Beauty tool head with flexible bristle base

Abstract

A beauty tool comprises: a handle portion, the handle portion being configured to accommodate an associated heating assembly; and a bristle portion, the bristle portion being connected to the handle portion. The bristle portion comprises a primary heating element configured to be heated by the associated heating assembly. A bristle base heating member is mounted to the periphery of the heating element. The bristle base heating member has a secondary heating element, the secondary heating element being configured to be heated by the primary heating element. A non-conductive, thermally insulating bristle spacer is fixed between the bristle base heating member and the heating element. A bristle strip is fixed by the bristle spacer and has bristles extending through the bristle spacer and the bristle base heating member. The bristle spacer is configured to thermally isolate the bristle strip from both the heating element and the bristle base heating member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a beauty tool head with a flexible bristle base, in particular to a hairbrush. Background Art

[0002] Beauty tools such as hairbrushes, heated irons, and other styling devices are conventionally known and commonly used. Conventional hairbrushes typically include a handle or other gripping surface and a brush or bristle end for separating the hair as it is passed through the user's hair. Curling or heated irons also typically have a handle portion, but include a heating area rather than a brush or bristle end. Conventional hairbrushes and heated irons are also integrated into heated hairbrushes. Typically, the combination of a conventional hairbrush and heated iron tends to have an internal heating surface and conventional brush bristles extending outwardly through the heating portion. When in use, heat is distributed to the brush bristles to heat the user's hair as the brush is passed through the user's hair. Summary of the invention

[0003] Exemplary embodiments described herein include a heated beauty tool, such as a heated airbrush. According to the present disclosure, a heated hairbrush may include a handle portion configured to accommodate a heating assembly and a bristle portion. The bristle portion may include one or more heating areas. These heating areas may be integrated or form part or all of one or more bristles. The heated hairbrush may include two or more different bristle configurations, including heated bristles and unheated bristles. More specifically, the bristle portion includes a barrel-shaped main heating element configured to be heated by the heating assembly. The bristle portion includes a bristle base heating member that is interlocked around the periphery of the heating element. Each bristle base heating member has one or more secondary heating elements (i.e., heated bristles), and the one or more secondary heating elements are configured to be heated by the main heating element. The bristle base includes non-conductive, thermally insulating bristle spacers that are fixed by the bristle base heating member and the heating element. A bristle bar is held by the bristle spacer and has one or more bristles (ie, non-heated bristles) extending through the bristle spacer and the bristle base heating member.

[0004] According to one aspect, a beauty tool includes a handle portion configured to accommodate an associated heating assembly and a bristle portion connected to the handle portion. The bristle portion includes a primary heating element configured to be heated by the associated heating assembly. A bristle base heating member is mounted to the periphery of the heating element. The bristle base heating member has a secondary heating element configured to be heated by the primary heating element. A non-conductive, thermally insulating bristle spacer is fixed between the bristle base heating member and the heating element. A bristle strip is fixed by the bristle spacer and has bristles extending through the bristle spacer and the bristle base heating member. The bristle spacer is configured to thermally isolate the bristle strip from both the heating element and the bristle base heating member.

[0005] According to another aspect, a beauty tool includes: a handle portion configured to accommodate an associated heating assembly; and a bristle portion connected to the handle portion. The bristle portion includes a barrel-shaped primary heating element configured to be heated by the associated heating assembly. A bristle base heating member is interlocked around the periphery of the heating element. Each bristle base heating member has a secondary heating element configured to be heated by the primary heating element. A non-conductive, thermally insulating bristle spacer is secured by the bristle base heating member and the heating element. A bristle strip is secured by the bristle spacer and has bristles extending through the bristle spacer and the bristle base heating member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a top view of a beauty tool according to the present disclosure, wherein the beauty tool includes a handle portion and a bristle portion.

[0007] Figure 2 It is a side view of the beauty tool.

[0008] Figure 3 is an end view of the bristle portion of the grooming tool with the end cap removed.

[0009] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the heating element of the bristle portion.

[0010] Figure 5-8 is a perspective view of the bristle base heating member of the bristle portion.

