Haircare

Abstract

A haircare system is provided. The haircare system includes a hair styling device and a liquid delivery arrangement. The hair styling device has a heater and a styling surface for contacting hair to be styling. The liquid delivery arrangement has a dispenser located externally to the styling surface and configured to dispense a liquid toward the styling surface. The heater of the hair styling device is operable to heat the styling surface to vaporise the liquid, to generate a vapour for transmission to the hair. Also provided is a dock for a hair styling device. The dock has a liquid delivery arrangement having a dispenser positioned to dispense a liquid towards a styling surface of the hair styling device when the hair styling device is held by a housing of the dock.

Description

1 P005502-W001HAIRCAREBACKGROUND

[0001] Haircare appliances are known that treat or style hair by applying heat to the hair.SUMMARY

[0002] According to a first aspect, there is provided a haircare system having a hair styling device. The hair styling device includes a heater and a styling surface for contacting hair to be styled. The haircare system further includes a liquid delivery arrangement having a dispenser configured to dispense a liquid toward the styling surface. In particular, the dispenser may be located externally to the styling surface for dispensing the liquid toward the styling surface. The heater is operable to heat the styling surface to vaporise the liquid, to generate a vapour for transmission to the hair (for styling the hair).

[0003] The styling surface is shaped to deliver a desired texture to hair using heat applied to the styling surface from the heater. For example, the styling surface may be configured to curl, wave, crimp, or straighten the hair. The styling surface may comprise (a surface of) one or more barrels or plates. For example, the hair styling device may comprise a single barrel forming the styling surface at an exterior thereof, for curling hair.

[0004] Conventional haircare appliances (e.g. curling wands) use heated plates or barrels and can scorch hair when the hair is placed directly on the heated surfaces at high temperatures. A hair styling surface for generating vapour can reduce damage to the hair compared to such devices, while delivering a desired styling effect. The styling surface, together with the heater, enables vapour to be delivered to hair in contact with the hair styling device. With this approach, the heat applied to the hair may be at a lower temperature than with existing appliances. In more detail, the structure of a hair fibre includes two protein structures within a cortex of the hair: a crystalline region of keratin (comprising ordered, structured protein fibres), and an amorphous region of keratin (comprising randomly oriented protein fibres). Both of these structures have different bonds that give hair its strength and shape. Typically, when drying wet hair, the hair remains cool as the water is evaporated and then, once the water has evaporated, the temperature increases. Styling in this manner without extreme heat (such as temperatures of 150 degrees Celsius and above) may only enable access to salt-hydrogen bonds within the amorphous region of the keratin.2 P005502-W001Without wishing to be bound by theory, the application of the vapour to the hair (which may be referring to as flash steaming) may enable a warm, moist styling environment in which the vapour is also able to penetrate the crystalline regions at temperatures of around 100 degrees Celsius. The vapour may thus be able to access more hydrogen bonds, increasing the probability of bond disruption to achieve a particular styling effect. Applying the vapour to the hair can improve style retention as it affects bonds in both the crystalline and amorphous regions, whereas ambient humidity typically cannot access the crystalline region as it is at room temperature.

[0005] As mentioned above, the dispenser may be located externally to the styling surface. In other words, the dispenser can apply the liquid to the same (externally-facing) surface of the hair styling device which contacts hair in use. This allows the liquid to be provided to the styling surface in a relatively simple manner, e.g. without requiring conduits through an interior of the hair styling device for delivering the liquid onto (an inner surface of) the styling surface.

[0006] The dispenser may be configured to dispense the liquid directly onto the styling surface, or may be configured to dispense the liquid onto an intermediary element (e.g. a flexible element such as a brush) which may in turn deliver (e.g. press) the liquid onto the styling surface.

[0007] The liquid delivery arrangement may also be referred to as a wetting assembly, wetting mechanism, water doser, water dosing assembly, or liquid delivery assembly / mechani sm .

[0008] The dispenser (or the liquid delivery arrangement) may be coupled or couplable to the styling surface, e.g. by integrating the dispenser (or liquid delivery arrangement) into the haircare device or by providing the dispenser (or liquid delivery arrangement) in an external device (e.g. dock) that is configured to mate with the hair styling device. The liquid delivery arrangement may be (at least in part) movable relative to the hair styling device (e.g. while remaining coupled to the hair styling device). For example, the dispenser may be movable relative to the hair styling device. This may facilitate control of the liquid dispensed onto the styling surface, by moving at least a portion of the liquid delivery arrangement (e.g. the dispenser) to distribute the liquid across the styling surface. The liquid delivery arrangement may include one or more dispensers or flexible elements (discussed further below), each of3 P005502-W001 which may be movable (e.g. tiltable, axially movable, radially movable, rotatable) relative to the hair styling device.

[0009] The styling surface may comprise an absorbent layer. The absorbent layer may be configured to retain (absorb, soak up, store) the liquid, thereby facilitating reliable and consistent vapour generation. The absorbent layer may be disposed over the heater, for example so that the absorbent layer overlaps the heater or is on the heater (with or without at least one intervening element between the absorbent layer and the heater). Heat generated by the heater may therefore be transferred readily to the absorbent layer, to vaporise the liquid retained by the absorbent layer. The vapour can then pass out of the absorbent layer and onto hair that is positioned against (e.g. wrapped around) the styling surface.

[0010] The absorbent layer may be removable from the hair styling device. This may allow the absorbent layer to be washed (or otherwise cleaned) or replaced, which can extend the overall operational lifetime of the hair styling device.

