US20200121053A1

US20200121053A1 - Hair Styling System

Info

Publication number: US20200121053A1
Application number: US16/655,121
Authority: US
Inventors: Jean Dawkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-10-17
Filing date: 2019-10-16
Publication date: 2020-04-23
Also published as: WO2020081733A1; CN113438912A; JP2022508824A

Abstract

An embodiment of the hair styling attachment can include a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion can include a plurality of projections. Each projection in the plurality of projections can extend away from the top portion. Each projection can terminate at an apex. In addition, at least one of the projections comprises a substrate and a heat conductive material, where the heat conductive material is in the groove of the projections. Further, bottom portion can mechanically couple to the top portion and configured to engage at least a portion of a hair dryer.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of this disclosure relate generally to a hair styling device system for drying and styling hair.

BACKGROUND

Hair styling can be a cumbersome process. The factors that increase the difficulty in styling hair can include but not be limited to: length, moisture level, and texture. During the styling process, applying too much heat negatively impacts the preferred style or even damages the hair. Accordingly, there exist a need for devices and systems that effectively dry and style an individual's hair.

SUMMARY

Some or all of the above needs and/or problems may be addressed by certain embodiments of the disclosure. Certain embodiments of the disclosure can include systems devices for drying and styling hair. An embodiment of the hair styling attachment can include a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion can include a plurality of projections. Each projection in the plurality of projections can extend away from the top portion. Each projection can terminate at an apex. In addition, at least one of the projections comprises a substrate and a heat conductive material in the groove portion of the attachment between each projection and extending along the inner surface of the projections. Further, the bottom portion can be mechanically coupled to the top portion and configured to engage at least a portion of a hair dryer.
Other embodiments, features, and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure. Other embodiments, features, and aspects can be understood with reference to the following detailed description, accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 depicts shows a side view of an illustrative embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the styling attachment.

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of the top portion of the styling attachment.

FIG. 4 depicts a rear isometric view of the top portion of the styling attachment.

FIG. 5. depicts a rear isometric view of the bottom portion of the styling attachment

FIG. 6 depicts an isometric cross sectional view of a hair styling system.

