CN115379776A - Hair styling equipment including hair humidity control mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A hair styling apparatus (1) comprises a hinged jaw assembly (10), the hinged jaw assembly (10) comprising a first jaw (11) having a first plate (12) and a second jaw (13) having a second plate (14). In the open position of the jaw assembly (10), hair may be received between the plates (12, 14), and in the closed position of the jaw assembly (10), hair may be styled between the plates (12, 14). The hair styling apparatus (1) further comprises: a heater arrangement (20) configured to heat at least one of the plates (12, 14); and a hair humidity control mechanism (30) configured to supply a liquid mist between the plates (12, 14) in the closed position of the jaw assembly (10), wherein the hair humidity control mechanism (30) comprises a two-fluid nozzle (31), and an air pump (33) and a liquid tank (35) connected to respective inlets of the two-fluid nozzle (31). Preferably, the hair humidity control mechanism (30) is arranged to suck up liquid from the tank (35) due to the air flow generated by the air pump (33), without the need for a separate pump to obtain the liquid flow in the two-fluid nozzle (31).

Description

Hair styling equipment including hair moisture control mechanism

technical field

The present invention relates to a hair styling appliance comprising: a jaw assembly comprising a first jaw having a first plate and a second jaw having a second plate; and a hair humidity control mechanism configured to A mist of liquid is supplied between the first and second plates when the jaw assembly is in the closed position.

Background technique

CN 205682727 U discloses a manual hair straightener comprising a jaw assembly comprising a first jaw and a second jaw hinged to each other. The first jaw includes a housing, a water tank and an atomizing device. A part of the housing of the first jaw includes an electric heating plate and a nozzle positioned on one side of the plate, wherein the atomizing device is installed in the nozzle, and wherein the atomizing device is connected to the water tank through a conduit. When in use, the water in the water tank is transported to the atomizing device through the sponge conduit, and the atomizing device turns the water into cold water vapor and sprays it from the water mist nozzle to moisten the hair. The atomizing device includes an atomizing sheet and a front cover of the atomizing sheet. The front cover forms a surface on which water droplets can accumulate, which leads to dripping problems. This prior art system can only handle water, ie a low viscosity fluid. Because water has to pass through the micropores in the atomizing sheet, the atomizing sheet is easily blocked by impurities in the water. Furthermore, since the sponge tube does not reach the end of the tank, if during use the straightener is held in a position where the sponge tube can no longer reach the water level (ie in an upright position), water flow to the atomizing blade will stop.

When the hair straightener is activated, the heating plate is in the heating state. The induction switch is arranged between the first jaw and the second jaw, and the induction switch is used to control the switch of the atomizing device, so as to ensure that the atomizing device only operates in the closed position of the jaw assembly. The hair straightening action with the aid of a hair straightener in an activated state involves ensuring that the jaw assembly is in the open position, placing the hair straightener relative to the hair so that a strand of hair is received by the jaw assembly close to the scalp, placing the jaw assembly Placed in the closed position so that the misting device is activated, spraying water onto the hair caught between the jaws of the jaw assembly, and pulling the hair straightener down over the hair tress. In this way it is achieved that when the hair straightener is moved to slide along the hair, the hair strands are subjected to both moistening and heating effects, and thus the hair strands are straightened. However, the amount of liquid provided to the hair cannot be controlled.

Hair straighteners are also known in the prior art which are only capable of exposing the hair to heat during straightening, but such hair straighteners are practically only suitable for damp hair and therefore must be turned off before operating such hair straighteners. The hair is wetted, whereas hair straighteners capable of subjecting the hair to both moistening and heating during straightening do not require a wet pretreatment of the hair. Other advantages of configuring the hair straightener to emit water onto the hair during operation relate to opening the hair cuticle, allowing the hair straightener to glide effortlessly over the hair, and enhancing the shine of the hair.

Hair straighteners that include some type of water spray device generally include one of: i) a transducer configured to generate a mist; and ii) an assembly of a heat block and a hand or peristaltic pump configured to Generate steam. The disadvantage associated with using transducers in hair straighteners involves the need to use distilled water, because otherwise minerals and small particles can clog the micropores on the transducer, which are still prone to clogging and water droplets to accumulate on the transducer disc superior. Disadvantages associated with the use of components configured to emit steam in hair straighteners relate to the fact that there is a risk of clogging of one or more parts of the component, micro-explosions of water vapor on the hair, and safety concerns caused by high steam temperatures , the housing components need to be designed to withstand high temperatures and usually require some kind of heat exchange system.

Contents of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved hair styling appliance. The invention is defined by the independent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments.

