Hair Beauty Instrument

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-116322, filed Jul. 14, 2023, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-009994, filed Jan. 26, 2024. The contents of both priority applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a hair beauty instrument.

A hair iron (hair beauty instrument), in which heating plates for clamping and heating hair are respectively provided on facing surfaces of a pair of clamping bodies, and heaters for supplying heat are respectively provided in center parts of heat supply surfaces of the heating plates that are on counter sides of clamping surfaces for clamping the hair, has been proposed (see Patent Publication No. 2008-054982).

However, such a hair iron is used for, for example, straightening frizzy hair, but its way of use is limited.

SUMMARY

In the light of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a hair beauty instrument which can be used for various purposes.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a hair beauty instrument is provided. This hair beauty instrument includes: a heating unit; and a vibration unit. The vibration unit is configured to be in contact with hair and apply vibration to the hair. The heating unit is configured to be in contact with the hair and apply heat to the hair, and a temperature of a part to be in contact with the hair can be set at 100° C. or more.

According to such an aspect, the hair beauty instrument can be used for a variety of applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hair beauty instrument of Embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a state where a front end side of the hair beauty instrument illustrated in FIG. 1 is split and separated.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the hair beauty instrument illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a lower main body illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of an upper main body illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper main body illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the hair beauty instrument illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a hair beauty instrument of Embodiment 2.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a lower main body illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of an upper main body illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating other configurations of a functional unit.

FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b) are schematic diagrams illustrating other configurations of the functional unit.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a hair beauty instrument of Embodiment 3.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a lower main body illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of an upper main body illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a part of the lower main body illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a unit section having a light emitting unit and a second heating plate.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the unit section illustrated in FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating a hair beauty instrument of Embodiment 4.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a hair beauty instrument of Embodiment 5.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating a hair beauty instrument of Embodiment 6.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating a hair beauty instrument of Embodiment 7.

FIG. 24 is a side view illustrating a front end side of the hair beauty instrument of Embodiment 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The various features illustrated in the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

A program for realizing a software described in the present embodiment may be provided as a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium, may be provided to be downloaded via an external server, or may be provided so that the program is activated on an external computer and the program's function is realized on a client terminal (that is, the function is provided by so-called cloud computing).

A term “unit” in the present embodiment may include, for example, a combination of a hardware resource implemented as circuits in a broad sense and information processing of software that can be concretely realized by the hardware resource. Furthermore, various kinds of information are described in the present embodiment, and such information may be represented by, for example, physical values of signal values representing voltage and current, high and low signal values as a set of binary bits consisting of 0 or 1, or quantum superposition (so-called qubits), and communication and computation may be executed on a circuit in a broad sense.

The circuit in a broad sense is a circuit realized by properly combining at least a circuit, circuitry, a processor, a memory, and the like. In other words, a circuit includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (e.g., simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (CLPD), field programmable gate array (FPGA), and the like.

Embodiment 1

First, a hair beauty instrument according to Embodiment 1 will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hair beauty instrument of Embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a state where a front end side of the hair beauty instrument illustrated in FIG. 1 is split and separated.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the hair beauty instrument illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a lower main body illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of an upper main body illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper main body illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the hair beauty instrument illustrated in FIG. 1.

In the following description, a left side in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6 is also referred to as a “front end side”, a right side as a “base end side”; and a lower side in FIGS. 4 and 5 is also referred to as a “front end side”, an upper side as a “base end side”.

Further, an upper side in FIGS. 2 and 6 is also referred to as an “upper side”, a lower side as a “lower side”; a front side of the sheet of FIG. 4 is also referred to as an “upper side”, a back side of the sheet as a “lower side”; and a back side of the sheet of FIG. 5 is also referred to as an “upper side”, a front side of the sheet as a “lower side”.

A hair beauty instrument 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes: a lower main body 2 (the first housing) having a vibration mechanism 8; an upper main body 3 (the second housing) having a light emitting mechanism 7; a hinge portion 4 connecting the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3 rotatably to each other; and a heating mechanism 9. The respective components will be described below one after another.

In the hair beauty instrument 1, the lower main body 2 (the first housing) and the upper main body 3 (the second housing) are provided to be movable close to and away from each other, and are configured to clamp hair therebetween. While clamping the hair between the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3, vibration can be applied to the hair via the vibration mechanism 8, heat can be applied to the hair via the heating mechanism 9, and light irradiation can be applied to the hair via the light emitting mechanism 7. Thereby, liquid agents such as treatment agents and coloring agents can be permeated smoothly and sufficiently into the hair, and hair straightening treatment and the like can be performed. Moreover, when the liquid agent contains a coloring agent that reacts with light, for example, color developability of the hair can be enhanced.

The lower main body 2 includes: the vibration mechanism 8; a part of the heating mechanism 9; and the lower housing 22 which accommodates and supports the vibration mechanism 8 and the part of the heating mechanism 9. Further, the lower housing 22 includes: a lower case 221; and a lower cover 222 for filling an upper opening of the lower case 221.

Constituent materials of the lower housing 22 (the lower case 221 and the lower cover 222) are not particularly limited, but examples thereof include hard resin materials such as polycarbonate, polypropylene, polystyrene and ABS resin.

On the front end side of the lower cover 222, an opening 222a is provided, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Into this opening 222a, one vibration plate 82 and two heating plates 92 are fit. That is, the hair beauty instrument 1 is provided with the one vibration plate 82 and the two heating plates 92.

The vibration plate 82 is configured to be in contact with the hair and apply vibration from the vibration mechanism 8 to the hair, and each of the heating plates 92 is configured to be in contact with the hair and apply heat from the heating mechanism 9 to the hair. That is, in the present embodiment, the vibration plate 82 and the vibration mechanism 8 constitute a vibration unit 80 which is in contact with the hair and applies the vibration to the hair, and each of the heating plates 92 and the heating mechanism 9 constitute a heating unit 90 which is in contact with the hair and applies the heat to the hair. Further, the heating unit 90 can set a temperature of the respective heating plates 92 (at parts in contact with the hair) at 100° C. or more.

Then, in the present embodiment, the one vibration plate 82 and the two heating plates 92 are provided together in the lower housing (one housing among the first housing and the second housing) 22.

Specifically, the lower housing (the one housing) 22 has an elongated shape, and a direction of providing the one vibration plate 82 and the two heating plates 92 together is a short direction of the lower housing (the one housing) 22. That is, the hair beauty instrument 1 includes the plurality (two in the present embodiment) of the heating plates 92, and the one vibration plate 82 is provided between the adjacent two heating plates 92. Thereby, the heat and the vibration can be applied one after the other to the hair passing through between the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3 which are brought close to each other. Therefore, when using the liquid agent, a permeation efficiency of the liquid agent into the hair can be enhanced.

