Hair styling appliance

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hair styling appliance (110), and more particularly to an appliance that can be used for drying and / or styling hair. This appliance is expected to be effective in partially straightening curly hair, or alternatively, in drying and smoothing straight hair. The present invention provides a hair styling appliance comprising a first panel (114) and a second panel (116), wherein the second panel is movable relative to the first panel. The panels are spaced apart by a non-zero distance (S) when closed together. The appliance comprises an electric motor, an impeller, an electric heating element, and an air flow path. The first panel has a first aperture in communication with the air flow path. The second panel has a second aperture in communication with an exhaust path. The first and second panels are wavy in order to increase the surface area of the panels and to increase the length of the hair path passing between the panels.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hair styling appliance, and more particularly to an appliance that can be used for drying and / or styling hair. The appliance is often expected to be effective in partially straightening curled hair, often referred to as "hair taming", as well as in drying and / or smoothing straight hair.

[0002] The appliance can also be used to dry hair without the intention of styling it, but the appliance typically acts to straighten and / or smooth the drying hair and can cause some styling, so the term "styling" is used throughout this specification.

[0003] For convenience, the following specification refers to hair styling by women, but this also applies to men, and it is particularly recognized that the present invention can also be used by men.

Background Art

[0004] It is desirable to dry wet hair, such as after washing. Hair dries naturally, but when drying naturally, hair styling cannot be controlled. Therefore, most women prefer to control the drying procedure by applying hot air to the hair using, for example, a hair dryer. Typically, since the hair is dried to some extent with a towel before using the hair dryer, the hair dryer is used to dry hair that is damp rather than wet. Hair styling can be controlled at least partially by brushing the hair being dried by the hair dryer.

[0005] Many hair dryers can be fitted with a nozzle that provides a concentrated airflow and a diffuser that provides a non-concentrated airflow when desired for a particular drying / styling operation.

[0006] In addition, it is also desirable to style the hair by adding waves or curls to naturally straight hair, or by straightening naturally wavy or curly hair. To style the hair in this way, it is necessary to modify some of the chemical bonds that give the hair its natural form. The chemical bonds can be modified either chemically with a perm solution or by applying heat and / or pressure.

[0007] Many women combine drying and styling procedures. For example, the heat generated from a hair dryer can also be used for styling such as curling the hair around a round brush while drying the hair. It is known to provide an improved brush that can be directly connected to a hair dryer and blow hot air from the core of the brush to the outside and apply it to the hair. For example, in U.S. Patent No. 2004 / 0129289, a motor, an impeller, and a heating element (i.e., components of a hair dryer) are arranged in the handle of a styling brush. In a further improvement example, the curling brush can be automatically rotated.

[0008] Many women style their hair using a hair straightener after drying the hair as described above or as the final stage of the drying procedure. A hair straightener is a specific form of a hair styling tool that uses a combination of heat, pressure, and tension on the hair. Hair straighteners were originally called "straight irons," which reflects the fact that they reproduce the action of ironing the hair, i.e., pressing the hair between a heated "iron" and a flat surface.

[0009] Most hair straighteners include a pair of arms hinged to each other, with each arm carrying a straightening panel that is electrically heated. Each arm has a handle portion that the user can grasp together. With the arms open, the user inserts the proximal or scalp-side end of the selected hair portion between the arms and then presses the arms together to compress the hair portion between the straightening panels. Then, the user moves the hair straightener away from the scalp to heat and compress the hair portion as it passes between the panels. The hair is styled by the heat and pressure applied to it by the panels. The hair portion remains hot as it leaves the panels, and tension is applied to the hair portion between the user's scalp and the panels and remains in a tensioned state as it cools. Due to the combined effect of heat and tension, the hair becomes straight.

[0010] Typically, to straighten the hair, the arms are oriented so that the straightening panels are substantially perpendicular to the scalp and the hair portion is pulled in a generally straight direction between the panels. However, the arms can also be oriented towards the scalp so that the hair is forced to bend as it leaves the panels. If tension is applied to the hair between the user's scalp and the panels and the hair is forced to bend around a relatively sharp edge as it first leaves the panels, waves or curls can be added to the hair portion.

[0011] German Patent No. 102006037647 discloses an improved hair straightener with an additional outer shell pair that can be rotated around the arms to define a bend through which the hair must pass as it leaves the panels.

[0012] It is understood that the heat and pressure applied by a hair straightener act to distort (flatten) the cross-sectional shape of the hair. Human hair has an outer cuticle with layers of flat, thin, overlapping cells or scales. Flattening the hair, especially the cuticle, improves the alignment of the overlapping scales and can increase the reflection from the hair, enhancing its shine. Many users believe that styling the hair in this way makes the hair look healthier due to the increased shine achieved by using a hair straightener.

[0013] A hair crimper is another type of hair styling tool. A hair crimper differs from a hair straightener in that it uses a corrugated panel. Also, unlike a hair straightener where the hair moves between the panels when the straight panels are pressed together, in a hair crimper, the hair is statically crimped between the crimping panels until the styling is set. Thus, the user crimps a portion of the hair section, then releases the panel and repositions it along the hair section, and then crimps another portion of the hair section, styling each part of the hair section in turn until the entire hair section is styled.

[0014] A hair waver that includes a jumbo wave has the same operating principle as a hair crimper, but has a waveform with a larger amplitude in order to form waves with a larger amplitude in the user's hair.

[0015] Therefore, a hair straightener and a hair crimper / waver share the feature of opposing heating panels and the operating principle of the user styling the hair by applying pressure to the hair between the heated panels. However, they differ in that in a hair straightener the hair is moved between the panels, while in a hair crimper / waver the hair is not moved between the panels.

[0016] Other hair styling appliances for curling hair are provided, for example, in WO 2009 / 077747, WO 2012 / 080751, and WO 2013 / 186547. WO 2015 / 132594 provides an appliance that can be used to curl or straighten hair.

[0017] It is understood that regular and repeated use of hair styling appliances, especially excessive styling of the hair, can damage the hair. Regular and repeated distortion of the hair caused by a hair straightener, for example, can cause long-term damage to the hair. Heating the hair to a high temperature and applying a large pressure, even when applied separately, can each cause long-term damage, and it is recognized that the potential for damage is increased when heat and pressure are applied together, such as in a hair straightener and a hair crimper / wave.

[0018] WO 2019 / 238961 provides a hair straightener that reduces the potential for damage by separating the heating operation and the pressing operation to some extent, and that makes it possible to reduce the time that a user's hair is subjected to the combined effect of heat and pressure.

[0019] A multi-functional hair styling appliance using hot air is disclosed in Chinese Patent No. 105942698. This appliance has two movable arms through which heated air is blown. The air flow can be controlled so that the hot air exits the arm through relatively large end apertures at the ends of each arm, and if the arms are moved closer together, the appliance can be used like a conventional hair dryer. Alternatively, the air flow can be directed towards a number of side apertures, with the side apertures of one arm facing the side apertures of the other arm. In this configuration, the appliance can be used as a hair straightener, and the hair portion is heated and pressed as it passes between the arms (so-called "pinch styling"). In a third configuration, the arms can be separated and the air flow directed towards the side apertures to create a relatively diffused hot air flow.

[0020] International Publication No. 2020 / 169849 discloses another multi-functional hair styling appliance, where a hair straightener provides a detachable handle for a hair dryer.

[0021] International Publication No. 2021 / 019239 discloses a hair drying and styling appliance comprising a pair of hinged arms. Each arm has two heating panels, and in use, each heating panel of one arm is pressed against the heating panel of the other arm, similar to a conventional hair straightener. There is a space between the heating panel and the air flow path in each arm, and the air flow path opens into the space through respective apertures. A motor, an impeller, and a heater are disposed in the air flow path, by which air can be heated and blown into the space to heat and dry the hair portion passing between the arms. In one embodiment, the air flow enters the space through the apertures of both arms, and in another embodiment, the air flow enters the space through the apertures of one arm and exits the space through the exhaust apertures of the other arm.

