeth is parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the transducer 4.

[0638] The teeth 80 may extend opposite the discharge surface S as shown in the figure, or, in a modified form, may be offset relative to this surface to comb the hair K upstream or downstream of this surface.

[0639] The guide member 70 may include both teeth 80 and an orifice 75 for dispersing composition C, as shown in the figure.

[0640] These orifices 75 open, for example, between teeth 80.

[0641] The guide member 70 may have a coaming and / or guide relief at a position other than the position facing the discharge surface S, for example, on the opposite side as shown. Thus, Figure 24 shows an additional row of teeth 81 on the opposite side of the teeth 80.

[0642] The heights of the teeth 80 and 81 of the coaming member 70 in Figure 24 are, for example, about 0.5 mm to 20 mm.

[0643] Naturally, the present invention is not limited to a specific tooth shape.

[0644] In the example shown in Figure 25, the tooth 80 is hollow and communicates with the duct 74, thereby dispersing composition C through an orifice formed in the tooth, which is not visible in this figure.

[0645] As shown in the figure, the guide member 70 may hold a dispersion orifice 75 on the guide portion 71 that holds the teeth 80 and 81. In a modified form, composition C is dispersed only through the orifice provided on the teeth 80.

[0646] Figure 25 also shows the possibility of a guide member 70 having one or more lateral guide surfaces 76. Between the lateral guide surfaces 76, the hair bundle is held as the hair passes through the processing area.

[0647] For example, the device comprises one lateral guide surface 76 defined by a support portion 73 and another lateral guide surface 76 defined by an inwardly curved portion 77.

[0648] Where applicable, the curved portion 77 is hollow and communicates with the duct 74, thereby dispersing composition C through at least one (invisible) orifice opening in the direction of the processing area.

[0649] The discharge surface S of the transducer 4 also has teeth 46 and / or bristle 47 and / or etching and / or microrelief and / or spikes, particularly those made of metal, which can comb the hair K upstream or downstream of the processing area, or optionally within the processing area. The discharge surface S of the transducer 4 may have the same type of relief as the guide member 70, or, in a modified form, a different type of relief.

[0650] Figure 26 schematically shows a deformation device 1 in which the discharge surface S has teeth 46 or other reliefs that contribute to combing and guiding the hair bundles K.

[0651] These teeth 46 or other reliefs extend, for example, as shown in the figure, and the longitudinal axis Z of these teeth is parallel to the longitudinal axis X of transducer 4.

[0652] Teeth 46 or other reliefs may be positioned to fit between the teeth 80 of the guide member 70, as shown in the figure.

[0653] Figure 27 schematically shows a deformable device 1 that differs from device 1 shown in Figure 26, which also enables combing, and in which a bristle 47 is present on the discharge surface S and a bristle 82 is present on the guide member 70. The bristles 47 and 82 are, in some cases, natural and / or synthetic bristles.

[0654] The emitter surface S of the transducer may be defined by removable and replaceable parts to provide various solutions for guiding and / or combing the hair K, depending on the induction member 70 used.

[0655] The induction member 70 and the transducer 4 may be mounted on the device 1 so as to be movable relative to each other and / or relative to the device 1, for example, to move in the longitudinal and transverse directions, vibrate, and / or rotate.

[0656] In particular, the guiding portion 71 of the guiding member 70 may be rotatable about the vertical axis W of the guiding portion 71, as shown in Figure 27, and may be driven by a motor or rotate freely. The guiding portion 71 may rotate opposite the discharge surface S while a bundle of hair K passes between the guiding member 70 and the transducer 4, thereby enabling, for example, guidance and / or combing of the hair bundle as it passes.

[0657] The transducer 4 in Figure 28 can rotate about its longitudinal axis X. The guide member 70 and transducer 4 in Figure 28 can also be moved longitudinally along axis X so that the guide surface 72 and the discharge surface S move toward or away from each other, for example, to adapt the processing to the thickness of a bundle of hair K. The guide member 70 can be returned to a resting position using an elastic return means 730, such as a spring, which is held by a support portion 73.

