Patent Application
20060162516
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for trimming hair.
Various methods and apparatus for trimming hair have been used in the past. Nevertheless, a new method and apparatus for trimming hair that provides enhanced hair care results would be welcomed by those that utilize hair trimmers.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a hair trimmer including a body portion having a cutting end, the body portion defining a cavity and an opening communicating with the cavity, and a blade set mounted adjacent the cutting end. The hair trimmer also includes an ion emitter assembly at least partially mounted within the cavity, wherein ions emitted from the ion emitter assembly flow generally toward the cutting end. A collection container is at least partially disposed within the body portion for collecting trimmed hair as it is cut by the blade set.
In another embodiment, a hair trimmer includes a body portion having a cutting end. The body portion defines a cavity and an opening communicating with the cavity, wherein the opening is separate from the cutting end. A blade set is mounted adjacent the cutting end. The hair trimmer also includes an ion emitter assembly at least partially mounted within the cavity, wherein ions emitted from the ion emitter assembly flow generally toward the cutting end. A collection chamber is at least partially disposed within the body portion, and a vacuum source is disposed within the cavity and in communication with the opening and the collection chamber. The vacuum source draws trimmed hair as it is cut by the blade set into the collection chamber.
In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a hair trimmer including a body portion having a cutting end, the body portion defining a cavity and an opening communicating with the cavity, wherein the opening is separate from the cutting end. A separation member is disposed in the cavity for dividing the cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the opening communicates with the second chamber. A blade set is mounted adjacent the cutting end. The hair trimmer also includes an ion emitter assembly at least partially mounted within the cavity, wherein ions emitted from the ion emitter assembly flow generally toward the cutting end and through the opening. A vacuum source is disposed within the cavity and in communication with the opening and the second chamber, wherein the vacuum source draws trimmed hair as it is cut by the blade set into the second chamber.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for trimming hair using a hair trimmer. The hair trimmer includes a body portion having a cutting end, the body portion defining a cavity and an opening communicating with the cavity, a blade set mounted adjacent the cutting end, an electric motor drivingly connected to the blade set, an ion emitter assembly at least partially mounted within the cavity and coupled to the body portion, a collection chamber at least partially disposed within the body portion, and a vacuum source disposed within the cavity and in communication with the opening and the collection chamber. The method of trimming hair includes powering the electric motor to drive the blade set, emitting ions from the ion emitter assembly, wherein the ions pass through the opening and flow generally toward the cutting end, cutting hair with the blade set, and drawing trimmed hairs into the collection chamber with the vacuum source.
Further objects of the present invention together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the drawings.
Before one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The hair trimmer 10 includes an ion emitting assembly 50 having an ionizer 54, an ion emitting electrode 58, and an ion lead 62 that electrically couples the ionizer 54 and the electrode 58. In some embodiments, as illustrated in
For operation, the ionizer 54 receives an ionizer input power from a power source. Similar to the motor 38, the ionizer input power may include an AC power and/or a DC power. In some embodiments, the input power of the motor 38 may be substantially similar to the ionizer input power. In one embodiment, the ionizer input power is provided to the ionizer 54 when the user actuates the switch 46 to an ON position. In another embodiment, a separate ionizer switch (not shown) is provided on the body portion 14. The ionizer switch is configured to interrupt the flow of electrical power (i.e., the ionizer input power) from a power supply to the ionizer 54. Utilization of a separate ionizer switch allows a user to control the ion emitting assembly 50 independent of the motor 38.
The ionizer 54 utilizes the ionizer input power to generate an ionizer output power. In most embodiments, the ionizer output power is a high voltage, low current power. In one embodiment, the ionizer input power is a 120 volt AC power, which is the standard residential electrical service provided in the United States, and the ionizer output power includes a voltage between approximately negative 3.3 kilo-volts DC and negative 4.8 kilo-volts DC and a current of approximately 50 micro-amps. In other embodiments, alternative values of ionizer input and output powers are possible depending on the specific configuration of the ionizer 54.
The electrode 58 receives the ionizer output voltage from the ionizer 54 via the ion lead 62 and emits ions. The length of the ion lead 62 may vary based on location of the electrode 58 with respect to the ionizer 54. In some embodiments, the need for the ion lead 62 may be obviated. In the illustrated embodiment, the ions emitted from the electrode 58 are negative ions. The emitted negative ions are utilized to facilitate hair care process as discussed further below. While the illustrated embodiments are described as emitting negative ions for use in hair care processes, positive ions may be emitted in place of, or in combination with, the negative ions. Additionally, although the illustrated electrode 58 is a needle electrode, other embodiments of the electrode 58 may include alternative shapes (e.g., a plate electrode) and sizes.
