A haircare appliance

Abstract

A haircare appliance comprising a body, and a rotatable portion rotatably mounted to the body. The rotatable portion comprises a first arm comprising a first clamping surface, and a second arm comprising a second clamping surface. The first and second arms are moveable towards one another in use to a clamping position in which hair is able to be clamped between the first and second clamping surfaces. The appliance also comprises a heater arranged to heat clamped hair. At least one of the first and second clamping surfaces is flexible in a direction along a length of the at least one clamping surface.

Description

[0001] 1 P005271-W001

[0002] A HAIRCARE APPLIANCE

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] Haircare appliances are known for styling hair. Some haircare appliances (e.g. hair straighteners) include arms, between which hair to be styled can be clamped. In some cases, heat can be used to facilitate shaping of hair clamped between the arms.

[0005] SUMMARY

[0006] In a first aspect, there is provided a haircare appliance comprising a body, and a rotatable portion rotatably mounted to the body. The rotatable portion comprises a first arm comprising a first clamping surface, and a second arm comprising a second clamping surface. The first and second arms are moveable towards one another in use to a clamping position in which hair is able to be clamped between the first and second clamping surfaces. The haircare appliance also comprises a heater arranged to heat clamped hair clamped between the first and second clamping surfaces in use. At least one of the first and second clamping surfaces is flexible in a direction along a length of the at least one clamping surface (e.g. to flex around a tress of hair clamped between the first and second clamping surfaces in use).

[0007] The provision of a rotatable portion may facilitate wrapping of clamped hair around the first and second arms. Such wrapping of hair can, for example, be used to apply a curl or wave to a tress of hair. For example, a tress of hair can first be clamped between the arms, the tress of hair can then be wrapped around the arms by rotation of the rotatable portion, and then the arms can be moved along the tress (away from the user’s scalp) while maintaining a clamping force on the tress of hair in order to form curls and / or waves in the tress of hair. Providing a rotatable portion may facilitate this process by reducing the need for a user to rotate the handle, which could otherwise require uncomfortable or unnatural movement of their wrist, or readjustment of their grip on the haircare appliance (risking the haircare appliance being dropped).

[0008] The provision of a clamping surface (i.e. the first and / or second clamping surface) that is flexible in a direction along a length of the clamping surface may aid in ensuring the 2 P005271-W001 clamped tress of hair remains between the first and second arms. When performing the above described curling movement, there can be a tendency for some of the hairs of a clamped tress of hair to spread out across the clamping surfaces. This can result in uneven tension and heating across the tress of hair. Moreover, in some case, hairs of a tress of hair may move along the arms so as to be dislodged from between the arms (i.e. so as to be free of the arms). This can be detrimental to application of a style to the tress of hair.

[0009] The provision of clamping surface(s) that are flexible along their length can help to retain a tress of hair from spreading out across the clamping surfaces, and also from being dislodged from between the arms. This is because the clamping surface(s) are able to flex around the tress of hair so as to restrict movement of the tress of hair in a direction along the lengths of the clamping surfaces.

[0010] Each clamping surface may have a length dimension and a width dimension that are orthogonal to one another. The length may be longer than the width. At least the first arm may be elongate. The length of the first clamping surface may be parallel to the direction of elongation of the first arm.

[0011] The haircare appliance may comprise a driver operatively connected to the rotatable portion to rotate the rotatable portion relative to the body. The driver may comprise an electromechanical device. The driver may comprise a motor. Alternatively, the driver may be configured to be manually driven by a user. The driver may be at least partly (e.g. fully) housed within the body.

[0012] The haircare appliance may comprise a coupling for coupling the driver to the rotatable portion. For example, a first coupler connected to the driver may couple with a second driver of the rotatable portion. The first and second coupler may be disengageable from one another.

[0013] The haircare appliance may comprise a user input device configured to receive user input. The user input device may, for example, comprise a sensor, button, microphone, touchscreen, wireless receiver, etc. 3 P005271-W001

[0014] The driver may be operatively connected to the user input device so as to be moveable in response to a user input received by the user input device. For example, the driver may be operatively connected to the user input device via a controller (e.g. comprising a microprocessor).

[0015] The user input may comprise movement of the first and second arms to the clamping position. . The driver may be configured to rotate the rotatable portion relative to the body in response to the first and second arms being moved to the clamping position (e.g. there may be a sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, to detect a position or movement of the first arm in relation to the second arm). In this way, a user may initiate rotation of the rotatable portion by simply clamping the first and second arms.

[0016] The haircare appliance may be configured such that the rotatable portion is restricted from rotating when the first and second arms are in an open position (e.g. not in the clamping position). The haircare appliance may comprise a locking mechanism configured to lock the rotatable portion (to prevent rotation of the rotatable portion) when the first and second arms are in the open position.

[0017] The haircare appliance (e.g. driver and / or controller) may be configured such that the driver only rotates the rotatable portion when the first and second arms are in the clamping position. For example, the controller may be configured so as not to instruct the driver to rotate the rotatable portion (in response to a signal from the user input device) when the first and second arms are in the open position. That is, the controller may be configured so as only to cause the driver to rotate the rotatable portion when the first and second arms are in the closed position.

[0018] To detect whether the first and second arms are in the closed position, as discussed above, the haircare appliance may comprise a sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, for detecting a position of the first arm in relation to the second arm. It may be understood that the arms are closer together in a clamping (or closed) position than they are in an open position. 4 P005271-W001

[0019] Similarly, it may be understood that the arms are further apart in an open position than they are in a clamping (or closed) position.

[0020] The body may be elongate. The body may be cylindrical. The body may be configured to be held by a user in use. In this respect, the body may be referred to as a handle.

[0021] The first arm may comprise a hair guide having a raised portion to limit movement of hair, wrapped around the first arm in use, in a direction along the first arm. In this way, the guide may further (i.e. in addition to the flexible clamping surface) assist in maintaining the hairs of a tress of hair between the first and second arms.

