EP1874150B1 - Hair-styling device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hair styling device according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art

Hair-styling devices in which hair can be inserted for heating between a heating part and a molded part are known as such in the prior art. Such hair styling devices are particularly suitable for straightening, curling or waves of hair and are therefore also referred to as straighteners or curlers. The EP-A-1 030 571 discloses, for example, a hair styling device in which the hair can be inserted for heating between a heating part and a molded part, wherein the heating and the molding are pivotally arranged and in this case can be converted into an open and a closed position. The heating and moldings are, for example, scissor-shaped against each other.

For straightening a strand of hair this can be inserted, for example, between the heating part and the molded part. In the closed position of the heating and molding the inserted strand of hair is then heated to a temperature that allows a shaping of the strand.

The formability of hair is highly dependent on the hair moisture or the water content of the hair. In order to achieve a good shaping result, it is necessary for a strand of hair inserted in the hair-styling device to undergo at least one heating to a forming temperature. This forming temperature depends essentially on the hair moisture or the water content of the hair. In particular, the forming temperature to be applied increases with decreasing water content or with decreasing hair moisture.

For example, if a smoothing procedure is to be performed with the aid of a hair styling device and a hair strand to be smoothed is pulled too quickly through the device, then the heat transferred to the hair strand may not be sufficient to heat the hair strand to the required forming temperature. Disadvantages here is that due to the unreacted forming temperature on the one hand, an unsatisfactory deformation result is achieved, on the other hand, the strand of hair but this moisture is withdrawn. In a repetitive smoothing procedure, a higher forming temperature must be achieved due to the loss of moisture. This would require a particularly slow pulling through the strand of hair through the device, but this would be associated with a considerable additional time.

Alternatively, a user could increase the heating power of the hair styling device. However, the latter is not desirable for applications to other untreated and therefore a high moisture strands of hair, since the forming temperature required for forming such untreated hair would be significantly exceeded. In particular, hair that is heated significantly above the required forming temperature during forming unnecessarily strained. Heating the hair to a temperature slightly above or around the forming temperature is therefore desirable in view of the durability of the hair.

From the EP-A-1 212 959 Electric hair care equipment, such as hair dryers, curlers or the like, are known, which can also have buttons as additional switches in addition to sliding or rocker switches. As an additional switch, such a button is used as a so-called boost button, such as a hair dryer, to increase the device performance mostly short term for the duration of pressing this button. Another hair styling device is out of the US 2005 / 0011533A1 known.

problem

The invention is the object of the invention to provide an improved hair styling device of the type mentioned, in which the heating of a heating element can be adapted to the ideal conditions for a Umformprozedur.

Invention and advantageous effects

The hair styling device according to the invention has a grip part and at least one heating part for heating the hair, wherein the heating part is provided with a contact surface on which the hair can be shaped in contact with the heating part. For shaping, the hair can be inserted between the heating part and the molded part. Typically, the heating and molding are mutually pivotable, so that, for example, a pressing force on an inserted strand of hair is exercisable.

In addition, a temperature adjusting means is provided, by which the operating temperature of the heating part to a temperature X of at least 70 ° C can be fixed. The temperature adjusting means or the heating part are designed so that the temperature X is kept permanently and automatically and thus remains constant during operation.

The hair styling device according to the invention also has an actuating means for activating an operating mode in which the operating temperature of the heating part can be set from the temperature X to a higher value. With the aid of the actuating means, the user of the hair styling device can easily and intuitively transfer the hair styling device from a continuous operation into the operating mode in which the temperature of the heating element has a higher value than the temperature X of the continuous operation.

This results in an advantageous manner that the hair styling device is on request by a user in the operating mode with a higher temperature can be transferred. This is particularly advantageous when, for example, a strand of hair is to be repeatedly subjected to reshaping and has lower hair moisture or a lower water content due to previous shaping processes, so that an increased forming temperature must be set in order to achieve an ideal transformation result.

The invention provides that the actuating means is particularly easy to operate, so that the user does not have to make a relatively complicated and sometimes time-consuming manual adjustment of the hair styling device for changing the temperature of the heating part.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a control unit is provided, by means of which in the activated operating mode, the operating temperature of the at least one heating element for a predetermined time interval is maintained at the higher value. After expiration of the predetermined time interval, the hair styling device returns from the activated operating mode to continuous operation, in which the heating element is heated substantially to the temperature X.

The transfer from the activated operating mode into continuous operation after expiration of the predetermined time interval preferably takes place automatically and is typically triggered or initiated by the control unit.

