JP7622599B2 - Spray for skin or hair, cosmetic treatment method and spray device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a spray for skin or hair, a cosmetic treatment method, and a spray device.

Conventionally, devices have been proposed that include a liquid agent spraying mechanism that electrostatically atomizes and sprays the liquid agent, and a mist generating mechanism that generates mist, and that spray the liquid agent with the mist, the particle size of which has been reduced by electrostatic atomization. For example, in the device of Patent Document 1, the liquid agent spraying mechanism has a liquid agent spraying port and the mist generating mechanism have a mist outlet that are separately provided, and the liquid agent spraying mechanism and the mist generating mechanism are controlled to spray simultaneously.

JP 2010-172659 A

However, when liquid or water particles are charged by electrostatic atomization, as in the above-mentioned device, they may be electrically attracted to the surface of the stratum corneum of the skin, making it more difficult for them to penetrate into the stratum corneum. Also, in devices where the liquid spray nozzle and the mist discharge nozzle are provided separately, it may be difficult to uniformly mix the sprayed liquid and mist.

The main objective of the present invention is to more appropriately improve the penetration of active ingredients when the spray is sprayed onto the skin or hair.

The present invention takes the following measures to achieve the above-mentioned main objective.

The spray of the present invention comprises
A spray for skin or hair, comprising:
The gist of the device is that it is a mixture of atomized medicine containing a specified active ingredient and fine water with a particle size of 50 nanometers or less.

The spray of the present invention is a mixture of an atomized drug and fine water with a particle size of 50 nanometers or less. When this spray is sprayed onto the skin or hair, the fine water penetrates the skin or hair, contributing to maintaining moisture while forming a route for the active ingredient to penetrate and promoting penetration, thereby more appropriately improving the permeability of the active ingredient. In addition, since the fine water is a particle with no electric charge, that is, it is uncharged, it can penetrate into the stratum corneum without being electrically attracted to the surface of the stratum corneum of the skin. Furthermore, the gaps in the stratum corneum of the skin are said to be approximately 20 to 50 nanometers or less, and since the particle size of the fine water is 50 nanometers or less, it can easily penetrate into the gaps in the stratum corneum, which is also the reason for its high penetration effect.

The cosmetic treatment method of the present invention includes a spraying step in which a spray containing a specified active ingredient and fine water particles having a particle size of 50 nanometers or less are sprayed onto the skin or hair. This makes it possible to more appropriately improve the penetration of the active ingredient when the spray is sprayed onto the skin or hair.

The cosmetic treatment method of the present invention may include a mixing step of mixing the atomized drug with the fine water, and in the spraying step, the spray obtained by mixing the atomized drug with the fine water in the mixing step may be sprayed toward the skin or hair. In this way, the atomized drug and the fine water can be sprayed in a sufficiently mixed state compared to spraying them separately, preventing uneven spraying and further appropriately improving the penetration of the active ingredient. In addition, the mixed amount (ratio) of the atomized drug and the fine water can be easily adjusted.

The spray device of the present invention comprises:
an atomizing unit that generates an atomized medicine by atomizing a medicine containing a predetermined active ingredient;
a fine water generating section that changes between a moisture absorbing state in which moisture in the air is absorbed by a conductive polymer film as a temperature drop and a moisture releasing state in which the moisture absorbed by the conductive polymer film is released as fine water particles having a particle size of 50 nanometers or less as a temperature rise;
A spray unit that sprays the atomized medicine and the fine water toward the skin or hair;
The gist of the invention is to provide the following:

In the spray device of the present invention, the atomized medicine generated in the atomizing section and the fine water released by changing the fine water generating section between a moisture absorbing state and a moisture releasing state are sprayed from the spray section toward the skin or hair. Therefore, it is possible to more appropriately improve the penetration of the active ingredient when the spray is sprayed onto the skin or hair.

The spray device of the present invention may include a mixing section that communicates with the atomizing section, the fine water generating section, and the spray section and mixes the atomized medicine with the fine water, and the spray section may spray a spray in which the atomized medicine and the fine water are mixed in the mixing section. In this way, the mixing ratio of the atomized medicine and the fine water can be easily adjusted compared to a case in which they are sprayed separately, and the penetration of the active ingredient can be further appropriately improved.

