CN108135340B

CN108135340B - Hair styling apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN108135340B
Application number: CN201680058035.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 保罗·马斯顿; 安德烈亚斯·斯塔夫鲁; 罗伯特·亚历山大·韦瑟利
Original assignee: Jemella Ltd
Current assignee: Jemella Ltd
Priority date: 2015-09-30
Filing date: 2016-09-21
Publication date: 2021-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 2036-09-21
Also published as: GB2543034B; GB201517311D0; AU2016329900A1; US20180271247A1; ES2895681T3; WO2017055811A1; EP3355742B1; CN108135340A; EP3355742A1; AU2016329900B2; GB2543034A

Abstract

The present application describes a hair styling apparatus (1) for creating an air sensation in a user's hair. A hair styling apparatus (1) comprises a heating member, a cooling member adjacent the heating member, thermal insulation between the cooling member and the heating member, and a tensioning member extending from the heating member. The heating member includes a heating contact surface for heating hair in contact with the heating member. The cooling member has a cooling contact surface for cooling hair in contact with the cooling member, and the cooling member is cooled by an active cooling mechanism. The tensioning member tensions the user's hair against the heating contact surface to improve heat transfer to the user's hair and applies stress to the user's hair when the hair contacts the cooling contact surface adjacent the heating contact surface to style the hair to create an air feel.

Description

Hair styling apparatus

Technical Field

The present application relates to hair styling devices for styling a user's hair (e.g., for curling, straightening, creating a curl (fly) or air feel (volume) in the user's hair (e.g., near the root)).

Background

The user often wishes to make different hairstyles. For example, users sometimes desire to create a "feeling of air" in the hair. Generally, creating an air feel means changing the angle of the hair fibers relative to the scalp or gravity. Air feel is a common term that can be produced in different parts of the hair. Fig. 1a and 1b show the creation of an air sensation at or near the root of the hair fiber. FIG. 1a illustrates the natural angle that the user's hair fibers 12 make with respect to the user's scalp 10. Each hair fiber sags under gravity, creating an acute angle of between 10 and 25 degrees with respect to the user's scalp. Thus, each hair fiber is generally aligned with the vertical direction (i.e., with the direction of gravity). In contrast, in fig. 1b, an air-like feel is created for each hair fiber 12, and each hair fiber now overcomes gravity in the root area of the hair fiber and is set approximately perpendicular to the user's scalp. In other words, the root area of each hair fibre has an increased angle relative to the hair fibre of fig. 1a, which is not air-felt.

It is known that some hairstylers strive to create an air sensation in the hair of the user. For example, a hair dryer may be used with a hair brush; hair straighteners, curling tongs, or wet line products (wet line products) may also be used. Hot air hairbrushes for generating an air sensation are known from GB2294200 and CN 203106087. A hair styling apparatus for manipulating the roots of a user's hair is also known from WO2011/055116 to the applicant of the present application. Some of these devices exhibit inefficient heating of the user's hair, and thus the user fails to experience a quick and simple method of creating an air sensation. There is also a risk of scalding the scalp of the user when using some known devices, since it is necessary to be close to the root of the user's hair in order to create the desired air feel in the user's hair.

The present applicant has recognised that there is a need for an improved hair styling apparatus for creating an air feel at the root of a user's hair.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair styling apparatus comprising: a heating member having a heating contact surface for heating hair in contact with the heating member; a cooling member adjacent to the heating member, wherein the cooling member has a cooling contact surface for cooling hair in contact with the cooling member, and the cooling member is cooled by the active cooling mechanism; a thermal insulator between the cooling member and the heating member; and a tensioning member extending from the heating member and tensioning the user's hair in use.

A molding mechanism may be provided that houses the heating member and the cooling member, and wherein the heating contact surface is provided on an upper surface of the molding mechanism and the cooling contact surface is provided on a lower surface of the molding mechanism.

Typically, hair styling apparatus have a plurality of tensioning members extending from different portions of the heating member. The tension members may be arranged in a regular pattern (such as rows) or a random pattern. For example, the plurality of tension members may include one or more rows of teeth or bristles. Each row of teeth or bristles may comprise a base portion and a plurality of teeth or bristles attached to the base portion. In this case, the heating member may include: one or more channels, each channel for receiving a respective base portion; and a plurality of cavities disposed in the heating contact surface and extending into the channel, and through each of which a respective tooth or bristle can be inserted to attach to a base portion disposed in a respective channel.

Typically the tension members are spaced from each other by 5mm to 10 mm-to prevent a user touching the heating contact surface. To provide tension, the teeth or bristles typically extend from the heated contact surface by from 6mm to 50mm, preferably from 8mm to 40 mm. If the teeth or bristles are shorter than about 5mm, the teeth or bristles will not be able to tension the hair during use. Not all teeth or bristles need be within this range, and in some embodiments some teeth or bristles will extend 1mm to 8mm away from the heating or cooling contact surface. These smaller bristles or teeth are preferably located close to the boundary between the heating and cooling contact surfaces and make it easier for the user to slide the longer hair-tensioning bristles or teeth close to the roots of the user's hair.