[0011] The absorbent layer may comprise a wicking material configured to spread the liquid across the absorbent layer (e.g. across an outer surface of the absorbent layer) using capillary action, also known as wicking. This may enable the liquid to be spread more evenly throughout the absorbent layer. A texture and / or weave of the absorbent layer may be selected to favour wicking in certain direction(s) to improve coverage of the absorbent layer by the liquid.

[0012] The absorbent layer may be formed of a material that is permeable to air and / or liquid (e.g. paper or fabric).

[0013] The styling surface may be air permeable. The hair styling device may include an airflow generator for directing air through the styling surface toward the hair. Accordingly, the hair styling device can be used to deliver both vapour and air to hair. The vapour can be applied to the hair to achieve a particular styling effect. The style can then be set by applying air to dry the hair. Removal of moisture from the hair by applying air to the hair in this manner can enable the style to be created more quickly, as opposed to leaving the hair to dry naturally after applying the vapour.

[0014] The styling surface may be configured in any suitable manner to permit airflow therethrough. The styling surface may comprise two or more layers each with different properties (e.g. air permeability, liquid permeability, thermal conductivity). For example, the styling surface may comprise an inner layer (e.g. a thermally conductive cover or sheath4 P005502-W001 disposed over the heater), and an outer layer (e.g. the absorbent layer) disposed over the inner layer. The inner and / or outer layers may each comprise one or more perforations to permit airflow to exit the styling surface. For example, the inner layer may comprise a thermally conductive (e.g. metallic or ceramic) substantially rigid sheath or mesh. The inner layer may include a plurality of perforations or apertures distributed (e.g. substantially evenly distributed) along its surface, for transferring airflow from the heater to hair. The sheath may be overlaid with a more flexible outer layer in the form of an air-permeable (e.g. paper or fabric) absorbent layer for retaining the liquid therein.

[0015] The airflow generator may be configured to direct the hair to the heater, for heating the airflow before it is directed through the styling surface. The hair styling device may therefore generate a heated airflow, which may be applied to the hair to remove moisture from the hair more rapidly than otherwise. This can reduce the overall time taken to achieve a particular style.

[0016] The styling surface may form part of a detachable accessory for the hair styling device. Accordingly, the hair styling device may comprise an attachment structure for detachably connecting the styling surface to a main body (e.g. handle) of the hair styling device. Alternatively, the styling surface may be integrated into the hair styling device, as a single (non-detachable) unit. The hair styling device (e.g. the main body or handle thereof) may comprise a power source (e.g. battery) and / or a power input for receiving mains power. The airflow generator may be located in the main body (e.g. handle) of the hair styling device. The hair styling device may include one or more conduits for directing air from the airflow generator to the styling surface, and optionally past the heater (e.g. between the heater and the styling surface).

[0017] The liquid delivery arrangement may comprise a reservoir (e.g. chamber) for storing the liquid. The dispenser may be fluidly connected to the reservoir for dispensing liquid from the reservoir toward the styling surface (e.g. onto the absorbent layer). The reservoir can store a reserve of liquid, thereby allowing vapour to be delivered for a longer period of time without the user manually topping up the liquid delivery arrangement.

[0018] The reservoir may comprised by (e.g. located within) the hair styling device. The liquid delivery arrangement may include one or more conduits or pipes (e.g. within the hair styling device) fluidly connecting the reservoir to the dispenser.5 P005502-W001

[0019] Some examples may include a plurality of dispensers fluidly connected to the reservoir for dispensing the liquid toward the styling surface.

[0020] The one or more dispensers may be movable relative to the styling surface. For example, the one or more dispensers may be axially or radially movable, rotatable, or tiltable, relative to the styling surface. This may help to distribute the liquid over the styling surface, for more even vapour generation.

[0021] The liquid delivery arrangement may be operable to deliver a predefined amount (or “dose”) of liquid from the reservoir to the styling surface. The reservoir volume may be greater than the predefined amount of liquid (e.g. at least five times greater, optionally at least ten times greater), such that the reservoir may store a plurality of predefined doses of the liquid. The predefined amount of the liquid delivered by the liquid delivery arrangement may be selected in order to achieve a desired styling effect. If the amount of liquid vaporised is too low, the amount of vapour generated may be insufficient to deliver the amount of energy and moisture required to achieve the desired styling effect. However, if the amount of liquid vaporised is too high, a tress of hair wrapped around the barrel, to which the liquid is applied, may be insufficiently set, which may adversely affect the style obtained. By delivering the predefined amount of the liquid, using the liquid delivery arrangement, the amount of vapour can be controlled so as to achieve a particular styling effect, without under- or over-wetting the hair.

[0022] The predefined amount of the liquid may depend on a drying efficacy of the hair styling device. A higher drying efficacy may be obtained by a hair styling device that is capable of providing a higher drying power. A higher drying power may be obtained by providing a higher flow rate of the airflow and / or by configuring the heater to generate a higher temperature during drying of the hair. A larger amount of vapour (e.g. obtained by vaporising a larger predefined amount of the liquid) may be accommodated by a hair styling device capable of providing a higher drying efficacy. Conversely, if the hair styling device is capable of providing a relatively lower drying efficacy, the predefined amount of the liquid may be smaller in order to obtain the desired styling effect.

[0023] The predefined amount of the liquid may be between 0.5 grams and 1.5 grams. It has been found that this amount of the liquid is sufficient to provide effective hair styling for an average user.6 P005502-W001

[0024] The liquid delivery arrangement may include a pump for forcing liquid (e.g. the predefined amount of liquid) from the reservoir to the dispenser. The liquid delivery arrangement may provide greater control over the amount of the liquid delivered to the styling surface and hence to the amount of vapour generated by vaporising the liquid. This can provide increased control over the styling effect achieved by the hair styling device and may be more efficient than other approaches that may involve under- or over-wetting hair. The use of a pump may provide a convenient way of delivering the dose of liquid to the styling surface, for example with an appropriate pressure or flow-rate so that the liquid is distributed relatively evenly across the styling surface.

