HK1128209B - Hair styling tool with rotatable cylinder - Google Patents

Description

Hair styling tool with rotatable cylinder

Technical Field

【0001】 The present invention relates to a hair styling tool, and more particularly, to a hair styling tool that allows a user to more efficiently and effectively brush hair and style hair.

Background

【0002】 Brushing the hair pulls the oil from the scalp and spreads it throughout the hair, adding body and shine to the hair, and maintaining hair health. To add more body to the hair or to style the hair into a particular shape, many people blow the hair dry while brushing it. When the hair is simultaneously blown dry and brushed, the desired result is achieved by pulling the bristles of the brush through the hair while applying heat (e.g., in the form of hot air) directly to the hair. One method of brushing involves partially rotating the brush to move the bristles through the hair. The user can typically manually rotate the brush about half a turn and after each half turn, the user pulls the brush from the hair. The brush is then placed in a new position, typically close to the previous position, and the process is repeated. As an improved hair brushing tool, various hair brushes have been developed. An exemplary embodiment of such a brush is described in U.S. patent No. 6098635 to Marino, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

【0003】 It is difficult to perform the rotation uniformly on all parts of the scalp because it is very difficult for the user to rotate his/her hand to a necessary position. In particular, drying one's own hair requires raising one's arms to reach around the head, and it is very difficult to properly twist or rotate the brush in this position. Aligning the blower while adjusting the movement of the brush increases the difficulty. Hairdressers and hair stylists can more easily reach these locations because they can move relative to a person's head.

【0004】 In addition to brushing hair, it is often desirable to style an individual's hair in a particular manner, such as by curling straight hair or straightening curled hair. Typically, a separate device other than a brush is necessary to curl, straighten or style the hair.

Disclosure of Invention

【0005】 In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a hair styling tool comprising: a main body; a cylinder extending from the body, the cylinder being rotatable relative to the body; a motor for rotating the cylinder; and a styling arm connected to the body. The styling arm may be adapted to contact the cylinder and is movable between an open position in which the styling arm is not in contact with the cylinder and a closed position in which the styling arm is in contact with the cylinder. The styling arm may include a brush head and/or a smoothing plate. In one exemplary embodiment, the hair styling tool may have a hinged or clamshell configuration.

【0006】 The brush head of the hair styling tool may include a brush head housing, a smoothing plate enclosed within the brush head housing, and a blade on which bristles are formed, the blade being located between the housing and the smoothing plate. The bristles are movable between an extended position in which the bristles extend beyond the smoothing plate and a retracted position in which the bristles are retracted relative to the smoothing plate. The brush head housing also includes a bristle release button, wherein the bristle release button is adapted to contact the blade to retain the blade in the extended position, and wherein the bristle release button is movable to be spaced from the blade to allow the blade to be placed in the retracted position and the bristles to be retracted.

【0007】 The hair styling tool may further comprise a heater adapted to heat the cylinder. The cylinder may have surface holes for heat dissipation and may include grooves or other types of indentations to provide additional friction between the cylinder and the brush head or smoothing plate.

【0008】 In one exemplary embodiment, the blade may be removable from the brush head and replaced with one of a plurality of different blades, e.g., different blades having various different bristle patterns, densities, and lengths, or no bristles at all. Further, in another exemplary embodiment, the brush head may be removable and replaced with one of a plurality of different brush heads.

Drawings

【0009】 Fig. 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view of an exemplary hair styling tool of the present invention having a rotatable cylinder and a movable styling arm.

【0010】 Fig. 2 is a semi-schematic perspective view of an exemplary hair styling tool of the present invention with the rotating cylinder removed.

【0011】 Fig. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are schematic side views of exemplary smoothing plates and cylinders of the present invention.

【0012】 Fig. 4 is a semi-schematic perspective view of an exemplary distal end of the hair styling tool of fig. 1.

【0013】 Fig. 5 is a side view of an exemplary hair styling tool of the present invention with the styling arms in the closed position.

【0014】 Fig. 6 is a semi-schematic partial cross-sectional side view of another exemplary hair styling tool of the present invention.

【0015】 Fig. 7 is a side view of yet another exemplary hair styling tool of the present invention.

【0016】 Fig. 8A is a partial schematic front view of the distal end of an exemplary hair styling tool of the present invention with compressible bristles in an extended position.

