US20200260831A1

US20200260831A1 - Hair Styling Appliance With Moisture Application

Info

Publication number: US20200260831A1
Application number: US16/791,664
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeremy Buttery; Gary Koenemann
Original assignee: Helen of Troy Ltd
Current assignee: Helen of Troy Ltd
Priority date: 2019-02-20
Filing date: 2020-02-14
Publication date: 2020-08-20

Abstract

A hair appliance in which the axis of air flow through the appliance is generally in a parallel first direction through one end of the appliance and the handle and then exits the hair appliance in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The air flow through the handle is not heated. Thus, special heat resistance and/or heat shielding materials are not required in the handle. In this manner, the handle may be sized in a manner that ergonomically fits a user's hand. Further, moisture may be provided from the hair appliance. The moisture may be directed towards a user's hair by a negative pressure that results from the heated air flows proximate the moisture region. In one embodiment, the moisture generation unit may be an ultrasonic vibration unit using a piezoelectric vibrator. In one embodiment, the hair styling appliance may be a paddle dryer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 62/808,100 filed Feb. 20, 2019; the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The techniques disclosed herein relate to heated hair styling appliances, and more specifically, to hair styling appliances which apply moisture during use.

BACKGROUND

A wide variety of hair styling appliances may be utilized to style hair, including but not limited to, hair dryers, curling irons and flat irons. As known in the art, such hair styling appliances may be provided in a variety of shapes and sizes. For example, hair dryers typically have a handle, an air inlet, a fan, a heater over which air from the fan is passed, and a nozzle through which heated air passes to provide heated air flow to a user's hair. Typically, the nozzle is cylindrical in shape and heated air exits through one end of the nozzle in one direction. Typically, the air flows in a generally a parallel path from the air inlet, through the fan, over the heater and out the nozzle.
Some hair dryers are configured as paddle hair dryers. For paddle hair dryers, the air flow typically flows generally parallel through the hair drying from an air inlet, through the fan, and over the heater. However, typically as is known in the art, the paddle hair dryers have an air outlet which is configured in a brush like manner and through which the air flow is directed out of the paddle hair dryer in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the air flow path from the air inlet, fan and heater path. Paddle hair dryers often are configured with a brush at the air outlet that may be used to brush through the user's hair while the hair dryer is being utilized for drying. Paddle hair dryers often are inconveniently sized such that it is awkward for a user to use the dryer due to the large size of the handle.
For some hair styling appliances it is known to apply moisture to the user's hair with the hair styling appliance so as to improve the styling experience of the user. The moisture may be merely water, or in other cases, specialized hair styling products. As is known in the art, there are a wide variety of ways in which moisture applicant may be incorporated into the hair styling appliance. For example, hair styling appliances which apply a stream of liquid are known. Further, hair styling appliances which apply a vapor or mist are known. In some cases a vapor is provided by directing the liquid over a heating element. In other cases, the liquid may be atomized to provide a fine mist/vapor (heated or cool). As used herein, “vapor” may include substances in a gas phase, a fine mist of liquids, tiny particles of liquid, an aerosol that includes a liquid, atomized liquids, etc. Thus generally, “vapor” is defined broadly to include a wide range of mechanisms in which moisture may be provided to a user's hair. In some embodiments, an ultrasonic piezoelectric system is provided to atomize the liquid to generate a fine mist or vapor of moisture that may be directed towards a user's hair to improve the styling effect.
It would be desirable to provide an improved hair styling appliance.