[0022] The raised portion may be disposed on an opposite and / or adjacent side of the first arm to the first clamping surface (in such an example, at least the first clamping surface may be flexible in a direction along its length). The raised portion may extend from the first arm in a direction away from the first clamping surface and / or away from the second arm.

[0023] The raised portion of the hair guide may be closer to a distal end of the first arm than the body. For example, the raised portion of the hair guide may be at a distal end of the first arm that is distal from the body. Such positioning may help to prevent hair of a tress of hair (wrapped about the first and second arms) from travelling beyond the distal ends of the arms in use so as to be dislodged from the haircare appliance.

[0024] The raised portion may be a first raised portion, and the hair guide may comprise a second raised portion spaced along the first arm from the first raised portion. In this way, a tress of hair wrapped around the first and second arms may be retained in a space between the first and second raised portions. The second raised portion may be spaced along the first arm in a direction away from the distal end of the first arm (e.g. towards the body). For example, the second raised portion may be closer to the body than the distal end of the first arm.

[0025] The hair guide may comprise a guide surface. The guide surface may be a surface across which hair extends when a tress of hair is wrapped around the first and second arms. The 5 P005271-W001 guide surface may be sloped to urge hair, wrapped around the first arm in use, in a direction along the first arm. The guide surface may be sloped with respect to a central axis of the first arm. A profile of the guide surface, taken in a plane parallel to the central axis of the first arm may be sloped relative to the central axis. The slope of the profile of the guide surface may thus have an axial component (i.e. in a direction along or parallel to the central axis) and radial component (i.e. in a direction that is orthogonal to the central axis).

[0026] The hair guide may comprise a concave recess for receipt of hair wrapped around the first arm in use. A concave profile of the concave recess may be parallel to a central axis of the first arm. That is, a profile of the recess, taken in a plane parallel to the central axis of the first arm, may be concave.

[0027] The concave recess may be positioned along the first arm such that a nadir of the concave recess is aligned with a central region of the first clamping surface. The central region may be a region that extends from 0.25 of the length of the first clamping surface to 0.75 of the length of the first clamping surface (or e.g. 0.4 of the length to 0.6 of the length).

[0028] The hair guide may be releasably mountable to the first arm. For example, the hair guide may be mounted by mechanical engagement (e.g. snap engagement, threaded engagement, etc.) or magnetic engagement. This may allow, for example, replacement of the hair guide with another hair guide of an alternative shape.

[0029] In some examples, the hair guide may be fixedly attached or integral with the first arm. In this way, a hair guide with increased durability may be provided.

[0030] The hair guide may be a first hair guide and the haircare appliance may comprise a second hair guide provided on the second arm. The second hair guide may be otherwise as described above with respect to the first hair guide. 6 P005271-W001

[0031] The haircare appliance may comprise a clamping plate that is flexible along a length of the clamping plate. The at least one of the first and second clamping surfaces (i.e. the at least one flexible clamping surface) may be a surface of the clamping plate.

[0032] The clamping plate may have a thickness of less than 1.0 mm, e.g. less than 0.7 mm, e.g. less than 0.5 mm (e.g. about 0.2 mm). The thickness of the clamping plate may be taken in a direction between the respective clamping surface and an opposite surface (e.g. rear surface) of the clamping plate. Clamping plates having the described thickness may more readily flex to accommodate hair when clamped between the first and second clamping surfaces.

[0033] The haircare appliance may comprise a support assembly configured to provide resistance to movement of the at least one clamping surface (i.e. the at least one flexible clamping surface). The support assembly may be configured such that when the at least one clamping surface is moved from the rest position to the flexed position: in a first portion of the movement, the at least one clamping surface moves according to a first spring rate; and in a second portion of the movement, the at least one clamping surface moves according to a second spring rate that is greater than the first spring rate.

[0034] One issue that can sometimes arise as a result of flexing of a clamping surface in the manner described further above (especially when a user wishes to apply significant tension to the hair), is that at least some of the hairs of a tress of hair can be pinched or snagged between the clamping surfaces of the haircare appliance. Providing two different springs rates in two different portions of the movement of the at least one clamping surface (as described above with respect to the first aspect) can help to reduce this pinching or snagging.

[0035] For example, the first spring rate in the first portion of movement may be configured to allow for a gradual increase in clamping force (such clamping force translating to hair tension in use) as the clamping surfaces are moved towards one another. This can help to reduce pinching / snagging, while also allowing the hair to be corralled by flexing of one or both of the clamping surfaces. 7 P005271-W001

[0036] Further, the second (greater) spring rate, in the second portion of movement, may be configured to provide a steeper increase in clamping force (translating to hair tension) as the clamping surfaces are moved towards one another. This can provide controllable hair tension, with such controllability helping a user to avoid pinching or snagging of their hair. By way of example, if the second portion of movement (and second spring rate) were instead omitted, instead the user would experience a hard stop at the end of the first portion of movement. Such a hard stop would immediately (and significantly) increase the clamping force, which could cause hair to be pinched.

[0037] The first portion of the movement may occur before the second portion of the movement when the at least one clamping surface is moved from the rest position to the flexed position. In other words, the support assembly may be configured such that when a tress of hair is clamped between the clamping surfaces, the at least one clamping surface moves according to the first spring rate and then subsequently moves according to the second spring rate (as additional force is applied).

[0038] The difference between the first and second spring rates may be at least 10 N / mm, or e.g. at least 15 N / mm, or e.g. at least 20 N / mm. The difference between the first and second spring rates may be no more than 50 N / mm, or e.g. no more than 40 N / mm, or e.g. no more than 35 N / mm.

[0039] The first spring rate may be less than 15 N / mm, or e.g. less than 10 N / mm, or e.g. less than 7 N / mm. The second spring rate may be less than 100 N / mm, or e.g. less than 80 N / mm, or e.g. less than 50 N / mm.

