US2566600A - Hair treating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 4, 1951 A. B. COLON HAIR TREATING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 16, 1949 lNVE/VTOR AMA00 B. COLON w-wgflffi 9 A T TOR/V575 Patented Sept. 4, 1951 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HAIR TREATING APPARATUS Amado B. Colon, Arecibo, Puerto Rico Application November 16, 1949, Serial No. 127,652

Claims.

invention consists in new and useful improvements .in apparatus ,for treating the hair and scalp and has as an object, to provide a device of this nature which is readily adaptable for various uses such as washing, rinsing, dyeing, oiling and [massaging the hair and scalp of the human head.

Another object of my invention is to provide a combination hair washing hood and vibrating unit which is capable of completing its operation while the subject remains seated at one location, without the necessity of repeatedly moving from place to place during the course of washing and rinsing the hair.

I am familiar with previous efforts to this same general end, but so far as I am aware, such prior efforts have proven unsatisfactory for the reason that they have all required certain manual Operations. for one or more of the functions of washing, massaging and rinsing. It is therefore a further object of my invention to provide a. combination apparatus which, when properly adjusted on the wearers head will automatically apply a treating solution and regulated quantities of water and then automatically effect the required vibratory motion to thoroughly wash, dye or oil the hair and to massage the scalp and thereafter rinse the hair without requiring removal of the hood.

With the aboveand other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention consists in the novel features herein set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings in which numerals of like character designate similar parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation showing my improved hood in place on the head of a wearer and operatively connected for use;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the hood shown .in Figure 1; and

Figure .3 .is an enlarged fragmentary detail showing a section of the underside of the hood lining.

In the drawings, the hood is generally designated by the numeral 4 and is preferably composed of rubber or other suitable waterproof material having sufficient rigidity to retain sub-- stantially its normal molded shape, but having the requisite flexibility and resilience to render it adaptable to various head sizes. This hood consists of an outer wall 5 which conforms generally in shape to that of the human skull, the

bounding edges of the hood opening, being shapedto follow substantially the hair line-of the human head from front to back, as will be apparent from Figure l. Spaced inwardly from the outer wall 5 and preferably integral therewith, is a lining 6 which follows the same general contour as the outer wall 5, the space between the lining and the outer wall, forming a liquid distribution chamber 7 which surrounds the wearers scalp. At predetermined points suitably distributed throughout the area between the lining and outer wall, I provide a series of spacers 8 which may be formed of hard rubber or metal and which are adapted to maintain a substantially fixed relationship between the lining and the outer wall for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

The undersurface of the lining 6 is provided with a series of inwardly directed massaging fingers 8, adapted to engage the hair and scalp of the wearer and suitably spaced throughout the area of the lining as will be seen from Fig ure 2. Alternately arranged between these mas.- saging fingers 9, are a series of nipples l0 having perforations in communication with the .distributing chamber 1, whereby the .liquid in said chamber is evenly distributed over the head of the wearer. The massaging fingers 9 and the nipples to may be formed integral with the lining 6 and .of the same material or if desired, they maybe separately attached and composed. of a different material having the required characteristics.

The bounding edges of the hood opening are preferably formed, with a tendency toward restriction so as normally to exert a sufficient inward pressure along the hair line to facilitate retention of the hood in place on the wearers, head. Adjacent said bounding edges and lying between the same and the wearers head, 1 provide a resilient waterproof gasket H which may be formed integral with the hood or separately attached thereto by any preferred means such as cementing. Thus when the hood is applied, the area surrounding the skull is completely, sealed against the exterior so as to prevent the leakage of fluid down over the face and shoulders. of the wearer.

The upper portion of the hood is provided with two liquid inlets l2 and I3, extending through the outer Wall 5 into the liquid distribution chamber 1, as will be seen in Figure 2. Inlet. I2 is provided with a conduit l4 connected to a suitable source of water supply l5, while the inlet I3 is connected through conduit It to a receptacle II which may contain soap solution, dye or other 3 treating" solutions; The conduits l4 and I 6 are also equipped with suitable valves l8 and 19 respectively, for regulating the fiow of the respective liquids into the chamber 1, as hereinafter set forth.

