CN213639953U

CN213639953U - Hair styling tool

Info

Publication number: CN213639953U
Application number: CN202021179262.6U
Authority: CN
Inventors: B·泰特
Original assignee: Brand Developers Aust Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Brand Developers Aust Pty Ltd; Brand Developers Ltd
Priority date: 2020-06-16
Filing date: 2020-06-23
Publication date: 2021-07-09
Anticipated expiration: 2030-06-23
Also published as: AU2021103398A4

Abstract

A hair styling tool for styling hair is disclosed. The tool includes an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end. The main body includes a shaped portion. The styling portion includes a housing including an inner wall defining a hollow interior for receiving hair. The styling portion further includes a styling member located within the hollow interior, spaced apart from the inner wall and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The styling portion further comprises a resilient tongue extending between the inner wall and the styling member in the holding position. In use, hair is wound around the styling member within the hollow interior and the resilient tongue retains the hair within the hollow interior. The resilient tongue is arranged to flex to accommodate movement of hair relative to the hair styling tool.

Description

Hair styling tool

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a hair styling tool, and more particularly to a curling iron.

Background

Hair irons are used to heat hair to change the structure of the hair. Known hair irons, such as hair curling irons, include a cylindrical barrel, a spring-loaded clamp attached to the barrel at a fulcrum. The clamp is biased to a clamping position. The user wraps a portion of the hair around the barrel and the clamp holds the hair in this position. When the user decides to release the section of hair, they push one end of the clip against the force of the spring. Often, the hair can easily get caught or tangled at the barrel or clip or around the fulcrum of the barrel. Disentangling the tangled hair can be painful, and in some cases, pulling the hair away from the hair iron can cause the hair to tear or break and become caught around the fulcrum of the hair iron.

Another known curling iron includes a housing defining an interior chamber. A cylindrical heating element is mounted within the interior chamber. The housing is open at one end and includes an elongated slot connected to the interior chamber. In use, a user extends a portion of hair partially within the elongated slot and through the open end opening. The curling iron is powered such that when the button is depressed, the section of hair is introduced into the interior chamber and wound around the cylindrical heating element. An abutment member actuated by the button to extend from an inner wall of the housing to the heating element is also included. When the button is released, the portion of hair is wrapped around the heating element and the abutment member retracts behind the inner wall of the housing. The hair easily gets tangled and is pulled into and around the abutment member due to its movement. It may be necessary to cut the hair to release from such tangles.

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

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

A hair styling tool for styling hair is disclosed. The tool includes an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end. The main body includes a shaped portion. The shaping part comprises a shell. The housing has an inner wall defining a hollow interior for receiving hair when the tool is in use. A styling member (e.g., a hair heating element) is located in the hollow interior. The sizing member is spaced from the inner wall and extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

According to the present disclosure, the styling portion comprises a resilient tongue extending between the inner wall and the styling member in the holding position. In use, hair may be wrapped around the styling member within the hollow interior and the resilient tongue may retain hair within the hollow interior. The resilient tongue may be arranged to flex to accommodate movement of the hair relative to the hair styling tool, for example when the styled hair is removed from the tool. In this regard, the elasticity of the tongue can allow hair to be easily removed from the hair styling tool, that is, so that the hair does not become tangled or caught within the tool or around the tongue itself.

It should be understood that references herein to "hair" and "a portion of hair" are interchangeable. In this regard, typically, a portion of the user's hair may be wrapped around the styling member within the hollow interior and the resilient tab may retain the portion of the hair within the hollow interior.

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

In some embodiments, the resilient tongue may be biased (e.g., in a manner inherent in its structure) to a retaining position. The resilient tongue may flex laterally from the retention position relative to the styling portion and the inner wall as the hair moves. The resilient tongue may be formed of silicone or any suitable resilient or elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the resilient tongue may have heat resistant properties.

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

In some embodiments, the body may have an open end. Further, the housing of the shaped portion may include an elongated opening (e.g., an elongated slot) on a side thereof. An elongated opening may extend in the housing between the outer wall and the inner wall. The elongated opening may extend from (i.e., may be adjacent to) the end opening. Hair may be received through each of the end openings and the elongated opening. The end opening and the elongated opening enable hair to be received in the hollow interior and wrapped around the styling member. A resilient tongue may be arranged at the end opening to support, guide and retain hair in the hollow interior in use.

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

In some embodiments, the sizing member may 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., an end opening disposed therein). The open end may coincide with the second end of the body. The hollow interior may be open to an 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., a battery) for the hair styling tool may be located in the handle portion at the first end. In some embodiments, the shaped portion may be at the second end.

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 shown in fig. 1; and is

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

Detailed Description

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. 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 utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the present subject matter. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated in the present disclosure.