[0040] In the first portion of movement, the at least one clamping surface (e.g. the first clamping surface) may move by between 0.1 mm and 1.5 mm, or e.g. between 0.3 mm and 1.0 mm. The at least one clamping surface may move in a direction away from the second arm (e.g. a clamping surface of the second arm). The distance moved in the first portion of movement may be predetermined. In this way, in use, the at least one clamping surface may move away from the second arm to preferentially provide a separation distance (e.g. 8 P005271-W001 between the at least one clamping surface and the clamping surface of the second arm) similar to the thickness of human hair to provide further mitigation against hair snagging.

[0041] In the second portion of movement, the at least one clamping surface may move at least 0.3 mm, or e.g. at least 0.5 mm. The second portion of movement may provide enhanced control of the tension applied to the hair, in use.

[0042] The first spring rate may be substantially constant for the first portion of movement. The second spring rate may be substantially constant for the second portion of movement.

[0043] The spring rate in a given portion of movement can be determined by measuring the force required to move the relevant clamping surface a given distance in a direction away from the opposite clamping surface (i.e. the given distance representing the portion of the movement). It may be understood that a second clamping surface, which is the clamping surface of the second arm, may also be referred to as the opposite clamping surface. The force (and displacement) may, for example, be measured at a single measurement point on the at least one clamping surface. The measurement point may be a point of the at least one clamping surface across which a tress of hair would extend in normal use. For example, the measurement point may be a central point of the at least one clamping surface (e.g. a point that is located centrally with respect to the length and width of the at least one clamping surface).

[0044] The heater may be arranged to heat the clamping plate. The heater may be flexible in a width and / or length direction of the at least one clamping surface. The heater may comprise a thick film heater. The heater may be in contact with the clamping plate. The clamping plate may overlie the heater. That is, the heater may extend across the rear surface of the clamping plate (opposite to the at least one clamping surface). The heater may extend only partway across the clamping plate. For example, the heater (e.g. thick film heater) may not fully extend to opposite edges of the clamping plate. For example, the heater may not extend across at least one edge regions of the clamping plate (such edge regions are discussed in more detail), which may permit flexing of the clamping plate in the edge regions. The heater may, in some examples, form part of the support assembly. 9 P005271-W001

[0045] The first and / or second arm may comprise a support structure, which may at least partly support the clamping plate and / or the heater. The support structure may be moveably mounted within the arm. The support structure may be arranged to move in response to movement of the at least one clamping surface. The support structure may form part of the support assembly.

[0046] The first and / or second arm may comprise a housing. The housing may be elongate. The housing may have a C-shaped profile (e.g. taken in a plane that is perpendicular to the direction of elongation). The housing may comprise an outer wall and may comprise an inner structure (e.g. chassis) disposed inwardly of the outer wall.

[0047] The support assembly may comprise at least one resilient member. The support assembly may comprise first and second resilient members. The first resilient member may have a different spring rate to the second resilient member. Each resilient member may be configured to provide resistance to movement of the at least one clamping surface. In this way, the first and second resilient members may at least partly provide the different first and second spring rates.

[0048] The second resilient member may be arranged so as not to resist movement of the at least one clamping surface in the first portion of movement. The second resilient member may be arranged to directly or indirectly engage the at least one clamping surface when in the flexed position. The second resilient member may be arranged to be disengaged from the at least one clamping surface when in the rest position. In this way, the second resilient member may only contribute to the spring rate of the movement of at least one clamping surface after the at least one clamping surface has been moved away from the rest position.

[0049] For example, the second resilient member may only contribute to the spring rate in the second portion of the movement of the at least one clamping surface (and may not contribute to the spring rate in the first portion of the movement). That is, in the first portion of the movement, the second resilient member may be disengaged from the at least one clamping surface, and in the second portion of the movement, the second resilient 10 P005271-W001 member may be engaged with the at least one clamping surface. In this way, the arrangement of the second resilient member may at least partly provide the difference in spring rate between the first spring rate and the second spring rate.

[0050] For the avoidance of doubt, references to the engagement between a resilient member and the at least one clamping surface do not require direct engagement. The term engagement is intended to refer to the second resilient member resisting movement of the at least one clamping surface. That is, when disengaged, the second resilient member may provide no resistance to movement of the at least one clamping surface, and when engaged the second resilient member may provide some resistance to the movement of the clamping surface.

[0051] The first resilient member may be arranged to directly or indirectly engage the at least one clamping surface in both the rest position and the flexed position. Accordingly, in the first portion of the movement of the at least one clamping surface, only the first resilient member may engage (i.e. resist movement of) the at least one clamping surface, and in the second portion of the movement of at least one at least one clamping surface, both the first and second resilient members may engage (i.e. be resist movement) of the at least one clamping surface.

[0052] The support assembly may comprise a resilient rail arranged to support an edge region of the at least one clamping surface (e.g. an edge extending in the length direction of the at least one clamping surface). The resilient rail may be the first resilient member. The resilient rail may comprise an elastic material, such as e.g. silicone rubber. The resilient rail may have a hardness of between ShA 10 and ShA 30, or e.g. about ShA 20 (ShA referring to Shore A hardness).

[0053] The resilient rail may be arranged such that, when the edge region of the at least one clamping surface is moved from the rest position to the flexed position, the resilient rail is compressed. 11 P005271-W001

[0054] The resilient rail may be positioned between the at least one clamping surface (e.g. clamping plate) and the housing. The resilient rail may form at least a portion of a sidewall of the first or second arm.

[0055] The resilient rail may be a first resilient rail and the edge region that is supported by the first resilient rail may be a first edge region. The haircare appliance may comprise a second resilient rail to support a second edge region of the at least one clamping surface that is opposite to the first edge region. The second resilient rail may be as described above with respect to the first resilient rail. In general, the at least one clamping surface may comprise opposite edges (which may extend in the length direction of the at least one clamping surface), each supported by a respective resilient rail.