Further, a packing material (a sealing member) which is not illustrated is disposed between: the one vibration plate 82 and the two heating plates 92; and the lower cover 222, thereby securing liquid tightness of the lower housing 22.

In the lower housing 22, a vibrator 81 in contact with the vibration plate 82; a vibration control substrate 83 on the base end side of the vibrator 81; a heat sink 24 for cooling the vibrator 81; and other packing materials (sealing members) which are not illustrated are provided. In the present embodiment, the vibration mechanism 8 includes the vibrator 81 and the vibration control substrate 83.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the vibration is applied to the hair from the vibrator 81 (the vibration mechanism 8) via the vibration plate 82. According to the configuration, the vibration is more likely to be applied uniformly to the hair. Therefore, when using the liquid agent, the permeation efficiency of the liquid agent into the hair can be enhanced, and the unevenness in the penetration can be prevented favorably.

The vibration control substrate 83 sets vibration conditions (for example, a vibration frequency) of the vibrator 81 (the vibration plate 82).

On a lower side of each of the heating plates 92, a film heater (a heat source) 91 incorporating electric heating wire is disposed. That is, the lower housing 22 supports the film heaters 91.

Specifically, the film heaters 91 can be obtained by forming polyamide, in which the electric heating wire is embedded, into a film. The use of the film heaters 91 enables to attain the desired heating temperature more quickly. As a result, time required for the heat treatment and the permeation treatment for the hair can be shortened.

Resistance values of the film heaters 91 range preferably from about 2Ω or more to about 20Ω or less, more preferably from about 4Ω or more to about 17Ω or less, and further preferably about 6Ω or more to about 14Ω or less. The film heaters 91 having such resistance values can further improve the above-described effect. In addition, instead of the film heaters 91, ceramic heaters, heating light sources (for example, heating halogen lamps) or the like can be used as the heat sources.

Constituent materials of the vibration plate 82 are not particularly limited, but examples thereof include metallic and ceramic materials. Among them, the constituent materials of the vibration plate 82 are preferably metallic materials, are more preferably stainless steel, aluminum or aluminum alloy, and are further preferably stainless steel. The vibration plate 82 made of stainless steel is preferable, because stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance, and an upper surface thereof is smooth and slides favorably against the hair. Thus, damage to the hair can be reduced.

Further, as constituent materials of the heating plates 92, materials similar to those of the vibration plate 82 can be exemplified, and stainless steel is preferable. The heating plates 92 made of stainless steel are preferable because of its high thermal conductivity. In this case, for the same reason as that described above, oxide films (in particular, oxide films exhibiting black or a dark color) are preferably formed on upper surfaces of the heating plates 92.

An upper surface (a surface contacting the hair) of each of the vibration plate 82 and the heating plates 92 has a surface roughness (an arithmetic mean height Ra) ranging preferably from about 0.2 μm or more to about 6.3 μm or less, and more preferably from about 1.6 μm or more to about 3.2 μm or less. If the surface roughness of the upper surface of each of the vibration plate 82 and the heating plates 92 is sufficiently small, slidability of the hair against the upper surface of each of the vibration plate 82 and the heating plates 92 can be further enhanced. Incidentally, the arithmetic mean height Ra is a value specified in JIS B0601:2001.

Moreover, each of the vibration plate 82 and the heating plates 92 preferably has an oxide film on the upper surface (the surface in contact with the hair) thereof. By forming the oxide film on the upper surface of each of the vibration plate 82 and the heating plates 92, the surface roughness of the upper surface of each of the vibration plate 82 and the heating plates 92 can be adjusted easily into the above-described range.

In addition, the oxide film preferably exhibits black or a dark color. Thereby, the heat from the heating mechanism 9 can be absorbed, whereby a heating effect with respect to the hair can be enhanced. Also, the aesthetic appearance of each of the vibration plate 82 and the heating plates 92 can be improved.

The above-described oxide film can be formed relatively easily by anodic oxidation treatment using, for example, process liquid containing a black or dark-color dye.

Incidentally, on the upper surface of each of the vibration plate 82 and the heating plates 92, a coating film containing black silica is preferably formed. By forming the above-described coating film, the damage to the hair can be reduced.

Instead of the oxidation film, a coating film which enhances the slidability against the hair more than that of each of the vibration plate 82 and the heating plates 92 is also preferable to be provided on the upper surface (the surface in contact with the hair) of each of the vibration plate 82 and the heating plates 92. By forming the above-described coating film, the slidability of the hair against the upper surface of each of the vibration plate 82 and the heating plates 92 can be more enhanced.

In this case, the coating film preferably has higher hardness than that of each of the vibration plate 82 and the heating plates 92. Thereby, the slidability of the hair against the upper surface of each of the vibration plate 82 and the heating plates 92 can be further enhanced. In the case where the vibration plate 82 and the heating plates 92 are mainly made of stainless steel, the coating film is preferably made of titanium. The coating film made of titanium can be formed onto the upper surface of each of the vibration plate 82 and the heating plates 92 by, for example, a vapor phase film formation method such as vapor deposition and sputtering.

As described above, in the light of the enhancement of the slidability of the hair, the surface roughness (the arithmetic mean height Ra) of the upper surface of each of the vibration plate 82 and the heating plates 92 is preferably as small as possible, but polishing processing is likely to increase the manufacturing cost. Thus, each of the vibration plate 82 and the heating plates 92 is preferably made of stainless steel or ceramics, or coated with a fluorine resin (for example, tetrafluoroethylene) film or a black stainless steel film. Thereby, the vibration plate 82 and the heating plates 92 having the smooth upper surfaces can be manufactured at relatively low costs.

Incidentally, in the configuration illustrated in the figure, the upper surface of the one vibration plate 82 and the upper surfaces of the two heating plates 92 constitute a flat plane, but for example, the upper surface of the one vibration plate 82 may be positioned on the lower side than the upper surfaces of the two heating plates 92 with a level difference therebetween. Further, the upper surface of the one vibration plate 82 and the upper surfaces of the two heating plates 92 may constitute a curved concave surface as entirety so that a center part in the short direction may be the lowest. Furthermore, the upper surface of the one vibration plate 82 and the upper surfaces of the two heating plates 92 may be shaped in waveform as entirety along the short direction.

Moreover, the hair beauty instrument 1 is provided with a pair of brush units 5, which protrude toward both sides, on the front end side of the lower case 221 (in positions corresponding to those of the vibration plate 82 and the heating plates 92). Each of the brush unit 5 is provided with a plurality of pin-shaped comb teeth 51, and the hair can pass through between the comb teeth 51.

