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Patent 2422300 Summary

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(12) Patent: (11) CA 2422300
(54) English Title: METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR ASSESSING HAIR CONDITION
(54) French Title: PROCEDE, APPAREIL ET SYSTEME DESTINES A DETERMINER L'ETAT DES CHEVEUX
Status: Expired
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • A61B 5/107 (2006.01)
  • A61B 7/00 (2006.01)
  • G01N 19/02 (2006.01)
  • G01N 33/483 (2006.01)
  • G01N 33/48 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • WOOLSTON, ROBERT (United Kingdom)
  • DAY, SHANE ALISTAIR (United Kingdom)
  • QUAN, KE MING (United States of America)
  • STEPHENS, TRACY (United Kingdom)
  • JACOBS, LINDA HELEN (United Kingdom)
(73) Owners :
  • THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY (United States of America)
(71) Applicants :
  • THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY (United States of America)
(74) Agent: MBM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW LLP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued: 2007-03-27
(86) PCT Filing Date: 2001-09-24
(87) Open to Public Inspection: 2002-03-28
Examination requested: 2003-03-14
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes
(86) PCT Filing Number: PCT/US2001/042265
(87) International Publication Number: WO2002/024071
(85) National Entry: 2003-03-14

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
0023472.4 United Kingdom 2000-09-25

Abstracts

English Abstract




Method for measuring friction in a hair sample, comprising: (a) providing a
friction member; (b) drawing it through the hair, generating a frictional
noise signal; and (c) capturing the signal by a noise sensor. Device suitable
for use in said method, comprising comb means having a plurality of tines and
a noise sensor arranged to capture frictional noise generated by passage of
comb means through the hair. System for assessing the level of damage in a
hair sample, comprising: (a) defining hair categories; (b) associating with
each category a standard trace representative of the frictional noise signal
generated when a standard sample in that category is subjected to said method;
(c) assigning the sample to one of the categories; (d) carrying out said
method on the sample; (e) visually displaying the frictional noise signal
generated as a trace; (f) and comparing the sample's trace with the standard
trace associated with the category.


French Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé destiné à mesurer le frottement dans un échantillon de cheveux. Ce procédé consiste (a) à prendre un élément de frottement, (b) à le tirer dans les cheveux de façon à produire un signal de bruit de frottement, et (c) à capturer ce signal au moyen d'un capteur sonore. L'invention concerne également un dispositif intervenant dans ce procédé et comprenant un peigne muni d'une pluralité de dents ainsi qu'un capteur sonore conçu pour capturer le bruit de frottement produit lors du passage du peigne dans les cheveux. Elle se rapporte en outre à un système destiné à déterminer le niveau d'endommagement dans un échantillon de cheveux. Ledit système permet (a) de définir des catégories de cheveux, (b) d'associer à chaque catégorie une trace standard représentative du signal de bruit de frottement produit lorsqu'un échantillon standard d'une catégorie est soumis audit procédé, (c) d'affecter l'échantillon à l'une de ces catégories, (d) d'appliquer ledit procédé à cet échantillon, (e) de visualiser le signal de bruit de frottement produit sous forme de trace, et (f) de comparer la trace de l'échantillon avec la trace standard associée à la catégorie en question.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.




THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION FOR WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A method for measuring friction in a bundle of hair, said method comprising
the
steps of:
(1) providing a friction member;
(2) drawing the friction member through the bundle of hair, whereby a
frictional noise signal is generated; and
(3) capturing the frictional noise signal by a noise sensor, wherein said
noise
sensor detects sound.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the bundle of hair is that of a
mammalian
subject.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said bundle of hair is that of a
subject
selected from the group consisting of a human, a dog, a horse, and a cat.
4. A method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said bundle of hair is that of
a human
subject.
5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising visually
displaying the frictional noise signal via display means.
6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said display means is selected from
the
group consisting of a computer screen, a cathode ray tube device, and a liquid
crystal
display device.
7. A method according to claim 5 or 6 in which the frictional noise signal is
displayed
in the form of a trace showing variation of sound amplitude with time.
7



