AU2021103398A4

AU2021103398A4 - Hair styling tool

Info

Publication number: AU2021103398A4
Application number: AU2021103398A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brendon Tait
Original assignee: Brand Developers Ltd
Current assignee: Brand Developers Ltd
Priority date: 2020-06-16
Filing date: 2021-06-16
Publication date: 2021-08-05
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-16
Also published as: CN213639953U

Abstract

A hair styling tool is disclosed for styling hair. The tool comprises an elongate body that extends between a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis. The body includes a styling portion. The styling portion includes an outer housing 5 that includes an internal wall defining a hollow interior for receiving the hair. The styling portion also includes a styling member positioned within the hollow interior, spaced from the internal wall and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The styling portion further includes a resilient tongue extending between the internal wall and the styling member in a retaining position. In use, 10 the hair is wound around the styling member in the hollow interior and the resilient tongue retains the hair in the hollow interior. The resilient tongue is arranged to flex to accommodate movement of the hair in relation to the hair styling tool. 15 [Fig. 1] 14 1/2 0 -rJ L6~

Description

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HAIR STYLING TOOL TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a hair styling tool, and in particular, a hair curler.

BACKGROUND ART

Hair irons are used to apply heat to hair to change the structure of the hair. Known hair irons, such as curling irons, include a cylindrical barrel, a spring loaded clamp attached at a fulcrum to the barrel. The clamp is biased into the clamping position. The user winds a portion of hair around the barrel and the clamp retains the hair in this position. When the user decides to release the portion of hair, they push on one end of the clamp against the force of the spring. Often, the hair easily gets caught or tangled around the barrel, or around the fulcrum of the clamp and the barrel. It can be painful to detangle the hair, and in some cases, pulling the hair free from the curling iron can result in hair being torn out or broken and stuck around the fulcrum of the curling iron.

Another known hair curler includes an outer housing that defines an internal chamber. A cylindrical heating element fits within the internal chamber. The outer housing is open at one end and includes an elongate slot that is connected to the internal chamber. In use, the user extends a portion of hair partially in the elongate slot and through the opening of the open end. The hair curler is motorised in that, upon the push of a button, the portion of hair is drawn into the internal chamber and wound around the cylindrical heating element. Also included is an abutment member that is activated by the button to extend from an internal wall of the outer housing to the heating element. When the button is released the portion of hair is wound about the heating element and the abutment member retracts behind the internal wall of the housing. The hair can easily tangle and get drawn in and around the abutment member through its movement. The hair may need to be cut to be released from such entanglement.

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It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a hair styling tool for styling hair. The tool comprises an elongate body extending between a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis. The body includes a styling portion. The styling portion includes an outer housing. The outer housing has an internal wall that defines a hollow interior for receiving the hair in use of the tool. A styling member (e.g. a hair heating element) is positioned within the hollow interior. The styling member is spaced from the internal wall and extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

In accordance with the disclosure, the styling portion includes a resilient tongue which, in a retaining position, extends between the internal wall and the styling member. In use, the hair can be wound around the styling member in the hollow interior and the resilient tongue can retain the hair in the hollow interior. The resilient tongue can be arranged to flex to accommodate movement of the hair in relation to the hair styling tool, such as when removing styled hair from the tool. In this regard, the resiliency of the tongue can allow the hair to be easily removed from the hair styling tool - i.e. so the hair doesn't get tangled or caught in the tool or around the tongue itself.

It is understood that references herein to the "hair" and to the "portion of hair" are interchangeable. In this regard, typically, a portion of a user's hair can be wound around the styling member in the hollow interior and the resilient tongue can retain the portion of hair in the hollow interior.

In some embodiments, the resilient tongue may be arranged to flex to accommodate movement wherein at least a component of the movement is in the longitudinal direction.

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In some embodiments, the resilient tongue may be biased (e.g. inherently in its structure) to the retaining position. Upon movement of the hair the resilient tongue may flex laterally, relative to the styling portion and the internal wall, from the retaining position. The resilient tongue may be formed from silicone or any suitable resilient or elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the resilient tongue may have heat resistant characteristics.

In some embodiments, the resilient tongue may extend between a first tongue end and a second tongue end. At least a portion of the first tongue end may be attached to the internal wall. The second tongue end may contact a retaining portion (i.e. of the tool) to support the second tongue end in the retaining position. The force of the hair and the user's hand on the tool can cause the tongue to flex and move the second tongue end from the retaining portion. In an embodiment, the retaining portion may be in the form of a locating indentation in the styling member. The second tongue end can fit in the locating indentation. Alternatively, the retaining portion may take the form of one or more projections that assist in locating the tongue in the retaining position. In a further alternative, the tongue may be shaped or formed of a sufficiently rigid material such that, in the retaining position, a retaining portion may not be required.

