Hair roller and hair care system
The fluid-driven hair roller system addresses the inefficiency of manual rotation by using vanes to rotate the roller with a fluid flow, providing a convenient and efficient hair curling solution.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/IB2025/050113
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-01-18
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing hair rollers require manual rotation, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, especially when styling multiple sections of hair.
A hair roller design that incorporates vanes to be rotated by a fluid flow from a connected barrel, allowing hands-free operation and increased torque for easier and faster hair styling.
The fluid-driven roller system enables convenient, efficient hair curling by reducing manual effort and ensuring consistent rotation along the hair tress, enhancing user experience and speed.
Smart Images

Figure IB2025050113_24072025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] HAIR ROLLER AND HAIR CARE SYSTEM
[0002] BACKGROUND
[0003] Hair care apparatuses are known for styling hair. One type of hair care apparatus is a roller, typically used for curling hair. In use, a user rolls a roller (which is typically cylindrical) along a tress of hair to wrap the tress of hair around the roller. This may be performed when the hair is wet or heated. As the hair is wrapped about the roller and allowed to cool down, it conforms to the shape of the roller. This results in curls or waves in the hair when it is released from the roller.
[0004] SUMMARY
[0005] In a first aspect, there is disclosed a hair roller defining an internal cavity for receipt of a barrel of the type configured to discharge a fluid flow, the roller comprising: an exterior about which hair can be wrapped in use; a mounting portion for rotatably mounting the roller to the barrel when received in the internal cavity; and one or more vanes at least partly defining a fluid flow path extending from the internal cavity for flow of fluid discharged by the barrel when received in the cavity, the one or more vanes being moveable by the flow of fluid along the fluid flow path to rotate the curler around the barrel.
[0006] Providing a roller that is able to be driven to rotate by a flow of fluid from the barrel of a hair care apparatus can allow styling of hair in a more convenient manner. For example, because the roller is driven by the fluid flow (in particular, by interaction between the fluid flow and the vanes), a user may not need to use their hands to rotate the roller. Thus, hair may be wrapped around the roller by a user within a single hand (i.e. to hold the hair apparatus), which leaves the user’s other hand free. In addition to making the hair rolling process easier for a user, the use of a fluid flow to drive the roller to rotate can be faster than manually rolling a roller.
[0007] The provision of one or more vanes to move the roller in response to the fluid flow can increase the torque that is able to be applied by the roller. Such torque may ensure that the roller continues to rotate as it is moved along a tress of hair (i.e. as the tress of hair is wrapped about the roller). Optional features of the first aspect will now be set out. These are applicable singly or in any combination with any aspect.
[0008] Each vane may have a leading edge and an opposite trailing edge. In use, fluid (from a barrel) may pass over the leading edge first and then the trailing edge of each vane. The leading edge may be an inner edge of the vane and the trailing edge may be an outer edge of the vane. Thus, the leading edge of each vane may be closer than the trailing edge of the respective vane to the internal cavity of the roller. Each vane may have a chord line that extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the vane.
[0009] At least one of the one or more vanes may have a profile that is elongate in a direction extending between the trailing and leading edges (i.e. the profile being taken in a plane that is perpendicular to the leading and trailing edges).
[0010] The length of the chord line (i.e. the chord length) of each vane may represent a width of the vane. That is, each vane may have a width dimension extending from a leading edge of the vane to a trailing edge of the vane. The width of at least one vane may be between 5 and 20 mm, or e.g. between 10 mm and 15 mm.
[0011] Each vane may have a first surface extending between the leading and trailing edge, and an opposite second surface. In use, fluid may flow across the first and / or second surfaces of each vane (i.e. the first and / or second surfaces may at least partly define the fluid flow path).
[0012] A thickness dimension of each vane may extend in a direction between the first and second surfaces. The thickness of at least one of the one or more vanes may be between 0.5 and 3.0 mm, or e.g. between 1.0 mm and 2.0 mm (e.g. taken at the thickest part of the at least one vane).
[0013] At least one of the one or more vanes may be blade shaped. At least one of the one or more vanes may be aerofoil shaped. A width of at least one of the one or more vanes may be larger (e.g. substantially larger) than the thickness of the vane. For example, the width of the at least one vane may be more than e.g. three times, or five times, or eight times the thickness of the vane. At least one of the one or more vanes may be elongate in a direction that is substantially parallel to the leading and trailing edges (e.g. along a rotational axis of the roller). The at least one vane may be elongate in a direction that is substantially parallel to the rotational axis. In other embodiments, the at least one vane may extend along a helical path about the rotational axis of the roller.