One aspect of the present invention provides a hair styling apparatus comprising: a jaw assembly comprising a first jaw having a first plate and a second jaw having a second plate, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are hingeably interconnected to thereby enable an open position of the jaw assembly for receiving hair between the first plate and the second plate and a closed position for styling hair between the first plate and the second plate; a heater device configured to heat at least one of the first plate and the second plate; and a hair humidity control mechanism configured to supply between the first plate and the second plate in the closed position of the jaw assembly A liquid mist, wherein the hair humidity control mechanism includes a two-fluid nozzle, an air pump, and a canister, the two-fluid nozzle has at least one outlet configured to emit the liquid mist, the canister is configured to receive the liquid, and wherein the air pump and the canister Both are in fluid communication with the two-fluid nozzle.

As can be seen from the foregoing definitions, the hair humidity control mechanism of a hair styling appliance according to the invention comprises a two-fluid nozzle having at least one outlet, an air pump and a tank containing liquid, wherein both the air pump and the tank are in fluid communication with the two-fluid nozzle . As a result of this configuration of the hair moisture control mechanism, the disadvantages associated with known configurations of hair moisture control mechanisms of hair styling appliances, in particular hair straighteners, are alleviated. In particular, when the invention is put into practice and the two-fluid nozzle is used in combination with the various components involved in the supply of gas and liquid to the two-fluid nozzle, the following advantages can be applied: i) tap water and high-viscosity liquids with additives can be used, ii) There are no surfaces on which water droplets could otherwise accumulate, iii) microbursts of water vapor on the hair do not occur, iv) temperature levels are well below those associated with steam generation and emission, v) the hair humidity control mechanism clogging at one or more components is less likely to occur, and vi) since the two-fluid nozzle uses the kinetic energy of both a gas (gas) and a liquid to atomize the liquid and accelerate the droplets, the resulting mist can easily penetrate the hair And enhance the luster of hair.

Preferably, the hair humidity control mechanism is arranged to draw liquid from the tank due to the air flow generated by the air pump, without requiring a separate pump to obtain the liquid flow in the two-fluid nozzle.

In a practical embodiment of the hair styling appliance according to the invention, at least one outlet of the two-fluid nozzle is positioned at the hinged sides of the first and second plates. In particular, it is possible that, when the jaw assembly is in the closed position, at least one outlet of the two-fluid nozzle has a central horizontal opening between the first plate and the second plate, seen in the height direction of the first plate and the second plate. Location. In this way, the space between the first plate and the second plate can be optimally covered with only one or a limited number of outlets of the two-fluid nozzle. According to another optional measure intended to achieve optimal coverage of the space as described above, at least one of the first plate and the second plate comprises a slot, and at least one of the outlets of the two-fluid nozzle is positioned in the slot Ends. In such an arrangement, the slot in the at least one plate facilitates the mist of liquid emitted from the at least one outlet of the two-fluid nozzle to pass through the space in a direction from one end of the slot to the other end of the slot. transmission.

In the event that at least one of the first and second plates is selected to comprise a slot, it may be practical if the slot has a U-shaped cross-section. Furthermore, it may be practical if at least one of the first and second panels has an otherwise flat appearance.

A notable advantageous option associated with the use of a two-fluid nozzle in a hair styling appliance is that a liquid mist can be emitted from the two-fluid nozzle in a pulse width modulated manner. In view of this, it is advantageous if the hair styling appliance comprises a controller configured to control the operation of the hair styling appliance according to one of at least two different wet operating modes involving actuation of the hair moisture control mechanism, Each of the corresponding wet operating modes involves a different operating pulse rate of the air pump. In this respect, it is further advantageous if the hair styling appliance comprises a user interface configured to enable a user to set one of the respective wet operating modes. For example, such a user interface may comprise a touch screen, or may be designed in a less complex manner comprising buttons positioned in one of at least two predetermined positions.

The example of the at least two different wet operating modes relates to three different wet operating modes, namely a first wet operating mode for achieving a high moisture level of the hair, a second wet operating mode for achieving a medium moisture level of the hair and A third wet operating mode for achieving low hair humidity levels. During each of the wet operating modes, the air pump is continuously turned on and off, wherein the duration of the on time is highest in the first wet operating mode compared to the duration of the off time, and in the third wet operating mode lowest.

When the hair styling appliance according to the invention comprises a controller, it is practical if the hair styling appliance also comprises a detection mechanism configured such that the controller only actuates the hair moisture control mechanism in the closed position of the jaw assembly. Such a detection mechanism may include a switch mechanism configured to be in one of at least two different states and to switch from one state to the other when the position of the jaw assembly changes.

