WO2009030941A2

WO2009030941A2 - Improvements in and relating to hair irons

Info

Publication number: WO2009030941A2
Application number: PCT/GB2008/050743
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Overend; John Hein
Original assignee: Jemella Group Limited
Priority date: 2007-09-03
Filing date: 2008-08-27
Publication date: 2009-03-12
Also published as: WO2009030941A3; GB2452340A; GB2452340B; GB0717075D0

Abstract

There are provided an electric hair iron and methods of styling hair. In one embodiment an iron (1) comprises at least one jaw (3) carrying a heating element (7). The heating element (7) is located towards a first end (11) of the jaw (3) and the jaw (3) comprises insulating means provided at the first end of the jaw to thermally insulate a finger grip section (31) of the jaw (3) from a heating element (7) of the iron (1).

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO HAIR IRONS

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to hair irons and to methods of styling hair.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is known for persons to employ hair irons to straighten and style hair. Known electric irons employ heating elements carried by opposed jaws. For a simple straightening operation a user may hold the iron by a handle portion spaced from the heating elements. For some styling operations though a user may also want to hold the iron at the tips of the jaws. To aid this jaw tips of some known irons are provided with a finger grip section. However, as the tips of the jaws are located adjacent to the heater elements they may become hot in use making them difficult to hold for anything but a brief period.

Accordingly, preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to address at least one disadvantage associated with known hair irons whether discussed herein or otherwise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an electric hair iron comprising at least one jaw carrying a heating element and wherein the heating element is located towards a first end of said jaw and the jaw comprises insulating means provided at the first end of said jaw to thermally insulate a finger grip section of the jaw from a heating element of the iron.

Suitably, the first end of the jaw comprises a tip of the jaw. Suitably, the insulating means is provided at the tip of the jaw. Suitably, the finger grip section is provided at the tip of the jaw. Suitably, the insulating means thermally insulates the finger grip section from the heating element carried by the jaw.

Suitably, a part of the jaw removed from the heating element carried by the jaw comprises a handle portion. Suitably, the jaw comprises a handle portion provided towards a second end of the jaw. The iron is suitably arranged such that it can be held in one hand by a user with the handle portion. For some styling operations a user may hold the finger grip section with their second hand .

Suitably, the iron comprises first and second jaws at least one of which carries a heating element. Suitably, each jaw comprises insulating means provided at the first end of the jaw to thermally insulate a finger grip section of the jaw from a heating element of the iron.

Suitably, the iron comprises first and second jaws each carrying a heating element and wherein each heating element is located towards a first end of a jaw and each jaw comprises insulating means provided at the first end of the jaw to thermally insulate a finger grip section of the jaw from a heating element of the iron. Suitably, the first end of each jaw comprises a tip of the jaw. Suitably, the insulating means is provided at the tip of each jaw. Suitably, the finger grip section is provided at the tip of each jaw. Suitably, the insulating means of each jaw thermally insulates the finger grip section from the heating element carried by that jaw. The insulating means of each jaw may also thermally insulate the finger grip section from the heating element carried by the other jaw.

Suitably, a part of each jaw removed from the heating element carried by the jaw comprises a handle portion. Suitably, each jaw comprises a handle portion provided towards a second end of the jaw. The iron is suitably arranged such that it can be held in one hand by a user with the handle portions. For some styling operations a user may hold the finger grip sections with their second hand .

Suitably, the jaws are movably connected to one another.

Suitably, the jaws are pivotally connected to one another.

Suitably, the jaws are connected to one another by ends of the jaws removed from their respective heating elements.

Suitably the jaws are connected to one another at their second ends.

Suitably, the iron comprises first and second jaws, the jaws being moveable such that, in use, the jaws can be moved to an open configuration and hair introduced between them and then the jaws can be moved to a closed configuration with hair lying there between. Suitably, the first jaw carries a first heating element and the second jaw carries a second heating element. Suitably, the heating elements are arranged such that hair can lie between them when the jaws are in the closed configuration.

