HAIRSTYLING BRUSH

Abstract

A brush that delivers a flow of air to an individual's head while she brushes her hair with the brush includes a handle and a head, or barrel, with a styling surface from which bristles protrude. Air is delivered to the hair through apertures in the styling surface. Air flow is generated by a fan and its motor, which reside within the head of the brush. With the fan and the motor in the head of the brush, a maximum dimension across the handle (e.g., its diameter, etc.) may be small enough for an individual with smaller hands to hold and manipulate the brush.

Claims

1. A brush for styling hair, comprising: a head including a first end, a second end, and an outer surface with apertures therethrough; a vent; a handle extending from the second end of the head; bristles protruding from the outer surface of the head; a heating element within the head; and a fan within an interior of the head and positioned to draw air into the head through the vent of the head, draw the air past the heating element, and force the air through the apertures through the head.

2. The brush of claim 1, wherein the bristles are located around the head.

3. The brush of claim 2, wherein a maximum distance across the handle, transverse to a length of the handle, is less than a maximum distance across the head, transverse to a length of the head.

4. The brush of claim 3, wherein the head is substantially cylindrical in shape.

5. The brush of claim 4, wherein the handle has a shape that transitions from a round shape adjacent to the second end of the head to a rectangular end opposite from the head.

6. The brush of claim 3, wherein the handle has a maximum cross-sectional dimension of about 3.5 cm.

7. The brush of claim 2, further comprising: a styling knob protruding from the first end of the head.

8. The brush of claim 1, wherein the fan is positioned between the vent and the apertures.

9. The brush of claim 8, wherein the vent is located at or adjacent to the second end of the head.

10. The brush of claim 8, wherein the vent is located at or adjacent to the first end of the head.

11. A brush for styling hair, comprising: a head including a first end, a second end, and an outer surface with apertures therethrough; a vent; a styling knob protruding from the first end of the head; a handle extending from the second end of the head, a maximum distance across the handle, transverse to a length of the handle, is less than a maximum distance across the head, transverse to a length of the head; bristles located around and protruding from the outer surface of the head; a heating element within the head; and a fan within an interior of the head and positioned to draw air into the head through the vent of the head, draw the air past the heating element, and force the air through the apertures through the head.

12. The brush of claim 11, wherein the head is substantially cylindrical in shape.

13. The brush of claim 11, wherein the fan is positioned between the vent and the apertures.

14. The brush of claim 13, wherein the vent is located at or adjacent to the second end of the head.

15. The brush of claim 13, wherein the vent is located at or adjacent to the first end of the head.

16. A brush for styling hair, comprising: a head including a first end, a second end, and an outer surface with apertures therethrough; a vent; a handle extending from the second end of the head; bristles protruding from the outer surface of the head; a heating element within the head; a fan within an interior of the head and positioned between the vent and the apertures to draw air into the head through the vent of the head, draw the air past the heating element, and force the air through the apertures through the head; and a protective inner core thermally insulating the heating element from a surface that defines the interior of the head.

17. The brush of claim 16, wherein the bristles are located around the head.

18. The brush of claim 16, wherein the head is substantially cylindrical in shape.

19. The brush of claim 18, further comprising: a styling knob protruding from the first end of the head.

20. The brush of claim 16, wherein a maximum distance across the handle, transverse to a length of the handle, is less than a maximum distance across the head, transverse to a length of the head.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In the drawings:

[0019] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of an existing heated brush with a head, or barrel, and a handle; electronics, a heating element, and a fan are located within the handle, making the handle undesirably large;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a brush according to this disclosure, a head, or barrel, of which carries a fan and heating element to enable minimization of the size of the handle;

[0021] FIG. 3 provides a close-up view of the handle of the embodiment of the brush shown in FIG. 2;

[0022] FIG. 4 provides a close-up view of the barrel of the embodiment of the brush shown in FIG. 2;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a simplified cross-sectional representation of a first arrangement of a fan and heating element within the barrel of the embodiment of the brush shown in FIG. 2;

