HK1212571B - Hair styling device - Google Patents

Description

Hair styling device

priority

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/802,574, filed on March 16, 2013, entitled “Hair Styling Device, System, and Method,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to hair styling devices. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to hair styling devices suitable for both straightening and curling hair.

Background Art

Existing hair straightening and curling devices perform only a single function—they either straighten hair or curl it. Having two types of devices is expensive and inconvenient. For example, each device can cost up to $100 or more, and two devices take up a significant amount of space (especially in small bathrooms with minimal storage space). Furthermore, even in professional hair styling studios, having multiple hair styling devices creates a cluttered look. Furthermore, because many bathrooms and professional hair styling studios contain only a single electrical outlet, having two devices draw power from a single outlet can create electrical hazards and potentially overload circuits.

Summary of the Invention

The device embodiments disclosed herein differ from prior art devices in that hair is curled from approximately the scalp to approximately the tips of the hair in a single sliding motion of the device and comprises a single device that can both straighten and curl hair.

One embodiment of the present invention includes a hair styling device having a first blade segment, a second blade segment, and fins. The first blade segment includes an inner blade surface and at least one first blade segment heating element coupled to or integrally bonded to at least a portion of the inner blade surface. The second blade segment can be rotatably coupled to the first blade segment and can include at least one second blade segment heating element substantially opposite the at least one first blade segment heating element. The at least one second blade segment heating element can include a generally flat surface and at least one outer surface. The fins are coupled to and/or integrally bonded to the at least one outer surface.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a hair styling method. The method includes positioning a first opening of a hair styling appliance comprising a first heating element and a second heating element in a generally vertical position. The second opening of the hair styling appliance may be positioned in a generally horizontal position, the second opening comprising a generally vertical opening relative to the first opening. Hair may then be placed in the hair styling appliance, and the hair styling appliance may be moved along the hair. The first heating element and the second heating element may contact the hair before or after the hair passes through the second opening, where the hair is straightened or curled.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention includes a hair straightening/curling device comprising a housing, at least one pair of generally opposing heating elements coupled to the housing, and at least one fin coupled and/or integrally bonded to the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects and advantages of the present invention, as well as a more complete understanding, will become apparent and more readily appreciated by referring to the following detailed description and appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG1 shows an oblique front view of a device in a first position according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG2 illustrates a method of straightening hair that can be performed using embodiments described herein;

FIG3 illustrates a method of bending hair that can be performed using embodiments described herein;

FIG4A illustrates a method of bending hair that can be performed using embodiments described herein;

FIG4B illustrates an oblique front view of the device in a second position according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG5 shows an axonometric view of the device in an open position according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG6 illustrates a proximal end view of a device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG7A illustrates a proximal end view of a closed device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

7B illustrates a proximal end view of the device in a first open position according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG7C illustrates a proximal end view of the device in a second, open position according to one embodiment of the present invention;

7D illustrates a proximal end view of the device in a third open position according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG8A shows a cross-sectional view of the device along line 8A-8A in FIG9 according to one embodiment of the present invention;

8B shows a cross-sectional view of the device along line 8B-8B in FIG. 9 according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG8C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the device along line 8C-8C in FIG9 according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG8D illustrates a cross-sectional view of the device along line 8D-8D in FIG9 according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG9 shows a side view of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG10 shows an oblique side view of a second blade-shaped section according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG11 illustrates a method of straightening hair that can be performed using embodiments described herein; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a method of curling hair that can be performed using embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning first to FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a hair styling appliance 100 is shown in a closed position. A closed position may include a first appliance position. A hair styling appliance 100 includes a first blade section 102 and a second blade section 104. Each of the first blade section 102 and the second blade section 104 may include a heating element 106, which may be referred to herein as a heating element pair. As shown in the appliance open position of FIG. 5 , one such heating element pair 506 extends approximately halfway along the appliance length 108 (from the proximal appliance end 501 to the center portion 503 of the appliance 500). As shown in FIG. 1 , the appliance 100 may also include a distal end 151. As shown in FIG. 5 , the heating element pair 506 may include opposing, generally flat surfaces and may be suitable for applying heat to hair. Furthermore, the heating element pair 506 may be coupled to or integrally bonded to an inner surface 519 of each appliance section 502, 504. The inner surface 519 may also be referred to herein as an inner blade surface. The portion of the inner blade surface to which the pair of heating elements 506 are coupled can include a first portion 521 , and at least a portion of the inner surface 519 can also include a substantially flat surface. One heating element 506 can include a heating element distal end 557 .