【0017】 Fig. 8B is a semi-schematic front view of the distal end of fig. 8A with the bristles in a retracted position.

【0018】 Fig. 8C is a side view of the styling arm and cylinder of the hair styling tool of the present invention.

【0019】 Fig. 8D is a semi-schematic front view of the distal end of a hair styling tool of the present invention with a bristle-free smoothing plate.

【0020】 Fig. 9A is a semi-schematic front view of the distal end of a hair styling tool of the present invention with retractable bristles in an extended position.

【0021】 Fig. 9B is a semi-schematic front view of the distal end of fig. 9A with retractable bristles in a retracted position.

【0022】 Fig. 9C is a side view of the head and cylinder of the hair styling tool of the present invention.

【0023】 Fig. 10 is a partial cross-sectional side view of yet another exemplary hair styling tool of the present invention.

【0024】 Fig. 11 is a semi-schematic side view of yet another exemplary embodiment of a hair styling tool of the present invention.

【0025】 Fig. 12 is a front view of the distal end of an exemplary hair brush of the present invention having a fixed bristle brush head comprising an integral smoothing plate.

Detailed Description

【0026】 Referring to fig. 1, a hair styling tool 20 includes an elongated body 22. The particular size of the body is not critical, it being critical that the body should generally enable a user to comfortably hold the hair styling tool during use. In an exemplary embodiment, the body 22 may be adapted to enclose other mechanical and electrical components of the hair styling tool 20, as described in more detail below.

【0027】 Referring to fig. 2, in one exemplary embodiment of the hair styling tool 20, a mounting channel 72 extends from the distal end of the body 22. As used herein, "distal" shall generally refer to a location or direction away from the bottom of the body 22 or toward the tip of the mounting channel 72. Conversely, "proximal" shall generally refer to a location or direction toward the bottom of the body 22 or away from the tip of the hot air channel 72. As described in more detail below, the mounting channel 72 is used to provide additional support to the cylinder 24 rotatably mounted thereon.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in one exemplary embodiment, the hot air slot 71 may be connected to a hot air fan assembly 44 housed within the main body 22 such that hot air provided by the hot air fan assembly passes through the main body via the hot air slot. An inlet 70 on the main body 22 allows outside air to enter the inlet of the hot air fan assembly 44. An opening 82 at the distal end of the hot air slot 71 allows air to escape from the body 22 and enter, for example, a cylinder attached to the distal end of the body as described below. The hot air switch 42 is electrically connected to the hot air fan assembly 44, allowing a user to control the supply of hot air provided by the hot air fan assembly.

The elongated hollow cylinder 24 may be rotatably mounted on the mounting channel 72. The mounting channel 72 may include a slot 81 and a tooth 83 extending from the top cover 27 of the cylinder 24 may snap into the slot 81 to mount the cylinder to the mounting channel. The base 25 of the cylinder may be adapted to be connected to the distal portion of the body 22. In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom 25 of the cylinder 24 is connected to the body 22 by a slip fit (slip fit). In an exemplary embodiment, teeth (not shown) around the interior of the base 25 mesh with teeth on the cylinder drive gear 50 at the distal end of the body 22 to align the cylinder 24 with the body. The distal end of the cylinder 24 may include a cap 27 to seal the distal end of the cylinder and prevent the escape of hot air, such as that provided through the hot air channel 71, from the distal end of the cylinder. The cap 27 may include teeth 83 to allow the cylinder to be mounted and secured to the mounting channel 72 by an interference fit (interference fit) as described above. The particular shape or size of the cap 27 is not critical so long as the cap substantially covers the distal end of the cylinder 24 and prevents the escape of large amounts of air from the distal end.

【0030】 In an exemplary embodiment, the cylinder 24 includes a plurality of apertures 30, the apertures 30 allowing heated air to flow from the heated air passage 72 to the exterior of the hair styling tool 20 and into contact with the hair proximate the cylinder. In an exemplary embodiment, the holes 30 are circular and arranged in a plurality of rows, evenly spaced on the cylinder 24. The uniform spacing of the apertures 30 throughout the cylinder 24 allows for uniform distribution of hot air in the cylinder and uniform heating of the cylinder, which provides for uniform drying when the cylinder is applied to hair, as described in more detail below. Although one configuration of the holes 30 is described herein, the particular configuration of the holes is not critical and the holes may be configured in any configuration that allows hot air to flow from the hot air passage 72 through the cylinder 24. Additionally, although the apertures 30 are described as circular, the shape of the apertures is not critical. These apertures 30 also serve to increase the friction between the brush head housing and the cylinder, increasing the effectiveness of the brush on the hair.

