Patent Application
20120006805
The present invention refers to the technical field of accessories for hair care. In particular, it refers to an innovative device for hair drying and/or hair treatment especially studied with the aim of minimizing as much as possible the impact on the user of the electromagnetic fields emitted as a consequence of the switching on of said device.
Devices for hair care, commonly used for drying, straightening hair and other similar operations, are by now well-known. For example the hand-held hair dryer is by now used since long ago, which consists of a sort of pistol which can be activated in such a way that it emits an air flow that is potentially adjustable so that it can be hot or cold. To that purpose, a small electric motor activates a fan that generates the air flow and that the operator, for example the hairdresser, directs on the hairs in such a way that it dries and possibly comb them at the same time. Appropriate electric resistances can then be selectively activated so that they. conveniently heat the air flow that goes through them, in such a way that the exit temperature of the flow itself varies.
Other more complex devices are, for example, the bonnet or helmet hair dryer, which is used for covering entirely the user's head. Once positioned, the bonnet hair dryer can be programmed for a certain time so that it. emits, through a small electric motor positioned upstream the bonnet hair dryer itself, air flows at the desired temperature and also with a previously set humidity level. A uniform drying is thus operated.
However, even if said devices are by now commonly known and used, they are anyway invalidated by a significant technical inconvenient.
The air flow, either hot or cold, must be activated, as it has been said before, by a small motor of electric nature. This inevitably implies, in proximity of the small motor itself, the formation of electromagnetic fields that irradiate for a certain distance. In such sense, either the operator that manoeuvres, for example, the hand-held hair dryer, or the user on whom the operator makes the treatment is inevitably exposed to strong electromagnetic fields that are not beneficial to health. It is indeed known how electromagnetic fields cause disturbances, such as headaches. Moreover, in the case of long exposures, electromagnetic fields can favour the outbreak of pathologies much more serious, such as tumours.
Even though a private user limits himself to the use of such devices with a relatively low frequency and mainly connected with the specific moment of the care of his own hair, the use of such devices is anyway expected at least twice a week on average. It is thus evident that over the years said operations become innumerable, more or less repeated in a programmed manner, and such as to be able to cause health damage in the long run. In the case of an operator of the sector, for example the hairdresser, it is evident that he is immersed in such electromagnetic fields practically everyday, with very high frequencies and with easy-to-imagine consequences.
It is therefore the aim of the present invention to give a device for hair drying that allows to resolve the above inconveniences.
In particular, it is the aim of the present invention to give a device for hair drying that allows to protect the person or persons that use it from the electromagnetic fields emitted by it as a consequence of its activation.
It is also the aim of the present invention to give a device that at the same time is light and easy to handle so that it does not weigh excessively on the user in general.
This and other aims are achieved by the present device (1) for hair drying comprising an electric motor unit (3) to generate an air flow destined in use to hair drying and/or care and wherein a support (2) to hold the electric motor unit and a spacer duct (4) are provided. The support therefore allows the person who is using the device to move away from the electromagnetic field emitted by the electric motor unit, not having the need of holding it anymore. The spacer duct (4), hollow inside and possibly integrated to or separated from the motor unit, allows the air flow emitted by the motor unit itself to flow along it towards its exit section (4″; 114″). Therefore, manufacturing the spacer duct (4) in a proper manner, it is possible to foresee that its L length results at least equal or major in respect of the R1 distance in which the electromagnetic field emitted by the electric motor unit measures an intensity equal to a pre-established threshold value.
R1 therefore indicates a specific spaciousness of the electromagnetic field generated by the motor unit in use on the device. It is in fact known how the intensity of the electromagnetic field rapidly decreases with the increase of the distance from the body that has generated it. In such a way, the R1 limit can be chosen in such a way that at such a distance the electromagnetic field does not result dangerous for human health.
In such a manner, establishing such a minimum threshold value of the intensity of magnetic field so that it does not cause damage to human health, the length of the duct will be consequently obtained. The duct, when applied or made integrally on the motor unit, conducts and emits the air flow outside R1, that is to say, outside the danger zone in which the intensities of the electromagnetic field are too high.
Generally, research in this regard has proven a pre-established minimum threshold value of the electromagnetic field of about 2 Milligauss or, naturally, inferior values. It can be therefore assumed how equal or inferior intensities of electromagnetic fields are essentially harmless for human health.
The user, being the electric motor unit held spaced by using the support and the duct, can therefore take advantage of the air flow for drying without being immersed in the dangerous action range of the field, therefore in total safety.
Advantageously, the spacer duct (4) is a spacer tube (4) comprising:
In such case, the tube is thus an element detachable from the electric motor unit.
Alternatively, the spacer duct (4) is a proboscis integrated in a single piece to the electric motor unit. In such case, it is therefore undetachable.
In both solutions, integrated or detachable, the spacer duct (4) can possibly be made in a rigid first part (13) and a flexible second part (14).
The flexible part has therefore the advantage of resulting easily foldable in such a way that it allows the operator or user in general to orientate it in the most convenient possible manner during the drying operation.
To that purpose, the flexible part comprises a handle (6). Moreover, without moving away from the present inventive concept, nothing would impede the making of a duct (4) entirely of flexible type.
Alternatively, the second part (14) can be an independent flexible duct (114) comprising an attaching section (114′) to the first part.
In all the solutions described, the spacer duct (4) is provided on it with an indicative signal (5) of the R1 distance in which the electromagnetic field reaches the above-mentioned pre-established threshold value.
The manufacturing of the duct is therefore connected with the electric motor unit used in the specific device. In such a way, the user has a practical idea of the safety distance to be kept.