In addition, the spray device includes a mixing section that communicates with the atomizing section, the fine water generating section, and the spray section and mixes the atomized drug with the fine water, and a control section that repeats a moisture absorption state in which the air outside the mixing section is supplied to the conductive polymer membrane whose temperature is lowered while sealing the mixing section, so that the moisture in the air is adsorbed to the conductive polymer membrane, and a moisture release state in which the air in the mixing section is circulated through the conductive polymer membrane whose temperature is raised, so that the moisture adsorbed to the conductive polymer membrane is released into the mixing section as fine water having a particle size of 50 nanometers or less, and controls to increase the concentration of the fine water in the mixing section, and the spray section may be configured to spray a spray in which the atomized drug and the fine water are mixed in the mixing section. In this way, the fine water and the atomized drug can be mixed in a state in which the concentration of the fine water in the mixing section is increased. Therefore, a spray in which the fine water is sufficiently mixed can be sprayed, so that the penetration of the active ingredient can be further improved while increasing the moisturizing effect.

1 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a cosmetic treatment device 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a spray device 10. FIG. A diagram showing the outline of the configuration of the fine water generating cartridge 30. FIG. 1 is a process diagram showing an example of a cosmetic treatment method. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a spray process. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of fine water particles penetrating into the skin. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a spray device 10B according to a modified example. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a spray device 100 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a spray device 200 according to a third embodiment.

[First embodiment]
Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a cosmetic treatment device 1, Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a spray device 10, and Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a fine water generating cartridge 30.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cosmetic treatment device 1 includes a device body 2 that houses a spray device 10, a discharge head 4 that discharges the spray generated by the spray device 10, a movable arm 5 to which the discharge head 4 is attached at its tip, and a support section 6 that supports the base end of the movable arm 5 on the device body 2. The device body 2 is supported movably by casters 3 attached to the bottom. The movable arm 5 has a supply path for the spray to the discharge head 4 formed within the arm, and the discharge head 4 is rotatably attached to its tip and the base end is rotatably supported by the support section 6. Therefore, the discharge head 4 can move and rotate up and down, left and right, and front and back relative to the device body 2, and can be adjusted to a position suitable for the treatment subject. This cosmetic treatment device 1 is placed, for example, in an esthetic salon or beauty parlor, or may be placed in an individual's home.

As shown in FIG. 2, the spray device 10 includes a mixing tank 12, a fine water supply unit 20, a drug atomization unit 40, and a spray unit 50.

The mixing tank 12 is configured in a rectangular or cylindrical shape and includes a mixing fan 14 inside, and the fine water supply unit 20, the medicine atomization unit 40, and the spray unit 50 are attached so as to communicate with the inside of the tank. The mixing fan 14 is arranged so as to generate a swirling flow in the mixing tank 12 by blowing air. The mixing tank 12 also includes a first opening/closing damper 16 that switches between communication and blocking between the fine water supply unit 20 and the inside of the tank by opening/closing, a second opening/closing damper 17 that switches between communication and blocking between the medicine atomization unit 40 and the inside of the tank by opening/closing, and a third opening/closing damper 18 that switches between communication and blocking between the spray unit 50 and the inside of the tank by opening/closing. The first to third opening/closing dampers 16 to 18 all open and close by operating the opening/closing plates driven by a motor (not shown).

The fine water supply unit 20 includes a duct 21 having an air passage 22, a fine water generating cartridge 30, a power supply circuit 35, and a supply fan 36.

The duct 21 is a cylindrical member with both ends open, and has an intake port 21a that opens outside the mixing tank 12 and a communication port 21b that communicates with the mixing tank 12 and is opened and closed by the first opening and closing damper 16, forming a linear air passage 22. The fine water generating cartridge 30 and the supply fan 36 are arranged in the air passage 22 in the order of the supply fan 36 and the fine water generating cartridge 30 from the intake port 21a side.

As shown in FIG. 3, the fine water generating cartridge 30 comprises a cylindrical case 32 having an outer diameter that allows it to be placed in the air passage 22, and a fine water generating element 34 provided within the case 32. The fine water generating element 34 comprises a substrate 34a and a conductive polymer film 34b formed on the surface of the substrate 34a.