The tension members (or at least some of the tension members when a plurality of tension members are provided) may be made of a thermally insulating material, such as a plastics material. Alternatively, the tension members may be made of a thermally conductive material such as a metal or ceramic material.

The active cooling mechanism may be arranged to draw or blow air along the longitudinal axis of the hair styling apparatus.

The tensioning member may tension the user's hair during heating and/or cooling of the hair. With tensioning is meant catching, pulling on or otherwise placing the hair under stress. For example, the tensioning member may tension (i.e., tighten) the user's hair against the heating contact surface to improve heat transfer to the user's hair as the hair is heated. The tensioning member may tension the hair as it contacts the cooling contact surface adjacent the heating contact surface to apply stress to the user's hair. In this manner, tension is provided while hair is being styled (e.g., to create an air feel or otherwise style hair).

The apparatus may further include a shield at least partially surrounding the heating member and the tensioning member. The guard provides protection between the heated contact surface and the scalp of the user and between the tensioning member and the scalp of the user to help avoid the user from scalding their scalp while using the device. The shield can cover the hot side of the heating member. The guard may comprise a plurality of spaced apart elements. The spacing (or gap) between each element may be greater than the spacing (or gap) between each tooth in the tension member. This means that hair easily slides through the guard to be captured and tensioned by the tensioning member. Each element has a shape that tapers from a wider portion adjacent the cooling member toward a narrower portion adjacent the tension member. For example, each element may be tear drop shaped. The shield is preferably connected to the cooling member and does not have any contact with the heating member to avoid heating the shield.

The function of the guard and the function of the tensioning member may be performed by means of a plurality of teeth or bristles extending from the heated contact surface.

At least one or both of the heating contact surface and the cooling contact surface is curved, such as being at least a portion of a surface of a cylinder. The curvature of the contact surface(s) helps to change the angle of the user's hair. For example, a hair styling apparatus may be used to cause an increase in the angle between a user's hair and the user's scalp, which overcomes at least a portion of gravity. In this way, a feeling of air can be generated near the scalp.

The tension member may have a plurality of spaced apart teeth or bristles with a gap between each pair of teeth or bristles. The tension member may thus be referred to as a comb, and these terms are used interchangeably in this application. Each gap may be relatively small to provide tension on the user's hair. Each of the plurality of teeth or bristles may have a generally tapered shape that is widest adjacent the heating contact surface. In other words, the shape may be substantially triangular. This arrangement increases the surface area of the comb in contact with the hair and therefore increases the heat transfer to the hair (in the case of teeth or bristles made of a thermally conductive material). The taper may taper to a rounded point whereby the comb is relatively easy to insert into the user's hair. The tapered shape may also assist in dividing the user's hair into multiple strands so that the user's hair is easily captured and thus tensioned in the gap.

The tensioning member (comprising each of the plurality of teeth or bristles) may extend generally perpendicular to the heating contact surface. This may increase usability. The tension member may also be mounted substantially centrally on the heated contact surface. This may improve the heat transfer to the user's hair. The tensioning member may extend along the length (i.e., the longitudinal axis) of the heating contact surface. This increases the surface area of the tensioning member that contacts the user's hair.

The thermal insulation may include at least one or both of an air gap and a thermal insulating material (e.g., aerogel). The thermal insulation may extend along the length of both the heating member and the cooling member. The insulating material may be located laterally (i.e., along the minor axes of the heating member and the cooling member) between the air gaps. The air gap may be small, e.g. a few millimetres, but sufficient to ensure that there is no direct contact between the edge of the heating contact surface and the edge of the cooling contact surface.

The cooling member, the heating member, the thermal insulator, and the tensioning member may together form a molding mechanism, which when used to create an air feel may be referred to as an air feel molding mechanism. The device may further comprise a handle by which the user grips the device. The handle may be attached to the moulding mechanism or may form a support for at least one (or all) of the components in the moulding mechanism. The handle may be hollow, for example a hollow cylinder. The handle may house an active cooling mechanism.

Active cooling mechanisms are mechanisms that draw or push heat away from the cooling member. For example, the active cooling mechanism may include a fan. The fan may be mounted adjacent to the cooling member, and may blow or draw air on the cooling member to cool a surface of the cooling member opposite the cooling contact surface. The fan thus removes heat from the cooling member. Alternatively, or in addition, the active cooling mechanism may include a heat sink and at least one heat pipe connecting the heat sink to the cooling contact surface. The heat pipe thus draws heat from the cooling member into the heat sink. A heat sink may be mounted at an end of the handle opposite the styling mechanism (e.g., at least the cooling member) to maximize the length of the heat pipe and thus the efficiency of the heat pipe. The fan may be mounted adjacent to the heat sink to assist in cooling the heat sink.

At least one of the heated contact surface and the tension member has an operating temperature of approximately 185 ℃. The cooling contact surface may have an operating temperature between room temperature and 70 ℃ and preferably between room temperature and 45 ℃. The significant temperature difference allows the hair to be heated above the glass transition temperature of the hair so that the hair can be styled and then cooled rapidly to set the styling. This temperature difference may be achieved in part by thermal insulation, and the temperature on the insulation and/or air gap may range from room temperature to 185 ℃. The temperature difference can also be achieved due to active cooling. In the case of using a fan, the air outlet temperature from the fan is preferably not higher than 40 ℃, and preferably not higher than 30 ℃. The shield may have an operating temperature between room temperature and 60 ℃ and in most cases between room temperature and 45 ℃. This may be achieved by connecting the shield to the cooling member but not to the heating member.

