WO2008054090A1

WO2008054090A1 - Hair styler

Info

Publication number: WO2008054090A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/005256
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kookcheol Park
Original assignee: Kookcheol Park
Priority date: 2006-10-30
Filing date: 2007-10-24
Publication date: 2008-05-08
Also published as: KR100766871B1; US20100132732A1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a hair styler. The hair styler is configured such that upper and lower bodies are provided opposite each other around a hinge, and heating elements are mounted in the respective bodies so as to be opposite each other, and operates in a manner identical to tongs. In the hair styler, wave shaped furrows and ridges are formed in and on each of the upper and lower heating elements in the longitudinal direction of a corresponding heating element so as to extend from one end of the corresponding heating element to the remaining end of the corresponding heating element. Protrusions are formed in the furrows of the wave shaped furrows and ridges at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding heating element. Depressions are formed in the ridges at regular intervals so as to be engaged the protrusions formed in the furrows.

Description

Description HAIR STYLER

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a hair styler that can conveniently, easily and quickly straighten wavy hair. Background Art

[2] Recently, as women's interest in hair design has increased, the case in which women often beauty salons in order to satisfy their desires by receiving various styles of hair designs occurs frequently. However, today's women, who live busy lives, do not have sufficient time to spare to visit beauty salons often and, in addition, the cost of beauty treatment, which is incurred whenever they visit such beauty salons, acts as an economic burden.

[3] An electrical hair styler, which is a tool that can solve the women's worries, can be conveniently used at home using a commercial power source or a battery, and is chiefly used for the purpose of creating various hair designs.

[4] The conventional hair styler is classified as two types: one is a hair styler for changing straight hair to wavy (permanently waved) hair, and another is a hair styler for changing wavy (permanently waved) hair to straight hair.

[5] The hair styler for changing straight hair to wavy (permanently waved) hair includes rolls, which are used to radiate heat, and tongs, which are configured to surround the rolls, and create wavy hair in such a way as to wind hair using the rolls, through which heat is radiated, and then hold the rolls. The hair styler for changing wavy (permanently waved) hair to straight hair is shown in FIG. 1, the construction of which is described below.

[6] The hair styler 30, shown in FIG. 1, is configured such that upper an lower bodies

32 and 32a are provided opposite each other around a hinge 31, and heating elements

33 and 33a are mounted in the respective bodies, which are provided opposite each other, so as to be opposite each other, and operates in the same manner as tongs.

[7] In the hair styler 30 for straightening wavy hair, which is constructed as described above, in order to straighten wavy hair, the wavy hair is located between the heating elements 33 and 33a, which are mounted in the respective bodies 32 and 32a, the wavy hair, which is located between the heating elements 33 and 33a, is held at a predetermined pressure while pressing the bodies 32 and 32a, and then the hair styler 30 is slowly drawn downwards. In this manner, the wavy hair is slowly straightened by heat radiated from the heating elements 33 and 33 a.

[8] However, the opposite surfaces of the respective heating elements 33 and 33a, which are used to straighten wavy hair, are flat, so that, when a change from wavy hair to straight hair is conducted, there is inconvenience in that the task of holding the wavy hair at a predetermined pressure using the heating elements 33 and 33a and then slowly drawing the hair styler 30 downwards must be repeated several times. The reason for this is because the heating elements 33, and 33a having respective flat surfaces, have a weak force, which is not sufficient to remove the partial stresses from the wavy hair.

[9] Accordingly, in the hair styler 30, to which the heating elements 33 and 33a having respective flat surfaces are mounted, the movement of the heating elements 33 and 33a, from which heat having a predetermined temperature is radiated, must be repeated several times in order to straighten wavy hair, so that, in addition to damage to hair, problems occurs in that the quality of the hair is degraded, and in that a desired form of straight hair cannot be created on weekday mornings, when time is insufficient. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[10] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hair styler, in which the structure of heating elements is improved, and which can conveniently, easily and quickly straighten wavy hair. Technical Solution

