Abstract: An apparatus and method for an adjustable multi-barrel hair waving appliance is disclosed herein. The appliance has a plurality of barrels, at least one of which is an adjustable barrel, wherein the barrels are heated during use. In one embodiment two outer barrels and one adjustable center barrel are provided. The center barrel is manually adjusted to be closer or farther from a winged shield that clamps hair against the barrels and is formed to cradle the outer barrels. A locking mechanism locks the center barrel in place after adjustments are made via projections at an end of the center barrel. Adjusting the center barrel closer to the shield results in shallow or tight waves, and deep or loose waves result when the center barrel is adjusted farther from the shield.

Abstract: A hair iron having an array of substantially parallel heating prongs, wherein the distance between at least two of the prongs can be decreased while maintaining the prongs in a position substantially parallel to one another. An insulating guard surrounds the perimeter of each heating prong. The hair iron may further comprise two non-heating end units on either side of and substantially parallel to the heating prongs. The distance between the heating prongs can be decreased by actuating a drive mechanism. The insulating guards protect a user from high temperatures of the heating prongs. Further claimed is a method of styling hair using a heating device having substantially parallel heating prongs and manipulating the device to reduce the distance between at least two prongs while maintain the prongs in a position substantially parallel to one another.

Abstract: A hair styling device having an adjustable diameter and methods of use are disclosed. The hair styling device includes a handle portion and a brush portion including sizing barrels which may be rotated to adjust the diameter of the brush portion.

Abstract: An associated set of hair styling appliances is electrically powered by a single power cord, reducing cord clutter in salon workstations. When not in use the appliances are stored in an electrically powered appliance rack that preheats hair irons and other heated appliances. A method of styling hair features connecting the single power cord to one of the appliances to style hair in a first sense, then disconnecting the power cord from the appliance and connecting the cord to another of the appliances to style hair in a second sense.

Abstract: A hair heating device for use with regard to a permanent wave, which may elevate the hair temperature in a uniform manner without applying an excessive amount of heat energy not only to the head at a time but also to the hair locally so that the hair may escape deterioration and discoloration, and a process for permanent or dyeing hair by the device. The hair heating device includes two swing arms in the form of an arch, which include heaters mounted on the inside thereof, a concentric reverse reduction gearing, and a motor for driving said gearing. The concentric reverse reduction gearing is provided with an output shaft member A and an output shaft member B arranged such that both the output shaft members may rotate in opposite directions. A transmission member of the swing arm is connected with the output shaft member A, while a second transmission member of the swing arm is connected with the output shaft member B.

Abstract: A hair dyeing process which utilizes a hair dye in combination with a heat application means. By applying heat to a person's head, immediately after the dye has been applied, the hair can be quickly and efficiently dyed and hair damage is minimized. The heat application means (12) is disclosed in five designs: the first utilizes a conventional, hand-held, hot-air blower (14) in combination with a plastic head cap (18) such as a shower cap (20); the second utilizes the plastic head cap (16) having attached a light flexible hose (24) that is connected to a heat source (26); the third consists of a hot, moistened towel (32); the fourth consists of a corded, electric heating pad (40); the fifth consists of a cordless heating pad (42) that has inserted a multiplicity of heat absorbing elements (50). When the pad (42) is heated in a microwave oven the elements (50) allow the pad (42) to retain heat for an extended period of time.

Abstract: There are provided a hair heating device 1 for use in permanent wave, which may elevate the hair temperature in a uniform manner without applying an excessive amount of heat energy not only to the head at a time but also to the hair locally so that the hair may escape deterioration and discoloration, and a process for permanent or dyeing hair by means of said device. The hair heating device 1 comprises two swing arms in the form of an arch, which include heaters mounted on the inside 2a, 3a thereof, concentric reverse reduction gearing 5, and a motor 6 for driving said gearing 5, said concentric reverse reduction gearing 5 being provided with an output shaft member A 11a and an output shaft member B 13a arranged such that both the output shaft members may rotate in opposite directions, a transmission member 2b of the swing arm 2 being connected with the output shaft member A 11a, while a transmission member 3b of the swing arm 3b with the output shaft member B 13a.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel vesicle-free composition for the first stage of a process of permanent reshaping of keratin fibres, this composition comprising, in a suitable cosmetic support, at least one compound of ceramide type in a specific amount and at least one reducing agent. The invention also relates to a novel process of permanent reshaping of keratin fibres using the composition defined above.

Abstract: A method of protecting hair or wool against thermal degradation when heat treated at 100-180° C. which comprises applying a composition which includes methyl vinyl ether-maleic acid copolymer as an active constituent to said hair or wool.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for the styling and/or drying of hair, including an exothermic material that is enclosed by a gas-permeable film. Applied to the outer surface of the film at least in certain areas thereof is a water-absorbent fabric, which comes into direct contact with the hair when the device is used. The device finds application preferably as a self-contained, regenerable hair roller.