8. A method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein capturing the
frictional
noise signal by a noise sensor and visually displaying of the frictional noise
signal occur
simultaneously.
9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 further comprising using the
generated frictional noise signal to assess degree of damage of the hair.
10. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the frictional
noise sensor
detects sound in a frequency range of about 50 Hz to about 5 kHz.
11. A device suitable for measuring friction in a bundle of hair, comprising a
friction
member which is a comb means having a plurality of tines and a frictional
noise sensor
arranged to capture frictional noise generated by passage of the comb means
through the
bundle of hair.
12. A device according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of tines is three
tines.
13. A device accordingly to claim 11, wherein said plurality of tines is four
tines.
14. A device according to any one of claims 11 to 13 in which the tines are
formed from
rigid polymeric material.
15. A device according to claim 14, wherein said rigid polymeric material is
high-
density polyethylene.
16. A device according to any one of claims 11 to 15, which is formed from two
portions that are removably attached, the first portion comprising the comb
means and the
second portion containing the frictional noise sensor.
17. A device according to any one of claims 11 to 16 comprising protection
means,
positioned between the comb means and the frictional noise sensor, for
preventing contact
between the comb means and the frictional noise sensor.
8




18. A device according to claim 17, wherein said protection means is formed
from
foam.

19. A device according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the frictional
noise
sensor is a microphone.

20. A method for assessing the level of damage in a test sample of hair, said
method
comprising the steps of:
a) defining a predetermined number of hair categories H;
b) associating with each hair category H a standard trace T representative of
the frictional noise signal generated when a standard sample in that hair
category is sub-
jected to the method of any one of claims 1 to 10;
c) assigning the test sample of hair to one of the predetermined categories
Ht;
d) carrying out the method of claim 1 on the test sample of hair, wherein a
test
sample trace Tt is generated;
e) visually displaying the frictional noise signal generated as a trace on a
display screen; and
f) comparing the test sample trace Tt with the standard trace T associated
with
the category Ht.

21. A method according to claim 20, which comprises defining at least three
different
predetermined hair categories H each associated with a different standard
trace T.

22. A method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the assignment of the test
sample of
hair to one of the predetermined categories is carried out by taking into
account any one or
more of the following factors: ethnic origin, waviness and past hair
treatments.

23. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the test sample
of hair is
hair growing on the head of a test subject.



9

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.



CA 02422300 2003-03-14
WO 02/24071 PCT/USO1/42265
METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR ASSESSING HAIR CONDITION
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to an apparatus, a method and a system for assessing
the condition
of hair, in particular assessing the degree of damage in the hair.
BACKGROUND
In the hair care field it is often important to assess the condition of a
consumer's hair. In
particular it is often valuable to be able to assess the degree of damage
sustained by the hair. It is
known that the surface of a hair fibre becomes rougher when the hair is
subjected to damage, for
instance as a result of brushing, bleaching, perming, colouring, etc. This
reduction in smoothness
is believed to result from changes in the structure of the cuticle, the
outermost part of the hair
fibre.
It is known to assess roughness, and by implication damage by measuring the
degree of
friction generated by subjecting the hair to certain conditions. For instance,
ease of combing is
commonly used as a measure of smoothness. In one combing test the force
required to detangle,
by drawing a comb through, a bundle of hair fibres is used to assess friction,
roughness and
damage.
EP-A-965,834 describes friction-measuring equipment for evaluating the effects
of
cosmetics on skin, hair, membranes and eyes. This equipment assesses friction
by means of
deformation of a deformable assembly on a probe.
JP 63/163143 measures the degree of damage to hair by comparing forward and
reverse
friction forces. These forces are measured by means of a torque meter.
JP 62/273433 measures friction between hairs by passing a fluid in turbulent
flow over a
bundle of hair and measuring friction by detecting pressure loss in the fluid.
It would be desirable to be able to provide systems that allow the convenient
measurement and analysis of surface friction of hair. It would also be
desirable to provide a
means of relating this to levels of damage across a range of hair types:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be illustrated with reference to the Figures, which
show the
following.
Figure 1 is a top cross-sectional view of a preferred device according to the
invention.
Figure 2 is an end view of the same device.
1


