# US 10,945,503 B2 · Systems, devices and methods for styling hair

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- Number: US 10,945,503 B2
- Document ID: US10945503B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/228,262
- Filed: 2016-08-04
- Published: 2017-03-16
- Granted: 2021-03-16
- Earliest claimed: 2014-02-14
- Assignees: Mirakel Technologies, Inc.
- Applicants: Mirakel Technologies, Inc.
- Inventors: Suman Lal Chirammal Sugunan; Pradeep Paul Panengad
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10945503B2

## CPC

- A45D 7/04: chemical
- A45D 1/06: with two or more jaws (A45D1/02 takes precedence)
- A45D 1/08: the jaws remaining parallel to each other during use, e.g. the jaws sliding parallel to each other
- A45D 1/14: the jaws being separable from each other
- A45D 2/001: {Hair straightening appliances}
- A45D 6/00: Details of, or accessories for, hair-curling or hair-waving devices
- A45D 7/00: Processes of waving, straightening or curling hair
- A45D 19/00: Devices for washing the hair or the scalp; Similar devices for colouring the hair
- A61K 8/19: containing inorganic ingredients
- A61K 8/731: {Cellulose; Quaternized cellulose derivatives}
- A61K 8/88: Polyamides
- A61Q 5/06: Preparations for styling the hair, e.g. by temporary shaping or colouring
- C25B 9/00: Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
- C25B 9/30: Cells comprising movable electrodes, e.g. rotary electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof
- C25B 9/63: Holders for electrodes; Positioning of the electrodes
- A45D 19/0066: {Coloring or bleaching}
- A61K 2800/43: Pigments; Dyes
- A61K 2800/83: Electrophoresis; Electrodes; Electrolytic phenomena
- A45D: HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT (wigs, toupees or the like A41G3/00, A41G5/00; hairdressers' chairs A47C1/04; hair cutting appliances, razors B26B); EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
- A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D)
- A61Q: SPECIFIC USE OF COSMETICS OR SIMILAR TOILETRY PREPARATIONS
- C25B: ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR (anodic or cathodic protection C23F13/00; single-crystal growth C30B)

## Abstract

Devices and methods for styling hair, and in particular, to devices and methods for styling hair using electrolysis are described herein. A method for styling hair includes arranging a section of hair between a first electrode and a second electrode. The section of hair is contacted with an electrolyte before being arranged between the first and second electrodes, after being arranged between the first and second electrodes, and/or concurrently with being arranged between the first and second electrodes. The method further includes causing the first electrode to have a first negative potential, and causing the second electrode to have a second potential, such that the absolute value of the first negative potential is greater than the absolute value of the second potential, and such that the difference in electrical potential between the first electrode and the second electrode creates an electrolysis zone between the first electrode and the second electrode.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for styling hair, comprising:
arranging a section of hair between a first electrode and a second electrode;
contacting the section of hair with an electrolyte;
causing the first electrode to have a first negative potential; and
causing the second electrode to have a second negative potential, the absolute value of the first negative potential being greater than the absolute value of the second negative potential, the difference in electrical potential between the first electrode and the second electrode creating an electrolysis zone between the first electrode and the second electrode,
wherein the absolute value of the second negative potential is less than half the absolute value of the first negative potential.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the difference in electrical potential between the first electrode and the second electrode is at least about 5 volts.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the difference in electrical potential between the first electrode and the second electrode is at least about 10 volts.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first negative potential is in the range of about −6 volts to about −50 volts.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the difference in electrical potential between the first electrode and the second electrode is in the range of about 5 volts to about 20 volts.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
producing a pH of at least about 10 in the electrolyte contacting the section of hair.

### Claim 7

A method for styling hair, the method comprising:
arranging a section of hair between a first electrode and a second electrode;
contacting the section of hair with an electrolyte;
causing the first electrode to have a first negative potential; and
causing the second electrode to have a second negative potential, the absolute value of the first negative potential being greater than the absolute value of the second negative potential, the difference in electrical potential between the first electrode and the second electrode creating an electrolysis zone between the first electrode and the second electrode,
wherein the absolute value of the second negative potential is less than 1 volt.

### Claim 8

A method of styling hair using a hair styling device, the hair styling device including a first electrode electrically coupled to a DC power module and a second electrode electrically coupled to the DC power module, and a second electrode, the method comprising:
disposing hair between the first electrode and the second electrode;
disposing an electrolyte on the hair;
causing the first electrode to have a first negative potential and the second electrode to have a second negative potential, the absolute value of the first negative potential being different than the absolute value of the second negative potential; and
producing a current between the first electrode and the second electrode of at least about 1.5 amperes,
wherein the absolute value of the second negative potential is less than half the absolute value of the first negative potential.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the current between the first electrode and the second electrode is in the range of about 2 amperes to about 12 amperes.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the electrolyte includes a salt at a concentration from about 1M to about 5M.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the electrolyte includes a solvent, a salt, and at least one of: a chlorine formation inhibitor, an electrolysis foam booster, a wetting agent, a humectant, a hydrophobic agent, and a surfactant.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the electrolyte includes at least one of: water, ascorbic acid, a humectant, sodium iodide (NaI), cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerol, coconut oil, mineral oil, silicone oil, petroleum jelly and/or PEG 40-hydrogenated castor oil.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the electrolyte includes conductive particles.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the method produces a change in style to the hair that is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the change in style comprises at least one of straightening, coloring, moisturizing and thickening.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte includes a salt at a concentration from about 1M to about 5M.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte includes a solvent, a salt, and at least one of: a chlorine formation inhibitor, an electrolysis foam booster, a wetting agent, a humectant, a hydrophobic agent, and a surfactant.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte includes at least one of: water, ascorbic acid, a humectant, sodium iodide (NaI), cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerol, coconut oil, mineral oil, silicone oil, petroleum jelly and/or PEG 40-hydrogenated castor oil.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte includes conductive particles.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode is in contact with an electrolyte reservoir for containing a volume of the electrolyte.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20, wherein the electrolyte reservoir comprises at least one of an absorbent pad, a sponge, or a porous material.

### Claim 22 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the difference in electrical potential between the first electrode and the second electrode is at least about 5 volts.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The method of claim 22, wherein the difference in electrical potential between the first electrode and the second electrode is at least about 10 volts.

### Claim 24 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the first negative potential is in the range of about −6 volts to about −50 volts.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, wherein the difference in electrical potential between the first electrode and the second electrode is in the range of about 5 volts to about 20 volts.

### Claim 26 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, further comprising:
producing a pH of at least about 10 in the electrolyte contacting the section of hair.

### Claim 27 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the absolute value of the second negative potential is less than half the absolute value of the first negative potential.