A hair styling tool 10 designed to create different styles is disclosed. The hair styling tool may be in the form of a hair iron (including a hair straightener, a hair curler, a hair bender, or the like) that applies heat to alter the structure of the hair and create a different style. The hair styling tool comprises a styling member 12, the styling member 12 comprising a heating element, the shape of which is shaped to produce a desired hairstyle. The methods and techniques used with the hair styling tool 10 also help create the desired hairstyle.

The hair styling tool 10 generally includes an elongated body 14 extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end 16 and a second end 18. The body 14 includes a styling portion 20, the styling portion 20 including the styling member 12 and a heating element. The styling member 12 may be formed of a material that can conveniently and easily conduct heat directly or indirectly to the hair. The heating element may be housed in the sizing member 12. While the hair remains in contact with the styling member 12, heat is applied from the heating element to alter the structure of the hair. Typically, the hair has the shape of the styling member 12, but techniques used with the hair styling tool 10 can also alter the style.

In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated body 14 includes a shaped portion 20 and a handle portion 22. The shaped portion 20 includes the second end 18 of the body 14, while 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 each other to form the body 14.

The styling portion 20 includes a housing 24 and a styling member 12. The housing 24 includes an inner wall 26 and an outer wall 28. The inner wall defines a hollow interior 30. The sizing member 12 is located within a hollow interior 30 extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis L-L. The sizing member 12 is spaced from the inner wall 26. In use, the hollow interior 30 between the styling member 12 and the inner wall 26 receives hair. In the illustrated embodiment, the hollow interior is annular in shape formed between the inner wall 26 and the sizing member 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the shell 24 and the styling member 12 are both generally cylindrical, but it should be understood that the shell and/or styling member may be any shape depending on the desired hairstyle. For example, the sizing member may be conical, or the surface of the sizing 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 manner, the hollow interior 30 extends between a closed end and an open end that is open at the second end 18. The shaped portion also includes an opening 32 formed in the housing 24 that extends into the hollow interior 30 and opens to the second end 18. The opening 32 guides a portion of the user's hair into the hollow interior 30 so that the hair can be wrapped around the styling member 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 32 is an elongated slot, but the opening may be any suitable shape, such as a keyhole shape.

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

When the portion of hair is removed from the styling member 12, the resilient tongue 34 is able to flex to accommodate movement of the portion of hair relative to the hair styling tool 10. In some embodiments, the resilient tab 34 flexes in the direction that a portion of hair is drawn from the hair styling tool 10. For example, the hair styling tool 10 is removed from the hair and the user's head, thereby allowing the hair to be drawn in a longitudinal direction. In this way, the resilient tongue 34 flexes substantially in the longitudinal direction, which is the same direction as the hair is drawn from the hair styling tool 10.

The resilient tongue 34 is positioned toward the second end 18 of the body 14 to allow the hollow interior 30 to remain uninterrupted to accommodate hair in use. The tongue 34 is also positioned opposite the opening 32 to prevent the top of the section of hair from rotating around the styling member when the free end of the hair is wrapped 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 inner wall 26 of the housing 24. First end 36 includes a protrusion that extends into the snap-fit area between inner wall 26 and outer wall 28 to retain resilient tab 34 in a position extending from inner wall 26.

The resilient tongue 34 extends transversely across the hollow interior 30 such that the second end 38 contacts the sizing 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 secures the parts 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 recess for receiving the second end 38 of the resilient tongue 34. The positioning notch 42 is arranged to support and align the resilient tongue 34 in the holding position. The second end 38 abuts an abutment surface (i.e., a concave surface) formed on the opposite side of the positioning recess 42. Alternatively, the abutment surface may be formed on a protruding surface of the opposing tab rather than a recessed surface.

The resilient tongue 34 is biased to the retaining position and is laterally constrained. The resilient tongue 34 is able to flex away from the retaining position (i.e., away from the notch 42). In some embodiments, the resilient tongue 34 flexes longitudinally, but it may also flex laterally or may flex in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. The first end 36 of the tongue is fixed relative to the inner wall 26 of the housing 24. When a portion of hair is moved against the resilient tab head 34, the resilient tab 34 flexes to allow the second end 38 of the tab 34 to move into and out of the positioning notch 42. When the tab is deflected laterally, depending on the direction of the force applied by the hair (and indirectly on the force applied by the user's hand to a portion of the hair and/or hair styling tool), the tab 34 moves to one side beyond the edge of the positioning notch.

In use, the resilient tongue 34 retains a portion of hair within the hollow interior 30 and inhibits movement of hair in the longitudinal direction. In this manner, the portion of hair is not inadvertently withdrawn from the styling tool 10. The flexibility of the tab 34 is beneficial so that if the portion of hair catches or gets tangled around the tab 34 when being withdrawn from the hair styling tool 10, the tab 34 can flex to release the portion of hair.