FIG. 7 demonstrates an airflow regulator on the regulator apertures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements.
Whenever appropriate, terms used in the singular also will include the plural and vice versa. The use of “a” herein means “one or more” unless stated otherwise or where the use of “one or more” is clearly inappropriate. The use of “or” means “and/or” unless stated otherwise. The use of “comprise,” “comprises,” “comprising,” “include,” “includes,” and “including” are interchangeable and not intended to be limiting. The term “such as” also is not intended to be limiting. For example, the term “including” shall mean “including, but not limited to.”
The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of the disclosed articles, systems, and methods in their best, currently known embodiments. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the articles, systems, and methods described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present disclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof.
As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a gasket” can include two or more such gaskets unless the context indicates otherwise.
As used throughout, “substantially” with respect to a measure can refer to a range of values comprising +/−10 degrees. For example, substantially orthogonal, normal, or parallel can include embodiments, where the referenced components are oriented +/−10 degrees of being classified as orthogonal, normal, or parallel respectively.
Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular list and also includes any combination of members of that list.
FIG. 1 depicts shows a side view of a styling attachment 100. The styling attachment 100 can comprise a top portion 102 and a bottom portion 104. The top portion 102 and bottom portion 104 are detachable. An arrangement of multiple projections 106 can extend from the top portion 102. The projections 106 act as a comb and they are positioned along a top projection area 175 and a bottom projection area 180, as shown in FIG. 4. In use, hair would be positioned between the projections for drying or styling. The top portion can also comprise an air flow regulator 108 on a top surface 176 of the top portion 102. The airflow regulator 108 can adjust the flow of air through a regulator aperture 112. As shown in FIG. 7, the regulator 108 is a circular plate that has top regulator openings 700 a and bottom regulator opening 700 b that are positioned over the regulator apertures 112 a and 112 b, respectively, to open and close regulator apertures 112 a and 112 b. Top regulator apertures 112 a transmit air to the top projection area 175 projections and the bottom regulator apertures 112 b transmit air primarily to the bottom projection area 180 projections.
FIG. 7 demonstrates an airflow regulator on the regulator apertures. As shown in FIG. 7, the regulator 108 has a protrusion 710 that extends out of the top portion 102 that can move in the direction of arrow 720 in a downward direction to close the top regulator apertures 112 a and keep apertures 112 b open. The regulator 108 can be moved in an upwards direction to move the openings 700 a so that the plate does not cover the top regulator apertures 112 a. Closing the top regulator apertures 112 a will concentrate airflow or heat to the bottom area including the bottom projections. Closing the bottom regulator apertures 112 b will concentrate airflow or heat to the top area including the top projections. Air from the air blowing device, such as a hair dryer, flows through the top and bottom regulator apertures, 112 a and 112 b, when they are open so that the regulator is not covering them. This will aid in drying the hair. Air from the air blowing device heats the conductive material 118 so that the projections and heated material act to style the hair.
In one aspect, as shown in FIG. 3, the air flow regulator 108 that can move in a lateral motion to increase or decrease the size of regulator apertures 112 defined by the top portion 102. In another aspect, the air flow regulator can move in a vertical motion to change the regulator aperture 112 size. The regulator apertures 112 can allow additional air to flow through the styling attachment 100. The air flow regulator 108 can reduce or increase the amount of heat flowing from the hair dryer through the styling attachment to the hair. When the regulator 108 is moved in one direction, it will move to restrict air flow from the top projection area 175 or the bottom projection area 180 so that the air is concentrated in either the top or bottom projections along the top and bottom projection area.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the styling attachment 100. The styling attachment can be configured for attachment to a standard hair dryer end (not shown), or any device that can transmit air. When attached, the styling attachment acts as a multifunctional styling tool that can comb, smooth and style hair. The top portion 102 of the styling attachment 100 can include a plurality of projections 106 that extend from a base region 114 of the top portion and extend to an apex 116. In a further aspect, the apex 116 of the projection can have a rounded configuration. The rounded configuration of the apex 116 can add in the comfort of the person having their hair styled because abrasions caused by a pointed apex would be reduced. In addition, the plurality of projections 106 can be arranged in a row with a projection density. The projection density can the number of projections oriented along a width (W1). For example, as shown in FIG. 2, there can be 9 projections spaced along the dimension W1. In a further aspect, the projection density of the top portion 102 can increase or decrease. In particular, a higher projection density can decrease the amount of hair that can fit in the space S1 between projections 106. As shown in FIG. 2, the quantity of S1 can be uniform along W1. In alternate embodiments, the width S1 can be variable, similar to the styling applications of using a fine tooth comb (with high projection density) versus using a wide tooth comb (with a low projection density).
The projections 106 can also comprise a substrate of rigid or semi rigid material. The substrate 122 can function as the primary structural material for the projections. Further, substrate 122 can be made out of a heat-resistant material. The heat-resistant material can be a polymer, rubber, plastic, or silicone. The substrate material can be structured to maintain the shape of the projection 106. In a further aspect, the combination of structure and material of the projection 106 can be configured to allow projections to exhibit some flexure. For example, the projections can flex between 5 and 10 degrees in any direction. In a further aspect the projection can flex between 1 and 15 degrees in any direction. The ability for the projections 106 to flex allows the recipient to maintain a comfortable experience because the projections will not immediate pull the user's hair.
In a further aspect, the projection 106 can comprise a heat conductive material 118. The heat conductive material 118 can be coupled to a surface of the projections 106. The heat conductive material 118 can comprise a material that functions to sustain heat when heated. As shown in FIG. 2, the heat conductive material 118 can be oriented along a base groove 120 spanning of two projections 106. The base groove 120 are depressions between each projection. The conductive material substantially covers the grooves 120 between the projections 106 and extends along the inner inside surface of the projection so that the hair is in contact with the conductive material 118 that heats and styles the hair and aids in preventing frizz. The conductive material in the grooves can vary in thickness in the grooves.