SUMMARY

The hair styling appliance disclosed herein advantageously includes a hair appliance in which the axis of air flow through the appliance is generally in a parallel first direction through one end of the appliance and the handle and then exits the hair appliance in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. Moreover, the air flow through the handle is not heated. Thus, special heat resistance and/or heat shielding materials are not required in the handle. In this manner, the handle may be sized in a manner that ergonomically fits a user's hand. Further, moisture may be provided from the hair appliance. The moisture may be directed towards a user's hair by a negative pressure that results from the heated air flows proximate the moisture region. The moisture generation unit may be removable or have components that are removable for re-filling with moisture and/or replacement of components. In one embodiment, the moisture generation unit may be an ultrasonic vibration unit using a piezoelectric ultrasonic vibrator. Further, the features may include separation of the heated air flow path(s) from moisture containing region so as to provide improved moisture delivery to the user's hair. In one embodiment, the hair styling appliance may be a paddle dryer. In this manner a hair styling appliance is provided that, in one unit, may provide hair drying capability, straightening/brush capability, and moisture delivery capability.
According to one exemplary embodiment, a hair styling appliance is disclosed. The hair styling appliance may comprises a first end region, a second end region, the second end region being at an opposite end of the hair styling appliance opposite of the first end region, and a fan contained in the first end region. The hair styling appliance further comprises a handle region between the first end region and the second end region, the handle region sized to allow a user to hold the hair styling appliance between the first end and the second end. The hair styling appliance also includes an air conduit within the handle region, the air conduit forming a handle air flow path between the first end region and the second end region so that air from the fan flows through the handle air flow path generally in a first direction. The hair styling appliance further includes a heater in the second end region and an air outlet region, the air outlet region directing air out of the hair styling appliance in an air outlet direction, the air outlet direction being angled relative to the handle air flow path by greater than 45 degrees.
In another exemplary embodiment, a paddle dryer hair styling appliance is disclosed. The paddle dryer hair styling appliance may comprise an air inlet end a having an air inlet, an air outlet end, air outlet end being a paddle end of the paddle dryer hair appliance, and a fan contained in the air inlet end. The paddle dryer hair styling appliance further includes a handle between the air inlet end and the air outlet end, the handling generally configured in a first axial direction, the handle providing a grip region for a user to hold the hair styling appliance. The paddle dryer hair styling appliance further includes a handle air path within the handle, the handle air path forming an air flow path between the air inlet end and the air outlet end, the handle air path being in the first axial direction. The paddle dryer hair styling appliance also includes one or more air outlets, the one or more air outlets directing air out of the hair styling appliance in an air outlet direction, the air outlet direction being angled relative to the first axial direction by greater than 45 degrees. The paddle dryer hair styling appliance further comprises a heater located between the grip region of the handle and the one or more air outlets so that air flowing in the air flow path is not heated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present inventions and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features. It is to be noted, however, that the accompanying drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments of the disclosed concepts and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the scope, for the disclosed concepts may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIGS. 1A-1D are exterior views illustrating an exemplary hair styling appliance.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of a portion of the hair styling appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a fan for use in the hair styling appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A illustrates a side cross-section of the hair styling appliance of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4B-4D illustrate exemplary angles between the moisture direction and the air outlet direction of the hair styling appliance of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate top perspective views of interior of the second end 104 of the hair styling appliance.

FIG. 6 illustrates air flow paths through the hair styling appliance.

FIG. 7A illustrates an expanded side cross-section view of the paddle end of the hair styling appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7B illustrates the use of a removable moisture generation unit.

FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view of the paddle end of the hair styling appliance of FIG. 1.

