Patent Application
20100083520
The present invention generally relates to equipment used to clean simulated hair articles.
Many people wear simulated hair articles such as wigs, toupees, hair extensions, moustaches, and beards to modify their appearance. The simulated hair articles may require periodic cleaning to maintain a good appearance, eliminate odors, and reduce or eliminate growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, molds, fungi, and the like.
One implementation of a presently preferred apparatus for cleaning a simulated hair article includes a housing, an ozone generator, and an ultraviolet light source. The housing has a chamber that encloses the simulated hair article while being cleaned. The ozone generator communicates with the chamber to provide ozone gas inside the chamber to help clean the simulated hair article. And the ultraviolet light source is supported by the housing and emits ultraviolet light inside the chamber to help clean the simulated hair article.
Another implementation of a presently preferred apparatus for cleaning a simulated hair article includes a housing, an ozone generator, and a gas recirculation structure. The housing has a chamber that encloses the simulated hair article, and has a compartment that is separate from the chamber. The ozone generator is located in the compartment and provides ozone gas inside the chamber to clean the simulated hair article. And the gas recirculation structure allows gas to go from the chamber, to the ozone generator, and back to the chamber.
The following detailed description of preferred embodiments and best mode will be set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring in more detail to the drawings,
The housing 14 encloses and seals the simulated hair article 12 while the simulated hair article is being cleaned. Referring to
The compartment 24 houses the ozone generator 16 and the gas recirculation structure 20. The panel 26 extends across the housing 14 and separates the chamber 22 and the compartment 24. The panel 26 has a first opening 36 for connection with the gas recirculation structure 20, and has a second opening 38 also for connection with the gas recirculation structure. The pedestal 28 is carried by the panel 26 and supports the simulated hair article 12. The pedestal 28 has a wire-frame 40 that permits gas to pass therethrough and to the simulated hair article 12 so that gas contacts the simulated hair article on all sides. The pedestal 28 is removable from the housing 14.
In other embodiments, the housing 14 can have different arrangements and configurations, and can have more, less, and/or different components than shown and described. To cite but a few examples, an air freshener could be provided in the housing 14 to emit a scent or odor neutralizer, the pedestal 28 need not be provided and another way of supporting the simulated hair article 12 could be used, the housing could have a rectangular shape, and the door 34 could be located in the ceiling 32.
The ozone generator 16 converts oxygen in the air into ozone gas (O3) and supplies the ozone gas to the chamber 22, where the ozone gas undergoes an oxidation reaction that helps clean the simulated hair article 12. The ozone generator 16 can come in various types including, but not limited to, a corona discharge type, a cold plasma type, and an ultraviolet type. Taking the corona discharge type as an example, the ozone generator 16 produces about 300 mg of ozone gas per hour at about 3.5 cubic feet of gas per minute. In other embodiments, the ozone generator 16 can produce up to about 1000 mg of ozone gas per hour. Referring to
The UV light source 18 emits ultraviolet light inside of the chamber 22 to help clean the simulated hair article 12. The emitted ultraviolet light includes light in the UVC range (280-100 nm), and includes wavelengths of about 185 nm, and/or 254-265 nm. Wavelengths of about 185 nm can convert atmospheric oxygen (O2) into ozone gas. Referring to
The gas recirculation structure 20 circulates gas through the cleaning apparatus 10 from the chamber 22, into the ozone generator 16, and back to the chamber with ozone therewith. In some cases, the circulation increases the concentration of ozone gas in the chamber 22 by taking oxygen that may not have been initially converted or has reverted back to oxygen, and converting it into ozone gas. Still referring to
In some embodiments, a desiccant 52 is provided in the cleaning apparatus 10 to remove water and/or moisture from gas passing therethrough. The desiccant 52 can include various substances that absorb water and/or moisture such as silica gel and calcium chloride, for example. Referring to
In use, the cleaning apparatus 10 preferably uses a combination of ozone gas and ultraviolet light to clean the simulated hair article 12. The simulated hair article 12 is placed on the pedestal 28 and the door 34 is closed to isolate the chamber 22 from the outside environment. Once closed, gas trapped inside of the chamber 22 is subject to circulation through the gas recirculation structure 20. The switch 42 activates the ozone generator 16, the UV light source 18, or a combination of both. For example, in different cleaning cycles, the ozone generator 16 produces ozone gas for a set period of time, then the UV light source 18 emits ultraviolet light for another set period of time, or both occur simultaneously. Likewise, the gas recirculation structure 20 circulates gas through the cleaning apparatus 10 for a set period of time, which is less than the total time for the cleaning cycle, which is equal to the total time, or which is greater than the total time. In the latter case, the gas recirculation structure 20 circulates gas through the ozone generator 16 after the ozone generator ceases producing ozone gas. The ozone generator 16 is turned OFF for a sufficient period of time for ozone gas to revert back to oxygen.
While the forms of the invention herein disclosed constitute presently preferred embodiments, many others are possible. It is not intended herein to mention all the possible equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms used herein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