In the state where the lower main body 2 (the first housing) and the upper main body 3 (the second housing) are brought close to each other, by clamping and sliding the hair, the hair in a bundled state can be led and pass through between the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3. That is, the brush unit 5 constitutes a leading unit for leading the hair into a space between the lower main body 2 (the first housing) and the upper main body 3 (the second housing), which are brought close to each other.

Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a concave portion 223 and a cylindrical portion 224 surrounding an opening of the concave portion 223 are provided on the base end side of the lower case 221. Inside this concave portion 223, a cylindrical seal member 25 and a coil spring 26 are disposed.

The seal member 25 is connected to the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3 while securing liquid tightness. Into the seal member 25, wire that electrically connects electrical components in the lower main body 2 with electrical components in the upper main body 3 is inserted. Incidentally, the seal member 25 can be mainly made of, for example, a rubber material such as silicone rubber. A coil spring 26 is provided to be in contact with both of the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3. When the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3 are brought closer to each other, the coil spring 26 comes in a shrunken state, and then is forced into a direction to separate the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3.

To a base end portion of the lower main body 2, the upper main body 3 is connected rotatably with respect to the lower main body 2.

The upper main body 3 includes: the light emitting mechanism 7; a part of the heating mechanism 9; and the upper housing (the second housing) 32 which accommodates and supports the light emitting mechanism 7 and the part of the heating mechanism 9. Further, the upper housing 32 includes: an upper case 321; and an upper cover 322 for filling a lower opening of the upper case 321.

Constituent materials of the upper housing 32 (the upper case 321 and the upper cover 322) are not particularly limited, but examples thereof include hard resin materials such as polycarbonate, polypropylene, polystyrene and ABS resin.

On the front end side of the upper cover 322, an opening 322a is provided, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In this opening 322a, a light emitting unit (a functional unit) 71 is provided, and two heating plates 92 are fit on both sides of the light emitting unit 71.

On the upper side of each of the heating plates 92, a film heater (a heat source) 91 similar to the above-described film heater 91 is disposed. That is, the upper housing 32 supports the film heaters 91.

Further, in the present embodiment, the heating mechanism 9 includes: the four film heaters 91 provided in the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3; and a part of the main control substrate 30.

Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a packing material (a sealing member) 323 is disposed between: the respective heating plates 92; and the upper cover 322, thereby securing liquid tightness of the upper housing 32.

The light emitting unit 71 can includes: a transparent (colorless and transparent, colored and transparent, or semitransparent) support plate; and a plurality of light sources (for example, LEDs) fixed (supported) on an upper surface of the support plate. As the light sources, only one color may be used alone, or two or more colors may be used in combination.

That is, when the lower main body 2 (the first housing) and the upper main body 3 (the second housing) are brought close to each other, the upper main body 3 (the other housing) is positioned so as to face the vibration plate 82, and includes a light emitting unit 71 as a functional unit that has a function different from that of the vibration plate 82. According to the above-described configuration, more kinds of treatment can be performed to the hair. Further, the upper main body 3 (the other housing) includes the heating plates (second heating plates) 92 which are provided together with the light emitting unit (the functional unit) 71, are in contact with the hair, and apply heat from the film heaters 91 (the heating mechanism) to the hair.

Specifically, the upper housing (the other housing) 32 has an elongated shape, and a direction of providing the two heating plates 92 and the one light emitting unit 71 together is a short direction of the upper housing (the other housing). That is, the hair beauty instrument 1 includes the plurality (two in the present embodiment) of the heating plates 92, and the one light emitting unit 71 is provided between the adjacent two heating plates 92. Thereby, the light irradiation and the heat can be applied to the hair passing through between the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3 which are brought close to each other. Therefore, when using the liquid agent, the permeation efficiency of the liquid agent into the hair can be enhanced. Moreover, when the liquid agent contains a coloring agent that reacts with light, for example, color developability of the hair can be enhanced.

In the hair beauty instrument 1, an entire planar shape of the one vibration plate 82 and the two heating plates 92 in the lower main body 2 and an entire planar shape of the one light emitting unit (the functional unit) 71 and the two heating plates (the second heating plates) 92 in the upper main body 3 are set to have substantially the same rectangular shapes. In particular, in the hair beauty instrument 1, an entire plane area of the one vibration plate 82 and the two heating plates 92 in the lower main body 2 and an entire plane area of the one light emitting unit (the functional unit) 71 and the two heating plates (the second heating plates) 92 are set to be substantially equal. According to the above-described configuration, various kinds of treatment can be performed to the hair efficiently.

Incidentally, the above-described plane area is not particularly limited, but ranges preferably from about 1000 mm²or more to about 2500 mm′ or less, and more preferably from about 1200 mm²or more to about 2300 mm′ or less. The above-described range of the plane area can secure sufficient contact areas between: the vibration plate 82, the heating plates 92 and the light emitting unit 71; and the hair during the various kinds of the treatment.

Incidentally, in the configuration illustrated in the figure, a lower surface of the one light emitting unit 71 and lower surfaces of the two heating plates 92 constitute a flat plane, but for example, the lower surface of the one light emitting unit 71 may be located on the lower side than the lower surfaces of the two heating plates 92 with a level difference therebetween. Further, the lower surface of the one light emitting unit 71 and the lower surfaces of the two heating plates 92 may constitute a curved convex surface as entirety so that a center part in the short direction may be the lowest. Furthermore, the lower surface of the one light emitting unit 71 and the lower surfaces of the two heating plates 92 may be shaped in waveform as entirety along the short direction.

That is, a plane constituted of the upper surface of the one vibration plate 82 and the upper surfaces of the two heating plates 92 and a plane constituted of the lower surface of the one light emitting unit 71 and the two heating plates 92 can have the corresponding shapes.

In the upper housing 32, a light emission control substrate 72 and a power supply 34 are provided on the upper side of the film heaters 91. By using the film heaters 91 as the heat sources, a space in the upper housing 32 can be secured sufficiently, so that the light emission control substrate 72 and the power supply 34 can be disposed in this space. As a result, the hair beauty instrument 1 can be downsized.

The emission control substrate 72 sets conditions for the emission of the light sources (for example, selection of the light sources to emit and emitting patterns).

The power source can be constituted of, for example, a primary battery such as a dry battery, a solar battery and a fuel cell or a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery. In addition, by disposing the power supply with a relatively large mass on the front end side of the upper housing 32, the user can easily perform an operation to move the upper main body 3 closer to the lower main body 2.

On the base end side in the upper housing 32, a main control substrate 30, a connector portion 39 and other packing material (a sealing member) which is not illustrated are provided.

The connector portion 39 is open to an outside at the base end of the upper main body 3. In the case where the power source is a rechargeable battery, a connector portion of a charging device is connected to the connector portion 39 so as to charge the power source.