[0658] Device 1 may include a spacer element 7, also called a spacer, as described above.

[0659] This spacer element 7 may be capable of maintaining the hair K at a predetermined distance from the discharge surface S. This spacer element 7 may or may not form part of the guide member 70.

[0660] For example, the spacer element 7 is held by the guide member 70 and fastened to the support portion 73, as shown in Figure 29, for example.

[0661] The spacer element 7 allows the acoustic waves emitted by the transducer 4 to pass through and, together with the induction portion 71, defines the processing area through which the hair K passes for processing.

[0662] The spacer element 7 is, for example, in the form of a lattice and is made of, for example, a metal material or plastic.

[0663] Figure 29 shows the distribution of composition C through the orifice 75 of the guide member, but in a modified form, composition C may be supplied to the processing area by any other means, or may already be present on the hair K inserted into the processing area.

[0664] The deformation device in Figure 30 includes a processing head 10 that ensures the flow of composition C between the supply duct 25 and the return duct 27.

[0665] Therefore, the composition can flow within the processing area between duct 25 and duct 27.

[0666] The flow of the composition is ensured, for example, by an electric or manual pump (not shown).

[0667] The processing head 10 includes a sealing nozzle (not shown) which is applied to the hair around the processing area to limit the loss of composition during processing. This sealing nozzle is applied to a support surface (not shown) which is lowered onto the processing head 10 when the device 1 is in use, and the processing head 10 is held, for example, by the first jaws of the device 1, and the support surface is held by a second opposing jaw articulated above the first jaw, similar to a straightening iron.

[0668] As schematically shown in Figure 30, the guide member 70 extends at least partially within the processing head 10 during use to maintain the processing of the hair K within the processing area.

[0669] In particular, the hair K can be maintained at a distance from the discharge surface S that is less than or equal to a predetermined value by the guiding portion 71 of the guiding member 70.

[0670] The guide member 70 can be held by the second jaw described above.

[0671] The guide member 70 may include, for example, a tubular hollow guide portion 71 that defines a cavity 710 for guiding the hair K to be processed, as shown in Figure 31. The cavity is open, in particular, at two opposing ends 711 and 712.

[0672] Cavity 710 may have a constant cross-section or it may have a non-constant cross-section.

[0673] In this example, a bundle of hair K is inserted into the cavity 710 via end 711 and exits the cavity 710 via the opposite end 712.

[0674] The inner surface 716 of the cavity 710 may have reliefs that contribute to combing and / or holding hair. These reliefs may be in the form of ridges or teeth 713.

[0675] The guide portion 71 is deformable, and in particular, its diameter can be changed under the action of the device's adjustment means, allowing the device to be adapted to a hair bundle and the desired treatment using, for example, a clamping member such as a hose clamp.

[0676] The inductive portion 71 can transmit acoustic waves. In a modified form, the inductive portion may form all or part of the transducer, and in particular all or part of the sonotrode.

[0677] The device may be configured such that the transducer 4 can move along the induction portion 71, for example, such that its emission surface S faces the outer surface 714 of the induction portion 71. The transducer 4 may be moved, for example, by a motor drive, or it may reciprocate along the induction portion, for example, or it may be moved manually by the user.

[0678] The transducer 4 may also rotate around the induction portion 71, while preferably maintaining a state in which its discharge surface S faces the outer surface 714 of the induction portion 71. The rotation of the transducer may be motor-driven or performed manually by the user, for example, to adjust the side of the hair being processed.

[0679] The induction portion 71 is also movable and may, for example, move along its vertical axis W or rotate about its vertical axis W. The movement of the induction portion 71 may or may not be motor-driven.