[0025] The pump may be configured to pump the liquid at a predefined rate for a predefined amount of time to deliver the dose of the liquid from the reservoir to the styling surface. This may provide a simple way to enable the dose of the liquid to be consistently delivered, without having to actively monitor an instantaneous or cumulative amount of liquid actually delivered. The predefined rate and / or the predefined amount of time may vary over a lifetime of the hair styling device. For example, if the liquid delivery arrangement becomes partially restricted or blocked over time, the volume of the liquid delivered for the same pump pressure, power and time of actuation will be reduced. The predefined rate and / or the predefined amount of time may be increased to compensate for the reduction in the quantity of the liquid delivered per unit time.

[0026] The dispenser may be spaced from the styling surface. The dispenser may therefore deliver (e.g. propel, spray, or squirt) liquid onto the styling surface without requiring direct contact with the styling surface. As a result, this can help to mitigate the potential spread of germs or other contaminants between the liquid delivery arrangement (e.g. the dispenser) and the styling surface (which contacts the user’s hair during styling). Additionally, this can help to mitigate potential wear and tear against the styling surface (e.g. the absorbent layer), by avoiding repeated direct contact between the liquid delivery arrangement and the styling surface.

[0027] The dispenser may comprise a nozzle or atomiser for spraying liquid from the reservoir toward the styling surface. Dispensing the liquid as a spray helps to distribute the liquid across a larger region of the styling surface (e.g. absorbent layer), while also helping to mitigate potential contamination or wear and tear that could otherwise occur by direct contact between the dispenser and the styling surface.7 P005502-W001

[0028] Some arrangements may include a plurality of dispensers, which may include one or more nozzles and / or atomisers for spraying the liquid toward the styling surface. Providing a plurality of dispensers (e.g. nozzles and / or atomisers) may help to wet the styling surface (e.g. the absorbent layer) quickly and evenly. The one or more dispensers may be movable (e.g. tiltable, rotatable) relative to the styling surface, thereby further helping to cover a larger area of the styling surface with the liquid.

[0029] The liquid delivery arrangement may comprise an atomiser for generating the spray. For example, the atomiser may be a rotary atomiser. An atomiser (e.g. rotary atomiser) helps to efficiently and effectively distribute a fine spray of liquid across toward the styling surface. The rotary atomiser may comprise a rotatable element (e.g. a disc, sphere, or bellshaped element) and a motor configured to rotate (e.g. spin) the rotatable element. The reservoir may be configured to dispense liquid onto the rotatable element (e.g. via a conduit fluidly connecting the reservoir and the rotatable element), thereby coating the outer surface of the rotatable element with the liquid. As the motor spins the rotatable element, this motion causes the water to be sprayed from the surface of the rotatable element. The rotary atomiser may further include a shroud which may enclose a portion of the rotatable element to control the trajectory of the spray, to preferentially direct the spray towards the styling surface. For example, the shroud may be shaped and oriented with respect to the rotatable element to capture any spray that is directed from the rotatable element in a direction away from the styling surface.

[0030] The atomiser (e.g. rotary atomiser) may comprise a coreless motor. This may help the atomiser to run quietly, which can be especially convenient in the context of haircare.

[0031] The liquid delivery arrangement may include a flexible element that is pressable against the styling surface. The flexible element may therefore help to distribute (e.g. press, push) the liquid onto (e.g. into, against, across) the styling surface. This may help to evenly and uniformly distribute the liquid in a reliable manner, e.g. reducing the risk of the liquid purely sitting on the surface of the styling surface and / or blowing away (e.g. if the liquid is applied in a fine mist). For example, the flexible element can help to press the liquid into the styling surface (e.g. an absorbent layer thereof), thereby helping ensure that the styling surface can be effectively retain the liquid for vaporisation. The liquid delivery arrangement may include a plurality of flexible elements (which may together be considered to form a8 P005502-W001 flexible assembly). The flexible element(s) may each have different configurations e.g. as discussed below.

[0032] The flexible element(s) may also be referred to as being compressible or squeezable. The flexible element(s) may be formed from any suitable flexible or compressible material, e.g. silicone or a sponge-like (porous and compressible) material.

[0033] The flexible element(s) may be mounted on a surface that is movable (e.g. axially movable, radially movable, tiltable, or rotatable) relative to the styling surface. This may help to distribute the liquid over the styling surface.

[0034] In some examples, the flexible element may be configured to hold or retain liquid therein. The flexible element may comprise a brush. The brush may comprise a plurality of bristles, which may store liquid between the bristles. By pressing the bristles against the styling surface, the brush can release and distribute its liquid across the styling surface. The liquid may be initially provided to the bristles via an integrated reservoir (as mentioned above). Alternatively, a user may manually load the bristles with liquid using a separate water source (e.g. tap water). However, automated refilling (e.g. using a reservoir integrated into the system) can be particularly user-friendly and convenient. The bristles may be formed e.g. from silicone.

[0035] The flexible element may comprise a sponge positioned to receive liquid dispensed by the dispenser. The sponge may be compressible to release the liquid onto the styling surface. This arrangement may therefore help to evenly apply liquid onto the styling surface (e.g. a majority or entirety thereof), in a quick manner.

[0036] The sponge may be shaped to fit against the styling surface (having a complementary shape to the styling surface), so that the sponge may release the liquid evenly by pressing against the styling surface. For example, the sponge may define a cavity (or recess or socket) for receiving the styling surface. For example, the styling surface may be a surface of a barrel (e.g. curling wand), and the sponge may define a tubular cavity for interfacing with (e.g. surrounding, receiving) the barrel. The sponge may also be referred to herein as a porous body. The sponge may be formed of any suitable absorbent, porous, and compressible (e.g. resiliently compressible) material.

