Ion emitting grooming brush

• US 5,975,090 A
• Filed: 09/29/1998
• Issued: 11/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sharper Image Acquisition, LLC (ThreeSixty Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation (ThreeSixty Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Taylor, Charles E., Lau, Shek Fai
• Primary Examiner(s): Manahan, Todd E.
• Application Number:
  US09/163,024
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 132/112, 132/116, 132/188, 132/152, 132/154, 132/271, 132/272, 607/79
• US Class Current: 132/116
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 13/002 Curry-combs; Brushes shearing sheep B26B19/24
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 20/50 and provision for an air stream
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2200/202 Ionisation
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0024 with means generating ions
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/3053 Clothes brush, i.e. brushes specifically designed for cleaning clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/023 arranged like in hair brushes, e.g. hair treatment, dyeing, streaking
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/44 Applying ionised fluids ion generators H01J37/00

Abstract

A hair brush includes a self-contained ion generator that subjects the hair and scalp being brushed to an outflow of ionized air containing safe amounts of ozone. The ion generator includes a high voltage pulse generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrode arrays. Preferably the first array comprises at least one metal pin spaced coaxially-apart from a metal ring-like structure. Alternatively, the first array may comprise one or more wire electrodes spaced staggeringly apart from a second array comprising hollow "U"-shaped electrodes. Preferably a ratio between effective area of an electrode in the second array compared to effective area of an electrode in the first array exceeds about 15:1 and preferably is about 20:1. An electric field produced by the high voltage pulses between the arrays produces an electrostatic flow of ionized air containing safe amounts of ozone. The outflow of ionized air and ozone is directed between the brush bristles onto the hair and scalp being groomed.

Claims

1. A self-contained ion emitting hair brush, comprising:

a hair brush having a body that includes a head brushing portion from which bristles emerge, said body defining at least one vent; and

a self-contained ion generator, disposed within said body, including;

a high voltage generator outputting a signal whose duty cycle can be about 10% to about 100%; and

an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode array effectively coupled to a first output port of said generator, and a second electrode array effectively coupled to a second output port of said generator, wherein one said output port may be at a same potential as ambient air;

said first electrode array including at least one electrode selected from a group consisting of an electrically conductive tapered pin-shaped electrode, and an electrically conductive material having ends defining a plurality of projecting conductive fibers; and

said second electrode array including an electrically conductive electrode selected from a group consisting of a ring-shaped electrode defining a central through opening, and a loop-shaped electrode defining a central through opening;

said second electrode being disposed coaxial with and in a downstream direction from a projecting end of an electrode in said first electrode array;

said ion generator producing at least one of ionized air that flows electrostatically from said at least one vent toward an object brushed with said bristles and ozone that flows electrostatically from said at least one vent toward an object brushed with said bristles.

2. The hair brush of claim 1, wherein said hair brush includes at least one feature selected from a group consisting of:

(a) said body defines at least one inlet vent through which air to be ionized enters said body, and

(b) said hair brush includes a bristle block to which said bristles are attached, said bristle block being removably attachable to said head brushing portion of said body.

3. The hair brush of claim 1, wherein said high voltage generator has a characteristic selected from a group consisting of (a) said high voltage generator provides a first potential, measurable relative to ground, to said first electrode array and provides a second potential, measurable relative to ground, to said second electrode array, and (b) said high voltage generator provides a first positive potential, measurable relative to ground, to said first electrode array and provides a second negative potential, measurable relative to ground, to said second electrode array.

4. The hair brush of claim 1, wherein:

said first electrode array includes at least one said pin-shaped electrode, and said second electrode array has at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of (i) said loop-shaped electrode defines in cross-section a tapered region terminating towards said central through opening, (ii) said loop-shaped electrode defines in cross-section a rounded region terminating towards said central through opening, (c) said loop-shaped electrode defines in cross-section a rounded profile terminating in said through opening, (d) a ratio of effective radius of said loop-shaped electrode to effective radius of said pin-shaped electrode exceeds about 15;

1, (e) said pin-shaped electrode includes tungsten, (f) said pin-shaped electrode includes stainless steel, (g) said pin-shaped electrode includes projecting fibers of carbon and (h) said loop-shaped electrode includes stainless steel.

5. The hair brush of claim 1, wherein said first electrode array includes at least one said pin-shaped electrode, and said second electrode array has at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of (i) said ring-shaped electrode defines in cross-section a tapered region terminating towards said central through opening, (ii) said ring-shaped electrode defines in cross-section a rounded region terminating towards said central through opening, (c) said ring-shaped electrode defines in cross-section a rounded profile terminating in said through opening, (d) a ratio of effective radius of said ring-shaped electrode to effective radius of said pin-shaped electrode exceeds about 15:

1, (e) said pin-shaped electrode includes tungsten, (f) said pin-shaped electrode includes stainless steel, (g) said pin-shaped electrode includes projecting fibers of carbon, and (h) said ring-shaped electrode includes stainless steel.