[0014] Each vane may have a length dimension taken in the elongate direction of the vane (i.e. taken between opposite ends of the vane). The length of at least one of the one or more vanes may be between 30 mm and 70 mm, or e.g. between 40 mm and 60 mm.
[0015] At least one of the one or more vanes may have a curved profile (e.g. in a plane taken substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis). That is, at least one of the one or more vanes may extend along a curved path between the leading and trailing edges of the vane.
[0016] The first and / or second surfaces of at least one of the one or more vanes may be curved. The first surface of the at least one vane may be concave (e.g. a cross-section of the first surface taken in a plane perpendicular to the leading / trailing edges may be concave). The second surface of the at least one vane may be convex (e.g. a cross-section of the first surface taken in a plane perpendicular to the leading / trailing edges may be convex). The first and second surfaces may be shaped so as to be substantially complementary to one another.
[0017] A radius of curvature of the first surface of at least one of the one or more vanes may be between 10 and 15 mm.
[0018] The first surface may be oriented such that fluid discharged from the internal cavity (i.e. from a barrel received in the internal cavity) impinges on the first surface to move the at least one vane (i.e. in a circumferential direction), so as to cause the roller to rotate. The first surface may at least partly face the internal cavity. Thus, the first surface may be angled towards the internal cavity.
[0019] By providing one or more vanes angled towards the internal cavity, fluid discharged from a barrel received in the internal cavity may impinge against the one or more vanes to drive the roller to rotate. The use of vanes in this manner can increase the torque provided by the roller as it rotates. At least one of the one or more vanes may be oriented such that the chord line of the vane is angled (e.g. oblique) with respect to a tangent of a circle centred on the rotational axis and passing through the geometric centre of the vane. At least one of the one or more vanes may be oriented such that the chord line of the vane is angled (e.g. oblique) with respect to a reference line extending radially from the rotational axis and through the geometric centre of the vane.
[0020] Each vane may have a vane orientation angle. The vane orientation angle may be defined as the internal angle between (i) the chord line of the vane and (ii) the tangent of a circle centred on the rotational axis and passing through a geometric centre of the vane. At least one of the one or more vanes may have a vane orientation angle that is between 10 degrees and 60 degrees, or e.g. between 10 degrees and 45 degrees, or e.g. between 20 degrees and 30 degrees.
[0021] The one or more vanes may be configured to discharge fluid around the roller in a manner such that hair is drawn toward the exterior of the roller. The vanes may be configured to discharge fluid (i.e. received from a barrel when received in the internal cavity) so as to flow substantially circumferentially around an exterior of the roller. At least one of the one or more vanes may be configured to discharge fluid in a direction that is substantially tangential with respect to a circumferential exterior of the roller.
[0022] Each vane may have a fluid discharge angle. The fluid discharge angle may be defined as the internal angle between (i) the direction of the fluid flow discharged from a vane (i.e. flowing from the trailing edge of a vane) and (ii) the tangent of a circle centred on the rotational axis and passing through the trailing edge of the vane. At least one of the one or more vanes may have a discharge angle of between 10 degrees and 60 degrees, or e.g. between 10 degrees and 45 degrees, or e.g. between 20 degrees and 30 degrees.
[0023] The roller may comprise a plurality of vanes. The roller may comprise from 5 to 20 vanes, e.g. from 7 to 18 vanes, e.g. from 10 to 15 vanes.
[0024] The fluid flow path may be defined between neighbouring vanes of the plurality of vanes (e.g. the fluid flow path may comprise a plurality of branches, each branch extending between a pair of neighbouring vanes). As should be appreciated, while “at least one” vane has been referred to above with respect to optional features of the first aspect, one or more of the above optional features discussed above may equally apply to each vane of the roller. That is, each vane of the roller (or a plurality of the vanes of the roller) may be as described above with respect to the at least one vane.