In an additional aspect, the heat conductive material can comprise metal or ceramic to maintain a heated surface during hair drying. In the case of a ceramic material, the heat conductive material 118 can be chemically configured to conduct heat. For example, fine ceramics such as aluminum nitride and silicon carbide can be engineered to conduct heat. In a further aspect, the heat conductive material 118 can be a metallic material that is coated with the ceramic material. In yet a further aspect, the ceramic material can comprise tourmaline and/or have a variety of characteristics including outstanding wear, long-term fatigue, toughness and creep resistance as well as excellent resistance to moisture, solvents and strong alkalis, such as Celcon.
Further, when the device is attached to an air blowing device such as a hair dryer, air passes through the bottom opening 110 through the device 100 from the bottom portion 104 to the top portion 102. The heat conductive material 118 can maintain a higher temperature than the substrate material 122. In another aspect, the heat conducting material 118 can be exposed on one external surface of the projection 106. It is further considered that there can be other surface area configurations that expose the heat conducting material 118. For example, the heat conducting material can span the entire length L1 of the projection 106. In another example the heat conducting material can span a portion of the length L1 of the projection 106. In another aspect, the heat conducting material 118 can be exposed in separated distinct regions along the length L1 of the projection 106.
FIG. 3 depicts a top view of the styling attachment. The top portion 102 can include a heat conductor 127. The heat conductor 127 has at least one heating aperture 126, an opening surrounded by heat conductive material. In a further aspect, the heating aperture 126 can be defined by the heat conductive material 118. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the heat conductive material 118 can be configured in a heating channel 129 at the base region 114 of the top portion 102. The heating channel 129 can provide a uniform heating surface during styling and drying of the user's hair. The heating channel 129 can span the width W1 of the top portion 102. The heating apertures 126 can also provide a conduit for heated air to the heat conductive material 118 of the heating channel 129. The heating aperture 126 can be oriented to receive air flow directly from the heating source such as the hair dryer. As hot air enters the attachment, the conductor 127 will be heated so that as hair contacts the conductive material 118 along the projections 106
FIG. 4 depicts an isometric rear view of the top portion 102. When the top portion is coupled to the bottom portion, air can flow from the bottom portion to the top portion 102. The air can flow through the heating apertures 126. Similarly, the air can flow through the regulator apertures 112. The flow of air can be parallel to the axis A1. As discussed earlier, the heated air flowing along the Axis A1, can provide the heat source for the heating channel 129 of heat conductive material 118 that is located adjacent to the base 114 of the projections 106.
FIG. 5 depicts a bottom isometric view of the bottom portion 104. The bottom portion 104 can comprise reciprocal mating fixtures 131 that are aligned to mate with the mating fixtures 128 located at the rear of the top portion 102. The bottom portion 104 can include an interior surface 130. In a further aspect mating protrusions 132 can be used to interface a hair dryer and provide for a more secure fit. Fastening mechanisms 725 can be placed through mating fixtures 131 and 128 to secure them. The fastening mechanism can be screws or other known fastening mechanisms. The mating protrusions 132 can comprise an angled portion 133. The angled portion 133 can function similar to a shim by providing a snug fit when the hair dryer (not shown) is inserted into the bottom portion 104. In a further aspect, the interior surface 130 can comprise a coating material. In one aspect, the coating material can be a material with a lower coefficient of friction, such as silicone. The lower coefficient of friction can reduce the force necessary to couple the hair dryer and the interior surface 130 of the bottom portion. Such an embodiment could rely on the interface between the interior surface 130 and the hair dryer being primarily maintained by the shim-type interaction between the angled portion 133 and the hair dryer. In a further aspect, the coating material on the interior surface 130 can have a higher coefficient of friction. The higher coefficient of friction can be based on the coating material being textured. For example, the texture on the coating can have a pattern that opposes the direction of the hair dryer being inserted into the bottom portion. In another aspect, the high coefficient of friction can be based on material properties of the coating material. For example, the coating material can comprise rubber. In addition, a portion of the external surface of the bottom portion 104 can comprise a grip coating 105. The grip coating 105 can aid the user by providing a tactile grip for coupling the bottom portion 104 to a hair dryer. A portion of the interior and exterior surface of the bottom portion is stretchable and flexible so that the portion can expand to fit on any size and style air blowing device, such as a nozzle of a hair dryer of various diameters.
FIG. 6 is an isometric cross-sectional view of a hair styling system 200 to including, the top portion 102, bottom portion 104, and the nozzle of the hair dryer 134. As shown in FIG. 6, the hair dryer nozzle 134 can be inserted along the axis A1, parallel to the direction of air flow. The nozzle 134 can be inserted along the bottom portion 104. The hair dryer nozzle 134 can engage the angled portion 133 of the mating protrusion along the interior surface 130 of the bottom portion. As discussed earlier, the heated air flowing along the Axis A1, can provide the heat source for heating channel 129. The heating channel comprises the heat conductive material 118 and is located adjacent to the base 114 of the projections 106. In a further aspect, the interior surface 130 of the bottom portion can include a secondary mating nodule 135. Similar to the mating protrusion 132, the secondary mating nodule can be used as an additional securing mechanism between the mating nodule 135 and the interior surface 130 of the bottom portion 104.
While the disclosure has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
This written description uses examples to disclose the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A hair styling attachment comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion comprises a plurality of projections, wherein each projection in the plurality of projections extends away from the top portion and ending at an apex and wherein at least one of the projections comprises a substrate and a heat conductive material.