While the embodiments of hair styling appliances and methods disclosed herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The hair styling appliance disclosed herein advantageously includes a hair appliance in which axis of air flow through the appliance is generally in a parallel first direction through one end of the appliance and the handle and then exits the hair appliance in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. Moreover, the air flow through the handle is not heated. Thus, special heat resistance and/or heat shielding materials are not required in the handle. In this manner, the handle may be sized in a manner that ergonomically fits a user's hand. Further, moisture may be provided from the hair appliance. The moisture may be directed towards a user's hair by a negative pressure that results from the heated air flows proximate the moisture region. The moisture generation unit may be removable or have components that are removable for re-filling with moisture and/or replacement of components. In one embodiment, the moisture generation unit may be an ultrasonic vibration unit using a piezoelectric vibrator. Further, the features may include separation of the heated air flow path(s) from moisture containing region so as to provide improved moisture delivery to the user's hair. In one embodiment, the hair styling appliance may be a paddle dryer. In this manner a hair styling appliance is provided that, in one unit, may provide hair drying capability, straightening/brush capability, and moisture delivery capability.
In general, the present disclosure provides an improved hair styling appliance. FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate exterior views of an exemplary hair styling appliance which may utilize the improvements described herein. It will be recognized that the particular hair styling appliance embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1C is merely illustrative and other configurations may utilize the concepts described herein. As disclosed herein a number of different hair styling appliance features are described and it will be recognized that each of such features may be utilized independent of the other features or in combination with some or all of the other features.
As shown in FIG. 1A, a hair styling appliance 100 is provided. The hair styling appliance 100 is configured as a paddle hair dryer however it will be recognized that the concepts utilized herein may be used with other hair styling appliances. The hair styling appliance 100 includes a first end 102 and a second end 104. The first end 102 may have a fan housing 105 within which a fan (not shown) is housed. The first end 102 may further include an air inlet 110 and an electrical cord 115. The electrical cord 115 may be utilized to provide power to the hair styling appliance 100. It will be recognized that the hair styling appliance 100 may alternatively be a battery powered cordless appliance. A second end 104 may also be provided at the opposing end opposite of the first end 102. The second end 104 may have air outlets (not shown) to provide to a user's hair. The second end 104 may include an outlet housing 108. The outlet housing 108 may enclose a heater (not shown) and moisture generation unit (not shown) for generating moisture to be applied to a user's hair. The second end 104 may also include a brush 125 that has brush tines 130. In one embodiment, the brush tines 130 may have ball tips at end of the brush tines. Fins 132 may also be provided between the brush tines 130 as shown in the figures. The brush 125 may be integral with the hair styling appliance 100 or may be a removable attachment so that a user may change the type of attachment (or remove all attachments) to achieve a desired hair styling effect. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the second end 104 is configured as a paddle end of a paddle hair dryer. However, it will be recognized that a paddle hair dryer configuration is merely one embodiment of hair styling appliance 100 and the concepts described herein may be applied to other hair styling appliances as the preset disclosure is not limited to merely the exemplary paddle hair dryer.
Located between the first end 102 and the second end 104 is a handle 120. The handle 120 may be configured in a size and shape so that a user may hold the handle 120 in the user's hand so as to support and move the hair styling appliance during the styling of the user's hair. Air may flow in the hair styling appliance generally in an air inlet flow direction 135 through the air inlet 110 of the first end 102, through the handle 120 and out the second end 104 in an air outlet flow direction as indicated by first air outlet flow 140A and second air outlet flow 140B.
The heater that is contained within the outlet housing 108 may be utilized to heat air that is provided out the air outlets. Any of a wide variety of heaters may be utilized as is known in the hair appliance art. For example, the heater may be formed of resistive wires, ceramics, tourmaline, etc. In addition, the hair styling appliance may include ion generation to assist in drying the user's hair. Thus, it will be recognized that the concepts disclosed herein are not limited to a particular heater. The heater may be used to directly apply heat and/or ions to a user's hair, to heat air and then use the heated air may to dry and stylize a user's hair or a combination of all methods.
