Heated hair comb attachment

Abstract

A wide tooth comb for straightening curly or coily hair is provided. In one embodiment, the comb includes a housing with a proximal end configured to attach to a hair dryer. The housing further includes a distal end and a primary passageway extending through the housing between the proximal and distal ends. The comb further includes a faceplate extending across the distal end of the housing having a plurality of openings formed therein and configured to receive heated air flowing through the primary passageway. The comb further includes a plurality of tines extending distally from the faceplate and spaced apart from one another. Additionally, the comb includes a heating element operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of tines and configured to heat the at least one of the plurality of tines.

Description

HEATED HAIR COMB ATTACHMENTCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 578,684, entitled “HEATED WIDE TOOTH COMB,” filed August 23, 2023 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 599,810, entitled “HEATED HAIR COMB ATTACHMENT,” filed November 16, 2023. The entire contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein in their entireties.FIELD

[0002] Wide tooth combs for use with hair dryers are provided having actively heated tines.BACKGROUND

[0003] Generally, curly and coily hair can be difficult to straighten. The teeth of traditional wide tooth combs are not capable of straightening strands of hair for more than a moment, even when combined with airflow from a hair dryer.SUMMARY

[0004] Hairstyling combs for use with hair dryers are provided having actively heated tines.

[0005] In one embodiment, a comb is provided and includes a housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and a primary passageway extending there through between the proximal and distal ends, with the proximal end being configured to attach to a hair dryer. The comb can further include a faceplate extending across the distal end of the housing with a plurality of openings formed therein and configured to receive heated air flowing through the primary passageway. The comb can additionally include a plurality of tines extending distally from the faceplate and spaced apart from one another. Moreover, the comb can include a heating element operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of tines and configured to heat at least one of the plurality of tines.

[0006] The comb can have various configurations. In some aspects, the housing can include a secondary passageway configured to receive an entrained airflow from air exterior to the housing. In certain embodiments, the secondary passageway can extend between at least one opening formed in the housing and the distal end of the housing. The at least one opening can be, for example, an elongate slot formed in a sidewall of the housing. Further, theplurality of openings in the faceplate can include a first plurality of openings configured to receive heated air from the primary passageway and a second plurality of openings configured to receive exterior air from the secondary passageway. In some aspects, the second plurality of openings can extend along a row positioned adjacent to the at least one of the plurality of tines operably coupled to the heating element, and the first plurality of openings can be positioned relative to the second plurality of openings such that heated air flowing from the first plurality of openings is configured to draw exterior air through the secondary passageway and out of the second plurality of openings.

[0007] In other embodiments, the comb can include a tine guard disposed around the at least one of the plurality of tines that is operably coupled to the heating element.

[0008] The plurality of tines can also have various configurations, and in one embodiment can include a first plurality of tines and a second plurality of tines, and the heating element can be operably coupled to the second plurality of tines and not the first plurality of tines. In one aspect, each tine of the second plurality of tines can be directly heated by the heating element. In other aspects, the second plurality of tines can include a first subset of tines and a second subset of tines, and the heating element can be operably coupled to the first subset of tines and the second subset of tines so that each tine of the first subset can be directly heated by the heating element and each tine of the second subset can be indirectly heated by the heating element. Further, the first subset of tines can extend through openings formed between each tine of the second subset of tines.

[0009] In another embodiment, a hair straightening system is provided and includes a hair dryer having an air inlet, an air outlet, a fan for drawing air into the inlet and expelling air through the outlet, and a heater for heating the air. The hair straightening system can further include a comb configured to be removably coupled to the hair dryer such that the heated air flowing from the outlet flows through a primary passageway in the comb and is expelled from a distal end of the comb. Additionally, the comb can include a plurality of tines protruding from the distal end of the comb such that the heated air flows between the tines. The comb can further include a heating element configured to electrically couple to the hair dryer and heat at least one of the plurality of tines.