[0011] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a bristle spacer of the bristle portion.

[0012] Fig.10 It is a perspective view of the bristle strip of the bristle section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Of course, it should be understood that the description and drawings here are only illustrative, and various modifications and changes may be made to the disclosed structure without departing from the disclosure of the present invention. Now referring to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals represent the same parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 and Figure 2 A beauty tool according to the present disclosure is shown, such as a heated hairbrush 100 as shown. The heated hairbrush 100 may include a first end 102, a second end 104, a handle portion 106, and a bristle portion 108. The handle portion 106 is located between the first end 102 and the bristle portion 108, and the bristle portion is located between the second end 104 and the handle portion 106. The handle portion 106 is configured to accommodate a heating assembly (not shown) configured to heat a heating element 116 ( Figure 3 ) for heating. The heating assembly can be any conventional heating assembly that can be incorporated into the hairbrush 100. The heating element 116 can be formed of any type of thermally conductive material, such as metal (e.g., aluminum) or ceramic. The hairbrush 100 can be powered by electricity via an electrical cord 118 (only a portion of which is visible); however, it will be appreciated that the hairbrush 100 can be powered by other means (e.g., one or more batteries). As shown, the handle portion 106 can further include a controller 120 (e.g., a button, switch, slider, knob, etc.) for turning the heating of the hairbrush 100 on and off and adjusting the output temperature of the heater assembly, as well as an indicator 122 (e.g., a viewer, a scale, a number, a display, etc.) for conveying information (e.g., the level of heating) to the user.

[0014] Figure 3 1 is an end view of the bristle portion 108 (particularly a view of the second end 104 of the hairbrush 100 with the end cap 128 removed). The bristle portion 108 includes a heating element 116, bristle base heating members 140, 142, 144, 146 interlocked around the periphery of the heating element, a non-conductive, thermally insulating bristle spacer 154 secured by the bristle base heating member, and a bristle strip 156 secured by the bristle spacer. Still referring to Figure 4 , the heating element 116 can be barrel-shaped and can be oval in an end view so as to define a major axis A1 and a minor axis A2. The heating element 116 includes a base 160 having an inner surface 162 and an opposing outer surface 164. The inner surface 162 is provided with at least one groove 166 for receiving at least one heating coil (not shown) that is operably connected to a heating assembly housed in the handle portion 106. An inner sleeve 168 corresponding in shape to the inner surface 152 can be press-fitted into the heating element 116 to cover the at least one heating coil located in the at least one groove 166.

[0015] The outer surface 164 has a first pair of circumferentially spaced apart flanges 170, 172 (i.e., guide flanges) extending outwardly therefrom along the minor axis A2 and a second pair of circumferentially spaced apart flanges 174, 176 (i.e., guide flanges) positioned opposite the first pair of flanges 170, 172. The flanges 170, 172 (which may be L-shaped) are oriented in a facing relationship and extend along the length of the heating element 116. Similarly, the flanges 174, 176 (which may be L-shaped) are oriented in a facing relationship and extend along the length of the heating element 116. As shown, the flanges 170, 172 are located on the sides of a platform 178 provided on the outer surface 164, and the flanges 174, 176 are located on the sides of a platform 180 provided on the outer surface 164. First and second flanges 186, 188 (i.e., mounting flanges) are further provided on the heating element 116. Each first flange 186 includes a first leg 192 extending from the outer surface and a second leg 194 extending obliquely from the side of the first leg. The second flange 188 includes a first leg 196 and a second leg 198, and has the same shape as the first flange 186 except for the protruding direction of the second leg 198 of the second flange 188. In the illustrated aspect of the heating element 116, a pair of first flanges 186 are spaced apart from each flange 170, 176 in the circumferential direction, and a pair of second flanges 188 are spaced apart from each flange 172, 174 in the circumferential direction. With this arrangement, the first flange 186 and the second flange 188 are provided on opposite sides of the outer surface 164 of the heating element 116 along the main axis A1, and are provided in close proximity.