Further, on the base end side of the upper case 321, a concave portion 323 and a cylindrical portion 324 surrounding an opening of the concave portion 323 are provided as illustrated in FIG. 5. Inside of this concave portion 323, an engagement portion 35 with which the seal member 25 is engaged and a spring seat 36 for a coil spring 26 are provided.

In an assembling state of the hair beauty instrument 1, the cylindrical portion 324 is inserted into the concave portion 223 and the cylindrical portion 224.

On the upper surface of the upper case 321, two operation buttons 37 and 38 are provided as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6. For example, the operation button 37 is a button for turning on/off the power, and the operation button 38 is a button for selecting and determining an operation mode of the hair beauty instrument 1. Incidentally, the operation buttons 37 and 38 may have other functions respectively.

In addition, an operation button for setting a frequency of the vibration, an operation button for setting the heating temperature or the like may be provided.

The lower housing (the first housing) 22 of the lower main body 2 and the upper housing (the second housing) 32 of the upper main body 3 are connected rotatably to each other via the hinge portion 4. That is, the base end portion of the lower housing (the first housing) 22 (the end portion on a side opposite to the vibration plate 82 and the heating plates 92, that is, the end portion on a side opposite to where the hair is clamped) is connected rotatably to the base end portion of the upper housing (the second housing) 32 (the end portion on a side opposite to the light emitting portion 71, that is, the end portion on a side opposite to where the hair is clamped).

Specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, in the base end portion of the lower cover 222, a pair of annular connecting portions 41, which face each other in the short direction, are provided. On the other hand, in the base end portion of the upper cover 322, a pair of annular connecting portions 42, which face each other in the short direction, are provided. The pair of the annular connecting portions 41 and the pair of the annular connecting portions 42 are aligned to match their positions, a shaft member 43a is inserted into respective through holes of the annular connecting portions 41 and 42, and a fixing member 43b is attached to an end portion of the shaft member 43a. Thereby, the hinge portion 4 is formed, thereby the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3 can be connected rotatably to each other.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the lower housing (the first housing) 22 and the upper housing (the second housing) 32, which can be moved close to and away from each other, constitute a support unit 100 for supporting the heating unit 90 and the vibration unit 80.

Next, the electrical configuration of the hair beauty instrument 1 will be described.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, to the main control substrate 30, the vibration control substrate 83, the film heaters 91, the light emission control substrate 72, the power supply 34 and the connector portion 39 are electrically connected.

Further, the light emitting unit 71 is connected to the light emission control substrate 72, and the light emitting unit 71 and the light emission control substrate 72 constitute the light emitting mechanism 7. The vibrator 81 is connected to the vibration control substrate 83, and the vibrator 81 and the vibration control substrate 83 constitute the vibration mechanism 8.

The main control substrate 30 incorporates an arithmetic element 301 and a storage element 302. Incidentally, the vibration control substrate 83 and the emission control substrate 72 may also incorporate an arithmetic element and a storage element respectively.

The arithmetic element 301 is constituted of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit) or the like. The arithmetic element 301 reads out a predetermined program stored in the storage element 302 so as to realize various functions related to the hair beauty instrument 1. That is, information processing by software, which is stored in the storage element 302, can be specifically realized by the arithmetic element 301.

Incidentally, the arithmetic element 301 is not limited to single, and a plurality of the arithmetic elements 301 may be provided for the respective functions. Also, combinations thereof may be adopted. In particular, beside the arithmetic element 301 related to the vibration control of the vibrator 81, the arithmetic element 301 for the heating control of the film heaters 91 is preferably provided.

The storage element 302 stores various information defined by the above description. That is, the storage element 302 can store the information as, for example, a storage device such as a solid state drive (SSD) that stores various programs or the like related to the hair beauty instrument 1 to be executed by the arithmetic element 301, or a memory such as a random access memory (RAM) that stores temporarily necessary information (arguments, sequences and the like) related to program calculations.

Moreover, the storage element 302 stores various programs, variables and the like related to the hair beauty instrument 1 to be executed by the arithmetic element 301.

For example, in the case of using the liquid agent, while positioning the hair that holds the liquid agent between the vibration plate 82 and the heating plate 92 (the film heater 91) and between the light emitting unit 71 and the heating plate 92 (the film heater 91), the vibration is applied to the hair from the vibrator 81 via the vibration plate 82, the heat is applied by the film heater 91 via the heating plate 92 to the hair, and the light irradiation is applied from the light emitting unit 71 to the hair. In this way, the liquid agent can be permeated smoothly and sufficiently into the hair. Moreover, when the liquid agent contains a coloring agent that reacts with light, for example, color developability of the hair can be enhanced.

When the heat is applied to the hair together with the vibration, a frequency of the vibration is set at about 0.8 MHz or more and about 1.5 MHz or less, preferably about 0.9 MHz or more and about 1.4 MHz or less, and more preferably about 1 MHz or more and about 1.3 MHz or less. By setting the frequency of the vibration within the above-described range, the permeation efficiency of the liquid agent into the hair can be more enhanced.

An output value of the vibration from the vibration mechanism 8 ranges preferably from 0.05 W or more to 0.2 W or less, more preferably from about 0.07 W or more to about 0.17 W or less, and further preferably from about 0.09 W or more to about 0.14 W or less per unit area [cm] of the vibration plate 82. In this case, uniformity of the vibration of the entire vibration plate 82 can be enhanced. Therefore, unevenness in the permeation of the liquid agent into the hair is less likely to be caused.

Moreover, a heating temperature is set at about 55° C. or more and about 100° C. or less, preferably about 60° C. or more and about 95° C. or less, and more preferably about 65° C. or more and about 90° C. or less. By setting the heating temperature within the above-described range, the permeation efficiency of the liquid agent into the hair can be further enhanced.

The above-described conditions are suitable for performing the permeation mode for permeating the liquid agent into the hair. Incidentally, after the permeation mode, or alternatively to the permeation mode, in the iron mode for pressing the hair at a high temperature, the heating temperature of the heating plate 92 can be set preferably at 80° C. or more and 200° C. or less, in addition to the vibration of the vibration plate 82 under the above-described conditions.

Incidentally, in the iron mode, the hair beauty instrument 1 can be used for the purposes of A: hair straightening, B: treatment, C: normal hair ironing and the like.

A: Hair Straightening

In this case, a first agent is applied to the hair so as to cut chemical bonds of components in the wavy hair. Subsequently, after washing the first agent away from the hair, the hair is dried. Thereafter, the hair is clamped between the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3 of the hair beauty instrument 1 which is set in the iron mode, and is pressed at the high temperature. Finally, a second agent is applied to the hair and left as it is, thereby recombining the chemical bonds of the components in the hair in a state of being straightened. Incidentally, in the last step, while leaving the second agent as it is, the hair may also be clamped between the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3 of the hair beauty instrument 1 which is set in the permeation mode.