As mentioned above, air flows from the first end 102 through the handle 120 and out the second end 104. In this manner, the handle 120 which a user uses to hold the hair styling appliance 100 also acts as an air conduit through which air flows during operation. It is noted that the air which flows through the handle 120 has not yet been heated as the heater (in the outlet housing 108) is located downstream of the handle 120. Thus, the air through the handle is not yet heated. Because of this, the handle does not require the use of special heat shielding materials and/or configurations to protect the user's hand from heat that may be provided from a heated air flow. In this manner, the generation of heat on the surfaces of the handle is avoided and the handle design may be simplified. Thus, a handle, through which air flows, may be provided between in inlet end of the appliance and outlet end of the appliance without risk of the handle overheating in a manner that is uncomfortable to the user's touch. Because extensive heat shielding and special materials are not required in the handle, the handle may be sized to more easily fit the hand size of a typical user. Thus, a paddle dryer hair appliance is provided that may easily fit a user's hand by holding the appliance in a handle region between the first end and the second end. Further, in the embodiment shown, the fan unit may be included in the first end 102 and the heater(s) may be included in the second end 104 which helps balance the size and weight of the hair styling appliance 100 in an ergonomic manner. Further, by separating the fan and the heater(s) between the two ends minimizes the maximum size of an end as the various components are split between the ends. Thus, the largest end is smaller than if all the electric components were in one end.
The hair styling appliance may also include a variety of control switches (on/off, air speed, heat level, moisture application, etc.) as is known in the art. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1A, control switches 150 may be provided. FIG. 1B, illustrates a rear view of the hair styling appliance 100. As shown in FIG. 1B, the air inlet 110 may be seen. As shown in FIG. 1C, an underside view of the hair styling appliance 100 is illustrated. Specifically, FIG. 1C illustrates more detail as to the underside of the second end 104 which forms the paddle end of the hair styling appliance 100. FIG. 1C illustrates the brush tines 130 as arranged into a first set of brush tines 130A and a second set of brush tines 130B. Fins 132 may also be seen spaced amongst the brush tines. As shown in FIG. 1C, the two sets of brush tines are arranged on opposing sides (left and right in the orientation of the figures) of the second 104. As shown and described in more detail with other figures, heated air may be directed out of each of the opposing sides around a first outlet region 155 corresponding to the locations of the first set of brush tines 130A and a second outlet region 160 corresponding to the second set of brush tines 130B. Between the first outlet region 155 and the second outlet region 160 a moisture region 170 is provided. As is shown and described in more detail below, moisture region 170 is a location in which moisture may be injected as a vapor, mist, etc. The first air outlet flow 140A and the second air outlet flow 140B in relation to the of the first set of brush tines 130A and the second set of brush tines 130B may be seen more clearly in FIG. 1D. As air exits out of the first outlet region 155 and second outlet region 160 (out of the plane of the figure as shown in FIG. 1C and in the air flow direction of the first air outlet flow 140A and the second air outlet flow 140B as shown in FIG. 1D), negative pressure is created in the moisture region 170 by the air flow on the opposing sides of the moisture region 170. This negative pressure directs the moisture within the moisture region 170 out of the hair styling appliance in the direction of the air flow for application of the moisture into a user's hair. Thus, a moisture flow 175 as shown in FIG. 1D of moisture provided in the moisture region 170 of FIG. 1C is provided.
FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of the hair styling appliance 100 with a top portion removed for illustrative purposes so as to view interior portions of the appliance. As shown in FIG. 2, a fan 205 is located at the first end 102 of the hair styling appliance 100 within the fan housing 105. Air is moved by the fan 205 from the air inlet 110 to the handle air conduit 210. As shown in the figure, the handle 120 forms the walls of the handle air conduit 210 in addition to providing a structure for a user to hold the appliance. Air flows through the handle air conduct 210 in the air flow direction 220 as shown. A vane 215 may be provided within the handle air conduit 210 to help direct air flow through the handle air conduit 210 and minimize swirling or turbulence of the air. The straightening of the air flow may provide an increase in the flow of air through the appliance, may aid in lessening noise of the appliance when in use and may further improve the distribution of air through different air paths (discussed in more detail below) through the second end 104.
As shown, the air flow through the fan and handle is generally parallel to the orientation of the fan, handle and main axis of the hair styling appliance. The handle and the fan housing act as air path in this parallel direction. As will be discussed in more detail below, the air may flow out of the hair styling appliance 100 at the second end 104 in a direction (the direction of first air outlet flow 140A and second air outlet flow 14B) that is perpendicular to the general direction of the air flow through the fan housing and handle.
