GB2383532A

GB2383532A - Hairdryer nozzle having a plurality of air outlets

Info

Publication number: GB2383532A
Application number: GB0220592A
Authority: GB
Inventors: King Kuen Yu
Original assignee: Kenford Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Kenford Industrial Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-07-15
Filing date: 2002-09-05
Publication date: 2003-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-05
Also published as: CN2558257Y; GB0220592D0; DE20216600U1; HK1049579A2; GB2383532B

Abstract

A hairdryer comprises a body 3, a handle 4 housing an electrical supply cable 9 and an air directing device 10 attached to the front of the body. The air directing device 10 has first and second air directing nozzles 1 and 2. The first air directing nozzle comprises an inlet portion 11 which attaches to the front of the hairdryer body via a connection member (13, fig 2) and an outlet portion 11'. The outlet portion comprises a central bore (16, fig 4) and two first outlets 12 and 12' which extend outwardly in an arcuate manner. The second air directing nozzle comprises a connection member (21, fig 5) that rotatably attaches to the central bore (16, fig 4) and it has a central bore 23 providing a central outlet (26, fig 5). Two second outlets (22 and 22', fig 5) extend outwardly in an arcuate manner from the second nozzle. The first nozzle can be rotated relative to the hairdryer body and the second nozzle can be rotated relative to the first nozzle enabling different air outlet configurations to be achieved.

Description

AIR DIRECTING DEVICE HAVING A PLURALITY OF AIR OUTLETS AND HAIRDRYER WITH THE SAME Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air directing device for an air-moving appliance having a plurality of positionally adjustable air outlets and a hairdryer with such a device.

Background of the Invention Up to now, an air directing device used in a hairdryer or hair-styling devices usually has one nozzle, which in general includes one air outlet. The air directing nozzle is immovably fixed to the body of the hairdryer. Therefore, an air stream comes from such a hairdryer only in one direction, and the strength or flow rate of the air stream is controlled only by a switch button set on the handle of the hairdryer. Currently, no such a device has been disclosed in the art which can change the direction and strength or flow rate of the air stream.

To solve the above problem in the prior art, the present invention provides an air directing device having a plurality of positionally adjustable air outlets which can be used in various kinds of hairdressing tools.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air directing device for an air-moving appliance having a plurality of air outlets, the device comprising : a first air directing nozzle connected to a body of said air-moving appliance; and a second air directing nozzle connected to said first air directing nozzle; wherein each of said first and said second air directing nozzles comprise a plurality of air outlets, said second air directing nozzle being freely rotatable with respect to said first air directing nozzle.

The first air directing nozzle may be rotatably connected to the body of the

appliance.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hairdryer with an air directing device having a plurality of air outlets, comprising a body connected to said air directing device; a handle connected to said body; and a power cable passing through said handle, wherein said air directing device comprises a first air directing nozzle and a second air directing nozzle, each of which comprises a plurality of air outlets, and said second air directing nozzle being freely rotatable with respect to said first air directing nozzle.

The air directing device may comprise a plurality of positionally adjustable air outlets.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the air directing device comprises a first air directing nozzle and a second air directing nozzle. Each of the first and the second air directing nozzles has a plurality of air outlets, and the second air directing nozzle can rotate freely with respect to the first air directing nozzle.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two air outlets of the first air directing nozzle extend outwardly in an arcuate manner from a portion where the first air directing nozzle is connected to the body respectively, to be of a configuration of a semicircle or approximate semicircle. The diameter of the semicircle is greater than the maximum diameter of the body. Preferably, each of the two air outlets is in the shape of a semicircle. A buffer barrier is preferably provided in both of the two air outlets.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the second air directing nozzle comprises a plurality of air outlets. Two air outlets of the second air directing nozzle extend outwardly in an arcuate manner from a portion where the second air directing nozzle is connected to the first air directing nozzle respectively, to form a semicircle

or approximate semicircle. Preferably, each of the two air outlets is in the shape of a semicircle.

In embodiments of the present invention, the air directing device may be connected to other devices besides the hairdryer in various ways. Thus, the air directing device of the present invention can be applied to other hairdressing tools.

Brief Description of the Drawings For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference shall now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a first air directing device of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view of the first air directing device taken along the line A-A shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a rear view of the first air directing device shown in Figure 1 ; FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view of the first air directing device taken along the line B-B shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 5 is a schematic drawing showing an embodiment of a second air directing device of the present invention; FIGURE 6 is a left side view of the second air directing device shown in Figure 5; FIGIRE 7 shows a first air directing device and a second air directing device of an embodiment of the present invention when paired with each other; FIGURE 8 is a right side view of the second air directing device shown in Figure 5;

FIGURE 9 is a cross sectional view of the second air directing device taken along the line C-C shown in Figure 8; FIGURE 10 shows the first air directing device and the second air directing device of an embodiment of the present invention when paired with each other, in which the air directing nozzles of the first air directing device are in a position orthogonal to that of the second air directing device; FIGURE 11 is a perspective view showing that a first air directing device of an embodiment of the present invention is in an orthogonal position with respect to a second air directing device; FIGURE 12 is a perspective view showing that a first air directing device of an embodiment of the present invention is in a line with a second air directing device; and FIGURE 13 is a schematic view of a hairdryer containing an air directing device having a plurality of air outlets according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Preferred Embodiments of the Invention The present invention will be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments in combination with the drawings.

