Hair device

Abstract

A hair device (10) comprises a bed (11) and bristles (12) attached to the bed. At least one of the bristles comprises a rod (15) having a proximal end (16) attached to the bed and an opposite distal end (17). The at least one bristle further includes a head (18) disposed at the distal end of the rod. The head includes a bore (19) extending through the head to allow inward deformation of the head.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Some hair devices, such as hairbrushes, include bristles. The bristles help to smooth and detangle hair, as well as apply tension to the hair strands for purposes such as styling. Hair devices with bristles can take many forms. For example, a hair device can be a standalone device, or it can take the form of an attachment for mounting to hair care appliances. Summary of the Invention

[0002] In a first aspect, a hair device is disclosed, comprising a bed and a plurality of bristles attached to the bed, wherein at least one of the bristles comprises: a bar having a proximal end attached to the bed and an opposing distal end, and a head disposed at the distal end of the bar, the head including a hole extending through the head to allow the head to deform inward.

[0003] Due to the head's ability to deform inwards, the first-party hair device can provide a more comfortable user experience while minimizing damage to the user's hair during use.

[0004] Brush bristles are typically narrow and long. While this is beneficial for things like smoothing and untangling hair, the narrow (e.g., pointed) ends of the bristles can cause discomfort when they come into contact with the user's scalp during use.

[0005] One option to address this issue is to increase the size of the brush head (i.e., to provide a more comfortable experience for the user). However, doing so may mean that the head obstructs strands of hair that slide along the ends of the bristles. In use, strands of hair are typically wrapped around the bristles of the hair assembly. Understandably, when a strand of hair loops around the bristle shaft and the bristles move (e.g., due to the movement of the hair assembly along the strand), the looped hair will move along the bristle shaft toward the head. As the head of the brush enlarges, the chances of this looped strand of hair being caught (i.e., hooked) on the head of the bristles increase. That is, it may prevent the looped strand of hair from simply slipping off the ends of the bristles. Hooking can be uncomfortable for the user because it causes hair to be pulled away from the user's scalp and, in some cases, damage the user's hair.

[0006] The first aspect reduces or eliminates this problem by having at least one bristle (with a hole in the head through which the bristles pass) in at least one bristle. The ability of the head to deform inward (due to the presence of the hole) makes it easier for hair strands (especially those looped around the bristles) to move on the bristle head. This reduces hair snagging, thereby improving user comfort and reducing the likelihood of damaging the user's hair.

[0007] As can be understood, depending on how the hair wraps around the bristles, this inward deformation can occur on one or both sides of the head. For example, the head can be "squeezed," causing the head to deform inward on both sides. Alternatively, if the hair strands are applied with force only to one side during use (e.g., pulled across one side of the head), one side of the head may deform inward while the other side may bulge outward.

[0008] In a similar manner, the inward deformability of the head of at least one bristle in the first aspect allows for a larger head (i.e., minimizes the likelihood of snagging). This can reduce (or eliminate) user discomfort when at least one bristle comes into contact with the user's scalp during use.

[0009] Another benefit of providing a head that can deform inwards is that it can deform to increase scalp comfort (i.e., rather than pressing into the user's scalp) when it comes into contact with the user's scalp. In other words, the tip / end of the head can deform to reduce the pressure applied to the user's scalp upon contact.

[0010] Therefore, in at least some embodiments of the device, inward deformation may occur on the sides of the head (e.g., to reduce the incidence of hooking) and / or at the ends / tips of the head (e.g., to minimize discomfort when in contact with the user's scalp).

[0011] The optional features of the first aspect will now be described. These can be applied individually or in any combination with any aspect.

[0012] It is understood that in some embodiments, each bristle may be as described with respect to at least one bristle in the first aspect. That is, each bristle may include a rod having a proximal end attached to the bed and an opposing distal end; and a head disposed at the distal end of the rod. Similarly, the head of each bristle may include a hole extending through the head to allow the head to deform inward.

[0013] For the sake of brevity, optional features are described below with respect to a single bristle (i.e., at least one bristle). However, it should be understood that each bristle of the hair device may be as described below (i.e., may include one or more optional features described below).

[0014] The rod can extend along the longitudinal axis. The rod can be slender in the direction along the longitudinal axis.

[0015] The stiffness of the head in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis can be less than its stiffness in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The head of a bristle can have less stiffness in the direction perpendicular to the extension of the bristle shaft. For the avoidance of ambiguity, stiffness (as referred to herein) is the head's ability to resist deformation in response to the application of a given force. Therefore, for a given force, the head may deform more easily when applied in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis than when applied in the direction along the longitudinal axis.