【0031】 Referring to fig. 3A through 3D, a number of alternative exemplary surface patterns of the cylinder 24 are shown. These alternative surface patterns are generally wave-shaped grooves 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d and allow for varying friction along the surface of the cylinder, thereby providing different styling options when hair is placed between the cylinder 24 and the smoothing plate 108, as described in detail below. Multiple slots may also be used on the cylinder 24 with holes 30 (holes not shown for clarity). Referring to fig. 3D, the smoothing plate 108 adapted to contact the cylinder 24 may include a plurality of grooves 55 to further increase the friction between the brush head housing and the cylinder.

【0032】 The rotating components of the hair styling tool 20 will now be described with further reference to fig. 1. A motor 39 may be housed within the body 22, the motor being adapted to rotate the cylinder 24. In an exemplary embodiment, the motor powers a drive shaft 46 that extends along the length of the body 22. A drive gear 48 may be disposed at a distal end of the drive shaft 46, the drive gear being adapted to cooperate with a cylindrical gear drive 50 such that when the drive gear 48 is rotated by the drive shaft, the cylindrical gear drive 50 is also rotated. When the cylinder 24 is engaged with the cylinder gear drive 50, the cylinder rotates in the same direction and rate as the cylinder gear drive. In an exemplary embodiment, motor 39 is adapted to power drive shaft 46 at different rates depending on settings adjusted by the user.

【0033】 In an exemplary embodiment, the motor 39 is reversible so that it can rotate the drive shaft 48 in either direction. A rotary switch 41 may be electrically connected to the motor 39 to allow a user to set the direction of the motor. The motor 39 may be powered by, for example, current from a power supply line 40, a rechargeable battery, or other means sufficient to generate sufficient energy to power the motor. An activation switch 38 may be used to activate a motor 39 to drive rotation of the cylinder 24. The activation switch 38 may be located anywhere on the brush, but in an exemplary embodiment the rotary switch is located in a position such that when the pivot handle 36 is in the closed position, the rotary switch is activated, as described in detail below. Although a particular system is described that includes a plurality of gears to allow motor 39 to rotate cylinder 24, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many other similar configurations of drive systems may achieve the same result in substantially the same manner.

【0034】 The elongated styling arm may be connected to the body 22 of the hair styling tool 20. In one exemplary embodiment, the styling arm may be a brush head 26. The brush head 26 may include a row of bristles 28 mounted on the surface of the brush head and projecting toward the outer surface of the cylinder 24. The brush head 26 may also include a plurality of vents 32 to allow hot air to enter or hot air and/or hot steam to escape, thereby preventing the brush head from heating to a dangerous level. An exemplary brush head 26 vent pattern is shown in fig. 4.

【0035】 In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the brush head 26 has a concave configuration so that the brush head generally conforms to the curvature of the cylinder 24 to maximize the effective brushing surface. In a further exemplary embodiment, the brush head 26 may have a width such that it extends around a portion of the circumference of the cylinder so that the flare is at an angle in the range of between about 20 degrees and about 45 degrees. The brush head 26 may be adapted to receive and secure an interchangeable bristle blade 31, allowing a user to select from a variety of blades having, for example, different widths, different bristle densities, and different bristle textures. The brush head 26 may include a slot 29 located along each inner side of the brush head, the slot 29 being adapted to slidingly receive and secure an interchangeable bristle blade 31.