As the agent used above, for example, QUOLINE (produced by ARIMINO CO., LTD.), “NeoLiscio” (produced by Milbon Co., Ltd.) and the like can be exemplified.

B: Treatment

In this case, the first agent is initially applied to the hair. Thereafter, the hair is clamped between the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3 of the hair beauty instrument 1 which is set in the permeation mode, thereby permeating the first agent into the hair. Subsequently, the first agent is washed away from the hair. Then, the second agent is applied to the hair. Thereafter, the hair is clamped between the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3 of the hair beauty instrument 1 which is set in the permeation mode, thereby permeating the second agent into the hair. Subsequently, the hair is dried. Finally, the hair is clamped between the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3 of the hair beauty instrument 1 which is set in the iron mode, and is pressed at the high temperature. Thereby, bonds of the agents permeated into the hair can be strengthened.

As the agent used above, BALANCER (produced by ARIMINO SLIM CO., LTD.), SCIENCE AQUA (produced by S-AQUA CO., LTD.) and the like can be exemplified. Incidentally, there is a case of using only one single agent without distinction between the first agent and the second agent.

Embodiment 2

Next, a hair beauty instrument according to Embodiment 2 will be described.

Hereinafter, the hair beauty instrument 1 of Embodiment 2 will be described focusing on the distinctions from the above-described hair beauty instrument 1 of Embodiment 1, and similar matters will be omitted from the description.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a hair beauty instrument of Embodiment 2.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a lower main body illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of an upper main body illustrated in FIG. 8.

In the following description, a left side in FIG. 8 is also referred to as a “front end side”, a right side as a “base end side”; and a lower side in FIGS. 9 and 10 is also referred to as a “front end side”, an upper side as a “base end side”.

Further, a front side of the sheet of FIG. 9 is also referred to as an “upper side”, a back side of the sheet as a “lower side”; and a back side of the sheet of FIG. 10 is also referred to as an “upper side”, a front side of the sheet as a “lower side”.

The hair beauty instrument 1 of Embodiment 2 differs mainly in configuration of the front end side of the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3, and other configurations are similar to the hair beauty instrument 1 of Embodiment 1. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, the brush unit 5 is omitted from the lower main body 2, and the heating plate 92 has a shape that is extended over lateral portions of the lower cover 222 and an upper end portion of the lower case 221. Further, the heating plate 92 has a shape that is extended over lateral portions of the upper cover 322 and an lower end portion of the upper case 321. According to the configuration, when the hair is allowed to pass through the space between the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3 which are made close to each other, contact time of the heating plate 92 with the hair can be extended. Therefore, the permeation efficiency of the liquid agent into the hair can be further increased.

Moreover, in Embodiment 2, the connector portion 39 is provided in the base end portion of the lower main body 2, instead of the base end portion of the upper main body 3.

Furthermore, the hinge portion 4 includes a bearing-shaped connecting portion 41 and a shaft-shaped connecting portion 42 that is inserted into the through hole of the connecting portion 41.

The functional unit may also be configured as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12.

FIGS. 11, 12(a) and 12(b) are schematic diagrams illustrating other configurations of the functional unit, respectively. The functional unit illustrated in FIG. 11 is constituted of a chemical agent support unit which supports a chemical agent. This chemical agent support unit 6 includes: a support; and a chemical agent supported by the support. As the support, for example, a paper base, a resin base, a gel base, a porous ceramics base, a metal base, a glass base and the like can be exemplified.

Further, as the chemical agent, for example, hyaluronic acid, malic acid, amino acids, vitamins, lactones and the like can be exemplified.

The functional unit illustrated in FIG. 12(a) is constituted of the heating plates 92.

In this case, heating temperatures of the three heating plates 92 can be set to be the same or different. The functional unit illustrated in FIG. 12(b) is constituted of the single heating plate 92.

In the hair beauty instrument 1, an entire planar shape of the one vibration plate 82 and the two heating plates 92 in the lower main body 2 and a planar shape of the single heating plate (the functional unit) 92 are set to be substantially the same. In particular, in the hair beauty instrument 1, an entire plane area of the one vibration plate 82 and the two heating plates 92 in the lower main body 2 and a plane area of the single heating plate (the functional unit) 92 are set to be substantially equal. According the above-described configuration, various kinds of treatments can be applied to the hair efficiently.

Further, the functional unit may be a magnetic field generation unit that generates a magnetic field, may be an electric field generation unit that generates an electric field, may be an ion generation unit that generates ions, or may be an ozone generation unit that generates ozone or the like.

Embodiment 3

Next, a hair beauty instrument according to Embodiment 3 will be described.

Hereinafter, the hair beauty instrument 1 of Embodiment 3 will be described focusing on the distinctions from the above-described hair beauty instruments 1 of Embodiment 1 and 2, and similar matters will be omitted from the description.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a hair beauty instrument of Embodiment 3.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a lower main body illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of an upper main body illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a part of the lower main body illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a unit section having a light emitting unit and a second heating plate.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the unit section illustrated in FIG. 17.

In the following description, a left side in FIGS. 13, 16 and 17 is also referred to as a “front end side”, a right side as a “base end side”; a lower side in FIGS. 14 and 15 is also referred to as a “front end side”, an upper side as a “base end side”; and a front side of the sheet of FIGS. 18 and 19 is also referred to as a “front end side”, a back side of the sheet as a “base end side”. Further, a front side of the sheet of FIG. 14 is also referred to as an “upper side”, a back side of the sheet as a “lower side”; and a back side of the sheet of FIG. 15 is also referred to as an “upper side”, a front side of the sheet as a “lower side”.

Also, FIGS. 17 to 19 are illustrated upside down with respect to the other figures.

The hair beauty instrument 1 of Embodiment 3 differs mainly in configuration of the front end side of the lower main body 2 and the front end side of the upper main body 3, and other configurations are similar to the hair beauty instrument 1 of Embodiment 1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 15, the lower main body 2, in which the brush unit 5 is omitted, has a unit section 10 in which the light emitting unit 71, the film heater 91 and the heating plate (the second heating plate) 92 are unitized.

As illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 19, this unit section 10 includes: a first case 102; a second case 103; and a seal member 104 which seals between the first case 102 and the second case 103 liquid-tightly.

The first case 102 and the second case 103 can be made of resin materials similar to those exemplified for the lower housing 22 and the upper housing 32, respectively. In addition, the seal member 104 can be made of a rubber material similar to those exemplified for the seal member 25.

The first case 102 has an opening 102a and an opening 102b, as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19.

The opening 102a is filled with the heating plate 92, and the opening 102b is filled with a translucent plate 712. The translucent plate 712 can be made of, for example, a resin material having optical transparency.