CA 02422300 2003-03-14
WO 02/24071 PCT/USO1/42265
Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the same device.
Figure 4 is an exploded view of the same device.
Figures 5 to 10 show example traces from six different categories of hair.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A method
According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a method for measuring
the
friction generated by a bundle of hair fibres, comprising providing a friction
member, drawing the
friction member through the bundle of hair, whereby a frictional noise signal
is generated, and
capturing the frictional noise signal by a noise sensor. Generally the
captured noise signal is
converted to a form that can be displayed. The converted signal is then
displayed using display
means. Such means may include, but is not limited to display screens selected
from the group
consisting of a computer screen, a cathode ray tube device, and a liquid
crystal display device.
In the invention the friction generated by a bundle of hair is measured. The
hair may be
that of any rnannnal, preferably human, dog, horse, or cat, more preferably
human hair. The
bundle of hair may be a hair sample or switch but is preferably hair growing
on the head of a
consumer.
In the method it is necessary to use both a friction member and a noise
sensor. The
friction member is drawn through the bundle of hair such that it contacts and
passes over the
surfaces of the individual hairs. This creates friction between the friction
member and the hairs.
We find that the frictional noise generated depends upon the level of friction
between the friction
member and the hair surfaces.
The friction member is generally formed from rigid material, preferably
polymeric
material. For instance it may be formed from high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
The friction member is preferably in the form of a comb means having a
plurality,
preferably at least three, and more preferably at least four tines. The comb
means is usually
drawn through the bundle of hair in the manner usual for a comb. This may be
done the subject
whose hair is being assessed or by another.
The frictional noise signal generated is captured by means of a frictional
noise sensor,
preferably a microphone. The microphone may for instance be a standard
electronic microphone
or a noise-cancelling microphone.
Once the frictional noise has been captured it can be displayed and analysed
in any
suitable manner. Preferably a visual display unit is also provided and the
frictional noise sensed
2


CA 02422300 2003-03-14
WO 02/24071 PCT/USO1/42265
by the sensor is converted to a signal that is then transferred to the visual
display unit and
displayed. It may for instance be displayed in the form of a trace of sound
amplitude versus time.
This conversion may be achieved using known means.
Preferably the display of the signal is substantially instantaneous, such that
the frictional
noise.being generated by drawing the friction member through the bundle of
hair is displayed at
the same time as the friction member is being drawn through the bundle of
hair.
In the method the frictional noise signal displayed may be obtained from a
single pass of
the friction member through the bundle of hair. Alternatively, the friction
member may be drawn
through the hair two or more times. Results may be accumulated or averaged.
While the inventive method provided herein may adequately be performed alone,
it may
further be performed in combination with other methods for assessing hair
damage. Sttch
additional methods to combined with the method herein may include, but are not
limited to:
intuitive self assessment by the subject, visual or physical assessment by the
subject or another,
such as a beauty counselor, assessment using other devices which measures hair
damage,
chemical assessment of the hair, e.g. assessing the amount of broken versus
unbroken disulfide
bonds of cysteine in a subject's hair, and combinations thereof. Suitable hair
damage measuring
methods for use herein include, but are not limited to methods that employ
devices that assess
roughness, and by implication damage by measuring the degree of friction
generated by
subjecting the hair to certain conditions. For instance, ease of combing is
commonly used as a
measure of smoothness. In one combing test the force required to detangle, by
drawing a comb
through, a bundle of hair fibres is used to assess friction, roughness and
damage.
A Device
The invention also provides, in a second aspect, a device suitable for use in
the method of
the first aspect. The device comprises a comb means having a plurality of
tines and a frictional
noise sensor. The device as a whole is preferably designed so that it is
suitable fox use in the
hand. It is often elongate. The comb means is generally placed at one end of
an elongate device.
Preferably the device is provided in at least two separable parts. In this
case the first part
comprises the comb means and the second part comprises a housing that contains
the frictional
noise sensor and, if required, means for converting the signal detected by the
frictional noise
sensor to a signal transferable to a visual display unit.
The noise sensor should be close to the comb means to achieve optimum
sensitivity to
frictional noise generated. However, generally it should not be in contact
with the comb means.
Thus protection means are generally provided between the noise sensor arid the
comb means to
3