[0016] Therefore, by providing lower stiffness in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the head can be more easily deformed in that direction. This arrangement may be particularly useful for heads that allow hair strands to pass over each bristle (i.e., by allowing the head to narrow when force is applied by hair strands that pass over the head).

[0017] The hole can be elongated. In some cases, providing an elongated hole can facilitate inward deformation of the head in a direction perpendicular to the elongation direction of the hole. The hole can be elongated along the longitudinal axis (i.e., the longitudinal axis of the rod as described above). This can facilitate inward deformation of the head in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0018] In other embodiments, the hole may be elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (i.e., the lateral direction). It is understood that a head with such a hole can more easily deform in the direction along the longitudinal axis (but will still deform in the lateral direction). For example, the head may easily deform when in contact with the user's scalp (this can provide scalp comfort while also deforming in the lateral direction to reduce snagging).

[0019] The hole can be oblong (e.g., the shape of a running track / stadium). Alternatively, the hole can be circular, triangular, rectangular, hexagonal, rhomboid, etc.

[0020] The head may include a proximal end adjacent to the bar and an opposite distal end. The distal end may be the free end of the bristles.

[0021] The width of the hole at the distal end may be greater than the width of the hole at the proximal end. To avoid ambiguity, unless otherwise stated, the width referred to herein is obtained in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (e.g., perpendicular to the extension direction of the rod).

[0022] The aperture can taper gradually from the distal end to the proximal end of the head. Therefore, the width of the aperture can decrease (e.g., gradually) from the distal end to the proximal end of the head.

[0023] The head may include a ring extending around the hole (e.g., extending completely around the hole). Therefore, the ring may at least partially (e.g., completely) define the hole. The ring may have a shape conforming to the hole. The ring may have a shape such as a circle, triangle, rectangle, hexagon, rhombus, etc. (i.e., it may extend along a path).

[0024] In the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (i.e., the longitudinal axis of the rod as described above), the stiffness of the head can be less than that of the rod. Therefore, for example, when a force is applied to the bristles (e.g., to the head) in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the head can bend more easily than the rod. This can further facilitate movement of the hair bundle at the tip of each bristle.

[0025] The width of the head can be greater than the width of the distal end of the handle. Therefore, the head can be enlarged relative to the handle. The connection between the head and the handle (i.e., at the distal end of the handle) can form the neck of the bristles (i.e., the narrowing area of ​​the bristles).

[0026] The head (e.g., the width of the head) may taper from the distal end of the head to the proximal end. Therefore, the head may be wider at the distal end of the head than at the proximal end.

[0027] A rod (e.g., the width of the rod) can taper gradually from the proximal end to the distal end. Therefore, a rod can be wider at the proximal end than at the distal end. The width of the rod can also gradually decrease from the proximal end to the distal end.

[0028] The head can be flat. That is, the head can have a thickness significantly smaller than its width and length. The length of the head can be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod, and (as described above) the width can be obtained in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0029] The head can have a substantially uniform thickness. The bristles can have a substantially uniform thickness (of course, in other variations, the bristles and / or head can have an uneven thickness).

[0030] The head may be flat in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis (i.e., the longitudinal axis of the rod). The hole may extend between opposing planes (e.g., main faces) of the head. The hole may extend through the head in the thickness direction.

[0031] The thickness of the head plane can be between 0.5 mm and 3.0 mm, or for example between 1.0 mm and 2 mm, or for example between 1.0 mm and 1.6 mm.

[0032] A hole can have an equivalent diameter between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm, or for example between 2.0 mm and 3.0 mm. For the avoidance of doubt, the equivalent diameter is the diameter of a nominal circle having the same cross-sectional area as the hole.

[0033] The head may have a wall extending around the hole (e.g., a ring). The wall may have a thickness of no more than 1.2 mm, or for example, 1.0 mm. The thickness may be no less than, for example, 0.4 mm, or for example, 0.6 mm. The thickness may be about 0.8 mm. Such a thickness ensures that the wall can deform in response to the looped hair bundle.

[0034] The head may have a width between 2.5 mm and 3.5 mm, or for example between 2.7 mm and 3.2 mm, or for example about 2.9 mm. Such a width increases the surface area in contact with the user's scalp, thereby helping to minimize discomfort during use.