At the lowest point in the hood 4, I provide an outlet or drainage opening and discharge conduit 20 which leads from the interior of the lining 6, whereby the liquid collected over the head within the lining may be discharged to a suitable point of drainage, the conduit 2|] being provided with a control valve 2|. It will be noted from Figure 1, that the portion of the hair line immediately in front of the ears of the wearer is lower than the tops of the ears and, inasmuch as the bounding edge of the hood opening follows the contour of the hair line, a low point or pocket is formed within the lining 6. In order to prevent the collection of liquid in the lining at this low point, I preferably provide aby-pass drain tube 35 which connects the low point just described, with the lower extremity of the internal area of the lining 6, behind the wearers ears, thus draining all liquids to one common discharge point.

In Figure l, I have shown more or less diagrammatically, a vibrating unit 22 which may be of any suitable type, operated by an electric motor which causes a reciprocating motion to be imparted to a connecting rod 23, the latter being operatively secured to a U-shaped yoke 24. The yoke 24 spans the hood 4 and is connected on either side thereof to a rigid metal band 25 which surrounds the outer wall of the hood and is fixed thereto by any suitable means. Preferably, the band 25 is provided with laterally projecting trunnions 26 which pivotally engage bearing members 21, carried at the free ends of the U-shaped yoke 24.

Thus when the vibrating unit 22 is set into operation, the connecting rod 23 reciprocates horizontally and in turn causes a corresponding reciprocation or vibration of the outer wall of the hood. This vibration is transmitted from the outer wall to the lining 6 by means of the spacers 8, the extent of the movement imparted thereto,

being sufficient to cause the required massaging action of the fingers 9 on the hair and scalp, yet insufficient to cause discomfort to the head of the wearer. Preferably, the length of stroke of the vibrating connecting rod 23, is from to /1, of an inch and the actual movement of the hood, due to the nature of the material used in both the hood and the gasket l l, is slightly less, which avoids undue strain on the wearers head.

Any suitable arrangement may be employed for supporting the vibrating unit and the liquid containers. In Figure l, I have shown one arrangement consisting of a vertical standard 28 having a platform 23 for supporting the vibrating unit 22, an adjusting screw 30 being provided for regulating the height of the unit 22. At the top of this standard a second platform 3| supports the solution container ll, and the water supply I5 is strapped to the standard 28 as at 32.

As an alternative method of connecting the vibrating unit, I may emplo a semi-circular metal band 33 which is secured across the upper portion of the hood as shown in Figure l, and has fixed thereto a rear-wardly projecting lug 34 which may be fastened directly to the connecting rod 23 without the necessity of the U-shaped yoke 24. Regardless of the connecting member, it may be desirable to employ the strip 33 as a reinforcing means for the outer wall 5 and to add 4 strength at the points where the liquid inlet connections are installed.

The operation of my improved apparatus assuming that the wearers hair is to be washed, is as follows:

The hood is applied to the wearer head with the gasket II tightly in place and the discharge valve 2| closed. Soap solution from the receptacle I1 is admitted by gravity, to the chamber 1 through conduit I 6, by regulating the control valve [9, and regulated quantities of water are admitted through the conduit M by manipulation of the control valve I8. The electric motor for operating the vibrating unit 22 is turned on and. through the connecting rod 23, yoke 24 and encircling band 25, the outer wall of the hood is caused to vibrate horizontally so that the massaging fingers 9 thoroughly distribute the soap solution throughout the hair and cause suflicient massaging action to work up the required lather. After the period of washing, the valve l9 on'the soap solution receptacle is closed and the discharge valve 2| in the bottom of the hood is opened. By regulating the water supply valve l8, clear water is admitted to the chamber 1 and is thoroughly distributed through the series of nipples [0, over the head and hair of the wearer and is drained through the discharge conduit 20 to a suitable point of drainage, not shown.

When it is desired to dye or oil the hair, the receptacle I! is replaced with a dye or oil receptacle, the fluid being admitted to the chamber 7, through the conduit I6, and the vibrating unit set into operation to cause a thorough distribution of dye or oil throughout the hair.