The heating plate 92 and the translucent plate 712 are integrally molded (for example, insert molded) with the first case 102, respectively. Thereby, the air-tightness of the opening 102a and the opening 102b of the first case 102 are secured. As illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, the film heater 91 is disposed in contact with the heating plate 92, and a pressing member 93 (not illustrated in FIG. 18) is disposed between the film heater 91 and the second case 103. Further, in the base end portion of the film heater 91, a terminal 911 is provided. Whereas, a light emitting substrate 711 on which a plurality of light sources (for example, LEDs) 7111 are mounted is disposed to be separated from the translucent plate 712.

In the base end portion of the second case 103, an annular connecting portion 1031 protruding outward is provided, as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18. Whereas, on the lower cover 222 of the lower housing 22, a recessed concave portion 222b is formed as illustrated in FIG. 16. The unit section 10 is attached to the lower housing 22 by being accommodated in the concave portion 222b so that the heating plate 92 and the translucent plate 712 may be positioned outside (on a side closer to the upper main body 3).

Moreover, an annular connecting portion 225 protruding inward is formed in the concave portion 222b. When the unit section 10 is accommodated into the concave portion 222b, the connecting portion 1031 is inserted into the connecting portion 225. In this state, as illustrated in FIG. 16, a seal member 27 is attached to (engaged with) insides of the connecting portion 1031 and the connecting portion 225, thereby securing liquid tightness at a part of connecting the lower housing 22 with the unit section 10. Incidentally, the seal member 27 can be made of a rubber material similar to those exemplified for the seal member 25.

In addition, on an inner surface of the second case 103, engagement pins 1032 protruding inward are provided at predetermined points (two points: the front end portion; and the base end portion in the present embodiment), as illustrated in FIG. 19. Whereas, the light emitting substrate 711 has two through holes 711a in the front end portion and the base end portion to correspond to the engagement pins 1032. Then, the engagement pins 1032 are inserted into and engaged with the through holes 711a, whereby the light emitting substrates 711 can be fixed (attached) to the second case 103.

Furthermore, a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) elastic members 11 to 13 are disposed on an outer surface of the second case 103. The one elastic member 11 is disposed at a center of the front end portion of the second case 103, and the two elastic members 11 are disposed at a predetermined distance from each other in the base end portion of the second case 103.

In a side view of the unit section 10, front ends of the respective elastic members 11 to 13 protrude from the unit section 10 toward the lower housing 22. Therefore, the front ends of the respective elastic members 11 to 13 are in contact with the lower housing 22 in a state where the unit section 10 is attached to the lower housing 22, whereby a space S is formed between the unit section 10 and the lower housing 22 (the lower cover 222).

Since the respective elastic members 11 to 13 are elastically deformed, when an external force is applied to the unit section 10, the respective elastic members 11-13 are compressed, whereby the unit section 10 moves closer to the lower housing 22. Whereas, when the application of the external force to the unit section 10 is released, the respective elastic members 11 to 13 are restored to their substantially original shapes, whereby the unit section 10 moves away from the lower housing 22.

The above-described configuration can prevent application of unnecessary force to the hair, which may be caused by clamping the hair between the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3. Thereby, damage to the hair is less likely to occur.

Incidentally, a size of the space S in a height direction (a distance of the separation between the unit section 10 and the lower housing 22) in a natural state (with no external force applied) is not particularly limited, but ranges preferably from about 1 mm or more to about 10 mm or less, more preferably from about 2 mm or more to about 8 mm or less, and further preferably from about 3 mm or more to about 6 mm or less.

The respective elastic members 11 to 13 can be made of, for example, block bodies made of silicone rubber, coil springs or the like, but can also be constituted of other members (parts) that are elastically deformable.

Whereas, the heating plate 92 and the vibration plate 82 are fit into the upper cover 322 of the upper main body 3 so as to fill the opening 322a.

When the lower main body 2 (the first housing) and the upper main body 3 (the second housing) are brought close to each other, the heating plate 92 of the upper main body 3 and the heating plate 92 of the lower main body 2 are arranged to face each other, and the vibration plate 82 of the upper main body 3 and the translucent plate 712 of the lower main body 2 are arranged to face each other.

The hair beauty instrument 1 can be configured to be operated in modes including: a permeation mode of applying the vibrations to the hair while the hair is holding the liquid agent or is wet; and an iron mode of heating the hair at a temperature of 100° C. or more to adjust a shape of the hair. In the permeation mode, the hair beauty instrument 1 is preferably configured to further apply the heat to the hair in the permeation mode. Incidentally, in addition to the above-described modes, the hair beauty instrument 1 may also be configured to operate in other modes.

Specifically, the hair beauty instrument 1 can be configured to operate in three modes: (A) a permeation mode of applying the vibrations (+) at a low temperature (from about 50° C. or more to less than about 90° C., preferably at about 70° C.); (B) a pre-care mode (for before bedtime) of applying the vibrations (+) at a middle temperature (from about 80° C. or more to less than about 100° C.); and (C) an iron mode (styling mode) at a high temperature (from about 100° C. or more).

Incidentally, if unintentionally changing the mode into the iron mode while using in the permeation mode, damage may be caused to the hair. Thus, the hair beauty instrument 1 is preferably configured to distinguish these operations, for example, by increasing a distance between an operation button for selecting the permeation mode and an operation button for selecting the iron mode, or by designing the operation buttons to require long press for switching between the permeation mode and the iron mode.

Also, the hair beauty instrument 1 is preferably configured to facilitate recognition of the user by being equipped with a function of changing emission colors of the light sources or generating notification sound in accordance with the switching operations.

Incidentally, in the hair beauty instrument 1 of Embodiment 3, the film heater 91, the heating plate 92, the vibrator 81 and the vibration plate 82 may be unitized to constitute a unit section in the upper main body 3. The unit section in this case can also be configured to be displaced with respect to (move close to and away from) the upper housing 32.

Further, the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 can also be adopted in the hair beauty instrument 1 of Embodiment 3. By the configuring the unit section in which the acting portion is sealed liquid-tightly as described above, the acting portion can be designed to be movable with respect to the support unit. This acting portion may also be configured to be able to perform ion introduction, ion withdrawal, electric application or the like.

Embodiment 4

Next, a hair beauty instrument according to Embodiment 4 will be described.

Hereinafter, the hair beauty instrument 1A of Embodiment 4 will be described focusing on the distinctions from the above-described hair beauty instruments 1 of Embodiment 1 to 3, and similar matters will be omitted from the description.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating the hair beauty instrument of Embodiment 4.

Incidentally, in the following description, a right side in FIG. 20 is also referred to as a “front end side”, and a left side as a “base end side”.