[0035] The head may have a height, for example, between 3.5 mm and 6.0 mm, or between 4.0 mm and 5.5 mm.

[0036] The end of the head furthest from the handle (i.e., the distal end of the head) may have a radius of curvature between 1.0 mm and 3.0 mm, or for example between 1.0 mm and 2.0 mm, or for example about 1.5 mm. This curvature minimizes user discomfort when the bristles come into contact with the user's scalp.

[0037] The bristles may include, for example, nylon, polyamide, polypropylene and / or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

[0038] The handle and head can be formed integrally. Therefore, the bristles can be a single piece. In some embodiments, the bristles can be part of a bristle assembly (which can be a single piece) that includes, for example, multiple bristles (e.g., a row of bristles).

[0039] The head may include more than one hole. For example, the head may include two, three, or four holes extending through it. In one example, the head may include a first hole extending through the head in a first direction and a second hole extending through the head in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction (both the first and second directions may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis).

[0040] The hair-making device may include an elongated handle extending along a handle axis. At least one bristle may be oriented such that the head of at least one bristle (e.g., when flat) is substantially perpendicular to the handle axis. Thus, the head (i.e., the width of the head) may be oriented substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the bristles during normal use (e.g., along a hair strand). An aperture may extend through the head in a direction parallel to the handle axis. The head may more easily collapse inward in a direction perpendicular to the aperture, and therefore collapse in the same direction as the direction of movement.

[0041] The hair device can be a hairbrush. The hair device can also be an accessory for hair care appliances (e.g., hair dryers). Therefore, for example, the hair device can include a mounting portion for releasable attachment to a hair care appliance.

[0042] In a second aspect, a hair device is provided, comprising a bed and a plurality of bristles attached to the bed, wherein at least one of the bristles comprises: a shaft having a proximal end attached to the bed and an opposing distal end, and a head disposed at the distal end of the shaft, the head including a hole extending through the head to allow the head to deform inward; wherein a membrane extends across the hole to at least partially cover the hole.

[0043] The hair device of the second aspect may include one or more optional features described above with respect to the first aspect.

[0044] In a third aspect, a brush bristle is disclosed, comprising: a rod having a proximal end and an opposing distal end configured to be connected to a bristle bed, and a head disposed at the distal end of the rod, the head including a hole extending through the head to allow the head to deform inward.

[0045] The bristles of the third aspect may be as otherwise described in the first aspect. Thus, for example, the bristles may include one or more optional features of the bristles of the first aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0046] Figure 1A and 1B These are the top and front views of the hairbrush, respectively.

[0047] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A and 1B A perspective view of the bristles of a hairbrush;

[0048] Figure 3A and 3B It is shown Figure 2 A diagram illustrating the use of brush bristles with hair strands looped around the bristles;

[0049] Figure 4A and Figure 4B They are Figure 2 Front view and sectional view of the first variant of the brush bristles; and

[0050] Figure 5A and 5B They are Figure 2 Front view and sectional view of the second variant of the brush bristles. Detailed Implementation

[0051] Figure 1A and 1BA hair device 10 in the form of a hairbrush is shown, which includes a bed 11 and a plurality of bristles 12 attached to the bed 11 (the bristles 12 protrude outward from the bed 11). The bed 11 forms part of a brush head 13 of the hair device 10, and an elongated handle 14 extends from the brush head 13 (along a handle axis 29) to allow the user to hold the hair device 10 during use.

[0052] The bristles 12 of the hair device 10 are identical to each other. Figure 2 The diagram shows a brush 12 in detail (it should be understood that the brush 12 represents each bristle of the hair device 10).

[0053] The bristles 12 include a rod 15, which extends along the longitudinal axis 26 from the proximal end 16 (according to...). Figure 1B The bristles 12 extend from the bed 11 to the opposite distal end 17. The bristles 12 also include a head 18 disposed at the distal end 17 of the rod 15. The rod 15 and the head 18 are integrally formed such that the bristles 12 are a single piece.

[0054] As from Figure 2 As can be easily seen, the bristles 12 are flat (i.e., have a flat shape) in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 26 of the rod 15. Therefore, the bristles 12 comprise two (substantially planar) opposing main surfaces 25 (a front surface and a rear surface as shown), spaced apart from each other and substantially parallel. Specifically, the main surfaces 25 (i.e., the main faces) are spaced apart in the direction of the thickness dimension T of the bristles 12. The flat shape of the bristles 12 means that the thickness T of the bristles 12 is significantly smaller than the length (parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod 15) and width (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis) of the bristles 12. In this case, for example, the thickness of the bristle head is approximately 1 mm, the width of the head is approximately 5 mm, and the length of the bristle is approximately 18 mm.

