Bubble generation method

Abstract

The present invention provides a bubble generation method that is capable of generating high-quality bubbles for cleansing. This bubble generation method comprises a closing step for closing a drain port 11 of a shampoo bowl 10, an application step for applying a washing agent to the inner surface of the shampoo bowl 10, and a water discharge step for, after the closing step and the application step, bringing a water discharge surface 23 of a shower head 13 directly above the applied washing agent or in the vicinity of the washing agent on a bottom portion 14, and discharging, from the shower head 13, rinse water that is hot water consisting of multiphase flows due to the use of a multiphase flow generation device, whereby high-quality fine bubbles are generated in the shampoo bowl 10.

Description

Bubble generation method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a foam generating method for use in hair treatments.

[0002] Conventionally, treatment tables installed in hair salons and other beauty salons have shampoo bowls. Treatments such as shampooing, scalp massage, hair coloring, permanent waving, or hair treatment are performed in the shampoo bowl. For example, shampooing and scalp massage not only wash away dirt from the pores of the hair and scalp, but may also simultaneously massage the scalp. Furthermore, as described in Patent Document 1 below, in hair coloring, a chemical is applied to the hair, and after an appropriate time has passed, the chemical is washed off with a shampoo or the like (hereinafter, the hair and scalp will be collectively referred to as the "head," and washing and massaging the head will be referred to as "cleansing").

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-011436

[0004] For proper cleansing, it is essential to generate fine bubbles. The finer the bubbles, the larger the contact area of ​​the bubbles with the hair, resulting in a high cleansing effect. The time required to generate bubbles and the quality of the bubbles are affected by the technique of the practitioner. Therefore, regardless of the practitioner's skill, it is necessary to generate high-quality bubbles for proper cleansing.

[0005] The present disclosure has been proposed in view of the above-described circumstances, and aims to provide a foam generating method capable of generating high-quality foam for cleansing.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the foam generating method of the present disclosure is characterized in that it generates foam in the shampoo bowl for cleansing the head of a user by going through a plugging step of closing the drain outlet of the shampoo bowl, an application step of applying a detergent to the inner surface of the shampoo bowl, and a water discharge step of bringing the water discharge surface of the shower head close to the detergent and discharging cleaning water, which is hot and cold water that has been made into a multiphase flow using a multiphase flow generating device, from the shower head.

[0007] The foam generating method according to the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the water discharge step, the cleaning water is applied to the inner surface to which the cleaning agent has been applied and the vicinity thereof, and then the shower head is rotated inside the shampoo bowl in an agitation step.

[0008] The foam generating method of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the water discharge procedure, a proximity procedure is performed in which the water discharge surface is kept close to the water surface in accordance with the rise in the water level of the cleaning water accumulated in the shampoo bowl.

[0009] The foam generating method according to the present disclosure is characterized in that the water discharge step includes a foaming step in which foam water generated through a foaming member possessed by the shower head is used as the cleaning water.

[0010] The foam generating method according to the present disclosure generates cleansing foam in the shampoo bowl by performing a closing step of closing the drain outlet of the shampoo bowl, an application step of applying a detergent to the inner surface of the shampoo bowl, and a water discharge step of bringing the shower head's water discharge surface close to the detergent and discharging wash water (hot and cold water) that has been converted into a multiphase flow using a multiphase flow generator from the shower head after the closing step and the application step. By performing each step, wash water with dissolved detergent collects in the shampoo bowl, and when the wash water is discharged from the shower head, it lathers, generating a large amount of fine foam. Therefore, regardless of the user's skill, high-quality foam for cleansing can be generated.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hairdressing device in which a foam generation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a shampoo bowl in which a foam generation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented. FIG. 3 is a top view of a shower head used in a foam generation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shower head used in a foam generation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a front view of a shower head used in a foam generation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a side view of a shower head used in a foam generation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a cross-section VII-VII of FIG. 5, which is a first cross-sectional side view of a shower head used in a foam generation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a cross-section VIII-VIII of FIG. 5, which is a second cross-sectional side view of a shower head used in a foam generation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a shower head used in a foam generation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a portion of a method of using a shower head used in a foam generation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] The foam generating method according to the present disclosure includes a water discharge step in which, after spraying cleansing water onto the inner surface where the cleanser has been applied and its vicinity, a stirring step in which the shower head is rotated inside the shampoo bowl. Through the stirring step, the entire cleansing water in which the cleansing agent has been dissolved is further stirred by the cleansing water discharged from the shower head and foams. Therefore, regardless of the user's skill level, high-quality foam can be generated for cleansing.