[0037] The flexible element may comprise a wiper (e.g. elongate wiper) which is movable relative to the styling surface (e.g. movable across or around the styling surface) for distributing the liquid onto the styling surface. The wiper may be movably (e.g. rotatably)9 P005502-W001 mounted to the hair styling device, or to a dock that is configured to interface with the hair styling device. The wiper may help to distribute the liquid into (e.g. through) the styling surface, e.g. by pressing the liquid into the absorbent layer, while also being relatively convenient to clean e.g. compared to flexible elements incorporating a brush or a compressible membrane. The wiper may have a plurality of dispensers (e.g. nozzles) along its length, for dispensing the liquid that is subsequently distributed by the wiper.

[0038] The haircare system (e.g. the hair styling device) may comprise a control system configured to: obtain a control signal indicative that a predefined styling procedure is to be performed by the hair styling device; and control operation of the hair styling device to perform the predefined styling procedure in response to the control signal, the predefined styling procedure comprising a wetting phase in which the liquid delivery arrangement is configured to deliver the predefined amount of the liquid to the styling surface (e.g. the absorbent layer). In this way, the predefined amount of the liquid may be delivered automatically, in response to initiation of the predefined styling procedure (indicated by the obtaining of the control signal by the control system). This may be simpler and more streamlined than approaches involving manually initiating delivery of the liquid e.g. during or between styling.

[0039] The predefined styling procedure may include performance of the wetting phase at an appropriate time to achieve a desired styling effect, whereas manual initiation of the wetting may be performed at a sub-optimal time for achieving the desired styling effect. For example, if the wetting is performed without allowing sufficient time for the liquid to be delivered and evenly spread across the styling surface before starting to heat the styling surface, the vapour generated may be less evenly distributed than otherwise.

[0040] The predefined styling procedure may comprise, after the wetting phase, at least one of a heating phase in which the heater is configured to heat the absorbent layer to vaporise the liquid retained thereby to generate the vapour for transmission out of the hair styling device, through the styling surface; and an airflow generation phase in which the airflow generator is configured to generate the airflow out of the hair styling device, through the styling surface. Use of the predefined styling procedure may allow relatively complex styling processes to be controlled in a simple manner. For example, a user may initiate the predefined styling procedure in order to apply vapour and, subsequently, airflow to their hair without having to individually control the wetting, heating and / or airflow generation phases.10 P005502-W001

[0041] The hair styling device may include the dispenser. The hair styling device may include the liquid delivery arrangement. The styling surface and liquid delivery arrangement may therefore be provided as part of a single device, providing convenient re-wetting of the styling surface since the liquid delivery arrangement is “onboard” the hair styling device even while the device is in use for styling hair. This facilitates convenient wetting of the styling surface, e.g. without requiring the use of any separate devices to wet the styling surface during operation of the haircare device. The hair styling device may include a main body (or handle) which is attached to (or detachably attachable to) the styling surface. If present, the reservoir of the liquid delivery arrangement may be located inside the hair styling device (e.g. inside the main body). Additionally, one or more liquid conduits or pipes may extend through the hair styling device (e.g. inside the main body) to connect the reservoir to the dispenser. Meanwhile, a portion of the liquid delivery arrangement (e.g. the dispenser(s) or flexible element(s)) may be located externally to the main body (e.g. mounted to an external surface of the main body) for delivering the liquid onto the (external surface of the) styling surface.

[0042] In variant examples, the liquid delivery arrangement may be entirely distinct from the hair styling device, i.e. as a distinct refilling device which is “offboard” the hair styling device while the device is in use for styling hair. Such examples may allow the haircare device itself to retain a relatively small form factor (e.g. without requiring an integrated liquid delivery arrangement onboard the hair styling device). This may be particularly useful if the styling surface is already relatively large (e.g. having a barrel with a diameter of greater than 38mm) or has an irregular shape (e.g. for waving or crimping hair).

[0043] For example, the haircare system may include a dock having a housing configured to releasably hold the hair styling device (e.g. by releasably holding the styling surface). The dock may include the liquid delivery arrangement. The liquid delivery arrangement (e.g. the dispenser) may be positioned to dispense the liquid onto the styling surface when the hair styling device is held by the housing.

[0044] The housing may contain the reservoir and / or pump discussed above. By providing the reservoir in the dock, the reservoir may hold an even greater volume of water compared to examples where the reservoir is integrated into the hair styling device.

[0045] The housing may be referred to as having an interfacing section for mating with (e.g. receiving, stowing, storing, interfacing with, docking with, or enclosing) the hair styling11 P005502-W001 device (e.g. styling surface). For example, the interfacing section may comprise a socket (or recess or cavity) for receiving the hair styling device (e.g. styling surface).

[0046] The liquid delivery arrangement may be electronically actuatable. This may help to provide automated re-wetting of the styling surface in a convenient and user-friendly manner. For example, the dock may comprise an electronic actuator which is actuatable to control the liquid delivery arrangement to dispense the liquid. The electronic actuator may comprise a user interface (e.g. button or display) which is actuatable by a user to control the liquid delivery arrangement. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic actuator may comprise a sensor configured to detect whether the hair styling device is held by the housing, and to control the liquid delivery arrangement to dispense the liquid when the sensor detects that the hair styling device is held by (e.g. positioned within) the housing.