The tension members may be made of plastic, metal or ceramic. Where the tension members are made of a thermally conductive material, the tension members transfer heat into the user's hair, which aids in the heating process. In the case where the tensioning member is made of a thermally insulating material (e.g., plastic), the tensioning member should tension the hair against the heating contact surface to ensure adequate heat transfer into the user's hair.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a hair styling apparatus comprising: a handle for holding the device; a generally tubular molding mechanism; a heating member disposed within the generally tubular styling mechanism and having a heating contact surface for heating hair in contact with the heating member, the heating contact surface being disposed on an upper surface of the generally tubular styling mechanism; a cooling member disposed within the styling mechanism adjacent the heating member, wherein the cooling member has a cooling contact surface for cooling hair in contact with the cooling member, the cooling contact surface being disposed on a lower surface of the generally tubular styling mechanism and the cooling member being cooled by the active cooling mechanism; and one or more tensioning members extending from the heating member and tensioning the user's hair in use.

The active cooling mechanism may be arranged to blow or draw air through the cooling member along the longitudinal axis of the generally tubular shaping mechanism to assist in cooling the cooling member.

The present invention also provides a method of styling hair comprising: providing a hair styling apparatus having a generally tubular styling mechanism housing a heating member having a heating contact surface for heating hair in contact with the heating member and a cooling member having a cooling contact surface for cooling hair in contact with the cooling member, the heating contact surface being provided on an upper surface of the generally tubular styling mechanism and the cooling contact surface being provided on a lower surface of the generally tubular styling mechanism, and the cooling member being cooled by an active cooling mechanism; heating the hair to be styled by heating the contact surface until the temperature of the hair is above the glass transition temperature of the hair; styling hair by tensioning the hair with one or more tensioning members extending from the heating member; and cooling the hair tensioned by rotating the generally tubular styling mechanism such that the hair contacts the cooling contact surface to secure the hair in the desired style.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments.

Drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1a is a schematic illustration of a user's hair without air feel;

FIG. 1b is a schematic view of a user's hair having an air feel at the root of the user's hair;

FIGS. 2 a-2 d are perspective, side, longitudinal, and bottom views of a hair styling apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2e is an exploded view showing the components of the hair styling apparatus shown in FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 3a is a perspective view of a variation of the hair styling apparatus shown in FIG. 2 a;

FIGS. 3b and 3c are perspective views showing internal details of the hair styling apparatus shown in FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 3d is a perspective view of an alternative mounting for a fan that forms a part of the hair styling apparatus shown in FIG. 3 a;

FIGS. 3e and 3f are cross-sectional views of the mechanism shown in FIG. 3 d;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another hair styling apparatus in use;

FIG. 5 illustrates changes in the temperature and stress of the user's hair as the device shown in FIG. 2a is drawn across the user's hair;

FIGS. 6a to 6g are schematic views showing how the device shown in FIG. 2a or FIG. 3a may be used on a user's hair;

FIG. 6h is a schematic diagram showing how the apparatus shown in FIG. 2a or FIG. 3a may be used to curl hair;

FIGS. 7 a-7 c illustrate another hair styling apparatus including an alternative cooling mechanism;

FIG. 7d is a cross-sectional view taken through the short axis of the hair styling apparatus shown in FIG. 7 a;

fig. 8a to 8d show another hair styling apparatus comprising an alternative bristle arrangement;

FIGS. 9a and 9b illustrate the manner in which flexibility can be provided to the bristles of the hair styling apparatus shown in FIG. 8;

FIGS. 10 a-10 c illustrate one manner in which bristles may be mounted in the hair styling apparatus of FIG. 8; and

fig. 11a to 11c illustrate another manner in which bristles may be mounted in the hair styling apparatus shown in fig. 8.

Detailed Description

Fig. 2a to 3 show a hair styling apparatus 1 which can be used, for example, for styling hair by curling, straightening, creating a curling or air-feel at the root of the user's hair. For example, the hair styling apparatus 1 can be used to produce an incremental change in angle relative to the user's scalp, and this incremental change overcomes at least a portion of gravity as shown in fig. 1 b. The device 1 comprises a body 20, one end of the body 20 having a handle 22 for a user to hold the device 1. At the end of the body 20 opposite the handle, the apparatus 1 comprises a styling mechanism 24, which styling mechanism 24 may be referred to as an air-feel styling mechanism when used to create an air-feel. As shown in fig. 2a, the styling mechanism 24 is generally tubular with a generally tear drop shaped cross-section. The handle 22 is also generally tubular with a generally circular cross-section that is more comfortable for a user to hold. In this example, as shown in fig. 2e, the handle 22 is hollow and formed from two

pieces

220, 222 that are connected together. It will be appreciated that other methods of forming the handle may be used.