[0680] Device 1 may, where applicable, comprise a plurality of transducers 4, in particular two transducers 4, as shown in Figure 32. These two transducers 4 may face each other radially. These transducers 4 may be fixed to each other and to the induction portion 71, or they may be movable relative to the induction portion 71, for example, being moved or movable independently of each other.

[0681] The presence of multiple transducers can enhance the effectiveness of device 1, for example, by enabling simultaneous processing of two opposing surfaces of a hair and / or achieving a higher bubble density.

[0682] The emission surfaces S of one or more transducers 4 may have a concave shape toward the induction portion, for example, as shown in Figure 32, so as closely as possible to the outer surface 714 of the induction portion 71.

[0683] The guide member may have a slot 715 along portion 71 between two ends 711 and 712, as shown in this figure. This slot 715 may allow for easier insertion of a bundle of hair K into the cavity 710.

[0684] Therefore, the cavity 710 may be defined by a guide portion 71 comprising two jaw-shaped parts 78 and 79 that are movable relative to each other, as shown in particular in Figure 33, the parts being moved between a spaced configuration for inserting bundles of hair K between the parts and a close configuration for processing the hair.

[0685] The jaws 78 and 79 may be held by a support portion 73 for the guide member 70, as shown in the figure. The jaws 78 and 79 may be fastened to the support portion 73 in a removable or non-removable manner.

[0686] The distance E between the two jaws 78 and 79 can vary between 0 mm in the close-proximity configuration and 50 mm in the spaced-proximity configuration.

[0687] The two jaws 78 and 79 can be moved relative to each other along axis X to extend or shorten the distance E, for example, to adapt the processing to the thickness of the hair bundle K being processed.

[0688] Each jaw 78 or 79 may have teeth 78d and 79d and / or bristle or other reliefs on the surface of the jaw facing the other jaw, in particular enabling better processing of the divided portion of a hair bundle K.

[0689] The jaws 78 proximal to the transducer 4 are preferably designed to transmit acoustic waves emitted by the transducer 4, and for this purpose may be provided with holes fabricated in the form of a grid, or in other cases, holes formed from a specific material that transmits acoustic waves.

[0690] As shown in Figure 33, the guide member 70 may have two lateral guide surfaces 76, one of which is defined by a support portion 73 and the other by a curved portion 790 of an inwardly oriented lower jaw 79.

[0691] The space between the two jaws 78 and 79 is closed off on the opposite side of the support portion 73 by a closing portion 791, as shown in Figure 34, in a modified configuration.

[0692] In the example shown in this figure, the support portion 73 and the closing portion 791 each include, for example, at least one elastic return member 500, such as one or more helical springs, which allow the jaws 78 and 79 to move toward each other and bias the jaws 78 and 79 to resting positions, for example, a close-up configuration or a separated configuration depending on the deformation mode.

[0693] Examples of processing hair bundles Example 1 Confocal microscopy analysis was performed on natural hair strands, and passive diffusion of fluorescent dyes within the fibers was used to investigate whether the integrity of the cuticle was altered by the processing device.

[0694] The following three hair samples were prepared. - Sample 1: Undyed, untreated natural hair strands, used as a reference. - Sample 2: The same undyed natural hair bundle was treated by passing it twice through the treatment device according to the present invention. The treatment device emitted ultrasound at a frequency of 33.4 kHz and brought the hair bundle into contact with cosmetic composition C, such as foam containing a soap-type surfactant (partially neutralized long-chain fatty acid). - Sample 3: The same undyed natural hair bundles were treated by passing them through the processing device according to the present invention 10 times. The processing device emitted ultrasound at a frequency of 33.4 kHz and brought the hair bundles into contact with the same composition C.

[0695] Next, for microscopic examination, three strands of hair were stained with a hydrophilic fluorescent dye, specifically fluorescein.

[0696] Next, to investigate the diffusion of fluorescein within the hair, different parts of the hair strand were observed using laser scanning confocal microscopy.