As is known in the art, the fan 205 may be configured in a wide range of manners, all of which may be suitable for use in a hair styling appliance. Thus, the concepts described herein are not limited to a particular fan structure. One exemplary fan which may be utilized is shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the fan 205 may be configured as a two stage fan in which there are dual stages of fan blades. More specifically, the fan 205 may include a first set of fan blades 305 and a second set of fan blades 310. A motor 315 drives the fan blades. The dual fan blades may be configured in a variety of manners. In one embodiment, a single drive shift may be provided from the motor 315 which drives the dual fan blades in unison. Thus, the first set of fan blades 305 and the second set of fan blades 310 may operate at the same rotational speeds. The use of stacked two staged fan blades as shown allows for an increased air flow through the fan unit by providing more air pressure for air movement. In this manner, in a relatively small space increased air flow may be provided without the need for a higher speed fan, larger fan, etc. In another embodiment, the benefits of the two stage fan arrangement may be obtained by a two stage fan in which the dual sets of fan blades move at different rotational speeds. For example, the fan blades may be geared differently of the drive shift of the motor or different drive shafts having different rotational speeds may be provided.
FIG. 4A illustrates a side cross-section of the hair styling appliance 100 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 4A, the first end 102, second end 104, and handle 120 are shown. The handle air conduit 210 provides an air flow path between the first end 102 and second end 104. Thus, air flows in the air inlet 110, through the handle air conduit 210 as indicated by air flow direction 220 and eventually out the second end 104 in the direction of the first air outlet flow 140A and the second air outlet flow 140B. The air flow through the second end is described in more detail below. As can be seen from the picture, the air inlet 110, fan 205, motor 315, and handle air conduit 210 are generally arranged along one axially parallel direction of a first axis direction while air outlet flows of the first air outlet flow 140A and the second air outlet flow 140B are generally perpendicular to that first axis direction. Between the air inlet 110 and the fan 205 a muffler 405 may be optionally provided. The muffler 405 may be comprised of sound baffling and/or sound absorption material. The muffler serves to decrease the noise emitted from the hair styling appliance 100 during use of the appliance. injected The first end 102 may further include a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) which can be electrically connected to the various components of the hair styling appliance such as the motor 315, control switches (on/off, air speed, heat level, moisture application, etc.), the moisture generation unit 410 and heater(s). Thus, the PCBA may be electrically connected to the various user control switches to provide the appropriate control signals and appropriate voltages levels to the various electronic components. Voltage conversion of the voltage levels provided through the electrical cord 115 may be provided through components that form part of the PCBA or components that are separate from the PCBA.
The second end 104 may include a moisture generation unit 410 as also shown in FIG. 4A. The moisture generation unit may be formed in a wide variety of manners so that moisture may be generated for application to a user's hair. The unit may be solely mechanical (for example a mechanical sprayer), electro-mechanical, etc. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the moisture generation unit 410 may be an atomizer that uses ultrasonic vibration of a piezoelectric system to create a fine mist of water or liquid hair styling product. The piezoelectric system includes a wick 415, a piezoelectric vibrator 420 and a liquid reservoir 425. The liquid reservoir 425 may be a refillable reservoir. It will be noted that in the embodiment shown, the axis of the wick 415 and piezoelectric vibrator 420 is generally parallel to the first axis direction and perpendicular to the air outlet flows (first air outlet flow 140A and second air outlet flow 140B). The piezoelectric vibrator 420 operates to generate a vapor/mist as is known in the art. The vapor/mist is injected into the moisture region 170 which may be a cavity formed in the second end 104 of the hair styling appliance 100 as shown in FIG. 4A. In the embodiment of FIG. 4A, the moisture will be emitted from the piezoelectric vibrator 420 in the general moisture direction as indicated by moisture direction 450. As shown in FIG. 4B, the moisture direction 450 is generally perpendicularly to the first air outlet flow 140A (and similarly to second air outlet flow 140B) as indicated by the 90 degree angle between the directions. However, the moisture generation unit 410 or parts of the moisture generation unit may be angled differently to provide a different angle between the moisture direction 450 and the air outlet flows. For example, the wick 415 and the piezoelectric vibrator 420 may be angled to provide a different relationship between moisture direction 450 and the air outlet flows. As shown in FIG. 4C, the moisture generation unit (or components within the unit) may be angled so that the moisture direction 450 is formed 60 degrees with respect to the first air outlet flow 140A. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4D, the moisture generation unit (or components within the unit) may be angled so that the moisture direction 450 is formed 30 degrees with respect to the air outlet flow 140A. As discussed in more detail below, negative pressure in the moisture region 170 may be used to direct moisture out of the hair styling appliance to a user's hair. The smaller angles shown in FIGS. 4C-4D may assist the movement of the moisture in the direction of the user's hair. In one embodiment, it may be desirable to have the angle between the moisture direction 450 and the air outlet flows be 75 degrees or less. The angling of the moisture direction may further result in less condensation formed on the sides of the moisture region 170.
