Hair Iron Fume Removal Device

Abstract

The problem of noxious fume generation during chemical treatment of hair using a hair iron is solved by providing a fume intake on the hair iron near the point of fume generation, preferably near the iron's heating elements. The fume intake receives the fumes and delivers them to the fume removal passage under vacuum flow generated by a vacuum source, then transported to a filtration system or exhausted to the outside environment. Optionally, the fume intake may extend along the length of the heating element and may be directed downward, towards the hair. Optionally, the fume removal device may be attachable as a retrofit to a standard hair iron. The present invention advantageously prevents the spread of the noxious fumes to the rest of the salon and protects both the stylist and client from discomfort and irritation, thus permitting the more widespread use of these beneficial hair treatments.

1 . A fume removal device in connection with a hair iron with a heating element and used in conjunction with a vacuum source during the application of a chemical treatment to the hair; said fume removal device comprising:
 at least one fume intake proximate to said heating element;   a fume removal passage in fluid communication between said fume intake and said vacuum source;   said fume intake configured to draw in at least some fumes generated by the localized heating of a section of said hair as said hair iron is applied to said section;   said fume removal passage configured to transport the fumes to a desired location.   
     
     
         2 . The fume removal device of  claim 1  wherein said fume intake is configured to provide a vacuum flow along at least substantial majority of a length of said heating element. 
     
     
         3 . The fume removal device of  claim 2  wherein said fume intake is an elongated slot. 
     
     
         4 . The fume removal device of  claim 3  wherein said elongated slot is longer than said length of said heating element. 
     
     
         5 . The fume removal device of  claim 2  wherein the rate of said vacuum flow is adjustable to substantially match a rate of fume production. 
     
     
         6 . The fume removal device of  claim 1  wherein said fume intake is directed towards said section of said hair when said hair iron is applied to said section. 
     
     
         7 . The fume removal device of  claim 6  wherein said fume intake includes a portion configured to extend over said hair when said hair iron is applied to said section. 
     
     
         8 . The fume removal device of  claim 1  wherein said desired location is one of a filtration system and atmosphere. 
     
     
         9 . The fume removal device of  claim 1  wherein said fume removal device is attachable to a standard hair iron. 
     
     
         10 . A fume removal system for use during the application of a chemical treatment to the hair; said fume removal system comprising:
 a hair iron configured to be applied to a hair strand section;   at least one fume intake provided on said hair iron and configured to be proximate to said hair strand section during application of said hair iron to said hair strand section;   a vacuum source;   a fume removal passage in fluid communication between said fume intake and said vacuum source;   said fume intake configured to draw in a substantial quantity of fumes generated by the localized heating of said hair strand section;   said fume removal passage configured to transport the fumes to a desired location.   
     
     
         11 . A fume removal device used during the application of a chemical treatment to the hair; said fume removal device comprising:
 a fume intake positioned on a hair iron and in fluid communication with a vacuum source through a fume removal passage;   said fume intake configured to draw in at least some fumes generated by the localized heating of a section of said hair as said hair iron is applied to said section;   said fume removal passage configured to transport the fumes to a desired location.