CA 02422300 2003-03-14
WO 02/24071 PCT/USO1/42265
prevent contact of the two components. This may be made from any material that
is protective
and acts to prevent contact between the comb means and noise sensor whilst
allowing the passage
of the frictional noise signal generated by contact of the comb means with
hair.
For the purposes of detecting the frictional noise signal generated by comb
means and
hair we find that detection of frequencies in the range from about 50 Hz to
about 5 kHz is
preferred.
A device according the invention is exemplified in Figures 1 to 4. The device
1 is shown
as elongate in shape. It has at its free end 2 a comb means 3 having tines 4.
The comb may be
formed from HDPE. The device 1 may be stored before and in between and after
uses, e.g., on a
magnetic stand.
The passage of the tines through a sample of hair generates frictional noise
that is
detected by the microphone 5. Between the microphone 5 and the comb is
protective means 6
formed from foam, preferably open celled foam. The microphone 5 is connected
to a circuit
board 7, which converts the frictional noise generated to an electrical signal
that passes along the
cable 8 to means (not shown) for converting the signal into a visual display.
For ease of use, the
cable 8 may be situated as retractable.
The device 1 is constructed such that the microphone 5 detects signals at all
times. The
switch 9 can be switched by pressing the switch cover 10 to indicate that
display and/or recording
of the frictional noise signal should occur. The recording is indicated by an
"on/off' LED, whose
signal is visible from the exterior by means of the light pipe 12.
The microphone and circuit board are contained in a protective housing 13 that
is
removeably connected with the comb 3. The comb 3 may be removed for instance
by twisting.
This has the advantage that the comb may be removed for cleaning and replaced
with a new
comb.
Although it is known that there is a relationship between friction generated
by combing
hair and damage to that hair we have found that this is not the only
significant factor when
frictional noise is, as in the invention, used to assess friction levels.
Frictional noise generation
gives an accurate indication of friction levels but we have found that it is
important to determine
A
the characteristics of the hair being tested in order to assess whether the
increased friction is due
to damage and/or a rough hair surface or to other factors (for example hair
curliness). We have
found that this allows any particular hair sample (e.g. the hair of an
individual consumer) to be
analysed accurately for the level of damage in that particular hair sample. In
the invention,
varying friction and damage levels within a single sample may be observed by
means of changes
in amplitude as the comb means is passed through the sample.
4


CA 02422300 2003-03-14
WO 02/24071 PCT/USO1/42265
A System
Thus according to a third aspect of the invention we provide a system for
assessing the
level of damage in a test sample of hair, comprising
defining a predetermined number of hair categories H,
associating with each hair category H a standard trace T representative of the
frictional
noise signal generated when a standard sample in that hair category is
subjected to the method
described above,
assigning the test hair sample to one of the predetermined categories Ht,
carrying out the method described above on the sample of hair,
visually displaying the frictional noise signal generated as a trace on a
screen,
and comparing the sample's trace Tt with the standard trace T associated with
the
category Ht.
In this system it is necessary to define a number of predetermined categories
of hair.
These categories are defined by their tendency to give friction. For instance,
in one system, three
categories: high friction, moderate friction and low friction could be
predetermined.
Hair of various types is then assigned to one of these predetermined
categories according
to relevant factors. These factors may be selected from ethnic origin (for
instance if the hair is of
European, Asian or African origin); waviness (whether the hair is straight,
wavy or curly);
whether the hair has been previously subjected to treatments (perming,
bleaching or colouring).
Thus this aspect of the invention is based at least in part on the realisation
that frictional noise
levels depend not only upon damage levels but on other hair characteristics.
With each category is associated a standard trace. This trace is an
illustration of the
frictional noise expected to be generated by a sample of hair in the defined
category when
subjected to the method described above.
In the system of the invention the hair sample to be tested, which may be a
hair switch but
is generally hair growing on the head of a consumer, is assigned to one of the
predefined
categories according to the factors discussed above.
The process of the invention is then carried out on the sample to be tested,
generally in
substantially the same manner as carried out to generate the standard traces
above. The frictional
noise signal generated is displayed as a trace on a screen and this sample
trace is compared with
the standard trace. It can then be assessed whether the hair sample is more or
less damaged than
would be expected from the characteristics above.
A significant factor is the amplitude of the frictional noise generated. In
particular, when