Abstract: An image transfer sheet for holding a releasable, transferable image includes a substrate comprising release material and one or more transfer layers that are releasable by heat and/or pressure and include a gel and/or a colorant. A method for forming an image transfer sheet holding a releasable, transferable image comprises depositing one or more transfer layers on a substrate comprising release material. The transfer layers are releasable from the substrate by heat and/or pressure and comprise one or more of the group consisting of a gel and/or a colorant. A method for adhering a colored image to a receiver employs an image wafer comprising one or more transfer layers each comprising gel and/or a colorant and having the shape of a transferable color image. The image wafer, which can be disposed on a substrate comprising releasable material, is placed in contact with a receiver. Heat and/or pressure is applied to the wafer, causing it to adhere to the receiver.

Abstract: Hair dryer with remote sensing of the moistness of the hair by means of a detector which compares the amount of radiant energy in two absorption bands in the spectrum of light emitted by an infra red source and reflected by the hair. One of the absorption bands is caused by water in the hair. The amount of radiant energy in this absorption band changes significantly during the drying of the hair. The other absorption band is caused by keratin in the hair. The energy in this band changes to a much smaller extent during the drying of the hair. The intensity ratio of the two bands is an indicator for the moistness of the hair and can be employed to control the temperature and/or the air flow of the hair dryer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hair styling brush and method of use. A brush according to the invention will have particular utility with hair which is to be "blow dried", usually after the hair has already been partially dried, for instance after it has been "towel-dried". There is provided a hair styling brush which includes a head, a handle connected to the head, and bristles carried by and projecting from the head wherein the head carries a temperature sensitive color-change material, the material being selected to be inert to hair and adapted to indicate a minimum threshold temperature for hair styling. There is also provided a method of use of such a hair styling brush.

Abstract: The Hair Straightening Nozzle of the present invention includes a nozzle suitable for attachment to a typical hand-held hair blow dryer, and is formed with two parallel rows of teeth disposed on opposite sides of the nozzle such that the air from the hair blow dryer passes from the nozzle, through the nozzle opening, and between the two rows of teeth. A heating bar is located between the rows of teeth and in the stream of heated air, and is formed of a heat-conducting material, such as steel. The heating bar, heated by the heated air passing through the nozzle, extends slightly higher than the base of the teeth, such that as the teeth are pulled through the hair, the hair passes over the heating bar and the heated bar straightens the hair.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, there is provided an image transfer sheet to transfer a colored image to hair. The image transfer sheet comprises at least a first gel layer, a color layer, and a second gel layer. The present invention includes a process to use the image transfer sheet. The process entails contacting the sheet to hair and applying sufficient heat and/or pressure to the sheet and hair so the colored image transfers to the hair.

Abstract: A hairbrush, the surface of which changes colour with temperature, is used to improve the set of human hair during a grooming process. The bristles of the brush may be of a colour temperature dependent nature as well as the surface on which the bristles are mounted or protrude.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for the styling and/or drying of hair, including an exothermic material that is enclosed by a gas-permeable film. Applied to the outer surface of the film at least in certain areas thereof is a water-absorbent fabric, which comes into direct contact with the hair when the device is used. The device finds application preferably as a self-contained, regenerable hair roller.

Abstract: A process for removably applying coloring material to hair comprises contacting a composite fabric material to hair and compressing the hair along with the composite material while heating the hair to a temperature of at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The composite fabric material is a laminated structure formed from a fiberglass substrate having polytetrafluoroethylene bonded thereto. The top surface of the polytetrafluoroethylene has a water-soluble coloring material deposed thereon which is brought into contact with the hair. The hair is compressed and heated using a hair crimping device with a first jaw with a female die member is attached thereto and a second jaw with a corresponding male die member is attached thereto.

Abstract: A highly effective, ammonia-free, permanent waving lotion is attained by employing one a reducing agent consisting of a thiol compound or mercaptan in combination with an alkalizing agent consisting of an alkanolamine and an alkali metal hydroxide. In accordance with this invention, the reducing agent is employed either independently as an aqueous solution or in association with desired additives for imparting additional benefits to the permanently waved hair. Preferably, the reducing agents of the present invention are employed in a permanent waving lotion having a pH ranging between about 5.5 and 10.0. By employing this invention, long lasting permanently waved hair is attained with substantially less malodor being produced, thereby providing increased comfort to the stylist and the person who undergoes permanent waving.