[0022] German Utility Model No. 20119863 also discloses a hair drying and styling appliance comprising a pair of hinged arms, with heating panels mounted on each arm so that the heating panels can be pressed against each other in use. This appliance has an air flow path along each arm. The air is heated and mainly acts to heat the panels, but the panels have apertures through which at least some of the hot air can flow and directly contact the hair. The heating panels are wavy, and the depth of the waves varies across the panels.

[0023] French Patent No. 2937839 discloses a hair styling appliance having a pair of hinged arms. By connecting one arm to a hair dryer, air can flow along the arm and pass through the apertures of the styling panel attached to the arm. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0024] One object of the present invention is to provide an instrument that can be used for styling hair while reducing damage (or the potential for damage) to the user's hair, particularly after repeated use.

[0025] Another object of the present invention is to provide an instrument for styling hair that can operate in a manner similar to a hair straightener in applying heat and some tension to the hair, but can significantly reduce (or perhaps minimize) the pressure applied to the hair.

[0026] Another object of the present invention is to provide an instrument for styling hair between two heated panels while maintaining a gap between the panels to avoid or at least reduce hair distortion.

[0027] Another object of the present invention is to provide an instrument for drying and styling hair, preferably pre-dried to some extent, wet hair.

[0028] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair styling instrument comprising: a first panel, a second panel, wherein the second panel is movable relative to the first panel, an electric motor, an impeller, an electric heating element, an air flow path in which at least a part of the impeller and at least a part of the electric heating element are arranged, an exhaust path, and the instrument has an open state in which the first panel and the second panel are separated by a first distance, and a closed state in which the first panel and the second panel are separated by a second distance, the second distance being greater than zero and less than the first distance, and the first panel and the second panel facing each other in the closed state. The first panel has a plurality of first apertures, the first apertures being in communication with the air flow path, The second panel has a plurality of second apertures, The exhaust path is in communication with the second apertures, The first panel and the second panel are wavy, with the peak(s) and trough(s) of the first panel facing the corresponding trough(s) and peak(s) of the second panel, respectively.

[0029] The first and second panels are hair styling panels, and during use, the hair portion is styled (and perhaps also dried) between the panels.

[0030] During use of the appliance, the heated air is blown along the air flow path, through the first apertures, through the hair portion disposed between the first and second panels, through the second apertures, and then along or through the exhaust path. Thus, the air enters the space or gap between the first and second panels via the first apertures rather than via the second apertures. The air flow is substantially controlled such that as the air passes from the first panel to the second panel, the air moves substantially perpendicular to the individual hairs between the individual hairs of the hair portion between the panels.

[0031] The inventors have found that when air can be discharged through the second panel, when air attempts to escape between the opposing panels, most or all of the air no longer passes (substantially parallel) along the hair portion. At least a portion of that air flows along the hair towards the root end, and that air flow can lift a portion of the cuticle scales. Lifting the cuticle scales is contrary to the desirable effect of flattening the cuticle, and as a result, the gloss created on the hair portion will decrease (presumably, the user will attempt to repeat the procedure to obtain the desired gloss). By minimizing the air flow along the hair portion, the present invention according to this aspect reduces the unnecessary lifting of the scales, reducing the likelihood that the user will repeat the procedure and thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to the hair.

[0032] The inventors have also evaluated that they can significantly enhance the gloss of the user's hair without distorting or flattening the hair. Providing a non-zero gap between the panels in the closed state limits the pressure that can be applied to the hair, thereby limiting (and preferably substantially avoiding) hair distortion. Nevertheless, the cuticle can be flattened and the gloss of the user's hair can be enhanced.

[0033] Preferably, the panels in the closed state are separated by a distance greater than about 0.2 mm. It is understood that the thickness of human hair varies from about 0.02 mm to about 0.18 mm. If the gap between the panels is arranged to exceed the upper limit of this range, the panels cannot be pressed together enough to distort individual hairs. In the hair portion where many individual hairs are overlapping, although some hairs may be distorted, the possibility of damage (especially repeated) distortion is significantly reduced. In particular, the possibility that all of the individual hairs will be distorted is low, and the distortion of the distorted hairs will be significantly smaller than when using a conventional hair straightener.

[0034] Desirably, the panels in the closed state are separated by about 0.5 mm, ideally by a distance exceeding about 1 mm. It will be understood that such spacing will further reduce (and potentially eliminate) the possibility that individual hairs will become distorted or flattened (or at least the proportion of hairs that will become distorted).

[0035] Preferably, the spacing between the first and second panels in the closed state is adjustable by the user. For example, the user can set the spacing in one or more discrete steps between a predetermined minimum spacing (e.g., 0.8 mm) and a predetermined maximum spacing (e.g., 1.5 mm), and the selected spacing can be suitable for effectively styling the hair of a particular user. A particular user may also want to vary the styling operation using different spacings on different occasions.

[0036] Accordingly, in the present invention, the panels are separated in the closed state. The closed state is the state in which the appliance is used to dry and style the hair, and the closed state represents that the spacing between the panels is minimized.

[0037] If the panels are corrugated, without increasing the overall width of the panel, the path that the hair portion needs to travel when passing between the panels increases. At a certain moving speed, it will be understood that the hair portion will take longer to pass between the corrugated panels than between flat panels of the same overall width. As the moving time increases, the amount of hot air that contacts the hair portion when the hair passes between the panels may increase. It is desirable to minimize the overall width of the hair styling appliance (and thus the panel) while enhancing its aesthetic appeal.

[0038] If the panels are corrugated, the surface area of the panel at a given width also increases. Increasing the surface area of the panel allows the number of apertures in each panel to be increased (or alternatively the apertures to be made larger, or both), making it possible to increase the air flow rate through the panel.

[0039] In addition, the wavy panel creates some resistance or friction on the hair portion by having the hair contact the peaks of the waves and bend around those peaks. This has two advantages. First, since the panels are spaced a distance greater than the thickness of an individual hair, it has been recognized that some frictional resistance needs to be imparted to the hair in order to reduce the likelihood that individual hairs will spread (or be blown) along the panel and out of the gaps between the panels. The waves have been recognized as creating sufficient friction to hold the hair in the gaps between the panels. Second, even a small amount of resistance creates tension in the hair portion between the scalp and the panel, and since the hair remains hot after leaving the panel, it helps to straighten the hair. Thus, using the wavy panels, it is possible to straighten the hair with the appliance without compressing or distorting the hair, despite the panels being spaced apart.

[0040] The term "wavy" is used to describe the wave-like shape of the panel, but it should not be assumed that each panel must have multiple complete waves. While multiple waves can be provided for each panel, the present invention can also utilize only a single wave (i.e., one complete peak and one complete trough) for each panel. The present invention can also utilize less than one complete wave, for example, half a wave (or less than half a wave) for each panel. In these latter embodiments, one side of the panel is convex and the other side is concave.

[0041] The number and depth of the peaks and troughs of the waveform can be selected according to the application. It will be understood that the waveform is mainly for increasing the surface area of the panel and also increasing the path length of the hair between the panels. The same increased surface area and path length can be provided by one large waveform or several small waveforms, both of which are within the scope of the present invention. It will also be understood that a waveform with a larger amplitude will result in a greater increase in surface area and path length. Increasing the amplitude increases the resistance force applied to the hair as it passes between the panels, thereby increasing the tension of the hair between the scalp and the panel. When the tension increases, the hair can be made straighter as described above, but care should be taken that the amplitude is not too large so that the hair is not distorted or damaged by excessive tension as it passes between the panels.

[0042] Although there is a reference to an impeller, it will be understood that other components such as fans or turbines can be used to move air. In the present application, the term "impeller" is used as a general term encompassing any component that can be driven by a motor to move air.

[0043] In a conventional hair straightener, heat is supplied by an electric heating element attached to the straightening panel. In the present invention, some or all of the heat is supplied by air, which is heated by a heating element in the air flow path and then blown onto the hair passing through the apertures in the first panel. In some embodiments, the heat can be supplied by this heated air only. However, preferably, the appliance includes a secondary heat source for heating and / or drying the hair, for example, the first and / or second panel may be directly heated, preferably by a dedicated secondary electric heating element, most preferably a ceramic heating element. In these preferred embodiments, the hair is heated by a combination of heated air and the directly heated panel(s).