It is contemplated that, throughout this application, the term "coupled" or any other similar term may refer to the attachment of various parts to one another via a coupling mechanism (such as, but not limited to, a nut/bolt system, a magnetic coupling mechanism, or any other system known in the art). The term "integrally bonded" or any other similar term may refer to a single, unified embodiment (where appropriate).

Turning now to Figures 8A to 8D, shown are cross-sectional views of the second blade segment 904 obtained at the changed position shown in Figure 9. For example, Figure 8A shows a cross-sectional view at line 8A-8A in Figure 9 (located near the pivot device 917). As shown in Figure 8A, the inner blade surface 819 of the second blade segment 804 along line 8A-8A is a roughly flat inner blade surface extending from the first outer surface position 823 to the second outer surface position 827. At least a portion of the first blade segment 802 may include inner blade surfaces 819 and outer blade surfaces 877 similar to those shown in Figures 8A to 8D. Turning now to Figure 8B, shown is a cross-sectional view at line 8B-8B in Figure 9. As shown, the inner blade surface 819 along line 8B-8B in Figure 9 extends from the third outer surface position 829 rather than from the first outer surface position 823 in Figure 8A. Compared to the first outer surface location 823 in FIG8A , the third outer surface location 829 is located circumferentially counterclockwise. Additionally, the tip of the device fin 840 may be formed at cross section 8B-8B. Furthermore, the second outer surface location 827 has been shifted relative to FIG8A to a fourth outer surface location 831, which is located a counterclockwise circumferential distance from the second outer surface location 827. A bend 833 may also be present in the inner blade surface 819 near the fourth outer surface location 831. As shown in FIG8C , along cross section 8C-8C in FIG9 , the device fin 840 is larger, and a smaller bend 833 is present in the inner blade surface 819. In cross section 8D-8D, the entire length 853 and dimensions of the fin 840 are present, and the inner surface 819 extends generally flat from the inner fin base 837 to the fifth outer blade surface 839. A cross-sectional view similar to the view shown along line 8D-8D may also exist about the proximal device end 901 of one embodiment.

Returning now to FIG. 1 , the device 100 can be used to straighten curly and frizzy hair by sliding the hair through the device 100 from the root of the hair at or near the scalp to the end of the hair at or near the tip, or the sliding motion can begin or end anywhere along the length of the hair. FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the device 200 used with the first method to straighten hair 220. To implement the method of FIG. 2 to straighten hair, and as shown in FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D , the user can first move the device 700 from the generally closed position shown in FIG. 7A to one of the first, second, or third open positions shown in FIG. 7B to FIG. 7D , respectively, to position the hair between the heating elements 506 (shown in FIG. 5 ). During the process of moving the device 700 from the generally closed position shown in FIG. 7A to one of the open positions shown in FIG. 7B to FIG. 7D , the first blade segment 702 and/or the second blade segment 704 can be pivoted about the distal device end 251 using the pivot mechanism 217 shown in FIG. 2 .

As shown in the first open device position of FIG. 7B , the proximal end 701 of the device 700 can be aligned with an x-y coordinate system. During the opening of the device 700, the first blade segment 704 and the second blade segment 702 can be separated by a first x distance 707 and a first y distance 709 at the proximal end 701. The angle 711 at which the two segments are separated (as shown in the second open device position of FIG. 7C ) can be determined by an angle 713 at which the pivot assembly 717 is coupled or integrally coupled to at least one of the first blade segment 702 and the second blade segment 704 (as shown in the third open device position of FIG. 7D ). For example, the angle 713 can be the angle at which the distal end 251 is rotated relative to the extension surface 747. One extension surface 747 can include an inner surface on the fin 740 and can be substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the heating element 706 on the second blade segment 704. 5 , which includes the heating element 506 of the first section 502. It is also contemplated that at least one of one or more fin dimensions (length, thickness, etc.) and angles 711, 713 may affect one or more curling characteristics (such as, but not limited to, size, shape, orientation, fullness, etc.).