[0016] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, one of the bristle base heating members 140 is supported by the first pair of flanges 170, 172 and secured to the heating element by first and second flanges 186, 188 proximate to the respective flanges 170, 172. The other of the bristle base heating members 140 is supported by the second pair of flanges 174, 176 and secured to the heating element by flanges 188, 186 proximate to the respective flanges 174, 176. Each bristle base heating member 140 is characterized in that Figure 5 170 , 172 . As shown, each bristle base heating member 140 includes a base support 210 having an inner surface 212 and an outer surface 214, and side walls 216, 218 depending from opposite side edges of the base support 210. The inner surface 212 has spaced tabs 224 depending therefrom, which extend along the length of the base support. When assembled on the heating element 116, the tabs 224 are located on the sides of the flanges 170, 172, and the flanges engage the inner surface 212. Each of the side walls 216, 218 includes spaced ledges 226, 228 ( Figure 5 Only the lug 226 on the side wall 216 is shown. Figure 3 The lugs 226, 228 engage with the second legs 194, 198 of the respective first and second flanges 186, 188 of the heating element 116 (see Figure 3 ). The base support 210 further includes a plurality of openings 232 extending therethrough, the openings being aligned in the length and width directions of the base support 210. Each of the openings 232 is sized to receive unheated bristles 234 of the bristle strip 156. According to one aspect, the openings 232 aligned in the width direction of the base support 210 are interconnected by grooves 238 formed in the outer surface 214. Figure 5 Further shown in the figure are a plurality of substantially arcuate heating elements (ie, heated bristles) 242 integral with and protruding from the outer surface 214. The heating elements 242 are aligned in the length and width directions of the base support 210 in an alternating manner with the openings 232.

[0017] exist Figure 3 , the bristle base heating members 142 are disposed opposite one another on the heating element 116 and are supported by immediately adjacent first and second flanges 186 , 188 on opposite sides of the heating element 116 (again along the major axis A1 ). Figure 6 14. As shown, each bristle base heating member 142 includes a base support 250 having an inner surface 252 and an outer surface 254. The inner surface 252 has spaced apart tabs 258 depending therefrom, extending along the length of the base support 250. Each tab 258 may be slotted along its length to engage with the second legs 194, 198 of the respective first and second flanges 186, 188 of the heating element 116 (see FIG. Figure 3 ). The base support 250 further includes a plurality of openings 262 extending therethrough, the openings being aligned in the length direction of the base support 250. Each of the openings 262 is sized to receive the bristles 234 of the bristle strip 156. According to one aspect, the openings 262 intersect with a groove 264 formed in the outer surface 254. Figure 6 Further shown in the drawing are a plurality of substantially arcuate heating elements (ie, heated bristles) 268 that are integral with and protrude from the outer surface 254. The heating elements 268 are aligned with the openings 262 in an alternating manner in the length direction of the base support 210.

[0018] exist Figure 3 In FIG. 1 , the bristle base heating members 144, 146 are identically constructed, but are connected along opposite sides of the bristle base heating member 140. Figure 7 and Figure 8 146. As shown, each bristle base heating member 144, 146 includes a base support 280, 300 having an inner surface 282, 302 and an outer surface 284, 304, and a side wall 286, 306 depending from the side edge of the base support 280, 300. The side wall 286, 306 includes spaced apart lugs 288, 308 that engage the second legs 194, 198 of the respective first and second flanges 186, 188 of the heating element 116 (see FIG. Figure 3 ). In addition, the opposite side edges of the base supports 280, 300 have a recessed portion provided with a protruding lip 290, 310 that engages with the inner surface 212 of the base support 210 of the bristle base heating member 140 (see Figure 3 ). The inner surface 282, 302 has a tab 292, 312 depending therefrom and extending along the length of the base support 280, 300. The tab 292 may be slotted along its length to engage the second leg 194 of the first flange 186 (see Figure 3 ), and the tab 312 may be slotted along its length to engage the second leg 196 of the second flange 188 (see Figure 3 ). The base support 280, 300 further includes a plurality of openings 294, 314 extending therethrough, which are aligned in the length direction of the base support 280, 300. Each of the openings 294, 314 is sized to receive the bristles 234 of the bristle strip 156. According to one aspect, the openings 294, 314 intersect with the grooves 296, 316 formed in the outer surface 284, 304. Figure 7 and 8 Further shown are a plurality of substantially arcuate heating elements 298, 318 (ie, heated bristles) integral with and protruding from the outer surface 284, 304. The heating elements 298, 318 are aligned lengthwise of the base support 280, 300 in an alternating pattern with the openings 294, 314.