[0056] The support assembly may comprise a resilient stop member. The stop member may be the second resilient member. The stop member may be formed of an elastic material, such as silicone rubber, or e.g. foam. The stop member may have a hardness of between ShA 30 and ShA 70, or e.g. between ShA 40 and ShA 60.

[0057] The stop member may be mounted to the housing, such as the inner structure (e.g. chassis) of the housing. The stop member may be disposed between the at least one clamping surface (e.g. clamping plate) and the housing, such as an inner surface of the housing. The stop member may be disposed between the support structure and the housing.

[0058] In a third portion of the movement of the at least one clamping surface from the rest position to the flexed position, the at least one clamping surface may move according to a third spring rate. The third portion of the movement may occur before the first portion of the movement when the at least one clamping surface is moved from the rest position to the flexed position. The third spring rate may be greater than the first spring rate.

[0059] The third portion of movement may be associated with overcoming an initial pre-load provided by the clamping plate. In some arrangements it may take a given amount of force to overcome an initial pre-load of the clamping plate in order to initiate full movement of the at least one clamping surface (e.g. according to the first spring rate). Accordingly, this 12 P005271-W001 third portion of movement may be considered a pre-load movement. While some movement may occur in this pre-load movement, it may occur at a significantly higher spring rate than during the first portion of the movement (i.e. subsequent to the pre-load movement). Likewise, the pre-load movement may be significantly smaller than at least the first portion of movement (e.g. the pre-load movement may represent only a very small proportion of the overall movement of the at least one clamping surface between the rest position and the flexed position).

[0060] The at least one of the first and second clamping surfaces may be flexible in a direction along a width of the at least one of the first and second clamping surfaces. Accordingly, in some examples, at least one of the first and second clamping surfaces may be flexible in both a length direction and a width direction.

[0061] Providing flexibility in the width direction may further aid in reducing pinching or snagging of hair. For example, without such flexibility, when the end of a tress of hair is captured between the clamping surfaces (e.g. just prior to release of the tress of hair from between the clamping surfaces), the clamping surface could otherwise pinch the end of the tress of hair. This is because in such circumstances the clamping force (applied by the clamping surfaces) is applied to a smaller area of hair (when compared to a tress of hair extending fully across the clamping surfaces), which increases the pressure applied to the hair. Providing flexibility in the width direction helps to better manage this application of force.

[0062] Such pinching could also otherwise occur when a tress of hair extends across the clamping surfaces obliquely as a result of flexing of at least the at least one clamping surface in the length direction. As may be appreciated, if flexing of the clamping surface(s) is limited to the length direction, then the clamping surface(s) may flex to readily accommodate a tress of hair that extends perpendicularly across the clamping surface (essentially, by flexing to form a perpendicularly extending passage in which the tress of hair locates). However, if the tress of hair instead extends on an angle to the perpendicular direction, the flexing of the clamping surface(s), when limited to the length direction, may be less effective at accommodating the tress of hair because when the flexibility is limited to the length 13 P005271-W001 direction, the clamping surface(s) are only able to form a perpendicular “passage” by flexing (and not an oblique passage).

[0063] Accordingly, as noted above, providing flexibility in the width direction may help to reduce such pinching.

[0064] Each clamping surface may comprise opposite edge regions extending along lengthwise edges of the at least one clamping surface (i.e. edges extending in the length direction of the at least one clamping surface). Each clamping surface may comprise an intermediate region interposed between the edge regions. At least one of the edge regions of at least one of the first and second clamping surfaces may be less resistant than the intermediate region of the clamping surface to movement in a direction away from the other of the clamping surfaces. In other words, in use, one or both of the edge regions of the first and / or second clamping surface may more readily flex compared to the intermediate region.

[0065] As discussed above, when the end of a tress of hair is drawn between the clamping surfaces, and just before it is released from between the clamping surfaces, only a small amount of hair will be clamped between the clamping surfaces (in one of the edge regions). In arrangements in which the at least one clamping surface does not have a varying spring rate in the width direction, this could otherwise cause pinching of the tress of hair. Configuring the haircare appliance such that at least one of the edge regions is less resistant to movement than the intermediate region may reduce this pinching issue.

[0066] In some examples, the difference between the spring rate at the edge of the at least one clamping surface and at a centre (i.e. with respect to a width of) the at least one clamping surface may be at least 2 N / mm, or e.g. at least 4 N / mm (taken in the same plane along the length of the at least one clamping surface). Such a spring rate difference may be in at least the second portion of the movement of the at least one clamping surface.

[0067] The haircare appliance may comprise an edge biasing arrangement, which may be arranged to resist movement of at least one of the edge regions in a direction away from the second clamping surface. The edge biasing arrangement may comprise the first and / or second 14 P005271-W001 resilient rail described above. The haircare appliance may comprise an intermediate biasing arrangement, which may be arranged to resist movement of the intermediate region in a direction away from the second clamping surface. The intermediate biasing arrangement may have a greater spring rate than the edge biasing member.

[0068] The intermediate biasing arrangement may comprise one or more compression springs. The one or more compression springs may be mounted to the housing (e.g. to the inner structure of the housing). The one or more compression springs may be disposed between the at least one clamping surface and the housing. The one or more compression springs may be disposed between the support structure and the housing. The one or more compression springs may be configured to urge the support structure away from the housing.

[0069] The haircare appliance may be a rotating hair straightener.

[0070] In a second aspect, there is provided a rotating hair straightener comprising a body, and a rotatable portion rotatably mounted to the body. The rotatable portion comprises a first arm comprising a first clamping surface, and a second arm comprising a second clamping surface. The first and second arms are moveable towards one another in use to a clamping position in which hair is able to be clamped between the first and second clamping surfaces. The rotating hair straightener also comprises a heater arranged to heat clamped hair. At least one of the first and second clamping surfaces is flexible in a direction along a length of the at least one clamping surface.