[0013] The foam generating method according to the present disclosure includes a water discharge step in which the water discharge surface is kept close to the water surface as the water level in the shampoo bowl rises. Even as the water level rises, the water continues to be discharged close to the water surface, resulting in more foam. Therefore, regardless of the user's skill, high-quality foam can be generated for cleansing.

[0014] The foam generating method according to the present disclosure includes a foaming step in which foam water generated by a foaming element of a shower head is used as cleansing water during the water discharge step. By using the foam water as cleansing water, finer bubbles are generated. Therefore, regardless of the skill of the user, high-quality foam can be generated for cleansing.

[0015] The following describes a foam generation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a beauty and hairdressing device 1 used in the method. Fig. 1 shows a beauty and hairdressing device 1 for carrying out the foam generation method according to the present embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a shampoo bowl 10 used in the beauty and hairdressing device 1.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the hairdressing and beauty device 1 has a treatment table 2 used by a person to be treated (not shown), a shampoo bowl 10 located behind the treatment table 2 and on which the head of the person to be treated is placed, a shower head 13 provided on the shampoo bowl 10, and a multiphase flow generating device (not shown) that generates wash water by adding a multiphase flow to the hot and cold water discharged from the shower head 13.

[0017] The treatment table 2 has a seat portion 3 on which the treatment recipient lies and a lifting unit 4 that supports the seat portion 3 from below. The seat portion 3 has a seat portion 5 on which the treatment recipient sits, a leg rest portion 6 connected to the front of the seat portion 5 and on which the treatment recipient's legs are placed, a backrest portion 7 connected to the rear of the seat portion 5 and on which the treatment recipient's upper body is placed, and armrest portions 8 located on the left and right sides of the seat portion 5 and on which the treatment recipient's arms are placed. The treatment table 2 is configured such that the seat portion 3 rises and falls as the lifting unit 4 operates to expand and contract up and down, and the backrest portion 7 tilts or rises, changing the angle of the seat portion 3. When the backrest portion 7 tilts, the seat portion 3 becomes horizontal or approximately horizontal. The posture of the treatment table 2 can be changed arbitrarily by operation by the therapist (not shown), or it can automatically change to a predetermined posture.

[0018] The shampoo bowl 10 is for the person to lie face up on the seat 3 and place their head there to receive a treatment. The therapist stands behind or to the side of the shampoo bowl 10 (or sits on a stool) and performs a treatment on the person's head and hair. Treatments include, for example, shampooing, scalp massage, hair coloring, permanent waving, hair treatment, or eye makeup. The shampoo bowl 10 is placed on a base 9.

[0019] The multiphase flow generator is connected to one of the hot water flow paths because it converts hot water discharged from the shower head 13 into a multiphase flow by incorporating air into the hot water. For example, it may be built into a hot water supply unit (not shown) that delivers hot water or into the base 9, or it may be connected to the hot water supply unit or the base 9 via piping from the outside. In addition, a switch (not shown) that selects whether to operate the multiphase flow generator is installed near the base 9.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, shampoo bowl 10 is composed of a bottom 14 and a peripheral wall 15, and is generally hemispherical. In shampoo bowl 10, a drain outlet 11 is formed in bottom 14, and a hot and cold water stop valve 12, a shower head 13 for discharging hot and cold water, etc. are installed on the inner surface of peripheral wall 15. A portion of peripheral wall 15 facing seat 3 is recessed, and a head support device 16 is attached. Head support device 16 is freely attachable and detachable. The neck and head of the person to be treated are placed on head support device 16.