[0019] It should be understood that the secondary heating elements 242, 268, 298, 318 (i.e., heated bristles) heated by the primary heating element 116 define one or more heated hair treatment areas of the hairbrush 100, which, according to this example, are configured to treat the hair with heat and thereby allow styling thereof, such as straightening or curling. It should also be understood that when the bristle base heating members 140, 142, 144, 146 are assembled to the heating element 116, the grooves 238, 264, 296, 316 become aligned to define continuous grooves around the perimeter of the bristle portion 108, which prevent the user's hair from being bound when the hairbrush 100 is passed through the user's hair.

[0020] Fig. 9 A base spacer 154 is shown secured by bristle base heating members 140, 142, 144, 146, and Fig.10 A bristle strip 156 is shown secured by a bristle spacer 154. Each bristle spacer 154 includes a base 330 of rectangular shape having an upper surface 332 and a lower surface 334 and opposing side portions 336, 338. The lower surface 334 is provided with a cutout 344 extending in the length direction of the base 330. The upper surface 332 is provided with an array of bosses 346 having holes 348 extending through the upper surface 332. The bosses 346 are preferably integrally molded with the base 330. Each bristle strip 156 includes a base 350 having unheated bristles 234 in the form of plastic stubs extending outwardly therefrom. The bristles 234 are preferably integrally molded with the base 350. The cutout 344 provides a means for the base 350 to be received in the base 330 (see Figure 3 ), and when positioned in the base 330, the bristles 234 extend through the apertures 348. The bristle spacers 154 are configured to thermally isolate the bristle strips 156 from both the heating element 116 and the bristle base heating member. Figure 3140, 142, 144, 146, and the bosses 346 are received in the openings 232, 262, 294, 314 of the respective bristle base heating members 140, 142, 144, 146. More specifically, for the bristle base heating member 140, the bristle spacer 154 is secured between each of the side walls 216, 218 and the adjacent tabs 224, and between the tabs 224 flanking the platforms 178, 180. For the bristle base heating member 142, the bristle spacer 154 is secured between the tabs 258. For the bristle base heating member 144, the bristle spacer 154 is secured between the side wall 286 and the first flange 186, while for the bristle base heating member 146, the bristle spacer 154 is secured between the side wall 306 and the second flange 188. It should be understood that the bristle spacer 154 can be made of any non-conductive, thermally insulating material, such as plastic, rubber, silicone, etc., which prevents heating of the bristle strips 156 by the heating element 116. In addition, the bristle spacer 154 can be rigid or at least partially flexible (e.g., the base 330 can be rigid and the boss 346 received in the opening of the bristle base heating member can be flexible).

[0021] Therefore, the exemplary embodiments shown here include a heated beauty tool, such as the hairbrush 100 shown. The heated hairbrush can include a handle portion 106 configured to accommodate a heating assembly and a bristle portion 108. The bristle portion 108 can include one or more heating areas. These heating areas can be integrated or formed as part or all of one or more bristles. The heated hairbrush 100 can include two or more different bristle configurations, including heated bristles and unheated bristles.

[0022] According to one aspect, the bristle portion 108 includes a primary heating element 116 configured for heating by an associated heating assembly. A bristle base heating member is mounted on the periphery of the heating element 116. The bristle base heating member has a secondary heating element (i.e., heating bristles) that is configured to be heated by the primary heating element. A non-conductive, thermally insulating bristle spacer 154 is secured between the bristle base heating member and the heating element 116. A bristle strip 156 is secured by the bristle spacer 154 and has bristles extending through the bristle spacer and the bristle base heating member. The bristle spacer 154 is configured to thermally isolate the bristle strip 156 from both the heating element 116 and the bristle base heating member.