[0047] In other examples, the dock’s liquid delivery arrangement may be manually actuatable. For example, the liquid delivery arrangement may comprise a manually mechanised pump, which may be actuatable by pushing the hair styling device (e.g. styling surface) into the dock (e.g. to thereby push fluid liquid through a one-way valve towards one or more dispensers).

[0048] The dock may include one or more of the flexible element(s) as discussed above. For example, the dock may include the sponge which is configured to store the liquid and which is compressible to release the liquid onto the styling surface. The porous body may be located at a surface of the housing which is configured to hold the styling surface in use (e.g. at the interfacing section). In some examples, insertion of the hair styling device (e.g. styling surface) into the housing may cause compression of the porous body (between housing and the styling surface), thereby releasing the liquid from the porous body onto the styling surface. In some examples, the housing may comprise multiple segmented and movable (e.g. hinged) portions that are configured to clamp against the styling surface to cause the compression of the sponge, thereby releasing the liquid.

[0049] The hair styling device may be a curling wand comprising a barrel. In such examples, the styling surface may be a surface of the barrel.

[0050] According to a second aspect, there is provided a dock for a hair styling device. The dock has a housing configured to releasably hold the hair styling device; and a liquid delivery arrangement having a dispenser. The dispenser is positioned to dispense a liquid toward a styling surface of the hair styling device when the hair styling device is held by the housing.12 P005502-W001The features described in relation to the first aspect (and in particular the dock described for the first aspect) are equally applicable to the second aspect, and so are not repeated here purely for conciseness.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] Figure 1 shows a side view of a hair styling device comprising a liquid delivery arrangement having nozzles for spraying liquid onto a styling surface of the hair styling device.

[0052] Figure 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a hair styling device inserted through a liquid delivery arrangement which is slidable over the hair styling device.

[0053] Figure 3 shows a top-down view of the hair styling device and liquid delivery arrangement from Figure 2.

[0054] Figure 4 shows a side view of a hair styling device with a liquid delivery arrangement that comprises a set of nozzles and a wiper.

[0055] Figures 5A and 5B show top-down views of a hair styling device that is held by a dock, where the dock has a liquid delivery arrangement and is movable between an open position (Figure 5A) and a closed position (Figure 5B).

[0056] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the hair styling device and dock from Figure 5B.

[0057] Figure 7 shows a side view of a hair styling device inserted into a dock to press against a plunger in the dock and thereby manually actuate a liquid delivery arrangement comprised by the dock.

[0058] Figure 8 shows a side view of a hair styling device inserted into a dock that has a manually actuatable liquid delivery arrangement.

[0059] Figure 9 shows a schematic side view of a hair styling device inserted into a dock that has a liquid delivery arrangement comprising a rotary atomiser.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] Figure 1 shows a hair styling device 10 that comprises a liquid delivery arrangement 12. The hair styling device 10 has a handle or body 14 attached to a styling member 16. The body 14 has a generally hollow tubular housing 15, which extends longitudinally from a first13 P005502-W001 end 18 to a second end 20. The first end 18 may also be referred to as a proximal end, whereas the second end 20 may be referred to as a distal end.

[0061] An electrical cable 22 extends from the first end 18 of the housing 15 and is configured to supply electrical power to electrical components of the hair styling device 10. In particular, the electrical cable 22 comprises a plug (not shown) that can be connected to a socket in order to supply mains power to the hair styling device 10. The electrical cable 22 may be referred to as an electrical cord.

[0062] The styling member 16 extends longitudinally from the second end 20 of the housing 15, at an opposite end from the electrical cable 22. In this example, the styling member 16 is an attachment which is removably attached to the second end 20 of the housing 15.

[0063] The body 14 further includes airflow inlets 24, an airflow generator 26, a user interface 28 (e.g. one or more buttons), a controller 30, and an airflow outlet (not shown).

[0064] The airflow inlets 24 are generally circular perforations in a side wall of the tubular housing 15. The airflow inlets 24 are at or near to the first (proximal) end 18, i.e. at an opposite end of the body 14 from the styling member 16. The airflow outlet (not shown) is located at the second (distal) end 20 and is fluidically connected to the airflow inlets 24 via one or more airflow conduits that extend through the tubular housing 15. The airflow outlet is configured to fluidly connect to an airflow inlet (not shown) in the styling member 16, for providing the airflow to the styling member 16.

[0065] The airflow generator 26 and controller 30 are both located inside the tubular housing 15. The airflow generator 26 includes a motor 32 and an impeller 34 and may be considered to be an air blower for blowing air into the styling member 16. The motor 32 is attached to the impeller 34 and is operable to rotate the impeller 34 when switched to an on state, e.g. by the controller 30. Thus, the impeller 34 is operable to generate an airflow from the airflow inlets 24 and into the styling member 26.

[0066] In this example, the styling member 16 is configured as a curling wand. The styling member 16 has a heater 36 which has a generally elongate, tubular shape. The heater 36 is surrounded by a cover 38, which is formed of a thermally conductive material (e.g. metal or ceramic). The cover 38 has complimentary shape to that of the heater 36 such that, in this example, the cover 38 also has a generally elongate, tubular shape. The cover 38 is spaced from the heater 36 by a gap which forms part of an airflow pathway allowing air (from the airflow generator 26) to flow between the heater 36 and the cover 38. The air may then flow14 P005502-W001 through a plurality of perforations (through-holes) which are provided in the cover 38. An absorbent layer 40 overlies the cover 38. An exterior surface of the absorbent layer 40 is a styling surface for contacting hair during styling. The absorbent layer 40 is formed of air permeable material (e.g. paper or textile material), thereby allowing the air to flow out the absorbent layer 40 for styling hair.