Suitably, the jaws are biased towards their open configuration. The jaws may be spring biased to their open configuration.

Suitably, the finger grip section comprises grip means. The grip means may comprise protrusions and/or indentations provided at the finger grip section. The finger grip section may comprise a concave surface. Alternatively, the finger grip section may comprise a convex surface.

Suitably, the heating elements are arranged to reach operating temperature in less than 3 minutes, for example in less than 2 minutes. Suitably, the heating elements are arranged to reach operating temperature in between 20 seconds and 60 seconds, for example between 30 seconds and 35 seconds. Suitably, the heating elements are arranged to have a temperature of around 15O⁰C to 200⁰C in use, for example around 17O⁰C to 18O⁰C.

Suitably, each jaw comprises insulating means which may be substantially the same as one another. Suitably, the insulating means of the or each jaw is arranged such that the finger grip section has a lower temperature than the part of a jaw immediately adjacent to a heater element when the heater element is in use. For convenience the insulating means will be described in relation to one jaw but it will be appreciated that each jaw may comprise such insulating means.

Suitably, the insulating means is such that the finger grip section has a temperature not exceeding 90⁰C in use. Suitably, the insulating means is such that the finger grip section has a temperature not exceeding 80⁰C in use, for example the finger grip section may have a temperature not exceeding 70⁰C, 60⁰C, 50⁰C, 40⁰C or 30⁰C in use.

The insulating means may be such that, in use, the finger grip section has a temperature at least 10⁰C lower than that of the part of the jaw immediately adjacent the heating element. The insulating means may be such that, in use, the finger grip section has a temperature at least 20⁰C lower than that of the part of the jaw immediately adjacent the heating element, for example at least 30⁰C, 40⁰C, 50⁰C, 60⁰C, 70⁰C, 80⁰C, 90⁰C or 100⁰C lower.

Suitably, the insulating means comprises an air space provided between the heating element and the finger grip section. The insulating means may comprise a void in the jaw.

Suitably, the insulating means comprises a cavity provided in the jaw adjacent to the heating element. Suitably, said cavity is provided at the tip of the jaw.

Suitably, the insulating means comprises a cavity having an opening on a first side of the jaw. Suitably said first side of the jaw comprises the side carrying the heating element. Suitably, said first side comprises an inside face of the jaw. Suitably, the iron comprises two jaws and said first side of the jaw comprises an inside face of the jaw which faces the other jaw.

Suitably, the finger grip section is provided on a second side of the jaw. Suitably, said second side of the jaw comprises the side opposed to that carrying the heating element. Suitably, said second side comprises an outside face of the jaw.

Suitably, the insulating means comprises a cavity defined by a wall which provides the finger grip section. Suitably, the tip of the jaw comprises a wall defining the cavity on one side thereof and having the finger grip section on an opposed second side thereof.

Suitably, the insulating means comprises a cavity defined in part by a first wall section lying adjacent to an end of the heating element and in part by a second wall section lying at a tip of the jaw and which provides the finger grip section. The first and second wall sections may be integral. Suitably, when the heating element is in use the maximum temperature of the second wall section is lower than that of the first wall section. The maximum temperature of the second wall section may be 10⁰C lower than that of the first wall section when the heating element is in use, for example 20⁰C, 40⁰C, 50⁰C, 60⁰C, 70⁰C, 80⁰C, 90⁰C or 100⁰C lower.

Suitably, the cavity is defined by a wall having a thickness of between 1 and 5mm, for example of between 2 and 4mm. Suitably, the cavity has a volume of at least 500mm , for example at least 800mm³. The cavity may have a volume of between 500mm and 3000mm , suitably of between 800mm and 2000mm³, for example between 1000mm³ and 1500mm³

Suitably, the cavity has a width of between 65% and 95% of the jaw width, for example between 70% and 90% of the jaw width. The cavity may have a width substantially corresponding to the width of the heating element. The cavity may have a width of between 5 and 50mm, for example between 10 and 20mm or between 35 and 45mm.