[0010] In some embodiments, the comb can include a secondary passageway extending there through and separated from the primary passageway. The secondary passageway can have an outlet positioned adjacent to an outlet of the primary passageway such that heatedair flowing through the primary passageway outlet draws exterior air through the secondary passageway and the secondary passageway outlet.

[0011] In other embodiments, the plurality of tines can include a first plurality of tines and a second plurality of tines, and the heating element can be operably coupled to the second plurality of tines and not the first plurality of tines. In one aspect, each tine of the second plurality of tines can be directly heated by the heating element. In other aspects, the second plurality of tines can include a first subset of tines and a second subset of tines, and the heating element can be operably coupled to the first subset of tines and the second subset of tines so that each tine of the first subset can be directly heated by the heating element and each tine of the second subset can be indirectly heated by the heating element. Further, the first subset of tines can extend through openings formed between each tine of the second subset of tines.

[0012] In other aspects, the hair straightening system can include a guard extending around the at least one of the plurality of tines operably coupled to the heating element.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] These and other features will be more readily understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 A is a top side perspective view of one embodiment of a wide tooth comb;

[0015] FIG. IB is a side view of the wide tooth comb of FIG. 1A;

[0016] FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional front view of the wide tooth comb of FIG. IB taken along the x-x line of FIG. IB;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a top view of the wide tooth comb of FIG. 1 A;

[0018] FIG. 3A is a top side perspective view of the wide tooth comb of FIG. 1A, with an outer housing removed;

[0019] FIG. 3B is a bottom side perspective view of the wide tooth comb of FIG. 1A, with an outer housing and a faceplate removed;

[0020] FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional side view of the wide tooth comb of FIG. 2 taken along the y-y line of FIG. 2;

[0021] FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of the wide tooth comb of FIG. 1A;

[0022] FIG. 4B is a side exploded perspective view of the wide tooth comb of FIG. 1 A showing a faceplate and tines separated from an outer housing;

[0023] FIG. 4C is a side exploded perspective view of the wide tooth comb of FIG. 1A showing a lip separated from a lip rest;

[0024] FIG. 5A is a side exploded perspective view of the second plurality of tines of the wide tooth comb of FIG. 1A;

[0025] FIG. 5B is a top side perspective view of the wide tooth comb of FIG. 1A;

[0026] FIG. 5C is a side perspective view of the second plurality of tines of the wide tooth comb of FIG. 1A formed as a single, integral plurality of tines;

[0027] FIG. 6A is a side exploded view of a heater assembly showing a heating element, wiring, and a connecting frame of the wide tooth comb of FIG. 1 A;

[0028] FIG. 6B is a top side perspective view of the heating element of FIG. 6A coupled to the second plurality of tines of FIG. 5 A;

[0029] FIG. 6C is a top side perspective view of a cover plate coupled to the heating element of FIG. 6B;

[0030] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of an attachment coupling of the wide tooth comb of FIG. 1A;

[0031] FIG. 8 A is a side view of one embodiment of a hair dryer configured to be used with the wide tooth comb of FIG. 1 A;

[0032] FIG. 8B is a side cross-sectional view of the hair dryer of FIG. 8 A taken along the z-z line of FIG. 8 A;

[0033] FIG. 8C is a side perspective view of a distal end of the hair dryer of FIG. 8A; and

[0034] FIG. 8D is a side exploded view of the hair dryer of FIG. 8 A attached to the wide tooth comb of FIG. 1A.

[0035] It is noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0037] As explained above, traditional wide tooth combs for use with hair dryers are incapable of straightening some curly hair with airflow alone. In order to address this issue, wide tooth combs with actively heated tines are provided to elongate and straighten strands of hair. By increasing the temperature of the hair and aligning strands into a straight position, the actively heated tines can help users with type 3 or 4 hair transform their curls or coils into smooth, straight lengths. Additionally, elongating and straightening the hair can help prepare the hair to be arranged in a protective style, such as braids or Iocs.