Advantageously, in all the embodiments described, the spacer duct (4) is provided with activation means (16) to control, possibly remotely, the switching on and switching off of the electric motor unit (3).
Advantageously, it is further provided a bonnet or helmet hair dryer diffuser (15) comprising an attaching section to allow its connection to the spacer duct (4).
Advantageously, the support (2) is essentially upside-down-L-shaped and comprises a vertical arm (9) and a traverse beam (10).
In a possible embodiment the vertical arm (9) can be telescopic so that it allows height adjustment in respect of the ground. Alternatively, the arm can be fixed.
Moreover, the vertical arm (9) can also be provided of a base trolley (11) with wheels (12) to allow the movement of the entire drying device.
Advantageously, the electric motor unit (3) comprises:
Advantageously, the electric motor unit further comprises at least one electric resistance to increase the temperature of the air flow going out.
Advantageously, the electric motor unit is soundproof.
Last, a method to modify a traditional device is here further described, for example a traditional hand-held hair dryer or a bonnet hair dryer, to operate hair drying and comprising the operations of:
Also in such case, naturally, the minimum threshold value can be generally estimated in about 2 Milligauss.
Further characteristics and the advantages of the present hair drying device, according to the invention, will be more clearly seen with the description that follows of one or more of its embodiments, made for illustration purposes but not with limiting purposes, with reference to the annexed designs, in which:
With reference to the attached figures, a device 1 for hair drying in accordance with the present invention is described.
With particular reference to
The support element 2, in a first possible embodiment, is therefore constituted of an upside-down-L-shaped arm 2. This comprises therefore a vertical arm 9 emerging from the ground and a traverse beam 10 to which the electric motor unit 3 is hanged. The vertical arm 9 can be fixed or telescopic so that it allows easy height adjustment. Moreover, the arm 9 itself, either telescopic or fixed, can possibly be leant on a fixed base trolley 11 or on a base trolley 11 comprising wheels 12 so that it results in such case easily movable as needed.
Other support solutions can be proposed in an equivalent manner and comprising not necessarily a portable arm. For example, solutions of connection with hangers fixed to the wall at a predetermined height allow to fix the motor unit to the corresponding height from the ground. Alternatively, different supports, for example fixed to the floor as well, can be made for equally valid operations.
A spacer duct 4 (see also
In a first possible embodiment of the invention, the duct is constituted of a spacer tube 4 (see
In a possible embodiment variant of the spacer tube (see
Alternatively (see
A second embodiment, instead, provides a proboscis with spacer duct functionality, made integrated and not detachable from the electric motor unit. In such case, apart from the attaching section not present being the proboscis integrated, such proboscis is absolutely identical and equivalent to what has been previously described.
In all the described configurations, the spacer duct is further provided, at a predetermined distance in respect of the electric motor unit, with a signal 5 that visibly indicates the R1 radius, or distance, in which such electromagnetic field emitted by the electric motor unit 3 in use in that specific device has decreased to the value of about 2 Milligauss (or values inferior if these are chosen as preferred thresholds for more safety). Such indication can serve as visual reference to the user. Each duct will be therefore specifically manufactured according to the motor unit used and with which it will be used.
Last, in all the described configurations, the duct can be provided with activation means 16 to control the switching on and the switching off of the electric motor unit 3. These can comprise simple ON/OFF buttons operated manually and prearranged at any point of the duct, for example, also in proximity of the air exit mouthpiece. In addition, the activation solution by way of a remote control can be integrated.
Alternatively, the flexible tube 114 can be substituted by a simple helmet 15 connected to the exit section 4″ of the spacer duct 4 in all the described configurations.
Having described the invention in its essential technical features, with reference to
The support 2 keeps the motor unit far from the user that makes use of the air flow thanks to the'spacer tube 4. As per what described above, since the L length of the tube 4 is predefined so that it is at least equal or major in respect of the R1 distance in which the electromagnetic field emitted by the motor in use is radially decreased to a value of at least 2 Milligauss, the user will therefore find himself outside such danger zone. In such case, either the operator that performs the drying or the “client” to which the drying is being done will be totally protected from the impact of the electromagnetic fields of high intensity and dangerous for health. The signal 5 visually facilitates the location of the risk zone and the safe zone.
It is therefore evident at this point how all the goals set for the present invention have been reached. In particular, it is evident how the spacer duct 4 keeps users in general away from the dangerous range of the electromagnetic field generated by the motor-resistance unit. Moreover, on the duct, the signal 5 relative to the extension zone of the electromagnetic field allows to easily identify which the correct displacement of the device should be so that the field does not affect the people nearby. This can be therefore obtained with a possible height adjustment of the telescopic arm.
Moreover, being the device held by the support, the weight on the hand, the arm and the back of the operator is limited to the few grams of the air mouthpiece. This entails a great work saving, thus also reducing superior articulations problems. Moreover, since the motor is positioned outside the user's operative space, it follows that neither the electric cables interfere with the work.
The description above of a specific embodiment is capable of showing the invention from the conceptual point of view so that others, using the state-of-the-art, will be able to modify and/or adapt in different applications such specific embodiment without further research or without moving away from the inventive concept and therefore it is understood that such adaptations and modifications will be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiment. The means and the materials to make the different functions described may be of various nature if within the invention's sphere. It is understood that the expressions or the terminology used have a purely descriptive aim and are therefore not limiting.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| MN2009U000001 | Mar 2009 | IT | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IT2009/000275 | 6/19/2009 | WO | 00 | 9/19/2011 |