The substrate 34a is made of a conductive material such as a metal material such as stainless steel or copper, a carbon material, or a conductive ceramic material. In this embodiment, a stainless steel foil with added aluminum is used. The micro-water generating element 34 is formed in a corrugated, honeycomb, or spiral shape so that air can flow through it and the surface area of the substrate 34a (conductive polymer film 34b) is as large as possible. A current-carrying circuit 35 including a power source and a switch is connected to the substrate 34a. When the control unit 60 turns on the switch, the current-carrying circuit 35 is in a current-carrying state in which current is applied to the substrate 34a, and when the control unit 60 turns off the switch, the current-carrying circuit 35 is in a non-current-carrying state in which current is cut off to the substrate 34a.

The conductive polymer film 34b is formed of a polymer compound having conductivity such as a thiophene-based conductive polymer. In this embodiment, it is formed of PEDOT/PSS (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonic acid)) among thiophene-based conductive polymers. PEDOT/PSS has a structure in which PEDOT is dispersed in PSS having sulfonic acid groups, which are acidic functional groups capable of hydrogen bonding. In addition, a nanochannel, which is a nanometer-sized flow path of about 2 nanometers (nm), is formed at the boundary between PEDOT and PSS. Since there are many sulfonic acid groups in this nanochannel, when the moisture content on the surface is high and the moisture content inside is low, the moisture present on the surface of the conductive polymer film 34b moves to the inside through the sulfonic acid groups in the nanochannel due to the concentration difference between the surface and the inside. This allows the conductive polymer film 34b to adsorb moisture. In addition, when the moisture content on the surface is low and the moisture content inside is high with moisture adsorbed inside, the moisture moves to the surface through the sulfonic acid groups in the nanochannel due to the concentration difference between the surface and the inside. As a result, moisture is released from the conductive polymer film 34b as fine water. In addition, when the temperature of the conductive polymer film 34b is increased, the moisture (fine water) is released more quickly than when it moves only due to the concentration difference, and when the temperature of the conductive polymer film 34b is decreased, the moisture is adsorbed more quickly than when it moves only due to the concentration difference. In this way, the fine water generating cartridge 30 (fine water generating element 34) changes to a hygroscopic state in which the conductive polymer film 34b adsorbs moisture in the air as the temperature decreases, and changes to a hygroscopic state in which the conductive polymer film 34b releases the adsorbed moisture as the temperature increases. The thickness of the conductive polymer film 34b can be appropriately determined according to the required amount of adsorption (release) of fine water. For example, when the conductive polymer film 34b is formed to have a thickness of 1 to 30 micrometers, it can adsorb enough moisture to release fine water in a time of several seconds to several tens of seconds.

The fine water generating cartridge 30 also emits uncharged fine water from the conductive polymer membrane 34b of the fine water generating element 34, with the water particles having a particle size of 50 nanometers or less, for example, a particle size of about 1 to 2 nanometers. The reason for this particle size is thought to be that the size of the nanochannel is 2 nanometers or less, and therefore the water flies out of the nanochannel due to the increase in temperature of the conductive polymer membrane, which improves the water's motility in the nanochannel, and the pressure increase. Even if the water particles aggregate after flying out, the particle size is distributed in the range of 50 nanometers or less. A detailed description of the fine water generation of the fine water generating cartridge 30 (conductive polymer membrane 34b) is described in WO2020/054100 and JP2019-018195A of the present applicant, and further detailed description will be omitted.

The supply fan 36 is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction, blowing air from the intake port 21a outside the mixing tank 12 toward the inside of the mixing tank 12 (communication port 21b). Therefore, air sucked into the air passage 22 can be sent into the mixing tank 12 through the fine water generating cartridge 30. The supply fan 36 is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown), and is controlled by the control unit 60 through PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control or voltage control. The supply fan 36 may be a propeller fan, a sirocco fan, or the like.

The drug nebulization unit 40 includes a drug tank 42 that contains drug D, and a nebulization section 44 that nebulizes the drug D contained in the drug tank 42 and supplies the drug D from a supply port 45 into the mixing tank 12. The nebulization section 44 is configured to nebulize the drug D by, for example, an ultrasonic nebulization method that nebulizes the drug D by vibration of a piezoelectric element. The nebulization section 44 may also be configured to nebulize the drug D by other methods such as an air spray method, an electrostatic nebulization method, or a centrifugal nebulization method. The supply port 45 is opened and closed by a second opening/closing damper 17.