[0025] Each vane may be radially outward of the internal cavity. The exterior about which hair can be wrapped may be a circumferentially extending. The exterior may be radially outward of the internal cavity. The exterior may be at least partly defined by the one or more vanes. Thus, each vane may extend from the internal cavity to the exterior of the roller. The fluid flow path may extend to the (e.g. circumferentially extending) exterior of the roller.
[0026] The one or more vanes may be spaced evenly in a circumferential direction about the internal cavity. The internal cavity may be substantially cylindrical. The internal cavity may be open at both ends. The internal cavity may have a width (e.g. diameter) of between 20 mm and 50 mm, or e.g. between 30 mm and 40mm. An outer diameter of the roller may be between 30 mm and 60 mm, or e.g. between 40 mm and 55 mm.
[0027] At least one pair of the vanes may be arranged to partly overlap in the circumferential direction. Thus, a reference line extending radially from the rotational axis may pass through both vanes of the at least one pair of vanes.
[0028] The roller may have a tubular shape. The roller may comprise first and second opposite ends, spaced along the rotational axis of the roller (i.e. the axis about which the roller rotates in use).
[0029] The vanes may extend between the first and second axial ends of the roller. One or both of the axial ends may comprise a collar. The vanes may extend between (and connect) the collars of the roller (i.e. when both ends are provided with a collar).
[0030] The roller may comprise one or more support elements (e.g. support bars), each connecting a plurality of vanes. Each support element may extend circumferentially. Each support element may be in the form of a ring extending around the internal cavity. Each support element may connect the trailing edges of the vanes. The mounting portion may be provided at an axial end of the roller. For example, the mounting portion may be provided by a collar of the roller, or may be a further portion that is adjacent to a collar of the roller. The mounting portion may be annular. In some embodiments, the mounting portion may be provided by a surface that contacts the barrel when received therein (e.g. a surface defining the internal cavity of the roller). The mounting portion may comprise an engagement element that engages (e.g. contacts or positively mechanically engages) a barrel when received within the internal cavity. The engagement element may be annular.
[0031] In some embodiments the roller may be configured for mounting to a barrel having means (such as a bearing engaged by the mounting portion of the roller) for providing rotation of the roller about the barrel.
[0032] In other embodiments, the roller itself may include the means for providing the rotational movement. Thus, for example, the mounting portion may comprise a bearing. Accordingly, the engagement element may be rotatable (e.g. relative to the vanes). The engagement element may be mounted (e.g. to a collar of the roller) by way of the bearing. The mounting portion may comprise a fixed element in fixed relation with the vanes. The engagement element may be rotatably mounted to the fixed element. The engagement element may be rotatably mounted to the fixed element by the bearing.
[0033] The mounting portion may be a first mounting portion and the roller may further comprise a second mounting portion. The second mounting portion may be as described above with respect to the first mounting portion. The first and second mounting portions may be axially spaced apart from one another along the rotational axis of the roller (e.g. at opposite ends of the roller).
[0034] The roller may comprise a retaining portion configured to engage a barrel when received in the internal cavity to (releasably) retain the roller against axial movement along a barrel. In some arrangements, fluid discharged from a barrel can have an axial component, which could otherwise (i.e. in the absence of such retaining means) cause axial movement of the roller (e.g. to the extent that it could be dislodged entirely from the barrel). The retaining portion may be provided by (or may form part of) the mounting portion (e.g. the engagement element). The retaining portion may be configured to physically engage the barrel (when received in the internal cavity) or may, for example, comprise a magnet for magnetically coupling with a barrel received in the internal cavity. In some embodiments, the retaining portion may restrict axial movement by gripping a barrel received in the internal cavity (e.g. may comprise a resilient material configured to grip a barrel). The retaining portion may comprise e.g. a snap engagement mechanism or bump feature for retaining a barrel received in the internal cavity against axial movement. The snap engagement mechanism or bump feature may, for example, engage a protrusion (e.g. a lip) of the barrel.
[0035] In a second aspect there is provided a hair care system comprising a roller according to the first aspect and a hair care apparatus comprising a barrel for (e.g. removable) insertion into the internal cavity of the roller to be rotatably mounted to the roller, the barrel having one or more fluid outlets for discharge of a fluid flow from the barrel and onto the one or more vanes of the roller to move the one or more vanes to rotate the roller around the barrel.
[0036] Optional features of the second aspect will now be set out. These are applicable singly or in any combination with any aspect.