【0036】 Referring again to fig. 1, the brush head 26 may be rotatably or otherwise movably connected to the body 22. More specifically, the brush head 26 may be connected to the distal end of a lever arm 34 that is rotationally connected to the body 22 by, for example, a transverse brush head pivot pin 35. The brush head 26 may have an open position in which the brush head 26 is spaced from the cylinder 24 and a closed position (fig. 5) in which the brush head 26, and in particular the bristles 28, are in contact with the cylinder. A biasing device 84 (e.g., a spring) may bias the brush head 26 to an open position. A pivot handle 36 may be provided to allow a user to move the brush head 26 from an open position to a closed position, the pivot handle being rotationally connected to the body 22 by a pivot handle pivot peg 37. In an exemplary embodiment, a pivot handle gear 50 rotatably connected to pivot handle pivot peg 37 is coupled with a brushhead gear 52 rotatably coupled to brushhead pivot peg 35. Pivot handle 36 is positioned so that it is in the open position (i.e., the proximal end of the pivot handle is spaced from body 22) when brush head 26 is in the open position, and the pivot handle is in the closed position (i.e., the proximal end of the pivot handle is in contact or substantially in contact with the body) when the brush head is in the closed position (fig. 5). Thus, when the brush head 26 is biased to the open position, the pivot handle 36 is also biased to the open position. Due to the interaction of the pivot handle gear 50 and the brush head gear 52, the brush head 26 simultaneously moves from the open position to the closed position as the pivot handle 26 moves from the open position to the closed position.

【0037】 Referring now to fig. 6, similar to the previous embodiment, another exemplary embodiment of a hair styling tool 120 includes a heating element, such as a heating rod 60, adapted to provide heat to a cylinder 124 rotatably connected to a mounting channel. The heater bar 60 may be electrically connected to a power source, such as the power supply line 40, which provides the heater bar 60 with the ability to generate heat. A heating element switch 62 located on the body 122 allows a user to activate and deactivate the heating wand 60.

【0038】 The cylinder 124 includes a heat transfer assembly 64 attached to the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder and adapted to allow the cylinder to slide over the heating rod 60 and into contact with the heating rod 60. The heat transfer assembly 64 may be any suitable heat transfer material, such as plastic, metal, ceramic, or any combination thereof. Thus, when the heater rod 60 is heated, heat is conducted from the heater rod to the heat transfer assembly 64 and to the outer surface of the cylinder 124. The cylinder 124 includes a plurality of apertures 66, such as concave indentations or convex protrusions, which apertures 66 enhance engagement of the hair as the cylinder rotates. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer surface of the cylinder 124 is slightly corrugated to increase the friction between the hair and the cylinder as the cylinder rotates. Although a specific heating system including a heat transfer assembly 64 that allows the heating rod 60 to conduct heat to the rotating cylinder 124 is described, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many other similar configurations of heating systems will achieve the same result in substantially the same manner, including the use of radiant heating elements in place of the heating rod 60, which may eliminate the need for a heat transfer assembly such as 64.

【0039】 Referring to fig. 7, the styling arm includes a brush head 100 having a collapsible bristle assembly. Referring also to fig. 8A, 8B and 8C, the brush head 100 includes a brush head housing 104 adapted to slidingly receive the smoothing plate 108 in a slot 121, the slot 121 extending longitudinally along both sides of the brush head housing. The smoothing plate is heatable, and in one exemplary embodiment, the brush head housing may include an integrated plug electrically connected to the smoothing plate 108. When power is applied to the plug, the plug heats the smoothing plate 108, allowing the smoothing plate to create an effect similar to a curling iron or a straightening iron, as described in more detail below.

【0040】 With further reference to fig. 8A through 8C, the brush head housing 104 is also adapted to slidingly receive a tray 105 comprising bundles of bristles 106 and rigid posts 107. In an exemplary embodiment, the pallet 105 includes a plurality of collapsible elements 123, the collapsible elements 123 extending longitudinally along the pallet and having a generally concave cross-section. These retractable elements 123 have an extended position in which they extend the bristles 106 from the smoothing plate 108 (fig. 8A) and a retracted position in which they retract the bristles relative to the smoothing plate, i.e., are recessed or substantially flush with the smoothing plate (fig. 8B). The retractable element 123 is biased to the extended position, but it can be transformed to the retracted position by an external force that overcomes the bias. In particular, when sufficient pressure, indicated by the arrow in fig. 8A, is applied to the rigid posts 107, which are generally perpendicular to the plane of the blade 105, the collapsible elements 123 flex to allow the bristles 106 and posts 107 to recess into the brush head housing 104 and to allow the smoothing plate 108 to have a relatively smooth surface. As such, the brush may also be used as a straightener or a crimper.

