Hair curler

Abstract

A hair curler includes a tubular heating cylinder with a tubular sleeve surrounding it. The sleeve has a hair entry slit for receiving hair to be wrapped around the tubular heating cylinder. A liquid delivery system is provided for delivering liquid to the hair by guiding liquid into the slit. This provides an efficient way to apply liquid to hair to be curled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to hair curlers, and particularly to a hair curler in which hair is wrapped around a heating cylinder and liquid is applied to the hair as part of the curling process. Background Technology

[0002] A hair curler is a handheld electronic device used to curl hair.

[0003] Dry heat or steam can be used to curl hair. This invention particularly relates to a curling device that uses dry heat.

[0004] The main components of this type of hair curler are a handle, a heating element, and a sleeve surrounding the heating element to form a hair-receiving space. The heating element is in the form of a heating cylinder, which is generally cylindrical in shape. The heating cylinder is, for example, a tourmaline ceramic panel. In use, hair is wrapped around the heating cylinder and then heated to form curls. Different sections of the hair are processed sequentially to create the desired style.

[0005] It is known that this type of curler provides a water reservoir and a spray system for spraying water into the hair receiving space. Cold water can be used to prevent scalding, and the spray function can also be used to apply topical treatments to the hair during curling.

[0006] The desired effect is to provide a uniform spray to the hair, but this cannot be achieved when the spray is applied to a location within the hair receiving space. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention is defined by the claims.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a hair curler is provided, comprising:

[0009] A tubular heating cylinder around which hair will be wrapped to curl;

[0010] A tubular sleeve surrounding a heating cylinder, wherein the tubular sleeve has a longitudinal entry slit that opens at a distal end of the tubular sleeve for receiving hair to be wrapped around the tubular heating cylinder; and

[0011] A liquid delivery system for delivering liquid to hair, wherein the liquid delivery system includes a nozzle device configured to guide the liquid into a slit.

[0012] This hair curler has a liquid delivery system for spraying hair as it enters the chamber between the heating cylinder and the sleeve through an inlet slit. In this way, liquid can be applied evenly to the hair as it enters the hair curler.

[0013] The nozzle device is configured, for example, to guide liquid across the lateral width of the slit. Thus, a mist curtain can be formed, through which hair passes as it enters the hair curler.

[0014] The slit, for example, has a U-shape with transverse arms and a base, and the nozzle assembly is arranged along one or both arms of the U-shape and faces one or more opposing arms of the U-shape.

[0015] The hair curler may also include sensors for detecting hair and a controller configured to control the liquid delivery system based on the results of sensor detection. In this way, the liquid delivery system can operate automatically when hair is present and stop when hair is absent.

[0016] Sensors, for example, include optical sensors. These can be guided across the slit to detect when a hair is present in the slit.

[0017] The nozzle device is also configured, for example, to deliver liquid into the space between the tubular heating cylinder and the tubular sleeve. The liquid delivery can then be used to apply a topical conditioning agent for hair protection at the entry slit, and to apply chemicals for styling / curing assistance inside the curler.

[0018] Liquid delivery systems may include, for example, a first spray system for hair in a slit and a second spray system for hair in the space between a tubular heating cylinder and a tubular sleeve. Therefore, different compounds can be used for different purposes.

[0019] A liquid delivery system may include one or more pumps. Alternatively or additionally, a liquid delivery system may include one or more atomizers.

[0020] Hair curlers may include, for example, a wrapper for wrapping hair around a heating cylinder. The hair curler may include a controller configured to control a liquid delivery system based on actuation of the wrapper. Therefore, liquid is applied only while hair is being wound into the device.

[0021] Liquids can also be applied after curling, such as as a setting spray. Therefore, liquids can be applied before curling (at least for heat protection), during curling, and / or after curling (for setting or adding shine). Attached Figure Description

[0022] To better understand the invention and to more clearly illustrate how to practice it, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings by way of example only, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 An example of a hair curler of the type to which the present invention can be applied is shown;

[0024] Figure 2 An example of a hair curler according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] It should be understood that while the detailed description and specific examples indicate exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method, they are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, system, and method of the present invention will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0027] This invention provides a hair curler having a tubular heating cylinder and a tubular sleeve surrounding the heating cylinder. The sleeve has a hair entry slit for receiving hair to be wound onto the tubular heating cylinder. A liquid delivery system is provided for delivering liquid to the hair by guiding liquid into the slit. This provides an efficient way to apply liquid to hair to be curled.