[0024] FIG. 6 is a simplified cross-sectional representation of a second arrangement of a fan and heating element within the barrel of an embodiment of a brush according to this disclosure;

[0025] FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 show other embodiments of brushes according to this disclosure; and

[0026] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of an embodiment of a display of the embodiments of brushes shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] With reference to FIGS. 2-4, an embodiment of a brush 10 is depicted. The brush 10 includes a head 20 and a handle 40. The head 20 includes an end 22, which is also referred to herein as a “first end,” and base 24, which is also referred to herein as a “second end,” opposite from the end 22. The handle 40 extends from the base 24 of the head 20.

[0028] In addition to including an end 22 and a base 24, the head 20 includes a styling surface 26. In the depicted embodiment, where the head 20 is cylindrical in shape, the styling surface 26 comprises the lateral, curved surface of the cylinder. In embodiments where the head 20 is not cylindrical in shape, the styling surface 26 may comprise a substantially flat (e.g., slightly convex, flat, slightly concave, etc., of a paddle brush, etc.) surface.

[0029] A plurality of bristles 28 protrude from the styling surface 26 of the head 20 of the brush 10. The bristles 28 may comprise any suitable type of bristle for a hairbrush, including, without limitation, natural bristles (e.g., boar, hog, badger, etc.), synthetic bristles (e.g., nylon, polyester, etc., or a combination of different types of synthetic bristles), flexible plastic bristles, wire bristles, bamboo bristles, or combinations of bristles. The bristles 28 may be arranged over the styling surface 26 in any suitable manner.

[0030] A plurality of apertures 30 extend through the styling surface 26 of the head 20 of the brush 10. The apertures 30 may be interspersed amongst the bristles 28. The apertures 30 may be spaced apart from each other and located a variety of positions over the styling surface 26. As illustrated, each aperture 30 may comprise a slot that extends circumferentially around the styling surface 26. A plurality of apertures 30 may be arranged in columns 30c that extend along the length of the styling surface 26 (e.g., the height of a cylindrical styling surface 26, etc.). Each column 30c may be aligned with the length of the styling surface 26, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, or it may be oriented diagonally across the styling surface 26 (e.g., helically oriented, or wrap around a cylindrical styling surface 26, etc.). Adjacent columns 30c of apertures 30 may be spaced apart from each other (e.g., around the circumference of a cylindrical styling surface 26, etc.).

[0031] The head 20 of the embodiment of brush 10 depicted by FIGS. 2 and 3 also includes a vent 32 in the base 24. As shown, the vent 32 may include a plurality of apertures 33. In embodiments where the head 20 is cylindrical in shape, the apertures 33 of the vent 32 may be arranged around a base 42 of the handle 40, which is also referred to herein as a “first end” of the handle 40, which connects with or is continuous with the base 24 of the head 20. Alternative configurations of vents may also be used.

[0032] Although not shown in FIGS. 2-4, a fan (including its motor) of the brush 10 and, optionally, other internal components of the brush 10 are located within an interior of a base portion 25 of the head 20 of the brush 10. The base portion 25 of the head 20 may be located between the base 24 of the head 20 and a lower edge 27 of the styling surface 26 of the head 20. Alternatively, a lower portion of the styling surface 26 may extend over the base portion 25 of the head 20 (e.g., surround the base portion 25 in embodiments where the head has a cylindrical shape, etc.). While FIGS. 2-4 show the base portion 25 as lacking bristles 28, in some embodiments where a lower portion of the styling surface 26 extends over the base portion 25 of the head, bristles 28 may protrude from the lower portion of the styling surface 26.

[0033] In some embodiments, a brush 10 may include a styling knob 60 protruding from the end 22 of the head 20. The styling knob 60 may have a configuration that enables an individual to hold onto it with one of her hands while she uses her other hand to grasp the handle 40 of the brush 10 and manipulate (e.g., move, twist, etc.) the brush 10. As depicted, the styling knob 60 may have an outer surface 61 that includes a gradual, curved, outward taper from an end 61 of the styling knob 60 to a base 64 of the styling knob 60. The taper of the outer surface 61 of the styling knob 60 may enable an individual to comfortably grasp and optionally manipulate the styling knob 60 with the tips of her fingers.

