[3] Background Art [4] A hair cutter is generally classified into an electric-powered type and a hand- operated type. The hand-operated hair cutter comprises a scissors-type one and a razor- type one. The scissors-type hair cutter includes a pair of blades and a handle integrally formed at one end of each blade. The blades are hingedly connected to each other so that the blades are rotated about a hinge connection to shear hair. The razor-type hair cutter includes a handle, a head extending from one end of the head by a pre- determined length, and a blade provided to one side of the head along its longitudinal direction for combing and cutting the hair. Since the present invention relates to a hand-operated razor-type hair cutter, the hand-operated razor-type hair cutter will be described hereinafter.

[5] As previously described, the hand-operated razor-type hair cutter comprises a head with a blade provided in a longitudinal direction at either side of the head, and a handle extending from one end of the head by a predetermined length. When a hairdresser gets individual's hair cut by use of the razor-type hair cutter, the hairdresser grasps a tip of his/her hair with one hand and grasps the hair cutter with the other hand. Under this situation, the hairdresser cuts diagonally a desired length of the hair's tip with a wristy cutting action.

[6] More specifically, the blade cutting diagonally the hair is slid on the hair to generate a friction between the hair and the blade. The resultant friction force applies tension to the hair (in other words, a tensile force is applied to the hair in a direction from a hair root to a hair end), which causes a forceful rupture of the hair. Thus, a hair cutting operation becomes unnatural, and in a longtime operation, the hairdresser's wrist comes to a serious state. Also, the cut end portion of hair splits away, which damages the cell tissue of the hair. As the germ invades into the damaged cell tissue, the hair comes to an unhealthy state as well as easily damaged and rough state.

Therefore, it is very difficult to manage individual's hair.

[7] Disclosure of the Invention [8] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the problems involved in the prior art, and to provide a hair cutter capable of ensuring a natural and smooth hair- cutting operation, without any cleavage of a cross section of hair, by providing the hair cutter with vibrating means for imparting an artificial and mechanical vibration to a blade, in addition to a wristy cutting force of a hairdresser.

[9] Another object of the present invention is to provide a hair cutter including a heating element for heating a blade at a predetermined temperature, in which when hair is cut by means of the heated blade, a cutting face of the hair is fused or molten by heat to prevent any split of the hair and to sterilize a cell tissue of the cut hair, so that the hair is maintained in a healthy state.

[10] Further object of the present invention is to provide a hygiene hair cutter including a sterilizing element within a head, which sterilizes hair or scalp during a haircutting operation to prevent various diseases of head.

[11] According to the present invention, there is provided a hair cutter including a head having a blade at either side thereof in a longitudinal direction, and a handle extending from one side of the head by a predetermined extent, the hair cutter comprising: first, second and third separate retaining chambers provided in the head for accommodating an element aiding a haircutting operation; means for vibrating the blade located within the first retaining chamber positioned on an uppermost portion of the head; a holder, located within the second retaining chamber positioned on a lowermost portion of the head in a longitudinal direction of the head, for holding the blade to be freely inserted into or detached from the holder; and a button disposed between the head and the handle for escaping the blade unit inserted within the holder by a pushing action, so as to easily replace the blade.

[12] Brief Description of the Drawings [13] The above objects, other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing the preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [14] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a hair cutter according to the present invention.

[15] FIG. 2 is a side view of a hair cutter according to the present invention.

[16] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A of FIG. 2.

[17] FIG. 4A is a side view illustrating a hair cutter with a blade being placed therein, according to the present invention.

[18] FIG. 4B is a side view illustrating a hair cutter with a blade being detached therefrom, according to the present invention.

[19] Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [20] Reference will now be made in detail to describe a hair cutter according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[21] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a hair cutter 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention in detail. The hair cutter 10 includes a hollow case consisting of two right and left-half portions engaged to each other to form a housing space, in which the elements to be explained hereinafter are accommodated. The hair cutter also includes a head 12 of a rectangular shape as seen from a side and a predetermined width as seen from a front, and a handle 14 extending from one side of the head by a predetermined length. The hair cutter 10 is made a synthetic resin through a proper injection process.