[0037] Each fluid outlet may be arranged to discharge fluid so as to impinge on inwardly facing surfaces (e.g. the first surfaces) of the vanes. The one or more fluid outlets (and the roller) may be configured such that when fluid is discharged from the one or more fluid outlets the roller rotates in the same direction around the barrel as the direction in which the fluid is discharged.
[0038] The barrel may comprise an outer surface. The one or more fluid outlets may each be arranged to discharge fluid across the outer surface for flow in a circumferential direction around the barrel. The one or more fluid outlets may each be arranged to discharge fluid tangentially with respect to the barrel. Each fluid outlet may comprise a slot. Each slot may be elongate in a direction of extension of the barrel (i.e. substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the barrel). Each slot may extend along a helical path about the barrel.
[0039] Each fluid outlet may otherwise comprise a plurality of apertures and / or slots arranged in a row.
[0040] Each outlet may be for discharging an airflow (i.e. may be an airflow outlet). In other embodiments, each outlet may be configured for discharging e.g. steam.
[0041] The barrel may comprise a plurality of fluid outlets (e.g. slots) spaced in a circumferential direction around the barrel. The plurality of fluid outlets (e.g. slots) may be distributed evenly around the barrel.
[0042] The barrel may comprise an internal passage in fluid communication with the one or more outlets. Thus, the barrel may be hollow. The passage may be a plenum from which each of the one or more fluid outlets receive fluid.
[0043] The barrel may comprise a plurality of overlapping elements. Each outlet may be defined between a pair of overlapping elements (i.e. may be provided by a gap between overlapping vanes). Each overlapping element may be convex. Each overlapping element may comprise a convex outer surface. Each outlet may be arranged to discharge a fluid flow across a respective convex outer surface of an overlapping element.
[0044] The barrel may extend along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. The barrel may taper from the proximal end to the distal end. Thus, the cross-sectional area of the barrel (taken along a transverse plane, normal to the longitudinal axis) may be greater at the proximal end than at the distal end. The cross-sectional area may gradually reduce from the proximal end to the distal end. The cross-sectional area may reduce in a nonlinear manner. Thus, for example, the outer surface of the barrel may be concave.
[0045] As set forth above with respect to the first aspect, in some embodiments the roller may include means for rotational movement relative to the barrel (such as a bearing) and in other embodiments the barrel may include such means. Thus, the barrel may comprise one or more bearings upon which the roller may mount when the barrel is received in the cavity of the roller (such bearings providing rotational movement of the roller relative to the barrel). Each bearing may be annular. Each bearing may comprise a fixed element (fixed with respect to a remainder of the barrel) and a rotatable element that rotates with the roller. In some embodiments the barrel may comprise two such bearings that are axially spaced apart.
[0046] The roller and barrel may be configured such that axial movement of the roller is restricted when mounted to the barrel. For example, the barrel and / or roller may comprise a retaining portion as described above with respect to the first aspect. The retaining portion may be in the form of a bump feature or snap engagement mechanism (e.g. engaging a lip of the roller / barrel).
[0047] The barrel may be configured for mounting to a hair care device (e.g. may be a hair care attachment for a device). The hair care device may be of the type configured to generate a fluid flow for supply to the barrel. For example, the barrel may comprise a device engagement portion for releasably mounting the barrel to a hair care device. In other embodiments, the barrel may form part of (e.g. an integral part of) a hair care device.
[0048] In either case, the system may comprise the hair care device. The hair care device may comprise a fluid flow generator configured to generate a fluid flow for supply to the one or more fluid outlets of the barrel (i.e. for discharge into the roller). For example, the fluid flow generator may comprise a compressor, fan, or blower for generating a fluid flow.
[0049] The hair care device may be configured to generate a heated fluid flow. The hair care device may comprise a heater for heating fluid supplied to the one or more fluid outlets.
[0050] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0051] Figure l is a front view of a hair care system;
[0052] Figure 2 is a section perspective view of a barrel of the hair care system of Figure 1;
[0053] Figure 3 is a section view of the hair care system of Figure 1;
[0054] Figure 4 is a top view of a roller of the hair care system of Figure 1;
[0055] Figure 5 is a front view of the roller of Figure 4; and
[0056] Figure 6 is a schematic view showing a vane of the roller of Figure 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0057] Figures 1 to 5 illustrates a hair care system 10 that includes a tubular roller 11 and an elongate barrel 12 inserted into an internal cavity 20 defined within the roller 11.