The moulding mechanism 24 is shown in more detail in fig. 2c and 2 e. The styling mechanism 24 is generally elongate. The molding mechanism 24 includes a heating member having a heater 26, and the heater 26 may be a ceramic heating plate. The heater 26 heats the comb 30 protruding from the heating contact surface 27 of the heater 26. The comb 30 may be made of plastic, metal or the same material as the heating plate. In fact, comb 30 may be separate from heater plate 26 and heat contact surface 27, or comb 30, heater plate 26 and heat contact surface 27 may be provided by a single component. When the comb is made of a thermally conductive material; the heating contact surface of the heater and the comb 30 both contact and heat the user's hair during use. When the comb 30 is made of a thermally insulating material, such as plastic, the tension created by the comb 30 improves the heat transfer to the hair by ensuring better contact between the hair and the heating contact surface 27. The heating contact surface 27 is a generally elongated curved arcuate surface. The comb 30 comprises a plurality of teeth, each extending from the heating contact surface 27 (in this embodiment by about 15mm) and having a generally triangular cross-section. This arrangement increases the surface area of the comb that is in contact with the hair, and therefore increases the heating of the hair. Comb 30 also tensions and grasps hair to assist in styling, and thus may be considered a tensioning member.

As explained in more detail below, once the hair is heated and styled, it is cooled to set the style. Correspondingly, the apparatus 1 further comprises a cooling member 32. As shown, the cooling member 32 has a cooling contact surface 33, the cooling contact surface 33 also being an elongated curved arc surface, and contacting and cooling the user's hair. In this embodiment, the cooling member 32 is cooled by the heat pipe 36, and the heat pipe 36 draws heat from the cooling member 32 to the heat sink 38. As shown in FIG. 2e, in this embodiment, the heat pipe 36 includes two separate, generally

parallel tubes

36a and 36b, each of the two

tubes

36a and 36b being coupled to a respective one of the two

channels

32a and 32b extending along the length of the cooling member 32. The heat sink 38 is then cooled to ambient temperature by the air blown (or drawn) by the fan 34. The fan 34, heat pipe 36 and heat sink 38 are mounted within the handle 22. The heat sink 38 ensures active cooling of the cooling member 32, i.e., actively draws heat away from the cooling member 32. The heat sink 38 and heat pipe 36 should be made of a suitable thermally conductive material, for example, extruded aluminum having a thermal conductivity of about 200 w/m/k.

In this embodiment, the styling mechanism 24 further comprises a guard 40, the guard 40 providing protection between the heated contact surface 27 and the user's scalp and between the comb 30 and the user's scalp. The guard 40 thus helps the user avoid scalding the scalp when using the device 1. The guard 40 includes a plurality of spaced apart elements 41, the plurality of spaced apart elements 41 allowing a user's hair to pass between adjacent guard elements 41 and contact the comb 30 and the heated contact surface 27. The spacing between adjacent guard elements 41 is the same along the length of the styling mechanism 24 and is set so that the user cannot touch the heating contact surface 27 or the comb 30 with a finger or scalp. As best shown in fig. 2e, each spaced guard element 41 is a generally tear-drop shaped loop and therefore tapers from a wider portion adjacent the cooling member 32 to a narrower pointed portion above the comb 30. This shape aids the direction of movement (as explained in more detail below), but alternative shapes may be used. As shown in fig. 2d (which shows a view of the underside of the hair styling apparatus 1), the annular protective element 41 may not be completely closed and a small gap may be present on the underside of the apparatus 1. Both ends of each shielding element 41 are inserted into channels 43 running along the length of the cooling member 32 to mount the shielding element 41 on the apparatus 1.

Each guard element 41 surrounds at least a portion of heating member 26, comb 30, and cooling member 32. Alternatively, each guard element 41 may be arranged only around the heating member 26 as described below. In any arrangement, the protective element 41 should be directly connected only to the cooling member 32 (or to some other part of the apparatus 1 that is thermally insulated with respect to the heating member 26), and not to the heating member 26, to avoid heat transfer to the shield. Each protective element 41 is preferably made of a thermally insulating material, for example plastic. Further, because the shield 40 is generally coupled to the cooling member 32 and supported on the cooling member 32, the cooling member 32 may draw heat away from the shield 40.

Hair styling apparatus 1 further comprises end caps 42, 44, end caps 42, 44 defining both ends of guard 40 and also defining both ends of styling mechanism 24. End caps 42, 44 keep heating member 26 and cooling member 32 separated as follows: so that they do not touch and are thermally insulated from each other. A connector 46 connects the end cap 42 of the molding mechanism 24 to the handle 22. It will be appreciated that the end caps 42, 44 and the connector 46 are merely one mechanism for supporting and connecting the molding mechanism 24 to the handle 22. Any suitable mechanism may be used.

Fig. 3a to 3f show an alternative hair styling apparatus 1, which hair styling apparatus 1 is similar to the hair styling apparatus shown in fig. 2a, so that common elements have the same reference numerals. As previously mentioned, the device 1 comprises a body 20, one end of the body 20 having a handle 22 for a user to hold the device 1. The handle 22 has a button 126 for turning the device 1 on and off. At the end of the body 20 opposite the handle, the apparatus 1 comprises a moulding mechanism 124. A ventilation portion 122 is provided through which the fan 34 can draw air into the molding mechanism 124 to cool the cooling member.