[11] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a hair styler, the hair styler being configured such that upper and lower bodies are provided opposite each other around a hinge, and heating elements are mounted in the respective bodies, which are provided opposite each other, so as to be opposite each other, and operating in a manner identical to tongs, wherein: wave shaped furrows and ridges are formed in and on each of the upper and lower heating elements in the longitudinal direction of a corresponding heating element, which is perpendicular to the width of the corresponding heating element, so as to extend from one end of the corresponding heating element to the remaining end of the corresponding heating element, the furrows and ridges being formed such that the upper and lower heating elements are coupled to each other,

[12] protrusions are formed in the furrows of the wave shaped furrows and ridges at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding heating element, and

[13] depressions are formed in the ridges at regular intervals so as to be engaged the protrusions formed in the furrows.

[14] Furthermore, the sizes of the wave shaped furrows and ridges, which are formed in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding heating element, are determined such that a furrow and a ridge, which are formed along the center portion of the cor- responding heating element in the longitudinal direction, have a greatest size, and the sizes of the wave shaped furrows and ridges are gradually decreased as the wave shaped furrows and ridges are increasingly spaced apart from the center portion of the corresponding heating element in the transverse direction of the corresponding heating element. The sizes of the protrusions and depressions, which are formed in the wave shaped furrows ridges, respectively, are determined such that the protrusions and depressions, which are formed in a furrow and a ridge formed along the center portion of the corresponding heating element in the longitudinal direction, have a greatest size, and the sizes of the protrusions and depressions are gradually decreased as the protrusions and depressions are increasingly spaced apart from the center portion of the corresponding heating element in the transverse direction of the corresponding heating element. [15] Furthermore, flat surface parts, having a predetermined width, are formed at the respective ends of the corresponding heating element in the transverse direction of the corresponding heating element. The protrusions and depressions, which are formed in the furrows and in the ridges, are formed such that transverse sections thereof have any of a circular shape or an elliptical shape. Heating plates, having furrows and ridges, and protrusions and depressions, which are identical to those of the corresponding heating element in shape, are coupled to the respective surfaces of the heating elements. Ceramic coating layers are formed on the respective surfaces of the heating elements.

Advantageous Effects

[16] As described above, in the hair styler of the present invention, wave shaped furrows and ridges ([H] fi) are formed in and on each of the upper and lower heating elements in the longitudinal direction of each heating element, which is perpendicular to the width W of the heating element, so as to extend from one end of the corresponding heating element to the other end of the corresponding heating element, the furrows and ridges are formed such that the upper and lower heating elements can be coupled to each other, protrusions are formed in the furrows ([H]) of the wave shaped furrows and ridges at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of each heating element, and depressions are formed in the ridges (fi) at regular intervals so as to be engaged with the protrusions formed in the furrows, so that the hair styler can conveniently, easily and quickly straighten wavy hair. Brief Description of the Drawings

[17] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional hair styler;

[18] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a hair styler according to the present invention; [19] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a heating element of the hair styler according to the present invention;

[20] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a process of straightening wavy hair into straight hair using the heating elements of the hair styler according to the present invention, which is taken along line A-A;

[21] FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the process of straightening wavy hair into straight hair using the heating elements of the hair styler according to the present invention, which is taken along line B-B;

[22] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a principle of eliminating the stresses in wavy hair in a process of straightening the wavy hair into straight hair using depressions and protrusions, which are formed in and on the heating elements of the hair styler according to the present invention;

[23] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a seocnd embodiment of a principle of eliminating the stresses in wavy hair in a process of straightening the wavy hair into straight hair using furrows and ridges, which are formed in and on the heating elements of the hair styler according to the present invention;

[24] FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the state in which heating plates are coupled to the heating elements of the hair styler according to the present invention; and

[25] FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the state in which ceramic is applied to the heating elements of the hair styler according to the present invention.