【0041】 Another exemplary embodiment of a hair styling tool is shown according to fig. 8D. The styling arm 200 includes a housing 223 adapted to slidingly receive the smoothing plate 208 into a slot 221 extending longitudinally along both sides of the housing. The smoothing plate 208 does not include bristles and is heatable, and in an exemplary embodiment, the housing 223 may include an integrated plug to electrically heat the smoothing plate. When power is applied to the plug, the heater heats the smoothing plate 208, allowing the smoothing plate to be used to more effectively style the hair.

【0042】 Yet another exemplary embodiment of a brush head 110 is shown with reference to figures 9A, 9B, and 9C. Similar to the brush head 100, the brush head 110 includes a brush head housing 112 adapted to slidingly receive a heatable smoothing plate 115 into slots 131 extending longitudinally along both sides of the brush head housing. The brush head housing 112 may include an integrated plug 103 electrically connected to the smoothing plate 108.

【0043】 The brush head housing 112 is also adapted to slidingly receive a blade 113 comprising bristles 114. The brush head housing 112 includes bristle release buttons 111a/11b adapted to be received in release button slots 133 located in the plane of the brush head housing. In particular, according to fig. 9C, the housing 116 of the release button 111a contacts the ridges 134 of the blade 113 to place the blade in the extended position so that the bristles 114 protrude through the smoothing plate 115. Ridge 134 may extend along only a portion of tray 113. When the release button 111B is slid distally along the release button slot 133 to a release position, (i.e., a position along the portion of the blade without ridges), planar pressure applied generally perpendicular to the blade allows the bristles 114 to recess into the brush head housing 112 (fig. 9B). In this way, the brush may be used as a curling iron or a straightening iron.

【0044】 Still another exemplary embodiment of a brush head 400 of the present invention is shown in accordance with figure 12. The brush head 400 is an integrated brush head with a brush and an integrated smoothing plate, without changing the configuration of the brush head. More particularly, the brush head 400 includes a plurality of brush head housing portions 402, each adapted to slidingly receive a blade 404 including bristles 408 into grooves 410 extending longitudinally along the housing portion. In one exemplary embodiment, the brush head 400 includes two housing portions 404, although the particular number of housing portions is not critical. The brush head 400 may further include a smoothing plate portion 412 disposed between adjacent housing portions 404, as shown in fig. 12, the smoothing plate portion being configured such that the flat surface contacts the cylinder 24 when the brush head is in the closed configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, the smooth plate portion 412 has a curved concave surface at substantially the same angle as the cylinder so that the smooth plate portion is substantially in full contact with the cylinder when the brush head is in the closed position. The brush head 400 may further include an integrated plug and heating element to enable the brush head to be electrically heated.

【0045】 Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in accordance with fig. 10. A hair styling tool 320 substantially similar to the hair styling tools previously described is provided. The hair styling tool 320 includes an integral movable brushhead member 330. The brush head member 330 includes a brush head 326 attached to the distal end of a lever arm 390. The lever arm 390 is generally "S" shaped or inverted "Z" shaped. Lever arm 390 is rotatably connected to hair styling tool 310 by a transverse pivot pin 391. A pivot preload spring 392 biases the lever arm 390 to the open position so that the brush head 326 is spaced from the cylinder 324. When an external force is applied to the lever arm 390 against the spring bias, the lever arm can move from the open position to the closed position, wherein the brush head 326 contacts the cylinder 324. The body 322 of the hair styling tool 320 may include a slot 323 that allows the lever arm 390 to move between an open position and a closed position. The cylinder rotation switch 338 may be positioned to be activated when the lever arm is in the closed position and deactivated when the lever arm is in the open position.

【0046】 One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that an "S" shaped lever arm configuration may also be used with any of the exemplary styling arms described above.

【0047】 Referring to fig. 11, another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The hair styling tool 149 has a hinged or clam-shell configuration, including a body 152 and a styling arm 151 that rotates or is otherwise movably connected to the body. In an exemplary embodiment, the styling arms 151 may be connected by pivot pins 153. The pivot pin 153 may be designed to allow only a limited degree of rotation between the styling arm 151 and the body 152. For example, the maximum amount of rotation may be about 60 degrees. Similar to the previously described hair styling tool embodiments, the body 152 includes a rotatable cylinder 157 and the styling arms 151 include a brush head 150. In an exemplary embodiment, a heating element switch 155 for controlling the heating of the cylinder 157 and the brush head 150, and a rotary switch 156 for controlling the rotation of the cylinder are located on the styling arm 151. However, the location of these switches is not critical, and these switches may be located anywhere that is convenient for the user to use. The hair styling tool 149 may be powered by a power supply line 154.