The molding mechanism 124 includes a heating member having a heater 26, and the heater 26 heats a comb 130 protruding from a heating contact surface of the heater 26. The molding mechanism 124 also includes a guard 140. As previously described, the comb 130 and the guard 140 each include a plurality of spaced apart elements. In this embodiment, the comb 130 comprises a plurality of triangular teeth in groups of three and extending about 20mm from the heating contact surface. Between each set of teeth there is a guard element 141. As previously described, the spacing between elements in the comb 130 is narrower than the spacing between elements in the guard 140. In this embodiment, each guard element 141 is generally arcuate.

As shown more clearly in figure 3b, the fan 34 is mounted midway along the main body of the apparatus 1, adjacent the ventilation portion 122. The fan 34 is located at the handle end of the styling mechanism 124. Fig. 3c is a perspective view of the styling mechanism 124 with the comb 130 and guard 140 removed for clarity. The airflow from the fan 34 is shown by the arrows extending along the styling mechanism 124. In this arrangement, the fan 34 blows air along the shaping mechanism 124 and in particular over the cooling member 32 to actively cool the cooling member. At the end of the styling mechanism 124 opposite the fan 34, an air outlet is provided. In an alternative arrangement, it may be arranged that the air exits through a junction between the heating member and the cooling member. In this manner, stagnant hot air that may accumulate around the mold mechanism 124 is periodically blown away.

Figure 3b also schematically shows electronics 45 for the device housed in the hollow handle 22.

Fig. 3d shows an alternative arrangement of the shaping mechanism 124, in which the fan 34 is mounted such that its axis of rotation is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle 22. In contrast, in fig. 3b and 3c, the fan is mounted at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the handle. As a further alternative, the fan 34 may be mounted at the distal end of the handle, i.e. adjacent the power inlet. Regardless of the orientation of the fan 34, it is preferably arranged to blow or draw cooling air axially along the molding mechanism 24.

Fig. 3e and 3f show cross-sections approximately halfway along the shaping mechanism 124 and at the fan end of the shaping mechanism 124. These figures show the generally triangular cross-section of each tooth of the comb 130 and the arcuate shape of each guard element 141 of the guard 140. Each guard element 141 has a thicker region at the apex of the arch than the end of the arch that is connected to the thermally insulating support frame 125 of the styling mechanism 124. In this embodiment, two thermal insulation layers 128, such as aerogel layers, are also provided along with the air gap 129 in order to separate the cooling member 32 from the heater 26 to reduce the risk of the heater 26 transferring heat into the cooling member 32. In this embodiment, the cooling member 32 has a plurality of fins 131 projecting inwardly from the generally curved cooling surface to assist in transferring heat away from the cooling member 32, for example to increase the surface area so that air from the fan 34 cools the cooling member. The heater 26 heats a heating surface 127 having a generally curved surface.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view in simplified form of the hair styling apparatus 1 shown in fig. 2a or 3, in use near the head of a user. The styling mechanism comprises a heater 326 which heats a heated contact surface 327 and a comb 330 which contacts and heats the user's hair in use. The styling mechanism further comprises a cooling member 332, the cooling member 332 cooling the hair of the user after the hair has been heated and tensioned. The cooling member 332 is actively cooled by a cooling mechanism 342, which cooling mechanism 342 may be a heat sink and/or fan as previously described, or another mechanism that actively draws heat away from the cooling member 332. There is also a guard 340, the guard 340 helping to control the user's hair and keep the heater at a safe distance "d" from the user's scalp. The hair is heated near the root, but neither the heating contact surface 327 nor the comb 330 touches the user's scalp. Comb 330 helps to apply tension to the hair (by grasping the hair), which helps to impart the stress required to "air" the hair to the roots of each hair fiber. Tensioning the hair also helps to transfer heat from heated contact surface 327 into the hair. When the user lifts the device 1 and rotates it, the tensioned hair comes into contact with the cooling member 332, the cooling member 332 cools the hair and keeps the hair in a new form (with the roots pulled).

Arrow a indicates a typical direction of movement that creates the air sensation, which is illustrated and described in more detail below with reference to fig. 5 and 6.

Fig. 5 shows the change in hair temperature and stress as the device 1 is moved through the user's hair, while fig. 6a to 6g show the movement of the device 1 through the user's hair. As shown in fig. 6a and 6b, initially the user guides the device 1 under the portion of hair to be styled and close to the scalp of the user. The tear-drop shape of the guard assists the device 1 to slide under the user's hair because the pointed tip of the guard is relatively easy to insert. At this stage, the hair has not yet come into contact with the heated contact surface or comb, and therefore the temperature of the hair remains constant, slightly above ambient temperature, as shown to the left of line 1 in fig. 5.

