Apparatus and method relating to a hair hydration device

Abstract

Apparatus and method of hydrating hair comprising atomising a liquid from a liquid reservoir of a hand-held device, heating the liquid originating from the reservoir, controlling the atomising and the heating with a microcontroller device, holding the device in close proximity to hair to be treated with warmed, atomised liquid and isolating a heating device arranged for said heating to prevent the heating device coming into direct contact with hair.

Description

[0001] APPARATUS AND METHOD RELATING TO A HAIR HYDRATION DEVICE

[0002] The invention relates to a hand-held hair hydration device.

[0003] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus comprising a liquid reservoir, at least one atomising device in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir, a heating device arranged to heat a liquid from the liquid reservoir, a microcontroller device controlling the at least one atomising device and the heating device and a handle portion to be held by a user and for holding the device in close proximity to hair to be treated with warmed, atomised liquid, wherein a cover plate serves to isolate internal components including the heating device.

[0004] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of hydrating hair comprising atomising a liquid from a liquid reservoir of a hand-held device, heating the liquid originating from the reservoir, controlling the atomising and the heating with a microcontroller device, holding the device in close proximity to hair to be treated with warmed, atomised liquid and isolating a heating device arranged for said heating to prevent the heating device coming into direct contact with hair.

[0005] Owing to these two aspects, it is possible to maximise hair exposure to a mist of the warm, atomised liquid that is warm enough to penetrate hair cuticles but cool enough, through use of the microcontroller device, not to burn a scalp skin surface.

[0006] There is no direct contact between heating device and the hair.

[0007] In order that the present invention can be clearly and completely disclosed, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view of a hand-held hair hydrating device, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the hair hydrating device with a first version of an attachment device shown connected to the hair hydrating device, and

[0009] Figure 3 is a view from above of some internal parts of the hair hydrating device. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a hand-held hydrating device 2 comprises a handle portion 4 and a head portion 6 opposite the handle portion. The head portion 6 houses a liquid reservoir 8, such as a water container, at least one atomising device 10 and at least one heating device 12 . The heating device 12 includes a heat transfer device 12a, preferably made of aluminium, and a cover plate 12b. Preferably there are a plurality of atomising devices 10 (three being shown in Figure 3) and these atomising devices 10 are advantageously in the form of piezoelectric transducers housed within respective receptacles 11 in the heat transfer device 12a. Preferably, the piezoelectric transducers are ultrasonic atomising transducers that use a high Q hard type piezoelectric ceramic element. These atomising devices 10 are in fluid communication with liquid, preferably water, in the liquid reservoir 8 and transform the water in the reservoir to droplets of water suspended in the atmosphere inside the head portion 6.

[0010] The liquid reservoir 8 is, advantageously housed within the head portion 6 and preferably has an opening 14 which is closable by any suitable means such as a cap or stopper 16. Advantageously, the opening 14 projects through a corresponding opening 18 in the head portion 6 for ease of filling or emptying of the liquid reservoir 8. The liquid reservoir 8 has a preferable internal volume of between substantially 45ml and substantially 75 ml.

[0011] The heating device 12 further includes one or more heating elements 12c connected to the heat transfer device 12a. There are, advantageously, two sets of heating elements 12c located between the atomising devices 10. Together with the heat transfer device 12a, they form a heating system. The cover plate 12b encloses the connection between the atomising devices 10, the heating elements 12c and the heat transfer device 12a. The heating elements 12c are connected to a printed circuit board 22 preferably housed within the handle portion 4 and convert electrical energy into heat. Water heated by the heating system is converted to warm mist by the atomising devices 10 within the receptacles 11.

[0012] Referring to Figure 3, the printed circuit board 22 includes a microcontroller device having firmware to control the or each atomising device 10 and the heating system. Importantly, the firmware prevents hot steam (which has the potential to burn the skin on a user's scalp) from being produced. Respective control buttons 24 are located on the handle portion 4, for ease of operation by a user. One button 24 powers the device on (and off) and also activates (and deactivates) the heating system. The other button 24 activates the atomisers to produce the mist and determines the temperature range of mist produced. The printed circuit board 22 is electrically connected to the atomising devices 10 and the heat transfer device 12b. There are wired connections between the printed circuit board 22 and the atomising devices 10 and also between the printed circuit board 22 and a temperature sensor 23, preferably in the form of a thermistor. The heating elements 12c in between the atomising devices 10 are also electrically connected to the printed circuit board 22.