[26] **Description of characters of principal elements**

[27] 10: hair styler 11 : hinge

[28] 12,12a: bodies 13,13a: heating elements

[29] 14,14a,21,21a: protrusions

[30] 15,15a,22,22a: depressions

[31] 20,20a: heating plates

[32] 23,23a: ceramic coating layers

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[33] The present invention provides a hair styler, the hair styler being configured such that upper and lower bodies are provided opposite each other around a hinge, and heating elements are mounted in the respective bodies, which are provided opposite each other, so as to be opposite each other, and operating in a manner identical to tongs, wherein: wave shaped furrows and ridges (Hβ) are formed in and on each of the upper and lower heating elements in the longitudinal direction L of a corresponding heating element, which is perpendicular to the width W of the corresponding heating element, so as to extend from one end of the corresponding heating element to the remaining end of the corresponding heating element, the furrows and ridges being formed such that the upper and lower heating elements are coupled to each other, protrusions are formed in the furrows ([H]) of the wave shaped furrows and ridges at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding heating element, and depressions are formed in the ridges (fi) at regular intervals so as to be engaged with the protrusions formed in the furrows ([H]). Mode for the Invention

[34] A hair styler of the present invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings below.

[35] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of a hair styler

10 according to the present invention. First, the hair styler 10 is configured such that upper and lower bodies 12 and 12a are provided opposite each other around a hinge 11, and heating elements 13 and 13a are mounted in the respective bodies 12 and 12a, which are provided opposite each other, so as to be opposite each other, and operates in the same manner as tongs.

[36] Here, heating wires are provided in the respective heating elements 13 and 13a. Accordingly, when power is supplied thereto through an electric wire, the heating wires generate heat, and thus the heating elements 13 and 13a are heated. Furthermore, the upper and lower bodies 12 and 12a, in which the heating elements 13 and 13a are mounted, operate in such a way that, when a user presses upper and lower bodies 12 and 12a while holding the upper and lower bodies 12 and 12a with the hand, the bodies 12 and 12a, which are spaced apart from each other, become closer together, and thus the heating elements 13 and 13a come into contact with each other.

[37] This is the same as the method of operating a typical hair styler. The form of the hair styler, shown in FIG. 2, is only an embodiment in the present invention, and there are various hair stylers in addition to the above-described hair styler.

[38] In the hair styler 10 having the above-described structure, the characteristics of the present invention are based on the heating elements 13 and 13a. Each of the heating elements 13 and 13a is configured such that wave- shaped furrows and ridges are formed in the longitudinal direction of the heating element 13 or 13a, which is perpendicular to the width W of the heating element 13 or 13a, as shown in FIG. 3. In this case, the furrows and ridges of the heating element 13 or 13a are formed such that the upper and lower heating elements 13 and 13a can be coupled to each other. Furthermore, the length of the furrows and ridges ([H] fi) of the heating element 13 or 13a corresponds to the distance between one end of the heating element 13 or 13a and the other end of the heating element 13 or 13a in the longitudinal direction of the heating element 13 or 13a, which is parallel to the length L of the heating element 13 or 13a. [39] The reason for forming the wave-shaped furrows and ridges ([H] fi), having a width

L, to extend from one end of the heating element 13 or 13a to the other end of the heating element 13 or 13a in the longitudinal direction of the heating element 13 or 13a, which is parallel to the length L of the heating element 13 or 13a is to enable the hair styler 10 to hold hair and then easily straighten wavy hair into straight hair in the moving direction of the heating element 13 and 13a. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the principle is based on the fact that the stresses in wavy portions (bent portions) of hair are offset by straightening the hair in such a way as to cause the furrows and ridges ([H] fi) to press the hair while applying heat in a direction opposite that of the bent portions (waved portions) of the hair. In this manner, the stresses in the bent portions of the hair are easily offset, and thus wavy hair can be easily straightened.