[0058] The barrel 12 (which is shown in more detail in Figure 2) includes an inlet 13 for flow of fluid (in this case heated air) into an internal passage 14 of the barrel 12. Device engagement portions 15, in the form of lugs, are spaced circumferentially around the inlet 13. These device engagement portions 15 allow the barrel 12 to be mounted to a device of the type configured to generate a fluid flow (in this case, a heated airflow) for supply of fluid into the passage 14 via the inlet 13.
[0059] The barrel 12 further includes a plurality of fluid outlets 16, in the form of elongate slots, that are spaced circumferentially around the barrel 12 and are generally parallel to a longitudinal axis 17 of the barrel 12. The internal passage 14 is in fluid communication with each of the fluid outlets 16 (i.e. so as to act as plenum for the outlets 16). Thus, in use, fluid flows into the barrel 12 through the inlet 13, flows along the internal passage 14 and is then discharged through the fluid outlets 16.
[0060] As is most apparent from Figure 2, the fluid outlets 16 are defined between a plurality of vane-shaped overlapping elements 18. Each overlapping element 16 is generally convex so as to include a convex outer surface 19. In use, fluid discharged from the fluid outlets 16 is directed to so as to flow across the outer surfaces 19. Accordingly, in use, fluid is discharged from the barrel 12 in a generally tangential direction.
[0061] The roller 11 comprises an exterior 21 (about which hair can be wrapped in use) and first 24a and second 24b annular mounting portions in the form of collars for rotatably mounting the roller 11 to the barrel 12. In particular, the mounting portions 24a, 24b engage with first 22a and second 22b annular bearings (the interiors of which are not depicted) that form part of the barrel 12 (and which extend around the overlapping element 18 of the barrel). As should be appreciated, in other embodiments, the bearings may form part of the roller rather than the barrel.
[0062] The first bearing 22a has a rectangular profile (as apparent from Figure 3). The second bearing 22b, on the other hand, includes a radial flange 33 so as to have an L-shaped profile. As should be apparent, the roller 11 (i.e. the second mounting portion 24b of the roller 11) seats on the radial flange 33 of the second bearing 22b, which prevents axial movement of the roller 11 along the barrel 12.
[0063] To further prevent axial movement in the opposite direction, the roller 11 includes a retaining portion in the form of a bump feature 34, which engages an underside of the first mounting portion 24a when the roller 11 is mounted on the barrel 12. The bump feature 34 retains the roller 11 against axial movement in normal use, while still allowing removal of the roller 11 from the barrel 12 (i.e. when sufficient force is applied).
[0064] The roller 11 also includes a plurality of overlapping vanes 23 that define a fluid flow path (i.e. passing between adjacent vanes 23) for flow of fluid discharged from the fluid outlets 16 of the barrel 12. The vanes 23 extend axially (i.e. parallel to a rotational axis of the roller 11) between the mounting portions (i.e. annular collars) 24a, 24b which define opposite axial ends of the roller 11.
[0065] One of the vanes 23 is shown in more detail in Figure 6. It should be appreciated that the following description is applicable to each vane 23 of the plurality of vanes 23.
[0066] The vane 23 includes first 25 and second 26 opposite surfaces that both extend between leading 27 and trailing 28 (axially-extending) edges of the vane 23. As should be apparent, the leading edge 27 is the innermost edge of the vane 23 and the trailing edge 28 is the outermost edge of the vane 23 (i.e. in use, fluid generally flows in an outward direction from the leading edge 27 to the trailing edge 28).
[0067] The first surface 25 of the vane 23 is concave and the second surface 26 of the vane is convex. Accordingly, the vane 23 has a curved profile (i.e. the profile of the vane 23 extends along a curve from the leading edge 27 to the trailing edge 28).
[0068] A chord line 29 defined between the leading edge 27 and the trailing edge 28. As should be apparent, the vane 23 is oriented such that the chord line 29 is angled (i.e. tilted) with respect to both the circumferential direction and the radial direction. In particular, the vane 23 is oriented according to a vane orientation angle a. The vane orientation angle a is defined between the chord line 29 and a tangent 30 of a circle 31 centred on the rotational axis of the roller 11 and passing through the geometric centre of the vane 23. In the illustrated embodiment, the vane orientation angle is about 25 degrees.