[0028] Figure 1 An example of a hair curler 10 to which the present invention can be applied is shown.

[0029] The hair curler 10 includes a body 12 having a handle 14 and a hair curler head 16. The hair curler head includes a central cylindrical heating cylinder 18, and a sleeve 20 extending around the heating cylinder 18. The sleeve 20 has a transverse opening 22 into which hair can be received. The transverse opening is in the form of a longitudinally extending slit, which opens at the distal end of the tubular sleeve (i.e., the end opposite the handle).

[0030] The hair received is wrapped around the heating cylinder 18 by an encircler 24, which is, for example, a rotatable element in the form of a blade. The encircler 24 is driven to rotate around the heating cylinder, wrapping the hair around it. There can be a single encircler, or there can be multiple encirclers, for example, two encirclers spaced 180 degrees apart around the heating cylinder. The hair between the heating cylinder 18 and the shroud 20 is heated in a curled state.

[0031] The heating cylinder includes an internal heater (not shown) for heating the outer surface of the cylinder, which will come into contact with the hair wrapped around the cylinder.

[0032] The hair curler has a controller 30 to control the temperature of the heater, which can evenly distribute heat, circulate the heating process, improve the protein structure of the hair to create curls, and protect the hair during the curling process.

[0033] This invention relates to a system for applying liquid to hair during the curling process.

[0034] Liquid topical conditioning agents can be used to protect hair from the effects of applied heat.

[0035] Heat protection products are well-known, for example, for protecting hair from the heat of a hair dryer. Heat protection liquids, for example, use silicone for heat protection. They often also include conditioning agents, such as proteins and amino acids that help nourish and strengthen hair. Hair oils or serums can also be applied to nourish and / or moisturize hair. These can also be silicone-based and include oils (e.g., argan oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil) and / or vitamins.

[0036] Liquids can also be used to aid in setting inside curling irons. Setting liquids typically include polymers that form a film on the hair and contain alcohol to aid drying. Conditioners and / or oils and / or serums can also be applied along with setting products after styling.

[0037] Figure 2 The configuration of the hair curler head is illustrated schematically. The main functional components of the hair curler are shown. It should be understood that some of these components will be housed in the handle in practice.

[0038] Figure 2 The motor 32 and heater 34 described above for driving the surround 24 are shown.

[0039] In addition, there is a liquid delivery system for delivering liquid to the hair. The liquid delivery system includes a liquid tank 40 and a propulsion unit 42. The propulsion unit 42 may include, for example, a pump, or may include a vibrating atomizer.

[0040] In either case, liquid is dispensed from nozzle device 44. Nozzle device 44 is configured to guide liquid into slit 22. In this way, hair is processed as it enters the space between heating cylinder 18 and sleeve 20. In this way, liquid is applied evenly to the hair as it is fed into the hair curler.

[0041] The nozzle device preferably guides the outlet flow across the slit as a curtain, such that the general direction of the nozzle is in the same plane as the slit.

[0042] The slit has a U-shape (which is designed to include non-parallel sides, i.e., a V-shape), such that the shape has opposing arms and a connected base. Figure 2A nozzle assembly is shown, positioned along one arm of a U-shape and facing the opposite arm of the U. The nozzle can be guided slightly towards the center, so that liquid not in contact with the hair preferentially enters the space between the heating cylinder and the sleeve, rather than being discharged into the surrounding atmosphere.

[0043] Instead, nozzles can be provided at both arms to allow liquid to be applied from opposite sides. Alternatively or additionally, nozzles can be provided at the base of the connection.