[0021] Next, the showerhead 13 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 3 to 9 show the appearance and cross section of the showerhead 13.

[0022] 3 to 9, the shower head 13 has a hose connection part 20 to which a shower hose (not shown) is connected, a head main body part 21 connected downstream of the hose connection part 20, and a water discharge part 22 formed downstream of the head main body part 21. The hot and cold water flowing through the shower hose flows through the hose connection part 20 and the head main body part 21 in order, and is discharged from the water discharge surface 23 of the water discharge part 22.

[0023] The head main body 21 is generally cylindrical, and inside the head main body 21 is a flow path switching unit 28 that switches the flow path of hot and cold water discharged from the water discharge unit 22, and two inflow chambers into which the hot and cold water whose flow path has been switched by the flow path switching unit 28 flows. The flow path switching unit 28 switches the flow path of the hot and cold water by moving a valve. The flow path switching unit 28 has a switch 29 for switching the flow path, and the switch 29 protrudes from the flow path switching unit 28 to the outside of the head main body 21. One of the inflow chambers is a cylindrical central flow path 30 located at the center of the head main body 21, and the other is a circular peripheral flow path 31 located on the outer periphery of the central flow path 30. A foaming member 32 is attached to the central flow path 30. The hot and cold water that passes through the foaming member 32 contains a large amount of air bubbles.

[0024] The water discharge surface 23 formed at the tip of the water discharge portion 22 is circular and has multiple water discharge holes 24 formed therein. The water discharge surface 23 has a circular central water discharge surface 25 at the center of the water discharge surface 23 and a ring-shaped peripheral water discharge surface 26 at the periphery of the central water discharge surface 25. The central water discharge surface 25 is located downstream of the central flow path 30 of the head main body portion 21 and is formed by the downstream end face of the foaming member 32. The peripheral water discharge surface 26 is located downstream of the peripheral flow path 31 of the head main body portion 21.

[0025] At the front end of the water spouting section 22, the peripheral edge 27 of the water spouting surface 23 protrudes in the water spouting direction more than the outer peripheral water spouting surface 26. Therefore, the outer peripheral water spouting surface 26 is recessed on the opposite side to the water spouting direction. The central water spouting surface 25 does not protrude from, nor is it recessed into, the peripheral edge 27. Therefore, the central water spouting surface 25, like the peripheral edge 27, protrudes in the water spouting direction more than the outer peripheral water spouting surface 26. With this configuration, an emulsification promotion space 33 is formed in front of the water spouting surface 23 as a space formed by the water spouting surface 23 and the peripheral edge 27.

[0026] Multiple protrusions 34 are formed on the outer surface of the showerhead 13, on the outer periphery of the water spouting portion 22. The protrusions 34 are arranged at equal or approximately equal intervals along the periphery of the water spouting portion 22. The protrusions 34 gradually rise outward from the leading edge 35 of the periphery 27 in the direction opposite the water spouting direction. The apex 37, where the protrusions 34 rise, is a stripe extending toward the periphery of the water spouting portion 22. The apex 37 is located 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters away from the leading edge 35 of the periphery 27 in the direction opposite the water spouting direction (see spacing 38 in Figure 6). A groove 39 is formed in the apex 37. The groove 39 is recessed from the outside toward the inside and extends toward the periphery of the water spouting portion 22. One end of the groove 39 is open, and the other end is closed.