Suitably, the cavity has a length of between 1% and 10% of the jaw length, for example of between 2% and 6% of the jaw length. Suitably, the cavity has a length of between 5% and 20% of the heating element length, for example between 10% and 15% of the heating element length. The cavity may have a length of between 3 and 20 mm, for example of between 5 and 15mm.

Suitably, the cavity has a depth of between 40% and 95% of the jaw thickness, for example between 50% and 70% or between 70% and 90%. The cavity may have a depth of between 5 and 10 mm.

The cavity may have varying length, width and depth throughout its extent as may the jaw and values of length, width and depth given herein may thus be average (mean) values .

Suitably, the void of the cavity is separated from the heater plate by a wall which may suitably be a wall having a convex face facing into the cavity. Suitably, the first wall section has a convex face facing into the cavity.

The cavity may be spaced from the heating element in the lengthwise direction of the iron by between 1 and 10mm, suitably by between 1 and 5mm.

Suitably, the iron is arranged such that when it is in a closed configuration the opening of the cavity of the insulating means remains in communication with air external to the iron. Suitably, the iron is arranged such that when it is in the closed configuration the opening of a cavity of the insulating means of a first jaw lies further from an opposed second jaw than does the heating element of the first jaw. Suitably, the iron is arranged such that when it is in the closed configuration the opening of a cavity of the insulating means of a second jaw lies further from an opposed first jaw than does the heating element of the second jaw.

Suitably, the iron is arranged such that when it is in the closed configuration there is a gap of at least 2mm, for example of around 5mm, between the opening of the insulating cavity of one jaw and the opening of the insulating cavity of the other jaw.

The heating element or elements may comprise ceramic heating elements. Each ceramic heating element may comprise a layer of resistant material laid upon or sandwiched between ceramic material.

The heating element or elements may comprise thick film heating elements. Each thick film heating element may comprise a ceramic substrate having a film of resistive material laid thereon to form a resistive element. Such a heating element may comprise a ceramic substrate on one side only of the resistive element. Alternatively, each thick film heating element may comprise a film of resistive material laid on a base to form a resistive element and which is sandwiched by a ceramic substrate.

The hair iron may comprise a cover plate for each heating element which may be arranged to provide a contact surface for engaging a user's hair. A cover plate may be arranged to contact the ceramic substrate on the opposite side to that on which the resistive element is provided.

Suitably, the cover plate comprises a metal cover plate. The cover plate may comprise aluminium which may be extruded.

Alternatively, the ceramic substrate of each heating element may be arranged to provide a contact surface for engaging a user's hair. A surface of the ceramic substrate may be polished to provide said contact surface which may be substantially smooth. A resistive element may be printed on one side of the substrate and the side of the substrate opposed to the resistive element may be polished to provide said contact surface which may be substantially smooth.

Alternatively, the heating elements may comprise a resistive element embedded within a ceramic substrate. The resistive element may comprise an element having a base, suitably a carbon base. The heating elements may comprise a film of resistive material laid on to the base to form a resistive element. The ceramic substrate may comprise Alumina. A side of the ceramic substrate may be polished to provide a contact surface for engaging a users hair such that the heating elements may act as contact plates. The iron may thus not require cover plates for the heating elements.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an electric hair iron comprising at least one jaw carrying a heating element and wherein the heating element is located towards a first end of said jaw and the jaw comprises a cavity provided at the first end of said jaw to thermally insulate a finger grip section of the jaw from said heating element.

Suitably, the iron comprises first and second jaws at least one of which carries a heating element. Suitably, each jaw comprises a cavity provided at the first end of said jaw to thermally insulate a finger grip section of the jaw from a heating element of the iron.