The user is hereby given the opportunity to set by simple and intuitive operation of the actuating means, the temperature of the heating element and the contact surface provided therewith only for a predetermined time interval starting from the continuous operating temperature X to a higher value. Therefore, manual deactivation of the operating mode activated by the actuating means does not have to be performed by the user.

Advantageously, it is further provided that the actuating means is designed to deactivate the operating mode in response to a renewed actuation in the activated operating mode. By doing so, if necessary, the user can effectively shorten the predetermined time interval by repeatedly operating the operating means when the operation mode is activated. Thus, both the activation and the deactivation of the operating mode can each be controlled by operating the actuating means by the user and thus be adjusted according to his individual requirements.

If the hair styling device is used, for example, for straightening a strand of hair, and if the hair strand between heating element and molded part has not already been pulled through to the desired result, an increase in the operating temperature for straightening the hair strand is required due to the hair moisture reduced by this first smoothing procedure. After the first, not yet leading to the desired result treating the hair strand so the operating temperature can be adjusted to the required higher value with the aid of the actuating means.

During the given time interval, the user can now treat the strand of hair repeatedly. If a desired treatment or deformation result is achieved after a short time, which is substantially less than the predetermined time interval, the user can by repeated actuation of the actuating means, the hair styling device again in the continuous operation and with the treatment of another, for example a higher humidity having, hair strand continue.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one operating mode for increasing the operating temperature of the at least one heating part for the duration of actuation of the actuating means can be activated by a user. It is provided that, in particular when the actuating means is released, the hair styling device returns from the activated operating mode to continuous operation. The activated operating mode is therefore only for the duration of actuation of the actuating means ingested. This makes it possible in particular to realize very short activation times of the operating mode.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the heating part is formed in the activated operating mode for applying a maximum heating power. This is to be achieved in particular that even hair with an extremely low water content or extremely low hair moisture at least in the activated mode of operation of the hair styling device can be brought into the desired shape.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the heating part is designed such that in the activated operating mode with maximum heating power, an operating temperature of the contact surface of 170 ° C to 200 ° C can be achieved. In this temperature range even hair with an extremely low water content or with a correspondingly low hair moisture are still malleable. In order to ensure a deformation of the hair for all Haarfeuchtigkeiten, such heating of the contact surfaces of advantage.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the heating part increases the operating temperature of the contact surface in the activated operating mode by 30 ° C to 80 ° C, starting from the temperature X of the continuous operation. A concrete increase in the operating mode can be adjusted accordingly depending on the device type and field of application.

According to the invention the actuating means is designed as Tastes. In this case, the operating mode can be activated by simply and intuitively pressing the button.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the temperature adjusting means may be formed as a switch with detent position or as temperature control electronics. The temperature control electronics allows an automatic heating of the device directly at startup. The temperature-adjusting means also allows a variable adjustment of the continuous operating temperature X, so that one of the hair moisture or the water content corresponding continuous operating temperature X can be adjusted.

In addition, it can be provided that the increase in the operating temperature in the activated operating mode is dependent on the set continuous operating temperature X. This achieves above all that, for example, at a relatively low continuous operating temperature, which is particularly hair-gentle applicable for relatively wet hair, the Harrformgerät in the activated mode of operation, the contact surfaces or the heating element does not heat to the maximum achievable temperature, which would be in this case, even with repeated application to a strand of hair well above the required forming temperature.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the actuating means is arranged in or on a further operating element of the hair styling device. For example, it can be achieved hereby that a multifunction operating element integrates the functionality of the temperature setting means and the actuating means in a single operating element. As a result, a reduction of the installation space is achieved in an advantageous manner. This integral design also makes it possible that despite the attachment of an actuating means for the operating mode to be activated no additional space is required on the device.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating means is arranged in the region of the handle part. Preferably, the actuating means is actuated, for example, solely by the index finger or the user's thumb. Preferably, the actuating means is arranged on the handle part such that it can be actuated simply and intuitively during regular use by the user.

The hair styling device according to the invention can be designed both gas-powered and electrically operated. The actuating means is always designed according to the configuration of the hair styling device as a gas-powered or electrically operated for temporarily increasing the operating temperature.

embodiments

Other objects, advantages, features and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings. All described and / or illustrated features alone or in any meaningful combination form the subject matter of the present invention, also independent of their summary in the claims or their dependency.