[0027] The beauty and hairdressing device 1 is configured as described above. Next, an emulsification method using the beauty and hairdressing device 1 will be described with reference to the drawings, along with the operation and effect of the beauty and hairdressing device 1. FIG. 10 shows how the recipient holds the shower head 13 during the emulsification method. After applying a treatment such as hair coloring, the practitioner uses the emulsification method to wash away the chemicals adhering to the recipient's hair. The hot and cold water used in the emulsification method may be either that discharged from the central water discharge surface 25 or that discharged from the outer peripheral flow path 31 (hereinafter, hot and cold water discharged from the central water discharge surface 25 will be referred to as "foam water," hot and cold water discharged from the outer peripheral water discharge surface 26 will be referred to as "spray water," and either foam water or spray water will be referred to as "hot and cold water").

[0028] As shown in FIG. 10 , the practitioner first grasps the exterior of the shower head 13 so as to cover the outer periphery of the water discharger 22 from the head body 21 side. For example, the practitioner places the first joints of the fingers 17 or their vicinity against the apexes 37 of the protrusions 34, causing the fingers 17 to protrude in the direction of water discharge from the water discharge surface 23. Therefore, the practitioner can use their fingertips while still gripping the shower head 13, allowing them to perform treatment with the fingers 17 gripping the shower head 13. Furthermore, multiple fingers 17 can be caught on the protrusions 34, allowing the shower head 13 to be held at equal intervals, preventing slippage. In particular, the apexes 37 of the protrusions 34 are horizontally elongated along the outer periphery of the water discharger 22 and gently rise from the tip edge 35 of the peripheral edge 27 (see FIG. 4 ), making it easy for the first joints of the fingers 17 to catch on them.

[0029] In this position, fingers 17 protruding in the water discharge direction are placed against the hair of the user with a gap between water discharge surface 23 and the user's hair, bringing water discharge surface 23 close to the hair. This leaves an appropriate gap between water discharge surface 23 and the hair, naturally forming an emulsification-promoting space 33 between the hair and water discharge surface 23. Here, emulsification-promoting space 33 is not just the space formed by water discharge surface 23 and peripheral edge 27, but also includes this space and is the space in front of water discharge surface 23 between the hair.

[0030] During these steps, the stop valve 12 is turned as needed to discharge hot and cold water. In addition, before and after discharging hot and cold water, the multiphase flow generating device is operated. When the multiphase flow generating device is operated, the hot and cold water that has become a multiphase flow due to the inclusion of air is pressurized by the pump of the multiphase flow generating device and is forcefully discharged from the discharge surface 23 (hereinafter, the multiphase hot and cold water will be referred to as "wash water").

[0031] The cleansing water discharged from the water discharge surface 23 hits the recipient's hair and bounces back towards the water discharge surface 23. The cleansing water swirls between the water discharge surface 23 and the hair, entraining air, and is momentarily received by the water discharge surface 23 and retained in the emulsification promotion space 33. When the oil from the chemicals attached to the hair mixes with the cleansing water, the interface is activated and emulsification occurs. As the cleansing water retains in the emulsification promotion space 33 while hitting the hair, appropriate emulsification can be easily achieved in a short time. Furthermore, when the water discharge surface 23 approaches the hair, the cleansing water reaches the densely packed roots of the hair, allowing emulsification to occur all the way to the roots. Therefore, emulsification can be achieved evenly throughout the entire scalp or within the desired range.

[0032] Next, a foam generation method using the beauty treatment device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The foam generation method includes at least a plugging step, an application step, and a water discharge step. The water discharge step may include a stirring step, a proximity step, and a foaming step as necessary.

[0033] In Figure 2, in the plugging step, a plug is attached to the drain outlet 11 to close the drain outlet 11. This makes the shampoo bowl 10 ready to be filled with hot water and foam. In the application step, a detergent such as shampoo is applied to the inner surface of the shampoo bowl 10. The amount of detergent applied is arbitrary, but if the detergent container is a pump bottle, for example, it is the amount that is dispensed by pushing the nozzle two or three times. The position where the detergent is applied is also arbitrary, but for example, it may be near the drain outlet 11 on the bottom 14. The plugging step and the application step may be performed in reverse order.