CA 02422300 2003-03-14
WO 02/24071 PCT/USO1/42265
the trace is presented as a graph of the relationship between amplitude and
time then the area
under the curve is generally proportional to the level of friction.
Thus this system has the advantage that the level of damage in any particular
hair sample
can be accurately assessed whilst taking into account the level of friction to
be expected as a result
of its characteristics. For instance, virgin (untreated) straight hair
naturally gives a lower level of
frictional noise than virgin curly hair. Thus in order to assess the necessity
for use of treatment
products on the hair it is important to predetermine the natural level of
frictional noise which
would be expected for hair of the relevant category.
For example, the hair categories illustrated in Figures S to 10 may be used as
the
predefined categories and the traces used as the standard traces in a method
according to the
invention. Figure 5 shows a standard trace for grey permed European hair.
Figure 6 shows a
standard trace for brown curly European hair. Figure 7 shows a standard trace
for brown Asian
hair. Figure ~ shows a standard trace for grey hair. Figure 9 shows a standard
trace for brown
permed and bleached European hair. Figure 10 shows a standard trace for brown
virgin European
hair. The level of friction decreases from Figure 5 to Figure 10. This is
proportional to the area
under the trace and, generally, the amplitude of the trace.
The system can be used by the consumer directly but is preferably applied by
an operative
or adviser, for instance in a store or salon. It is contemplated that after
the assessment has been
made appropriate treatment for the hair may further be proposed.
6

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date 2007-03-27
(86) PCT Filing Date 2001-09-24
(87) PCT Publication Date 2002-03-28
(85) National Entry 2003-03-14
Examination Requested 2003-03-14
(45) Issued 2007-03-27
Expired 2021-09-24

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Request for Examination $400.00 2003-03-14
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 2003-03-14
Application Fee $300.00 2003-03-14
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2003-09-24 $100.00 2003-03-14
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2004-09-24 $100.00 2004-06-28
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 4 2005-09-26 $100.00 2005-06-23
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 5 2006-09-25 $200.00 2006-06-29
Final Fee $300.00 2007-01-05
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 6 2007-09-24 $200.00 2007-08-06
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 7 2008-09-24 $200.00 2008-08-11
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 8 2009-09-24 $200.00 2009-08-07
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 9 2010-09-24 $200.00 2010-08-09
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 10 2011-09-26 $250.00 2011-08-17
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 11 2012-09-24 $250.00 2012-08-29
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 12 2013-09-24 $250.00 2013-08-13
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 13 2014-09-24 $250.00 2014-08-13
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 14 2015-09-24 $250.00 2015-08-12
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 15 2016-09-26 $450.00 2016-08-11
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 16 2017-09-25 $450.00 2017-08-31
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 17 2018-09-24 $450.00 2018-08-29
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 18 2019-09-24 $450.00 2019-09-04
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 19 2020-09-24 $450.00 2020-09-02
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Past Owners on Record
DAY, SHANE ALISTAIR
JACOBS, LINDA HELEN
QUAN, KE MING
STEPHENS, TRACY
WOOLSTON, ROBERT
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Claims 2005-10-05 3 96
Abstract 2003-03-14 1 82
Claims 2003-03-14 3 88
Drawings 2003-03-14 8 911
Description 2003-03-14 6 334
Representative Drawing 2003-03-14 1 6
Cover Page 2003-05-15 1 44
Representative Drawing 2007-03-07 1 5
Cover Page 2007-03-07 1 45
Prosecution-Amendment 2005-10-05 7 294
PCT 2003-03-14 4 160
Assignment 2003-03-14 6 273
PCT 2003-03-14 1 32
PCT 2003-03-15 2 65
Prosecution-Amendment 2005-04-05 3 83
Correspondence 2007-01-05 2 52