The medicine D contained in the medicine tank 42 contains a mixture of beauty ingredients and medicinal ingredients as a specific active ingredient. Examples of the medicine D and active ingredients include, but are not limited to, moisturizing ingredients, herbal extracts, enzymes such as tyrosinase, superoxide dismutase, and lipase, vitamins and derivatives such as retinol, ascorbic acid, tocopherol, pyridoxal, and riboflavin, organic pigments such as β-carotene and chlorophyll, moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, sorbitol, urea, lactic acid, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol and copolymers, glucose derivatives, and the like, emollient ingredients such as paraffin, stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, squalane, silicone oil, and stearyl, and the like, treatment ingredients, dandruff suppressing ingredients, hair nourishing ingredients, and hair growth ingredients.

The spray unit 50 includes a duct 51 in which an air passage 52 is formed, and a spray fan 54. The duct 51 is a cylindrical member with both ends open, and has a spray port 51a that opens outside the mixing tank 12, and a communication port 51b that communicates with the mixing tank 12 and is opened and closed by a third opening and closing damper 18. The duct 51 is also formed in a tapered shape so that the cross-sectional area of the air passage 52 becomes smaller toward the spray port 51a side than the spray fan 54. The spray unit 50 takes in the spray agent in the mixing tank 12 by operating the spray fan 54 and sprays it from the spray port 51a. The spray sprayed from the spray port 51a reaches the discharge head 4 through a supply path in the movable arm 5.

The control unit 60 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU, and in addition to the CPU, it is equipped with ROM, RAM, and input/output ports. Operation signals from a start switch 62 for starting the operation of the spray device 10, and operation signals from an air volume adjustment switch 64 for adjusting the air volume of each fan 14, 36, 54 individually or collectively are input to the control unit 60 via the input port. In addition, the control unit 60 outputs drive signals to the motors that rotate the fans 14, 36, 54, drive signals to the first to third opening/closing dampers 16-18, drive signals to the switch of the current-carrying circuit 35, and the like via the output port.

Next, a cosmetic treatment method for spraying the spray agent onto the skin or hair using the cosmetic treatment device 1 (spray device 10) configured in this manner will be described. FIG. 4 is a process diagram showing an example of the cosmetic treatment method. A practitioner (salonist) at an esthetic salon or the like supplies (stores) the drug tank 42 of the drug atomization unit 40 with a drug D containing an active ingredient (step S100). Next, the practitioner adjusts the position and orientation of the discharge head 4 so that the discharge head 4 can discharge the spray agent toward the target spray area of the patient (step S110), and operates the start switch 62 to perform a spray process using the spray device 10 (step S120 ). The spray agent generated by the spray device 10 through this spray process is discharged from the discharge head 4 and sprayed onto the patient's skin or hair.

5 is a process diagram showing an example of the spraying process. In the spraying process, the control unit 60 of the spray device 10 switches the supply state of the fine water and the atomized medicine by opening the first opening/closing damper 16 and the second opening/closing damper 17 and closing the third opening/closing damper 18 (S200). In this supply state, the fine water is supplied into the mixing tank 12 by moisture release control that turns on the power supply to the fine water generating cartridge 30 and drives the supply fan 36 in a predetermined rotation direction (S210), and the medicine atomization unit 40 is operated to supply the atomized medicine into the mixing tank 12 (S220), and a predetermined supply time is waited for (S230). In S210, the supply fan 36 is driven to rotate in a predetermined rotation direction, so that the air sucked from the intake port 21a is discharged into the mixing tank 12 from the communication port 21b (see the dotted arrow in FIG. 2 ). In addition, since the power supply to the fine water generating cartridge 30 is turned on, the temperature of the conductive polymer film 34b rises, and the release of fine water is promoted. If the spraying process is started in a state where no moisture is adsorbed to the conductive polymer film 34b, the power supply to the fine water generating cartridge 30 is turned off and the supply fan 36 is driven to perform moisture absorption control to adsorb moisture to the conductive polymer film 34b before S210.

When the control unit 60 determines in S230 that the supply time has elapsed, it closes the first opening/closing damper 16, the second opening/closing damper 17, and the third opening/closing damper 18 to switch to a mixed state of fine water and atomized medicine (S240). In this mixed state, the mixing fan 14 is operated to mix the fine water and atomized medicine in the mixing tank 12 (S250), and a predetermined mixing time is waited for to elapse (S260). The operation of the mixing fan 14 creates an air flow in the mixing tank 12 (see the dotted arrow in Figure 2), which promotes mixing, allowing the fine water and atomized medicine to be mixed evenly.

