Ion generating device

• US 7,562,466 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2003
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Conair Corporation
• Original Assignee: Conair Corporation
• Inventors: Santhouse, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): RINEHART, KENNETH
• Application Number:
  US10/510,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20070085036A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,245 Days
• Field of Search: 342/47, 342/53, 342/54, 342/83, 34/96, 34/97, 34/98, 34/99, 341/00, 341/01, 361/212, 361/213, 392/380, 392/385
• US Class Current: 34/253
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2/00 Hair-curling or hair-waving appliances heated curling-tongs, curling-irons A45D1/00 ; Appliances for hair dressing treatment not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 20/12 Details thereof or accessories therefor, e.g. nozzles, stands
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 20/122 Diffusers, e.g. for variable air flow
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 20/22 Helmets with hot air supply or ventilating means, e.g. electrically heated air current
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2200/202 Ionisation

Abstract

There is provided a device for hair care having a housing with at least one aperture, one or more ion generators for selectively generating concentrations of ions having different combinations of intensity and polarity, and one or more ion emitters for selectively emitting concentrations of ions having different combinations of intensity and polarity. The device can be any device or combination of such devices, suitable for use with hair and for to optimize the known beneficial effects of ionization to hair of the user.

Claims

1. A method for treating hair comprising the steps of:

providing a device having a housing with at least one air outlet disposed therein, a blower for generating an airflow stream, one or more ion generators, and one or more ion emitters disposed outside, but adjacent to said housing and spaced a distance from said airflow exiting said air outlet;

applying said blower generated airflow toward hair for drying and/or styling;

generating an ion concentration having a certain area and spaced a certain distance from said airflow to minimize any dilution resulting from direct exposure to said airflow; and

providing at least one attachment for cooperating with said air outlet of said housing for controlling the mixing of said ion concentration with said airflow stream and hair.

2. The method for treating hair of claim 1, wherein said at least one attachment is configured to variably control aspiration of said positive and negative ions into said airflow.

3. The method for treating hair of claim 2, wherein said at least one blower alters said airflow velocity, thereby controlling said aspiration of said positive and negative ions into said airflow.

4. The method for treating hair of claim 1, wherein said at least one ion generator is configured to provide a variety of voltage outputs, as well as to generate combinations of positive and negative ions.

5. The method for treating hair of claim 1, wherein said one or more ion emitters is/are positioned in a casing formed on said housing.

6. The method for treating hair of claim 1, wherein said plurality of ion emitters are formed from a conductive metal.

7. The method for treating hair of claim 1, wherein said one or more ion emitters is/are formed from a conductive polymer.

8. The method for treating hair of claim 1, wherein said one or more ion emitters is/are formed from a conductive silicon.

9. The method for treating hair of claim 1, wherein said one or more ion emitters form an array.

10. The method for treating hair of claim 1, wherein said one or more ion emitters create an ion concentration having a negative polarity.

11. The method for treating hair of claim 1, wherein said one or more ion emitters create an ion concentration having a positive polarity.

12. The method for treating hair of claim 1, wherein said one or more ion emitters create an ion concentration having both a positive and negative polarity.

13. The method for treating hair of claim 1, wherein said one or more ion emitters is/are arranged to generate a predictable area of concentrated ions and to minimize any dilution resulting from direct exposure to said airflow.

14. The method for treating hair of claim 1, wherein the device generates ions of positive polarity and ions of negative polarity, wherein said one or more ion emitters is a plurality of ion emitters for emitting ions of positive polarity and ions of negative polarity.

15. The method for treating hair of claim 14, wherein said ions form said ion concentration outside said housing and at a distance from a user'"'"'s hair.

16. The method for treating hair of claim 15, wherein said hair is encompassed by said ion concentration.

17. The method for treating hair of claim 14, wherein said housing has at least one aperture disposed therein forming an air outlet for directing said airflow.

18. The method for treating hair of claim 17, wherein said least one attachment for cooperating with said air outlet manipulates said airflow exiting said air outlet.

19. The method for treating hair of claim 14, wherein said casing is selectively removable from said housing.