6. A self-contained ion emitting hair brush, comprising:

a hair brush having a body that includes a head brushing portion from which bristles emerge, said body defining at least one vent; and

a self-contained ion generator, disposed within said body, including;

a high voltage generator outputting a signal whose duty cycle may be varied from about 10% to about 100%; and

an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode array effectively coupled to a first output port of said generator, and a second electrode array effectively coupled to a second output port of said generator, wherein one said output port may be at a same potential as ambient air;

said first electrode array including at least one metal wire electrode; and

said second electrode array including at least two electrically conductive electrodes each having a curved region facing said metal wire electrode and being equidistant therefrom, each of said electrically conductive electrodes defining in cross-section a shape selected from a group consisting of (a) a "U"-shape having a bulbous nose region that faces said metal wire electrode, (b) an "L"-shape having a curved nose region that faces said metal wire electrode, and (c) a circular-like shape having a curved region that faces said metal wire, said electrodes being rod-like in form;

said ion generator producing at least one of ionized air that flows electrostatically from said at least one vent toward an object brushed with said bristles and ozone that flows electrostatically from said at least one vent toward an object brushed with said bristles.

7. The hair brush of claim 6, wherein:

in cross-section each of said electrodes in said second array define said "L"-shape having a curved nose region; and

a ratio of radius of one said curved nose region to radius of said wire electrode exceeds about 15;

1.

8. The hair brush of claim 6, wherein:

in cross-section each of said electrodes in said second array define said "U"-shape having a bulbous nose region and further includes a first trailing edge region and a second trailing edge region; and

an electrode in said second electrode array has at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of (i) a portion of one said trailing edge region is longer than a remaining said trailing edge region on said electrode, and (ii) a said trailing edge region defines at least one pointed projection facing downstream.

9. The hair brush of claim 6, wherein:

said second electrode array includes at least two said electrically conductive electrodes that in cross-section define a "U"-shape having a bulbous nose region; and

a ratio of effective radius of an electrode in said second electrode array to effective radius of a said metal wire electrode in said first electrode array exceeds about 15;

1.

10. The hair brush of claim 6, wherein:

said second electrode array includes at least two said rod-like electrically conductive electrodes; and

a ratio of radius of one of said rod-like electrodes to radius of said wire electrode exceeds about 15;

1.

11. The hair brush of claim 6, wherein:

said high voltage generator has a characteristic selected from a group consisting of (a) said high voltage generator provides a first potential, measurable relative to around, to said first electrode array and provides a second potential, measurable relative to ground, to said second electrode array, and (b) said high voltage generator provides a first positive potential, measurable relative to ground, to said first electrode array and provides a second negative potential, measurable relative to ground, to said second electrode array.

12. A self-contained ozone emitting hair brush, comprising:

a hair brush having a body that includes a head brushing portion from which bristles emerge, said body defining at least one vent; and

a self-contained ozone generator, disposed within said body, comprising a high voltage generator outputting a signal whose duty cycle may be about 10% to about 100%;

an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode array effectively coupled to a first output port of said generator, and a second electrode array effectively coupled to a second output sort of said generator, wherein one said output port may be at a same potential as ambient air;

said first electrode array including at least one electrically conductive pin-shaped electrode having a tapered free end;

said second electrode array including an electrode comprising a loop of electrically conductive metal defining a central through opening, said second electrode being disposed coaxial with and in a downstream direction from said tapered free end of said at least one electrically conductive pin-shaped electrode, and said second electrode defining in cross-section a curved region terminating towards said central through opening;

said ozone generator producing ozone that flows in a downstream direction electrostatically from said at least one vent toward an object brushed with said bristles.

13. The hair brush of claim 12, wherein said ozone generator further outputs ionized air that flows electrostatically from said at least one vent toward an object brushed with said bristles.

14. The hair brush of claim 12, wherein:

said first electrode array includes a plurality of electrically conducting projections.

15. The hair brush of claim 12, wherein a ratio of effective radius of said electrode comprising a loop of electrically conductive metal to effective radius of said pin-shaped electrode exceeds about 15:

1.

16. A self-contained ion emitting hair brush, comprising:

a hair brush having a body that includes a head brushing portion from which bristles emerge, said body defining at least one vent; and

a self-contained ion generator, disposed within said body, including;

a high voltage generator outputting a signal whose duty cycle may be varied from about 10% to about 100%; and

an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode array effectively coupled to a first output port of said generator, and a second electrode array effectively coupled to a second output port of said generator, wherein one said output port may be at a same potential as ambient air;

said first electrode array including at least one metal wire electrode; and

said second electrode array including at least two electrically conductive electrodes each having a curved region facing said metal wire electrode and being equidistant therefrom, each of said electrically conductive electrodes defining in cross-section a shape selected from a group consisting of (a) a "U"-shape having a bulbous nose region that faces said metal wire electrode, (b) an "L"-shape having a curved nose region that faces said metal wire electrode, and (c) a circular-like shape having a curved region that faces said metal wire, said electrodes being rod-like in form;

said ion generator producing at least one of ionized air that flows electrostatically from said at least one vent toward an object brushed with said bristles and ozone that flows electrostatically from said at least one vent toward an object brushed with said bristles.