When the control unit 60 determines in S260 that the mixing time has elapsed, it opens the first opening/closing damper 16 and the third opening/closing damper 18 and closes the second opening/closing damper 17 to switch to a spray state of the spray agent (mixture) S, which is a mixture of fine water and atomized medicine (S270). In this spray state, the spray fan 54 is operated to spray the spray agent (mixture) in the mixing tank 12 from the spray unit 50 (S280), and while turning off the power to the fine water generating cartridge 30 to perform moisture absorption control to adsorb moisture to the conductive polymer film 34b (S290), it waits for a predetermined spray time to elapse (S300). In addition, the operation of the spray fan 54 causes the air sucked into the air passage 22 from the intake port 21a to pass through the fine water generating cartridge 30, so that the temperature of the conductive polymer film 34b decreases and moisture adsorption can be promoted.

When the control unit 60 determines in S300 that the spray time has elapsed, it determines whether or not the predetermined treatment time has elapsed (S310), and when it determines that the treatment time has not elapsed, it returns to S200 and performs the process. In this way, the control unit 60 sequentially repeats the supply of fine water and atomized medicine, the mixing of the fine water and the atomized medicine, and the spraying of the spray S. The supply time, mixing time, and spray time can be appropriately set to a time of about several tens of seconds to several minutes depending on the moisture absorption capacity (moisture release capacity) of the fine water generating cartridge 30, the atomization capacity of the medicine atomization unit 40, the mixed amount (ratio) of the fine water and the atomized medicine, the spray capacity of the spray unit 50, the size of the mixing tank 12, the type and amount of the medicine D, the active ingredient contained, etc. Similarly, the treatment time can be appropriately set to a dozen minutes or several tens of minutes.

Here, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of fine water penetrating into the skin. As shown in the figure, the epidermis of the skin consists of the stratum corneum covered with a sebum film, the granular layer, the spinous layer, and the basal layer (not shown). When the spray S is sprayed onto the skin, the fine water enters the stratum corneum and enters the intercellular lipids between the keratinocytes (see the arrows in FIG. 6). There are gaps of about 20 to 50 nanometers or less on the keratin surface. Since the particle size of fine water is 50 nanometers or less, about 1 to 2 nanometers, it easily enters the stratum corneum. In addition, since the skin is generally positively charged, if the water particles are negatively charged, they are electrically attracted to the skin surface and have difficulty entering the stratum corneum, and if the water particles are positively charged, they are repelled and have difficulty reaching the skin surface. This does not happen with fine water, since it is uncharged. The fine water that has entered the stratum corneum in this way forms a water route along the intercellular lipids surrounding the keratinocytes. At this time, the moisture content of intercellular lipids is improved and moisture is also introduced into the natural moisturizing components in keratinocytes, so that the moisture content of the entire stratum corneum can be brought closer to an appropriate value and moisturizing properties can be improved.In addition, the active ingredient of the spray S passes through the water route formed in the intercellular lipids by the fine water and diffuses into the skin, so that the penetration of the active ingredient can be promoted.In addition to the above-mentioned water route formed by the fine water and the drug passing through it and diffusing, a drug penetration pattern in which the drug is pushed together with the fine water by the penetration force of the fine water at the same time as the penetration of the fine water is also conceivable.In this way, the fine water provides the effect of improving moisturizing properties by supplying moisture, and also provides the effect of improving the penetration of the active ingredient by forming a water route by the fine water, or the effect of improving the penetration of the active ingredient by the penetration force of the fine water in a synergistic manner. The above explains how fine water penetrates the skin, but in the same way, fine water penetrates and remains in the tiny gaps (approximately 50 nm or less) in the cuticle on the surface of the hair, moisturizing the hair. The fine water also forms water routes through which medicinal drugs pass and diffuse. In addition, there is also a possibility that the medicinal drug will be pushed in together with the fine water due to the penetrating power of the fine water at the same time as the fine water penetrates.

The spray S described above is a mixture of atomized medicine and fine water with a particle size of 50 nanometers or less. Therefore, when spray S is sprayed onto skin or hair, the fine water penetrates, forming a water route through which the active ingredient penetrates and providing sufficient moisture. This can enhance the moisturizing and penetration effects.