In a practical design, the hair humidity control mechanism comprises at least one system configured to deliver gas from the air pump to the two-fluid nozzle, and a system configured to deliver liquid from the tank to the two-fluid nozzle. In any event, it is practical if the two-fluid nozzle comprises a liquid inlet configured to let liquid enter the two-fluid nozzle and a gas inlet configured to let gas enter the two-fluid nozzle, where the tank is connected at the liquid inlet to the two-fluid nozzle, and where the air pump is connected to the two-fluid nozzle at the gas inlet.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the following detailed description of a hair straightener including a hair moisture control mechanism.

Description of drawings

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which identical or similar parts are indicated with the same reference numerals, and in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of a hair styling appliance according to an embodiment of the invention, the hair styling appliance comprising a jaw part comprising a first jaw with a first plate and a jaw with a second plate. The second jaw, part of the first jaw is shown in an open state so that internal components of the first jaw can be seen,

Figure 2 schematically illustrates a view of the first jaw with the top cover removed to show various internal components of the first jaw,

Figure 3 shows how the outlet of the two-fluid nozzle included in the first jaw is positioned relative to the first and second plates,

Figure 4 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a two-fluid nozzle and a portion of a first jaw with a first plate and a second jaw with a second plate; and

Figure 5 is a block diagram of various components of a hair styling appliance.

Detailed ways

Fig. 1 shows a hair styling device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The hair styling appliance 1 comprises a jaw assembly 10 comprising a first jaw 11 with a first plate 12 and a second jaw 13 with a second plate 14 . The first jaw 11 and the second jaw 13 are hingedly connected to each other to thereby enable an open position of the jaw assembly 10 for receiving hair between the first plate 12 and the second plate 14 and between the first plate 12 and the second plate 14 in the closed position for styling the hair. Figure 1 shows the hair styling appliance 1 with the jaw assembly 10 in an open position. The hair styling appliance 1 as shown is particularly suitable for use as a manual hair straightener, which does not change the fact that the invention is also applicable to other types of hair styling appliances.

The hair styling appliance 1 further comprises heater means 20 configured to heat both the first plate 12 and the second plate 14 . The heater arrangement 20 is only schematically indicated in FIG. 1 as two dashed boxes, each associated with one of the plates 12 , 14 . The description also applies to the alternative where the heater arrangement 20 is configured to heat only one of the plates 12 , 14 . Furthermore, the hair styling appliance 1 comprises a hair moisture control mechanism 30 configured to supply a mist of liquid between the first plate 12 and the second plate 14 when the jaw assembly 10 is in the closed position. As is generally known in the art of manual hair straighteners, proper use of the illustrated hair styling device 1 involves the following actions by the user: i) picking up a strand of hair close to the scalp, which is when the jaw assembly 10 is in the completed in the open position; ii) placing the jaw assembly 10 in the closed position, where the hair is in a position clamped between the first plate 12 and the second plate 14; and iii) pulling the hair styling device 1 down to on the strand of hair. Assuming that these actions are taken while the hair styling device 1 is in the active state, it is achieved that the first plate 12 and the second plate 14 slide over the hair strands when in the heated state, wherein the hair strands are clamped between the first plate 12 and the second plate 14. between the plates 14, and the hair strands are moistened in the process.

The present invention relates to the design and use of the hair moisture control mechanism 30 of the hair styling appliance 1 . The hair humidity control mechanism 30 comprises: a two-fluid nozzle 31 having at least one outlet 32 configured to emit a liquid mist; an air pump 33; a system configured to deliver gas from the air pump 33 to the two-fluid nozzle 31 34 ; a tank 35 configured to contain a liquid; and a system 36 configured to deliver liquid from the tank 35 to the two-fluid nozzle 31 . Examples of liquids include tap water and high viscosity liquids with additives.

The various components of the hair moisture control mechanism 30 are only schematically depicted in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 shows in a more realistic manner how the two-fluid nozzle 31 , the air pump 33 and the tank 35 can be positioned in the first jaw 11 . The tank 35 is preferably removably arranged in the first jaw 11 such that refilling the tank 35 or replacing the tank 35 with a new one is facilitated.

At least one outlet 32 of the two-fluid nozzle 31 is positioned on the hinged side of the first plate 12 and the second plate 14 . This is best seen in Figure 3, which provides a view of the length of the plates 12, 14 towards the two-fluid nozzle 31, in the example shown, when the jaw assembly 10 is in the closed position. There is a single outlet 32 having a central position relative to the first and second plates 12 , 14 both in the height direction of the plates 12 , 14 and in the width direction of the plates 12 , 14 .