The hair beauty instrument 1A of Embodiment 4 differs mainly in a point that the support unit 100 has only the lower main body 2 (the lower housing 22), and other configurations are similar to the hair beauty instrument 1 of Embodiment 1.

The hair beauty instrument 1A includes: a grip portion 21 to be grasped by a hand or the like; and a brush unit 5 provided on the front end side of the grip portion 21 (on the front end side of the lower cover 222 of the lower housing 22). In the present embodiment, this brush unit 5 constitutes a part of the heating unit 90 (a part to be in contact with the hair). Moreover, a base portion to which the brush unit 5 is fixed constitutes a part of the vibration unit 80 (a part to be in contact with the hair).

Incidentally, the brush unit 5 may be configured as a part of the vibration unit 80, and the base portion of the brush unit 5 may be configured as a part of the heating unit 90.

According to the above-described configuration, heat and vibration can be applied to the hair simply by combing the hair with the brush unit 5. Incidentally, the hair beauty instrument 1A can also be configured to apply only the vibration or the heat to the hair by selecting the mode.

Embodiment 5

Next, a hair beauty instrument according to Embodiment 5 will be described.

Hereinafter, the hair beauty instrument 1B of Embodiment 5 will be described focusing on the distinctions from the above-described hair beauty instruments 1 and 1A of Embodiment 1 to 4, and similar matters will be omitted from the description.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating the hair beauty instrument of Embodiment 5.

Incidentally, in the following description, a left side in FIG. 21 is also referred to as a “front end side”, and a right side as a “base end side”.

The hair beauty instrument 1B of Embodiment 5 differs mainly in configuration of the front end side of the lower main body 2 and the front end side of the upper main body 3, and other configurations are similar to the hair beauty instrument 1 of Embodiment 3.

The lower main body 2 is provided with the light emitting mechanism 7, and the upper main body 3 is provided with the vibration unit 80.

Further, on each of an outer peripheral surface of the lower main body 2 and an outer peripheral surface of the upper main body 3, the brush unit 5 configured as a part of the heating unit 90 (a part to be in contact with the hair) is provided.

According to the above-described configuration, vibration and light irradiation can be applied to the hair while clamping the hair between the hair between the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3. Further, heat can also be applied to the hair in a state of being wound around the brush unit 5, while the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3 are close to each other. That is, the hair beauty instrument 1B of Embodiment 5 can be used in two ways. Incidentally, the hair beauty instrument 1A can also be configured to apply only either of the vibration, the light irradiation and the heat to the hair by selecting the mode.

Also, the heating unit 90 may be provided instead of the light emitting mechanism 7, so that the hair can be heated while being clamped between the lower main body 2 and the upper main body 3.

Embodiment 6

Next, a hair beauty instrument according to Embodiment 6 will be described.

Hereinafter, the hair beauty instrument 1C of Embodiment 6 will be described focusing on the distinctions from the above-described hair beauty instruments 1, 1A and 1B of Embodiment 1 to 5, and similar matters will be omitted from the description.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating the hair beauty instrument of Embodiment 6.

Incidentally, in the following description, a right side in FIG. 22 is also referred to as a “front end side”, and a left side as a “base end side”.

The hair beauty instrument 1C of Embodiment 6 differs mainly in configuration on the front end side, and other configurations are similar to the hair beauty instrument 1A of Embodiment 4.

The hair beauty instrument 1C of Embodiment 6 is provided with a curl 50 on the front end side of the grip portion 21.

On the curl 50, a plurality of brush units 5 are arranged at substantially equal intervals along a peripheral direction of the curl 50. Each of the brush units 5 is constituted of a plurality of wire rod-shaped comb teeth (nylon bristles) 51 which are arranged at substantially equal intervals along a longitudinal direction of the curl 50. Then, each of the brush unit 5 constitutes a part of the vibration unit 80 (a part to be in contact with the hair). Further, each space between the adjacent brush units 5 on an outer peripheral surface of the curl 50 constitutes a part of the heating unit 90 (a part to be in contact with the hair).

Incidentally, the brush unit 5 may also be configured as a part of the heating unit 90, and the space between the adjacent brush units 5 on the outer peripheral surface of the curl 50 may also be configured as a part of the vibration unit 80.

According to the above-described configuration, heat and vibration can be applied to the hair simply by winding the hair around the curl 50. Incidentally, the hair beauty instrument 1C can also be configured to apply only the vibration or the heat to the hair by selecting the mode.

Further, the brush unit 5 may have a resin or metal plate instead of or in addition to the wire rod-shaped comb teeth 51.

Embodiment 7

Next, a hair beauty instrument according to Embodiment 7 will be described.

Hereinafter, the hair beauty instrument 1D of Embodiment 7 will be described focusing on the distinctions from the above-described hair beauty instruments 1 and 1A to 1C of Embodiment 1 to 6, and similar matters will be omitted from the description.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating the hair beauty instrument of Embodiment 7.

Incidentally, in the following description, a left side in FIG. 23 is also referred to as a “front end side”, and a right side as a “base end side”.

The hair beauty instrument 1D of Embodiment 7 differs mainly in configuration of the front end side, and other configurations are similar to the hair beauty instrument 1C of Embodiment 6.

In the hair beauty instrument 1D of Embodiment 7, the plurality of the brush units 5 of the curl 50 are omitted, and a part of the vibration unit 80 (a part to be in contact with the hair) and a part of the heating unit 90 (a part to be in contact with the hair) are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the curl 50.

Also, the hair beauty instrument 1D has a press portion 52 that is provided rotatably to (movably close to and away from) the curl 50. By bringing the press portion 52 close to the curl 50 with the hair wound around the curl 50, the hair can be clamped and fixed to the curl 50.

Incidentally, a part of the vibration unit 80 may be provided on either one of the outer peripheral surface of the curl 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the press portion 52, and a part of the heating unit 90 may be provided on the other.

According to the above-described configuration, heat and vibration can be applied to the hair simply by winding the hair around the curl 50. Incidentally, the hair beauty instrument 1D can be configured to apply only the vibration or the heat to the hair by selecting the mode.

Embodiment 8

Next, a hair beauty instrument according to Embodiment 8 will be described.

Hereinafter, the hair beauty instrument 1E of Embodiment 8 will be described focusing on the distinctions from the above-described hair beauty instruments 1 and 1A to 1D of Embodiment 1 to 7, and similar matters will be omitted from the description.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating the hair beauty instrument of Embodiment 8.

Incidentally, in the following description, a left side in FIG. 24 is also referred to as a “front end side”, and a right side as a “base end side”.

The hair beauty instrument 1E of Embodiment 8 differs mainly in configuration of the front end side, and other configurations are similar to the hair beauty instrument 1C of Embodiment 6.

