Hair dyeing process utilizing a heat application device

Details Hair dyeing process utilizing a heat application device Hair dyeing process utilizing a heat application device

2000-05-11

2002-07-30

Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)

Toilet

Methods

Hair treatment by application of specific chemical composition

C132S206000, C132S211000, C132S270000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06425403

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention pertains to processes and devices for coloring hair and, more particularly to a hair color dyeing process which utilizes a heating device to reduce the time required to dye the hair.
BACKGROUND ART
Processes for applying color-altering materials, such as dyes, to hair for the purpose of temporarily or permanently changing hair color are well-known in prior art. Typically, the color of hair can be altered through the use of rinses, sprays, lotions or creams. When darkening hair, the coloring material usually taken the form of a dye. Regardless of the coloring material used, it is applied in a step-by-step manner, often requiring a long waiting period to allow the chemicals in the coloring material to react and for the materials to bond with the hair.
Hair that is dyed retains its color until the color is chemically removed by bleaching or other like processes. The hair dyeing process is typically conducted at alkaline pH 9 to 10, requires 20 to 40 minutes, and usually employs hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizer. Consumers generally have their hair dyed periodically, typically once a month, sometimes as often as twice a month.
It is well known that when hair is treated with peroxide or other oxidizers, an essential amino-acid called cystins, which is found in hair, undergoes oxidation to cysteric acid. This chemical reaction leads to a weakening of the hair structure, making the hair dryer and prone to breakage. Accordingly, there is reason for consumers to believe that exposure to hydrogen peroxide during the dyeing of hair is a primary causative factor responsible for damaging the hair.
Damage to hair after a single dye application from such compositions, may be small. However, when dye applications are repeated, or when combined with other cosmetic treatments, such as permanent waving, relaxing, or bleaching, hair damage can be considerably more severe. Such damage is normally experienced by the consumer in the form of dry and brittle hair which has a tendency to break-off.
The hair coloring industry has attempted to satisfy the consumer concern or reformulating hair dyes with a metal ion catalyst that hastens the peroxide oxidation reaction of the dye precursors. This reformulation reduces the amount of time hair is exposed to the damaging effects of hydrogen peroxide or other oxidizers. However, these catalytic oxidative dyeing processes have met with little or not commercial success.
Against this background of known technology, the applicants have developed a new, faster, more efficient, and cost-effective hair dyeing process which utilizes heat and that can be performed outside the confines of a hair salon.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However the following U.S. patents, which do not disclose a heat application means, are considered related:
PATENT NO.
INVENTOR
ISSUED
5,843,193
Hawkins, et al
December 1, 1998
5,316,551
Wenke
May 31, 1994
5,100,436
Wenke
March 31,1992
4,935,032
Grollier
June 19, 1990
4,279,613
Konrad, et al
July 21, 1981
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,193 discloses a composition for oxidatively dyeing hair. The composition comprising, by weight of the total composition, 0.001-20% of at least one primary intermediate and at least one coupler for the formation of oxidation dyes, 0.01-10% of a 2-hydroxphenyl benzotriazole compound which absorbs ultraviolet radiation in the wavelength range of 0.5-20% surfactant, and 10-65% water; a two component kit containing the hair dye composition and a developer, and a process for oxidatively dyeing the hair for a time period ranging from 2 to 60 minutes.
The U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,316,551 and 5,100,438 patents disclose a method for oxidatively dyeing hair. A pre-treatment consists of contacting hair with an aqueous solution of an effective amount of particular metal/chelate complexes, and is followed by a treatment with an oxidative dye mixture. The process serves to conform the oxidative dyeing rate of virgin hair to that of the normally noncongruent rate of nonvirgin hair, so as to enhance the efficiency of the oxidative dyeing process without reducing the intensity or variety of the color.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,032 discloses a process for dyeing human hair. The process utilizes the steps of applying to hair a composition the temperature of which is higher than 30° C. and lower than 50° C. The application of heat increases the solubility of the nitro dyestuff in the composition. The composition contains at least one nitro dyestuff of the benzene series, supersaturated relative to its solubility limit at ambient temperature in a cosmetic medium suitable for dyeing heir. The composition is chosen from the dyestuffs having a ratio KC lim greater than 2 its aqueous solution. The KO lim is the ratio of the limiting concentrations of the dyestuff in an aqueous medium which are measured at 50° C. and 18° C. the composition is maintained in contact with the hair either at ambient temperature or at a temperature above room temperature and below 50° C.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,279,613 discloses a hair coloring composition and a method for using the composition. The composition includes a coupler substance, customary couplers and a compound of the formula ##STR1##. The novel couplers are more physiologically suitable for use in hair colors and allow for the preparation of compositions which lead to highly stable colorings over a broad range of shades and tones. After the hair dye is applied the mixture is allowed to react for 30 minutes at 40° C.
For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention is related, reference may be made to the remaining cited patents.
PATENT NO.
INVENTOR
ISSUED
5,002,075
Kellett
March 26, 1991
4,470,826
Bugauti, et al
September 11, 1984
4,206,195
Bolich, Jr., et al
June 3, 1980
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
When dyeing the hair, in general, the longer the hair dyeing process takes, the greater the risk that the air will be damaged. Conversely, the shorter the time period the less risk there is that hair damage will occur.
Current hair dyeing processes are widely used for permanently coloring hair. They are simple and convenient to use, low cost and safe, but unfortunately, they are also relatively slow when compared to the hair dyeing process disclosed herein which utilizes heat to “speed up” the hair dyeing process. When heat is applied, the speed of the chemical reaction involved in the dyeing process is increased. The higher the temperature applied the quicker the chemical reaction which, in turn, minimizes hair damage.
The applied temperature functions by having a major effect on the dye reaction rate. Typically, for a common organic reaction when reactant concentrations are held constant, the rate nearly doubles with each rise in temperature of 10° C. In fact, for many reactions near room temperature, an increase of 10° C. causes a doubling or tripling of the rate. If concentration-time data is collected for the same reaction run at different temperatures, and the rate constant is solved, we find that k increases as the temperature (T) increases. In other words, temperature affects the rate by affecting the rate constant. A plot of k vs T gives a curve that increases exponentially, as shown in the Arrhenius Equation:
k=Ag
-Ea/RT
where k is the rate constant, e is the base of natural logarithms, T is the absolute temperature, and R is the universal gas constant. The Ea term is the activation energy of the reaction, which Arrhenius considered the minimum energy that molecules must have to react. This negative exponential relationship between temperature and the rate constant means that as the temperature increases, the negative exponent becomes smaller; and therefore the value of k becomes larger, which means that the rate increases:
Higher T→Larger k→increase rate.
The examples below are given to further illustrate the effect of temperature on the dyeing process. Two of the applicant's products and two products made by Clairol and L'Oreal

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Hair dyeing process utilizing a heat application device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Hair dyeing process utilizing a heat application device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hair dyeing process utilizing a heat application device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2864511