In order to transport the liquid mist emitted from the two-fluid nozzle 31 during operation, it is advantageous if at least one of the first plate 12 and the second plate 14 comprises a slot 15 while having a flat appearance. FIG. 2 shows that the outlet 32 of the two-fluid nozzle 31 is positioned at the end of the slot 15 . Figure 3 shows that both the first plate 12 and the second plate 14 can be provided with a slot 15, and it is also possible if the slot has a U-shaped cross-section.

FIG. 4 is used to illustrate further details of the two-fluid nozzle 31, and shows how the hair moisture control mechanism 30 supplies a mist of liquid between the first plate 12 and the second plate 14 when the jaw assembly 10 is in the closed position. Way. During operation, liquid is supplied to the two-fluid nozzle 31 through the liquid inlet 37 of the two-fluid nozzle 31 and gas is also supplied to the two-fluid nozzle 31 through the gas inlet 38 of the two-fluid nozzle 31 . The respective incoming flows of liquid and gas are indicated by arrows in FIG. 4 . Respective systems 34 , 36 for delivering gas and liquid to the two-fluid nozzle 31 may comprise any suitable type of conduit or the like connecting the liquid inlet 37 to the tank 35 and the gas inlet 38 to the gas pump 33 . A gas is used as the atomizing gas, and the kinetic energy of both the gas and the liquid is used to break up the liquid into droplets and accelerate the droplets. The two-fluid nozzle 31 can be designed such that a Venturi effect occurs with respect to the liquid, so that under the influence of the air flow generated by the air pump 33 the liquid is sucked out of the tank 35 and a flow of liquid is obtained in the two-fluid nozzle 31 without the need for separate pump. The liquid mist 16 emitted from the outlet 32 of the two-fluid nozzle 31 and flowing from the two-fluid nozzle 31 in the direction of the plates 12, 14, in particular the spaces at the positions where the plates 12, 14 are provided with the slots 15, in FIG. 4 Schematically depicted as a row of individual droplets.

Based on Fig. 5, practical options for controlling the operation of the hair styling appliance 1 will now be explained.

Firstly, it is advantageous if the hair styling appliance 1 is provided with a controller 40 and a user interface 41, the controller 40 being configured to operate according to one of at least two different wet operating modes involving the actuation of the hair humidity control mechanism 30 To control the operation of the hair styling appliance 1, the user interface 41 is configured to enable the user to set one of the corresponding wet operating modes. The wet mode of operation differs in that each of them involves a different pulse rate of operation of the air pump 33, making it possible to vary the degree to which the hair is moistened due to the wetting action performed by the hair moistening mechanism 30 on the hair . The number of different wet operating modes of three is a viable option, in which case the user may be allowed to choose from a first wet operating mode for achieving a high level of moisture in the hair, a second wet operating mode for achieving a medium level of moisture in the hair and a third wet operating mode for achieving low hair humidity levels. As an arbitrary example, to illustrate how the different wet operating modes are actually implemented, it is mentioned here that a first wet operating mode may involve an operating pulse rate of the air pump 33 of 0.2 milliseconds on and 0.1 milliseconds off, a second wet operating A mode may involve an operating pulse rate of the air pump 33 of 0.2 milliseconds on and 0.2 milliseconds off, and a third wet mode of operation may involve an operating pulse rate of the air pump 33 of 0.1 milliseconds on and 0.2 milliseconds off. The user interface 41 may include a button 42 or another suitable switch device configured to be positioned in one of a plurality of predetermined positions, each of which is associated with a corresponding wet associated with one of the operating modes.

Secondly, it is useful to note if the hair styling appliance 1 is equipped with a detection mechanism configured such that the controller 40 actuates the hair humidity control mechanism 30 only in the closed position of the jaw assembly 10 . Such a detection mechanism may be equipped with some type of switching mechanism 43, for example, arranged and configured to respond to the position of the jaw assembly 10, and configured to dampen the hair humidity only when the jaw assembly 10 is in the closed position. The control mechanism 30 is operated to emit the liquid mist 16 . In FIGS. 1 and 2 , it can be seen that the actual position of such a switch mechanism 43 is a position close to the hinge axis 17 of the jaw assembly 10 .