[0038] FIGS. 1 A-1C illustrate one embodiment of a wide tooth comb having actively heated tines for use with hair dryers. As shown, a wide tooth comb 100 is provided and generally includes an outer housing 200, an inner housing 300, a faceplate 400, a plurality of tines 500, a heating assembly 600, and an attachment coupling 700. The comb 100 is designed to be attached to a hair dryer (e.g., hair dryer 800 in FIG. 8D) and to receive a heated airflow HA from the hair dryer 800, as well as an entrained airflow EA from air exterior to the outer housing 200. For reference purposes only, the term “top” is used to refer to the surface of a sidewall 206a shown in FIG. IB, the term “bottom” is used to refer to the surface of a sidewall 260b opposite top, the term “proximal” is used to refer to the end having the attachment coupling 700, and the term “distal” is used to refer to the end having the plurality of tines 500.

[0039] In some embodiments, as the heated airflow HA flows through the inner housing 300 and out the faceplate 400, the heated airflow HA draws exterior air through the outer housing200 to produce the entrained airflow EA. As shown in FIG. 1C, to keep the heated airflow HA distinct from the entrained airflow EA inside the comb 100, a primary passageway 308 extends through the inner housing 300 and receives the heated airflow HA from the hair dryer 800, while a secondary passageway 212 is formed between the inner housing 300 and the outer housing 200 and provides a separate path through which the entrained airflow EA can travel. Once outside the faceplate 400, the heated airflow HA acts to draw the entrained airflow EA through the secondary passageway 212, and the airflows HA, EA combine to guide a user’s hair toward the plurality of tines 500 for further styling. In operation, at least one of the plurality of tines 500 can be heated by the heating assembly 600, thereby increasing the temperature of the hair so that the hair is elongated and straightened as the plurality of tines 500 comb through the strands.

[0040] The outer housing 200 of the comb 100 is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 1 A-1B and 2. As shown, the outer housing 200 can be formed from two shrouds that join together to define the outer housing 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer housing 200 includes first and second shrouds or sidewalls 206a, 206b which can be generally trapezoidal and can taper outward from a proximal end 202 of the outer housing 200 to a distal end 204 of the outer housing 200. The first and second sidewalls 206a, 206b can each be convex and can curve toward each other such that side edges 208a, 208b of the first and second sidewalls 206a, 206b are flush to mate with one another. The first and second sidewalls 206a, 206b can include openings 210a, 210b for the secondary passageway, discussed further below. The illustrated openings 210a, 210b are positioned toward the proximal end 202 and extend across a center of each sidewall 206a, 206b, transverse to a longitudinal axis 1-1 of the comb 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the openings 210a, 210b are formed as single elongate slots, but the shape can vary based on the configuration of the comb 100. For example, the openings 210a, 210b can alternatively be formed as multiple elongate slots positioned side-by-side horizontally. The entrained airflow EA enters the outer housing 200 through the openings 210a, 210b, then flows along the secondary passageway 212 before exiting the outer housing 200 through openings on the faceplate 400, discussed below in more detail.

[0041] The sidewalls 206a, 206b can also include fins 214a, 214b positioned adjacent to the distal end 204 and spaced apart from each other. The fins 214a, 214b can aid in straightening the hair as the comb 100 is moved downward along the hair. As illustrated, the fins 214a, 214b are shaped as elongate triangles, but the fins 214a, 214b can have any shape suitable to aid in hair straightening. It is to be understood, however, that inclusion of the fins 214a, 214b on thesidewalls 206a, 206b is optional, and the fins 214a, 214b can be omitted in some embodiments of the outer housing 200.

[0042] Turning to FIGS. 3A-3B, the inner housing 300 of the comb 100 is illustrated with the outer housing 200 removed. As shown, the inner housing 300 can generally include a hollow, trapezoidal outer shell having a proximal end 304 and a distal end 306. The proximal and distal ends 304, 306 can be open to reveal the primary passageway 308 through which the heated airflow HA travels. As further illustrated, the inner housing 300 can include a top mounting bracket 310 and bottom mounting brackets 311 to aid in coupling the inner housing 300 to the outer housing 200. As shown in FIG. 3C, mounting brackets 310, 311 can protrude from the inner housing 300, thereby creating a space between the first and second sidewalls 206a, 206b and the inner housing 300 to form the secondary passageway 212. The secondary passageway 212 originates just distal to the openings 210a, 210b and wraps around the circumference of the inner housing 300 before terminating with a row of openings 418 (see, e.g., FIG. 3C) and side openings 420a, 420b (see, e.g., FIG. 1 C) on the faceplate 400. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the heating assembly 600 is arranged within the inner housing 300, as discussed below in more detail.

