Technical Field The present invention relates to a curler for a permanent wave.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a curler for a permanent wave wherein anyone can easily dismantle and clean the curler although a permanent agent or a counteragent flows into the curler, resources and cost are saved since only damaged portions of the curler can be replaced, injury is prevented since damaged or broken parts of the curler can be checked in advance and replaced partially, the curler is used selectively depending on thick or thin hair of a user, and a variety of angled permanently waved hair can be produced effectively.

Background Art Generally, a permanent wave refers to a method in which a hair tissue is changed by the action of heat or chemicals in order to obtainm a long standing wave. The permanent wave is also referred to as simply "permanent" or "pema" Before the permanent wave became public, straight hair was bound and raised up, or temporary waves were produced using an iron. After the permanent wave was invented, active cropped hair was in fashion.

Thus, varying hairstyles were continually developed. In 1905, a hair artist C. Nessler (England) invented a method for producing a semi- permanent wave using heat and alkaline.

In other words, the method includes rolling hair using a curl clip (or a curler) in a cylindrical shape, wrapping the hair with a piece of clothes on which borax is coated, wrapping it with a paper tube and then heating the hair using a hot iron. This is a kind of a heat wave. When it was first invented, this heat wave method took 8 to 12 hours and needed a high cost. Then, a machine wave method using heat such as electricity or vapor, a preheat waves or a wireless wave method for applying heat over a clip without using machine were developed. A charcoal permanent wave that became public for a while after 1945 is a kind of the preheat wave method.

Thereafter, a British scientist J. B. Speakman completed the principle of a cold wave that cuts the slide chain of keratin cells in hair in his research on wool's molecule structure in 1936. This method is simpler and safer than the hear wave method. The heat wave method uses heat, whereas the cold wave method uses a liquid medicine at room temperature.

Hair is a sort of protein containing sulfur, and is composed of keratin coupled in a chain shape and is resilient. Among chains, keratin in the long axis is called a polypeptide chain, and a slide chain serving as a bridge, which intersects the chain, is

called a cystine bonding. If hair is rolled using the curler, outer polypeptide that is extended tends to return back to its original state. If alkaline is applied to break the cystine bonding, its elastic property is lost. In this state, if hair is neutralized with it hung on the curler only, the hair is fixed with it being curved and then return to its elastic state.

The cold wave method can be classified into a single bath method, a twice bath method and a triple bath method depending on the number of a liquid medicine used. The twice bath method has currently been used a lot. A first solution is referred to as a processing solution and is an alkaline aqueous solution mainly composed of thioglycolic acid of 2 to 7%. The first solution serves as the process of reducing hair. A second solution is referred to as a neutralizer and is an oxidizing agent, which is usually composed of potassium chloride. The second solution serves to neutralize the first solution to restore hair to its original elastic state.

The permanent wave is operated at a beauty shop based on the hair artist law. Hair washing before the operation usually includes washing filth of the hair on one's head so that the cold permanent agent can easily penetrate into the hair. Thus, it is not allowed to make a wound in the head capsule by scratching a fingernail. When rinsing, a cream rinse or a lemon rinse is not used. In case of a hypersensitive person, it is required to perform a patch

test on his forearm. In the event there is damaged hair or damaged head capsule and/or in case of dyed hair or bleached hair, the hair is not permanently waved. Attention to persons who suffer from diabetes and/or anemia, women who are in the first or second month of pregnancy or in the first to third months after childbirth, and a person having an allergic constitution must be paid. Upon a permanent wave, attention must be paid to the fact that a permanent agent does not adhere to the face, neck etc.

A first operation includes washing hair. The hair is then cut, if needed, and is properly trimmed. Next, the hair is classified and wound on a curler. Thereafter, a first solution is applied, which takes about 10 to 25minutes. Some of the curler is then released in order to check the degree of settlement. Then, a second solution is applied, which takes about 5 minutes. Finally, the curler is released, rinsed into warm water, dried and then set.

In such a conventional curler, an elastic braid groove and a head having an elastic braid fixing projection are integrally formed at both sides of a curler body. One side of the head is clogged and the other side of the head is opened, thus forming a space therein. A hot plate that is integrally formed with a code clevis pin is inserted into the inner space.

