THE ADVANCED LICE COMB I. Detailed Explanation of Components and Operation The Advanced Lice Comb is a hand-held, battery operated1 electronic device consisting of a comb attached to a neon or xenon filled bulb, whereby the high frequency, electrostatic action (also known as "sparking") action between two conductors : (a) the bulb and (b) the metal wire within the comb, is used to effectively kill head lice and rid the user of head lice infestation.

Through prior art it has been established that electrostatic discharge can kill lice. Combs with metal electrodes onto which high voltage is applied kill lice that collect between the electrodes by causing an electrostatic discharge through the louse's body. In normal use, the metal electrodes used in such prior combs may accidentally discharge through the scalp causing electric shock and pajn to the user.

Through prior art, it has been established that high frequency electrostatic discharge bulbs have a medicating effect through the ozone, an anti-bacterial agent, which is created as a by-product of the electrostatic discharge ("'sparking") action of the Advanced Lice Comb. The high frequency electrostatic discharge bulb uses alternating voltage at frequencies of between 8, 000 and 12,000 Hertz and eliminates the possibility of the user receiving electric shock because it does not pass through the user's body.

The Advanced Lice Comb combines a high frequency electrostatic discharge bulb and a lice comb. The electric discharge route is not through the scalp (unlike prior art) but between the bulb and the teeth of the comb. This ensures that the person on whom the Advanced Lice Comb is being used cannot receive electric shocks to the scalp. Lice gathered (via the action of gently combing the user's hair with the Advanced Lice Comb) between the high frequency electrostatic discharge bulb and the teeth of the comb are electrocuted.

The components and operation of the Advanced Lice Comb are illustrated by Figures 1 to 5, which are further elaborated upon below.

Referring to Figure L a typical electronic circuit for the electrostatic discharge bulb is shown. The electrostatic discharge bulb 1 consists of an evacuated glass bulb filled with the inert gases of neon or xenon, and containing a plurality of electrodes 2. The electrodes are connected to a high voltage step-up transformer 3. The primary winding of transformer 3 is connected to a high frequency alternating voltage generator 4. The frequency of the alternating voltage is between 8, 000 and 12, 000 Hertz. One part of the circuit is connected to earth point 5. On applying power to the primary winding of transformer 3 the high voltage generated in the secondary winding of transformer 4 will cause electrostatic discharge (''''sparking'") through the electrostatic discharge bulb to nearest earth point 6 creating an electrostatic sparking effect 7 from bulb 1 to earth point 6. A plurality of electrodes 2 in bulb 1 can be shaped to create preferential discharge directions for the sparks. For a battery-operated device, the earth point 6 is a metal conductor on the comb and is connected to earth point 5 to facilitate electrostatic discharge from the bulb.

Referring to Figure 2, me Advanced Lice Comb 8 consists of a lice comb 9 with a plurality of teeth 10 behind which is mounted an electrostatic discharge bulb 1.

Referring to Figure 3, which illustrates a side view of the Advanced Lice Comb, the teeth 10 of the lice comb guide the lice collected from a combing action into the electrostatic discharge bulb 1. In normal use, the electrostatic discharge action 7 is into metal wire 6. Additional metal wires and painted conductive tracks can be placed inside or outside the bulb to enhance the preferred direction of discharge 7 from bulb to metal wire 6. A plurality of electrodes in electrostatic discharge bulb 1 can be employed to shape the preferred direction of the electrostatic discharge.

Referring to Figure 4, which illustrates the underside view of the Advanced Lice Comb, the teeth 10 of the lice comb are mounted so that they guide the collected lice into an area where the discharge action of electrostatic discharge bulb 1 can electrocute the lice.