Abstract: A heated adjustable diameter hair curler is formed of a sheet of a flexible material such as a plastic. The sheet has two planar sides. Disposed within the sheet are one or more thermal elements such as thin flexible sheets and/or flexible wires or coils fabricated of thermally conductive material such as metal. One end of the sheet has a curler thermal connector to which are connected the thermal elements. A base thermal connector in a heating unit mates with the curler thermal connector so that a thermally conductive path is formed from the heating unit to the curler thermal connector of the curler. The thermal mass of the thermal elements keeps the Curler heated for some period of time after the curler is removed from the heating unit.

Abstract: A steam appliance for treating and/or shaping hair, the appliance being composed of: a housing (1) having a handle; a roller body (2) for rolling up locks of hair, the body being secured at one end (5a) to the housing and being limited towards its other end by a partition wall (5b), the body including holes to pass steam produced by a steam production member and conveyed to the roller body (2) by a steam delivery member (20); and a clamp (10) for clamping a lock of hair on the roller body (2). The steam delivery member is a tubular element (20) mounted coaxially inside and extending along the roller body (2) from an inlet (20a) situated in the housing to a terminal end remote from the inlet, the element (20) including at least one steam delivery orifice (21) situated at its terminal end in such a manner as to convey an inlet flow of steam inside the tubular element (20) substantially along its entire length to be released in the vicinity of the partition wall (5b) via the orifice (21).

Abstract: A method of thermally setting hair including the sequential steps of:(a) applying a thermoplastic polyester fixative resin composition, having a pH less than about 5, to the hair prior to configuring the hair in a desired configuration;(b) contacting the hair with a thermal appliance to heat the applied polyester to its glaze transition temperature;(c) configuring the hair while the polyester is at a temperature of at least its glass transition temperature; and(d) cooling the polyester to a temperature below its glass transition temperature while the hair is in the desired configuration to harden the polyester in the shape of the configured hair. Preferably, the thermoplastic polyester fixative resin includes a plurality of neutralized sulfonate moieties, and has a glass transition temperature below about 120.degree. C., and is solubilized or dispersed in water in an amount of about 0.1% to about 20%.

Abstract: A hair iron is designed to be used in straight-perming hair, especially straight-perming frizzled hair. The hair iron comprises a grip part and pressing members. Opposing surfaces of the pressing member for clasping and pressing hair have uneven faces which match each other. The uneven faces may cover the entire opposing surfaces of the pressing members or parts of them. The uneven faces give relatively large pressure on hair. Repetition of pressing and releasing hair with shifting the iron on the hair from the root to the tip causes the hair to be pressed in multiple directions so as to be deformed into a tiny waveform. Combining regular treatment with perming lotion, the repetition, and sliding the hair iron frictionally on the hair from the root to tip to stretch the hair makes the hair straight tidily.

Abstract: The invention relates to a treatment process for obtaining a non-permanent reshaping of keratinous fibers, especially the setting of hair, comprising the steps of (i) contacting the fibers, which are maintained under mechanical tension and to which has been applied a composition containing at least one silicone, with a gas containing water vapour, the gas having a temperature of at least 75.degree. C., for a time not exceeding 2 minutes to non-permanently reshape the fibers, (ii) cooling the fibers thus contacted, and lastly (iii) removing the mechanical tension which was applied to the fibers, in order to obtain fibers having long-lasting, attractive curls and exceptional cosmetic properties of softness and smoothness.

Abstract: The invention relates to a treatment process for obtaining a non-permanent reshaping of keratinous fibres, especially the setting of hair, comprising the steps of (i) contacting the fibres, which are maintained under mechanical tension and to which has been applied a composition consisting essentially of at least one polysaccharide and/or polysaccharide derivative, optionally combined with at least one silicone and/or oil, with a gas containing water vapor, the gas having a temperature of at least 75.degree. C., for a time not exceeding 2 minutes to non-permanently reshape the fibres, (ii) cooling the fibres thus contacted, and lastly (iii) removing the mechanical tension which was applied to the fibres, in order to obtain fibres having long-lasting, attractive curls and exceptional cosmetic properties of softness and smoothness.

Abstract: A fabric hair curler includes a fabric body defining a receiving area for hair, and elements for restraining laterally the hair placed in the receiving area. First and second unreinforced fabric tie strips are positioned below the restraining elements and extend laterally from opposite edges of the body with sufficient length to be in tied relationship when hair restrained by the panels in the receiving area is rolled longitudinally with the body into a curl. The body, restraining elements, and tie strips are made as one piece from one or more portions of fabric sewn together. The design makes the fabric hair curler easy to use, manipulate and tie, and when in place, makes it comfortable to wear during waking or sleeping hours. Other features make possible variations in curl sizes and reduced drying times. A method for using provides for use of the fabric hair curler, and a variation of the method provides for producing curls in a shorter time.