Referring to Fig. 13, a hairdryer of an embodiment of the present invention comprises a body 3, a handle 4, a connection member connected between the handle 4 and the body 3, an air directing device 10, and a power cable 9 passing through the handle 4. In the body 3 are arranged a motor, a fan driven by the motor and heating resistance wires (the same as those in a conventional hairdryer and not shown). The air directing device 10 comprises a first air directing nozzle 1 and a second nozzle 2. In Fig. 3, the second air directing nozzle 2 is in a position orthogonal to the first air directing nozzle 1.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the first air directing nozzle 1 comprises an air inlet portion 11 and an air outlet portion 11'. The rear portion of the air inlet portion 11 comprises a first connection member 13. The first connection member 13 comprises a first inlet opening 14 and a first connection groove 18. The first air directing device 1 is rotatably connected to the body through the first connection groove 18 matched with a corresponding project (not shown) in the body. The air outlet portion 11'comprises a first central bore or vent 16, first air outlets 12,12'and air outlet orifices 19,19'. The air outlet orifices 19,19'are provided symmetrically on both sides of the first air outlets 12,12'. Referring to Fig. 3, the air outlets 12,12' comprise outlet openings 15,15', respectively.

In Fig. 2, reference numeral 17 denotes the buffer barrier of the first air outlet 12.

The air stream passing through the first air outlet 12 is buffered by the buffer barrier 17 to blow out softly from the air outlet 12. The air outlets 12,12'together with the air inlet 11 are formed to be in'Y'shaped. The air outlets 12, 12'extend oppositely in an arcuate direction from the junction connected to the air inlet 11, to form a configuration of a semicircle or an approximate semicircle.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, the first air directing nozzle 1 of this embodiment can be designed as two separable symmetrical portions that are matched with or connected to each other in a conventional manner known in the art. In this embodiment, the two separable potions are connected by matching a tenon in one portion with a mortise in the other portion.

Now referring to Fig. 5, the second air directing nozzle 2 comprises a second connection member 21, second air outlets 22 and 22', and a second central bore or vent 23. The rear end portion of the second connection member 21 comprises a flange 24. A second annular groove 28 is formed in the second connection member 21 between the flange 24 and the junction of the second air outlets 22 and 22'. The annular groove 28 is matched with the first central bore or vent 16 of the first air directing nozzle 1 to connect the second air directing nozzle 2 to the first air directing

nozzle 1 and to facilitate free rotation of the second air directing nozzle 2 with respect to the first air directing nozzle 1. The second air outlets 22 and 22' respectively extend outwardly and oppositely from a portion where they are connected to the second connection member 21 to be of a configuration of a semicircle or an approximate semicircle. An opening 26 of the second central bore or vent 23 is substantially aligned with air outlet openings 25 and 25'of the second air outlets 22 and 22', as shown in Fig. 6. The configuration of the second air outlets 22 and 22'of the present embodiment is formed to be a semicircle whose inner edge is shaped as an arc, to thereby adapt to the first air outlets 12,12'of the first air directing nozzle 1, respectively.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, the hollow portion of the second connection member 21 communicates with the second central bore or vent 23, so that the airflow comes from the body of the hairdryer passes through the first connection member 21 and then blows out from the outlet openings 25,25'and the opening 26, respectively.

As shown in Figs. 7 and 12, the second air directing nozzle 2 may be rotated to a position where the second air outlet openings 25,25'are in a line with the first air outlet openings 12,12'of the first air directing nozzle 1. In this case, the air directing device of the present invention may be used to dry a large area of hair, and particularly to keep long hair straight and smooth.

As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the second air directing nozzle 2 may also be rotated to a position orthogonal to the first air directing nozzle 1. In this case, the air directing device of the present invention may be applied to dry wet hair rapidly, and is particularly advantageous for making various hairstyles.

Furthermore, since the second air directing nozzle 2 may freely rotate within the first air directing nozzle 1, the airflow from the body of the hairdryer may blow out in different directions from the first air outlets 12,12', the air outlet orifices 19,19', the second air outlets 22,22'and the second central bore or vent 23. Thus, the hairdryer can be used to make desired hairstyles.

The preferred features of the invention are applicable to all aspects of the invention and may be used in any possible combination.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words"comprise" and"contain"and variations of the words, for example"comprising"and "comprises", mean"including but not limited to", and are not intended to (and do not) exclude other components, integers, moieties, additives or steps.