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung des Haarformgerätes und

Figur 2

ein typisches Temperatur- Feuchtigkeitsdiagramm für Haare.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a schematic representation of the hair styling device and

FIG. 2

a typical temperature-humidity diagram for hair.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of the hair styling device 1, which has a molding 2 and the molded part 2 opposite arranged heating part 3. On the heating part 3 inside a contact surface 4 is arranged such that hair between the contact surface 4 and the molding 2 can be inserted.

The heating part 3 and the molded part 2 are pivotable about an axis 9, so that the heating part 3 and the molded part 2 can be moved towards one another in the manner of tongs. Typically, the molded part 2 and the heating part 3 are movable towards each other against a spring force, so that a user can bring together the molded part 2 and the heating element 3 for exerting a pressing force on inlaid hair by pressing in the region of the grip part 5.

In a reduction of the pressure exerted by the user on the handle part 5, the spring force finally ensures that the molded part 2 and the heating part 3 go into an open state and release the inserted hair.

This in FIG. 1 shown schematically hair styling device 1 is preferably suitable for straightening hair. At its open end, the molded part 2 has a recessed grip 6, which makes it possible to compress the molded part 2 and the heating part 3 also at the open end. Due to the fact that the (not separately shown) spring is arranged to open the scissors-like arrangement of the molding 2 and heating 3 in the region of the handle part 5, compression of the molded part 2 and the heating element 3 at the open end under engagement with the recessed grip 6 of Be beneficial because due to the leverage a lower force must be expended. In addition, the recessed grip 6 promotes the general handling of the hair styling device 1. In the area of the recessed grip 6 no heating is provided, so that a cool operating tip is provided.

At the top of the hair styling device 1, the actuating means 7 is arranged on the outside of the molded part 2. The actuating means 7 is in this case placed almost centrally between the handle part 5 and the open end of the molded part 2. This arrangement of the actuating means 7 allows actuation both from the side of the grip part 5 and from the open end. Thus, both in a one-handed grasping the hair styling device 1 in the region of the handle part 5 as well as a two-handed detection of the device 1 in the region of the handle part 5 and in the region of the grip 6, the actuating means 7 are operated in principle by each hand of the user due to its location. Alternatively, the actuating means 7 can also be arranged on the inside of the molded part 2 or on the leg sides or in the recessed grip 6.

An actuation can take place, for example, by depressing the actuating means 7. The actuating means 7 is designed as a button. In addition, the actuating means 7 can simultaneously take over the function of a temperature adjusting. A temperature setting can be done for example by turning the button 7 shown.

By turning the knob 7, therefore, the specified continuous operating temperature of the heating part 3 and the contact surface 4 is set. This set operating temperature is automatically maintained by the molding machine 1 during operation. By actuating the actuating means, for example by depressing the button 7, the device 1 is in the operating mode by the temperature of the heating part 3 and the contact surface 4 transitions to a higher value.

Preferably, the heating part 3 or the contact surface 4 is held at this elevated temperature for the duration of a given time interval. Thereafter, the hair styling device 1 goes back into its continuous operation mode by cooling the heating part 3 and the contact surface 4 again to the continuous operating temperature or by the Energientzug which takes place during use.

Other embodiments of the actuating means 7 allow, for example, a deactivation of the operating mode in response to a re-actuation of the actuating means 7 in the activated operating mode. Thus, the time interval in which the heating part 3 and the contact surface 4 are heated to the higher temperature value can be shortened at will by interaction by a user. In addition, an implementation of the actuating means 7 is conceivable in which the operating mode is activated only during the duration of actuation of the actuating means 7. When releasing the button 7 then the hair styling device 1 goes back to its continuous operation.

This in FIG. 1 shown hair styling device 1 has at its left-hand end a supply line 8, with the hair styling device 1 can be connected to a base station. This ensures via the supply line 8, a supply of electrical energy or gas. Alternatively, however, the hair styling device 1 can also be designed as a pure handheld device without being able to connect to a base station. In such a case, the hair styling device 1 typically has in the region of its handle part a receptacle for batteries, rechargeable batteries or for a gas cartridge.

FIG. 2 shows a typical temperature-humidity diagram 10 for hair. Here is a hairline curve 11 is shown. The area above the hair-form curve 11 is that area in which hair can be shaped, whereas in the area below the hair-shape curve 11 a deformation of the hair is poorly possible or even impossible. The hair shape curve 11 increases significantly with decreasing water content. Forming particularly dry hair therefore requires a high degree of heat to be applied or a heating of the hair to a relatively high temperature. This is of particular relevance if a forming procedure is repeatedly applied to the same strand of hair. The example explained below is intended to clarify this aspect.