17. The hair brush of claim 16, wherein:

in cross-section each of said electrodes in said second array define said "L"-shape having a curved nose region; and

a ratio of radius of one said curved nose region to radius of said wire electrode exceeds about 15;

1.

18. The hair brush of claim 16, wherein:

in cross-section each of said electrodes in said second array define said "U"-shape having a bulbous nose region and further includes a first trailing edge region and a second trailing edge region; and

an electrode in said second electrode array has at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of (i) a portion of one said trailing edge region is longer than a remaining said trailing edge region on said electrode, and (ii) a said trailing edge region defines at least one pointed projection facing downstream.

19. The hair brush of claim 16, wherein:

said second electrode array includes at least two said electrically conductive electrodes that in cross-section define a "U"-shape having a bulbous nose region; and

a ratio of effective radius of an electrode in said second electrode array to effective radius of a said metal wire electrode in said first electrode array exceeds about 15;

1.

20. The hair brush of claim 16, wherein:

said second electrode array includes at least two said rod-like electrically conductive electrodes; and

a ratio of radius of one of said rod-like electrodes to radius of said wire electrode exceeds about 15;

1.

21. A self-contained ion and ozone emitting hair brush, comprising:

a hair brush having a body that includes a head brushing portion from which bristles emerge, said body defining at least one vent;

a high voltage generator, disposed within said body, and outputting high voltage pulses having a duty cycle of about 15% to about 100%;

an electrode array, disposed within said body, comprising;

at least one electrically conductive pin-shaped electrode electrically coupled to a first output port of said pulse generator; and

at least one electrically conductive electrode defining a central through opening, having a shaped selected from a group consisting of a ring-shaped electrode and a loop-shaped electrode, and being electrically coupled to a second output port of said pulse generator, said second electrode being disposed coaxial with and in a downstream direction from a tapered end of said pin-shaped electrode;

wherein when operating potential is provided to said generator, said electrode array produces ionized air that flows electrostatically from said pin-shaped electrode toward said ring-shaped electrode, such that air exiting said at least one vent includes ions and ozone and flows toward an object brushed with said bristles.

22. The hair brush of claim 21, further including a removable bristle block retaining said bristles.

23. The hair brush of claim 21, wherein said electrode assembly has at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of (i) said pin-shaped electrode includes tungsten, (ii) said pin-shaped electrode includes stainless steel, (iii) said pin-shaped electrode includes a plurality of projecting fibers of carbon, and (iv) a ratio of effective radius of said electrode defining a through opening to effective radius of said pin-shaped electrode exceeds about 15:

1.

24. The hair brush of claim 21, further including:

a battery, disposed within said body;

circuitry, coupleable to said battery, to signal at least one condition selected from a group consisting of (i) whether said battery has a voltage low enough to require replacement of said battery, (ii) whether said battery has sufficient voltage to operate said high voltage generator, and (iii) whether said electrode assembly is generating ions.

25. A method of subjecting hair being groomed with a hair brush to a flow of ionized air containing ozone, the method comprising:

providing a hair brush with a body that includes a hair brushing surface from which bristles emerge;

attaching to said body an ion generator including, within said body;

an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode array and a second electrode array;

said first electrode array including at lease one electrically conductive tapered pin-shaped electrode, and said second electrode array including an electrically conductive electrode, selected from a group consisting of a ring-shaped electrode and a loop-shaped electrode, defining a central through opening and being electrically coupled to a second output port of said generator, said second electrode being disposed coaxial with and in a downstream direction from a tapered end of said tapered pin-shaped electrode; and

a high voltage generator having a first output port electrically coupled to said first electrode array, and having a second output port electrically coupled to said second electrode array, wherein one said port may be at a potential of ambient air;

said ion generator ionizing and electrostatically moving at least some ambient air through said hair brushing surface, the ionized air including ozone;

wherein said hair is subjected to a flow of ionized air including ozone.

26. The method of claim 25, further including providing said electrically conductive electrode with a cross-section that defines a rounded region terminating towards said central through opening.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein:

a ratio of effective radius of said electrically conductive electrode to effective radius of said pin-shaped electrode exceeds about 15;

1.

28. The method of claim 25, further including:

disposing a battery within said body; and

coupling to said battery circuitry to signal at least one condition selected from a group consisting of (i) whether said battery has a voltage low enough to require replacement of said battery, (ii) whether said battery has sufficient voltage to operate said high voltage generator, and (iii) whether said electrode assembly is generating ions.

29. The method of claim 25, further including:

providing said high voltage generator with a characteristic selected from a group consisting of (a) said high voltage generator provides a first potential, measurable relative to ground, to said first electrode array and provides a second potential, measurable relative to ground, to said second electrode array, and (b) said high voltage generator provides a first positive potential, measurable relative to ground, to said first electrode array and provides a second negative potential, measurable relative to ground, to said second electrode array.