[0071] The rotating hair straightener of the second aspect may be as otherwise described above with respect to the first aspect. That is, the rotating hair straightener of the second aspect may include one or more of the features of the haircare appliance described above with respect to the first aspect.

[0072] In a third aspect, there is provided a haircare appliance comprising first and second arms that are moveable towards one another to clamp a tress of hair therebetween. The first arm 15 P005271-W001 comprises a hair guide having a raised portion to limit movement of hair, wrapped around the first arm in use, in a direction along the first arm.

[0073] The hair guide of the third aspect may be as otherwise described with respect to the first aspect. That is, the hair guide of the third aspect may include one or more features of the hair guide described in the first aspect.

[0074] In a fourth aspect, there is provided a hair guide for releasable mounting to the arm of a haircare appliance comprising first and second arms that are moveable towards one another to clamp a tress of hair therebetween. The hair guide comprises a raised portion to limit movement of hair, wrapped around the first arm in use, in a direction along the first arm.

[0075] The hair guide of the fourth aspect may be as otherwise described with respect to the first aspect. That is, the hair guide of the fourth aspect may include one or more features of the hair guide described in the first aspect.

[0076] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] Figure 1 A is a side view of a haircare appliance;

[0078] Figure IB is a perspective view of the haircare appliance of Figure 1A;

[0079] Figure 1C is a section view of an arm of the haircare appliance of Figure 1A, the section taken in a plane parallel to a width of the arm;

[0080] Figure ID is a section view of an arm of the haircare appliance of Figure 1A, the section taken in a plane parallel to a length of the arm;

[0081] Figure IE is a schematic view of the haircare appliance of Figure 1 A;

[0082] Figure 2 is a schematic showing clamping surfaces that are flexible in a length direction of the clamping surfaces;

[0083] Figure 3 is a schematic view showing clamping surfaces that are flexible in a width direction of the clamping surfaces; and

[0084] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a variation of a hair guide of the haircare appliance of Figure 1A.

[0085] DETAILED DESCRIPTION 16 P005271-W001

[0086] Figures 1A to IE illustrate a haircare appliance 10 (in the form of hair straighteners) comprising a body 11 and a rotatable portion 12 rotatably mounted to the body 11.

[0087] The body 11 has an elongate cylindrical shape, which allows the body 11 to be comfortably held in the hand of a user in use (i.e. the body 11 may be considered a handle of the haircare appliance 10). The body 11 extends from a first end 13 to a second end 14. The rotatable portion 12 is rotatably mounted to the second end 14 of the body 11. The mounting of the rotatable portion 12 is such that the rotatable portion 12 is rotatable about a longitudinal axis 15 of the haircare appliance 10 (i.e. an axis 15 extending centrally along the haircare appliance 10). Such rotation is illustrated by arrow 48. A central axis of each arm 16, 18 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 15 when in the closed position shown in Figure 1A.

[0088] The rotatable portion 12 comprises a first arm 16 comprising a first clamping surface 17, and a second arm 18 comprising a second clamping surface 19. The first arm 16 and second arm 18 are moveable towards one another in use from an open position (as shown in Figure IB) to a clamping position (as shown in Figure 1A). In the open position, the first 17 and second 19 clamping surfaces are spaced from one another (for receipt of a tress of hair therebetween). In the clamping position, the first 17 and second 19 clamping surfaces are brought together such that hair is able to be clamped between the first clamping surface 17 and second clamping surface 19. Once clamped, a tress of hair can then be wrapped around the first 16 and second 18 arms by rotating the rotatable portion 12. For example, once clamped, the tress may be wrapped around the second 18 arm and then the first 16 arm of the rotatable portion 12 as it rotates in the direction illustrated by arrow 48.

[0089] Each of the first 17 and second 19 clamping surfaces is flexible in a direction along a length thereof (i.e. in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 15 of Figure 1A) and also in a direction along a width thereof (i.e. in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 15 of Figure 1A). In other embodiments, however, only one of the first 17 and second 19 clamping surfaces may be flexible. 17 P005271-W001

[0090] The flexibility of the first clamping surface 17 and second clamping surface 19 in use is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 schematically illustrates flexing of the first 17 and second 19 clamping surfaces in a direction along their respective lengths when a tress of hair is received between the first 17 and second 19 clamping surfaces (i.e. so as to extend in the width direction of the clamping surfaces 17, 19). As should be appreciated from Figure 2, the presence of the tress of hair 20 causes the first clamping surface 17 to flex in a direction away from the second clamping surface 19, and the second clamping surface 19 to flex in a direction away from the first clamping surface 17 (i.e. at the location of the tress 20). This causes the first clamping surface 17 and second clamping surface 19 curve around the tress 20, which aids in restricting movement of the tress 20 in a direction along the lengths of the first 17 and second 19 clamping surfaces. This can be referred to as corralling of the hair. As may be appreciated, such restriction of movement may be particularly useful when rotating the rotatable portion 12.

[0091] Figure 3 schematically illustrates flexing of the first 17 and second 19 clamping surfaces in a direction along their respective widths W. In Figure 3, the tress of hair 20 is in the process of being removed from the clamping surfaces 17, 19. That is, the tress 20 extends only partway across the clamping surfaces 17, 19 in the width direction. This will typically occur when a user has moved haircare appliance 10 to the end of the tress 20, at the end of a pass along the tress 20. As may be appreciated from Figure 3, the flexing of the first 17 and second 19 clamping surfaces in the width direction may aid in release of the end of the tress 20 from between the clamping surfaces 17, 19 (i.e. without pinching or snagging the tress 20).