[0697] The acquired images were analyzed using software. A first analysis was performed on the color intensity within the fibers. The results are shown in Figure 35.

[0698] A second analysis was performed regarding the fluorescein color level. The results can be seen in Figure 36.

[0699] The dyeing intensity within the hair fibers was low, ranging from 6.2% to 6.5%, which was observed to be comparable to that of the hair used as a reference and the hair treated using ultrasound according to the present invention. This indicates that the integrity of the cuticle of the treated hair was not altered. Ultrasound did not damage the capillary sheath.

[0700] Example 2 Transmitted light analysis was performed on dyed hair strands to visualize the reduction in thickness and to quantify the pigment intensity within the treated hair fibers.

[0701] The following five hair samples were prepared. - Sample 1: Untreated, undyed natural hair strands, used as a reference. - Sample 4: The same hair bundle that was dyed using the product "Colorista Washout L'Oreal Paris" but not treated. This sample is shown in Figure 37A. - Sample 5: The same hair bundle dyed with the product "Colorista Washout L'Oreal Paris" and treated by passing it through the treatment device according to the present invention 10 times. The treatment device emitted ultrasound at a frequency of 33.4 kHz. This sample is shown in Figure 37B. - Sample 6: The same hair bundle that was dyed with the dye "Majirouge 6.66 L'Oreal Pro" but left untreated. This sample is shown in Figure 37C. - Sample 7: The same hair bundle dyed with the dye "Majirouge 6.66 L'Oreal Pro" and treated by passing it through the processing device according to the present invention 10 times. The processing device emitted ultrasound at a frequency of 33.4 kHz. This sample is shown in Figure 37D.

[0702] Each part of the hair bundle was observed using laser scanning confocal microscopy with transmitted light.

[0703] The following observations were made to grayscale images acquired using confocal microscopy. - The undyed and untreated hair of the reference hair bundle (Sample 1) has a light gray, uniform hue. - Untreated hair (Sample 4) dyed with the product "Colorista Washout L'Oreal Paris" showed coloration primarily on the surface, with a somewhat dark black ring. However, this was mainly located around the periphery. - Hair that had not been treated with the dye "Majirouge 6.66 L'Oreal Pro" (Sample 6) showed a fairly dark and deep color. This is because the hair was almost completely dyed. - Hair treated with ultrasound (Samples 5 and 7) showed weaker coloration relative to their respective dyed standards, thereby demonstrating the benefits of this treatment for decolorizing dyed hair while minimizing the impact on hair integrity.

[0704] The analysis was performed by quantifying the average color intensity of hair based on a grayscale from 0 to 100. 0 on the grayscale represents white, and 100 represents black. The results of the analysis can be seen in Figure 38.

[0705] After passing a dyed hair strand through ultrasound 10 times, a 34% reduction in color was observed for the product "Colorista Washout L'Oreal Paris," and a 23% reduction was observed for the dye "Majirouge 6.66 L'Oreal Pro."

[0706] Statistical analysis of the colored data was also performed, which is reproduced in Figure 39. This analysis confirmed that the difference between the measured means was statistically within the 95% confidence interval.

[0707] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the examples described herein.

[0708] Therefore, it is possible to give the guide member a variety of shapes.