As mentioned above, the hair styling appliance 100 may have the heated air outlet flow (comprised of the first air outlet flow 140A and the second air outlet flow 140B) that is separated within the hair styling appliance moisture generation unit 410. More specifically, the moisture that has been generated by the moisture generation unit 410 may be kept separate within the hair styling appliance 100 from heated air flows. In this manner, fluid vapor/mist is separated from a path of air flow having heated air. Because of this separation, the moisture may be better applied to a user's hair as it is less exposed to the heated air within the appliance prior to application of the moisture to the hair. Specifically, as shown in 1D, the heated air flows (first air outlet flow 140A and second air outlet flow 140B) will be subject to mixing outside of the housing of the hair styling appliance 100 proximate the user's hair. In this manner, moisture may more efficiently be applied to the user's hair.
FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate top perspective views of interior of the second end 104 of the hair styling appliance (a portion of outer housing of the hair styling appliance 100 be removed for illustrative purposes). As shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, the second end 104 contain two heaters for heating the air provided as a portion of the air outlet flow 140. More specifically, the heating assembly may include a first heater coil 505 and a second heater coil 510. Heater coils are well known in the art and may include a wire that is wrapped around an insulator. For example, the wire may be a resistive wire comprised of a wide range of materials known for use in heater elements and the insulator may be a mica board. It will be recognized that a wide range of materials may be utilized as is known in the art. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, the first heater coil 505 and second heater coil 510 may be wrapped around first mica boards 515. Second mica boards 520 may also be provided as shown so as to control movement of the heater coils. Placement of the heating assembly in the second end 104 of the hair styling appliance 100 provides multiple advantages. As discussed above, such a placement allows for a more balanced hair styling appliance and minimizes heating of the handle region. Further, placement of the heating assembly at the second end provides a more efficient delivery of heat to a user's hair without heating loss that would result if the heater assembly was located proximate the first end 102.
Air flow from the handle air conduit 210 may be split into multiple air flow paths as the air flow enters the second end 104. One air flow path may be directed toward the first heater coil 505 and one air flow path may be directed toward the second heater coil 510. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, a first heater air flow path 525 is provided from the handle air conduit 210, past the first heater coil 505 and out first heated air outlets 535. This flow of air may result in the first air outlet flow 140A described above. Similarly, a second heater air flow path 530 is provided from the handle air conduit 210, past the second heater coil 510 and out second heated air outlets 540. Thus as shown, there are two opposing sets of air outlets at the second end 104. This flow of air may result in the second air outlet flow 140B described above. The air flow paths may further be seen with relation to FIG. 6. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the usage of two separate heater coils and two air flow paths is merely optional and heated air may be provided from the hair styling appliance through the use of only one heater coil and air flow path.
FIG. 6 shows air flow paths through the hair styling appliance 100. As shown in FIG. 6, the separate air flow paths entering the second end 104 may be seen. First heater air flow path 525 provides air that will be directed over the first heater coil 505 as mentioned above. Second heater air flow path 530 provides air that will be directed over the second heater coil 510 as mentioned above. In the example shown, the outlet housing 108 helps define the air flow paths through the second end 104 of the hair styling appliance 100. It will be noted that the first heater air flow path 525 may be configured to be completely separate from the second heater air flow path 530 or the first heater air flow path 525 and the second heater air flow path 530 may be formed in the second end 104 in a manner in which the air flow paths comingle. Thus, the housing and walls of the second end 104 may be constructed in a manner to keep each heated air flow path separate or may be configured such that air between the paths may comingle. In one embodiment, a cross-flow chamber may exist within the housing of the second end 104 to allow for more uniform air flow and mixture and to prevent overheating on one side or the other of the appliance. In the example of FIGS. 5-5C and 6, a cross-flow chamber region 545 is provided near the end of the second end 104. The cross-flow nature of the air flows is shown in FIG. 6 as the air in from the first heater flow path 525 and the second heater air flow path 530 is shown as mixing in the cross-flow chamber region 545 of FIG. 6.