[0092] Returning the Figures 1A to IE, each of the first 16 and second 18 arms comprises a hair guide 21 having a first raised portion 22 (in the form of a lip) to limit movement of hair (that is wrapped around the arms 16, 18 in use) in a direction along the arms 16, 18. In particular, each of the first raised portions 22 is disposed at a distal end 33 of its respective arm 16, 18. In this way, hair is restricted from moving beyond the distal ends 33 of the arms 16, 18 (i.e. so as to be dislodged from the arms 16, 18) by the first raised portions 22. 18 P005271-W001

[0093] Each hair guide 21 also comprises a respective second raised portion 23 (each in the form of a lip), which again limit movement of hair, wrapped around the arms 16, 18. The second raised portions 23 are disposed at proximal ends 34 of the arms 16, 18. In this way, the second raised portions 23 limit movement of hair towards the body 11 of the haircare appliance 10. Accordingly, when hair is wrapped around the arms 16, 18, each pair of first 22 and second 23 raised portions on a given arm 16, 18 helps to maintain the hair of the tress in the wrapped position (around the arms 16, 18).

[0094] In the illustrated embodiment, each raised portion 22, 23 is disposed on an opposite side of the arm 16, 18 to the respective clamping surface 17, 19 of the arm 16, 18, and projects in a direction away from the other of the arms 16, 18 (i.e. such that the raised portions 22, 23 project outwardly, away from one another). Each raised portion 22, 23 comprises a guide surface 24 that is sloped to urge wrapped hair in a direction along the respective arm 16, 18, away from the raised portion 22, 23.

[0095] In particular, the guide surfaces 24 are sloped with respect to a base surface 25 of the respective hair guide 21. The guide surfaces 24 connect the raised portions 22, 23 to the base surface 25 (and thus act as transition surfaces). The base surface 25 of each hair guide 21 has convex profile taken in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 15 (i.e. when the arms 16, 18 are in the closed position). This aids in wrapping of hair around the arms 16, 18.

[0096] Although not immediately apparent from the figures, each hair guide 21 is releasably mounted to its respective arm 16, 18. This allows each hair guide 21 to be removed from its respective arm 16, 18 when not required, or for replacement with another hair guide 21 having a different shape.

[0097] One example of an alternative shape is provided in Figure 4. While two hair guides 21’ are shown in Figure 4, for brevity, only one will be described (it should nevertheless be appreciated that the hair guides 21’ are identical to one another, so that the description below applies to both hair guides 21’). 19 P005271-W001

[0098] The hair guide 21’ includes a first raised portion 22, which is disposed at the distal end 33 of the arm 16, and a second raised portion 23 that is disposed at the proximal end 34 of the arm 16. The hair guide 21 also includes a base surface 25, which transitions into the first 22 and second 23 raised portions, and which has a concave profile taken in a plane that is parallel to the longitudinal axis 15 (i.e. as shown in Figure 1A). On the other hand, in a plane taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 15, the base surface 25 has a convex profile. In this way, hair guide 21’, and more particularly the base surface 25, has a saddle shape.

[0099] The concave profile of the base surface 25 forms a concave recess between the first 22 and second 23 raised portions. In use, hair that is wrapped around the arms 16, 18 is received in the concave recess (i.e. so as to extend over the base surface 25). The concave shape of the base surface 25, and the first 22 and second 23 raised portions help to guide wrapped hair away from the first 13 and second 14 ends of the arms 16, 18 in use (for example, when the rotatable portion is rotating).

[0100] In particular, hair may be guided to the nadir 26 of the concave profile of the base surface 25 of the hair guide 21’. The nadir 26 is positioned so as to be aligned with central regions of the clamping surfaces 17, 19 (i.e. regions midway along each clamping surface 17, 19 in a length direction of the clamping surface 17, 19). This may better allow the hair guide 21’ and (flexible) clamping surfaces 17, 19 to work together to restrict movement of the hair. Likewise, use of the hair guide 21’ to position hair centrally along the clamping surfaces 17, 19 may ensure the hair is in contact with regions of the clamping surfaces 17, 19 that are configured for more efficient heat transfer to the hair.

[0101] Figures 1C and ID provide more detail with respect to the flexibility of the clamping surface 17, 19. These figures show the interior of the first arm 16 with the hair guide 21 removed. It should be appreciated that the second arm 18 is a mirror image of the first arm 16, so the description of Figures 1C and ID below applies equally to the second arm 18.

[0102] The first arm 16 includes a C-shaped housing 35 on an opposite side of the first arm 16 to the first clamping surface 17. The housing 35 comprises an outer wall 36 and an inner 20 P005271-W001 structure in the form of an elongate chassis 37 positioned inwardly of, and mounted to, the outer wall 36 of the housing 35. The chassis 37 may be formed of a thermally insulative material so as to reduce heat transfer to the housing 35.

[0103] The first clamping surface 17 has a length L, which is parallel to the direction of elongation of the first arm 16, and a width W that is perpendicular to the length L. The length L of the first clamping surface 17 is longer than the width W. The first clamping surface 17 forms a surface of a clamping plate 38 of the haircare appliance 10. The clamping plate 38 is formed of phosphor bronze and has a thickness of about 0.2 mm, which allows the clamping plate 38 (and thus the first clamping surface 17) to flex in use.

[0104] A heater 39 is provided on an underside (as illustrated) of the clamping plate 38 (i.e. on an opposite side of the clamping plate 38 to the first clamping surface 17). The heater 39 is configured to provide heat to the clamping plate 38 in use. The heater 39 does not extend across the entirety of the clamping plate 38. Instead, (as should be apparent from Figure IB), the heater 39 is positioned so as to be adjacent to an intermediate region 40 of the clamping plate 38, which is interposed between two edge regions 41 of the clamping plate

[0105] 38 (the edge regions 41 extending along edges 42 of the clamping plate 38 that they are parallel to the length L of the first clamping surface 17).