[0044] Figure 2 Sensors for detecting hair are also shown. These sensors are, for example, optical sensors with a light source 50 and a light detector 52, which detect when the light path is interrupted by present hair. Therefore, a gaze sensor can be used. Optical sensors can alternatively include image sensors, such as those for color sensing. Other options include thermal sensors, distance sensors, or infrared sensors. A torque sensor can be used to detect load on the curler, or a pressure sensor (e.g., a pressure switch or contact-sensitive switch) can detect when hair is wrapped around the heating element. Another option is to provide image sensing from a remote device (such as a connected smartphone) and perform image processing (embedded or cloud-based) to detect when hair is loaded into the hair curler. This type of image processing can use AI and / or augmented reality.

[0045] In this way, the controller 30 can control the delivery of liquid, that is, control the propulsion unit 42, so that liquid is delivered only when hair is present. As shown, the controller 30 controls the motor 32, the heater 34, the propulsion system 42 and operates the sensors 50, 52 (i.e., receives the sensing results).

[0046] The controller can also control the delivery of liquid only when the user actuates the surround 24. This is when the hair is being drawn into the device, and therefore when the hair is moving through the slit.

[0047] Figure 2 A nozzle assembly for delivering liquid into a slit is shown. This can be a main (first) spray system, and the nozzle assembly can have additional nozzles for applying liquid to the hair in the space between the tubular heating cylinder and the tubular sleeve. These additional nozzles can be considered as part of a second spray system. The same liquid from a single liquid tank can supply all nozzles of the nozzle assembly for this purpose. However, separate liquid tanks can exist, each with associated nozzles of the overall nozzle assembly, so that different liquids can be applied to different locations for different purposes, such as hair heating protection and hair styling.

[0048] When multiple spray systems exist, they can use the same type of propulsion system (pump or atomizer), or they can have a combination of different types of propulsion systems.

[0049] Using different nozzle devices, the liquid can be applied before curling, for example, at least for heat protection, but it can also be applied during curling (e.g., for hair nourishing and / or moisturizing and / or conditioning) and / or after curling (again for hair nourishing and / or moisturizing and / or conditioning).

[0050] Based on a study of the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments in practicing the claimed invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality.

[0051] Functions implemented by a processor or controller can be implemented by a single processor or multiple individual processing units, which can be collectively considered as constituting a "processor". These processing units can, in some cases, be geographically separated and communicate with each other via wired or wireless means.

[0052] The fact that certain measures are referenced only in mutually distinct dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used advantageously.

[0053] If the term "suitable" is used in the claims or description, it should be noted that the term "suitable" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured as". If the term "apparatus" is used in the claims or description, it should be noted that the term "apparatus" is intended to be equivalent to the term "system", and vice versa.

[0054] No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A hair curler (10), comprising: A tubular heating cylinder (18) around which the hair will be wrapped to curl; A tubular sleeve (20) surrounding the heating cylinder (18), wherein the sleeve has a longitudinal entry slit (22) that is open at the distal end (20a) of the tubular sleeve (20) for receiving hair to be wrapped around the tubular heating cylinder (18); as well as A liquid delivery system (40, 42, 44) for delivering liquid to the hair, the liquid delivery system including a nozzle device (44) configured to guide liquid into the slit. The curler (10) is characterized in that it further includes sensors (50, 52) for detecting hair and a controller configured to control the liquid delivery system based on the results detected by the sensors.

2. The hair curler according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle device (44) is configured to guide liquid across the lateral width of the slit (22).

3. The hair curler according to claim 2, wherein the slit has a U-shape or a V-shape, and the nozzle device (44) is disposed along one or both arms of the U-shape or V-shape and faces one or more opposing arms.

4. The hair curler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensor (50, 52) comprises an optical sensor.

5. The hair curler according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the nozzle device (44) is further configured to deliver liquid into the space between the tubular heating cylinder and the tubular sleeve.

6. The hair curler of claim 5, wherein the liquid delivery system comprises a first spray system for hair in the slit and a second spray system for hair in the space between the tubular heating cylinder and the tubular sleeve.

7. The hair curler according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the liquid delivery system comprises one or more pumps.

8. The hair curler according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the liquid delivery system comprises one or more atomizers.

9. The hair curler according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a wrapper (24) for wrapping hair around the heating cylinder.

10. The hair curler of claim 9, further comprising a controller (30) configured to control the liquid delivery system in response to actuation of the wrapper.

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