[0034] Again, the handle 40 of the brush 10 extends from the base 24 of the head 20 of the brush 10. More specifically, a base 42 of the handle 40 extends from, and may be continuous with, the base 24 of the head 20. A body 43 of the handle 40 extends from the base 42 to an end 44 of the handle 40, which is opposite from the base 42 of the handle 40 and may also be referred to herein as a “second end” of the handle 40.

[0035] A distance across (e.g., a diameter, etc.) the body 43 of the handle 40 may be small enough to enable the vast majority of individuals to readily grasp the handle 40 and manipulate the brush 10. In some embodiments, a maximum dimension across the handle 40 may be about 1.35 inches (about 3.5 cm) or less. Maximum dimensions across the handle 40 of 5 cm or less (e.g., 5 cm, 4.5 cm, 4 cm, 3.5 cm, 3 cm, 2.5 cm, 2 cm, any range between any of the foregoing, etc.) may also be acceptable.

[0036] As illustrated, the handle 40 is elongated and has a shape that transitions from a round cross-section (e.g., a circular cross-section, an oval cross-section, etc.) taken at the base 42 to a rounded square (i.e., squircle) shape taken along the body 43 and at the end 44. Other shapes are, of course, also within the scope of this disclosure, including circular and oval cylindrical shapes, polygonal prismatic shapes (e.g., shapes with cross-sections of a polygon (e.g., a rectangle, such as a square, etc.), a regular polygon, another rounded polygon, a Reuleaux polygon (i.e., a polygon with rounded sides and pointed corners), etc.), or the like.

[0037] Electronic controls of the brush 10 may be located on the body 43 of the handle 40. For example, the body 43 may include a power (i.e., on/off) button 45 and a temperature control button 46. Referring briefly to FIG. 5, the electronic controls, such as the power button 45 and the temperature control button 46, may control the flow of power from a power supply 70 of the brush 10 to electronics 72 of the brush 10 and, ultimately, to a motor 76 of a fan 74 and an optional heating element 78. Thus, the electronic controls may control operation of various electrical components of the brush 10.

[0038] With reference returned to FIGS. 2 and 4, the body 43 may also include one or more indicators, such as the depicted indicator lights 47, 48, and 49, that communicate and function under control of the electronics 72 (FIG. 5) of the brush 10. Each indicator light 47, 48, 49 may comprise a light-emitting diode (LED). In some embodiments, one or more indicator lights 47, 48, 49 may include a one or more LEDs that emit two or more different colors (e.g., red, yellow, green, blue, etc.).

[0039] One or more of the indicator lights 47, 48, and 49 may comprise a dedicated indicator that outputs a status of the brush 10. For example, an indicator light 47 that comprises a power indicator may emit a single color of light when the electronics of the brush 10 have been turned on. As another example, an indicator light 48 that comprises a battery charge indicator may emit any of a plurality of different colors to provide an output that corresponds to an extent to which a battery of the brush 10 has been charged; for example, a red light for a low charge (e.g., less than 25% of capacity, less than 20% of capacity, less than 10% of capacity, etc.), a yellow light for a medium charge (e.g., more than a low charge, as set forth above, but less than a nearly full charge, such as less than 50% of capacity, less than 60% of capacity, less than 75% of capacity, etc.), and a green light for a nearly full or full charge (e.g., more than a medium charge, as set forth above, etc.). As yet another example, an indicator light 49 that comprises a temperature output indicator may emit any of a plurality of different colors to provide an output that corresponds to a temperature of air output by the brush 10; for example, blue light for cool (or room temperature) air, yellow light for warm (or above room temperature) air, and red light for hot air.