Suitably, the iron comprises first and second jaws each carrying a heating element and wherein each heating element is located towards a first end of a jaw and each jaw comprises a cavity provided at the first end of the jaw to thermally insulate a finger grip section of the jaw from a heating element carried by the jaw.

The iron may comprise any feature as described in relation to the first aspect.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of styling hair, wherein the method employs an iron according to the first and/or second aspect .

Suitably, the method comprises a method of straightening hair.

The method may comprise a user holding the iron in one hand with a handle portion of a jaw. Suitably, the method comprises a user holding the iron in one hand with the handle portions of the jaws. The method may comprise a user holding a finger grip section of a jaw with their second hand. Suitably, the method comprises a user holding finger grip sections of the jaws with their second hand .

Suitably, the method comprises a user holding the finger grip sections such that their fingers are insulated from the heating element by the insulating means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of styling hair, wherein the method employs an iron which comprises at least one jaw carrying a heating element located towards a first end of said jaw and the jaw comprises a cavity provided at the first end of said jaw to thermally insulate a finger grip section of the jaw from said heating element and wherein the method comprises a user contacting the finger grip section with a finger such that the cavity interposes said finger and heating element for the purpose of thermally insulating the users finger from the heating element.

Suitably, the method comprises a method of straightening hair . The method may comprise any feature as described in relation to the first and/or second and/or third aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hair iron;

Figure 2 is a cross section of a first end of the hair iron of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross section of a first end of an alternative embodiment of a hair iron; and

Figure 4 is a plan view of the hair iron of Figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 a hair iron 1 comprises first and second jaws 3, 5 carrying first and second heating elements 7, 9 respectively, towards first ends 11, 13 of the jaws 3, 5. The heating elements 7, 9 comprise ceramic heating elements covered by extruded aluminium cover plates 15, 17.

The jaws 3, 5 further comprise first and second handle portions 19, 21 respectively towards second ends 23, 25 removed from the heating elements. The jaws 3, 5 are pivotally connected adjacent their second ends 23, 25 by pivot 27. The jaws 3, 5 may thus be moved between open and closed configurations. A spring (not shown) biases the jaws 3, 5 to an open configuration.

The hair iron 1 further comprises a power supply cable 29 for connecting to an AC mains power supply and a power supply switch 47. The switch is moveable between on and off positions. The iron also comprises signalling means comprising an LED 49 to signal the operating status of the iron .

At the first end 11, 13 of each jaw 3, 5 there is provided a finger grip section 31, 33. Also provided at the first end 11, 13 of each jaw 3, 5 is an insulating means comprising a cavity 35, 37. Each cavity 35, 37 thermally insulates the finger grip section 31, 33 from the heating element 7, 9. Each cavity is defined by a wall section 39, 41 lying adjacent to the end of the respective heating element 7, 9 and a second wall section 43, 45 having the respective cavity 35, 37 on one side thereof and the respective finger grip section 31, 33 on the other side thereof. Each cavity 35, 37 has an opening on an inside of the respective jaw 3, 5.

Suitably, in use the cavities 35, 37 insulate the wall sections 43, 45 having the finger grip sections 31, 33 from the heating elements 7, 9. Thus, wall sections 35, 37 have a lower temperature than wall sections 39, 41 and the finger grip sections 31, 33 may be kept at a temperature which is comfortable to hold. In use a user may hold the hair iron 1 in one hand with the handle portions 19, 21 and if desired for a styling technique may also hold the finger grip sections 31, 33 of the hair iron 1 with their second hand.

Figures 3 and 4 show an alternative embodiment of a hair iron 101. The hair iron 101 has substantially the same structural features as that of Figures 1 and 2 and so is not described in detail. This iron differs from that of Figures 1 and 2 in that the finger grip sections 131, 133 comprise convex rather than concave outer parts of the jaws 103, 105.