Abstract: Simultaneous permanent waving and dyeing of hair fibers is attained by incorporating a silk amino acid and a water soluble or emulsifiable silicone based compound in the permanent waving lotion and intermixing the dyestuff with the oxidizing or neutralizing composition. Preferably, the combined dyeing and neutralizing composition is adjusted to have a pH ranging between about 7 and 9. In this preferred embodiment, the hair is warmed after receiving the combined dyeing and neutralizing composition with said composition preferably being processed on the hair at a temperature ranging between 40.degree. C. and 65.degree. C. In addition, further enhanced coloring and permanent waving is attained by incorporating a lipotropic material into the dye additive composition.

Abstract: Firstly, a permanent wave agent is placed onto the hair and thereafter the hairs are laid into a treatment shape. This treatment shape is such that a subsequent aerating of the hair by means of warm air the hair is exposed to the warm air uniformly from the area of the tips of the hair to the area of the base of the hair. In order to produce, for instance, permanent waves the hair is wound to a treatment shape corresponding to a hollow cylinder, such that an acting onto the hair proceeds from the inner jacket and from the outer jacket as well of the hollow cylinder. After the warm air treatment the permanent wave agent is rinsed out and the hair is released to attain the desired, final shape. The method allows a fast, simple and considerate treatment of the hair, and it is possible to produce much larger curls than hitherto possible.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing heated hair rollers wherein the rollers are suspended vertically in a heating chamber of a housing, an amount of water is introduced into the chamber and heated to generate steam which surrounds the rollers and condenses thereon heating and moistening the rollers which may then be removed and applied to a person's hair. The rollers are suspended by a horizontal plate within the housing which defines a steam chamber between the plate and the bottom of the housing. The plate has a plurality of holes sized to allow passage of the rollers. Each hair roller has a head portion which is larger in diameter than the respective hole whereby the rollers are suspended from the plate within the steam chamber such that the head portion of each roller remains outside of the heating chamber to provide a relatively cool handle for easy manipulation of the heated and moistened rollers.

Abstract: According to the process for applying reshaping to hair by use of a hair-curler, the hair-curler (1) is arranged in such a way that the perimeter along which the lock of hair (M) is rolled increases by approx. 2 to 3% when its temperature rises to pass from a starting temperature to a higher temperature which nevertheless remains lower than a relatively low limit thus avoiding the burning of the hair and/or of the scalp; the longitudinal section of the curler is sufficient to withstand the stresses imposed by elongation of the lock of hair; the lock of hair is rolled around the curler at the starting temperature so that the hair is retained against the hair-curler; the curler is raised to the said higher temperature; the hair is thus subjected to elongation ensuring an increase in the life of the reshaping applied to the hair.

Abstract: A hair curling apparatus for subjecting a tress of hair, previously wound about a cylinder, to a vaporized fluid for imparting a resilient and lasting curl to the hair upon removal of the cylinder. The apparatus comprises, generally, a handle containing a refillable fluid reservoir, a heating element for heating the fluid to vaporization, a barrel extending outward from the handle and containing a plurality of steam releasing holes, a channel for communicating the vaporized fluid from the reservoir to the barrel and a trigger mechanism for activating and metering the volume of fluid passed through the channel.

Abstract: The present invention invention provides a method by which hair which is tightly curled or kinked can be consistently relaxed and reformed into a looser curl or wave configuation, with substantially less damage to the hair. The process of the present invention includes the steps of: (a) contacting the hair with an aqueous relaxant composition comprising five to ten weight percent alkaline thioglycolate; (b) rinsing the hair; (c) contacting the hair with an aqueous suspending composition; (d) wrapping the hair onto curling rods; (e) contacting the hair with a heat generating composition comprising a first and second solution provided in separate containers; (f) contacting the hair with an oxidizing composition; (g) removing the curling rods; and (h) contacting the hair with an acidic protein final rinse.

Abstract: A method and system for the application of hair treatment solution, such as permanent solutions, to the hair is disclosed according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the present invention includes hair curlers having cylindrically shaped outside surfaces and hollow interiors. After the curler is rolled in the hair, vapor retainers may be placed around the hair rolled on the hair curler. The vapor retainer includes in its most preferred form, first and second semicircular members hinged together for defining a hair treatment solution receiving volume. Vaporized hair treatment solution may be injected into the interior of the hair curler for communication with the hair located within the vapor retainer. In its most preferred form, the curler includes a frustro-conical portion extending into the interior of the curler and having a closure formed from wedge-shaped flaps.

Abstract: An elongated flexible hair curler having a central core molded within a pliable viscoelastic polymer heat-retaining body. The hair curler comprises a generally elongated structure having rounded ends and is capable of being bent into a plurality of positions including being bent through an angle of substantially 180.degree. back upon itself in order to retain a hair tress wound thereon curler without the aid of hair clips. The heat retaining body is capable of being heated by an external means to a predetermined temperature and able to retain the heat for a predetermined time in order to facilitate the setting of curls in hair.