[0709] The device may be used in the following steps, which are given, for example, to a device comprising a processing head equipped with one or more removable tanks, transducers or removable sonotrodes, and / or optionally additional elements such as spacers, grids, etc. - The user selects a fluid, particularly a cosmetic composition, according to the process they wish to perform, and either fills a tank or inserts a pre-filled tank (e.g., a single-use tank) into the handpiece. - The user selects the elements that will come into contact with the keratinous material used, depending on the type of sonotrode and the area the user wishes to treat, and fastens those elements to the rest of the device. - The user turns on the device using the on / off button and selects the program that can be viewed on the screen. - Program initiation may be associated with an acoustic signal, vibration, and / or indicator light. - The user brings the processing head into contact with the keratin material, which triggers the start of the pump and transducer via a contact sensor. - The pump generates a vacuum that allows a flexible lip located at the end of the processing head to come into contact with the keratinous material, creating a closed space between the emission surface for emitting ultrasound and the surface of the keratinous material being processed. - The fluid flows through the space thus formed. The transducer generates acoustic waves that cause cavitation of bubbles in the processing area. - The used fluid may be collected in a second tank or a second compartment of a tank, filtered, and reintroduced into the fluid circuit, thus undergoing multiple passes through the processing area. - The user examines the contamination level of the recovered fluid. The user may, if necessary, empty the tank containing this fluid at or before the end of the process. - The device will stop operating as a safety measure if an excessive temperature rise is detected, if the user moves the processing head away from the keratin material, or if the device is detected to be fixed in place. - After processing is complete, the user may either place the device back on the base and recharge it, or remove the battery and recharge it separately. - The user may also initiate a cleaning program for the device by filling a tank with a specific product, placing the device on a dedicated surface, and closing the fluid circuit for cleaning.

[0710] Examples of skin treatment Prepare a sample of artificial skin (from Bioskin) and apply a long-lasting foundation to it to a thickness of approximately 6 μm + / - 20%.

[0711] Dry at room temperature for a minimum of 20 minutes. Alternatively, drying at room temperature for 15 minutes may be used, or drying may be completed in 2 minutes using a hair dryer.

[0712] The composition is, for example, one of the compositions C1 to C5 described below.

[0713] The acoustic wave has a frequency of approximately 34 kHz and is pulse-width modulated as shown in Figure 21. It is generated by exciting an ultrasonic transducer 13 with a sinusoidal electrical signal U supplied by a generator G.

[0714] The amplitude of voltage U can be adjusted by the user by acting on the generator during the test.

[0715] The pulse has a pulse duration T. on and duty cycle

[0716]

number

[0717] It is characterized by the following: Here, T off This is the duration of the "low" or "passive" state over one cycle.

[0718] The sonotrode 4 shown in Figure 1 is used, for example, to emit acoustic waves, and is moved at a low speed while in contact with the composition without touching the foundation film.

[0719] Sonotrodes, for example, include a ceramic piezoelectric transducer system.

[0720] The nominal frequency of the transducer is, for example, approximately 34 kHz.

[0721] Sonotrode is made from titanium, for example.

[0722] The transducer includes, for example, ceramics separated by an insulator and clamped together.

[0723] The diameter of a sonotrode is, for example, about 1.8 cm, meaning its surface area is about 2.5 cm². 2 Therefore, the transducer's ceramics have a diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the sonotrode, for example.

[0724] The sonotrode is, for example, contained within a casing, with its front end protruding several centimeters, preferably less than 5 cm, beyond the casing.

[0725] The test involves various parameters, namely, - Total concentration (%) of surfactants in the composition, - Peak acoustic intensity I (W / cm²) that directly depends on the activation voltage U. 2 unit), - Pulse duration T on , - Duty cycle Ton / Toff, - The duration for which the surface to be cleaned is exposed to acoustic waves, - Distance between the discharge surface and the surface being cleaned This is done by changing the method.

[0726] Acoustic intensity I on the surface being cleaned SATA is W / cm 2 It is expressed as follows and calculated based on the selected parameters. The acoustic intensity is given by the following equation:

[0727]

number

[0728] Acoustic Intensity I SATA Furthermore, the average acoustic pressure p applied to the region being processed is as follows: m It can be expressed as a function of .

[0729]

number

[0730] In the above equation, ρ is the bulk density of the composition (kg m⁻³ units), c is the speed of sound in the composition (ms⁻¹ units), and p m This is the average acoustic pressure (in Pa units, or equivalent to Nm-2 or kg.m-1.s-2), and I SATA is Wm -2 It is a unit.