In some embodiments, the body may have an end opening. Further, the outer housing of the styling portion may comprise an elongate opening in a side thereof (e.g. an elongate slot). The elongate opening may extend in the outer housing between the external wall and the internal wall. The elongate opening may extend from (i.e. it may be contiguous with) the end opening. The hair can be received through each of the end and elongate openings. The end and elongate openings can enable the hair to be received in the hollow interior and to be wound around the styling member. The resilient tongue may be arranged at the end opening to support, guide and maintain the hair within the hollow interior in use.

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In some embodiments, the tool may further comprise a winder member arranged in the hollow interior, the winder member arranged in use to wind the hair received in the hollow interior around the styling member.

In some embodiments, the styling member can take the form of a heater (e.g. a ceramic-type heater).

In some embodiments, the styling portion may extend between a closed end and an open end (i.e. in which the end opening is arranged). The open end can coincide with the second end of the body. The hollow interior may open up to the open end.

In some embodiments, the body may further comprise a handle portion at the first end. Control buttons and a power source (e.g. battery) for the hair styling tool may be located in the handle portion at the first end. In some embodiments, the styling portion may be at the second end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

Fig. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a hair styling tool;

Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of the hair styling tool of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a side perspective view of the hair styling tool of Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to accompanying drawings which form a part of the detailed description. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, depicted in the drawings and defined in the claims, are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilised and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope

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17768704_1 (GHMatters) P113772.AU.1 of the subject matter presented. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated in this disclosure.

Disclosed is a hair styling tool 10 designed to create different hair styles. The hair styling tool may be in the form of a hair iron (including hair straightener, hair curler, or hair crimper, etc.) which applies heat to change the structure of the hair and create the different hair styles. The hair styling tool includes a styling member 12 including a heating element which is shaped to create the desired hair style. The method and technique with which the hair styling tool 10 is used also helps to create the desired hair style.

The hair styling tool 10 generally includes an elongate body 14 extending between a first and second end 16, 18 along a longitudinal axis. The body 14 includes a styling portion 20 which includes the styling member 12 and the heating element. The styling member 12 may be formed from a material which can conduct heat readily and easily, either directly or indirectly to the hair. The heating element may be housed in the styling member 12. When the hair is held in contact with the styling member 12, heat is applied from the heating element to change the structure of the hair. Generally, the hair takes on the shape of the styling member 12, but the technique used with the hair styling tool 10 can also change the hair style.

In the illustrated embodiment, the elongate body 14 includes the styling portion 20 and a handle portion 22. The styling portion 20 includes the second end 18 of the body 14 and the handle portion 22 includes the first end 16 of the body 14. The styling portion 20 and the handle portion 22 are connected to one another to form the body 14.

The styling portion 20 includes an outer housing 24 and the styling member 12. The outer housing 24 includes an internal wall 26 and an external wall 28. The

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17768704_1 (GHMatters) P113772.AU.1 internal wall defines a hollow interior 30. The styling member 12 is positioned within the hollow interior 30 extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis L L. The styling member 12 is spaced from the internal wall 26. The hollow interior 30 between the styling member 12 and the internal wall 26 receives the hair in use. In the illustrated embodiment, the hollow interior is a ring-shape formed between the internal wall 26 and the styling member 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, both the outer housing 24 and the styling member 12 are generally cylindrical, but it is understood that the outer housing and/or the styling member may be any shape depending on the desired style of hair. For example, the styling member may be conical, or the surface of the styling member may include ribs or be textured.

In the illustrated embodiment, the styling portion 20 includes the second end 18 of the hair styling tool 10. In this way, the hollow interior 30 extends between a closed end and an open end which opens at the second end 18. The styling portion also includes an opening 32 formed in the outer housing 24 which extends to the hollow interior 30 and is open to the second end 18. The opening 32 guides a portion of a user's hair into the hollow interior 30 such that the hair may be wound about the styling member 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 32 is an elongate slot, but the opening may be any suitable shape, such as a key hole shape.