In one embodiment, the ion emitting assembly 50 includes ion generator model number SW750H-8 provided by Seawise Industrial Ltd. of Kowloon Hong Kong. The Seawise ion generator utilizes an input power having a voltage of 120 volts AC to generate an output power having a maximum negative voltage of approximately negative 7.5 kilo-volts DC and current of approximately 50 micro-amps. The Seawise ion generator generates negative ions. In other embodiments, the ion emitting assembly 50 may include other configurations of ion generators.
In one embodiment, the ions emitted by the electrode 58 of the hair trimmer 100 substantially reduce or eliminate static electricity on a person's hair as the hair trimmer 100 is used to trim the person's hair. Static electricity may cause a person's hair to stand on end, making the hair difficult to manage as well as aesthetically displeasing. Static electricity may be generated due to the motion of a hair trimmer and/or combs and brushes through a person's hair. Additionally, static electricity may be alternatively generated on a person's hair.
As a person's hair is trimmed, the ions emitted from the electrode 58 may be passively and/or actively moved to a person's hair.
In one embodiment, the ions are passively moved to the person's hair via an “ionic wind”. As the ions are emitted from the electrode 58, the emitted ions move outward away from the electrode 58. The continuous movement of ions away from the electrode is known as an “ionic wind”. In some embodiments, the emitted ions are attracted to an object (e.g., the person's hair) with an opposite polarity. The emitted ions travel through electric field lines away from the electrode 58 to the object. The ions then act to neutralize the opposite charge on the object. Neutralization of the opposite charge thereby reduces or eliminates static electricity. In other embodiments, the emitted ions are concentrated on an object, thereby creating a net positive or negative charge on the object.
In another embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, the ions emitted by the electrode 58 of the hair trimmer 100 are utilize to charge the blade set 26 for attraction of the trimmed hairs 128. As the ions are emitted from the electrode 58, the emitted ions collect on the metal blade set 26, thereby charging the blade set 26. The charged blade set 26 attracts objects with an opposite polarity (e.g., the hairs 136 trimmed from a person's hair). As the hairs 136 are trimmed, they are attracted to the blade set 26, thereby reducing or eliminating the hairs 136 from falling on the floor or the person. The degree of charge on the blade set 26 may be controlled to optimize the amount of hair 136 that is attracted. In other embodiments, the blade set 26 is charged to a degree that repels hair from collecting on the blade set 26 but does not interfere with the hair trimming process.
In one embodiment, the ions emitted by the electrode 58 may substantially reduce or eliminate static electricity on a person's hair and charge the blade set 26 for attraction of the trimmed hairs 128. In other embodiments, portions of the blade set 26 are made of an insulating material (e.g., ceramic) to reduce the attraction of the hairs 136.
The collection chamber (schematically illustrated) includes a filter 248 (e.g., a screen) sized to retain the hairs 136 in the collection chamber until the hairs 136 are cleaned out. The collection chamber 244 is designed to be removed from the body portion 214 for emptying. The filter 248 also allows air to travel out of the collection chamber 244 and through air vents 252. The movement of air is represented in
A collection container 344, shown exploded from the hair trimmer 300 is configured and adapted for retention within a portion of the opening 324 of the shroud portion 320. The collection container 344 includes a basin portion 346 for collecting trimmed hairs (not shown) and a rearwardly extending bracket 348 for mounting the collection chamber 344 in the opening 324. In the illustrated embodiment, a wall 350 extends between a top of the shroud portion 320 and the body portion 314. The bracket 348 is coupled to the wall 350 such that the collection container 344 is partially retained within the opening 324 and the basin portion 346 opens toward the cutting end 18 of the hair trimmer 300. It should be readily apparent to those or skill in the art that the collection container 344 may be mounted within the opening 324 using other known methods, such as a press fit, a friction fit, a slot and tab configuration, or the like.
In the illustrated embodiment, ions emitted from the electrode 58 are utilized to charge an energizing point (not shown) rearward of the collection container 344 and within the shroud portion 320 of the trimmer 300. For example, the energizing point may be a portion of the wall 350 positioned within the opening 324. The energizing point is charged for attraction of trimmed hairs (not shown) toward the energizing point. As operation of the hair trimmer 300 continues, a build-up of trimmed hairs may form within the collection container 344 as the hairs are drawn towards the energizing point. In a further embodiment, ions emitted from the electrode 58 are utilized to charge the collection container 344 for attraction of trimmed hairs (not shown) toward the basin portion 346 of the collection container 344. As operation of the hair trimmer 300 continues, a build-up of trimmed hairs may form within the collection container 344. To empty the collection container 344 of trimmed hairs, the collection container 344 is removed from the wall 350 and emptied.