[0044] Preferably, when the first and / or second panels are directly heated, those panels are thermally conductive, e.g., metal. Thus, the direct heating elements can be arranged in positions that do not block either of the first and / or second apertures, and the heat generated by the secondary heating elements spreads across each panel by conduction. Ideally, the secondary heating elements are arranged at one or more edges of the first and / or second panels.

[0045] (The first and / or second) panels can be arranged to be heated by their secondary heating elements to a temperature higher than the temperature of the heated air passing through the first aperture. Alternatively, (the first and / or second) panels can be arranged to be heated by their secondary heating elements to a temperature lower than the temperature of the heated air passing through the first aperture, or the temperature can be made substantially the same. The operating temperature of the heated air and / or the panel(s) may be adjustable by the user so as to provide a particular heating regime suitable for a particular hair type and a particular styling operation. For example, in some operations, it may be desirable to dry and / or style a hair portion with a combination of heated air and secondary heating, while in other operations only the heated air is used and the secondary heating elements are turned off.

[0046] Another secondary heating arrangement uses non-contact heating such as infrared radiation. For example, one or more infrared radiation sources can be arranged behind the first panel and / or the second panel such that the radiation passes through the first and / or second apertures to heat the hair portion between the panels. The different possible heating regimes described above can also be utilized with this secondary heating arrangement.

[0047] Preferably, the air is heated to about 100°C to about 130°C in the air flow path. This is substantially the same temperature at which air is heated, for example, by a conventional hair dryer. The air is cooled by contact with (wet) hair and is typically discharged from the appliance at a significantly lower temperature (e.g., about 70°C, which is expected to be cool enough so that the user does not get burned if the exhaust contacts the scalp).

[0048] The electric heating element in the air flow path is preferably an array (mesh) of metal filaments that is heated by the passage of current through the filaments. Such heating elements are typically used in hair dryers and are an effective means of heating the air passing between the filaments. When secondary heating elements are used in the first and / or second panels, they are preferably ceramic heaters.

[0049] Preferably, the exhaust path has one or more openings through which air can (passively) pass out of the appliance after passing through the second aperture. Alternatively, the air can be (actively) moved towards or along the exhaust path, for example by a second or exhaust impeller within the exhaust path. Thereby, air can be blown out of the appliance through the second aperture and through the second impeller. Alternatively, the exhaust path can be connected to the air flow path to recirculate some or all of the air within the appliance. This latter option has the potential advantage that energy can be saved because the air passing through the heating element in the air flow path is hotter than the ambient temperature. This has the potential disadvantage that the temperature rise as the air passes through the heating element may be limited because the recirculating air contains more moisture than the surrounding air.

[0050] The total cross-sectional area of the second aperture is preferably at least as large as (and desirably larger than) the total cross-sectional area of the first aperture. In one embodiment, the total cross-sectional areas of the first and second apertures are the same. In such an arrangement, the second aperture does not restrict or suppress the air flow, and the likelihood of the air flowing along the hair dissipating without passing through the second aperture is reduced.

[0051] The cross-sectional area of the exhaust path is preferably at least as large as (and desirably larger than) the total cross-sectional area of the second aperture. Thus, the exhaust path does not restrict or suppress the air flow (which is particularly beneficial in an arrangement where the air is passively exhausted).

[0052] A hair styling appliance can include a controller that controls the operation of a motor and a heating element(s). The hair styling appliance can be arranged to have a sensor that can detect when the appliance is in a closed state, and further arranged such that the controller reduces the heat supplied when the appliance is in an open state. Such an arrangement can conserve energy by reducing or preventing heated air from being blown through the apertures of the first panel when the appliance is in an open state.

[0053] It will be appreciated that repeatedly switching the motor on and off and / or switching the electrical heating element on and off each time the first and second panels move between an open and a closed position may not be technically desirable. In particular, when secondary heating is provided by an infrared source, it may be more desirable to switch the secondary heating on and off.

[0054] Preferably, the first panel is attached to the first arm. Also preferably, the second panel is attached to the second arm. In such a configuration, the arms are relatively movable and the panels can be moved between an open and a closed state by the arms. Desirably, each arm has a handle portion and the user can grasp the handle portions together.

[0055] A preferred embodiment of the appliance is intended for single-handed operation, and in such an embodiment, the handle portions of the arms will preferably enable the user to both grip the appliance during use and move the panels between an open and a closed position by squeezing the arms together.

[0056] The arms are preferably hinged to each other and spring-biased to an open state. The arms may be hinged to each other at the opposite ends of the panels (like a conventional hair straightener) or the hinge may be disposed between the ends of the arms (like scissors).

[0057] Alternatively, the first panel is directly attached to the first arm and the second panel is indirectly attached to the first arm by a hinge. The instrument can be moved between an open state and a closed state by an actuator or by a manually movable trigger or the like attached to the first arm.

[0058] Preferably, the air flow path is arranged in the first arm and the exhaust path is arranged in the second arm. Also preferably, the electric motor, the impeller and the electric heating element are arranged in the first arm.

[0059] The panels can be firmly connected to their respective arms. Alternatively, one or both of the panels may be movably attached to their respective arms.

[0060] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair styling instrument comprising: a first arm and a second arm that are relatively movable with respect to each other between an open state and a closed state, a first panel mounted on the first arm, a second panel mounted on the second arm, at least one electric heating element for heating the first panel and / or the second panel, comprising the first and second panels are separated by a first distance when the arms are in the open state and by a second distance when the arms are in the closed state, the second distance being greater than zero and less than the first distance, the first panel is movably attached to the first arm and the first panel is elastically biased towards the second panel, the instrument has a first magnet attached to the first panel and a second magnet mounted on the second arm, and the first magnet and the second magnet are arranged to repel each other when the first arm and the second arm are in the closed state.

[0061] When the arm is in the closed state, the first panel and the second panel are arranged to be forced apart to some extent by the repulsion between the magnets. Therefore, the magnets can reliably separate the panels in the closed state. The distance between the panels is preferably determined by the balance between the elastic biasing force (the force tending to narrow the distance) and the magnetic repulsive force (the force tending to widen the distance). It will be understood that the distance when there is a hair portion between the panels may be different from the (minimum) distance when there is no hair. For example, if the hair portion is thicker than the minimum distance, the distance will increase.

[0062] The possible range of movement of the first panel relative to the first arm is preferably wider than the desired distance between the panels in the closed state, so that the first panel "floats" relative to the first arm, and the resulting distance between the panels is determined by the balance of forces rather than the structural elements of the instrument. The combination of magnets acting against the elastic biasing force effectively controls the tension exerted by the panels on the hair rather than directly controlling the distance between the panels.

[0063] The second panel may be fixedly attached to the second arm. However, preferably, the second panel is movably attached to the second arm and elastically biased towards the first panel. In such an arrangement, the second magnet is preferably attached to the second panel.

[0064] Preferably, a part of the first arm contacts a part of the second arm in the closed state, and the respective contacting parts define the closed state of the arm. The elastic biasing movement of the panel(s) relative to the arm(s) and the repulsive force of the magnets enable a balance of forces and define the closed state of the panel.

[0065] To forcibly separate the first panel and the second panel, a single pair of opposing magnets can be provided, or multiple pairs of opposing magnets can be provided. When multiple pairs of magnets are provided, they can be dispersed across the first and second panels, along the first and second panels, and / or around the first and second panels.

[0066] If the repulsive force of the magnet is not exactly perpendicular to the plane of the panel in the closed state, the repulsive force will also induce a lateral force that attempts to move one panel laterally relative to the other panel. If the panel is corrugated, the lateral force can act to narrow the gap between the panels in some places and widen the gap between the panels in other places, which is not desirable. Therefore, preferably, the magnets are configured and / or arranged to avoid or reduce the lateral force on the panel. Desirably, the first magnet and the second magnet extend across the width of the panel.