【0048】 In an exemplary embodiment, the styling arm 151 may be biased, for example, by a spring, to an open position so that the styling arm does not contact the cylinder 24. A force against the bias may be applied to the styling arm 151 to place the styling arm in a closed position in which the styling arm contacts the cylinder.

【0049】 The operation and use of the hair styling tool 20 will now be described with reference to fig. 1 and 5. When the brush head is in the open position (fig. 1), the hair styling tool may be used by placing selected portions of hair between the brush head 26 and the cylinder 24. The pivot handle 36 may then be moved from the open position to the closed position with the result that the brush head 26 is simultaneously moved from its open position to its closed position. Placing the brush head 26 in the closed position allows the brush head to grip a selected portion of hair between the cylinder 24 and the bristles 28 of the brush head. Additionally, in an exemplary embodiment, placing the pivot handle 36 into the closed position triggers the rotary switch 38 to initiate rotation of the cylinder 24. Thus, almost any length of hair can be brushed, shaped and styled in this manner without significant tangling. It will be apparent that various other exemplary embodiments of the hair styling tool described may be used in a similar manner. That is, hair may be placed between the styling arm and the cylinder when the styling arm is in the open position. Once the hair is placed, the styling arms may be moved to a closed position to capture and style the hair. In one exemplary embodiment, the direction of rotation of the cylinder is reversible, and the user can use the brush with either hand or from either side while rotating the cylinder in a generally uniform direction relative to the hair.

【0050】 The brushing, shaping, and styling effects may be enhanced by the use of heating devices associated with exemplary embodiments of the brush. In particular, the hot air fan assembly 44 or heater bar may be activated to heat the cylinder 24 as the cylinder 24 rotates. Additionally, or alternatively, the heatable smoothing plate 108, 115, 208, or 412 of the brush head 100, 110, 200, or 400 may be heated. The heat applied to the hair by the cylinder 24 and/or the brush heads 100, 110, 200, or 400 not only allows the hair to dry faster, but also makes the hair smooth and healthy.

【0051】 Referring to fig. 8A to 8C, if a user wants to use the device as a curling iron or a flat iron (flat iron), pressure, generally perpendicular to the smoothing plate 108, may be applied to the blade 105 to place the bristles 106 in the retracted position. In the retracted position, the bristles 106 of the brush head are retracted relative to the smoothing plate 108, i.e., retracted or flush with the smoothing plate. Thus, the smoothing plate will have a smooth surface that, along with the heat provided by the cylinder 24 and/or brush head, allows the device to be used as a smoother, straightener or crimper. Referring to the alternative embodiment of fig. 9A-9C, the user slides the release button 111 along the slot 133 distally from position 111a to position 111b so that the ridges 134 of the platform 113 do not contact the housing 116 of the release button 111. The user may then apply pressure to the blade 113 to retract the tips of the bristles 114 relative to the smoothing plate.

【0052】 Referring to fig. 11 and 12, the combination of bristle bundles 408 secured in conjunction with the heated iron portion 412 allows a user to simultaneously brush and smooth, straighten or curl hair without changing the configuration of the brush head 400.

【0053】 Various embodiments of brush heads, cylinders, and hair brush configurations are described herein, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that different brush heads and/or blades may be used with different hair styling tools. Also, additional interchangeable brush heads or blades may be provided as a kit with the basic hair styling tool. Additionally, although specific manners and configurations have been described, it will be understood that changes in these manners and configurations may be made while remaining within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (28)

1. An implement for hair styling and brushing comprising:

a body having a proximal end and a distal end;

a rotatable cylinder extending from the body, the rotatable cylinder being rotatable relative to the body;

a motor adapted to rotate the rotatable cylinder;

a heater for heating the cylinder;

rotating a styling arm connected to the body, the styling arm having a distal end and being non-rotatable about its own axis, wherein the styling arm is movable between a first open position and a closed position, the closed position being sufficiently close to the rotatable cylinder such that placement of hair between the styling arm and the rotatable cylinder allows styling of hair between the rotatable cylinder and the styling arm in the closed position, wherein the rotatable cylinder rotates relative to the styling arm in the closed position:

wherein in said closed position said tool is pulled through hair and said rotatable cylinder is rotated to style said hair.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the styling arm further comprises a heating element for heating the styling arm.