In addition, in the cosmetic treatment method, the spray S, which is a mixture of atomized drug and fine water, is sprayed toward the skin or hair, so uneven spray (adhesion) of the atomized drug and fine water can be reduced compared to spraying the atomized drug and fine water separately, and the penetration and moisturizing properties of the active ingredient can be further appropriately improved. In addition, the spray device 10 can easily adjust the mixed amount (ratio) of the atomized drug and fine water in the mixing tank 12.

Here, the spray device 10 of the first embodiment may be configured as follows. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the spray device 10B of the modified example. The spray device 10B is configured similarly to the first embodiment except that the configurations of the fine water supply unit 20B and the medicine atomization unit 40B are different from those of the first embodiment. The fine water supply unit 20B is provided with a discharge element 38 in the duct 21 on the communication port 21b side (mixing tank 12 side) of the fine water generating cartridge 30. In addition, the medicine atomization unit 40B is provided with a discharge element 46 in front of the supply port 45 (atomization unit 44 side). Each discharge element 38, 46 is provided with, for example, a first electrode (discharge electrode) and a second electrode (opposite electrode) arranged opposite the first electrode, and is configured to perform plasma discharge in response to a drive signal from the control unit 60.

The spray device 10B can charge the fine water and the atomized medicine by passing the fine water discharged from the fine water generating cartridge 30 and the atomized medicine discharged from the medicine atomization unit 40B through a plasma region generated by discharge, and supply them to the mixing tank 12. This can deodorize odorous components contained in the outside air passing through the fine water generating cartridge 30 and the medicine atomization unit 40B, and inactivate pollen, bacteria, viruses, etc. In addition, discharge may be performed so that one of the charges of the discharge element 38 and the discharge element 46 is positive and the other is negative. In this way, when the fine water and the atomized medicine are mixed, the particles are attracted to each other and can be easily mixed. In addition, discharge may be performed so that the amount of positive charge and the amount of negative charge are equal. In this way, the charge of the entire mixed spray S is neutralized, so that the sprayed spray S is suppressed from being electrically attracted to or repelled by the surface of the skin, and the penetration, etc. can be prevented from being hindered.

[Second embodiment]
Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the spray device 100 of the second embodiment. The spray device 100 includes a mixing tank 112, a fine water supply unit 120, a medicine atomization unit 140, a spray unit 150, and a control unit 160. The fine water supply unit 120 includes an air passage 121, a fine water generating cartridge 130, an electric circuit 135, and a supply fan 136. The configurations other than the air passage 121 are the same as those of the first embodiment, so the description will be omitted.

The air passage 121 is composed of a main passage 122, a first communication passage 124, and a second communication passage 127, and is provided with a first switching section 125 and a second switching section 128. The main passage 122 is a cylindrical passage with both ends open. In the main passage 122, a supply fan 136 and a fine water generating cartridge 130 are provided in this order from the first opening 122a on one side to the second opening 122b on the other side. The first communication passage 124 and the second communication passage 127 communicate the main passage 122 and the mixing tank 112. The first communication passage 124 is connected to the main passage 122 on the first opening 122a side of the supply fan 136 and extends into the mixing tank 112. The second communication passage 127 is connected to the main passage 122 on the second opening 122b side of the fine water generating cartridge 130 and extends into the mixing tank 112.

The first switching unit 125 has a switching plate 126 that is operated by driving a motor (not shown), and the second switching unit 128 has a switching plate 129 that is operated by driving a motor (not shown). As shown by solid lines in FIG. 8, when the switching plate 126 is in the normal position (initial position), the first switching unit 125 closes (blocks) the first communication passage 124 and opens the first opening 122a side to allow air to flow through the first opening 122a. When the switching plate 129 is in the normal position, the second switching unit 128 closes (blocks) the second communication passage 127 and opens the second opening 122b side to allow air to flow through the second opening 122b. This state is called a sealed state (blocked state) because the mixing chamber 112 is blocked from the main passage 122 and sealed.

On the other hand, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 8, when the motor drives the switch plate 126 to an operating position rotated 90 degrees, the first switch unit 125 opens the first communication passage 124 and closes the first opening 122a side to prevent air from flowing through the first opening 122a. When the motor drives the switch plate 129 to an operating position rotated 90 degrees, the second switch unit 128 opens the second communication passage 127 and closes the second opening 122b side to prevent air from flowing through the second opening 122b. In this state, the mixing chamber 112 and the main passage 122 communicate with each other through the first communication passage 124 and the second communication passage 127, and air can circulate between the mixing chamber 112 and the main passage 122, so this state is called a circulation state (communication state).