FIG. 7A illustrates an expanded cross section view of the second end 104. As shown in FIG. 7A the moisture generation unit 410, wick 415, piezoelectric vibrator 420, liquid reservoir 425 and a chamber for the moisture region 170 is shown similar to as illustrated in FIG. 4A. A spring 705 applies spring pressure to the wick 415 so as to maintain the wick in proper placement proximate the piezoelectric vibrator 420. The moisture generation unit 410 may be configured in any of a number of ways to assist in usage of the unit. For example, the entire unit (including reservoir, wick and piezoelectric vibrator) may be configured to be removable from the hair styling appliance 100. In this manner, the liquid reservoir 425 may easily be refillable by removing the moisture generation unit 410 from the hair styling appliance and re-filling with the appropriate liquid. In one embodiment, a rubber plug/flap may be provided in the side of the liquid reservoir 425. A user may then open the reservoir for refilling when the moisture generation unit 410 is removed from the hair styling appliance. Alternatively, the unit may be constructed to remove only the reservoir. In yet another embodiment, the wick may be configured to be removable for insertion of a replacement wick. In yet other embodiments, only the reservoir of moisture generation unit may be removable for re-filling. In still other embodiments, none of the components may be removable and the user may refill the reservoir directly while the components are in place in the hair styling appliance 100. Thus, the whole moisture generation unit may be removable, at least a portion may be removable or none of the unit may be removable. FIG. 7B illustrates the detachment of a removable moisture generation unit 410 which may be detached from the hair styling appliance 100 for filling.
FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the second end 104 of the hair styling appliance 100. As shown in FIG. 8, first outlet region 155, second outlet region 160, and moisture region 170 is provided. As discussed above, air flow through first heated air outlets 535 in the first outlet region 155 and second heated air outlets 540 in the second outlet region 160 has been heated. As also shown in FIG. 8, moisture region 170 is provided adjacent first outlet region 155 and second outlet region 160. As discussed above, the air flow surrounding the moisture region 170 may be used to help direct a vapor/mist of a water or hair styling product to a user's hair as a result of negative pressure caused in the moisture region by the adjacent flowing air. As can been seen from FIG. 8, the moisture region is separate from the heated air flows so as to provide improved moisture delivery to a user's hair as discussed above. The heated air flow may be provided generally parallel to and amongst the brush tines 130 of the brush.
The hair styling appliance 100 described above provides a number of advantageous features. These features include, but are not limited to a hair appliance in which the axis of air flow through the appliance is generally in a parallel first direction through one end of the appliance and the handle and then exits the hair appliance in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. Moreover, the air flow through the handle is not heated. Thus, special heat resistance and/or heat shielding materials are not required in the handle. In this manner, the handle may be sized in a manner that ergonomically fits a user's hand. Further, moisture may be provided from the hair appliance. The moisture may be directed towards a user's hair by a negative pressure that results from the heated air flows proximate the moisture region. The moisture generation unit may be removable or have components that are removable for re-filling with moisture and/or replacement of components. In one embodiment, the moisture generation unit may be an ultrasonic vibration unit using a piezoelectric vibrator. Further, the features may include separation of the heated air flow path(s) from moisture containing region so as to provide improved moisture delivery to the user's hair. In one embodiment, two heater units are provided for a left heated air flow path and a right heated air flow path. The handle of the hair appliance may also serve as a conduit for movement of air from air inlets to air outlets with the air through the handle not being heated so as to minimizing heating effects in the handle region. In this manner a hair styling appliance is provided that, in one unit, may provide hair drying capability, straightening/brush capability, and moisture delivery capability.
Further modifications and alternative embodiments of the hair styling appliances described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. It will be recognized, therefore, that the depicted and described hair styling appliances are not limited by these example arrangements. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the manner of carrying out the invention. It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herein shown and described are to be taken merely as embodiments. Various changes may be made in the implementations and configurations. For example, equivalent elements may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently of the use of other features, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the concepts disclosed herein.

