Hair tip cauterizing tool

Abstract

 Tool for performing hair tip burning including a handle portion supporting a tubular stiff body (14) fastened to said handle portion (10) at one end thereof, and perforated along the whole length thereof. The tubular body (14) is adapted to issue ignited gases. The tool includes eventually a tight sealing housing (32) adapted to be fitted around said tubular body (14).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a tool which is adapted to effectively perform hair tip cauterization of "burning". The above mentioned hair treatment is a frequently practiced operation since the same, beside giving to the hair a positively pleasant look, is a remedy for hair strengthening and healing and it enhances hair growth. In fact, by means of said burning a multiple purpose is achieved of cauterizing the clipped hair tips and possibly the hair ill portions as well, through the formation of a sort of granular charcoal (which is sub­sequently brushed off) deriving from the combustion of keratin. Therefore, the degenerative processes are stopped.

[0002] Presently, hair tip thermal burning or cauterization is performed in an extemporary fashion, according to the method subjectively preferred by the operator.

[0003] There are two most commonly used methods: according to the first, use is made of a cotton wad pinched between scissor tips, dipped in a combustible liquid, usually alcohol, and subsequently ignited, while the second method uses a candle flame.

[0004] As it is apparent, the above methods have a number of drawbacks, mostly of a technical but also of an aesthetic nature. Among the first ones there should be mentioned the difficulties in controlling the flame length with a resulting hazard of too extensive burning, a difficulty in extinguishing the flame at the end of operations, as well as the formation of bad smells generated while the flame is being estinguished.

[0005] Aesthetic drawbacks are the unpleasant sensation of the person undergoing the treatment, confronted with the rudimentary tools adopted.

[0006] Therefore, the main object of this invention is to provide an aesthetically acceptable tool which, in addition, is free from the technical drawbacks mentioned above.

[0007] The subject tool substantially comprises a handle port­ion to which there is connected a substantially hollow perforated tubular member, wherein there is provided a wick member soaked in a flammable fluid, as well as a tubular member housing and closure cap, which is taken off when using the tool and is fitted back on said tubular member at the end of operations, with a flame extinguishing function.

[0008] The features and advantages of the inventive tool will become apparent from the following detailed description of a non limiting exemplary embodiment thereof, made in reference to the attached drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the invent­ive tool with the closure housing taken off;

Figure 2 is a tool longitudinal section, wherein said tool is shown in an inoperative condition, i.e. one in which it is not being used;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the closure hous­ing, and

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the tubular member adapted to hold the wick.

[0009] Referring now to the drawing, the inventive tool as it is shown therein, includes a handle portion 10 compris­ing a substantially tubular internally hollow body clos­ed at the lower end thereof, while at the open end thereof a stepped flange 12 is fastened in any known fashion, for instance by threading, said flange being internally hollow and closed at the lower end thereof. The upper open end thereof is substantially coextensive with the area of the handle portion 10.

[0010] As it is apparent in particular from Figure 2, flange 12 has two inner portions having different heights and diameters, whose function will be more apparent in the following.

[0011] In addition, the inventive tool includes a substantially tubular body 14, provided for holding the flammable wick which is not shown.

[0012] Tubular body 14 is provided along the whole substantial­ly cylindrical surface thereof, with a plurality of uniformly spaced through openings 16 intended to allow for a flow of air and burning gases coming from the ignited wick held inside said tubular body.

[0013] Referring now in particular to Figure 4, at the lower end of tubular member 14 there is fastened with a sub­stantially tight fit a small cylinder 18 which is completely contained within said end of tubular body 14. Small cylinder 18, which is shown in a partially cutaway view in Figures 2 and 4, in the portion thereof lying more deeply inside tubular body 14, has a pair of sub­stantially parallel radial passages 20, 22, both of which respectively face a suitable diameter opening of tubular member 14. In fact, said openings will have a diameter large enough to allow a pair of balls 28, 30 to partially project out of tubular body 14, under the bias of springs 24, 26 received within passages 20, 22.

[0014] Just for reasons of manufacturing practice of the subject tool, said openings of tubular member 14 and passages 20, 22 of small cylinder 18 will be drilled after the latter has been introduced inside tubular member 14. Then, small cylinder 18 will be withdrawn from said tubular member, springs 24, 26 and balls 28, 30 will be arranged within said passages and eventually said small cylinder 18 will be inserted again within said tubular member.

[0015] Eventually, the inventive tool includes a tight sealing closure housing 32, which is shown in more detail in Figure 3, and having a substantially cylindrical shape as well. Within housing 32 there is provided a substant­ially cylinder shaped lining 34, i.e. having the same internal shape of housing 32. Preferably, lining 34 is made of metal or in any case of a fireproof and possibly thermally insulating material.

[0016] As it is in particular apparent from Figure 3,the length of lining 34 is larger than that of closure housing 32, whereby said lining 34 partially projects out of the open end of housing 32.

[0017] Lining 34 is provided, at the projecting end thereof, with a pair of parallel circumferential grooves 36, 38 having a substantially semi-circular cross section, in that they are intended to receive the projecting port­ions of balls 28, 30, in order to complete the fastening of closure housing 32 to handle portion 10.

[0018] In any case, said temporary locking results additionally from a slightly tight fit when inserting the projecting portion of lining 34 within the larger diameter portion of flange 12.

[0019] Locking of tubular member 14 within said flange is performed either by a tight fit or by a threaded engagement of the lower portion of member 14 within the smaller diameter portion of hollow flange 12.

[0020] The inventive tool is extremely easy to use, in that it is enough, once closure housing 32 has been taken off, to insert within perforated tubular member 14, a wick made for instance of a wad or fabric of combustible material, like cotton, or non-combustible material like asbestos. As a filling metarial for perforated member 14 any staple or felt material can be used instead of a wick prepared on purpose, provided the material is adapted to be soaked in a combustible liquid and, from this standpoint a cotton wadding can be used in a cost-­effective manner.

[0021] As it has been mentioned above, the combustible fluid or fuel can be any liquid, provided it is adapted to burn with a flame of a suitable length; however, for reasons of convenience, cost effectiveness and cost reduction, ethyl alcohol is commonly used, and the staple material contained within perforated member 14 is soaked in said fluid and then it is ignited.

[0022] According to one of the features of the inventive tool, the short flames coming out of openings 16 are then adapted to create a continuous ignited halo, which in turn will allow for a regular and controlled hair and hair tip burning to be performed.

[0023] At the end of burning operations, in order to extinguish the flames surrounding perforated member 14, it will be enough to insert the tool back inside protective housing 32, 34 thereof, whereby flames will be choked and possible ill-smelling gases will be retained inside said housing.

[0024] A further advantage stems from inserting perforated member 14 back inside tight sealing protective housing 32, 34, in that evaporation of residual ethyl alcohol or any other flammable liquid still impregnated in the combustion wick will be avoided, whereby a fuel saving is obtained as well.

[0025] Eventually, it is apparent that variations and/or modifications can be made to the subject of this invent­ion, without exceeding the protective scope thereof, as claimed. In particular, perforated member 14 may be embodied for instance as a metal grate or net having a similar shape.

Claims

1. A tool for performing hair tip burning substantial­ly including a handle portion supporting a member adapt­ed to issue ignited gases, characterized in that said member is comprised of a substantially tubular stiff body (14) fastened to said handle portion (10) at one end thereof, and perforated along the whole length thereof, the tool including eventually a tight sealing housing (32) adapted to be fitted around said substant­ially tubular body (14), one end of said housing being able to match the end of said handle portion (10) wherefrom said substantially tubular body (14) extends.

2. The tool of Claim 1, characterized in that said substantially tubular perforated body (14) is adapted to receive internally thereof a material which can be soak­ed with combustible liquids.

3. The tool of Claim 1, characterized in that said tight sealing housing (32) is internally provided with a fireproof lining (34).

4. The tool of Claim 1, characterized in that said member adapted to issue ignited gases is comprised of a grate, a metal net or similar, of a shape substantially equivalent to said substantially tubular body (14).

5. A tool for performing hair tip burning, substant­ ially as described herein and as shown in the attached drawing.

Drawing