3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the styling arm comprises a smoothing plate.

4. The tool of claim 1, wherein the styling arm has a recessed surface that is substantially the same degree of curvature as the cylinder.

5. The tool of claim 1, wherein the styling arm is biased to the open position.

6. The tool of claim 1, wherein the heater is selected from a heater bar and a hot air fan.

7. The tool of claim 2, wherein the heater is selected from a heater bar and a hot air fan.

8. The tool of claim 3 wherein the smoothing plate is located between two sets of bristles, and bristles extend through the smoothing plate.

9. The tool of claim 8 wherein the smoothing plate has a concave surface with a curved concave surface at substantially the same angle as the cylinder.

10. The tool of any of claims 1-7, wherein the styling arm has bristles for engaging the hair in the closed position.

11. The tool of claim 10 wherein said styling arm supports a brush head at a distal end thereof, said bristles extending from said brush head.

12. The tool of claim 10, wherein the plurality of bristles are retractable relative to the smoothing plate.

13. The tool of claim 10, wherein the brush head includes a blade from which the bristles extend, wherein the blade is detachable from the brush head, the tool further comprising a plurality of interchangeable blades, wherein each blade has a different configuration of bristles.

14. The tool of claim 1, wherein the cylinder is a textured cylinder.

15. The tool of claim 1, wherein the textured cylinder comprises a texture selected from the group consisting of grooves and holes.

16. The tool of any of claims 1-7, 14, or 15, further comprising a switch that triggers the motor to rotate the rotatable cylinder when the styling arm is moved from the first open position toward the closed position.

17. The tool of claim 1, wherein the cylinder extends from the distal end of the body and has a longitudinal axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the body, the sizing arm being pivotally connected to the body at a proximal position closer to the body than the distal end of the body, the sizing arm having a longitudinal axis that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body when in the first open position.

18. The tool of claim 1, wherein the cylinder is rotatable a sufficient amount for straightening hair.

19. The tool of claim 1, wherein the cylinders are rotated in the same direction until the cylinders are controlled to rotate in opposite directions by a switch.

20. A method of styling hair using a hair styling tool, the hair styling tool comprising: a main body; a rotatable cylinder extending from the body, the cylinder being rotatable relative to the body; a heater adapted to heat the cylinder; and a styling arm pivotally connected to the body, the styling arm comprising: a smoothing plate generally facing the cylinder; and a plurality of tufts of bristles located on either side of the smoothing plate, the tufts of bristles extending through the smoothing plate and generally toward the cylinder, the method comprising:

heating the cylinder with the heater;

sandwiching a portion of hair between said cylinder and said styling arm;

moving the brush head toward the cylinder while holding the portion of hair sandwiched therebetween;

rotating the cylinder; and

advancing said hair styling tool along said hair length so that hair in contact with said cylinder sequentially contacts said plurality of bristles on said first side of said smoothing plate, said smoothing plate and said plurality of bristles on said second side of said smoothing plate.

21. The method of claim 20, comprising heating the smoothing plate.

22. A method for styling human hair comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting the tool of any one of claims 1-17;

(b) placing said hair on said rotatable cylinder and said styling arm, wherein said styling arm is in said open position;

(c) moving the sizing arm to the closed position and causing the motor to continuously rotate the rotatable cylinder; and

(d) after step (c), pulling the tool toward the tips of the hair as the rotatable cylinder rotates, thereby styling the hair.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein step (d) comprises straightening the hair.

24. The tool of claim 1, further comprising bristles for engaging hair in said closed position.

25. The tool of claim 24, wherein the bristles are configured to engage the hair prior to the hair contacting the rotatable member.

26. The tool of claim 24, wherein said bristles are arranged to engage hair after said hair contacts said rotatable member.

27. The tool of claim 24, wherein said bristles are supported by said styling arms.

28. The tool of any of claims 1-7, wherein said bristles extend toward said rotatable cylinder in said closed position.