As can be seen from the foregoing, in the illustrated embodiment of the hair styling appliance 1 according to the invention, the hair humidity control mechanism 30 is automatically activated when the jaw assembly 10 is closed and deactivated when the jaw assembly 10 is opened. The functionality of the hair humidity control mechanism 30 relies on the application of the two-fluid nozzle 31, thus generating the desired liquid mist 16 in an efficient, reliable and safe manner, wherein further the user may be offered the possibility to choose from various moistening modes of operation, Because the pulse width of releasing liquid droplets from the two-fluid nozzle 31 can be adjusted by changing the pulse rate of the air pump 33 for supplying gas to the two-fluid nozzle 31 .

By adding a valve in the liquid delivery system 36, the hair styling appliance can also be operated in an air-only dry mode, for use when the hair is already wet. By adding a heater to the gas delivery system 34, hot gas can be generated to reduce hair humidity. In this way, the wetness of the hair can be controlled in two ways: dry hair can become wetter, and wet hair can become drier.

It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples discussed above, but that various modifications and transform. The present invention is intended to be construed as including all such modifications and variations as long as they come within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and specification, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary only and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The drawings are schematic, in which details not necessary for an understanding of the invention may have been omitted, and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the description, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite article "a" does not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Elements and aspects discussed for or in relation to a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments unless explicitly stated otherwise. Consequently, measures recited in mutually different dependent claims may be advantageously combined.

The terms "comprising" and "comprising" used herein will be understood by those skilled in the art to encompass the term "consisting of". Thus, the terms "comprising" or "comprising" may mean "consisting of" in one embodiment, but may mean "comprising/having/equipped with at least the specified materials and optionally one or more other substances".

The salient aspects of the invention are summarized below. The hair styling appliance 1 comprises an articulated jaw assembly 10 comprising a first jaw 11 with a first plate 12 and a second jaw 13 with a second plate 14 . In the open position of the jaw assembly 10, hair can be received between the plates 12, 14, and in the closed position of the jaw assembly 10, hair can be hair styled between the plates 12, 14. The hair styling device 1 further comprises a heater arrangement 20 configured to heat at least one of the plates 12 , 14 and a hair humidity control mechanism 30 configured to operate in the closed position of the jaw assembly 10 . A liquid mist 16 is supplied between the plates 12, 14, wherein the hair humidity control mechanism 30 comprises a two-fluid nozzle 31 having at least one outlet 32 configured to emit the liquid mist 16 and the hair The humidity control mechanism further comprises an air pump 33 and a liquid tank 35 connected to respective inlets 37 , 38 of the two-fluid nozzle 31 .

Claims (7)

1. A hair styling apparatus (1) comprising:

a jaw assembly (10) comprising a first jaw (11) having a first plate (12) and a second jaw (13) having a second plate (14), wherein the first jaw (11) and the second jaw (13) are hingedly connected to each other to thereby enable an open position of the jaw assembly (10) for receiving hair between the first plate (11) and the second plate (13) and a closed position for styling hair between the first plate (11) and the second plate (13),

a heater arrangement (20) configured to heat at least one of the first plate (11) and the second plate (13); and

a hair moisture control mechanism (30) configured to supply a liquid mist (16) between the first plate (11) and the second plate (13) in the closed position of the jaw assembly (10), the hair moisture control mechanism (30) comprising a tank (35) configured to contain a liquid, characterized in that the hair moisture control mechanism (30) comprises a two-fluid nozzle (31) having at least one outlet (32) configured to emit the liquid mist (16) and an air pump (33), wherein both the air pump (33) and the tank (35) are in fluid communication with the two-fluid nozzle (31).

2. A hair styling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hair humidity control mechanism (30) is arranged to draw liquid from the tank (35) as a result of the air flow generated by the air pump (33).

3. The hair styling device (1) of any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the hair humidity control mechanism (30) comprises a controller (40) configured to control operation of the hair styling device (1) according to one of at least two different wet operation modes involving actuation of the hair humidity control mechanism (30), wherein each of the respective wet operation modes involves operation of a different pulse rate of the air pump (33).

4. A hair styling device (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hair humidity control mechanism (30) comprises a user interface (41) configured to enable a user to set one of the respective wet operation modes.

5. A hair styling device (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the user interface (41) comprises a button (42) configured to be positioned in one of at least two predetermined positions.

6. The hair styling apparatus (1) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hair moisture control mechanism (30) comprises a liquid delivery system (36) configured to deliver the liquid from the tank (35) to the two-fluid nozzle (31), the liquid delivery system (36) comprising a valve.

7. The hair styling apparatus (1) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the hair humidity control mechanism (30) comprises a gas delivery system (34) configured to deliver gas from the gas pump (33) to the two-fluid nozzle (31), the gas delivery system (34) comprising a heater.

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