[40] Furthermore, protrusions 14 and 14a are formed in the furrows ([H]) of the furrows and ridges of the upper and lower heating elements 13 and 13a at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the upper or lower heating element 13 or 13 a, and depressions 15 and 15a are formed in the ridges (fi) at regular intervals so as to be engaged with the protrusions formed in the furrows ([H]). The reason for forming the protrusions 14 and 14a is to straighten the wavy portions (bent portions) of hair M, which are not straightened by the furrows and ridges ( P-HJ I£ΞI) when the hair styler 10 holds hair M and then moves in the moving direction thereof. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the principle is based on the fact that the stresses in wavy portions (bent portions) of hair M are offset by straightening the hair in such a way as to cause the sides of the protrusions 14 and 14a to press the hair while applying heat in a direction opposite that of the bent portions (waved portions) of the hair M. In this manner, the stresses in the bent portions of the hair are easily offset, and thus the wavy hair can be easily straightened.

[41] Meanwhile, although the protrusions 14 and 14a are formed in the furrows ([H]), and the depressions 15 and 15a are formed in the ridges (fi), the order may be reversed such that depressions 15 and 15a are formed in the furrows ([H]) and protrusions 14 and 14a are formed on the ridges (fi), for the use thereof.

[42] Furthermore, straightening the wavy portions (bent portions) of the hair M using the furrows ([H]), the ridges (fi) and the protrusions 14 and 14a, is advantageous in that wavy hair can also be straightened to achieve straight hair in other directions, in addition to the above-described up, down, left and right directions.

[43] Furthermore, the depressions 15 and 15a, which are formed in the ridges (fi), are depressions that are formed to be engaged with the protrusions 14 and 14a. If the depressions 15 and 15a are absent, mutual coupling between the heating elements 13 and 13a, which are mounted on the upper and lower bodies 12 and 12a, is not secure, so that a problem occurs in that wavy hair cannot be straightened because the hair M is not held. Accordingly, the depressions 15 and 15a must be essentially formed in the ridges(β) of the heating elements 13 and 13a, which are opposite the protrusions 14 and 14a.

[44] Meanwhile, in order to straighten the wavy hair, it is necessary to cause the upper and lower heating elements 13 and 13a to securely hold the hair M while holding the upper and lower bodies 12 and 12a with the hand and pressing them with a predetermined pressure. This applies to all hair stylers in the same manner.

[45] The structure of the heating elements 13 and 13a of the present invention, described above, is advantageous in that straight hair can be achieved by conveniently and easily straightening wavy hair without requiring the use of a large amount of force.

[46] Furthermore, in the heating element 13 or 13a of the present invention, the sizes of the wave shaped furrows and ridges, which are formed in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding heating element, which are perpendicular to the width W of the corresponding element, are determined such that a furrow and a ridge, which are formed in the center portion of the corresponding heating element, have the greatest size, and the sizes of the wave shaped furrows and ridges are gradually decreased as the wave shaped furrows and ridges are increasingly spaced apart from the center portion of the corresponding heating element. The reason for this is to apply a weak force to the bent portions of the hair M when the wavy hair M enters between the heating elements 13 and 13a but to apply a gradually increased force thereto as the wavy hair M reaches the center portion of the heating elements 13 and 13a. Furthermore, the reason for gradually reducing the sizes of the furrows and ridges on the output side of the heating elements 13 and 13a is to prevent, the hair M, which is straightened in the center portion, from being reversely waved again by the furrows and ridges while the hair M is discharged to the output side.

[47] Furthermore, the sizes of the protrusions 14 or 14a and depressions 15 or 15a, which are formed in the wave shaped furrows and ridges (Ht^i), respectively, are determined such that the protrusions and depressions, which are formed in the furrow and ridge ([H] fi) formed in the center portion of the corresponding heating element, have the greatest size, and the sizes of the protrusions and depressions are gradually decreased as the protrusions and depressions are increasingly spaced apart from the center portion of the corresponding heating element. The reason for this is the same as the above-described reason. Furthermore, the protrusions 14 and 14a and the depressions 15 and 15a, which are formed in furrows and in ridges, are formed such that transverse sections thereof have any of a circular shape or an elliptical shape. The reason for this is to adapt to the degree of waviness of the hair.