Starting from a water content represented by the vertical line 12 in the temperature-moisture diagram 10, which is approximately 8.5 g / 100 g of hair, the hair tress is subjected in each case to different forming processes with different temperatures. In an application with a heated to 110 ° C or 130 ° C heating part 3, the water content decreases to the value represented by the vertical arrow 13. It follows that a heating to at least 90 ° C is required for a repeated forming of the hair strand.

If, starting from the original water content 12, a heating part 3 heated to 150 ° C. is used, the water content is reduced to the value represented by the vertical arrow 14. The resulting residual water content of the hair is finally 7 g / 100 g of hair. For a repeated forming a heating of the hair to at least 95 ° C is necessary.

If, however, originally heated to 165 ° C heating part 3 used to reshape the hair strand, the water content is reduced to the value shown by the arrow 15, which is 5 g per 100 g of hair. Due to the rise of the hair shape curve 11, the point of intersection of the arrow 15 with the hair shape curve 11 lies at approximately 110 ° C. On top of this Temperature value, the hair strand must be at least heated for repeated forming.

The diagram 10 makes it clear that, in particular in repeated applications of a forming procedure, on the one hand, the water content of the hair steadily decreases, which requires an increase in the heating power of the heating part 3 of the hair styling device 1, in order to achieve a desired forming result with repeated application. In this connection, the actuating means 7 for activating an operation mode in which the constant temperature is set to a higher value is particularly advantageous.

In particular, if only a few strands of hair must be subjected to a repeated forming procedure, the temporary increase in the operating temperature of the heating part 3, triggered by the actuating means 7, is of great advantage. A manual, for the user of the hair styling device 1 sometimes consuming adjustment of the continuous operating temperature is therefore no longer necessary. In addition, it can be provided that, due to the non-linear course of the hair shape curve 11, an increase in the operating temperature in the activated operating mode depends on the set continuous operating temperature.

Claims (13)

1. Hair styling appliance with a handle part (5), a styling part (2) and at least one heating part (3) for heating the hair, wherein the heating part (3) is provided with a contact surface (4) on which the hair in contact with the heating part may be styled, wherein the hair may be inserted between the heating part (3) and the styling part (2) and a temperature adjustment means is provided through which the operating temperature of the heating part (3) may be defined to a temperature X of at least 70 degrees Celsius and at least the temperature X may be continuously maintained automatically, wherein an actuation means (7) is provided to activate an operating mode in which the operating temperature of the heating part (3) may be adjusted from the temperature X to a higher value, characterized in that the actuation means (7) is designed as a pushbutton.
2. Hair styling device according to claim 1 characterized in that a control unit is provided by means of which the operating temperature of the at least one heating part (3) is kept at the higher value for a prescribed period of time when in the activated operating mode.
3. Hair styling device according to claim 2, characterized in that the actuation means (7) is designed to deactivate the operating mode in reaction to a renewed activation in the activated operating mode.
4. Hair styling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one operating mode is able to be activated to increase the operating temperature of the at least one heating part (3) for the duration of an activation of the actuation means (7) by a user.
5. Hair styling device according to one or a plurality of claims 1 through 4, characterized in that in the activated operating mode the heating part (3) is designed to apply a maximum heat output.
6. Hair styling device according to claim 5, characterized in that the heating part is designed such that in the activated operating mode with maximum heat output an operating temperature of 170 to 200° may be achieved for the contact surface (4).
7. Hair styling device according to one or a plurality of claims 1 through 6, characterized in that the heating part (3) is designed such that the operating temperature of the contact surface (4) is increased in the activated operating mode by 30 to 80°Celsius, based on the temperature X.
8. Hair styling device according to one or a plurality of claims 1 through 7, characterized in that in activated operating mode the operating temperature may be increased as a function of temperature X.
9. Hair styling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature adjustment means is designed as a switch with locking positions, or as temperature control electronics that automatically heat the appliance upon the start-up of the appliance.
10. Hair styling device according to one or a plurality of claims 1 through 9, characterized in that the actuation means (7) is disposed in or on a further operating element of the hair styling appliance (1).
11. Hair styling device according to one or a plurality of claims 1 through 10, characterized in that the actuation means (7) is disposed in the area of the handle part (5).
12. Hair styling device according to one or a plurality of claims 1 through 11, characterized in that it is gas operated.
13. Hair styling device according to one or a plurality of claims 1 through 11, characterized in that it is electrically operated.

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