[0023] Further, the heating element 116 includes at least one guide flange 170, 172 extending outwardly from the outer surface of the heating element 116. The guide flange is suitable for positioning the bristle base heating member on the heating element. At least one mounting flange 186, 188 also extends outwardly from the outer surface of the heating element 116. The mounting flange is suitable for mounting the bristle base heating member on the heating element 116.

[0024] More specifically, the bristle portion 108 includes a primary heating element 116 configured to be heated by a heating assembly. The bristle portion 108 includes a plurality of bristle base heating members 140, 142, 144, 146 interlocked around the periphery of the heating element. Each bristle base heating member has one or more secondary heating elements 242, 268, 298, 318 (i.e., heated bristles) configured to be heated by the primary heating element. The bristle portion 108 includes a non-conductive, thermally insulating bristle spacer 154 secured by the bristle base heating members 140, 142, 144, 146 and the heating element 116, and a bristle strip 156 secured by the bristle spacer 154 and having one or more bristles 234 (i.e., non-heated bristles) extending through the bristle spacer 154 and the bristle base heating members 140, 142, 144, 146.

[0025] In the illustrated aspect, guide flanges 170, 172 extend outwardly from the outer surface of the heating element 116 and are adapted to position the bristle base heating member 140 on the heating element 116. A plurality of mounting flanges 186, 188 also extend outwardly from the outer surface of the heating element 116. The mounting flanges are adapted to mount the bristle base heating members 140, 142, 144, 146 on the heating element. The mounting flanges include a first mounting flange 186 extending from the outer surface of the heating element 116 in a first direction and a second mounting flange 188 extending from the outer surface of the heating element 116 in a second, opposite direction.

[0026] It should be understood that the above disclosed features and functions or their substitutions or variations can be combined into many other different systems or applications as needed. In addition, those skilled in the art can subsequently make various currently unforeseen or unanticipated substitutions, modifications, variations or improvements, which are also intended to be covered by the content disclosed in the present invention.

Claims

1. A hairbrush comprising: a handle portion configured to house an associated heating assembly; as well as A bristle portion, the bristle portion being connected to the handle portion, the bristle portion comprising: a primary heating element configured to be heated by the associated heating assembly, a bristle base heating member mounted on a periphery of the primary heating element, the bristle base heating member having a secondary heating element configured to be heated by the primary heating element, a non-conductive, thermally insulating bristle spacer secured between the bristle base heating member and the primary heating element, and a bristle bar held by the bristle spacer and having bristles extending through the bristle spacer and the bristle base heating member, wherein the bristle spacer is configured to thermally isolate the bristle strip from both the primary heating element and the bristle base heating member, Therein, the secondary heating element comprises heating bristles arranged in an alternating manner with the bristles of the bristle strip.

2. The hairbrush according to claim 1, wherein: The primary heating element and the bristle base heating member together define an elongated enclosed channel for receiving the bristle spacer.

3. The hairbrush according to claim 1, wherein: The main heating element comprises: at least one guide flange extending outwardly from an outer surface of the primary heating element, the guide flange being adapted to position the bristle base heating member on the primary heating element, and At least one mounting flange extends outwardly from an outer surface of the primary heating element, the at least one mounting flange being adapted to mount the bristle base heating member on the primary heating element.

4. The hairbrush according to claim 3, wherein: The bristle base heating member has an inner surface defining a channel for receiving the bristle spacer, and a sidewall of the bristle base heating member is configured to engage the at least one mounting flange.

5. The hairbrush according to claim 4, wherein: The bristle base heating member is a first bristle base heating member, and the hairbrush further comprises a separate second bristle base heating member and a separate third bristle base heating member, each of the second bristle base heating member and the third bristle base heating member being mounted to the primary heating element and interlocked with the first bristle base heating member, each of the second bristle base heating member and the third bristle base heating member having a secondary heating element configured to be heated by the primary heating element.