After opening the device 700 to the position shown, for example, in FIG. 7D , a person's hair (such as, but not limited to, the hair 220 shown in FIG. 2 ) can be placed between the first blade section 202 and the second blade section 204, and the device 200 can be returned to the closed position shown in FIG. 7A . In one method, the device 200 can be placed at or near the first end 212 of the hair 220, where the first end 212 of the hair 220 comprises the end of the hair near the person's head or scalp. As shown in FIG. 1 , the hair can be extended away from the person's head and through the first opening 110 of the device. The hair can then extend between the pair of heating elements 106 and exit the device 100 through the second opening 130. Returning now to FIG. 2 , after the hair 220 is placed in the device 200 in this manner, the device 200 can then be pulled away from the person's head toward the second end 214 of the hair. One second end of the hair comprises the end of the hair 220 distal to the person's head. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 , the first opening 210 can be placed in a vertically upward position.

Moving the hair 220 through the device 200 in this manner (first between the heating elements 206 and then adjacent to the inner surfaces 867 of the fins 840 as shown in FIG8D ) can straighten a person's hair, thereby changing the hair from curly or wavy to generally or substantially straight. As shown in FIG1 , as the hair passes adjacent to the fins 140, the hair can be pressed against the fins by the outer portion 149 of the first blade section 102. The device 200 is used to straighten the hair 220 by applying heat to the hair 220 before the device fins 140 contact the hair 220. As shown in FIG1 , the fins 140 can be integrally bonded to the outer surface 177 of the second blade section 104 and extend generally perpendicularly away from the second blade section heating element 106. However, other angles are also contemplated.

Turning now to FIG. 3 , an example of curling hair along a first direction is shown, where one of the first directions includes curling the hair in a direction toward a person—in this first direction, the curl opens toward the person's head. Similar to the method of FIG. 2 for straightening human hair using device 200, in the method of FIG. 3 for curling human hair 320 using device 300, device 300 can first be coupled to the hair at or near first end 312 of the hair. However, in contrast to the straightening method of FIG. 2 , the hair can enter device 300 through second opening 130 shown in FIG. 1 , extend between the pair of heating elements, and exit device 300 through first opening 110 with first opening 110 facing the person (as indicated by first arrow 341 in FIG. 3 ). After placing hair 320 in device 300 in this manner, the device can then be pulled away, starting from the person's head and toward second end 314 of hair 320, in the direction indicated by second arrow 343. Pulling the device 300 away from the head moves the hair 320 through the device 300, which can curl a person's hair, thereby changing the hair from generally or substantially straight hair to generally or substantially curly or wavy hair. The device 300 is used to curl the hair 320 by applying heat to the hair 320 after the hair 320 enters the second opening 330 and contacts the device fins 140 (shown in FIG. 1 ).