[22] The head 12 of the hair cutter 10 includes first, second and third separate retaining chambers 12a, 12b and 12c, in which a sharp blade for directly implementing a haircutting operation and elements for aiding the haircutting operation are retained.

[23] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal construction of the hair cutter 10 and its associated elements. According to the hair cutter 10, the first retaining chamber 12a is positioned on an uppermost portion of the head 12, and includes means for vibrating the blade during a haircutting operation. The second retaining chamber 12b is positioned on a lowermost portion of the head 12, and includes a holder located in a longitudinal direction of the head 12 for holding the blade to be freely assembled into and disassembled from the holder. Also, the third retaining chamber 12c is positioned between the first and second retaining chambers 12a and 12b, and includes a rod-shaped anion generating element 20 for sterilizing the hair or scalp. The vibrating means 16 generates a predetermined vibration by means of an eccentric cam rotated by an electric motor. Further, the third retaining chamber 12c may include an ozonier or elements for moisturizing the hair rather than the anion generating element 20.

[24] The holder 18 includes an inserting portion 18a fitted into the second retaining chamber 12b in a shape-engaging relationship and having a receiving space, in which the heater to be discussed below is accommodated, and a receiving portion 18b disposed below the inserting portion 18a, in which a blade 22 is freely and slidably fitted.

[25] Further, the blade unit 22 includes a blade case 22a to be freely and slidably fitted into the holder 18 and a sharp blade 22b to be engaged with the blade case 22a.

[26] Also, the inserting portion 18a of the holder 18 contains a heating element 21, i. e., an electric heater, for controllably heating the sharp blade 22b to a predetermined temperature. If the blade 22b has been so heated, at a time of cutting the hair, a hair tip is molten by heat in a moment. As a result, since the cell tissue of the hair ruptured during the cutting operation is sterilized at a finishing step, it is expected to prevent invasion of any germs and split of the hair tip.

[27] The head 12 is provided with plural passages 13 at a sidewall thereof which are formed in a channel shape adjacent to both sides of the blade 22b of the blade unit 22 from the third retaining chamber 12c containing the anion generating element 20 and guide the anion generated from the anion generating element 20 to flow along the both surfaces of the blade 22b.

[28] A sliding type button 24 is disposed at a proper position between the head 12 and the handle 14 for escaping the blade unit 22 from the holder 18. The blade unit 22 may be simply changed by the button 24 as shown in FIG. 4.

[29] In the middle portion of the head 12, plural adiabatic spaces 15 for blocking the transfer of heat from the heating means 21 to the vibrating means 16 are disposed between the first retaining chamber 12a containing the vibrating means 16 and the third retaining chamber 12c containing the holder 18. The adiabatic space 15 may stabilize the driving of the vibrating means 16 and prolong the life of the vibrating means.

[30] The handle 14 is provided with a hook portion 17 at a distal end thereof, into which a hairdresser's finger can be inserted. The hook portion 17 may have an entrance at its one end, in which a power line for supplying a power to drive the electrically operating elements is introduced. Since the handle 14 occupies a large portion of the length and volume of the hair cutter, it can be envisaged to construct the hair cutter to include an articulated part at a proper position between the head 12 and the handle 14 so that a body of the hair cutter can be folded or unfolded.

[31] Further, illuminating element 26 may be provided at a proper position in an outside wall of the head 12 for illuminating individual's hair during the haircutting operation.

The illuminating element 26 may be replaced with a far-infrared lamp.

[32] Industrial Applicability [33] According to the present invention, since means for vibrating a blade is provided, in addition to a cutting force of the hairdresser, it is possible to cut hair naturally and smoothly without any split of hair tip and thus prevent any damage of the hair.

[34] Further, according to the present invention, since the hair is cut by use of heated blade, any split of the hair is prevented and the cell tissue of the ruptured hair is sterilized in a heat treat manner. Thus, any diseases of the hair are prevented so that the hair may be kept in a healthy state.

[35] Further, according to the present invention, since the hair or scalp is sterilized during the haircutting operation, various diseases of head are prevented so that a healthy hair cutter may be provided.

[36] While the present invention has been described and illustrated herein with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.