[0013] A second cover plate 25 closes a head portion opening 26 and thereby isolates the internal components from the user, including the heating device 12, which does not come into direct contact with hair. The second cover plate 25 includes one or more mist outlet openings 28 through which the warmed atomised water droplets are emitted from the hydrating device 2 in the form of a mist.

[0014] Upon operating the hair hydrating device 2, the water contained in the liquid reservoir 8 is warmed and subsequently atomised and emitted through the mist outlet openings 28. In this way, a warm mist is released, and the microcontroller device ensures that the mist remains at a controlled temperature that is warm enough for maximum hydration of hair but below boiling point (and as such, no steam is used with the hair hydrating device 2). Temperature control by way of the temperature sensor 23 and the firmware is important in order to prevent or minimise damage to a hair strand over time. The microcontroller device ensures that the device responds to commands relating to the duration of use of the hair hydrating device 2 in order to provide safe hydration of hair strands.

[0015] For safety of the user, only a warm mist is emitted. The warm mist is able to penetrate hair cuticles leading to the hair to be hydrated, softer and allows for the release of matting and tangles without breaking curly or coiled hair.

[0016] Referring specifically to Figure 2, different attachment devices are able to be detachably connected to the second cover plate 25 to ensure proper circulation and penetration of the mist. One example of such an attachment device 30 is shown in the form of a diffusion cup that includes at its base through-holes 32 which, when attached to the hydrating device 2 align with the mist outlet openings 28. The cup 30 can be rested above the scalp and conveniently contains the mist within its outer wall. As an alternative attachment device, a brush device (not shown) having a plurality of bristles or teeth that project outwardly to allow for the removal of entangled, shed hair whilst also simultaneously hydrating the remaining attached hair.

[0017] The hydration device 2 is thus a hand-held tool for hydrating and moisturising, particularly, curly hair to allow for maximum penetration of water hydration. The hydration device 2 maximises hair (but not scalp) exposure to the water mist that is warm enough to penetrate hair cuticles but also cool enough not to burn the scalp.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus comprising a liquid reservoir, at least one atomising device in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir, a heating device arranged to heat a liquid from the liquid reservoir, a microcontroller device controlling the at least one atomising device and the heating device and a handle portion to be held by a user and for holding the device in close proximity to hair to be treated with warmed, atomised liquid, wherein a cover plate serves to isolate internal components including the heating device.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, and further comprising a head portion opposite the handle portion, the head portion housing the liquid reservoir.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid reservoir is a water container.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the heating device includes a heat transfer device, a temperature sensor and a further cover plate.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one atomising device is a plurality of atomising devices.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each atomising device is a piezoelectric transducer.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each atomising device is in fluid communication with liquid in the liquid reservoir.

8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the liquid reservoir has an opening which projects through a corresponding opening in the head portion.

9. Apparatus according to claim 4 or any one of claims 5 to 8 as appended to claim 4, wherein the heating device further includes one or more heating elements and a temperature sensor connected to the heat transfer device.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the microcontroller device includes firmware to control the or each atomising device and the heating device.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first mentioned cover plate includes one or more mist outlet openings.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein different attachment devices are able to be detachably connected to the first mentioned cover plate.

13. A method of hydrating hair comprising atomising a liquid from a liquid reservoir of a hand-held device, heating the liquid originating from the reservoir, controlling theatomising and the heating with a microcontroller device, holding the device in close proximity to hair to be treated with warmed, atomised liquid and isolating a heating device arranged for said heating to prevent the heating device coming into direct contact with hair.

14. A method according to claim 14, and further comprising preventing a hot steam of liquid from being produced by firmware of the microcontroller device.

15. A method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein warmed atomised liquid droplets are emitted in the form of a mist of the liquid.

16. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the microcontroller device controls the temperature of the mist.

17. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the microcontroller device enables response to commands relating to the duration of use to provide safe hydration of hair strands.

18. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, and further comprising detachably connecting different attachment devices to the hand-held device.

19. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, and further comprising maximising hair exposure to the atomised liquid that is warm enough to penetrate hair cuticles.

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