[0055] The rod 15 is slender along the longitudinal axis 26 and tapers gradually from its proximal end 16 to its distal end 17. Therefore, the rod 15 is wider at its proximal end 16 than at its distal end 17.

[0056] The head 18 tapers gradually toward the distal end 17 of the bar 15. Therefore, the distal end 22 of the head 18 is wider than the proximal end 23 of the head 18 (where the head 18 connects to the distal end 17 of the bar 15). This means that each of the bar 15 and the head 18 of the bristles 12 is narrower where they meet, in order to form the neck 24 of the bristles 12.

[0057] The additional width at the distal end 22 of the head 18 provides greater comfort for the user. To further enhance comfort, the distal end 22 of the head 22 has a curved shape.

[0058] The head 18 includes a hole 19 that extends through (i.e., completely through) the head 18 in the thickness T direction (from one main surface 25 to another main surface 25). As will be explained further below, the hole 19 allows the head 18 to deform inward. The hole 19 is primarily defined by a ring 21 extending around the hole 19. The opposite end of the ring 21 is connected to the distal end 17 of the rod 15, such that the hole 19 is completely surrounded by the head 18.

[0059] The hole 19 is elongated along the longitudinal axis of the rod 15. The hole 19 tapers gradually from the distal end 22 of the head 18 to the proximal end 23 of the head 18. Therefore, the hole 19 is wider toward the distal end 22 than toward the proximal end 23. Generally, the shape of the hole 19 substantially conforms to the shape of the head 18 (i.e., the shape of the outer periphery of the head 18).

[0060] Figure 3A and 3B The inward deformation of the head 18 facilitated by the hole 19 is shown. These figures show the bristles 12 in use, with the head bundle 20 looping around the bristles 12 (in this case, looping around the bristles 12 multiple times).

[0061] exist Figure 3A In the middle, the hair bundle 20 forms a loop around the shaft 15 of the bristles 12. When using a hair device that includes bristles (e.g., Figure 1A and 1B This is a common situation (especially for tangled hair) when the hair device 10 is shown.

[0062] exist Figure 3B In this configuration, the bristles 18 have been moved relative to the hair bundle 20 (e.g., by the user moving the hair along the hair bundle using the hair-moving device 10). This movement causes the hair bundle 20 to move along the bar 15 and onto the head 18 of the bristles 12. This movement can apply tension to the hair bundle 20 and, in some cases, can tighten the loop around the bristles 12. Understandably, in the absence of any device that deforms the head 18 of the bristles 12, this could cause the hair bundle 20 to become hooked onto the head 18, which could otherwise cause discomfort or even damage to the hair bundle 20.

[0063] However, as mentioned above, providing holes 19 in the bristles 12 means that the head 18 can deform inwards, such as Figure 3B As shown. That is to say, in Figure 3B In this process, the force applied to the head 18 by the hair bundle 20 has caused the head 18 to collapse inward toward the hole 19 in order to effectively reduce the width of the head 18. Reducing the width of the head 18 in this way makes it easier for the looped hair bundle 20 to pass over the head 18 (in order to be released from the bristles 12).

[0064] The head 18 is more flexible than the bar 15 (in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 26), which also helps to release the hair bundle 20 from the bristles 12. That is, the head 18 is less stiff than the bar 15 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 26 (in this case, in the direction parallel to the width dimension). The reduction in stiffness of the head 18 is achieved partly by providing the hole 19 and partly by providing the narrow neck 24 at the connection between the bar 15 and the head 18.

[0065] Therefore, as Figure 3B As shown, the head 18 bends relative to the barb 15 around the neck 24 of the bristles. In particular, the head 18 is capable of bending in the direction in which the hair bundle 20 is pulled (e.g., toward the user's scalp), which helps to release the hair bundle 20 from the bristles 12.

[0066] Back Figure 1A and 1B The bristles 12 are arranged on the bed 11 such that the head 18 of each bristle 12 is substantially perpendicular to the handle axis 29. That is, each bristle 12 is oriented such that the width of the bristle 12 is perpendicular to the handle axis 29 (each hole 19 extends through the corresponding head 18 in a direction parallel to the handle axis 29). It is understood that in normal use, the hair device 10 will typically move in a direction perpendicular to the handle axis 29 (e.g., along a hair strand). Similarly, due to the extending direction of the holes 19, the heads 18 of the bristles 12 are configured to deform inward and bend in a plane parallel to their width (and perpendicular to their thickness).

