Device to be used in a hairdressing saloon for removing different fumes

The present invention relates to the removal of different fumes, gases and other similar contaminants freeing from chemicals from a hairdressing saloon. The personnel of a hair- dressing saloon is day by day exposed to several different fumes released from chemicals used in connection with waving, dyeing and bleaching of hair. In addition, when cutting hair, fine hair rests are produced which, together with e.g. the frequently used hairspray, also cause an annoyance. All this will considerably increase a risk of allergies, asthma and other chronical respiratory problems for the personnel.

This invention relates to a device for removing aforesaid contaminants from the surrounding of a hairdressing saloon. Traditionally, hazardous fumes have been attempted to reduce in hairdressing saloon environments by means of good ventilation. However, for instance, a ventilation system fixedly mounted to the ceiling does not provide an air exhaust directly to a desired object, whereby there is a risk for the personnel to be exposed to fumes generated in a work area. In such stationary ventilation solutions, air is conducted out through filters arranged in a ventilation room without separate chemical cleaning of it. In addition, the change of filters is carried out by the professional personnel.

DE 3640735 discloses an apparatus for achieving a clean ambient air for the personnel of a hairdressing saloon. The apparatus comprises a filtering unit to be moved in the breathing area. This apparatus further comprises a movable shaft for directing air flow towards a suction fan arranged in the filter unit preferably so that a continuous air flow is achieved.

DE 3810150 describes a device for air extraction at a hairdressing saloon workplace. In this device the hot-air region and hair-treatment station are designed so that suction of hazardous vapours into a filter unit takes place above, whereafter the purified air is blown out into the work area from the bottom of the device.

In the present invention the exhaust device is realized so that it comprises a suction tube connected to a filter unit, said suction tube comprising at least two suction openings, at least one of which suction openings being connected to a suction box.

According to a preferable embodiment of the invention, at least one of the suction openings, preferably that one connected to the suction box, is adjustable and preferably it can also be completely closed by means of adjustment.

According to a further preferable embodiment of the invention, an upwardly directed suction tube is connected to the filter/suction unit. A first suction opening is located in the side wall of the upwardly extending suction tube so that it connects to the suction box. The end of the suction tube serves as a second suction opening, which is movable around the actual working area.

The designs, objects and advantages of the present invention appear more clearly from the following detailed description referring to the accompaning figure 1 showing a preferable embodiment of the present invention, in particular for use in hairdressing saloons.

A device shown in Fig. 1 comprises a suction fan 2. The sucfion fan itself is a conventional suction fan for removing, for instance, fume gases and may be powered by for instance mains voltage, batteries or pressure air. In the figure the suction fan 2 is arranged on a trolley 13 provided with wheels 1 in order to enable movability of the suction fan. Furthermore, in the figure the suction fan 2 is mounted in the bottom part of the trolley 13 to guarantee the stability of the device. The suction fan 2 is provided with a suction outlet 7. This suction outlet 7 is connected to an upwardly directed suction tube 6 by means of a sealing slidable sleeve 8. This connection enables lifting of a cover (not shown) of the suction fan 2 for changing a filter (not shown, but the filter may be, for instance, an active carbon filter or a filter containing 50% active carbon and 50% Puratex) arranged inside the suction fan 2.

A handle 3 is fastened (preferably by welding) to the trolley 13 to enable moving of the trolley. Preferably, the handle 3 may be bent from one tube so that it is fastened to the trolley 13 at the opposite sides of the trolley 13. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the handle 3 extends from the sides vertically upwardly, the upper part being bent so that a suction box 5 can be attached to it. The suction box may be, for instance, as shown in the

figure, a box with five walls and one open side, or it may also comprise a closing hatch (not shown). The suction box 5 is connected to the handle 3 by means of two bolts 4. The suction tube 6 extending upwardly from the suction fan 2 is mounted (preferably by welding) to the suction box 5. In the figure the suction tube 6 is connected to the rear wall of the suction box 5.

The suction tube 6 and the suction box 5 are provided with openings, which together form a suction opening 9 from the inside of the suction box 5 into the suction tube 6. The suction opening 9 is provided with an adjustable hatch 14 for adjusting the suction opening 9. The adjustable hatch 14 may be steplessly adjustable. By means of the adjustable hatch 14 the suction opening 9 can also be completely closed, if required.

In the upper part of the suction tube 6 there is a sealing sleeve 19, by means of which a target outlet tube 11 is connected to the suction tube 6. The sealing sleeve enables also turning of the target outlet tube 11. The movability of the target outlet tube 11 is further improved by means of pivots 15. A transparent hood 12 is arranged at the end of the target outlet tube 11 for collecting the fumes of a desired object.

In use in hairdressing saloons, the above described device may be used so that due to its movability the device can be moved into a direct proximity of a hairdressing chair. It is evident to a person skilled in the art that with certain modifications this device can be reconstructed fixedly to be a part of a hairdressing chair.

In hairdressing saloons the substances used for hair treatment are traditionally mixed by the hairdressers in a separate room in order to avoid fumes released from open vessels in the actual work area. According to the present invention in use a hairdresser may insert open vessels needed in hair treatment into the suction box and carry out the mixing of various substances inside the suction cabinet, whereby annoying fumes can be removed by means of the suction fan through the suction outlet. The filter inside the suction fan filters hazardous substances from the air and releases the purified air back into the room. The filter is easily replaceable through the cover of the suction fan, when required. The suction

fan may further comprise a device indicating the fullness of the filter and the need of replacement.

In use the hood at the end of the suction tube can preferably be directed so that during the hair treatment of a customer sitting in the hairdressing chair, the ambient breathing air can be maintained as clean as possible.