The above description is only provided for illustrating the present invention. Various variations or modifications thereof can be made within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection with regard to the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS : 1. An air directing device for an air-moving appliance having a plurality of air outlets, the device comprising: a first air directing nozzle connected to a body of said air-moving appliance; and a second air directing nozzle connected to said first air directing nozzle; wherein each of said first and said second air directing nozzles comprise a plurality of air outlets, said second air directing nozzle being freely rotatable with respect to said first air directing nozzle.
2. An air directing device according to claim 1, wherein two first air outlets of said first air directing nozzle extend outwardly in an arcuate manner from a portion where said first air directing nozzle is connected to said body so as to form a semicircle or an approximate semicircle, a diameter of said semicircle or approximate semicircle being greater than a maximum diameter of said body.
3. An air directing device according to claim 2, wherein a buffer barrier is provided in both of said two air outlets of said first air directing nozzle.
4. An air directing device according to any preceding claim, wherein two second air outlets of said second air directing nozzle extend outwardly in an arcuate manner from a portion where said second air directing nozzle is connected to said first air directing nozzle respectively, to form a semicircle or an approximate semicircle.
5. An air directing device according to any preceding claim, wherein the air outlets each have a substantially semicircular cross-section.
6.-A hairdryer with an air directing device having a plurality of air outlets, comprising a body connected to said air directing device; a handle connected to said body; and

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a power cable passing through said handle, wherein said air directing device comprises a first air directing nozzle and a second air directing nozzle, each of which comprises a plurality of air outlets, and said second air directing nozzle being freely rotatable with respect to said first air directing nozzle.
7. A hairdryer according to claim 6, wherein two first air outlets of said first air directing nozzle extend outwardly in an arcuate manner from a portion where said first air directing nozzle is connected to said body, to form a semicircle or an approximate semicircle, a diameter of said semicircle being greater than a maximum diameter of said body.
8. A hairdryer according to claim 6, wherein a buffer barrier is provided in said two first air outlets.
9. A hairdryer according to claim 6,7 or 8, wherein two second air outlets of said second air directing nozzle extend outwardly in an arcuate manner from a portion where said second air directing nozzle is connected to said first air directing nozzle, to form a semicircle or an approximate semicircle.
10. A hairdryer according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the air outlets each have a substantially semicircular cross-section.
11. An air directing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to

the accompanying drawings.

ZD
12. A hairdryer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. An air directing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A hairdryer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS : 1. An air directing device for an air-moving appliance having a plurality of air outlets, the device comprising: a first air directing nozzle connected to a body of said air-moving appliance; and a second air directing nozzle connected to said first air directing nozzle; wherein each of said first and said second air directing nozzles comprises a plurality of air outlets arranged such that air output from the outlets of the first air

directin-nozzle does not pass throu,directing nozzle does not pass through the outlets of the second air directing nozzle, said wherein said second air directing nozzle is freely rotatable with respect to said first air directing nozzle.

2. An air directing device according to claim 1, wherein two first air outlets of said

first air directing nozzle extend outwardly in an arcuate manner from a portion where 11 ai I I Li said first air directing nozzle is connected to said body so as to form a semicircle or an approximate semicircle, a diameter of said semicircle or approximate semicircle being greater than a maximum diameter of said body.

3. An air directing device according to claim 2, wherein a buffer barrier is provided ZD in both of said two air outlets of said first air directing nozzle.

0 4. An air directing device according to any preceding claim, wherein two second z : l zD air outlets of said second air directing nozzle extend outwardly in an arcuate manner from a portion where said second air directing nozzle is connected to said first air directing nozzle respectively, to form a semicircle or an approximate semicircle.

5. An air directing device according to any preceding claim, wherein the air outlets each have a substantially semicircular cross-section.

6. A hairdryer with an air directing device having a plurality of air outlets, comprising

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a body connected to said air directing device; a handle connected to said body; and a power cable passing through said handle, wherein said air directing device comprises a first air directing nozzle and a second air directing nozzle, wherein each of said first and said second air directing nozzles comprises a plurality of air outlets arranged such that air output from the outlets of the first air directing nozzle does not pass through the outlets of the second air directing nozzle, said wherein said second air directing nozzle is freely rotatable with

LO u--'"eo4-ing iiozzl,-. respect to said first air directing nozzle. 7. A hairdryer according to claim 6, wherein two first air outlets of said first air directing nozzle extend outwardly in an arcuate manner from a portion where said first air directing nozzle is connected to said body, to form a semicircle or an approximate semicircle, a diameter of said semicircle being greater than a maximum diameter of said body.

8. A hairdryer according to claim 6, wherein a buffer barrier is provided in said two first air outlets.

9. A hairdryer according to claim 6,7 or 8, wherein two second air outlets of said second air directing nozzle extend outwardly in an arcuate manner from a portion where said second air directing nozzle is connected to said first air directing nozzle, to form a semicircle or an approximate semicircle.

10. A hairdryer according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the air outlets each t have a substantially semicircular cross-section.