[0043] As indicated above, the comb 100 can also include a faceplate 400 having the plurality of tines 500 extending therefrom. FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate the faceplate 400 and tines 500 of the comb 100 in more detail. As shown, the faceplate 400 can be configured to extend across the distal end 204 of the outer housing 200 to close off the open distal end 306 of the inner and outer housings 300, 200. The faceplate 400 can be shaped in various ways, but in the illustrated embodiment the faceplate 400 is generally planar with an oval-shaped perimeter to fit over the distal end 204.

[0044] The plurality of tines 500 can extend outward from the faceplate 400 and can include a first plurality of tines 402 extending along a first row and a second plurality of tines 502 extending along a second row adjacent to but spaced apart from the first set of tines 402. Each tine in each of the two rows of tines 402, 502 can be oriented at an angle T relative to the longitudinal axis 1-1 (see, e.g., FIG. IB) of the comb 100 and of the airflow through the comb 100. In the illustrated embodiment, an axis h-h (see, e.g., FIG. IB) that extends longitudinally along the plurality of tines 402 is 20-30 degrees offset from the longitudinal axis 1-1.

[0045] The first set of tines 402 can be passive (non-electrically heated) and can extend directly from the faceplate 400. As discussed in more detail below, the second plurality of tines 502 caninclude tine guards 404 extending directly from the faceplate 400 and heated spikes 514 extending through the faceplate 400 and into the tine guards 404. While FIG. 4B illustrates the first plurality of tines 402 and the tine guards 404 as being monolithic or integral with the faceplate 400, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that they can be formed separate from the faceplate 400 and mated to the faceplate 400 in various manners.

[0046] Each of the first plurality of tines 402 has an elongated spiked configuration and the tines can be spaced a distance apart from one another to allow hair to be passed therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the first plurality of tines 402 alternate in length (see, e.g., FIG.3 A), but the tines 402 can be uniform in length or can have varying lengths. In operation, the heated airflow HA and the entrained airflow EA flow between the first plurality of tines 402, which separates a user’s hair into sections to be straightened.

[0047] As indicated above, the faceplate 400 can include tine guards 404 extending distally from the faceplate 400 and spaced apart from the first plurality of tines 402. The tine guards 404 can form part of the second plurality of tines 502. Each tine guard 404 can have various shapes and sizes, but in the illustrated embodiment each tine guard 404 is generally elongated and arch-shaped to extend around the heated spikes 514, discussed further below. Similar to the first plurality of tines 402, the tine guards 404 can extend in a row and can be spaced apart from each other to allow hair to pass there between. In operation the tine guards 404 protect a user’s fingers and scalp from coming into direct contact with the heated spikes 514. In an exemplary embodiment, the tine guards 404, and optionally the faceplate 400 and first plurality of tines 402, are formed from a heat-resistant material, such as a plastic. However, in other embodiments these components can be formed from a heat-conductive material such as a metallic material. In other aspects, the various components can be coated with various materials having properties to aid in use of the comb 100 and / or to prevent wear on the comb 100 such as metal or ceramic coating, a tourmaline coating, or the like.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4A, the faceplate 400 can also include openings for allowing airflow through the comb 100, and the openings can be grouped in rows extending side to side across the faceplate 400. Moving from top to bottom in the illustrated embodiment, a first row 412 has a plurality of openings above the tine guards 404 and adjacent to a top edge 413 of the faceplate 400, and a second row 414 includes a plurality of openings below the entire row of tine guards 404 and above the first plurality of tines 402. A third row 416 is formed from a plurality of openings below and adjacent to the entire row of the first plurality of tines, and a fourth row 418 has a plurality of openings that extends below the third row 416 and adjacent to a bottomedge 415 of the faceplate 400. As shown in FIG. 3C, the first row 412, second row 414, and third row 416 receive the heated airflow HA from the primary passageway 308, and the fourth row 418 receives the entrained airflow EA from the secondary passageway 212.