In fig. 6c, the device 1 is in place and the user's hair is now in contact with the comb and the heating contact surface and thus starts to warm up. At this stage, the comb provides tension to the hair, which helps to transfer heat into the hair efficiently. Accordingly, line 1 in fig. 5 has been reached. The temperature of the hair steadily rises in zone 2 of fig. 5. Two rates of temperature rise are shown, corresponding to both slower and faster usage rates by the user. The hair should be heated to a temperature above the glass transition temperature (typically 145 c). In the case of a slow application rate, the temperature rises rapidly, but as shown by the dashed line, in the case of a slow application rate, the glass transition temperature of the hair also rises. Accordingly, both slower and faster application rates ensure that the hair is heated above the glass transition temperature and into zone 3 of fig. 5. It is advisable that the user keeps the device 1 in the position shown in fig. 6c for a short time to allow the hair to warm up sufficiently to perform a good styling.

As shown by the dashed lines at the bottom of fig. 5, the stress on the hair increases during region 3 and remains high throughout region 4 where the hair is cooled. At region 3, the user has rotated the styling apparatus 1 to the position shown in fig. 6d (in which the roots of the hair are now in contact with the cooling member). The comb still provides tension on the hair to impart the necessary force to stress and style the hair, and the cooling member cools down the hair to hold the style in place. As shown in fig. 5, the stress increase occurs at the transition between heating and cooling to form the shape.

The cooling rate is greater in the case of slower usage rates and generally fixes the hairstyle better. Thus, a slower application rate ensures that the temperature of the hair rises further above the glass transition temperature and that there is a large temperature drop during the cooling phase. Accordingly, slower application rates generally result in improved performance or better styling results.

Fig. 6a to 6g show how the device 1 is rotated and then the device 1 is drawn through the rest of the user's hair. The device 1 can be used to create different shapes and styling in the rest of the hair. For example, the hair may be straightened by tensioning the hair straight through the heated contact surface. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 6h, the wave, curl or curl may be formed by curling the hair around the heated contact surface and cooling through the curved cooling surface of the cooling member. Permanent waving can also be achieved with a suitable arrangement of the device 1.

Fig. 7a to 7c schematically show a further alternative device 1 for styling hair, which device 1 comprises a styling means 724, which styling means 724 has a cooling member 732, a comb 730 and a heated contact surface 727 for heating the user's hair. The device 1 may optionally include a guard (not shown for convenience). The cooling member 732 is actively cooled by a fan 734, the fan 734 blowing air over the inner surface of the cooling member 732 as shown in fig. 7b to cool the cooling member, e.g. to remove heat transferred into the cooling member by the user's hair. A fan 734 is mounted within the handle 722 adjacent the styling mechanism. The fan 734 is therefore mounted generally centrally within the apparatus 1. Thus, the cooling system may be more compact than that shown in the first embodiment, and thus the entire apparatus may be smaller, lighter and cheaper to manufacture.

Fig. 7d shows how the moulding mechanism used in fig. 2a is also adjusted in this embodiment. It will be appreciated that the changes to the cooling system and the changes to the molding mechanism are independent of each other, and either of the two changes may be used in any other embodiment.

In fig. 7d, the molding mechanism includes a heater 726, and the heater 726 may be a ceramic hot plate. The heater 726 may also include thermistors and thermal fuses for heat input and regulation. The heater 726 heats the heating contact surface 727, and in use the heating contact surface 727 contacts and heats the user's hair. As in the previous arrangement, the heating contact surface 727 should be made of a material that effectively transfers heat from the heater 726 into the user's hair. As an example, the heated contact surface 727 may be a surface of an extruded aluminum member having a thermal conductivity of about 200 w/m/k.

In fig. 7d, the shape of the heated contact surface 727 and the shape of the comb 730 are slightly different from those used in fig. 2a and are formed as two separate parts that are later assembled together. In fig. 7d, the heating contact surface 727 is formed by the upper surface of the heating contact member 747 having a relatively large surface area which is in contact with the user's hair during use in order to improve heat transfer. The comb 730 is mounted within a central channel 749 formed in the heating contact member 747. In this arrangement, the comb 730 is generally planar and has a plurality of teeth projecting approximately 20mm generally perpendicular to the heating contact surface 727. The teeth have a generally triangular cross-section, but the angle between the inclined flanks of the triangle is more acute than in the arrangement shown in figure 2 a. Thus, the time for the comb of fig. 7d to contact and tension the hair is shorter than the time for the comb of the embodiment of fig. 2a to contact and tension the hair. A larger angle triangle may be preferred. In both embodiments, the comb is tapered in a wider manner closer to the heating contact surface 727 to create a longer path for tensioning the hair while heating it.

Embodiments preferably include thermal insulation and an air gap between the heater and the cooling member. This can be seen most clearly in fig. 7d, where thermal insulation 750 is installed between heater 726 and cooling member 732. The thermal insulation 750 extends along the length of the moulding mechanism and is made of a thermally insulating material such as aerogel. Additional thermal insulation is achieved by providing air gaps 736 that extend along the length of the styling mechanism on either side of thermal insulation 750 and between the edges of heating contact member 747 and the edges of cooling member 732. In this manner, there is no direct contact between the heating contact member 747 and the cooling member 732.