In the conventional curler constructed above, although the curler body is sealed with no gap, it is always exposed to a

permanent agent and a counteragent of a liquid state, which has a high corrosiveness. Thus, as the joining unit of the curler body and the code clevis pinhead both of which are sealed are gradually cracked, the permanent agent or counteragent of a high corrosiveness flows into the space of the curler body.

Accordingly, at most beauty shops, after the curler is used, it is shaken in order to pull out the permanent agent or the counteragent flown into the space. The curler is thus used repeatedly. Therefore, there are problems in that it makes a user inconvenient and a hot plate is corroded to shorten the use period of the curler.

Furthermore, in the conventional curler that is integrally formed, a permanent agent or counteragent of a liquid state is frequently brought into contact with the inner and outer sides of the curler body, thus oxidizing the curler body formed of a synthetic resin. For this reason, there is a problem in that the elastic braid fixing projection of the oxidized curler body is broken when an elastic braid is repeatedly tied and untied.

In addition, if the fixing projection of the elastic braid is broken when the elastic braid is hung or released, broken pieces may spring due to the elasticity of the elastic braid and hit the nose, neck or other facial portions of a customer, or the face of a hair designer.

Also, the conventional curler is expensive, about $8

to $10 per unit. Further, if any portion of the curler is broken or damaged, the curler may not be further used. Therefore, there is a problem in that resources are wasted.

Moreover, the conventional curler has an elastic braid-fitting groove and an elastic braid fixing projection formed at one side of the curler body. Thus, if the elastic braid fixing projection fixed to the curler body falls to pieces due to carelessness in use, there is a structural problem in that the curler cannot be used.

Disclosure of Invention Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a curler for a permanent wave wherein anyone can easily dismantle and clean the curler although a permanent agent or a counteragent flows into the curler, resources-and cost are saved since only damaged portions of the curler can be separated and replaced, injury is prevented since damaged or broken parts of the curler can be checked in advance and replaced partially.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a curler for a permanent wave wherein the curler can be used selectively depending on thick or thin hair of a user, and a variety of angled permanently waved hair can be produced effectively.

In order to accomplish the above objects, there is

provided a curler for a permanent wave in which a head having elastic braid grooves and elastic braid fixing projections are integrally formed at both ends of a curler body, wherein one side of the head is clogged and the other side of the head is opened, thereby forming a space therebetween, and a hot plate integrally formed with a code clevis pin is inserted into the space, the curler comprising: a curler body having a detachable unit, wherein the detachable unit has an annular groove formed on an inner circumference of its distal end portion and a hanging rib formed on its inner end an 0-ring of an ring shape that is inserted into the hanging rib of the curler body; a hot plate assembly in which a code clevis pin and a hot plate are integrally formed, wherein the hot plate assembly includes a hot plate head having an annular rib corresponding to the annular groove of the detachable unit formed on its outer circumference and is inserted into the curler body; and an assembly type elastic braid-fitting unit having an elastic braid-fitting groove and an elastic braid fixing projection formed at one side and a through-hole formed therein, wherein the code clevis pin is projected from the through-hole and the assembly type elastic braid-fitting unit is forcedly inserted into an outer circumference of one side of the curler body.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided a curler for a permanent wave, comprising: a curler body having a hanging rib, wherein the hanging rib has an annular

groove formed on its distal end portion inner circumference and a detachable unit formed on its inner end ; a ring-shaped 0-ring inserted into the hanging rib of the curler body; a hot plate assembly integrally formed with a code clevis pin and-a hot plate, wherein the hot plate assembly includes a hot plate head having an annular rib corresponding to the annular groove of the detachable unit is formed on its outer circumference ; an assembly type elastic braid-fitting unit having an elastic braid-fitting groove and an elastic braid fixing projection formed at one side and a through-hole formed therein, wherein the code clevis pin is projected from the through-hole and the assembly type elastic braid-fitting unit is forcedly inserted into an outer circumference of one side of the curler body; and an assembly type elastic braid-fitting unit having elastic braid-fitting grooves and elastic braid fixing projections formed at its one side and a through-hole formed therein, wherein the code clevis pin is projected from the through-hole and the assembly type elastic braid-fitting unit is forcedly inserted into an outer circumference at one side of the curler body.