[0049] The entrained airflow EA can also exit through first and second side openings 420a, 420b (see, e.g., FIG. 1C), which extend perpendicularly to the second row 414 at opposite ends of the faceplate 400. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second side openings 420a, 420b are formed as elongate slots, but various shapes are within the considerations of this application. As discussed above, rows 412, 414, and 416 are positioned relative to the fourth row 418 and to the openings 420a, 420b such that when the heated airflow HA exits through the rows 412, 414, and 416, the heated airflow HA draws the entrained airflow EA through the secondary passageway 212 and out of the fourth row 418 and the openings 420a, 420b.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 4C, according to some embodiments, the faceplate 400 can also include a feature to facilitate gripping of the hair to aid in straightening. In the illustrated embodiment, the faceplate 400 includes a lip 422 that is seated in lip rest 424 formed in the faceplate 400. The illustrated lip 422 is in the form of an elongated body that extends parallel to and above the first row 412 and is angled away from the first row 412. The lip 422 can be formed from a flexible material, such as silicone, but a person skilled in the art will understand that other flexible materials can be used. In use, as a user’s hair glides through the first plurality of tines 402 and the second plurality of tines 502, the lip 422 can grip the hair and provide tension so that the hair may be further elongated and straightened. However, the lip 422 and lip rest 424 are optional and may be omitted from the comb 100.

[0051] As indicated above, the second plurality of tines 502 can include heated spikes 514 that are positioned within the tine guards 404. In operation, the heated spikes 514 can further increase the temperature of a user’s hair beyond the temperature the heated airflow HA achieves to make it easier to lengthen and straighten the hair. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, the heated spikes 514 can protrude distally from first and second platforms 508, 510 which are configured to be electrically heated via the heating assembly 600. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second platforms 508, 510 are elongate rectangles, but the platforms 508, 510 can have any shape suitable to support the spikes 514. As further illustrated, the first platform 508 can include through-holes 512 which are configured to receive screws 513 for coupling the first platform 508 to a cover plate 608, as discussed in more detail below with respect to FIG. 6C. As shown in FIG. 5A, the second plurality of tines 502 can include a first subset of tines 515 and a second subset of tines 517. The first platform 508 can be positionedwithin the inner housing 300 at the distal end 306, and can be in physical contact with a heating element 602 such that the heating element 602 directly heats the first subset of tines 515. In some embodiments, the second platform 510 can include evenly spaced openings 516. In operation, the spikes 514 of the first subset of tines 515 protrude through the openings 516 such that the second platform 510 sits on top of the first platform 508 and the spikes 514 of the first subset of tines 515 interlock with the spikes 514 of the second subset of tines 517. In the illustrated embodiment, the second platform 510 is not in direct physical contact with the heating assembly 600 (FIG. 6B), and as such the second subset of tines 517 is heated indirectly by heat transferred from the first subset of tines 515. However, in other embodiments, the first and second subsets of tines 515, 517 can be a single integral component, the entirety of which can be directly heated by the heating assembly 600. For example, FIG. 5C shows the second plurality of tines 502 formed as a single, integral plurality of tines 519 including a platform 521 from which elongate spikes 523 extend. The entire plurality of tines 519 can be directly heated by the heating assembly 600.