Turning now to Figures 4A and 12, an example of curling hair 420, 1220 in a second direction is shown, wherein one second direction includes creating a curl that falls or opens away from the person's head. Similar to the method of Figure 3 for curling a person's hair using device 300, in the methods of Figures 4A and 12 for curling a person's hair 420, 1220 using devices 400, 1200, the hair 420, 1220 to be curled can be placed between the heating elements 106 shown in Figure 1 of the device 400, 1200 at or near the first end 412, 1212 of the hair. Also similar to the curling method of Figure 3, the hair 420, 1220 can enter the device 400, 1200 through the second opening 430 shown in Figure 4B, extend between the pair of heating elements, and exit the device 400 through the first opening 410. As indicated by first arrows 441, 1221, the second opening 430 can face away from the person in Figures 4A and 12. Thus, the orientation of the second opening 430, 1230 in the methods of Figures 4A and 12 can be opposite to the orientation of the second opening 330 in the method of Figure 3. In one embodiment, the direction of the roll can depend on the orientation of the second opening 430, 330, 1230. For example, in the methods of Figures 4A and 12, the second opening 430, 1230 can be opened away from the person and the roll can be produced in a similar direction opposite to the direction of the roll (toward the person) using the method of Figure 3. Thus, it is contemplated that in addition to the directions of roll toward and away from the person shown in Figures 3, 4A, and 12, respectively, additional directions of roll are contemplated. In Figures 4A and 12, after the hair 420, 1220 is placed in the device 400, 1200 in this manner, the device 400, 1200 can then be pulled away from the first end 412, 1212 of the hair and toward the second end 414, 1214 of the hair 400, 1200 in the direction indicated by the second arrow 443, 1243, thereby sliding the hair through the openings 410, 1210 and 430, 1230. Figure 4B includes an enlarged placement of the device 400 when implementing the method of Figures 4A and 12. The position of the device shown in Figure 4B may include a second device position.

5 , one embodiment of the device 500 is shown in an open position, as opposed to the closed position shown in FIGs. 1-4B . To open the device, in one embodiment, at least one first blade section 502 can be rotatably slidable generally along a first direction 160, 460, and/or the second blade section 504 can be rotatably slidable generally along a second direction 170, 470 shown in FIGs. 1 and 4B . After reaching the open position, a person's hair 220, 320, 420 can be placed between the heating elements 506 of the device, and at least one of the first blade section 502 and the second blade section 504 can be rotated in third and fourth directions generally opposite to the first and second directions 160, 460, 170, 470 shown in FIGs. 1 and 4 , thereby returning the device 100, 400 to the closed position, in which the method described with reference to FIGs. 2-4B can be performed to straighten and/or curl the hair 220, 320, 420. It is also contemplated that the first blade section 502 and/or the second blade section 504 can be opened in one or more non-rotatable manners known in the art (such as, but not limited to, a buckling manner).

Turning now to FIG6 , shown is an end view of one embodiment of a device 600. For example, FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the device as viewed from the proximal end 101, 601 of the device 100, 600 shown in FIG1 and FIG6 . As shown in FIG6 , the device 600 can include a space 680 between the fin 640 and the first portion 602, although the size of the space 680 can be larger or smaller than the space 680 shown in FIG6 .

Turning now to FIG. 11 , a hair styling method 1185 is shown. The method begins at 1105 and, at 1115, includes positioning a first opening of a hair styling device in a generally vertical position. Such a hair styling device may include device 100 shown in FIG. 1 and described herein. Such a vertical position may include a position in which first opening 110 faces generally upward or downward. At 1125, method 1185 includes positioning a second opening of the hair styling device in a generally horizontal position, wherein the second opening is generally perpendicular to the first opening. For example, depending on whether first opening 110 faces upward or downward, second opening 140 may be generally facing toward or away from a user of the device. At step 1135, a person's hair may then be placed in the device, similar to the images shown in FIG. 2 through FIG. 4A . At step 1145, method 1185 includes moving the hair styling device along the hair. For example, arrows 242, 343, and 443 shown in FIG. 2 through FIG. 4A illustrate the directions in which the device may be moved along the hair after coupling the device to the hair between the heating elements. At step 1155, method 1185 includes contacting the hair with the first and second heating elements before or after the hair is advanced through the second opening. For example, as shown in FIG3 , when device 300 is pulled in the direction indicated by arrow 343, hair 320 contacts heating element 306 after advancing through second opening 330, while in FIG2 , when device 200 is pulled in the direction indicated by arrow 243, hair 220 contacts heating element 306 before advancing through second opening 230. At step 1165, method 1185 includes one of straightening the hair and curling the hair. Method 1185 ends at 1175. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG2 , contacting the hair with the first and second heating elements before the hair is advanced through the second opening may cause the device to straighten the hair.

A method 1185 may also include additional steps. One such step may include pivotally separating the first and second heating elements before placing hair in the hair styling appliance. For example, the first blade section 102 may be rotatably slidable about the pivot assembly 117 in a first direction 160, while the second blade section 104 may be rotatably slidable about the pivot assembly 117 in a second direction 170. A device 110 may also be rotatable in only one of the first and second directions 160, 170.