The hair beauty instrument 1E of Embodiment 8 has the plate-shaped brush unit 5 on the front end side of the grip portion 21 (not illustrated). This brush unit 5 includes a plurality of the strip-shaped comb teeth 51, and every five comb teeth 51 from the endmost comb tooth on the front end side are alternately constituted of: a part of the vibration unit 80 (a part to be in contact with the hair); and a part of the heating unit 90 (part to be in contact with the hair).

According to the configuration, heat and vibration can be applied to the hair simply by combing the hair with the brush unit 5. Incidentally, a pair of the brush units 5 may be superimposed, where the one brush unit 5 is constituted of the part of the vibration unit 80, and the other brush unit 5 is constituted of the part of the heating unit 90. In either case, the hair beauty instrument 1E can also be configured to apply only the vibration or the heat to the hair by selecting the mode.

Furthermore, the present disclosure may be provided in each of the following aspects.

(1) A hair beauty instrument comprising: a vibration unit configured to be in contact with the hair and apply vibrations to the hair, and a heating unit configured to be in contact with the hair and apply heat to the hair, wherein a temperature of a part that is in contact with the hair can be set at 100° C. or more.

(2) The hair beauty instrument according to (1), further comprising a support unit configured to support the heating unit and the vibration unit.

(3) The hair beauty instrument according to (2), wherein the vibration unit includes: a vibration plate that is in contact with the hair; and a vibration mechanism that applies the vibrations to the hair via the vibration plate, the heating unit includes: a heating plate that is in contact with the hair; and a heating mechanism that applies the heat to the hair via the heating plate, and the support unit includes a first housing and a second housing that can move close to and away from each other, and is configured to clamp the hair between the first housing and the second housing.

(4) The hair beauty instrument according to (3), wherein the vibration plate and the heating plate are provided together in one housing among the first housing and the second housing.

(5) The hair beauty instrument according to (4), wherein the one housing has an elongated shape, and a direction of providing the vibration plate and the heating plate together is a short direction of the one housing.

(6) The hair beauty instrument according to (4), comprising a plurality of the heating plates, wherein the vibration plate is provided between adjacent two of the heating plates.

(7) The hair beauty instrument according to any one of (4), wherein other housing than the one housing among the first housing and the second housing is positioned facing to the vibration plate, when the first housing and the second housing are brought close to each other, and includes a functional unit having a function different from the function of the vibration plate.

(8) The hair beauty instrument according to (7), wherein an entire planar shape of the vibration plate and the heating plate is substantially equal to a planar shape of the functional unit.

(9) The hair beauty instrument according to (7), wherein an entire plane area of the vibration plate and the heating plate is substantially equal to a plane area of the functional unit.

(10) The hair beauty instrument according to (7), wherein the other housing further includes a second heating plate, the second heating plate being provided together with the functional unit, being in contact with the hair and applying the heat from the heating mechanism to the hair.

(11) The hair beauty instrument according to (10), wherein the other housing has an elongated shape, and a direction of providing the second heating plate and the functional unit together is a short direction of the other housing.

(12) The hair beauty instrument according to (11), comprising a plurality of the second heating plates, wherein the functional unit is provided between adjacent two of the second heating plates.

(13) The hair beauty instrument according to (10), wherein the functional unit is a light emitting unit that emits light or a chemical agent support unit that supports a chemical agent.

(14) The hair beauty instrument according to (10), wherein an entire planar shape of the vibration plate and the heating plate is substantially equal to an entire planar shape of the functional unit and the second heating plate.

(15) The hair beauty instrument according to (10), wherein an entire plane area of the vibration plate and the heating plate is substantially equal to an entire plane area of the functional unit and the second heating plate.

(16) The hair beauty instrument according to (3), wherein an output value of the vibrations from the vibration mechanism ranges from 0.05 W or more to 0.2 W or less per unit area [cm] of the vibration plate.

(17) The hair beauty instrument according to (3), wherein an end portion of the first housing on a side opposite to where the hair is clamped and an end portion of the second housing on a side opposite to where the hair is clamped are connected rotatably to each other.

(18) The hair beauty instrument according to (3), further comprising a leading unit which leads the hair into a space between the first housing and the second housing that are brought close to each other.

(19) The hair beauty instrument according to (1), wherein, when applying the vibrations to the hair and heating the hair, a frequency of the vibrations is set at 0.8 MHz or more and 1.5 MHz or less, and a temperature of the heating is set at 55° C. or more and 200° C. or less.

(20) The hair beauty instrument according to (1), which is configured to be operated in modes including: a permeation mode of applying the vibrations to the hair while the hair is holding a liquid agent or is wet; and an iron mode of heating the hair at a temperature of 100° C. or more and adjusting a shape of the hair.

(21) The hair beauty instrument according to (20), which is configured to further apply the heat to the hair in the permeation mode.

Needless to say, the present disclosure is not limited to the above.

Any of the optional configurations described above in Embodiments 1 to 8 can be combined as appropriate.

As previously described, various embodiments according to the invention have been described, but they are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and the gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in claims and the equivalents scope thereof.

For example, the direction of providing the vibration plate and the heating plate together may also be, instead of the short direction of the one housing, the longitudinal direction of the one housing, or may be a combination of the short direction and the longitudinal direction. Further, the vibration plate and the heating plate may be disposed inclinedly with respect to the longitudinal direction of the one housing. Moreover, the combination of the vibration plate(s) and the heating plate(s) is not limited to the combination of the one vibration plate and the two heating plates, and may be combinations of the one vibration plate and the one, three or more heating plate(s), or may be combinations of the one heating plate and the two or more vibration plates.

Furthermore, for example, the direction of providing the functional unit and the second heating plate together may be, instead of the short direction of the other housing, the longitudinal direction of the other housing, or may be a combination of the short direction and the longitudinal direction. Further, the functional unit and the second heating plate may be disposed inclinedly with respect to the longitudinal direction of the other housing. Furthermore, the combination of the functional unit(s) and the second heating plate(s) is not limited to the combination of the one functional unit and the two second heating plates, but may be combinations of the one functional unit and the one, three or more second heating plate(s), or may be combinations of the one second heating plate and the two or more functional units.

Moreover, for example, a corner of the heating plate 92 on the side that is in contact with the hair may be rounded (curved), not angular. In this case, while permeating the liquid agent into the hair, the hair can slide on the surface of the heating plate 92 without excessive pressure applied to the hair by the corner of the heating plate 92.

Furthermore, the plate facing the vibration plate 82 may be configured to be movable (displaceable) close to and away from the vibration plate 82. In this case, by providing a movable space of about a several millimeters, the vibration effect can be added without excessively pressing the hair.

Number	Date	Country	Kind
2023-116322	Jul 2023	JP	national
2024-009994	Jan 2024	JP	national

Hair Beauty Instrument

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CPC

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Description

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Priority Claims (2)