The hair trimmer 400 includes an ion emitting assembly 440 having an ionizer 444, an ion emitting electrode 448, and an ion lead 452 that electrically couples the ionizer 444 and the electrode 448. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the ionizer 444 is mounted in the first chamber 412A and the electrode 448 is mounted in the second chamber 412B proximate the cutting end 408 and the opening 418. The ion emitting assembly 440 works similarly to the ion emitting assembly 50 discussed above with respect to the trimmer 10 shown in
For operation, the ionizer 444 receives an ionizer input power from a power source. In the illustrated embodiment, an ionizer switch 456 is provided on the body portion 404. The ionizer switch 456 is configured to interrupt the flow of electrical power (i.e., the ionizer input power) from the power supply to the ionizer 444. Utilization of a separate ionizer switch allows a user to control the ion emitting assembly 440 independent of the first motor 428. The ionizer switch 456 is a three-position switch that allows a user to select between an OFF position, a positive position such that the ionizer 444 emits positive ions, and a negative position such that the ionizer 444 emits negative ions. In a further embodiment, the ionizer switch 456 is a two-position on/off switch, or the ionizer input power may be provided to the ionizer 444 when the user actuates the power switch 436.
The electrode 448 receives the ionizer output voltage from the ionizer 444 via the ion lead 452 and emits ions. The emitted ions may be negative or positive. Although the illustrated electrode 448 is a plate electrode, other embodiments of the electrode 448 may include alternative shapes and sizes.
In one embodiment, the ions emitted by the electrode 448 of the hair trimmer 400 are utilized to charge the blade set 424 for attraction of the trimmed hairs. As the ions are emitted from the electrode 448, the emitted ions collect on the metal blade set 424, thereby charging the blade set 424. The charged blade set 424 attracts objects with an opposite polarity (e.g., the hairs trimmed from a person's hair). As the hairs are trimmed, they are attracted to the blade set 424, thereby reducing or eliminating hairs from falling on the floor or person. The degree of charge on the blade set 424 may be controlled to optimize the amount of hair that is attracted. In other embodiments, the blade set 424 is charged to a degree that repels hair from collecting on the blade set 424, but does not interfere with the hair trimming process.
The hair trimmer 400 includes a vacuum source 460, which is a fan in the illustrated embodiment, although other known vacuum sources may be used. The fan 460 provides a suction force to draw trimmed hairs into the second chamber 412B and to a collection area 464 proximate the door 420. The fan 460 is mounted within the first chamber 412A of the body portion 404 and openings 468 (see
To remove trimmed hairs from the collection area 464 of the second chamber 412B, the door 420 is removed or opened to access the second chamber 412B. The hair trimmer 400 is then manipulated to empty the trimmed hairs from the collection area 464.
A second electric motor 476 or actuator, is mounted in the first chamber 412A and is drivingly connected to the fan 460 by a drive mechanism 480. The second motor 476 effects operation of the vacuum source 460, which in this embodiment is rotation of the fan. A user actuates the second motor 476 by using the power switch 436 provided on the body portion 404.
Referring to
The separation member 416 is sized and shaped to fit within the body portion 404 of the trimmer 400. In the illustrated embodiment, the separation member 416 is contoured to define housing portions for components of the trimmer 400, such as the first motor 428, the ionizer 444, the second motor 476, and the drive mechanism 480. In a further embodiment, the separation member 416 may have other shapes and sizes depending on the size of the body portion, number of components stored in the body portion, position of the vacuum source, and area required for the second chamber and collection area.
The separation member 416 includes an opening 484 and a channel 488 for accommodating at least the ion lead 452 of the ion emitter assembly 440. As discussed above, the ionizer 444 is positioned within the first chamber 412A of the body portion 404 and the electrode 448 is positioned within the second chamber 412B proximate the opening 418. The ion lead 452 is electrically coupled to the ionizer 444 and passes through the opening 484 into the second chamber 412B. The ion lead 452 then passes along the separation member 416 and through the channel 488, which anchors the ion lead 452 in position such that the electrode 448 is positioned proximate the opening 418.
Other embodiments of the invention may utilize combinations of the above embodiments. Still other embodiments of the invention may utilize ions emitted from the electrode for other hair care purposes.
The embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present invention. As such, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that various changes in the elements and their configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/231,013, entitled “HAIR TRIMMER”, filed Sep. 20, 2005 by Matthew L. Andis, Richard J. Tringali, and Robert E. Derby, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/285,390, entitled “HAIR TRIMMER”, filed Oct. 31, 2002 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,948,248 on Sep. 27, 2005, by Matthew L. Andis, Richard J. Tringali, and Robert E. Derby.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10285390 | Oct 2002 | US |
| Child | 11231013 | Sep 2005 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11231013 | Sep 2005 | US |
| Child | 11389792 | Mar 2006 | US |
