Hair Cutting Device for Homogeneous Reference Samples
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of homogeneous reference hair materials is hindered by the inability to achieve cost-effective and large-scale production of uniformly sized hair samples, as existing methods like grinding result in mechanical destruction and thermal damage, leading to poor comparability and contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a cylindrically formed retaining element and a cutting device allows for the immobilization and bundling of hair samples, enabling controlled cutting into segments of defined length without structural damage, maintaining homogeneity and preventing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If grinding is used to reduce particle size for homogeneity, then homogeneity is improved, but structural integrity is destroyed and thermal damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the grinding mechanism (which causes structural destruction and thermal damage) with a cutting mechanism. The cutting device uses a blade to slice hair samples into segments, maintaining structural integrity while achieving homogeneity through controlled segmentation rather than pulverization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the particle size reduction approach from extreme fine grinding to controlled segment cutting. By adjusting cutting parameters (blade sharpness, cutting speed, segment length), the process achieves sufficient homogeneity for reference materials without destroying the hair's structural characteristics.
2Strength
If manual cutting is used to maintain structural integrity, then structural integrity is preserved, but productivity is low and homogeneity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the hair sample into multiple segments of defined length using a cutting device. This segmentation approach maintains structural integrity while enabling batch processing of multiple samples simultaneously, significantly improving productivity compared to manual cutting of individual hairs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cutting device as an intermediary between manual handling and final sample preparation. The device includes a cutting blade and a support structure that holds multiple hair samples, enabling automated or semi-automated cutting while preserving structural characteristics that manual methods maintain.
3Manufacturing precision
If embedding medium is used for cutting, then cutting precision is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the embedding medium step entirely from the cutting process. Instead of embedding hair in paraffin or other media and then cutting, the device cuts loose or loosely held hair samples directly, eliminating the source of contamination while maintaining cutting precision through the cutting device's design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple, disposable cutting blade that can be easily replaced. This eliminates the need for complex embedding media and extensive cleaning procedures, reducing contamination risk while maintaining precision through the blade's sharpness and proper positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device to cut hair, fibers, or thin, flexible materials, comprising at least one retaining element (2) with a cylindrically formed interior that is suitable for immobilizing and potentially bundling in lengthwise direction a sample (1) to be cut, composed of a multiplicity of hairs, fibers, or thin, flexible materials, and a cutting device (3) that is suitable for cutting the sample that is immobilized and possibly bundled in lengthwise direction, in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the cylinder axis of the interior of the retaining element (2). The present invention relates furthermore to a method making use of the device, as well as a hair section that can be produced with the device or the method.