The styling portion 20 also includes a resilient tongue 34 (as shown in Figs. 2 and 3). The resilient tongue 34 extends between the internal wall 26 and the styling member 12 in a retaining position. The resilient tongue 34 has at least two functions. First, the resilient tongue 34 supports the portion of hair closer to a user's head so that the free end of the hair is able to be wound around the styling member 12. Second, the resilient tongue 34 retains the portion of hair in the hollow interior 30 once the portion of hair is wound around the styling member 12.

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The resilient tongue 34 is able to flex to accommodate movement of the portion of hair in relation to the hair styling tool 10 when the portion of hair is being removed from the styling member 12. In some embodiments, the resilient tongue 34 flexes in the direction that the portion of hair is being withdrawn from the hair styling tool 10. For example, the hair styling tool 10 is moved away from the hair and the user's head so that the hair is being withdrawn in the longitudinal direction. In this way, the resilient tongue 34 flexes generally in the longitudinal direction, which is the same direction as the hair is being withdrawn from the hair styling tool 10.

The resilient tongue 34 is positioned towards the second end 18 of the body 14 so as to allow the hollow interior 30 to remain uninterrupted to accommodate the hair in use. The tongue 34 is also positioned opposite the opening 32 to stop the top of the portion of hair from rotating around the styling member while the free end of the hair is being wound around the styling member.

The resilient tongue 34 extends between a first end 36 and a second end 38. In the illustrated embodiment, at least a portion of the first end 36 is attached to the internal wall 26 of the outer housing 24. The first end 36 includes a projection which projects into a snap-fit area between the internal wall 26 and the external wall 28 to hold the resilient tongue 34 in position extending from the internal wall 26.

The resilient tongue 34 extends laterally across the hollow interior 30 such that the second end 38 contacts the styling member 12. The styling member 12 includes a heating element and an end cap 40. The end cap 40 protects the user from the heat of the styling member (including the heating element) and retains the components together. The end cap is made of any type of heat resistant plastic or other heat resistant material. The end cap 40 includes a retaining portion 42 in the form of a locating indentation for receiving the second end 38 of the resilient tongue 34. The locating indentation 42 is arranged to support and align the resilient tongue 34 in the retaining position. The second end 38 abuts abutment

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17768704_1 (GHMatters) P113772.AU.1 surfaces formed on opposing sides of the locating indentation 42 (i.e. recessed surfaces). Alternatively, the abutment surfaces may be formed on projecting surfaces of opposing tabs rather than recessed surfaces.

The resilient tongue 34 is biased to the retaining position and restrained laterally. The resilient tongue 34 is able to flex out of the retaining position (i.e. out of the indentation 42). In some embodiments, the resilient tongue 34 flexes longitudinally, but it may also flex laterally or may flex transverse to the longitudinal direction. The first end 36 of the tongue is fixed relative to the internal wall 26 of the outer housing 24. Upon movement of the portion of hair against the resilient tongue 34, the resilient tongue 34 flexes to allow the second end 38 of the tongue 34 to move in and out of the locating indentation 42. Where the tongue flexes laterally, the tongue 34 rides over the edge of the locating indentation to either side, depending on the direction of the force applied by the hair (and indirectly by the user's hand on the portion of hair and/or the hair styling tool).

In use, the resilient tongue 34 retains the portion of hair in the hollow interior 30 and inhibits movement of the hair in the longitudinal direction. In this way, the portion of hair does not unintentionally withdraw from the styling tool 10. The flexibility of the tongue 34 is beneficial so that, if the portion of hair gets stuck or tangled around the tongue 34 while withdrawing from the hair styling tool 10, the tongue 34 is able to flex out of the way to release the portion of hair.

The body 14 of the hair styling tool 10 also includes the handle portion 22. The handle portion 22 and the styling portion 20 are connected together. The handle portion 22 includes actuators (e.g., buttons) to perform various functions such as heating up the heating element, controlling the temperature of the heating element and winding the hair about the styling member within the hollow interior. The actuators may be in any suitable form such as buttons, switches etc. The handle portion 22 includes a power source such a s rechargeable battery as well as a power socket.

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As best shown in Fig. 1, two buttons 44, 46 positioned in the handle portion 22 proximal the styling portion 20 are at a position that would coincide with the user's thumb in use when the user's hand is wrapped around the handle portion 22. The button 44 on the left in Fig. 1 draws the portion hair into the hollow interior 30 and winds the hair about the styling member 12 in a clockwise direction. The button 46 on the right in Fig. 1 draws the portion of hair into the hollow interior 30 and winds the hair about the styling member 12 in a counter clockwise direction. Depending on the location and type of curl desired by the user, the user will select the desired button.