In the above, the curler outer shell is a separate body in which the fitting unit may be coupled to or decoupled from the curler outer shell.

The cross section of the curler outer shell may be cylindrical, lonzenge-shaped, triangular, square or star-shaped.

An elastic braid groove and an elastic braid rib into which elastic braids are inserted may be formed at both ends of the curler outer shell.

Brief Description of Drawings Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which : Fig. 1 is a front view showing the construction of a curler according to the present invention ; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the curler taken along lines A-A'in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a distal end portion of the curler taken along lines B-B'in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows a state where the curler is assembled according to an embodiment of the present invention ; Fig. 5 shows a state where the curler is dismantled according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the curler when being coupled according to the present invention; Fig. 7 is a front view of the curler when being coupled according to the present invention ; Fig. 8 is a state where a curler outer shell is

separated from a curler body according to the present invention; Fig. 9a is a front view of a curler outer shell according to another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9b is a cross-sectional showing a distal end portion of the curler taken along lines A-A'in Fig. 9a; Fig. 10a is a front view of a curler outer shell according to still another embodiment of the present invention ; Fig. 10b is a cross-sectional showing a distal end portion of the curler taken along lines B-B'in Fig. 10a ; Fig. lla is a front view of a curler outer shell according to still another embodiment of the present invention ; Fig. llb is a cross-sectional view showing a distal end portion of the curler outer shell taken along lines C-C'in Fig. lla ; Fig. 12a is a front view of a curler outer shell according to still another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 12b is a cross-sectional view showing a distal end portion of the curler outer shell taken along lines D-D'in Fig.

12a; Fig. 13a is a front view of a curler outer shell according to still another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 13b is a cross-sectional view showing a distal end portion of the curler outer shell taken along lines E-E'in

Fig. 13a ; Fig. 14a is a front view of a curler outer shell according to still another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 14b is a cross-sectional view showing a distal end portion of the curler outer shell taken along lines F-F'in Fig.

14a ; Fig. 15a is a front view of a curler outer shell according to still another embodiment of the present invention ; Fig. 15b is a cross-sectional view showing a distal end portion of the curler outer shell taken along lines G-G'in Fig. 15a.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention The present invention will now be described in detail in connection with preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a front view showing the construction of a curler according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the curler taken along lines A-A'in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a distal end portion of the curler taken along lines B-B'in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows a state where the curler is assembled according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 shows a state where the curler is dismantled according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A curler 1 for a permanent wave according to the present invention includes an assembly type elastic braid-fitting unit 40 having elastic braid-fitting grooves 42 and elastic braid fixing projections 43 at its one side, wherein the unit 40 is coupled to or decoupled from a curler body 10 ; a hot plate assembly 30 located within the curler body 10 and having a hot plate 31 heated by electricity, wherein the hot plate assembly 30 includes a hot plate head 33 having an annular rib 34 on its outer circumference; an 0- ring 20 for sealing between-the hot plate assembly 30 and the curler body 10; and the curler body 10 having the hot plate assembly 30 and the 0-ring 20 inserted therein and having the assembly type elastic braid-fitting unit 40 fixed to its one side.

The hot plate assembly 30 is inserted into the curler body 10.

The assembly 30 includes code clevis pins 31 to which external electricity is applied, the hot plate head 33 having an annular rib 34 formed in by some distance from the outer circumference, and hot plates 32 coupled to the bottom of the code clevis pin 31 that are heated upon electrification.

In the curler body 10, a space unit 11 is formed within the curler body 10. Elastic braid-fitting grooves 15 having elastic braid fixing projections 17 are formed at one side of the curler body 10. An annular groove 13 is formed within the other side of the curler body 10 corresponding to the annular rib 34 of the

hot plate head 33. A hanging rib 14 has the 0-ring 20 seal the bottom of the hot plate head 33. A detachable unit 12 of a diameter smaller than the elastic braid-fitting unit 15 is formed on the outer circumference of the curler body 10 in the opposite direction.

Thereby, the assembly type elastic braid-fitting unit 40 can be coupled to or decoupled from the curler body 10.

The assembly type elastic braid-fitting unit 40 includes a circular through-hole 41 through which the code clevis pins 31 pass.