[0052] Turning to FIGS. 6A-6C, one embodiment of the heating assembly 600 of the comb 100 is illustrated. As shown, the heating assembly 600 generally includes a heating element 602, wiring 604, and a connecting frame 606. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating element 602 is an elongate rectangular plate and is positioned beneath the first platform 508. As discussed above, the heating element 602 directly heats the first platform 508, and in turn, the first platform 508 heats the second platform 510 and the spikes 514, however other configurations are possible.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, a flat cover plate 608 is positioned beneath the heating element 602 and is secured in place with the screws 513 (see, e.g., FIG. 6C). The cover plate 608 can act as a barrier between the heating element 602 and the inner housing 300. The wiring 604 can extend from the heating element 602 and from a casing 612 just below the cover plate 608, and can snake down the inner housing 300 (see, e.g., FIG. 3A) before attaching to the connecting frame 606. As shown in FIG. 6A, the illustrated connecting frame 606 is C-shaped and includes openings 614 to receive the wiring 604 and pins 710 of electrical connectors 708 of the attachment coupling 700. The connecting frame 606 is positioned atop the electrical connectors 708 such that the pins 710 protrude through the openings 614 to secure the connecting frame 606 to the electrical connectors 708 (see, e.g., FIG. 3 A).

[0054] In order to facilitate attachment of the comb 100 to a hair dryer (e.g., hair dryer 800 in FIG. 8D), and to allow electrical connection of the heating assembly 600 to the hair dryer 800for allowing the heating assembly 600 to be powered, the attaching coupling 700 of the comb can include features to facilitate such mounting and electrical connection. FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the attachment coupling 700 of the comb 100. As shown, the attachment coupling 700 is generally in the form of a hollow cylindrical outer wall 702 having a stepped region 704 that leads to a generally cylindrical inner wall 706. The electrical connectors 708 can be formed as hollow, cylindrical tubes that extend distally from the stepped region 704. Pins 710 can be positioned within the electrical connectors 708 to attach the electrical connectors 708 to the connecting frame 606, as discussed above. In use with the hair dryer 800, the electrical connectors 708 can convey power from the hair dryer 800 through the wiring 604 and to the heating element 602. Additionally, the cylindrical inner wall 706 can include securing regions 712 with openings (not shown) through which screws 716 can protrude to couple the attachment coupling 700 to the inner housing 300. However, other attachment mechanisms can be utilized. Further, in the illustrated embodiment the outer wall 702 includes notched portions 718 which pair with mating features 818 of the hair dryer 800 to couple the comb 100 to the hair dryer 800. Various other attachment techniques can be utilized. The delivery of electrical power from the hair dryer 800 to attachments such as the comb 100 is more fully described in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 480,017 filed on October 3, 2023 and titled “Identification of Hair Care Appliance Attachments.”

[0055] One embodiment of the hair dryer 800 is illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8D. As shown, the hair dryer 800 includes a handle 802 having an air inlet 804 at a proximal end 806, a body 808 having an air outlet 810 at a distal end 812, and a user interface (not shown) for controlling operation of the hair dryer 800. Turning to FIG. 8B, in some embodiments, a fan assembly 816 is positioned within the handle 802 distal to the air inlet 804 and a heater 814 is positioned within the body 808 adjacent to the air outlet 810 for heating air blown there through from the fan assembly 816. The hair dryer 800 can include mating features 818 (see, e.g., FIG. 8C) spaced circumferentially around the air outlet 810 for mating with the notched portions 718 to couple the comb 100 to the hair dryer 800. Again, various other mating techniques can be used.

[0056] In operation, when the comb 100 is coupled to the hair dryer 800, the fan assembly 816 draws exterior air through the air inlet 804 and enables the air to flow distally through the handle 802. The fan assembly 816 propels the air toward the body 808 where the heater 814 increases the temperature of the air to create the heated airflow HA. The fan assembly 816 then expels the air from the hair dryer 800 through the air outlet 810 and the air enters the inner housing 300 to flow along the primary passageway 308 toward the rows 412, 414, and 416. Theforce of the heated airflow HA exiting the faceplate 400 adjacent to row 418 and to the openings 420a, 420b draws air exterior to the comb 100 into the secondary passageway 212 to form the entrained airflow EA, as discussed above.