2. The hair styling attachment of claim 1 further comprising a heating channel orientated adjacent to at least one projection and wherein the heating channel comprises the heat conductive material.

3. The hair styling attachment of claim 2, wherein the heating channel defines at least one heating aperture.

4. The hair styling attachment of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion comprises an interior surface and defines an air flow conduit extending along a dimension of the bottom portion.

5. The hair styling attachment of claim 4, wherein the interior surface of the bottom portion is flexible.

6. The hair styling attachment of claim 1, wherein the top portion comprises an air flow regulator to control air flow through the hair styling attachment.

7. The hair styling attachment of claim 6, wherein the air flow regulator comprises a plate that adjusts the size of the at least one regulator aperture.

8. The at least one projection of claim 1 wherein the heat conductive material is metallic.

9. The hair styling attachment of claim 1 wherein the heat conductive material is a ceramic and configured to conduct heat.

10. The hair styling attachment of claim 1 wherein the substrate is made out of a heat-resistant material.

11. The hair styling attachment of claim 10 comprising at least one of a heat-resistant material:

plastic, polymer, silicone, or rubber.

12. A hair styling attachment comprising a styling attachment,

wherein the styling attachment comprises a top portion and a bottom portion,

wherein the top portion comprises a plurality of projections,

a groove portion between the plurality of projections,

wherein at least one of the projections comprises a substrate and a heat conductive material,

wherein the heat conductive material is in the groove portion.

13. The hair styling attachment of claim 12, wherein the top portion comprises an air flow regulator comprising a plate that covers the at least one regulator aperture.

14. The hair styling attachment of claim 12, further comprising a heating channel orientated adjacent to the at least one projection and wherein the heating channel comprises the heat conductive material.

15. The hair styling attachment of claim 14, wherein the heating channel defines at least one heating aperture.

16. The hair styling attachment of claim 12 comprises at least one of a heat-resistant: plastic, polymer, silicone, or rubber.

17. The hair styling attachment of claim 12, wherein the bottom portion comprises an interior surface and defines an air flow conduit extending along a dimension of the bottom portion.

18. The hair styling attachment of claim 12 wherein the heat conductive material is metallic.