The body 14 of the hair styling tool 10 also includes a 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 the heating element, controlling the temperature of the heating element, and wrapping hair around the styling member in the hollow interior. The actuator may be in any suitable form, such as a button, switch, etc. The handle portion 22 includes a power source such as a rechargeable battery and a power outlet.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the two

buttons

44, 46 located in the handle portion 22 adjacent the styling portion 20 are positioned to coincide with the user's thumbs when the user's hand is wrapped around the handle portion 22. The button 44, on the left in fig. 1, introduces a portion of the hair into the hollow interior 30 and winds the hair in a clockwise direction around the styling member 12. The button 46 on the right in fig. 1 introduces a portion of hair into the hollow interior 30 and winds the hair in a counterclockwise direction around the styling member 12. Depending on the location and type of curl desired by the user, the user will select the desired button.

In use, a user picks up a portion of hair and feeds it into the hollow interior 30 through the opening 32 and the open second end 18 of the styling portion 20. The top end of the portion of hair (i.e., the end adjacent the user's head) extends through the open second end 18 and the free end of the portion of hair extends through the opening 32. In the event that the heating element reaches the desired temperature, the user depresses one of the

buttons

44, 46 to cause the winder mechanism to wind that portion of hair around the styling member 12. The resilient tongue 34 supports, holds and guides the top end of the hair so that the free end can be wound around the styling member 12.

As described above, the styling portion 20 includes a winder mechanism (not shown) that is movable in response to a user pressing one of the

buttons

44, 46. The winder mechanism travels along the inner wall 26 of the housing 24 to introduce the portion of hair into the hollow interior 30 and wind the portion of hair around the styling member 12 (i.e., around the heating element of the styling member 12). The tongue 34, styling member 12 and housing 24 work together to introduce, guide and rotate a portion of hair around the styling member 12.

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

Once a portion of hair is in the hollow interior 30 and wrapped around the styling member 12, the resilient flaps 34 retain the portion of hair in the interior and prevent it from exiting the interior 30. The user holds the portion of hair being heated in the hair styling tool 10 for the desired short time.

To extract the portion of hair from the styling tool 10, the user pulls the hair styling tool away from their head and away from the portion of hair, or may manually pull the portion of hair from the styling tool 10. The portion of hair is pulled out of the opening 32 mainly in a substantially longitudinal direction, but in some cases, the portion of hair is pulled out in a movement direction having a movement component in a transverse direction. When the portion of hair is moved longitudinally 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 that it can return to its retaining position. In some embodiments, the resilient tongue 34 is made of silicone or an elastomeric material. The resilient tab 34 need not be activated by the user and will flex when in contact with a portion of hair to avoid blocking that portion of hair, thereby accommodating passage of hair in the longitudinal direction (or generally in the longitudinal direction) between the tab 34 and the styling member 12. Thus, the portion of hair is not caught, entangled or tangled by the resilient tongue 34.

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

For example, the hair styling tools may have different sizes and shapes, and the styling members may have different sizes and shapes. The sizing members may be interchangeable with sizing members having different diameters or end widths to accommodate different styling needs.

In the appended claims and the previous description of the invention, unless the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the 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 invention.

Claims

1. A hair styling tool for styling hair, comprising:

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

the shaping part comprises: a housing including an inner wall defining a hollow interior for receiving hair; and a sizing member located within the hollow interior, spaced from the inner wall and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis,

characterized in that the styling part further comprises a resilient tongue extending between the inner wall and the styling member in the retaining position,

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

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

3. The hair styling tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resilient tongue is biased to the retaining position.

4. The hair styling tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resilient tongue flexes laterally from the holding position relative to the styling portion and the inner wall upon movement of the hair.

5. The hair styling tool according to claim 1 or 2, 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 inner wall.

6. The hair styling tool of claim 5, wherein the second tab tip contacts a retaining portion to support the second tab tip in the retaining position.

7. The hair styling tool according to claim 6, wherein the holding portion comprises a positioning recess formed in a portion of the styling member, and the second end of the resilient tongue piece fits in the positioning recess.

8. The hair styling tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elongate body has an end opening, and wherein the housing of the styling portion comprises an elongate opening in a side thereof, the elongate opening extending in the housing between an outer wall and an inner wall of the housing, the elongate opening further extending from the end opening, and hair being receivable through each of the end opening and elongate opening, the end opening and elongate opening enabling hair to be received in the hollow interior and wrapped around the styling member.

9. The hair styling tool according to claim 8, wherein the resilient tongue is arranged at the end opening to retain hair in the hollow interior in use.

10. A hair styling tool according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a winder member arranged in the hollow interior, the winder member being arranged, in use, to wind hair received in the hollow interior around the styling member.

11. The hair styling tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the styling member is a heater.

12. The hair styling tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elongated body further comprises a handle portion at the first end, and wherein the styling portion is at the second end.

13. The hair styling tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resilient tongue is formed of silicone.