[0067] As mentioned above, the hair styling device 10 in this example further includes a liquid delivery arrangement 12. The liquid delivery arrangement 12 has a reservoir 42 for storing liquid (e.g. water). A liquid pathway formed by one or more conduits or pipes (not shown) connects the reservoir 42 to one or more dispensers 44. A pump (not shown) is located in the reservoir or in the liquid pathway for forcing liquid from the reservoir 42 to the dispenser(s) 44.

[0068] In this example, there are two dispensers 44. Each dispenser 44 is located externally to the styling surface and is configured to dispense liquid towards the styling surface. In particular, each dispenser 44 comprises a nozzle mounted at the second end 20 of the body 14. The dispensers are each spaced from the absorbent layer 40 and are each angled towards the absorbent layer 40 for spraying liquid from the reservoir 42 onto the styling surface. Once sprayed, the absorbent layer 40 can absorb and retain the liquid. Subsequently, the heater 36 may heat the cover 38, which in turn transfers the heat to the absorbent layer 40, to vaporise liquid retained by the absorbent layer 40. In this manner, the body 14 and styling member 16 operate to generate and deliver vapour to the hair wrapped around the styling member 16, for providing a desired hairstyle (such as a curl or wave).

[0069] In this example, the liquid delivery arrangement 12 (including the reservoir 42, pump, and dispensers 44) is comprised by the body 14, which is detachable from the styling member 16. In variant examples, the liquid delivery arrangement 12 may be integrated with the styling member 16, e.g. detachable from the body 14. In yet other variants, various components of the liquid delivery arrangement 12 may be distributed across the body 14 and the styling member 16 (e.g. with the reservoir being contained within the body 14 while the dispenser 44 is mounted on the attachment 16).

[0070] Figures 2 and 3 show a side view and a top-down view, respectively, of a styling member 16 with a different type of liquid delivery arrangement 12 from that of Figure 1. The same reference numerals are used throughout the figures to denote similar features.15 P005502-W001

[0071] In this example, the liquid delivery arrangement 12 is movable relative to the styling member 16. More specifically, the liquid delivery arrangement 12 includes a housing 46 in the shape of a collar (or hoop or annulus) which defines a central aperture 48 through which the styling member 16 is insertable. After insertion of the styling member 16 through the aperture 48, the liquid delivery arrangement 12 is slidable along a longitudinal axis of the styling member 16, as indicated by the dashed arrow in Figure 2.

[0072] In this example, liquid is stored within an annular reservoir 42 contained within the housing 46. A plurality of dispensers 44 are each fluidly connected to the reservoir 42. Each dispenser 44 is mounted to the housing 46 (e.g. at the central aperture 48). In this example, there are eight dispensers 44, which are circumferentially distributed about the central aperture 48. Each dispenser 44 is orientated to point radially inwardly towards the centre of the aperture 48, for directing liquid towards the styling surface of the styling member 16 in use.

[0073] In this example, each dispenser 44 includes a nozzle terminating in a flexible element in the form of a brush 50 (e.g. silicone brush). The length of each brush 50 is sufficient to contact the styling surface (e.g. the absorbent layer 40) of the styling member 16, when the styling member 16 is inserted through the central aperture 48 of the liquid delivery arrangement 12. Thus, as the liquid delivery arrangement 12 is longitudinally slid along the styling member 16, the brushes 50 brush water from the reservoir 42 and dispensers 44 over the longitudinal axis of the styling surface (e.g. the absorbent layer 40). Once the reservoir 42 is emptied, it can be refilled via a liquid port 52.

[0074] In this example, the liquid delivery arrangement 12 is a separate tool from the styling member 16. The styling member 16 can therefore be removed from the liquid delivery arrangement 12 in order to refill the reservoir 42.

[0075] In variant examples, the liquid delivery arrangement 12 may be attachable to the styling member. For example, the liquid delivery arrangement 12 may form a slidable assembly that is mountable on the styling member 16 (e.g. by slidably attaching the housing 46 to a base of the styling member 16, or to the body 14 shown in Figure 1).

[0076] Figure 4 shows a variant example in which a liquid delivery arrangement 12 comprises a flexible element in the form of a wiper 54 (or squeegee) that is movable relative to the styling member 16 for distributing liquid onto the styling surface.16 P005502-W001

[0077] In this example, the liquid delivery arrangement 12 forms an elongate structure extending longitudinally, along substantially the entire length of the styling member. The liquid delivery arrangement 12 is movably attached to the styling member 16 (e.g. by connections at a base 56 and tip 58 of the styling member 16). This movable attachment may be provided in any suitable manner to permit relative rotation of the liquid delivery arrangement 12 about the styling member 16.

[0078] The liquid delivery arrangement 12 includes a single reservoir 42 fluidly connected to a plurality of dispensers 44 (in this example, three dispensers 44). The dispensers 44 are axially distributed along the length of the liquid delivery arrangement 12. In this example, each dispenser 44 is a nozzle which is configured to spray liquid from the reservoir 42 onto the styling surface (e.g. onto the absorbent layer 40).

[0079] The wiper 54 (or squeegee) is an elongate flexible blade (e.g. formed of silicone) having an inner edge 60 which extends along substantially the entire length of the styling surface. The inner edge 60 of the wiper 54 is configured to maintain contact with the styling surface (along substantially the entire length of the inner edge 60) while the wiper 54 is rotated about the styling member 16.

[0080] In use, the dispensers 44 can spray liquid onto the styling surface (e.g. onto the absorbent layer). The wiper 54 can then be rotated about the styling member 16 to distribute the liquid radially around the styling surface. This movement can also help to press the liquid deeper into the styling surface (e.g. the absorbent layer 40), thereby helping the styling surface to retain and store liquid for subsequent vaporisation.