[0106] The heater 39 is supported by a support structure 43, which is located between the heater

[0107] 39 and the chassis 37. This support structure 43 is urged towards the heater 39 (and the clamping plate 38) by two resilient members in the form of two helical compression springs 44 (best seen in Figure 1 C), which are spaced apart in the length direction L of the first clamping surface 17. Each compression spring 44 is positioned between the heater 39 and the chassis 37.

[0108] The clamping plate 38 is further supported by two further resilient members in the form of resilient rails 45, which in the illustrated example are formed of silicone rubber and have a hardness of about SHA20. Each resilient rail 45 supports a respective edge region 41 of the clamping plate 38 (and first clamping surface 17). That is, each edge region 41 of the clamping plate 38 is adjacent an upper end of a respective resilient rail 45. Each resilient 21 P005271-W001 rail 45 is, in turn, supported on the housing 35 (i.e. such that each resilient rail 45 extends from the housing 35 to the clamping plate 38).

[0109] Also mounted to the chassis 37 are two further resilient members in the form of stop members 46, which in the illustrated example are formed of silicone rubber and have a hardness of about SHA50. These are also spaced apart in the length direction L of the first clamping surface 17 and, in particular, are positioned between the two compression springs 44. As may be appreciated, the stop members 46, resilient rails 45, compression springs 44, support structure 43 and the heater 39 provide a support assembly that supports the clamping plate 38 (and thus the first clamping surface 17) in use.

[0110] The arrangement of each of the arms 16, 18 is such that this flexing of the clamping surfaces 17, 19 occurs in a controlled manner, so as to manage the clamping forces applied to a tress of hair in use. This control is provided by the above mentioned support assembly of each arm (i.e. made up of the stop members 46, resilient rails 45, compression springs 44, support structure 43 and the heater 39), which is configured to provide resistance to movement of the first clamping surface 17 when it is moved from a rest position (as shown in Figures 1C and ID) to a flexed position (when a tress of hair is clamped by the first clamping surface 13).

[0111] When the first clamping surface 17 is moved from a rest position (such as shown in Figures 1C and ID) to a flexed position as a result of clamping of a tress of hair, the movement may be nominally split into at least two portions of movement: a first portion and a second portion.

[0112] In the first portion of movement, resistance is provided predominantly by the clamping plate 38, the resilient rails 45, and the compression springs 44. During this first portion of the movement, the stop members 46 are spaced from the support structure 43 and are therefore disengaged from the first clamping surface 17. The stop members 46 therefore do not contribute to the spring rate of the first clamping surface 17 in the first portion of the movement. In this portion of movement, the first clamping surface 17 moves according to a relatively low spring rate (i.e. there is a gradual increase in the force 22 P005271-W001 required to move the first clamping surface 17). This lower spring rate may help to minimise snagging of hair while also allowing corralling of the hair (as previously described in relation to Figure 2).

[0113] After the first clamping surface 17 has been moved by a sufficient distance, the stop members 46 come into contact with the support structure 43 (so as to effectively engage the first clamping surface 17). At this point, the stop members 46 contribute to resistance to further movement and thus contribute to the spring rate associated with that further movement. In particular, the spring rate increases (i.e. it takes more force to move the first clamping surface 17 a given distance).

[0114] Even though the spring rate increases significantly upon engagement with the stop member 46, the resilient nature of the stop members 46 means that the first clamping surface 17 is able to continue to move (i.e. the provision of resilient stop members 46 avoids a hard stop). By allowing such movement (rather than providing a hard stop), pinching and snagging of a user’s hair may be reduced. This movement also allows a user to exert tension on the hair, and to control that tension by adjusting the clamping force applied by the first clamping surface 17. Likewise, due to the higher clamping forces that can be achieved in this portion of movement, a better transfer of heat may be provided between the clamping plate 38 and clamped hair.

[0115] Accordingly, in general terms, the provision of at least two spring rates may provide the user with better control of the tension applied to their hair, which can reduce snagging of hair and provide increased comfort.

[0116] To further reduce snagging (especially in circumstances where the end of a tress of hair is being drawn between the first 17 and second 19 clamping surfaces as discussed with respect to Figure 3 above), the haircare appliance of Figures 1A to IE is configured so as to provide varying spring rate across the width W of each of the first 17 and second 19 clamping surfaces. 23 P005271-W001

[0117] This is best explained with reference to Figure 1C. As can be seen in this figure (and as explained above) opposite edge regions 41 of the clamping plate 38 (and thus the first clamping surface 17 of the clamping plate 38) are supported by resilient rails 45. On the other hand, the intermediate region 40 of the clamping plate 38 (and thus the first clamping surface 13) is supported by the two compression springs 44 via the support structure 43. The two compression springs 44 are configured to provide greater resistance to movement (via flexing) of the clamping plate 38 than each resilient rail 45 (i.e. each resilient rail 45 has a lower springs rate than is provided by the two compression springs 44). Consequently, the first clamping surface 17 will more readily deflect at the edge regions 41 than in the intermediate region 40. This will mean the end of a tress of hair being drawn across the first 13 and second 14 clamping surfaces will experience less of a compression force (translating to less tension in the hair) as it passes the centre of the clamping surfaces 17, 19 (i.e. as it passes from the intermediate region 40 to one of the edge regions 41). This may reduce snagging of the tress of hair.

[0118] As explained above, the provision of hair guides 21, 21’, and the flexibility of the clamping surfaces 17, 19 may be particularly useful in combination with the ability to rotate the arms 16, 18 (by rotation of the rotatable portion 12). Figure IE, schematically illustrates how this rotation may be provided.