[0067] In an embodiment according to the second aspect of the present invention, the first and second magnets act as spacing elements and, together with the elastic biasing force, set a desired spacing between the panels in the closed state.

[0068] In an embodiment according to the first aspect, the first and second panels can be rigidly attached to their respective arms, and one or more structural spacing elements can be provided between the panels (or at least adjacent to the panels) to determine and maintain the desired spacing between the panels in the closed state. An embodiment according to the second aspect can include a magnetic spacing element in combination with the structural spacing element.

[0069] In a two-part handle arrangement where the arms are hinged to each other at the opposite ends of the panel, one or more structural spacing elements may be arranged between the handle portions of the arms. In a two-part handle arrangement that moves like scissors, the one or more structural spacing elements can be part of the hinge or at least associated with the hinge, whereby the movement of the hinge is restricted to determine the minimum spacing between the panels in the closed state.

[0070] The spacing element(s) preferably act to maintain a uniform spacing between the panels in the closed state. The spacing is desirably uniform along the length of the panel. It is also desirable for the spacing to be uniform across the width of the panel. This allows for more consistent styling operations on all individual hairs within the hair portion and further prevents individual hairs of the hair portion from being distorted when passing between the panels.

[0071] If desired, there may be two or more spacing elements. In particular, in order to make the spacing between the panels in the closed state more uniform along and across the panel, a first spacing element adjacent to one end of the panel (or, alternatively or additionally, to one side edge) and a second spacing element adjacent to the other end of the panel (or, alternatively or additionally, to the other side edge) may desirably be provided.

[0072] The spacing element(s) can include magnetic spacing elements and / or structural spacing elements. In this regard, it will be understood that a structural spacing element, particularly when the structural spacing element is disposed at the free end of the arm, can make it difficult or prevent the insertion of the hair portion into the gap between the panels when the arm is in the open state. Thus, if a spacing element is provided adjacent to the free end of the arm, it is desirable to dispose a magnetic spacing element at that position.

[0073] Preferably, the first aperture is substantially circular. Also preferably, the cross-sectional area of the first aperture is substantially uniform across the first panel. However, the present invention does not exclude cases where non-uniform apertures or a mixture of apertures of different shapes and / or sizes are desired across the first panel. For example, the size of the apertures may be increased further away from the impeller to balance the flow rate of the air stream passing through the apertures during use. Also, at least one of the apertures may be elongated (e.g., slit-shaped) or otherwise shaped and / or angled to provide a desired air stream pattern (including non-uniform patterns) in the space between the panels.

[0074] The second apertures can, optionally, match the characteristics of the first apertures described above or differ from one or more of those characteristics. Preferably, the size, shape and position of each of the second apertures match the size, shape and position of the respective first apertures. In this preferred embodiment, air can flow directly through the first apertures and across the gap between the panels through the corresponding second apertures, so that the air stream can be made substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the hair between the panels. (In practice, the air stream will not be exactly perpendicular as it will be deflected when passing in contact with the hair portion.)

[0075] It will be appreciated that during use, hot air is blown from the apertures into the relatively small volume between the panels. Accordingly, the flow rate of air through the apertures required to heat (and optionally dry) the hair portion within the volume is significantly less than, for example, the flow rate generated by a conventional hair dryer. Accordingly, without adversely affecting styling performance, the motor and impeller can be made significantly smaller in capacity than those in a conventional hair dryer. This allows the handle to be made significantly smaller than the body of a conventional hair dryer and ideally the same size as a hair straightener, which can be easily grasped by the user with one hand.

[0076] As described above, embodiments of the present invention have been found to be particularly effective in flattening the cuticle to enhance the luster of hair. The present invention is also suitable for reducing the natural curl in the hair portion. The advantages of the present invention are expected to be increased by using it on wet (e.g., somewhat dried) hair, and the hair is dried and styled by the appliance. The present invention is also expected to be effective in improving the luster and appearance of hair that has been subjected to repeated perming and / or straightening operations (including hair damaged by excessive styling).

[0077] Although it is desirable to minimize the pressure applied to individual hairs in the hair portion to be styled, the inventors do not exclude the use of pressing elements associated with the first and second panels. By the pressing element, the resistance force applied when the hair passes through the appliance is significantly increased, so that the tension and straightening effect can be increased. The pressing element may distort the hair, but may be desired by some users.

[0078] Accordingly, some embodiments can have a first pressing element adjacent to one side edge of the first panel and / or a second pressing element adjacent to the same side edge of the second panel.

[0079] The inventors understand that in embodiments with pressing elements, it is not necessary to apply heat and pressure to the hair portion simultaneously, and instead those operations can be somewhat separated. Unlike conventional hair straighteners, since the pressing elements are arranged adjacent to the side edges of the first and second panels, the hair is heated (but not pressed) when passing between the panels, and then pressed when passing between the pressing elements. It has been observed that the hair is still hot when passing between the pressing elements downstream of the first and second panels, but the hair portion is subjected to the combined effects of heating and pressing in a much shorter path and, ideally, in a much shorter time than known hair straighteners, reducing the likelihood of the hair being damaged.

[0080] The pressing element is relatively thin (in the direction of travel of the hair portion), for example about 2 mm. It will be understood that a conventional hair straightener would not operate effectively with a panel only 2 mm wide. However, in the present invention, since the pressing element acts on already heated hair, it can act to straighten the hair even though it is significantly thinner in width.

[0081] Preferably, the first and second pressing elements move, together with their respective first and second panels, similarly between an open state and a closed state.

[0082] Desirably, there is a third pressing element adjacent to the other side edge of the first panel and a fourth pressing element adjacent to the other side edge of the second panel. Thus, the first panel has a first pressing element adjacent to one of its side edges and a third pressing element adjacent to the other of its side edges. Similarly, the second panel has second and fourth pressing elements adjacent to its respective side edges. In such an arrangement, one pair of pressing elements is "upstream" of the first and second panels in use, and the other pair of pressing elements is "downstream" of the first and second panels in use. Regardless of the direction in which the user passes the hair through the appliance, since a pair of pressing elements follows the first and second panels, the user does not need to correctly orient the appliance with respect to the head during use.

[0083] It will be understood that the pressing element can perform two functions. First, the pressing element increases the resistance force applied to each individual hair in the hair portion by creating pressure, making the hair straighter. Second, the pressing element effectively seals the gap between the side edges of the first and second panels, restricting the dissipation of heated air through the gap. The second function helps to further reduce the possibility that substantially all of the heated air passes through the second aperture and the air passes along the hair portion to lift the cuticle scales.

[0084] To enhance the second function, the gap between the free ends of the panel (on the side opposite the handle portion) can also be closed by a suitable sealing element and perhaps also by extending the pressing element. This can be arranged so that the heated air can only exit the appliance via the second aperture and the exhaust passage.

[0085] Optionally, the pressing elements can also act as spacing elements, i.e., they can be arranged to have sufficient rigidity such that in the closed state the pressing elements contact each other to maintain a selected spacing between the panels. In such an arrangement, when a thick hair portion is styled, the hair portion will lift the pressing element (thereby holding the first and second panels further apart), and the spacing between the panels will necessarily increase.

[0086] Preferably, the pressing element is a flexible strip attached along one or both of the side edges of the first and second panels. The flexible strip has the advantage of providing a better seal to prevent unwanted dissipation of the heated air. The flexible strip also has the further advantage of balancing the pressure applied to the individual hairs of the hair portion, i.e., the flexible strip will deform somewhat adjacent to the thick portion of the hair portion being pressed therebetween. Ideally, the flexible strip is made of silicone. The pressing element, whether it is a flexible strip or not, can be spring-mounted if desired, i.e., it is somewhat movable when pressed together.

[0087] It is preferred that at least two pressing elements are provided, but it is not necessary to provide two flexible strips. For example, a single flexible strip can be attached to the first or second panel and made to contact a rigid surface attached to the second or first panel, respectively. The rigid surface comprises a pressing element by virtue of its relationship with the flexible strip in the closed state, i.e., the rigid surface cooperates with the flexible strip to press the intervening hair portion. The rigid surface can be an extension of each panel or another component mounted on or attached to the panel.