The assembly type elastic braid-fitting unit 40 has three or more elastic braid-fitting grooves 42 and elastic braid fixing projections 43 formed at some distance at its top end. Thereby, the assembly type elastic braid-fitting unit 40 can be coupled to or decoupled from the detachable unit 12 of the curler body 10.

The operation of the curler according to the present invention will now be described.

The 0-ring 20 is inserted into the hanging rib 14 of the curler body 10. The hot plate assembly 30 is coupled to the space unit 11.

At this time, the hot plate assembly 30 pushes the hot plate head 33 strongly in a state where the hot plates 32 is directed toward the space unit 11 of the curler body 10.

If the hot plate head 33 is strongly pushed in the space unit 11 of the curler body 10 as such, the outer bottom side of the

hot plate head 33 pushes the 0-ring 20 in the direction of hanging rib 14. At the same time, the annular rib 34 formed in the outer circumference is forcedly inserted into the annular groove 13 of the curler body 10.

Accordingly, there is no gap between the hot plate assembly 30 and the curler body 10, so that complete sealing coupling is accomplished. The assembly type elastic braid-fitting unit 40 is fitted into one side of the curler body 10. The assembly type elastic braid-fitting unit 40 can be coupled to or decoupled from one side of the curler body 10, if necessary.

In the curler 1 for a permanent wave according to the present invention, a permanent agent or a counteragent cannot enter the curler body 10 due to the 0-ring 20. Therefore, there is no concern about corrosion of the hot plates 32. Accordingly, anyone can easily dismantle and clean the curler and can thus easily use the curler.

In addition, damaged or broken parts in a dismantled state can be immediately replaced with new ones. Thus, there is nothing concern about injury that may be caused by the use of broken components.

Fig. 6 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the curler when being coupled according to the present invention. Fig. 7 is a front view of the curler when being coupled according to the present invention. Fig. 8 is a state where a curler outer shell

is separated from a curler body according to the present invention.

The curler 1 for a permanent wave according to the present invention includes a curler body 120 having a hanging rib on its inner circumference; an 0-ring 121 fitted into the hanging rib; a hot plate assembly 122 integrally formed with a code clevis pin and a hot plate, wherein the hot plate assembly 122 has a hot plate head inserted into the curler body 120; an assembly type elastic braid- fitting unit 123 having elastic braid-fitting grooves 113 and elastic braid fixing projections 114 formed at its one side, wherein the braid-fitting unit 123 is forcedly fitted into an outer circumference at one side of the curler body 120; and a curler outer shell 110 having an elastic braid-fitting grooves 113, an elastic braid fixing projections 114 and a fitting units 112 formed at one side, wherein the curler outer shell 110 has its other side opened.

In the above, the curler outer shell 110 includes an insertion slot 111 into which the curler body 120 having the assembly type elastic braid-fitting unit 123 formed on its inner circumference is inserted.

In the curler outer shell 110, the fitting units 112 can be integrally formed with the curler outer shell 110 with its both ends opened. However, the fitting units 112 can be formed separately from the curler outer shell 110.

The cross section of the curler outer shell 110 may be cylindrical, lonzenge-shaped, triangular, square or star-

shape. However, in case of a common permanent wave, it is preferred that the cylindrical curler outer shell is used. In case of an angled permanent wave showing strong individuality, the lonzenge- shaped, triangular, square or star-shaped curler outer shell can be used depending on a desired permanent angle. It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the cross section of the curler outer shell 110 is not limited to the above shapes but may be modified in various shapes, if necessary. In case of thin hair, an elastic braid groove 115 and an elastic braid rib 116 into which elastic braids are inserted may be formed at both sides of the curler outer shell 110. Meanwhile, in case of thick hair, the fitting units 112 having the elastic braid-fitting grooves 113 and the elastic braid fixing projections 114 can be used.

How to use the curler according to the present invention will now be described.

If the 0-ring 121 is inserted into the curler body 120 and the hot plate assembly 122 is then coupled to the space unit, there is no gap between the hot plate assembly 122 and the curler body 120, thereby accomplishing complete sealing coupling. The assembly type elastic braid-fitting unit 123 is inserted into one side of the curler body 120.