[0081] Figures 5A to 9 provide various examples in which the liquid delivery arrangement is provided in a dock for releasably holding the hair styling device.

[0082] Figures 5 A to 6 show a styling member 16 inserted into a dock 62 which is movable between an open position and a closed position. Figure 5A shows a top-down view of the dock 62 in the open position, with the styling member 16 inserted into the dock 62. Figures 5B and 6 show a top-down view and an end view, respectively, of the dock 62 in the closed position, such that the dock 62 is clamped onto the styling member 16.

[0083] As shown in Figures 5 A to 6, the dock 62 has a housing that comprises a first segment 64 and a second segment 66. The first segment 64 and second segment 66 are movable relative to each other (as indicated by the dashed arrows in Figure 5A) to move the dock between the open position and the closed position. For example, the segments 64, 66 may17 P005502-W001 be connected via a hinge 68 (shown in Figure 6) so that relative rotation of the segments 64, 66 can open or close the dock. In other examples, the segments 64, 66 may be movable in other manners (e.g. by sliding towards / away from each other). The two segments 64, 66 are mounted to a base 70 (shown in Figure 6) which has a planar lower surface allowing the dock to be positioned stably e.g. on a table or other flat surface.

[0084] In this example, the first and second segments 64, 66 are substantially symmetrical to each other, forming a clamshell-type arrangement for clamping onto the styling member 16. In particular, each segment 64, 66 has a substantially half-cylindrical shape, allowing the segments to closely conform to the shape of the barrel-shaped styling member 16 when the segments are brought together (i.e. in the closed position of Figure 5B and Figure 6).

[0085] Each segment 64, 66 has three concentric regions or layers: an outer region containing a reservoir 42; an intermediate region having a wall 72 and dispensers 44; and an inner region formed by a compressible membrane or sponge 74. The dispensers 44 each form a fluid pathway for dispensing liquid from the reservoir 42 onto the sponge 74. The walls 72 are each shaped to substantially conform to the shape of the sponge 74 and the styling member 16 (e.g. with the wall 72 and sponge 74 each having a substantially curved or semi-cylindrical shape).

[0086] In use, while the dock 62 is in the open position (Figure 5A), the dispensers 44 are configured to convey liquid from the reservoir 42 to the sponge 74, to load or saturate the sponge 74 with the liquid. The dispensers 44 may be adjustable between an open position (for permitting liquid flow to the sponge 74) and a closed position (for preventing liquid flow to the sponge 74). When the dock is moved from the open position to the closed position (Figures 5B and 6), the walls 72 compress the sponge 74, reducing its volume, and causing the sponge 74 to release its retained liquid onto the styling member 16 (e.g. onto the absorbent layer 40). The dock 62 may then be reopened to release the styling member 16, for subsequent styling by a user.

[0087] In some examples, the dock 62 is manually movable between the open and closed position. In other examples, the dock is automatically actuated between the open and closed position. For example, the dock may have a sensor for detecting a position of the styling member 16. The dock may further include a controller (e.g. in the base 70) which may be configured to automatically move the segments 64, 66 from the open position (Figure 5A)18 P005502-W001 to the closed position (Figure 5B) in response to a detection that the hair styling device is held by the dock 62.

[0088] Figure 7 shows another example of a dock 62 having a liquid delivery arrangement 12. In this example, the liquid delivery arrangement 12 has a manually actuatable pump mechanism. The dock 62 has a base 70 which opposes an opening at a top of the dock 62. The styling member is insertable through the opening 70. Upon insertion of the styling member 16 into the dock 62, the distal tip 58 of the styling member 16 abuts against a plunger 76 located inside the dock 62. The plunger 76 is in contact with a liquid pathway 78 that has one or more conduits (pipes) connecting a reservoir 42 to a respective one or more dispensers 44. In this example, there are two dispensers 44, each configured as nozzles for spraying liquid onto the styling member 16. The liquid pathway 78 includes a first conduit 80 located immediately downstream of the plunger 76. The first conduit 80 terminates in a one way valve 82 which provides a T-junction split, dividing the liquid flow between a second conduit 84 and a third conduit 86, respectively. The second conduit 84 and third conduit 86 each extend upwardly through the dock, and each terminate in a respective nozzle 44 located above the plunger 76. Thus, in use, downward movement of the styling member 16 into the dock causes the plunger 76 to force liquid through the one way valve 82, and upwardly along the second and third conduits 84, 86, to exit onto the styling member 16 via the dispensers 44. As the styling member 16 is pushed further into the dock 62, this continues to force liquid along the liquid pathway 78 and through the dispensers 44. Meanwhile, since the styling member 16 is moving (downwardly) relative to the dispensers 44, this ensures that the dispensers 44 are dispensing the liquid along the length of the styling member 16. This arrangement provides a predetermined “dose” of liquid from the liquid pathway 78 onto the styling surface of the styling member 16, where the dose is defined by the volume of the liquid pathway 78.

[0089] The plunger 76 may be connected to a spring (not shown) or other element for returning the plunger 76 to a starting position, after the plunger is pushed toward the liquid pathway 78.

[0090] It will be recognised that the liquid pathway 78 may itself be considered to be a reservoir, for providing liquid to the dispensers 44. Nonetheless, in some examples, the dock 62 also includes an auxiliary reservoir 90 for refilling the liquid pathway 78 with liquid (e.g. as shown in Figure 7). In this example, the auxiliary reservoir 90 is fluidly connected to the19 P005502-W001 first conduit 80 of the liquid pathway 78 via a one-way valve 88. The one-way valve 88 is orientated so that, when the first conduit 80 is empty, the one-way valve 88 will release liquid from the auxiliary reservoir 90 into the first conduit 80. In this manner, the dock 62 is configured to “automatically” refill the liquid pathway 78, e.g. as the styling member 16 is removed from the dock 62.