[0088] Desirably, the flexible strip(s) includes several ribs or fingers aligned across the panel. The ribs act like the elements of a comb to separate the hair portion into small parts and help maintain the separation of the small parts during use of the appliance.

[0089] It will be appreciated that pressing the hair portion, particularly between the pressing elements of silicone, may cause an undesirable static charge to accumulate in the hair portion. In embodiments of the appliance including the pressing elements, a negative ion generator can also be incorporated and negative ions are introduced into the space between the panels to contact the hair portion to be styled. The negative ions can be added to the air flow within the air flow path. Alternatively or additionally, one or both of the panels can be coated in a known manner with tourmaline, which is known to emit negative ions at high temperatures.

[0090] It will be understood that the optional features described above in connection with one aspect of the present invention can also be used in combination with other aspects of the present invention, where compatible. A complete list of optional features suitable for each aspect of the present invention is not described to avoid unnecessary repetition.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0091] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached schematic diagrams using examples.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

[0092] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a hair styling appliance 110 according to a first aspect of the present invention. This appliance has a handle 112, a first panel 114, and a second panel 116.

[0093] The handle 112 of the hair styling appliance 110 is formed by handle portions of a first arm 112a and a second arm 112b. A first panel 114 is rigidly attached to the first arm 112a, and a second panel 116 is rigidly attached to the second arm 112b. The arms 112a and 112b are hinged to each other at opposite ends of the panels 114, 116. The arms are biased apart by a spring (not visible) attached adjacent to the hinge. The hinge is configured to define an open state as seen in FIG. 2 by restricting separation of the arms 112a, 112b.

[0094] Accordingly, the hair styling appliance 110 is generally constructed similarly to a conventional hair straightener and can be used in a similar manner as a conventional hair straightener. Thus, in use, the user first holds the arms 112a, 112b relatively loosely with one hand and grasps the portion of the hair (not shown) to be styled with the other hand. The user moves the hair styling appliance 110 towards the scalp and places the selected portion of the hair between the panels 114, 116. The user squeezes the two arms 112a, 112b together and moves the hair styling appliance to the closed position of FIG. 1, and then slides the hair styling appliance 110 away from the scalp towards the free end of the hair portion.

[0095] Accordingly, the hair styling appliance 110 has an open state (FIG. 2) in which the panels 114, 116 are separated by a (non-uniform) first distance, and a closed state (FIG. 1) in which the panels are separated by a second distance. Importantly, the second distance is not zero and there is a gap S (FIG. 3) between the first panel and the second panel in the closed state. As described above, the gap S is selected such that little or no pressure is applied to the individual hairs of the hair portion as it passes between the panels 114, 116.

[0096] As can be seen in Figure 2, the first panel 114 has several first apertures 120. Each of the first apertures 120 communicates with an air flow path 122, and a part of the air flow path can be seen in Figure 3. The air flow path 122 extends along the inside of the first arm 112a to an air inlet 124 at the end of the arm 112a adjacent to the hinge (this air inlet may be the same as the air inlet 324 seen in Figure 8).

[0097] The arm 112a includes a motor, an impeller, and a heating element (not visible). The motor drives the impeller to rotate, draws air into the air inlet 124, blows the air along the air flow path 122, and passes the air through the heating element and through the first apertures 120. Thus, in use, hot air passes through the first apertures 120 into the gap or space between the panels 114, 116, and this gap contains a part of the selected hair portion in use (and this gap can be seen in Figure 3).

[0098] It will be understood that the exact arrangement of the motor, impeller, and heating element is not important to the present invention as long as they all operate together to supply air at a desired temperature (e.g., 100°C to 130°C) through the first apertures 120 in use. However, it is desirable that the motor is upstream of the heating element within the air flow path and is cooled by the surrounding air flow. Also, it is desirable that the heating element is downstream of the impeller so that heat is not wasted when the air passes through the impeller. The heating element can be placed directly adjacent to the impeller within the arm 112a, or alternatively, can be attached under the first panel 114 or at any location between their positions as desired.

[0099] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the second panel 116 has several second apertures 126. The second arm 112b also has several openings 128, which are part of an exhaust passage that can discharge air from the appliance 110. In this embodiment, the openings 128 are formed through the wall 130 of the second arm 112b, but it will be understood that the wall 130 is optional and alternatively the second apertures 126 may provide the exhaust passage and open directly to the outside of the appliance.

[0100] There is an open space 132 between the second panel 116 and the wall 130, which also forms part of the exhaust passage in this embodiment. Each of the second apertures 126 communicates with the openings 128 via the open space 132.

[0101] In this embodiment, the first panel 114 (and similarly the second panel 116) is also directly heated by another single or multiple secondary heating elements (not shown). The first and second panels are preferably thermally conductive (e.g., metal), and each secondary heating element (preferably a ceramic heating element) is disposed along one or both side edges of each panel. Thereby, heat is directly supplied to the panel without covering the apertures. It will be understood that in some embodiments of the hair styling appliance, secondary heating is optional since only the heat provided by the hot air flow can be utilized.

[0102] In the closed state of FIGS. 1 and 3, it is an important feature of the present invention to ensure a gap or spacing S defined between panel 114 and panel 116, and it will be understood that this spacing should ideally be uniform (or at least substantially uniform) across the width of the panel as shown in FIG. 3. The spacing should ideally also be uniform along the length of the panel. A structural spacing element 134 (FIG. 2) is provided to help reliably repeatably achieve and maintain the desired minimum spacing during use. In this embodiment, the spacing element comprises an upright rigid former 134 attached to the first arm 112a and contacting a portion of the second arm 112b in the closed state. The first embodiment can also have a portion similar to portion 336 shown in FIG. 10, for example, where the former 334 of the instrument contacts this portion.

[0103] Utilizing two spacing elements 134 disposed on opposite sides of the centerline of arm 112a and at a substantial distance from the hinge serves to maintain spacing S and to make spacing S uniform (or at least substantially uniform) across the full width along the entire length of panels 114, 116. Thus, the hair portions pass through the uniform gap between panels 114, 116, and more consistent and reproducible styling is applied to all the hairs of the hair portion and to each hair portion passing through the instrument.

[0104] The rigid former 134 will appear to be tapered. Common to the arrangement shown in FIG. 10, the former 134 fits into a cooperating tapered recess (not visible) in the second arm 112b to limit relative lateral movement between the handle portions 112a, b in the closed state.

[0105] During the use of the hair styling appliance 110, the selected portion of the hair is passed through the gap between the panels 114, 116 from the left or right in FIG. 3. As the hair portion passes between the panels 114, 116, it is heated to a desired temperature by a combination of hot air blown through the apertures 120 and the secondary heating elements of the first panel 114 and the second panel 116. If the hair is wet (as is usually expected), the hair will be heated and dried by the combination of the heated air and the heated panels.

[0106] In addition, by the operation of passing the hair portion through the small gap between the panels 114, 116, the cuticle becomes flat and the gloss of the hair increases.

[0107] Furthermore, regardless of the gap between the panels, pulling the appliance along the hair portion will create tension in the hair. Even if it is a slight tension, the hair between the scalp and the panel can be pulled straight, and since the hair is hot when it leaves the panel, the tension will act to straighten the hair.

[0108] It will be understood that air can pass from the first apertures 120, through the hair portion between the panels 114, 116, and then through the second apertures 126. Although the air flow may cause some of the cuticle scales to lift and reduce the gloss of the hair, there is little or no need to pass air along the hair, especially towards the roots of the hair.

[0109] In FIG. 3, it can be seen that each of the second apertures 126 is aligned with its respective first aperture and that all of the apertures are the same size. In this particular embodiment, all of the apertures are also the same shape. Thus, air can flow directly across the appliance, substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the hair through the appliance. It is not necessary for each aperture to be aligned, nor for them to be the same size and shape, although this is usually preferred. Also, the total cross-sectional area of the second apertures 126 should be at least as large as the total cross-sectional area of the first apertures 120 so that the second apertures 126 do not restrict the overall air flow.