From the foregoing, it is believed that my in vention may be readily understood by those skilled in the art without further description, it being borne in mind that numerous changes may be made in the details of structure, without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. Hair massaging and treating apparatus, comprising in combination a hood of semi-rigid waterproof material adapted to enclose the hair and cranium of awearer, means for sealing the bounding edges of said hood adjacent the hair line of the wearer, a lining in said hood spaced inwardly to form a liquid distributing chamber, means maintaining said spacing, at least-one fluid inlet opening to said chamber, a series of dis charge openings in said lining, a series of inwardly directed massaging fingers interposed between said discharge openings, a drain opening leading from the interior-of said lining, and a vibrating unit operatively connected to said hood for bodily vibrating the latter to cause a massaging action by said fingers.

2. Hair massaging and treating apparatus including a semi-rigid hood formed of Waterproof material which will retain substantially its 'normal shape but having sufficient resilience to render it adaptable to various head sizes, said hood having a lining of similar material spaced inwardly from its outer wall to form a fluid distributing chamber conforming substantially to the contour of the hood, spacers secured between said lining and outer Wall and suitably distributed to maintain a substantially fixed relationship of the lining with respect to the outer wall of the hood, a series of inwardly directed fingers integral with the concave underside of said lining for engaging the hair and scalp, a series of perforations in said lining for distributing fiuidfrom said chamber.

resilient means bounding the edges of the hood opening for sealing the latter adjacent the hair line of the wearer, a fluid inlet in the outer wall of said hood communicating with said chamber, a fluid drain outlet from the interior of said lining, means for controlling said inlet and outlet, a vibrating mechanism, and means connecting said mechanism to said hood for bodily vibrating the latter.

3. Hair massaging and treating apparatus including a semi-rigid hood formed of waterproof material which will retain substantially its normal shape but having sufficient resilience to render it adaptable to various head sizes, said hood having a lining of similar material spaced inwardly from its outer wall to form a fluid distributing chamber conforming substantially to the contour of the hood, spacers secured between said lining and outer wall and suitably distributed to maintain a substantially fixed relationship of the lining with respect to the outer wall of the hood, a series of inwardly directed fingers integral with the concave underside of said lining for engaging the hair and scalp, a series of perforations in said lining for distributing fluid from said chamber, resilient means bounding the edges of the hood opening for sealing the latter adjacent the hair line of the wearer, a fluid inlet in the outer wall of said hood communicating with said chamber, a fluid drain outlet from the interior of said lining, means for controlling said inlet and outlet, a rigid band secured to the outer wall of said hood, a vibrating unit, and means operatively connecting said vibrating unit to said rigid band for bodily vibrating said hood and lining.

4. Hair massaging and treating apparatus including a semi-rigid hood formed of waterproof material which will retain substantially its normal shape but having sufficient resilience to render it adaptable to various head sizes, said hood having a lining of similar material spaced inwardly from its outer wall to form a fluid distributing chamber conforming substantially to the contour of the hood, spacers secured between said lining and outer wall and suitably distributed to maintain a substantially fixed relationship of the lining with respect to the outer wall of the hood, a series of inwardly directed fingers integral with the concave underside of said lining for engaging the hair and scalp, a series of perforations in said lining for distributing fluid from said chamber, resilient means bounding the edges of the hood opening and conforming substantially to the contour of the wearers hair line for sealing the latter adjacent the hair line of a wearer, a by-pass drainage tube connecting the dip in said lining forward of the ears of the wearer to the low point of the lining behind the wearers ears, a source of hair treating solution, means connecting the latter to said chamber, a source of water, means connecting said source to said chamber, a fluid drain outlet from the interior of said lining, means for controlling the flow of said treating solution and water to said hood, means controlling the drainage of fluid from said hood, a separate vibrating mechanism and means operatively connecting the latter to said hood for bodily vibrating the latter.

5. In hair massaging and treating apparatus, including a semi-rigid hood formed of waterproof material which will retain substantially its normal shape but having sufficient resilience to render it adaptable to various head sizes, a lining in said hood of similar material spaced inwardly from the outer wall of the hood to form a fluid distributing chamber conforming substantially to the contour of the hood, a series of inwardly directed fingers integral with the concave underside of said lining for engaging the hair and scalp, a series of perforations in said lining for distributing fluid from said chamber, resilient means bounding the edges of the hood opening and conforming substantially to the contour of the wearers hair line, and a by-pass drainage tube connecting the dip in said lining forward of the ears of the wearer to the low point of the lining behind the wearers ears.

AMADO B. COLON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 998,804 Salisbury July 25, 1911 2,369,881 Berns Feb. 20, 1945

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