In use, the user takes the portion of hair and feeds it through the opening 32 and through the open second end 18 of the styling portion 20, and into the hollow interior 30. The top end (i.e. the end adjacent to the user's head) of the portion of hair extends through the open second end 18 and the free end of the portion of hair extends through the opening 32. With the heating element having reached the desired temperature, the user presses one of buttons 44, 46 to cause a winder mechanism to wind the portion of hair about the styling member 12. The resilient tongue 34 supports, maintains and guides the top end of the hair so that the free end is able to be wound about the styling member 12.

As above, the styling portion 20 includes a winder mechanism (not shown) which is moveable in response to the user pressing one of the buttons 44, 46. The winder mechanism tracks along the internal wall 26 of the outer housing 24 to draw the portion of hair into the hollow interior 30 and to wind the portion of hair around the styling member 12 (i.e. to surround the heating element of the styling member 12). The tongue 34, the styling member 12 and the outer housing 24 work together to draw, guide and rotate the portion of hair about the styling member 12.

In some embodiments, the internal wall 26 of the outer housing 24 may also include a heating element to surround the portion of hair with heat. This has the added benefit of more quickly altering the structure of the hair to achieve the desired hair style.

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Once the portion of hair is in the hollow interior 30 and wound around the styling member 12, the resilient tongue 34 retains the portion of hair in the interior and inhibits it from exiting the interior 30. The user maintains the portion of hair in the hair styling tool 10 under heating for desired short period of time.

In order to draw the portion of hair out of the styling tool 10, the user pulls the hair styling tool away from their head, and away from the portion of hair, or can manually draw the portion of hair out of the styling tool 10. The portion of hair is primarily pulled generally in the longitudinal direction, out of the opening 32, but in some cases, is pulled out partly with a direction of movement that has a component of movement in the lateral direction. When the portion of hair is moved in the longitudinal direction relative to the tool, the portion of hair needs to move past the resilient tongue 34.

The tongue 34 is fixed at its first end 36, but is resilient so it can return to its retaining position. In some embodiments, the resilient tongue 34 is made of silicone or a resilient material. The resilient tongue 34 does not need to be activated by the user, and will flex out of the way of the portion of hair, when contacted by the portion of hair, to accommodate the passage of the hair between the tongue 34 and the styling member 12 in the longitudinal direction (or generally in the longitudinal direction). In this way, the portion of hair does not get snagged, trapped or tangled in or by the resilient tongue 34.

Variations and modifications may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the disclosure.

For example, the hair styling tool may be different dimensions and shapes, and the styling member may be different dimensions and shapes. The styling member may be exchangeable with a styling member with a different diameter or end width to accommodate different styling needs.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the

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17768704_1 (GHMatters) P113772.AU.1 word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the hair styling tool.

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Claims

1. A hair styling tool for styling hair comprising:

an elongate body extending between a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis, the body including a styling portion;

the styling portion including an outer housing including an internal wall defining a hollow interior for receiving the hair, and a styling member positioned within the hollow interior, spaced from the internal wall and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis,

the styling portion also including a resilient tongue extending between the internal wall and the styling member in a retaining position,

wherein, in use, the hair is wound around the styling member in the hollow interior and the resilient tongue retains the hair in the hollow interior and is arranged to flex to accommodate movement of the hair in relation to the hair styling tool.

2. A hair styling tool according to claim 1, wherein the resilient tongue is arranged to flex to accommodate hair movement, wherein at least a component of the hair movement is in the longitudinal direction.

3. A hair styling tool according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the resilient tongue is biased to the retaining position, wherein upon movement of the hair the resilient tongue flexes laterally from the retaining position, relative to the styling portion and the internal wall.

4. A hair styling tool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient tongue extends between a first tongue end and a second tongue end and at least a portion of the first tongue end is attached to the internal wall, the second tongue end contacts a retaining portion to support the second tongue end in the retaining position.

5. A hair styling tool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body has an end opening, and wherein the outer housing of the styling portion comprises an elongate opening in a side thereof, the elongate opening extending in the outer housing between the external wall and the internal wall, the elongate opening further extending from the end opening, and the hair is able to be received through each of the end and elongate openings, the end and elongate openings enabling the hair to be received in the hollow interior and to be wound around the styling member, wherein the resilient tongue is arranged at the end opening to maintain the hair within the hollow interior in use.