[0731] The effectiveness of the parameter combination for each test is evaluated based on the makeup removal rate (% makeup removal) calculated based on the gradient measured on the colorimetric scale (Delta E).

[0732] Cleansing is considered sufficiently effective when the Delta E is 15 or higher and the makeup removal rate exceeds 65%.

[0733] [Table 1]

[0734] For the parameter combinations summarized in the table above, good foundation removal is observed in the region through which the sonotrode operates.

[0735] It has also been observed that removing makeup by simply passing a sponge or brush over it is extremely difficult, which further emphasizes the cleaning effect obtained in this invention.

[0736] Response surface The parameter values ​​obtained experimentally above, which demonstrate a good makeup removal effect, can be extended to a range of parameters using an optimization plan that takes into account various interactions between all parameters.

[0737] Therefore, this gives us the response surfaces shown in Figures 40 to 45, which represent the range of values ​​for various parameters in which a sufficient cosmetic removal effect can be found.

[0738] The makeup removal effect is considered sufficient according to the same criteria as described above, namely, when the Delta E is 15 or higher and the makeup removal rate exceeds 65%.

[0739] The optimization plan uses the following three parameters, namely: - Total concentration (%) of surfactants in the composition, - Peak acoustic intensity I (W / cm²) 2 Units), and - Duration of exposure of the surface being cleaned to acoustic waves It is fixed in place.

[0740] The range of the optimal value depends on the other two parameters, namely the pulse duration T. on and duty cycle T on / T off This will be decided.

[0741] The range of optimal values ​​is defined as the range that satisfies the above-mentioned criteria for cosmetic removal. On the illustrated response curve, these ranges correspond to the region above the isobar 0.

[0742] These value ranges are summarized in the table below, which refers to each of the figures showing the corresponding response surfaces.

[0743] For some parameter values, as shown in the example on the response surface in Figure 45e, the response surface satisfies the pulse duration and duty cycle T criteria for the cosmetic removal effect described above. on / T off This indicates that there is no value for this value.

[0744] For other parameter values, as shown in the examples in Figures 40b to 40e, the entire region under consideration for optimization satisfies the cosmetic removal effectiveness criteria.

[0745] [Table 2A]

[0746] [Table 2B] [Explanation of symbols]

[0747] 1. Processing device, deformation device 2 Main unit 4. Sonotrode, ultrasonic transducer 6 lattice 7. Spacers, processing heads, nozzles, spacer elements 8 Elastic return means, elastic means 9 handles 10 Processing heads 12 Electronic circuit 15. Generator, battery, screws 16 ducts 17. Bubble generator 19. Sealing element, flexible lip 20 Suction pumps 21 Filters 22 Composition Tanks 22a, 22b tanks 23 Duct 25 Supply duct 27 Ducts, return ducts 28 Suction System 29 Processing and purification units 31 opening, exit 32 Chambers 39 control buttons 40 Electronic Generators 41 Human-Machine Interface 46 teeth 47 Brisle 49 Spacing elements 70 Guiding member, coaming member 71 Induction part 72 Guidance surface 73 Support part 74 ducts 75 Dispersion Orifice 76 Lateral guiding surface 77 Curved section 78 Joe, parts 79 Jaws, parts, lower jaws 80, 81 teeth 82 Bristle 95 parts 100 Fastening part 102 Threaded Rod 103 Nut 106 Hose Clamp 107 stickers 110 Holding part 115 Support legs 116 Distal part 120 connectors 220, 225 compartments 230 pistons 250 exit 270 Exit 420 reliefs 500 Elastic return member 650 Photodetectors 710 Cavity 711, 712 Opposite ends 713 teeth 714 Exterior 715 slots 716 Inner self 730 Elastic return mechanism 750 transducer 751 Motor 752 Inbalance 790 Curved section 791 Closed part