The cooling member 732 shown in fig. 7d also has a plurality of fins 731 projecting inwards. The use of fins 731 increases the surface area that is cooled by air blown by fan 734. Waste heat from the cooling member 732 is conducted through the fins into the duct airflow between the fins. This heat is then removed by the duct airflow as it exits from the air outlet (as shown in figure 7 c).

Fig. 8a to 8c schematically show a further alternative device 1 for styling hair. In this case, the device 1 has a number of bristles (bristles) 801 extending from a heating contact surface 827 which heats the user's hair. The bristles 801 are arranged in longitudinal rows that are spaced apart from one another about the arcuate heating contact surface 827. The spacing between bristles in the same row and between bristles in adjacent rows is 5mm to 10mm, preferably about 8mm, to prevent the user from touching the heating contact surface 827 with his scalp or fingers. In this embodiment, the bristles 801 are made of a thermally insulating material, such as plastic. Due to the spacing between the bristles 801 and the thermal insulation material from which the bristles 801 are made, the bristles 801 serve the dual function of the comb and guard of the previous embodiments.

Thus, in this embodiment, the hair styling apparatus 1 has the overall appearance of a conventional hairbrush and is easier to use as the user does not need to angle the apex of the device under their hair. Instead they can use the device as they would with a conventional hairbrush. However, as shown in fig. 8b and 8c, the handle 822 houses a fan 834, the fan 834 for forcing air through the cooling member 832 and out through the air outlet 803 (or into and through the cooling member 832 through the air inlet 803) to keep the cooling member 832 cool.

Fig. 8d is a cross-sectional view of the molding mechanism 824, showing the heating contact member 847 and the cooling member 832 both supported by the thermally insulated support frame 825. The support frame 825 also provides a roof over the cooling member 832 — so that air drawn through the cooling member 832 by the fan 834 is kept away from the heater 826. As previously described, a thermal insulation layer 850 is disposed between the heater 826 and the cooling member 832 to minimize heat transfer from the heater 826 to the support frame 825 and from the support frame 825 to the cooling member 832. Fig. 8d also shows a second (optional) insulating layer 850' (which may also be an aerogel layer) disposed between the insulating frame 825 and the cooling member 832.

Fig. 8d also shows: in this embodiment, the heating contact member 847 has seven rows of bristles 801 and the support frame 825 has two rows of bristles 801; also, the length of the bristles 801 varies from a maximum length of about 35mm at the apex of the heating contact surface 827 to a minimum length of about 8mm of the bristles 801 mounted on the support frame 825, thereby making the apparatus 1 oval in shape as a whole. Although not shown in fig. 8, the bristles 801 may also be arranged to extend from the cooling member 832 such that the bristles are disposed just about the circumference of the molding mechanism 824.

As shown in fig. 9a and 9b, the bristles 801 are preferably flexible. This is because the fixed (rigid) bristles catch the tangled portion of the user's hair and are unable to absorb or reduce the force applied to the hair, which makes the device irritating and injuring the user and may cause excessive force to be applied to the user's hair. Fig. 9a shows the following case: wherein each bristle 801 is mounted within a flexible base such that the entire bristle is able to move in response to forces on the hair; and figure 9b shows an alternative arrangement as follows: wherein the upper portion of each bristle 801 can flex and thereby absorb at least some of the force applied to the user's hair by the device. Alternatively, bristles 801 having both a flexible base and a flexible upper portion may also be provided.

Fig. 10 and 11 illustrate two ways in which bristles 801 may be mounted within a heating contact member 847. In fig. 10, a heating contact member 847 (which may be formed as an aluminum extrusion) is provided with elongated channels 851, and rows of bristles 801, pre-assembled or co-molded, slide into each of the elongated channels 851. Each row of bristles 801 includes a base portion 853 and individual bristles 801, both of which may be made of a plastic material. Each of the channels 851 is narrowed toward an open end at the heating contact surface 827, and the base portion 853 is shaped to conform to the channel 851 such that the base portion 853 can be removed from the heating contact member 847 only from the edge of the heating contact member 847, and cannot be removed from the heating contact member 847 through the open end of the channel 851 on the heating contact surface 827. Fig. 10a shows the individual components of the heating contact member 847, the base portion 853 and the individual bristles 801. FIG. 10b shows the manner in which an assembled row of bristles 801 is inserted into a channel 851; and fig. 10c shows a heating contact member 847 with a row of bristles inserted.

The arrangement of fig. 10 is advantageous because it is low cost and easy to assemble. However, the surface exhibits alternating thermally conductive and thermally insulating surfaces. Fig. 11 shows an alternative arrangement that provides a more uniform heating contact surface 827. In this case, the heating contact member 847' has a smooth surface with internal cavities 855 arranged in a row. Channels 851 are also provided below the rows of cavities 855 to receive base portions 853. To assemble the device, the base portion 853 is slid into the channel 851 of the heating contact member 847 '(as shown in fig. 11 a), and then the individual bristles 801 are inserted into the base portion 853 through the cavities 855 in the surface of the heating contact member 847' (as shown in fig. 11 b). As shown in fig. 11c, the diameter of each bristle 801 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the cavity 855 to provide space for the bristles 801 to flex and move relative to the heating contact member 847'. The arrangement shown in fig. 11 is advantageous over the arrangement shown in fig. 10 because the arrangement shown in fig. 11 provides a more uniform heated contact surface and also provides less space for debris and hair products to accumulate.