[0110] From FIG. 3, it can also be seen that each of the second apertures 126 has a corresponding opening 128, although not all of the openings 128 are exactly aligned with the second apertures. The openings 128 are slightly larger than the second apertures 126. The number of openings 128 need not match the number of second apertures 126, but the total cross-sectional area of the openings 128 should be at least as large as the total cross-sectional area of the second apertures 126 so that the openings 128 do not restrict the entire airflow.

[0111] Although it will be understood that the corrugations increase the resistance force on the hair as the hair passes through the appliance, this is due in part to an increase in frictional contact between the hair and the peaks of the corrugations and also due to the force required to bend the hair as it passes over the peaks. As the resistance force increases, the tension in the hair portion between the user's scalp and the panel increases, and the straightening effect can be enhanced without compressing or distorting the hair.

[0112] FIGS. 4-5 show a first alternative design of the hair styling appliance 210. Many of the components and features of the appliance 210 are shared with the appliance 210, and only the differences will be discussed below.

[0113] The first major difference between the appliance 210 and the appliance 110 is that the first panel 214 and the second panel 216 of the appliance 210 are flat, similar to a conventional hair straightener.

[0114] It will be understood that the length of the path that the hair portion must cross as it passes between the panels 214, 216 is equal to the width W of the panel. In contrast, the length of the path that the hair portion must cross in the appliance 110 is greater than the width W due to the corrugations. Generally, in order to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the appliance, it is desirable to minimize the width W. Also, generally, it is desirable to maximize the path length to maximize the drying and heating of the hair portion.

[0115] It will also be understood that the surface areas of the panels 114, 116 are somewhat larger than the surface areas of the panels 214, 216 of the same width W. Accordingly, more apertures 120 and / or larger apertures can be provided in the panels 114, 116. It will be understood that increasing the total area of the apertures 120 is beneficial for maximizing the air flow to the hair portion during use and reducing pumping losses.

[0116] FIG. 3 shows the wavy forms of the corrugated panels 114, 116 of the first embodiment. It will be understood that both the wavelength of the waveform (and thus the number of waves of width W) and the amplitude of the waveform can be selected to provide the desired path length and surface area. It will also be understood that increasing the amplitude and decreasing the wavelength tend to increase the resistance force applied to the hair portion as the hair moves between the panels. The amplitude of the waves shown in FIG. 3 is slightly exaggerated for ease of understanding, and it will be understood that the advantages of the present invention can be maintained even if the form of the waveform is significantly changed.

[0117] The waveform shown in FIG. 3 is symmetric. This helps to ensure that the appliance is not dependent on the "dominant hand" and that the appliance operates equally regardless of the direction of movement of the hair portion through the panel. Although aesthetically pleasing, this is an optional feature.

[0118] It may appear that the amplitude and wavelength of the central peak of the waveform shown in FIG. 3 are significantly larger than the amplitude and wavelength of the troughs on both sides. This has the advantage of increasing the cross-sectional area of the air flow path 122 and thus reducing pumping losses. For example, it will be understood that the cross-sectional area of the air flow path of the appliance 110 can be made significantly larger than the cross-sectional area of the appliance 210 for the corrugated panel, especially because the central peak is large (in the case of a similar first arm).

[0119] In other alternative embodiments, the spacing S can be adjusted by the user to vary the styling operation. For example, the length of the spacing element (134) may be adjustable.

[0120] Another major difference in the appliance 210 is that there is no exhaust opening in the second arm 212b. In this appliance, the second openings (not visible) in the second panel 216 are all connected to the forming body 236 and the exhaust passage (not visible) inside the second arm 212b. The exhaust passage includes a second impeller (which is also not visible), and air passes through the impeller along the exhaust passage from the second opening and exits the appliance through an exhaust opening (not visible) adjacent to the hinge. It will be understood that these features may also be provided in other appliances described.

[0121] Figures 6 through 10 show a second alternative design of the hair styling appliance 310. The appliance 310 is somewhat similar to the appliance 210 described above, and only the main features and differences will be described.

[0122] The appliance 310 has a handle 312, a (flat) first panel 314, and a (flat) second panel 316. The (non-zero) spacing S between the first and second panels in the closed state is shown in FIG. 9. Similar to other embodiments, the spacing S is sufficient to prevent individual hairs of the hair portion from being pressed when passing between the panels 314, 316.

[0123] A major difference in the appliance 310 is the first and second pressing elements 340 attached adjacent to one of the aligned side edges of the first panel 314 and the second panel 316, and the third and fourth pressing elements 342 attached adjacent to the other of the aligned side edges of the panels. For simplicity, in this design, all of the pressing elements 340, 342 are formed identically, but this is not essential in other designs and embodiments.

[0124] When using this appliance, it will be understood that a pair of pressing elements (340 or 342) are upstream of the panels 314, 316 (i.e., the hair portion to be styled will contact the upstream pressing element before passing between the panels). The other pair of pressing elements (342 or 340) will be downstream of the panels. As described above, the combination of heat and tension, i.e., without pressure, can straighten the hair portion. However, some users may prefer the increased tension obtained by an arrangement with dedicated pressing elements as opposed to the absence of pressing elements as in the first embodiment.

[0125] The upstream pressing element presses the unheated hair, and the downstream pressing element presses the heated hair. The upstream pressing element is largely redundant in terms of styling the hair portion. Nevertheless, providing two pairs of pressing elements on both sides of the panel has several advantages as shown below.

[0126] First, providing two pairs of pressing elements means that the appliance is not affected by the "dominant hand", and the user does not need to correctly orient the appliance before use, i.e., the appliance can be used with the pressing element 340 or the pressing element 342 facing the scalp.

[0127] Second, as seen in FIG. 9, each pair of the pressing element 340 and the pressing element 342 are in contact with each other, effectively sealing or closing the sides of the gap between the panels 314, 316. By effectively preventing the dissipation of air from the side edges of the panel, the air will pass through the second aperture rather than through the hair portion. Although not shown in the drawings, the ends of the gap between the panels 314, 316 (i.e., the ends opposite the hinge) can also be sealed to prevent the dissipation of hot air. The ends of the gap can also be sealed by another sealing member, or one or both of the pressing elements can be extended to bypass the ends of the panels 314, 316 to seal the ends of the gap. An alternative pressing element 350 suitable for sealing the gap at the ends of the panels is shown in FIG. 15 and will be described in detail below.

[0128] During use of the hair styling appliance 310, the selected section of hair passes through the gap between the panels 314, 316 from the left or right in FIG. 9. While passing between the panels 314, 316, the hair section is heated to the desired styling temperature by a combination of hot air blown along the air flow path 322 and hot air blown through the apertures 320, and (if present) by the secondary heating elements of the panels 314, 316. The hair section then passes between the downstream pressing elements 340 or 342, and is styled by a combination of the heat applied in part and the pressure of the pressing elements because the hair remains hot as it is pressed between those elements, and also by the hair being subsequently pulled straight. Depending on the heat and pressure applied to the length of the hair, and the type of hair, the hair styling appliance can also be used to completely straighten curly or wavy hair, or to partially straighten (relax) curly or wavy hair.

[0129] FIGS. 11 through 13 show a second embodiment of a hair styling appliance 410 according to a first aspect of the present invention. The second embodiment shares the features of the pressing elements 340, 342 with the appliance 310. The advantages of these individual features have been described above, and since all of those advantages are shared with the second embodiment, the features and advantages will not be repeated.