[0057] Certain exemplary implementations have been described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these implementations have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the systems, devices, and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary implementations and that the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary implementation may be combined with the features of other implementations. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Further, in the present disclosure, like-named components of the implementations generally have similar features, and thus within a particular implementation each feature of each like-named component is not necessarily fully elaborated upon.

[0058] Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and / or interchanged, such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise.

[0059] One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the invention based on the above-described implementations. Accordingly, the present application is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0060] The subject matter described herein can be embodied in systems, apparatus, methods, and / or articles depending on the desired configuration. The implementations set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all implementations consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to thedescribed subject matter. Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and / or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the implementations described above can be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and / or combinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosed above. In addition, the logic flows depicted in the accompanying figures and / or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other implementations may be within the scope of the following claims.

[0061] What is claimed is:

Claims

CLAIMS1. A comb, comprising: a housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and a primary passageway extending there through between the proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being configured to attach to a hair dryer; a faceplate extending across the distal end of the housing and having a plurality of openings formed therein and configured to receive heated air flowing through the primary passageway; a plurality of tines extending distally from the faceplate and spaced apart from one another; and a heating element operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of tines and configured to heat the at least one of the plurality of tines.

2. The comb of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tines comprises a first plurality of tines and a second plurality of tines, and wherein the heating element is operably coupled to the second plurality of tines and not the first plurality of tines.

3. The comb of claim 2, wherein each tine of the second plurality of tines is directly heated by the heating element.

4. The comb of claim 2, wherein the second plurality of tines includes a first subset of tines and a second subset of tines, each tine of the first subset being directly heated by the heating element, and each tine of the second subset being indirectly heated by the heating element.

5. The comb of claim 4, wherein the first subset of tines extends through openings formed between each tine of the second subset of tines.

6. The comb of claim 1, further comprising a tine guard disposed around the at least one of the plurality of tines that is operably coupled to the heating element.

7. The comb of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a secondary passageway configured to receive an entrained airflow from air exterior to the housing.

8. The comb of claim 7, wherein the secondary passageway extends between at least one opening formed in the housing and the distal end of the housing.

9. The comb of claim 8, wherein the at least one opening comprises an elongate slot formed in a sidewall of the housing.

10. The comb of claim 7, wherein the plurality of openings comprises a first plurality of openings configured to receive the heated air from the primary passageway and a second plurality of openings configured to receive exterior air from the secondary passageway.

11. The comb of claim 10, wherein the second plurality of openings extends along a row positioned adjacent to the at least one of the plurality of tines operably coupled to the heating element.

12. The comb of claim 10, wherein the first plurality of openings is positioned relative to the second plurality of openings such that the heated air flowing from the first plurality of openings is configured to draw exterior air through the secondary passageway and out of the second plurality of openings.

13. A hair straightening system, comprising: a hair dryer having an air inlet, an air outlet, a fan for drawing air into the air inlet and expelling air through the air outlet, and a heater for heating the air; and a comb configured to be removably coupled to the hair dryer such that heated air flowing from the air outlet flows through a primary passageway in the comb and is expelled from a distal end of the comb, the comb including a plurality of tines protruding therefrom such that the heated air flows between the plurality of tines, and the comb including a heating element configured to electrically couple to the hair dryer and configured to heat at least one of the plurality of tines.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the comb further comprises a secondary passageway extending there through and separated from the primary passageway, the secondary passageway having an outlet positioned adjacent to an outlet of the primary passageway such that the heated air flowing from the outlet of the primary passageway draws exterior air through the secondary passageway and through the outlet of the secondary passageway.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of tines comprises a first plurality of tines and a second plurality of tines, and wherein the heating element is operably coupled to the second plurality of tines and not the first plurality of tines.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein each tine of the second plurality of tines is directly heated by the heating element.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the second plurality of tines includes a first subset of tines and a second subset of tines, each tine of the first subset being directly heated by the heating element, and each tine of the second subset being indirectly heated by the heating element.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the first subset of tines extends through openings formed between each tine of the second subset of tines.

19. The system of claim 13, further comprising a guard extending around the at least one of the plurality of tines operably coupled to the heating element.

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