[48] Furthermore, the upper and lower heating plates 20 and 20a, on each of which the furrows and ridges, and the protrusions 21 and 21a and depressions 22 and 22a, having the same shape as that of the heating elements, are formed, are coupled to the respective surfaces of the heating elements 13 and 13a, each of which is configured such that the wave shaped furrows and ridges are formed and the protrusions 14 and 14a and the depressions 15 and 15a are formed in the furrows and the ridges, respectively, as shown in FIG. 7. In this case, it is preferred that the heating plates 20 and 20a be made of copper or aluminum, which has a high thermal conductivity. The reason for mounting the heating plates 20 and 20a is to protect the heating elements 13 and 13a from impacts and the like and, at the same time, and keep the scalp and hair healthy through the radiation of far infrared rays.

[49] Furthermore, ceramic coating layers 23 and 23a are formed through ceramic coating on the respective surface of the heating elements 13 and 13a, each of which is configured such that the wave shaped furrows and ridges are formed and the protrusions 14 and 14a and the depressions 15 and 15a are formed in the furrows and the ridges, respectively, as shown in FIG. 8, so that the scalp and hair can be made healthy using the radiation of far infrared rays from the ceramic coating layer 23 and 23a. Industrial Applicability

[50] In the hair styler of the present invention, wave shaped furrows and ridges ([H] fi) are formed in and on each of the upper and lower heating elements in the longitudinal direction of each heating element, which is perpendicular to the width W of the heating element, so as to extend from one end of the corresponding heating element to the other end of the corresponding heating element, the furrows and ridges are formed such that the upper and lower heating elements can be coupled to each other, protrusions are formed in the furrows ([H]) of the wave shaped furrows and ridges at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of each heating element, and depressions are formed in the ridges (fi) at regular intervals so as to be engaged with the protrusions formed in the furrows, so that the hair styler can conveniently, easily and quickly straighten wavy hair.

Claims

[1] A hair styler, the hair styler being configured such that upper and lower bodies are provided opposite each other around a hinge, and heating elements are mounted in the respective bodies, which are provided opposite each other, so as to be opposite each other, and operating in a manner identical to tongs, wherein: wave shaped furrows and ridges ([H] β) are formed in and on each of the upper and lower heating elements in a longitudinal direction (L) of a corresponding heating element, which is perpendicular to a width (W) of the corresponding heating element, so as to extend from one end of the corresponding heating element to a remaining end of the corresponding heating element, the furrows and ridges being formed such that the upper and lower heating elements are coupled to each other, protrusions are formed in the furrows ([H]) of the wave shaped furrows and ridges at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding heating element, and depressions are formed in the ridges (fi) at regular intervals so as to be engaged the protrusions formed in the furrows ([H]).

[2] The hair styler according to claim 1, wherein sizes of the wave shaped furrows and ridges, which are formed in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding heating element, are determined such that a furrow and a ridge, which are formed along a center portion of the corresponding heating element in the longitudinal direction, have a greatest size, and the sizes of the wave shaped furrows and ridges are gradually decreased as the wave shaped furrows and ridges are increasingly spaced apart from the center portion of the corresponding heating element in a transverse direction of the corresponding heating element.

[3] The hair styler according to claim 1, wherein sizes of the protrusions and depressions, which are formed in the wave shaped furrows ridges, respectively, are determined such that the protrusions and depressions, which are formed in a furrow and a ridge formed along a center portion of the corresponding heating element in the longitudinal direction, have a greatest size, and the sizes of the protrusions and depressions are gradually decreased as the protrusions and depressions are increasingly spaced apart from the center portion of the corresponding heating element in a transverse direction of the corresponding heating element.

[4] The hair styler according to claim 1, wherein flat surface parts, having a predetermined width, are formed at respective ends of the corresponding heating element in a transverse direction of the corresponding heating element.

[5] The hair styler according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the protrusions and depressions, which are formed in the furrows and in the ridges, are formed such that transverse sections thereof have any of a circular shape or an elliptical shape.

[6] The hair styler according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein heating plates, having furrows and ridges, and protrusions and depressions, which are identical to those of the corresponding heating element in shape, are coupled to respective surfaces of the heating elements.

[7] The hair styler according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein ceramic coating layers are formed on respective surfaces of the heating elements.