The curler body 120 coupled thus is inserted into the insertion slot 111 of the curler outer shell 110 according to

the present invention. Elastic braids for fixing hair to be permanently waved are fixed to the elastic braid-fitting grooves 113 and the elastic braid fixing projections 114 of the fitting units 112 formed at one side of the curler outer shell 110, and the assembly type elastic braid-fitting unit 123 of the curler body 120.

Fig. 9a is a front view of a curler outer shell according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9b is a cross- sectional showing a distal end portion of the curler taken along lines A-A'in Fig. 9a.

Referring to Figs. 9an and 9b, a lateral cross section of a curler outer shell 110 is circular and has an elastic braid-fitting grooves 113 and fitting units 112 having elastic braid fixing projections 114 inserted into both its ends, respectively.

Fig. 10a is a front view of a curler outer shell according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10b is a cross-sectional showing a distal end portion of the curler taken along lines B-B'in Fig. 10a.

Referring to Figs. 10an and lOb, a lateral cross section of the curler outer shell 110 has a square shape. If a permanent wave is performed using the square curler outer shell 110, hair is permanently waved with it angled depending on the distance of the square shape.

Fig. lla is a front view of a curler outer shell

according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. llb is a cross-sectional view showing a distal end portion of the curler outer shell taken along lines C-C'in Fig. lla.

Referring to Figs. llan and llb, a lateral cross section of a curler outer shell 110 is lozenge-shaped.

Fig. 12a is a front view of a curler outer shell according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12b is a cross-sectional view showing a distal end portion of the curler outer shell taken along lines D-D'in Fig. 12a.

Referring to Figs. 12an and 12b, a lateral cross section of a curler outer shell 110 is triangular. Hair is permanently waved depending on the distance and angle of the triangle cross section.

Fig. 13a is a front view of a curler outer shell according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 13b is a cross-sectional view showing a distal end portion of the curler outer shell taken along lines E-E'in Fig. 13a.

Referring to Figs. 13an and 13b, a lateral cross section of a curler outer shell 110 is star-shaped. Hair is densely permanently waved depending on the distance and angle of the star-shaped cross section.

Fig. 14a is a front view of a curler outer shell according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 14b is a cross-sectional view showing a distal end portion of the

curler outer shell taken along lines F-F'in Fig. 14a.

Referring to Figs. 14an and 14b, a lateral cross section of a curler outer shell 110 is triangular. Angled hair is permanently waved depending on the distance and angle of the triangular cross section. An elastic braid groove 115 and an elastic braid rib 116 are formed at both ends of the curler outer shell 110, respectively.

Elastic braid-fitting grooves 113 and fitting units 112 having elastic braid fixing projections 114 are inserted into both ends of the elastic braid groove 115 and the elastic braid rib 116, respectively.

If a user who uses the curler outer shell 110 has thin hair, the hair is permanently waved in a state where it is fixed by elastic braids using the elastic braid groove 115 and the elastic braid rib 116 formed at both ends of the curler outer shell 110.

Meanwhile, if the user has thick hair, the hair is permanently waved in a state where the elastic braid-fitting grooves 113 and the fitting units 112 having the elastic braid fixing projections 114 are inserted into the curler outer shell 110 and the hair is then hung using elastic braids.

Fig. 15a is a front view of a curler outer shell according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 15b is a cross-sectional view showing a distal end portion of the curler outer shell taken along lines G-G'in Fig. 15a.

Referring to Figs. 15an and 15b, a lateral cross section of a curler outer shell 110 is lozenge-shaped. Hair is permanently waved depending on the distance and angle of the lozenge-shaped cross section.

Industrial Applicability According to the present invention as described above, although a permanent agent or a counteragent flows into the curler, anyone can easily dismantle and clean a curler for a permanent wave and only damaged portions of the curler can be separated replaced. Therefore, the present invention has an effect that it can save resources and cost. Furthermore, damaged or broken parts of the curler can be checked in advance and replaced partially. Therefore, the present invention has an effect it that injury can be prevented.

In addition, the present invention has-effects that a curler for a permanent wave can be used selectively depending on thick or thin hair of a user, and a variety of angled permanently waved hair can be produced effectively.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.