As with the iron 1 of Figures 1 and 2, the iron 101 comprises first and second jaws 103, 105 carrying first and second heating elements 107, 109 respectively, towards first ends 111, 113 of the jaws 103, 105. The heating elements 107, 109 comprise ceramic heating elements covered by extruded aluminium cover plates 115, 117.

At the first end 111, 113 of each jaw 103, 105 there is provided a finger grip section 131, 133. Also provided at the first end 111, 113 of each jaw 103, 105 is an insulating means comprising a cavity 135, 137. Each cavity 135, 137 thermally insulates the finger grip section 131, 133 from the heating element 107, 109. Each cavity is defined by a first wall section 139, 141 lying adjacent to the end of the respective heating element 107, 109 and a second wall section 143, 145 having the respective cavity 135, 137 on one side thereof and the respective finger grip section 131, 133 on the other side thereof. Each cavity 135, 137 has an opening on an inside of the respective jaw. It will be appreciated that a hair iron according to preferred embodiments of the present invention may advantageously allow a user to style hair and may be efficient and safe to operate.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. An electric hair iron comprising at least one jaw carrying a heating element and wherein the heating element is located towards a first end of said jaw and the jaw comprises insulating means provided at the first end of said jaw to thermally insulate a finger grip section of the jaw from a heating element of the iron .

2. An iron according to claim 1, wherein the iron comprises first and second jaws each carrying a heating element and wherein each heating element is located towards a first end of a jaw and each jaw comprises insulating means provided at the first end of the jaw to thermally insulate a finger grip section of the jaw from a heating element of the iron.

3. An iron according to claim 2, wherein the first end of each jaw comprises a tip of the jaw, the insulating means is provided at the tip of each jaw and the finger grip section is provided at the tip of each jaw .

4. An iron according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the insulating means of each jaw thermally insulates the finger grip section from the heating element carried by that jaw and the insulating means of each jaw also thermally insulates the finger grip section from the heating element carried by the other jaw.

5. An iron according to any preceding claim, wherein the insulating means is such that, in use, the finger grip section has a temperature at least 10⁰C lower than that of the part of the jaw immediately adjacent the heating element.

6. An iron according to any preceding claim, wherein the insulating means comprises an air space provided between the heating element and the finger grip section .

7. An iron according to any preceding claim, wherein the insulating means comprises a cavity provided in the jaw adjacent to the heating element.

8. An iron according to claim 7, wherein said cavity is provided at the tip of the jaw.

9. An electric hair iron comprising at least one jaw carrying a heating element and wherein the heating element is located towards a first end of said jaw and the jaw comprises a cavity provided at the first end of said jaw to thermally insulate a finger grip section of the jaw from said heating element.

10. An iron according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the insulating means comprises a cavity having an opening on a first side of the jaw which said first side comprises an inside face of the jaw and the finger grip section is provided on a second side of the jaw which said second side comprises an outside face of the jaw.

11. An iron according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the cavity has a volume of at least 500mm³.

12. An iron according to any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the cavity is spaced from the heating element in the lengthwise direction of the iron by between 1 and 10mm.

13. An iron according to any of claims 7 to 12, wherein the iron is arranged such that when it is in a closed configuration the opening of the cavity of the insulating means remains in communication with air external to the iron.

14. An iron according to any of claims 7 to 13 wherein the iron is arranged such that when it is in the closed configuration there is a gap of at least 2mm, between the opening of the insulating cavity of one jaw and the opening of the insulating cavity of the other jaw.

15. A method of styling hair, wherein the method employs an iron according to any preceding claim.

16. A method of styling hair, wherein the method employs an iron which comprises at least one jaw carrying a heating element located towards a first end of said jaw and the jaw comprises a cavity provided at the first end of said jaw to thermally insulate a finger grip section of the jaw from said heating element and wherein the method comprises a user contacting the finger grip section with a finger such that the cavity interposes said finger and heating element for the purpose of thermally insulating the users finger from the heating element.

17. A hair iron or a method of styling hair substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings .