EP2299864A2

EP2299864A2 - Improved hair curler

Info

Publication number: EP2299864A2
Application number: EP09772070A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Donatella Centurelli
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-06-09
Filing date: 2009-06-08
Publication date: 2011-03-30
Also published as: ITMI20081048A1; WO2010000370A2; WO2010000370A3

Abstract

An improved hair curler (10, 10'), suitable for warming the user's hair locks for making a hairstyle with curls or ringlets of a different volume, comprising a heating body (12, 30), a handle (14, 14') longitudinally coupled with said heating body (12, 30), a mains power cable (22, 22') and comprising mechanical means suitable for allowing the obtainment of ringlets through a sliding movement of the hair curler along the lock partially curled onto the same.

Description

Description of patent application for industrial invention entitled:

"Improved hair curler" In the name of: Donatella Centurelli Description

The present invention relates to an improved hair curler. More in particular, the present invention relates to a hair curler that warms the locks and acts on the user's hair locks making a hairstyle with curls or ringlets of a different volume.

It is known that multiple types of hair tools are available on the market, designed for making different hairstyles; there exist pin curls of various shapes and types, professional and not, straightening irons also used for obtaining the wavy hair effect, etc.

Traditional hair curlers have a cylindrical body, typically made of coated steel or other suitable material, wherein there is arranged an electrical reslsior, powered by the mains and suitable for warming the cylindrical body itself. Said cylindrical body is fixed to an ergonomically shaped grip, inside which there are arranged the electrical components required for operating the hair curler; said grip, moreover, may be provided with an on-off switch and/or any light indicators, for example defined by LED (Light Emitting Diode), suitable for signalling the occurred achievement of the operating temperature. In addition to the cylindrical body, the hair curler may also have a bar or lever characterised by a bend corresponding to that of the cylindrical body and with the same length as the cylindrical body itself; said lever is freely pivoted relative to the cylindrical body or to the grip and is manually moved in opening and closing according to the ways described hereinafter. When the user wants to make a curly hairstyle or with ringlets, he/she curls a part of the hair lock onto the cylindrical body starting from the tip and stops or locks it by means of the concave lever; with the lock thus partially locked, the user continues to cur! the same along the entire length of the cylindrical body up to reaching the hairline of the hair lock to the skin. At this point, the user holds the lock thus curled for a time ranging between 15 and 20 seconds before unrolling the lock itself. An alternative embodiment of the traditional hair curlers does not have the concave lever but only the heated cylindrical body. In this case, in order to make the ringlet, the user curls the hair lock (always starting from the tip) spiral-wise and by the entire length of the cylindrical body, holding it with the fingers. The user therefore holds the lock thus curled for α time ranging between 15 and 20 seconds and then unrolls it.

However, such traditional hair curlers exhibit an important drawback; in fact, while said hair curlers allow making good quality ringlets from the point of view of consistency and hold of the ringlet itself, they require a long time to make the ringlet itself. As explained before, the hair lock must be curled and held into position for a more or less long time. As a consequence, such hair curlers, due to the long time required for making the hair set or ringlet and to the "complexity" of use, are little used both by professionals and by common users. In order to solve this drawback, plate equipment with a straightening effect has recently been introduced on the market which exhibits said plates made of a ceramic material, tourmaline or other known type and with the outside body of the plates characterised by a rounded shape. Besides allowing obtaining the straightening effect for hair in a simple and quick manner, this equipment also allows obtaining the wavy effect. However, the ringlet hair set obtained with these plates does not exhibit the same quality as the ringlet obtained with the traditional hair curlers; the resulting ringlet does not have an optimum consistency and hold.

The object ot this invention is to obviate the drawbacks discussed hereinabove. More in particular, the object of this invention is to provide an improved hair curler suitable for allowing making a hair set with ringlets of optimum quality both as regards consistency and hold over time.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved hair curler which should allow obtaining the ringlet in a simple and easy manner and without having to wait the time required by traditional hair curlers.

A further object of this invention is to provide the users with an improved hair curler suitable for ensuring a high level of resistance and reliability over time, and also such as to be easily and inexpensively constructed.

These and other objects are achieved by the hair curler of the present invention that comprises a heating body, a grip longitudinally coupled with said heating body, a mains power cable and mechanical means suitable for allowing the obtainment of ringlets through a sliding movement of the hair curler along the lock partially curled onto the same.

The construction and functional features of the hair curler of the present invention shall be better understood from the following detailed description, wherein reference is made to the annexed drawing tables showing a preferred and non-limiting embodiment thereof, wherein: figure 1 schematically shows an axonometric view of the improved hair curler of the present invention; figure 2 shows a schematic front view of the hair curler of figure 1 ; figure 3 shows a schematic front view of the hair curler according to a first alternative embodiment; figure 3A shows a schematic front view of the hair curler according to a further alternative embodiment; figure 4 shows a schematic axonometric view of the hair curler of the invention according to a further alternative embodiment. With particular reference to figures 1 to 3, the hair curler of the present invention, globally indicated with reference numeral 10, comprises a heating body 12 and a grip 14 longitudinally coupled with said heating body 12. The heating body 12 typically has a cylindrical section and is made of a metal material such as, for example, stainless steel or other equivalent materials suitable for allowing heat transmission, such as for example ceramic, jade, tourmaline or the like. The heating body 12 receives heat by means of a traditional resistor (not shown in the figure), typically made of thermo-electricα! steatite, which leads the heating body to an operating temperature comprised between 150 and 200 ⁰C.

As in the traditional hair curlers, the diameter of the heating body 12 varies according to the model of hair curler selected based on the size of curl or ringlet to be obtained.

In order to carry out the function described in detail hereinafter, the heating body 12 has a length comprised between 6 and 12 cm and preferably equal to 8 cm.

The optional on/off switch 16 and the optional indicators 18 and 20 provided for signalling the occurred achievement of the operating temperature or for signalling the heating transient or a fault, are located on the grip 14, which from an ergonomic point of view is designed so as to adjust to the hand and to the grip of the user of the curler itself.

A mains power supply 22 is attached to grip 14, at the back front of the grip itself opposite the fixing front of the heating body 12.

Cable 22 can rotate relative to the grip it is fixed to; in this way, the user can handle the hair curler 10 during the hair set with no difficulty. An optional electrical motor, seated within grip 14, allows the rotation of the heating body 12. With particular reference to figures 1 and 2, the hair curler of the present invention exhibits, coupled to grip 14 and extending parallel to the heating body 12, at least one compression bar 24 fixed to a clip 26 hinged relative to grip 14 or, alternatively, to the heating body 12. In the preferred embodiment, the hair curler exhibits two compression bars 24 with circular section and extending longitudinally by a length substantially equal to that of the heating body 12. The oscillatory movement relative to a fulcrum of rotation of the at least one bar 24 fixed to clip 26 is not free, but is aided by an elastic element, for example a spring (not shown in the figure), which extends and returns into rest position following the pressing action exerted by the user on clip 26.

The at least one bar 24 may be fixed relative to clip 26 or it may rotate idle relative to the same according to the direction of its longitudinal axis; this in order to make the sliding of the hair lock easier. The at least one bar 24 is not in direct contact with the heating body 12, but between the surface of the heating body 12 and the at least one bar 24 there is a portion of "air" or thickness suitable for allowing the positioning of the hair lock according to the methods discussed hereinafter. Moreover, the at least one bar 24 is arranged, parallel to the heating body 12, according to an angle a, calculated starting trom the vertical axis, comprised between 0 and 45° and preferably between 0 and 25°. According to the first alternative embodiment of figure 3, the hair curler 10 exhibits, as an alternative to the at least one compression bar 24, a concave plate 28 fixed in a known manner to clip 26.

Also plate 28, extending longitudinally by a length substantially equal to that of the heating body 12, is not placed in direct contact with the heating body itself but parallel thereto and in such position as to leave a portion of air or thickness suitable for positioning the hair lock. Said plate 28 surrounds the heating body 12 according to a semi-opening angle β, comprised between 5 and 45° and preferably between 10 and 30°.

The at least one bar 24, as well as plate 28, are preferably made of a metal material such as, for example, stainless steel or equivalent metal material or other suitable materials such as ceramic, jade, tourmaline or the like. The heating body 12, along with the at least one bar 24 or with plate 28 may be detached from grip 14 and replaced with a heating body of a different diameter, so as to obtain different dimensions of the ringlets. According to a further alternative embodiment, as in figure 3A, the heating body 12 may be shaped with one or more grooves 25 extending longitudinally and suitable for allowing the seating of the one or more bars 24 fixed or turning relative to clip 26. The at least one bar 24 may exhibit a flat surface 27, facing the heating body 12 and extending longitudinally, suitable for facilitating and for improving the quality features of the wavy effect of the hair lock.

Moreover, the same heating body 12 at the free end opposite that of fixing relative to grip 14, is optionally provided with an annular collar of a greater diameter than that of the heating body and suitable for defining a locking element for the curled hair lock, so as to prevent the removal of the same according to the longitudinal direction. The operation of the improved hair curler of the invention described in detail hereinabove with reference io figures 1 to 3 is described hereinafter.

To make a ringlet hair set, the user curls a small portion of hair lock (a half of a turn curl) on the heating body 12 starting from the hairline of the lock itself, and tightens U by means of the at least one bar 24 or by plate 28; subsequently, holding the hair curler at grip 14, the user slides it by the entire length of the hair lock. The sliding movement, allowed by the composition of the heating body and of the bar or plate, together with the heat of the heating body itself, allows obtaining a narrow ringlet and with a long hold over time with a single sweep. Figure 4 shows a further alternative embodiment of the hair curler of the present invention. With reference to said figure, the hair curler, globally indicated with reference numeral 10', comprises a grip 14' of ergonomic shape and on the surface whereof there are arranged an optional on/off switch 16' and optional indicators 18' and 20' for signalling the achievement of the operating temperature or the heating transient or any faults.

A mains power cable 22' is attached to grip 14', at the back front thereof. Cable 22' can rotate relative to the grip it is fixed to; in this way, the user can handle the hair curler 10' during the hair set with no difficulty.

A heating body 30 made of metal material or other suitable heat transmitting material, such as ceramic, jade, tourmaline or the like, develops in longitudinal direction starting from the front face of grip 14'. The heating body 30 comprises a bottom body 30' and a top body 30" inside which there is arranged an electrical resistor, powered by the mains and suitable for heating the bodies themselves. Said heating body extends longitudinally by a length comprised between 6 and 12 cm and preferably equal to 8 cm. The bottom body 30' is stiffly constrained to grip 14', whereas the top body 30" is hinged relative to the bottom body itself or to grip 14' .

The opening and closing movement of the top body 30" relative to the bottom body 30' is manually controlled by the user through a clip (not shown in the figure); such movement is further aided by an elastic element, such as for example a spring, arranged into the clip or into the hinge element that connects the top body 30" relative to grip 14' or to the bottom body 30'.

The inside surface 32 of the top body 30" and the inside surface 34 of the bottom body 30' have a plate-shaped development.

The outside surfaces of the top body 30" and of the bottom body 30', on the other hand, have a curvilinear and typically circular development; the outside surface of the bottom body 30' has a development typically but not critically corresponding to three fourths of a circumference, whereas the outside surface of the top body 30" has a development corresponding to one fourth of a circumference; in the preferred solution of figure 4, the two surfaces have a development corresponding to a semi-circumference. The operation of the improved hair curler (10'), described in detail with reference to the components thereof, is totally similar to that of the preferred embodiment described with reference to figures 1 to 3. Moreover, since the hair curler 10' exhibits surfaces 32 and 34 with a plate-shaped development, it may be used as straightening iron as well.

In an alternative embodiment, surfaces 32 and 34 are defined by interchangeable plates so as to allow the optional make of a curly or wavy effect or the like. In addition, the heating body 30 may be detachable from grip 14'; in this way, the user can attach heating bodies of different diameters to grip 14' so as to allow making ringlets of a different size.

As can be noticed from the above, the advantages achieved by the improved hair curler of the invention are clear.

The improved hair curler of the present invention advantageously allows making a hair set with ringlets or the like of optimum quality as regards consistency and hold over time. A further advantage of the hair curler of the invention, considering that it is not necessary to curl the entire hair lock around the heating body, is that it allows obtaining the ringlet in a simple and easy manner and without having to wait the time required by traditional hair curlers. A further advantage is that the hair curler of the invention exhibits a heating body of small dimensions (with reference to the length), consequently, the curler itself has smaller overall dimensions than the traditional curlers and is therefore easy to carry and put into bags or the like and always ready for use, besides being convenient and easy to use.

While the invention has been described hereinbefore with particular reference to a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, several changes and variations will appear clearly to a man skilled in the art in the light of the above description. This invention therefore is intended to include any changes and variations thereof falling within the spirit and the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An improved hair curler (10, 10'), suitable for warming the user's hair locks for making a hairstyle with curls or ringlets of a different volume, comprising a heating body (12, 30), a handle (14, 14') longitudinally coupled with said heating body

(12, 30), a mains power cable (22, 22') and characterised in that it comprises mechanical means suitable for allowing the obtainment of ringlets through a sliding movement of the hair curler along the lock partially curled onto the same.

2. The hair curler (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that said mechanical means are defined by at least one compression bar (24), with circular section, extending longitudinally by a length basically equal to that of the heating body (12), fixed or rotating idle relative to a clip (26) hinged relative to the grip (14) or to the heating body (12).

3. The hair curler according to claim 2, characterised in that the at least one bar (24) is not in direct contact with the surface of the heating body (12) and relative to the same it defines a portion of "air" or thickness suitable for allowing the positioning of the hair lock, said at least one bar (24) is arranged, parallel to the heating body (12), according to an angle α, calculated starting from the vertical axis, comprised between 0 and 45° and preferably between 0 and 25°.

4. The hair curler according to claim 1, characterised in that the grip (14) seats an electrical motor suitable for allowing the rotation of the heating body (12).

5. The hair curler according to claim 1, characterised in that the heating body (12) is shaped with one or more grooves (25), with concave or flat bottom, extending longitudinally and suitable for allowing the seating of the at least one bar (24).

6. The hair curler according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one bar (24) exhibits a flat surface (27), facing the heating body (12) and extending longitudinally.

7. The hair curler according to claim 2, characterised in that it comprises a concave plate (28) fixed to the clip (26), extending longitudinally by a length basically equal to that of the heating body (12), not in direct contact with the heating body (12) and such as to surround the heating body (12) according to a semi-opening angle β comprised between 5 and 45° and preferably between 10 and 30°.

8. The hair curler (10') according to claim 1, characterised in that the mechanical means are defined by the heating body (30) which comprises a bottom body (30') and a top body (30") respectively provided with an inside surface (34) and (32) with plate-shaped development and with outside surfaces with typically circular curvilinear development.

9. The hair curler according to claim 8, characterised in that the outside surface of the bottom body (30') has a development corresponding to three fourths of a circumference and in that the outside surface of the top body (30") has a development corresponding to one fourth of a circumference.

10. The hair curler according to claim 8, characterised in that the outside surface of the bottom body (30') and the outside surface of the top body (30") have a semi-circumferential development.

11. The hair curler (10') according to claim 8, characterised in that the bottom body (30') is stiffly constrained to the grip (14') and the top body (30") is hinged relative to the bottom body itself or to the grip (H').

12. The hair curler according to claim 1, characterised in that the heating body (12, 30) has a longitudinal development comprised between 6 and 12 cm and preferably equal to 8 cm.

13. The hair curler according to claim 1, characterised in that the heating body (12, 30) is made of a metal material of the stainless steel type or other equivalent metals or alloys optionally coated with ceramic, jade, tourmaline or the like. 14. The hair curler according to claim 1, characterised in that the heating body (12, 30) respectively comprising the at least one bar (24), the plate (28) and the bottom body (30') and the top body (30") is detachable from the grip and interchangeable with heating bodies of a different diameter.

5. The hair curler according to claim 8, characterised in that the surfaces (32, 34) are defined by interchangeable plates.