In the spray device 100 thus configured, moisture absorption control and moisture release control (supply into the mixing tank 12) of the fine water are performed as follows. In moisture absorption control, the control unit 160 sets the above-mentioned sealed state, turns off the power to the fine water generating cartridge 130, and drives the supply fan 136 to adsorb moisture into the conductive polymer film 34b. This lowers the temperature of the conductive polymer film 34b, promoting moisture adsorption. The rotation direction of the supply fan 136 may be, for example, the direction in which air flows from the first opening 122a to the second opening 122b (see the solid arrow in Figure 8).

In addition, in the moisture release control, the control unit 160 sets the above-mentioned circulation state, turns on the power supply to the fine water generating cartridge 130, and drives the supply fan 136 to supply the fine water released from the conductive polymer film 34b into the mixing tank 112. The rotation direction of the supply fan 136 may be, for example, the same direction as that of the moisture absorption control, and the air blown from the supply fan 136 flows through the fine water generating cartridge 130 from the second communication passage 127 into the mixing tank 112, and circulates to return to the main passage 122 through the first communication passage 124 (see the dotted arrow in FIG. 8). Therefore, the fine water is supplied from the fine water generating cartridge 130 to the mixing tank 112 using the circulating air without newly introducing air, so that the number of particles of the fine water in the mixing tank 112 increases, and a high concentration environment of fine water can be created. As a result, the spray in which the fine water is sufficiently mixed can be sprayed, and the penetration and moisturizing properties of the active ingredient can be further improved.

In the first and second embodiments, a humidity sensor may be provided in the mixing tank 12, 112, and the humidity detected by the humidity sensor may be used as a proxy characteristic for the number of fine water particles to adjust the supply time, mixing time, and spray time, or change the airflow rate of each fan.

[Third embodiment]
Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the spray device 200 of the third embodiment. The spray device 200 is disposed in the discharge head 4B, and includes a fine water supply unit 220, a medicine atomization unit 240, and a control unit (not shown). This spray device 200 does not include a mixing tank 12 or a spray unit 50, and is configured to spray the fine water and the atomized medicine separately without mixing them.

The fine water supply unit 220, like the fine water supply unit 20, includes a fine water generating cartridge 230 and a supply fan 236 in the duct 221, and discharges the fine water from the fine water discharge port 221a toward the treatment target area (marked with an x in the figure). The medicine atomization unit 240, like the medicine atomization unit 40, includes a medicine tank 2 42 and an atomization unit 2 44. The medicine atomization unit 240 also includes a duct 241 to which the medicine atomized by the atomization unit 44 is supplied, and a fan 246 for ejecting the atomized medicine (air) in the duct 241 from the medicine discharge port 241a, and discharges the atomized medicine from the medicine discharge port 241a toward the treatment target area.

The spray device 200 of the third embodiment is capable of releasing the fine water and the atomized drug separately, so that the fine water and the atomized drug can be sprayed separately onto the skin or hair. For this reason, the fine water can be sprayed first to form a water route and then the atomized drug, or conversely, the atomized drug can be sprayed first and then the fine water. This can be switched depending on the difference in the drug ingredients and the purpose of the skin or hair treatment. In addition, the atomized drug can be sprayed during moisture absorption control of the fine water, so that the cosmetic treatment can be performed efficiently.

In each embodiment of the fine water supply unit 20, 120, 220, in addition to the fine water generating cartridge 30, 130, 230 and the supply fan 36, 136, 236, a temperature control cartridge (heat exchanger) may be provided. The temperature control cartridge is formed of a metal material, for example, in a corrugated plate shape, honeycomb shape, or spiral shape, so as to have a large heat capacity and high heat exchange efficiency. Then, air containing fine water discharged from the fine water generating cartridge 30, 130, 230 during moisture release control passes through the temperature control cartridge and is supplied into the mixing tank 12, 112, or is discharged from the fine water discharge port 221a. In this way, the air whose temperature has risen in the fine water generating cartridge 30, 130, 230 is cooled to near room temperature when passing through the temperature control cartridge, so that fine water can be appropriately supplied or discharged without increasing the temperature.

The correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem will be described. In the embodiment, S270 and S280 of the spraying process correspond to the spraying process. Also, S240 and S250 correspond to the mixing process. Also, the spraying device 10 (10B, 100, 200) corresponds to the "spraying device", the medicine atomizing unit 40 (40B, 140, 240) corresponds to the "atomizing section ", the fine water generating cartridge 30 (30B, 130, 230) corresponds to the "fine water generating section", and the spraying unit 50 (150) corresponds to the "spraying section". Also, the mixing tank 12 (112) and the mixing fan 14 correspond to the "mixing section".

The correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column does not limit the elements of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column, since the embodiment is an example for specifically explaining the form for implementing the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column. In other words, the interpretation of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column should be based on the description in that column, and the embodiment is merely a concrete example of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column. Although the form for implementing the present invention has been described above using the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment in any way, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

The present invention can be used in cosmetic treatments in which a spray agent for the skin or hair is sprayed.

1 Beauty treatment device, 2 Device body, 3 Caster, 4, 4B Discharge head, 5 Movable arm, 6 Support part, 10, 10B, 100, 200 Spray device, 12, 112 Mixing tank, 14 Mixing fan, 16 First opening and closing damper, 17 Second opening and closing damper, 18 Third opening and closing damper, 20, 120, 220 Fine water supply unit, 21 Duct, 21a Intake port, 21b Communication port, 22 Air passage, 30, 130, 230 Fine water generating cartridge (fine water generating part), 32 Case, 34 Fine water generating element, 34a Base material, 34b Conductive polymer membrane, 35, 135 Current-carrying circuit (current-carrying part), 36, 136, 236 Supply fan (blow part), 38 Discharge element, 40, 140, 240 Drug atomization unit, 42 Drug tank, 44 atomizing section, 45 supply port, 46 discharge element, 50, 150 spray unit, 51 duct, 51a spray port, 51b communication port, 52 air passage, 54 spray fan, 60, 160, 260 control section, 62 start switch, 64 air flow control switch, 121 air passage, 122 main passage, 122a first opening, 122b second opening, 124 first communication passage, 125 first switching section, 126, 129 switching plate, 127 second communication passage, 128 second switching section, 221a fine water discharge port, 241 duct, 241a drug discharge port, 246 spray fan, D drug, S spray.

Claims (5)

A spray for skin or hair that is a mixture of atomized medicine containing a specified active ingredient and fine water with a particle size of 50 nanometers or less and no electrical charge. A spraying step of spraying an atomized medicine obtained by atomizing a medicine containing a predetermined active ingredient and non-electrostatic fine water having a particle size of 50 nanometers or less onto the skin or hair ;
A mixing step of mixing the atomized medicine and the fine water,
In the spraying step, the spray obtained by mixing the atomized drug and the fine water in the mixing step is sprayed toward the skin or hair.
Cosmetic treatment methods. The cosmetic treatment method according to claim 2 ,
A step of adsorbing moisture onto a conductive polymer film having nanochannels;
and increasing the temperature of the conductive polymer film to release moisture adsorbed in the conductive polymer film.
In the mixing step, the atomized medicine is mixed with the fine water. an atomizing unit that generates an atomized medicine by atomizing a medicine containing a predetermined active ingredient;
a fine water generating section that changes between a moisture absorbing state in which moisture in the air is absorbed by a conductive polymer film as a temperature drop and a moisture releasing state in which the moisture absorbed by the conductive polymer film is released as fine water particles having a particle size of 50 nanometers or less as a temperature rise;
A spray unit that sprays the atomized medicine and the fine water toward the skin or hair;
A mixing unit is provided which is connected to the atomizing unit, the fine water generating unit, and the spray unit and mixes the atomized medicine with the fine water,
The spray unit sprays a spray obtained by mixing the atomized medicine and the fine water in the mixer.
Spraying device. 5. The spray device according to claim 4 ,
A switching unit is provided for selecting either a sealed state in which communication between the fine water generating unit and the mixing unit is blocked and air outside the mixing unit is supplied to the fine water generating unit, or a circulation state in which communication is established between the fine water generating unit and the mixing unit and air from the mixing unit is supplied to the fine water generating unit,
A spray device in which the fine water generating section is in the moisture absorbing state when the switching section is in the sealed state and in the moisture releasing state when the switching section is in the circulating state so as to increase the concentration of the fine water in the mixing section.

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