6. A hairbrush according to claim 5, wherein: The bristle spacer is a first bristle spacer, and further comprises: a separate non-conductive, thermally insulating second bristle spacer secured between the second bristle base heating member and the primary heating element, and a separate non-conductive, thermally insulating third bristle spacer secured between the third bristle base heating member and the primary heating element, and The bristle strip is a first bristle strip, and further comprises: a separate second bristle bar secured by the second bristle spacer and having bristles extending through the second bristle spacer and the second bristle base heating member; and a separate third bristle strip secured by the third bristle spacer and having bristles extending through the third bristle spacer and the third bristle base heating member, wherein the second bristle spacer is configured to thermally insulate the second bristle bar from both the primary heating element and the second bristle base heating member, and Wherein, the third bristle spacer is configured to thermally insulate the third bristle bar from both the primary heating element and the third bristle base heating member.

7. The hairbrush according to claim 5, wherein: A plurality of mounting flanges extend outwardly from an outer surface of the primary heating element, the mounting flanges being adapted to mount the bristle base heating member on the primary heating element.

8. The hairbrush according to claim 7, wherein: The mounting flange includes a first mounting flange extending in a first direction from an outer surface of the primary heating element and a second mounting flange extending in an opposite second direction from the outer surface of the primary heating element.

9. A hairbrush comprising: a handle portion configured to house an associated heating assembly; as well as A bristle portion, the bristle portion being connected to the handle portion, the bristle portion comprising: a barrel-shaped primary heating element configured to be heated by the associated heating assembly, bristle base heating members interlocked around the periphery of the primary heating element, each bristle base heating member having a secondary heating element configured to be heated by the primary heating element, a non-conductive, thermally insulating bristle spacer secured by the bristle base heating member and the primary heating element, and a bristle bar held by the bristle spacer and having bristles extending through the bristle spacer and the bristle base heating member, wherein the bristle spacers are configured to thermally isolate the bristle strips from the primary heating element and the bristle base heating member, Therein, each secondary heating element comprises heating bristles arranged in an alternating manner with the bristles of the bristle strip.

10. The hairbrush according to claim 9, wherein: The main heating element comprises: a guide flange extending outwardly from an outer surface of the primary heating element, the guide flange being adapted to position at least one of the bristle base heating members on the primary heating element, and A mounting flange extends outwardly from an outer surface of the main heating element, and the mounting flange is suitable for fixing at least one of the bristle base heating components on the main heating element.

11. The hairbrush according to claim 10, wherein: The bristle base heating member includes a first bristle base heating member having an inner surface defining a separate channel for receiving one of the guide flange and the bristle spacer, and opposing side walls of the first bristle base heating member are configured to engage the mounting flange.

12. The hairbrush according to claim 11, wherein: The bristle base heating means includes a second bristle base heating means and the mounting flange is adapted to secure the second bristle base heating means to the primary heating element, the second bristle base heating means being positioned opposite each other relative to a longitudinal axis of the primary heating element.

13. The hairbrush according to claim 12, wherein: The bristle base heating components include a third bristle base heating component, and the mounting flange is adapted to secure the third bristle base heating component to the primary heating element, the third bristle base heating component being disposed between the first bristle base heating component and the second bristle base heating component.

14. The hairbrush of claim 13, further comprising a pair of first bristle base heating members positioned opposite each other relative to a longitudinal axis of the primary heating element.

15. The hairbrush according to claim 14, wherein: The guide flanges for the first bristle base heating member include: a first pair of guide flanges oriented in a facing relationship and extending along the length of the main heating element, and a second pair of guide flanges oriented in a facing relationship and extending along the length of the main heating element, wherein the second pair of guide flanges are positioned relative to the longitudinal axis of the main heating element to be opposite to the first pair of guide flanges.

16. The hairbrush according to claim 13, wherein: The mounting flange includes a first mounting flange extending in a first direction from an outer surface of the primary heating element and a second mounting flange extending in an opposite second direction from the outer surface of the primary heating element.

17. The hairbrush according to claim 16, wherein: One of the first mounting flanges and one of the second mounting flanges secure the first bristle base heating member to the primary heating element, and Wherein another one of the first mounting flanges and another one of the second mounting flanges secure one of the second bristle base heating members to the main heating element.

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