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A hair styling appliance, comprising:

a first end region;

a second end region, the second end region being at an opposite end of the hair styling appliance opposite of the first end region;

a fan contained in the first end region;

a handle region between the first end region and the second end region, the handle region sized to allow a user to hold the hair styling appliance between the first end and the second end;

an air conduit within the handle region, the air conduit forming a handle air flow path between the first end region and the second end region so that air from the fan flows through the handle air flow path generally in a first direction;

a heater in the second end region; and

an air outlet region, the air outlet region directing air out of the hair styling appliance in an air outlet direction, the air outlet direction being angled relative to the handle air flow path by greater than 45 degrees.

2. The hair styling appliance of claim 1, further comprising a moisture generation unit.

3. The hair styling appliance of claim 2, wherein the moisture generation unit has a refillable reservoir.

4. The hair styling appliance of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the moisture generation unit is removable from the hair styling appliance.

5. The hair styling appliance of claim 2, the moisture generation unit having an ultrasonic vibrator which is capable of generating a vapor/mist.

6. The hair styling appliance of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the moisture generation unit is removable from the hair styling appliance.

7. The hair styling appliance of claim 2, moisture from the moisture generation unit formed in a moisture region, the moisture region being located in the hair styling appliance so that moisture from the moisture region exits the hair styling appliance separate from air that flows out the hair styling appliance through the air outlet region.

8. The hair styling appliance of claim 7, the hair styling appliance configured so that air that flows out the hair styling appliance through the air outlet region creates a negative pressure in the moisture region so as to direct moisture in the moisture region toward a user's hair.

9. The hair styling appliance of claim 8, wherein the moisture generation unit is configured so that moisture is injected into the moisture region in a moisture direction that is angled relative to the air outlet direction by 30 degrees or more.

10. The hair styling appliance of claim 9, wherein the moisture generation unit is configured so that moisture is injected into the moisture region in a moisture direction that is angled relative to the air outlet direction by 60 degrees or more.

11. The hair styling appliance of claim 1, wherein the fan is a two stage fan.

12. A paddle dryer hair styling appliance, comprising:

an air inlet end a having an air inlet;

an air outlet end, air outlet end being a paddle end of the paddle dryer hair appliance;

a fan contained in the air inlet end;

a handle between the air inlet end and the air outlet end, the handling generally configured in a first axial direction, the handle providing a grip region for a user to hold the hair styling appliance;

a handle air path within the handle, the handle air path forming an air flow path between the air inlet end and the air outlet end, the handle air path being in the first axial direction;

one or more air outlets, the one or more air outlets directing air out of the hair styling appliance in an air outlet direction, the air outlet direction being angled relative to the first axial direction by greater than 45 degrees; and

a heater located between the grip region of the handle and the one or more air outlets so that air flowing in the air flow path is not heated.

13. The paddle dryer hair styling appliance of claim 12, further comprising a moisture generation unit.

14. The paddle dryer hair styling appliance of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the moisture generation unit is removable from the hair styling appliance.

15. The paddle dryer hair styling appliance of claim 13, the moisture generation unit having an ultrasonic vibrator which is capable of generating a vapor/mist.

16. The paddle dryer hair styling appliance of claim 13, moisture from the moisture generation unit formed in a moisture region, the moisture region being located in the paddle dryer hair styling appliance so that moisture from the moisture region exits the hair styling appliance separate from air that flows out the hair styling appliance through the one or more air outlets.

17. The paddle dryer hair styling appliance of claim 16, the paddle dryer hair styling appliance configured so that air that flows out the paddle dryer hair styling appliance through the one or more air outlets creates a negative pressure in the moisture region so as to direct moisture in the moisture region toward a user's hair.

18. The paddle dryer hair styling appliance of claim 16, wherein the moisture generation unit is configured so that moisture is injected into the moisture region in a moisture direction that is angled relative to the air outlet direction by 75 degrees or less.

19. The paddle dryer hair styling appliance of claim 16, wherein the moisture generation unit is configured so that moisture is injected into the moisture region in a moisture direction that is angled relative to the air outlet direction by 60 degrees or less.

20. The paddle dryer hair styling appliance of claim 16, wherein the fan is a two stage fan.

21. The paddle dryer hair styling appliance of claim 16, wherein the moisture region is located between two opposing sets air outlets.

22. The paddle dryer hair styling appliance of claim 12, wherein the fan is a two stage fan.