[0130] The pressing elements 340, 342 are shown in FIG. 14. As described above, four identical pressing elements 340, 342 are used in the hair styling appliance 310 of the second alternative design. The four identical pressing elements 340, 342 are also used in the hair styling appliance 410 of the second embodiment. Since the pressing elements are made of silicone, they are somewhat flexible. The pressing element has a pressing edge 344 (when in use, it is the pressing edge 344 that is pressed against the hair portion or the adjacent pressing element). In this embodiment, the pressing edge 344 has a width w of approximately 2 mm (in the direction of movement of the hair portion during use). It should be noted that the width w is significantly smaller than the width W. Since the width W is similar to the width of the panel of a conventional hair straightener, this appliance significantly shortens the distance (and the length of the usage time) that the hair portion undergoes the combined effect of heat and pressure. Thereby, it is expected that the hair styling appliances 310, 410 will cause significantly less damage to the user's hair than a conventional hair straightener, especially during repeated use. It is expected that the hair styling appliances 110, 210 have no pressing elements at all and cause even less (or perhaps no) damage. Also, it is expected that the hair styling appliances 110, 210, 310, 410 can be used on hair that has already been damaged by excessive styling without causing further significant damage.

[0131] The pressing elements 340, 342 also have several ribs 346 that run across the panels 314, 316, that is, are directed in the direction of movement of the hair portion. The ribs 346, like the comb elements, act to separate the hair portion into several separate small portions. The ribs also help to maintain the separated small portions during the use of the hair styling appliances 310, 410.

[0132] The pressing elements 340, 342 are separate components attached along the side edges of the panels of the hair styling appliances 310, 410 as shown in the drawings. As described above, other embodiments have only a pair of pressing elements on one side edge of the panel. Also, it is possible to use only one of the pressing elements 340, 342 on each side edge of one panel, and the pressing element cooperates with a rigid surface adjacent to the other panel. For example, in the first improved version of the design of FIG. 6 or the embodiment of FIG. 11, the rigid pressing element can be replaced with a flexible pressing element (340 and / or 342) attached to the second panel. In the second improved version, the rigid pressing element can be replaced with each of the flexible pressing elements (340 and / or 342) attached to the first panel and the second panel.

[0133] In the improved versions described above, it will be understood that the rigid pressing element need not be a separate component and may be an extension of the panel. In particular, the flexible pressing elements 340 attached to the first panels 314, 414 can contact the rigid extensions of the respective second panels.

[0134] In the illustrated appliances, the pressing elements 340, 342 are flexible but are firmly attached to the respective panels 314, 316; 414, 416. In another alternative embodiment, the pressing element is adjustably attached to the panel and the user can change the styling operation by adjusting the pressure applied by the pressing element. In the closed state, it may be desirable to be able to adjust the pressing element between a zero gap (as shown) and a gap exceeding the gap S.

[0135] In an embodiment where the minimum distance between panels is determined by a flexible pressing element, the distance during a styling operation can be adjustable by changing the force applied by the user to the handle portion. For example, it can be determined that most styling operations for most hair types require a specific distance between panels, and it can be arranged such that a specific distance is set when the pressing elements of each panel move into contact. The flexible pressing element is preferably rigid enough to maintain a specific distance unless the user squeezes the handle portions together with a particularly large force to (elastically) distort or deform the pressing element to some extent. Allowing the user to apply a particularly large force to narrow the distance between panels provides an option for straightening (or partially straightening) particularly curly hair in some hair types. However, even in such an arrangement, it is desirable to incorporate a spacing element so that a controlled (minimum) gap is ensured between the panels even if the pressing element is distorted.

[0136] An alternative pressing element 350 is shown in FIG. 15. The pressing element 350 comprises a continuous rectangular element, ideally made of a silicone material. It will be understood that the pressing element 350 can be attached to both the first and second panels with their respective pressing edges 352 aligned. The side portions 354, 356 of the pressing element 350 have ribs 346 that are aligned to cross the panels in use. The ribs 346 are identical to the ribs 346 of FIG. 14 and serve the same purpose, but may have a different configuration in other embodiments.

[0137] The side portions 354, 356 are joined by their respective end portions 358. It will be understood that in an assembled hair styling appliance, the pressing element 350 is incorporated, with one of the end portions 358 adjacent to the handle (e.g., adjacent to the spacing element 134 seen in FIG. 2), and the other end portion 350 coming to the end of the panel on the opposite side of the hinge. Thus, the pressing portion 350 can seal the entire circumference of the gap between the panels and prevent or limit the dissipation of air from that gap.

[0138] It will be understood that the side portions 354, 356 of the pressing element 350 contact the hair during use, while the end portion 358 does not. The main function of the side portions 354, 356 is to press the hair, and the control of the dissipation of hot air is a secondary function, whereas the only function of the end portion 358 is to control the dissipation of hot air. If it is desirable to take into account the different functions of these parts, the rigidity of the side portions 354, 356 may be different from the rigidity of the end portion 358.

[0139] It will be observed that FIGS. 9, 12 and 13 show only the first aperture of the first panel, but it will be understood that a practical embodiment according to the first aspect of the present invention will also have a second aperture in the second panel.

[0140] FIGS. 16 to 18 show an embodiment of a hair styling appliance 510 according to a second aspect of the present invention. Since many of the components and features of the appliance 510 are shared with the previous appliance, particularly the appliance 110, they will not be repeated.

[0141] One major difference is that the first panel 514 is movably attached to the first arm 512a and the second panel 516 is movably attached to the second arm 512b. The movement of each panel relative to the arm is in a direction towards the other panel and away from the other panel, i.e., in a direction towards the top of the page and away from the top as viewed in FIG. 17. The movement of each panel relative to the arm is small, about 2.0 mm in this embodiment, about 1.5 mm in other embodiments, and about 1.0 mm in yet other embodiments.

[0142] The first panel 514 is biased towards the second panel 516 by an elastically biasing element 560a attached to the first arm 512a. The second panel 516 is biased towards the first panel 514 by an elastically biasing element 560b attached to the second arm 512b. The biasing elements 560a, b are shown in dashed outlines in FIGS. 16 and 17 because they are not visible in the assembled appliance and are the same components in this embodiment.

[0143] Each of the biasing elements 560a, b includes a pair of hollow dome structures 562 interconnected by a link 564. The biasing elements 560a, b are made of rubber, but in other embodiments, they are made of other elastic materials. The structure of the hollow domes 562 and the material from which they are made allow the domes to deform under pressure and return to the form shown when the pressure is released.

[0144] The top of each dome 562 is in contact with the underside of panels 514, 516 respectively. It will be seen that the domes 562 are spaced along the panel to apply a substantially balanced force to each end of the panel. Also, the domes are elongate hemispherical, particularly elongate across the width of panels 514, 516, extending a substantially equal distance on either side of the centerline of the panel and applying a substantially balanced force across the width of the panel.

[0145] It will be understood that the structure of the biasing elements 560a, b may vary significantly from that shown in the drawings and any suitable material may be used without departing from the second aspect of the invention. For example, the biasing elements need not be the same for both panels, nor need they be in a similar form at each end of the panel (and their forms need not be linked to each other), nor need the biasing elements extend across the centerline of the panel.

[0146] In embodiments having apertures in the first and second panels, the biasing elements 560a, b are constructed and arranged so as not to block any of the apertures.

[0147] The first panel 514 is equipped with two magnets 534a, which are shown with a dashed outline because they are not visible in the assembled appliance. One magnet 534a is disposed adjacent to the hinge end of the first panel 514, and the other magnet 534a is disposed adjacent to the free end of the first panel 514. Similarly, the second panel 516 is equipped with two magnets 534b, which are shown with a dashed outline. One magnet 534b is disposed adjacent to the hinge end of the second panel 516, and the other magnet 534b is disposed adjacent to the free end of the second panel 516. The magnets 534a and 534b at each end of the panels 514, 516 are aligned and close to each other in the closed state as shown in the figure.

[0148] Each pair of the aligned magnets 534a and 534b is arranged to face each other. Thus, when the arms 512a, b move to the closed state as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the magnets repel each other. By arranging the repulsive force to be sufficient to partially deform the biasing elements 560a, b, the panels 514, 516 are separated by the magnets 534a, b when the arms 512a, b move to the closed state. As described above, in this embodiment, each panel 514, 516 can move approximately 2 mm with respect to its arms 512a, 512b, respectively. The repulsive force when the arms are in the closed state is arranged not to be sufficient to completely deform the biasing elements, and in the closed state, the panels 514, 516 are separated by a (minimum) distance determined by the balance between the repulsive force of the magnets 534a, b and the elastic biasing force of the elements 560a, b.