[0091] Figure 8 provides another example of a dock 62 for dispensing liquid onto a styling surface of a styling member 16. In this example, the styling member 16 is again insertable through an opening 70 in a housing 92 of the dock 62. The housing 92 defines an interior chamber having a plurality of dispensers 44 (e.g. nozzles) configured to dispense liquid from a reservoir 42 toward the styling surface when the styling member 16 is inserted into the housing 92. The dispensers 44 are circumferentially and longitudinally distributed about the interior chamber of the housing 92, and each face towards a central longitudinal axis (e.g. defined through the opening 70), for spraying liquid onto the styling member 16.

[0092] In contrast to the example from Figure 7, the dock 62 in Figure 8 is electrically powered rather than being manually actuatable. For example, the dock 62 may be connectable to mains power, or may have an integrated power supply (e.g. rechargeable battery). The dock 62 includes control circuitry (not shown) for actuating the dispensers 44 to dispense (e.g. spray) liquid onto the styling member 16. For example, the control circuitry may be connected to a user interface (e.g. a button on an exterior surface of the housing 92) for user actuation of the dock 62. Alternatively, the control circuitry can comprise a sensor configured to detect whether the styling member 16 is held by the housing 92. The control circuitry can then control the dispensers 44 to dispense liquid when the sensor detects that the styling member 16 is held by the housing 92.

[0093] Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of another type of powered dock 62, having a different type of dispenser 94. In particular, the dispenser 94 of Figure 9 is a rotary atomiser 94 having a rotatable element 96, a shroud 98 enclosing a portion of the rotary element 96, and a motor (not shown) that is configured to rotate (spin) the rotatable element 96. The rotary atomiser 94 is fluidly connected to a reservoir 42 via a conduit 100.

[0094] In use, the conduit 100 conveys liquid from the reservoir 42 onto an outer surface of the rotatable element 96. The motor spins the rotatable element 96, thereby causing atomisation of the liquid on the surface of the rotatable element 96. This produces a fine20 P005502-W001 spray of liquid which is propelled from the rotatable element 96. The shroud 98 captures any spray that is propelled in a direction away from the styling member 16.

[0095] In this example, there is only a single dispenser 44 in the form of a rotary atomiser 94. In order to coat the styling surface (e.g. absorbent layer 40) with liquid around the circumference of the styling surface, the styling member 16 may be rotated within the dock62 (e.g. manually or automatically). In variant examples, there may be multiple dispensers (e.g. multiple rotary atomisers 94) circumferentially arranged about the dock 62, to help distribute the liquid around the styling surface.

[0096] The examples described above are illustrative of the present disclosure, and further examples are envisaged. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one example may be used alone or in combination with other features of the example, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the examples, or any combination of any other of the examples. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the disclosure, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

21 P005502-W001CLAIMS1. A haircare system comprising: a hair styling device having a heater and a styling surface for contacting hair to be styled; and a liquid delivery arrangement having a dispenser, the dispenser being located externally to the styling surface and configured to dispense a liquid toward the styling surface; wherein the heater is operable to heat the styling surface to vaporise the liquid, to generate a vapour for transmission to the hair.

2. The haircare system of claim 1, wherein the styling surface comprises an absorbent layer.

3. The haircare system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the styling surface is air-permeable, and the hair styling device comprises an airflow generator for directing air through the styling surface toward the hair.

4. The haircare system of any preceding claim, wherein the liquid delivery arrangement comprises a reservoir for storing the liquid, wherein the dispenser is fluidly connected to the reservoir for dispensing liquid from the reservoir toward the styling surface.

5. The haircare system of claim 4, wherein the liquid delivery arrangement is operable to deliver a predefined amount of the liquid from the reservoir to the styling surface.

6. The haircare system of claim 4 or 5, wherein the liquid delivery arrangement further comprises a pump for forcing liquid from the reservoir to the dispenser.

7. The haircare system of any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the dispenser is spaced from the styling surface.22 P005502-W0018. The haircare system of any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the dispenser comprises a nozzle or atomiser for spraying liquid from the reservoir toward the styling surface.

9. The haircare system of any preceding claim, wherein the liquid delivery arrangement comprises a flexible element that is pressable against the styling surface for distributing the liquid onto the styling surface.

10. The haircare system of claim 9, wherein the flexible element comprises a brush.

11. The haircare system of claim 9 or 10, wherein the flexible element comprises a sponge which is positioned to receive liquid dispensed by the dispenser and which is compressible against the styling surface to release the liquid onto the styling surface.

12. The haircare system of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the flexible element comprises a wiper which is movable relative to the styling surface for distributing the liquid onto the styling surface.

13. The haircare system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hair styling device comprises the liquid delivery arrangement.

14. The haircare system of any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a dock having a housing configured to releasably hold the hair styling device, the dock including the liquid delivery arrangement, wherein the liquid delivery arrangement is positioned to dispense the liquid onto the styling surface when the hair styling device is held by the housing.

15. The haircare system of claim 14, wherein the dock comprises a sensor configured to detect whether the hair styling device is held by the housing, and to control the liquid delivery arrangement to dispense the liquid when the sensor detects that the hair styling device is held by the housing.23 P005502-W00116. The haircare system of any preceding claim, wherein the hair styling device is a curling wand comprising a barrel, the styling surface being a surface of the barrel.

17. A dock for a hair styling device, the dock having: a housing configured to releasably hold the hair styling device; a liquid delivery arrangement having a dispenser, the dispenser being positioned to dispense a liquid toward a styling surface of the hair styling device when the hair styling device is held by the housing.

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