[0069] Returning to Figures 1 to 5, the plurality of vanes 23 overlap in the circumferential direction and are connected by two support elements 32. Each support element 32 is in the form of a ring-shaped support bar which extends circumferentially around the roller 11 and connects the trailing edges 28 of the vanes 23. The support elements 32 are axially spaced evenly between the mounting portions (i.e. collars) 24a, 24b.
[0070] The orientation of the vanes 23 is such that the first surface 25 of each vane 23 faces inwardly towards the cavity 20 defined by the roller 11. Accordingly, in use, when fluid is discharged from the fluid outlets 16, the fluid impinges on the first surfaces 25 of the vanes 23. Due to the rotatably mounting of the roller 11 to the barrel 12, the impingement of the fluid flow on the vanes 23 causes the roller 11 to rotate about the barrel 12. This can allow a user to wrap their hair about the exterior 21 of the roller 11 (i.e. around the trailing edges 28 of the vanes 23).
[0071] While exemplary embodiments have been described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0072] For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.
[0073] Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” and “include”, and variations such as “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.
[0074] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and / or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example + / - 10%.
Claims
CLAIMS1. A hair roller defining an internal cavity for receipt of a barrel of the type configured to discharge a fluid flow, the roller comprising: an exterior about which hair can be wrapped in use; a mounting portion for rotatably mounting the roller to the barrel when received in the internal cavity; and one or more vanes at least partly defining a fluid flow path extending from the internal cavity for flow of fluid discharged by the barrel when received in the cavity, the one or more vanes being moveable by the flow of fluid along the fluid flow path to rotate the curler around the barrel.
2. A roller according to claim 1 wherein each vane has a leading edge and an opposite trailing edge, and first and second opposite surfaces, each surface extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge.
3. A roller according to claim 2 wherein at least one of the one or more vanes has a profile that is elongate in a direction extending between the trailing and leading edges.
4. A roller according to claim 3 wherein the profile of the at least one vane is curved between the leading and trailing edges.
5. A roller according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the first surface of at least one of the one or more vanes faces at least partly towards the inner cavity.
6. A roller according to claim 5 wherein the first surface of the at least one vane is concave.
7. A roller according to claim 6 wherein the radius of curvature of the first surface is between 10 and 15 mm.
8. A roller according to any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein at least one of the one or more vanes is oriented such that a chord line of the vane, extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the vane, is oblique with respect to a tangent of a circle centred on a rotational axis of the roller and passing through the geometric centre of the vane.
9. A roller according to any one of claims 2 to 8 wherein each vane has a vane orientation angle defined as the internal angle between: a chord line of the vane extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge; and a tangent of a circle centred on the rotational axis and passing through the geometric centre of the vane; and wherein the vane orientation angle of at least one of the one or more vanes is between 10 and 60 degrees.
10. A roller according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the one or more vanes are configured to discharge fluid in use so as to flow substantially circumferentially around the exterior of the roller.
11. A roller according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the one or more vanes has a width of between 5 and 20 mm.
12. A roller according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the mounting portion comprises an engagement element for engaging a barrel when received in the internal cavity and a fixed element in fixed relation with the one or more vanes, the engagement element rotatably mounted to the fixed element by a bearing.
13. A roller according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a retaining portion configured to engage a barrel when received in the internal cavity to retain the roller against axial movement along the barrel.
14. A hair care system comprising a roller according to any one of the preceding claims and a barrel for insertion into the internal cavity of the roller to be rotatably mounted to theroller, the barrel having one or more fluid outlets for discharge of a fluid flow from the barrel and onto the one or more vanes of the roller to move the one or more vanes to rotate the roller around the barrel.
15. A hair care system according to claim 14, when dependent on claim 2, wherein each fluid outlet is arranged to discharge fluid so as to impinge on inwardly facing surface(s) of the one or more vanes.
16. A hair care system according to claim 14 or 15 wherein the barrel comprises a device engagement portion for releasable mounting to a hair care device of the type configured to generate an airflow for supply to the barrel.
17. A hair care system according to claim 16 comprising a hair care device, the hair care device comprising a fluid flow generator configured to generate a fluid flow for supply to the one of more fluid flow outlets of the barrel.
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