[0119] As shown in Figure IE, the haircare appliance 10 comprises a driver 27 (in the form of a motor), which is operatively connected to the rotatable portion 12 (at least when the arms 16, 18 are in the closed position shown in Figure IE). The driver 27 is operatively connected to a controller 28, which is in turn operatively connected to a user input device 29 (in the form of a push button) and a power source 30 (which may be a battery or a connector for connection to mains power). The driver 27, controller 28, and power source 30 are housed within the body 11, and the user input device 29 (i.e. push button) is mounted so as to be exposed externally of the body 11.

[0120] The driver 27 is also operatively connected to a first coupler 31, which is engageable with a second coupler 32 that is connected to the first 16 and second 18 arms. The driver 27 is configured, when activated, to drive the first coupler 31 to rotate, which causes rotation of 24 P005271-W001 the second coupler 32 and thus the first 16 and second 18 arms about the longitudinal axis 15. The driver 27 is controlled by the controller 28 (e.g. the controller 28 controls a supply of power from the power source 30 to the driver 27). In particular, the controller 28 is configured to cause the driver 27 to move in response to a user input received by the user input device 29. Thus, upon receipt of a user input (in this case, a button press), the user input device 29 sends a signal to the controller 28, which in turn instructs the driver 27 to rotate (ultimately causing rotation of the arms 16, 18).

[0121] In other examples an additional or alternative user input device may be provided (such that the user input causing activation of the driver may be different). For example, the user input device may instead (or additionally) comprise a sensor for detecting a position or movement of the first 16 and second 18 arms (e.g. the driver 27 may be activated by the controller 28 in response to the first 16 and second 18 arms being clamped together by a user).

[0122] In the present example, the arms 16, 18 are only rotatable when the arms 16, 18 are in the closed position. For example, the haircare appliance 10 may include a locking mechanism that activates when the arms 16, 18 are moved from the closed position. Alternatively, the driver 27 may be configured so as not to be freely moveable (i.e. only being moveable when driving in response to instructions from the controller 28), and the controller 28 may be configured to only respond to a signal from the user input device 29 when the arms 16, 18 are in the closed position.

[0123] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

[0124] While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of 25 P005271-W001 the invention 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.

Claims

26 P005271-W001CLAIMS1. A haircare appliance comprising: a body; and a rotatable portion rotatably mounted to the body, the rotatable portion comprising: a first arm comprising a first clamping surface; and a second arm comprising a second clamping surface, the first and second arms moveable towards one another in use to a clamping position in which hair is able to be clamped between the first and second clamping surfaces; and a heater arranged to heat clamped hair; wherein at least one of the first and second clamping surfaces is flexible in a direction along a length of the at least one clamping surface.

2. The haircare appliance according to claim 1, comprising a driver operatively connected to the rotatable portion to rotate the rotatable portion relative to the body.

3. The haircare appliance according to claim 2, wherein the driver comprises an electromechanical device.

4. The haircare appliance according to claim 2 or 3 comprising a user input device configured to receive user input, the driver operatively connected to the user input device so as to be moveable in response to a user input received by the user input device.

5. The haircare appliance according to claim 4, wherein the user input comprises movement of the first and second arms to the clamping position.

6. The haircare appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first arm comprises a hair guide having a raised portion to limit movement of hair, wrapped around the first arm in use, in a direction along the first arm.27 P005271-W0017. The haircare appliance according to claim 6, wherein the raised portion is disposed on an opposite side of the first arm to the first clamping surface.

8. The haircare appliance according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the raised portion of the hair guide is closer to a distal end of the first arm than the body.

9. The haircare appliance according any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the raised portion is a first raised portion, and wherein the hair guide comprises a second raised portion spaced along the first arm from the first raised portion.

10. The haircare appliance according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the hair guide comprises a guide surface that is sloped to urge hair, wrapped around the first arm in use, in a direction along the first arm.

11. The haircare appliance according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the hair guide comprises a concave recess for receipt of hair wrapped around the first arm in use.

12. The haircare appliance according to claim 11, wherein the concave recess is positioned along the first arm such that a nadir of the concave recess is aligned with a central region of the at least one clamping surface.

13. The haircare appliance according to claim 12, wherein the flexibility of the at least one clamping surface varies in a direction along the length of the at least one clamping surface so as to urge hair, in use, towards the central region of the at least one clamping surface.

14. The haircare appliance according to any one of claims 6 to 13, wherein the hair guide is releasably mountable to the first arm.

15. The haircare appliance according to claim 14, comprising a clamping plate and wherein the at least one clamping surface is a surface of the clamping plate.28 P005271-W00116. The haircare appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a support assembly configured to provide resistance to movement of the at least one clamping surface, the support assembly configured such that when the at least one clamping surface is moved from the rest position to the flexed position: in a first portion of the movement, the at least one clamping surface moves according to a first spring rate; and in a second portion of the movement, the at least one clamping surface moves according to a second spring rate that is greater than the first spring rate.

17. The haircare appliance according to claim 16, wherein the support assembly comprises first and second resilient members.

18. The haircare appliance according to claim 17, wherein the first resilient member has different spring rate to the second resilient member.

19. The haircare appliance according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the second resilient member is arranged so as not to resist movement of the first clamping surface in the first portion of movement.

20. The haircare appliance according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the second resilient member is arranged to directly or indirectly engage the at least one clamping surface when in the flexed position, and to be disengaged from the at least one clamping surface when in the rest position.

21. The haircare appliance according to any one of the preceding claim, wherein the at least one of the first and second clamping surfaces is flexible in a direction along a width of the at least one of the first and second clamping surfaces.

22. A rotating hair straightener comprising: a body; and a rotatable portion rotatably mounted to the body, the rotatable portion comprising:29 P005271-W001 a first arm comprising a first clamping surface, and a second arm comprising a second clamping surface, the first and second arms moveable towards one another in use to a clamping position in which hair is able to be clamped between the first and second clamping surfaces; and a heater arranged to heat clamped hair; wherein at least one of the first and second clamping surfaces is flexible in a direction along a length of the at least one clamping surface.

Images