Claims

1. A device (1) for treating human hair (K) for the purpose of washing the hair, removing previous dyes, and / or decolorizing the hair, wherein the hair (K) is intended to be treated while in contact with a cosmetic composition (C) in which gas bubbles are present and / or generated, - At least one transducer (4) having an emission surface (S) for emitting acoustic waves near the hair (K) being treated in order to cause the bubbles to burst, wherein the acoustic waves are emitted at a frequency of 30 to 100 kHz, - comprising at least one guiding and / or combing member (70) designed to move the hair (K) to near the discharge surface (S) and / or guide it to contact the discharge surface (S), The guiding and / or combing member (70) comprises at least one guiding portion (71) intended to contact the hair, and at least one support portion (73) which serves to maintain the guiding portion (71) in a desired configuration during the process. The guiding portion (71) has a guiding surface (72) that at least partially faces the discharge surface (S) and / or extends along either side of the discharge surface (S), and together with the discharge surface (S), defines a processing space. Device (1), wherein the distance (D) between the discharge surface (S) and the induction surface (72) is 0.1 mm to 50 mm and is adjustable by the user to suit the thickness of the hair to be processed.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the guiding and / or combing member (70) comprises at least one lateral guiding surface (76, 790) on both sides of the guiding surface (72) for guiding the hair (K) in a lateral direction.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide and / or coaming member (70) is removably fastened to the device (1).

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the induction and / or coaming member (70) vibrates and / or rotates and / or translates and / or generates heat.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the support portion (73) includes a mechanism for returning the support portion (73) to the rest position, which includes one or more springs (730) for allowing the guiding and / or combing member (70) to translate along the longitudinal axis (X) of the transducer (4) between a rest position and a compression position, the rest position corresponding to the hair (K) being pressed against the guiding and / or combing member (70) and / or the discharge surface (S) during the process.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the guiding and / or combing member (70) comprises on its surface at least one guiding and / or combing macrorelief (80, 81, 82, 713, 78d, 79d) capable of engaging with the hair (K), and the guiding and / or combing relief extends opposite the discharge surface (S).

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the guide and / or coaming member (70) is hollow to allow the cosmetic composition (C) to flow through it, and / or at least a portion of the guide and / or coaming member (70) is passed through a duct for supplying the cosmetic composition (C) to a processing space.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the guiding and / or combing member (70) comprises at least one orifice (75) that allows the cosmetic composition (C) flowing inside to flow out.

9. The device according to claim 6, wherein at least one guided and / or combing macrorelief (80, 81, 82, 713, 78d, 79d) is hollow to allow the cosmetic composition (C) to flow through it, and the guided and / or combing macrorelief (80, 81, 82, 713, 78d, 79d) comprises at least one orifice to allow the cosmetic composition (C) flowing through it to flow out.

10. The device according to claim 1, comprising a processing head (10) through which the cosmetic composition (C) flows, wherein the transducer (4) and the induction and / or combing member (70) extend at least partially within the processing head (10).

11. A method of treating human hair for washing and / or decolorization by bringing it into contact with a cosmetic composition in which gas bubbles are present and / or generated, using the device described in claim 1, A method comprising the steps of: exposing the gas bubbles to acoustic waves emitted by the transducer in the vicinity of the hair to be treated, causing the bubbles to burst, generating a mechanical impact on the surface of the hair to be treated, and removing impurities and / or dyes from the surface.

12. The method according to claim 11, comprising guiding and / or combing the hair before and / or after the hair passes through the processing space, and / or within the processing space itself.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the cosmetic composition is supplied to the processing space by the induction and / or combing member.

14. A method for treating at least one strand of hair that has undergone a permanent or semi-permanent hair dyeing treatment, using the device according to claim 1, wherein the strand of hair, in contact with a cosmetic composition comprising at least one surfactant, is exposed to acoustic waves generated by a transducer having a frequency and intensity selected to generate bubbles via cavitation within the composition and to burst the bubbles, wherein the bubbles present in the treatment area are largely generated by or generated by the transducer.

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