[0067] Therefore, the orientation of the bristles 12 makes the head 18 of the bristles 12 more easily deformable in the direction of movement of the hair device 10 during normal use. By orienting the bristles 12 in this way, they may be particularly well-suited to deform in response to looped hair strands passing through the head 18 of the bristles 12 during normal use.

[0068] Figure 4A and 4B Brush 12' is shown, which is a variation of the brush 12 described above. It should be understood that brush 12' can replace the brush 12 provided on the hair device 10.

[0069] The bristles 12' differ from those previously described in that they include four holes 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d formed in the head 18 of the bristles 12' (it should be understood that this can also be considered as two holes extending perpendicularly to each other and intersecting each other). The four holes 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d are evenly spaced around the head 18 and extend inward to engage at the central cavity 27. The head 18 of the bristles 12' does not include a single ring (as described in the previously described bristles 12), but rather four spaced posts 28 arranged in a square pattern to form the holes 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d (the central cavity 27 is formed between the posts 28).

[0070] As in the previously described example, the head 18 is able to deform inward due to the provision of holes 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d. In this case, such inward deformation can occur in more than one plane, which may be beneficial for releasing hair strands looped around the bristles 12'.

[0071] Figure 5A and 5B The illustration shows another variation of the bristles 12". In this case, the head 18 of the bristles 12" includes three holes 19a, 19b, 19c spaced apart around the head 18 (to connect with...). Figure 4A and 4B (Similar to the method shown). Holes 19a, 19b, and 19c extend inward into the head 18 and engage at the central cavity 27. In this case, holes 19a, 19b, and 19c are formed by three spaced-apart pillars 28 (i.e., arranged in a triangular pattern) surrounding the central cavity 27.

[0072] Features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, are expressed in their particular form or according to means for performing the disclosed functions, or methods or processes for obtaining the disclosed results. Appropriately, these features may be used alone or in any combination thereof to implement the invention in its various forms.

[0073] While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon presentation of this disclosure. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A hair device comprising a bed and a plurality of bristles attached to the bed, wherein at least one of the bristles comprises: A rod, the rod having a proximal end attached to the bed and an opposite distal end, and A head, disposed at the distal end of the rod, the head including a hole extending through the head to allow the head to deform inward.

2. The hair device according to claim 1, wherein, The rod extends along a longitudinal axis, and the head has less stiffness in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis than in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.

3. The hair device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The hole is elongated, and optionally, the rod extends along a longitudinal axis, and the hole is elongated along the longitudinal axis, or the hole is elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

4. The hair device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The head includes a proximal end near the rod and an opposite distal end, wherein the width of the hole at the distal end is greater than the width of the hole at the proximal end, and wherein optionally, the hole gradually tapers in the direction from the distal end to the proximal end of the head.

5. The hair device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The head includes a ring extending around the hole.

6. The hair device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The rod extends along a longitudinal axis, and the head has less stiffness in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis than the rod.

7. The hair device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The width of the head is greater than the width of the distal end of the rod.

8. The hair device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The rod tapers gradually from its proximal end to its distal end.

9. The hair device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The head is flat, and optionally, the rod extends along a longitudinal axis, and the head is flat in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis.

10. The hair device according to claim 9, wherein, The hole extends between the planes of the head.

11. The hair device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein, The thickness of the head plane is between 0.5 mm and 3.0 mm.

12. The hair device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The equivalent diameter of the hole is between 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm.

13. The hair device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The head has a wall extending around the hole, and the thickness of the wall is not greater than 1.2 mm and / or not less than 0.4 mm.

14. The hair device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The width of the head is between 2.5 mm and 3.5 mm and / or the height is between 4.0 mm and 6.0 mm.

15. The hair device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The end of the head furthest from the rod has a radius of curvature between 1.0 mm and 3.0 mm.

16. The hair device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The hair device includes an elongated handle extending along the handle axis, the head of the at least one bristle is flat, and the at least one bristle is oriented such that the head of the at least one bristle is substantially perpendicular to the handle axis.

17. The hair device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The hole is a first hole, and the head includes a second hole that extends through the head in a different direction than the first hole.

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