[0149] In this embodiment, when the arms 512a, b are fully pushed together, it is arranged such that a (minimum) separation of approximately 1 mm is maintained between the panels 514, 516 by the balance of forces.

[0150] If a hair portion thicker than the minimum spacing is introduced between the panels, it will be understood that the balance of forces is affected and the panels 514, 516 will move further apart. By allowing the panels 514, 516 to "float" in this way, the spacing between the panels for each hair portion is determined, which is relatively small for thin hair portions and relatively large for thick hair portions. Therefore, similar tension can be applied to each hair portion regardless of the thickness of the hair portion.

[0151] As can be seen particularly from FIG. 17, the magnets 534a, b extend across most of the width of the panels 514, 516, which is mainly to minimize or avoid lateral forces that can act on the panels and cause relative lateral movement (i.e., left or right as viewed in FIG. 17) between panel 514 and panel 516. In embodiments with corrugated panels, it will be understood that lateral movement is undesirable because the spacing between the panels decreases in one part of the panel and increases in other parts.

[0152] By attaching a pair of opposing magnets 534a, b adjacent to each end of the panel, the spacing between the panels in the closed state can be made uniform along the length of the panels 514, 516. Also, if the magnets 534a, b are extended by substantially the same distance on both sides of the center line of the panel, it becomes possible to make the repulsive forces substantially equal across the panel, and the spacing between the panels in the closed state can be made uniform across the panels 514, 516. It will be understood that the desired uniform spacing can also be achieved by a plurality of magnets (possibly smaller than the magnets 534a, b) distributed along and across the panel.

[0153] FIG. 18 shows a carrier 564 for the panels 514, 516. The same carrier 564 is firmly attached to each of the arms 512a, b, but since the orientation of the carrier in FIG. 18 most closely matches the orientation of the arm 512b in FIG. 16, the carrier 564 of the arm 512b will be described in the following explanation.

[0154] Panel 516 is movably attached to carrier 564, and the carrier defines a limited range of movement of panel 516 relative to arm 512b (about 2 mm in this embodiment). Specifically, the end portion of panel 516 projects through an opening 566 adjacent to the end of carrier 564 (and another end portion of panel 516 projects through the same opening at the other end of carrier 564). The downward movement of panel 516 (in the orientation of FIGS. 16-18) is limited by contact between a portion of the panel and rigid beam 568.

[0155] Although not shown in FIG. 18, a biasing element 560b is attached to carrier 564 and is disposed between panel 516 and the base 570 of the carrier. The upward movement of panel 516 is resisted by biasing element 560b.

[0156] It will be seen that FIG. 18 includes a depiction of magnet 534b. Magnet 534b is mounted on panel 516 which is not present in FIG. 18, but is shown to clarify the position of panel 516 relative to carrier 564 when the panel is present.

[0157] FIGS. 16-18 do not show apertures in the panel. It will be understood that embodiments according only to the second aspect of the present invention may have a continuous panel without utilizing an air flow. Such embodiments would benefit from magnetic spacing elements and may otherwise include one or the other of known prior art hair straighteners and / or hair styling appliances.

[0158] FIG. 17 shows that panels 514 and 516 are wavy and, ideally, are similar to prior appliances with wavy panels. However, this is another optional feature of the invention according to the second aspect.

[0159] The hair styling appliance according to the first and second aspects of the present invention will, in addition to the wavy panels, have apertures in one panel for passing air towards the hair and apertures in the other panel for discharging that air.

[0160] Although FIGS. 16 to 18 do not show a pressing portion at the side end of the panel, a pressing element similar to that of FIG. 14 or FIG. 15 can be incorporated as desired. Also, the first panel 514 (and similarly the second panel 516) can be directly heated by another single or plural secondary heating elements (not shown), most preferably as desired.

[0161] It will be appreciated that the appliance 510 can incorporate a structural spacing element, such as element 134 of FIG. 2, for determining the closed state of the arms 512a,b. The movable panel, the elastic biasing force of the panel, and the opposing magnets together define the closed state of the panel.

Claims

1. A hair styling appliance, a first panel, a second panel, wherein the second panel is movable relative to the first panel, an electric motor, an impeller, an electric heating element, an air flow path, wherein at least a part of the impeller and at least a part of the electric heating element are arranged in the air flow path, an exhaust path, comprising, the hair styling appliance has an open state in which the first panel and the second panel are separated by a first distance, and a closed state in which the first panel and the second panel are separated by a second distance, the second distance being greater than zero and less than the first distance, and the first panel and the second panel facing each other in the closed state, the first panel has a plurality of first apertures, the first apertures being in communication with the air flow path, the second panel has a plurality of second apertures, the exhaust path is in communication with the second apertures, the first panel and the second panel are wavy, and the peak(s) and trough(s) of the first panel face the corresponding trough(s) and peak(s) of the second panel respectively, a hair styling appliance.

2. The hair styling appliance according to claim 1, wherein the first panel and the second panel are separated by a distance of at least about 0.2 mm in the closed state.

3. The hair styling appliance according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the distance between the first panel and the second panel in the closed state is adjustable.

4. The hair styling appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, having a secondary heat source for at least one of the first panel and the second panel.

5. The hair styling appliance according to claim 4, wherein the secondary heat source is a ceramic heating element.

6. The hair styling appliance according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the first panel and the second panel are thermally conductive, and the secondary heat source is an electric heating element arranged at the edge of the first panel and / or the second panel.

7. The hair styling appliance according to claim 4, wherein the secondary heat source is at least one infrared radiator.

8. The exhaust passage has one or more openings through which air can escape from the hair styling appliance, according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The hair styling appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 8, having an exhaust impeller in the exhaust passage.

10. The hair styling appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the total cross-sectional area of the second apertures is at least as large as the total cross-sectional area of the first apertures.

11. Each of the first apertures has a size, shape, and position, and each of the second apertures has a size, shape, and position, and the size, shape, and position of each second aperture match the size, shape, and position of the respective first aperture, according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The hair styling appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cross-sectional area of the exhaust passage is at least as large as the total cross-sectional area of the second apertures.

13. The first panel is attached to the first arm, and the second panel is attached to the second arm, according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The first arm and the second arm are hinged to each other at the opposite ends of the panel, according to claim 13.

15. The air flow path is arranged in the first arm, and the first panel has a peak with a peak wavelength and a peak amplitude, and a trough with a trough wavelength and a trough amplitude, and the cross-sectional area of the air flow path is increased by the peak wavelength and / or the peak amplitude being greater than the trough wavelength and / or the trough amplitude respectively, according to claim 13 or claim 14.

16. The first panel is movably attached to the first arm, according to any one of claims 13 to 15.

17. The hair styling appliance according to any one of claims 13 to 16, having at least one spacer element for maintaining a desired spacing between the first panel and the second panel in the closed state.

18. The hair styling appliance according to claim 17, having at least one structural spacing element.

19. A magnetic spacing element, comprising a first magnet attached to the first panel and a second magnet placed on the second arm, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are arranged to repel each other when the first arm and the second arm are in the closed state. The hair styling appliance according to claim 17 or claim 18, having a magnetic spacing element.

20. The second panel is movably attached to the second arm, and the second magnet is attached to the second panel. The hair styling appliance according to claim 19.

21. The first arm has a first elastic biasing element that biases the first panel towards the second panel. The hair styling appliance according to claim 19 or claim 20.

22. The first spacing element is arranged adjacent to one end of the first panel and the second panel, and the second spacing element is arranged adjacent to the opposite ends of the first panel and the second panel. The hair styling appliance according to any one of claims 18 to 21.

23. At least one pressing element is arranged adjacent to one side edge of the first panel. The hair styling appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

24. The pressing element has a width of about 2 mm. The hair styling appliance according to claim 23.

25. The pressing element acts to seal at least a part of the gap between the first panel and the second panel in the closed state. The hair styling appliance according to claim 23 or claim 24.

Images