In another method 1185, as shown in FIG3 , positioning the first opening 310 in a generally vertical position can include positioning the first opening 110 in a generally upward vertical position. Additionally, as also shown in FIG3 , positioning the second opening 330 in a generally horizontal position can include positioning the second opening 330 toward the person's head. The curls produced using this configuration can include curls that open toward the person's head. By applying this method multiple times, multiple curls can be produced in the hair 320, each curl opening toward the person's head.

As shown in FIG1 , it is also contemplated that the first opening 110 and the second opening 130 are separated by an angle 161, and that the second opening may comprise an opening proximate to the device fin 140, as shown in FIG8D , which has a length 853 and a width 863. Fin 840 may also comprise one or more shapes. For example, in FIG8D , fin 840 comprises a generally flat inner surface 867 and a generally rounded outer surface 862 that intersect at point 871. However, each of these features may comprise a different shape or size. Regardless, it is contemplated that at least one of the one or more fin dimensions, as well as angle 161, may influence the size, shape, and any other curl characteristics of the curl. Similarly, as shown in FIG4A , positioning the first opening 110 in a generally downward vertical position and positioning the second opening 130 generally away from the person's head may result in a curl in the hair that opens away from the person's head.

Turning now to FIG10 , shown is a hair styling device 1000 having an inner blade-shaped surface 1067 having a first inner blade-shaped surface portion 1083, a second inner blade-shaped surface portion 1082, and a third inner blade-shaped surface portion 1081. Each of the first inner blade-shaped surface portion 1083, the second inner blade-shaped surface portion 1082, and the third inner blade-shaped surface portion 1081 corresponds to the first inner blade-shaped surface portion 983, the second inner blade-shaped surface portion 982, and the third inner blade-shaped surface portion 981, respectively, shown in FIG9 . As shown in FIG10 , the length 1053 of the fin 1040 at the first inner blade-shaped surface portion 1083 comprises zero length, the fin length 1053 at the second inner blade-shaped surface portion 1082 comprises a varying length, and the fin length 1053 at the third inner blade-shaped surface portion 1081 comprises a substantially constant length 1053. It is also conceivable that the first portion 1083 of the inner blade-shaped surface 1019 comprises a generally flat surface approximately starting from the pivoting device. The inner blade-shaped surface 1019 in the second portion 1082 comprises a generally flat surface 1091 and at least one generally rounded portion 1093 (the second portion 1082 of Figure 10 has two rounded portions 1093). The inner blade-shaped surface 1019 at the third portion 1081 comprises a generally flat portion extending from the inner fin base 1037 to the outer blade-shaped surface 1077. Figure 9 also shows a power cord 999 suitable for receiving current from a power outlet on a wall (for example). The power cord 999 is electrically connected to the heating element 506 as shown in Figure 5. The device 500 can be suitable for utilizing electric current to heat the heating element to a desired temperature. The power cord 399 is also shown in Figure 3.

The device 100 shown in FIG. 1 and throughout this application may also be referred to herein as a hair straightening/curling device 100. A hair straightening/curling device 100 may include a casing. The casing may include an outer blade-shaped surface 1077 and may include a gripping mechanism. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 through FIG. 5 and FIG. 12 , the casing may be adapted to receive a person's hand. Furthermore, each of the first blade-shaped section 102 and the second blade-shaped section 104 may include an outer blade-shaped surface 1077. Furthermore, the straightening/curling device 100 may include at least one pair of generally opposed heating elements 106 coupled to or integrally bonded to the casing. Although only one heating element 506 is shown in FIG. 5 , the heating element 506 may include, for example, a plurality of heating elements 506. The hair straightening/curling device 100 also includes at least one fin 140 coupled to and/or integrally bonded to the casing. Although all devices shown and described herein include a single fin 140 , multiple fins 140 are also contemplated.