In each embodiment, the exemplary operating temperature is approximately 185 ℃ for the heater, the heating contact surface, and preferably also for the comb; it will be appreciated, however, that the temperature will depend on the material used. Both the guard and the cooling member are preferably at much lower temperatures, with the guard having an operating range of room temperature to 60 ℃ and the cooling member having an operating range of room temperature to 70 ℃. The upper limit of the target temperature range of the cooling member is preferably 45 c to provide effective fixing of the hair style. The temperature range on the insulation and/or air gap is from room temperature to 185 ℃. The air outlet temperature from the fan is preferably not higher than 40 ℃. The temperature of both the cooling member and the air outlet depends on the duty cycle of the fan.

To provide the desired tensioning of the user's hair, the teeth or bristles will typically extend from the heated contact surface by from 6mm to 50mm, preferably from 8mm to 40 mm. If the teeth or bristles are shorter than about 5mm, the teeth or bristles will not be able to tension the hair during use. Not all teeth or bristles need be within this range, and in some embodiments some teeth or bristles will extend 1mm to 6mm away from the heating or cooling contact surface. These smaller bristles or teeth are preferably located close to the boundary between the heating and cooling contact surfaces and make it easier for the user to slide the longer hair-tensioning bristles or teeth close to the roots of the user's hair.

In the above embodiments, the heating contact surface and the cooling contact surface are formed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the substantially tubular main body portion. In an alternative embodiment, the heating contact surface and the cooling contact surface may be disposed adjacent to each other on the generally planar body portion in a side-by-side arrangement.

No doubt many other effective alternatives will occur to the skilled person. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments and encompasses modifications apparent to those skilled in the art lying within the spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A hair styling apparatus comprising:

a heating member having a curved heating contact surface for heating hair in contact with the heating member;

a cooling member adjacent to the heating member, wherein the cooling member has a cooling contact surface for cooling hair in contact with the cooling member, and the cooling member is cooled by an active cooling mechanism;

a thermal insulator between the cooling member and the heating member;

a plurality of tensioning members extending from the heating contact surface of the heating member and tensioning the user's hair in use; and

a shield at least partially surrounding the heating member and the tensioning member, the shield connected to the cooling member and including a plurality of spaced apart elements, wherein the plurality of spaced apart elements are separated by a plurality of gaps that are larger than gaps between the tensioning members.

2. The hair styling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tensioning members protrude from the heating member by 6mm to 50 mm.

3. The hair styling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tensioning members protrude from the heating member by 8mm to 40 mm.

4. The hair styling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of tensioning members extend from different portions of the heating member.

5. The hair styling apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plurality of tensioning members comprise one or more rows of bristles.

6. The hair styling apparatus of claim 5, wherein each row of bristles comprises a base portion and a plurality of bristles attached to the base portion.

7. The hair styling apparatus of claim 6, wherein the heating member comprises: one or more channels, each channel for receiving a respective base portion; and a plurality of cavities disposed in the heating contact surface and extending into the channel, and through each of which a respective bristle can be inserted to attach to the base portion disposed in the respective channel.

8. The hair styling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the active cooling mechanism is arranged to draw or blow air along a longitudinal axis of the hair styling apparatus.

9. The hair styling apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the spaced apart elements has a shape that tapers from the cooling member toward the tensioning member.

10. The hair styling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guard is thermally insulated from the heating member.

11. The hair styling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tensioning member comprises a plurality of teeth or bristles.

12. The hair styling apparatus of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of teeth or bristles has a generally tapered shape that is widest adjacent to the heating contact surface.

13. The hair styling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tensioning member is made of plastic, metal or ceramic.

14. The hair styling apparatus of claim 1, comprising a styling mechanism housing said heating member and said cooling member, and wherein said heating contact surface is provided on an upper surface of said styling mechanism and said cooling contact surface is provided on a lower surface of said styling mechanism.

15. A hair styling apparatus comprising:

a handle for holding the hair styling apparatus;

a generally tubular molding mechanism;

a heating member disposed within the generally tubular styling mechanism and having a curved heating contact surface for heating hair in contact with the heating member, the heating contact surface being disposed on an upper surface of the generally tubular styling mechanism;

a cooling member disposed within the generally tubular styling mechanism adjacent the heating member, wherein the cooling member has a cooling contact surface for cooling hair in contact with the cooling member, the cooling contact surface being disposed on a lower surface of the generally tubular styling mechanism and the cooling member being cooled by an active cooling mechanism;

16. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the active cooling mechanism is arranged to blow or draw air through the cooling member along a longitudinal axis of the generally tubular styling mechanism.

17. A method of styling hair comprising:

providing a hair styling apparatus according to claim 15 or 16;

heating the hair to be styled by passing the hair to be styled over the heated contact surface until the temperature of the hair is above the glass transition temperature of the hair;

styling hair by tensioning the hair with the tensioning member protruding from the heating member; and

cooling the hair tensioned by rotating the generally tubular styling mechanism such that the hair contacts the cooling contact surface to secure the hair in a desired style.