[0034] After the closing procedure and the application procedure, in the water discharge procedure, the water discharge surface 23 of the shower head 13 is brought close to the bottom 14 of the shampoo bowl 10, directly above the applied detergent, or in the vicinity of the detergent. The switch 29 of the shower head 13 is operated to select water spray or foaming water. When the multiphase flow generator is operated and the stop valve 12 is operated (or the stop valve 12 is operated and the multiphase flow generator is operated), wash water is discharged from the shower head 13. When the wash water hits the detergent or its vicinity inside the shampoo bowl 10, the detergent dissolves and mixes with the wash water, gradually foaming and generating fine bubbles. In the stirring procedure, after the wash water hits the detergent or its vicinity, the shower head 13 is swirled inside the shampoo bowl 10 while the wash water is being discharged. The wash water and detergent mix together, and further aeration is incorporated and agitated, gradually increasing the amount of foam. As the level of the wash water accumulated in the shampoo bowl 10 rises, the water discharge surface 23 is kept close to the water surface. The distance between the water surface and the water discharge surface 23 is about several millimeters to several centimeters.

[0035] In this way, a large amount of cleansing foam is generated in the shampoo bowl 10. The detergent foams further as it is stirred by the wash water, and further foams as the wash water continues to hit it close to the water surface. In particular, when wash water with foam water is used, the foaming step generates even finer foam.

[0036] As described above, the foam generating method allows the generation of high-quality foam for cleansing, regardless of the practitioner's skill level. The high-quality foam completely covers the surface of the wash water in the shampoo bowl 10, forming a thick layer that makes the water surface invisible. Furthermore, even if the practitioner scoops up the foam with their hand and tilts it, the foam does not spill from their hand and remains for some time.

[0037] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the shower head does not have any protrusions on its outer surface. In another embodiment, the central water spouting surface is recessed on the side opposite the water spouting direction, similar to the peripheral water spouting surface. In another embodiment, the shape, number, arrangement, etc. of the protrusions are optional. In another embodiment, the beauty salon device may have any configuration. In another embodiment, the stirring step is not performed. In another embodiment, the proximity step is not performed. In another embodiment, the foaming step is not performed.

[0038] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various design modifications can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0039] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hairdressing and beauty device 2 Treatment table 3 Seat section 4 Lifting section 5 Seat section 6 Footrest section 7 Backrest section 8 Armrest section 9 Base section 10 Shampoo bowl 11 Drain outlet 12 Stop valve 13 Shower head 14 Bottom section 15 Peripheral wall section 16 Head support device 17 Fingers 20 Hose connection section 21 Head main body section 22 Water outlet section 23 Water outlet surface 24 Water outlet hole 25 Central water outlet surface 26 Peripheral water outlet surface 27 Peripheral edge section 28 Flow path water flow switching section 29 Switch 30 Central flow path 31 Peripheral flow path 32 Foaming member 33 Emulsification promotion space 34 Projection section 35 Tip edge 36 Raised section 37 Peak section 38 Spacing 39 Groove section

Claims

1. A foam generating method for generating foam in the shampoo bowl for cleansing the head of a user, by carrying out the following steps: a closing step for closing the drain outlet of the shampoo bowl; an application step for applying a detergent to the inner surface of the shampoo bowl; and a water discharge step for bringing the water discharge surface of the shower head close to the detergent and discharging cleansing water, which is hot and cold water that has been made into a multiphase flow using a multiphase flow generating device, from the shower head, thereby generating foam in the shampoo bowl for cleansing the head of a user.

2. The foam generating method described in claim 1, characterized in that the water discharge step includes a stirring step of rotating the shower head inside the shampoo bowl after the cleaning water is applied to the inner surface and its vicinity to which the cleaning agent has been applied.

3. A foam generating method as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the water discharge procedure includes a proximity procedure in which the water discharge surface is kept close to the water surface in accordance with the rise in the water level of the cleaning water accumulated in the shampoo bowl.

4. A foam generating method as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the water discharge procedure includes a foaming procedure in which foam water generated through a foaming member possessed by the shower head is used as the cleaning water.

Images