The at least one pair of generally opposing heating elements 106 can include generally opposing heating element surfaces, such as, but not limited to, heating element surfaces 578 shown in FIG5 . Furthermore, the at least one fin 540 can include a first length having a first length direction 582 that is generally perpendicular to at least one of the generally opposing heating element surfaces 578 . The first length direction is generally perpendicular to a first heating element surface of the generally opposing heating element surfaces along a first direction, and the first length direction is generally perpendicular to a second heating element surface of the generally opposing heating element surfaces along a second direction, wherein the second direction is generally opposite to the first direction. The hair straightening/curling device is adapted for use in a first method to straighten hair, the hair straightening/curling device is adapted for use in a second method to curl hair along a first direction, and the hair straightening/curling device is adapted for use in a third method to curl hair along a second direction.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that various changes and substitutions may be made in accordance with the present invention, its use, and its configuration to obtain substantially the same results as those obtained by the embodiments described herein. Therefore, there is no intention to limit the present invention to the example forms disclosed. Many variations, modifications, and alternative configurations fall within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein as expressed in the claims.

Claims (7)

1. A hair styling device, comprising: The hair styling device at its far end; Proximal end of hair styling device; The first blade-shaped section includes: Inner knife-shaped surface, and At least one first blade-shaped section heating element, the at least one first blade-shaped section heating element being coupled or integrally combined to at least a portion of the inner blade-shaped surface, the at least one first blade-shaped section heating element including a generally flat outer surface of the first blade-shaped section heating element; A second blade-shaped segment, rotatably connected to the first blade-shaped segment, wherein the second blade-shaped segment includes: At least one second blade-shaped heating element, the at least one second blade-shaped heating element being substantially opposite to the at least one first blade-shaped heating element, the at least one second blade-shaped heating element comprising a generally flat second blade-shaped heating element surface. Outer surface; A pivoting device, coupled to a first blade-shaped section and a second blade-shaped section, includes a longitudinal axis, wherein the angle between the longitudinal axis and at least one of the outer surface of the heating element in the first blade-shaped section and the generally flat surface of the heating element in the second blade-shaped section includes an acute angle; and Fins, among which, The fins include the fin length. At least a portion of the fins are connected or integrally bonded to the outer surface, and The length of the fins near the distal end of the hair styling device is different from the length of the fins near the proximal end of the hair styling device. 2. The hair styling device according to claim 1, further comprising: The central part of the hair styling device; and within it, The pivoting device is connected at the distal end of the hair styling device to the first blade-shaped section and the second blade-shaped section; and The inner blade-shaped surface includes a first generally flat portion extending from the proximal end of the hair styling device to the central portion of the hair styling device. 3. The hair styling device according to claim 2, wherein: At least one of the first blade-shaped segment and the second blade-shaped segment includes: First inner knife-shaped surface portion; The second inner blade-shaped surface portion, and The third inner knife-shaped surface portion The fins include the inner fin surface; The surface of the inner fin includes: The substantially consistent fin length at the third inner blade-shaped surface portion, and Base of the inner fin. 4. The hair styling device according to claim 3, wherein: The base of the inner fin includes a position close to the at least one first blade-shaped heating element; and The first generally flat portion. Generally perpendicular to the surface of the inner fin, and It extends from a position close to the outer surface to the base of the inner fin. 5. The hair styling device according to claim 3, wherein: The at least one first blade-shaped section heating element includes at least one distal end of the first blade-shaped section heating element; and The third inner blade-shaped surface portion extends from around the proximal end of the hair styling device to around the distal end of the at least one first blade-shaped heating element. 6. The hair styling device according to claim 5, wherein: The fin length at the first inner blade-shaped surface portion includes zero length; and The fin length at the second inner blade-shaped surface portion includes varying lengths. 7. The hair styling device according to claim 6, wherein: The first inner blade-shaped surface portion includes a generally flat surface extending from approximately the pivoting device to approximately the second inner blade-shaped surface portion; The second inner blade-shaped surface portion includes a generally flat portion and at least one generally rounded portion; and The third inner blade-shaped portion includes a generally flat portion extending from the base of the inner fin to the outer blade-shaped surface.