[0040] Alternatively, or in addition to the foregoing, two or more of the indicator lights 47, 48, 49 may function together to provide one or more indicators of the status of the brush 10. For example, when the lights 47, 48, 49 provide an indicator of a battery charge, the number of indicator lights 47, 48, and 49 that are illuminated may provide a representation of the capacity to which a battery of the brush 10 has been charged, with one illuminated indicator light 47 representing a low charge, two illuminated indicator lights 47 and 48 representing a medium charge, and three illuminated indicator lights 47, 48, and 49 representing a nearly full or full charge. As another example, when the lights 47, 48, 49 provide an indicator of an air output temperature, the number of indicator lights 47, 48, and 49 that are illuminated may represent a temperature of air output by the brush 10; for example, one illuminated indicator light 47 may represent a cool (or room temperature) air, two illuminated indicator lights 47 and 48 may represent warm (or above room temperature) air, and three illuminated indicator lights 47, 48, and 49 may represent hot air.

[0041] In some embodiments, a vent 50 may be positioned in or adjacent to an end 44 of the handle 40. In the depicted embodiment, the vent 50 may include an array of apertures 51 around a portion of the body 43 of the handle 40 adjacent to the end 44. Vents 50 with other configurations may also be used in a brush 10 according to this disclosure.

[0042] The vent 50 may provide for passive ventilation of electronics carried by the handle. Alternatively, the vent 50 may participate in airflow through the brush 10, in which case it may provide a location through which air from outside the brush 10 may be drawn into an interior of the brush 10 and past electronics within the brush 10 (e.g., within the handle 40, within the head 20, etc.). As air flows past the electronics, it may actively carry heat generated by the electronics away from the electronics and, thus, it may be heated somewhat. In embodiments where the brush 10 includes a heating element, use of the air to move heat away from the electronics may reduce the amount of power needed by the heating element to heat the air to a desired temperature. The air may ultimately be forced out of the interior of the brush 10 through the apertures 30 in the styling surface 26 of the head 20 of the brush 10, from which the air may be directed toward the hair of an individual as the bristles 28 protruding from the styling surface 26 are used to brush the individual's hair.

[0043] The handle 40 of the brush 10 may also facilitate the supply of power to electronics and electrical components of the brush 10. As illustrated, a power cord 55 (e.g., an AC (alternating current) electrical cord, etc.) may extend from the end 44 of the handle 40. In other embodiments, the handle 40 may include charging contacts and/or a charging port (e.g., a USB port, a port that receives a DC (direct current) end of a conventional AC/DC adapter, etc.).

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 5, an example of a first arrangement of components within an interior 11 of the brush 10 is depicted. As illustrated, a power source 70 and electronics 72 of the brush 10 may be carried within an interior 41 of the handle 40 of the brush 10. A fan 74, its motor 76, and an optional heating element 78 may be carried within an interior 21 of the head 20 of the brush 10. More specifically, the fan 74 and its motor 76 may be located within the base portion 25 of the head 20, adjacent to the base 24 of the head 20 and in communication with the vent 32 in the base 24.

[0045] An orientation of the fan 74 may enable it to draw air through the vent 50 at the end 44 of the handle 40 and into the interior 41 of the handle 40. Air that is drawn through the vent 50 and into the interior 41 of the handle may flow past the power source 70 and electronics 72 within the interior 41 of the handle 40. As the air flows through the interior 41 of the handle 40, it may carry heat away from the power source 70 and electronics 72, effectively cooling the power source 70 and electronics 72. The fan 74 may then draw the air into the interior 21 of the head 20. As the air flows through the interior 11 of the brush 10, it may encounter the optional heating element 78, which may further heat the air. Additionally, or in the alternative, an orientation of the fan 74 may enable it to draw air through the vent 32 in the base 24 of the head 20 and into the interior 21 of the head 20. In embodiments where the brush 10 includes a heating element 78 in the interior 21 of the head 20, the air may be heated as it flows past the heating element 78. The fan 74 may push the air that has been drawn into the interior 21 of the head 20 to one or more locations beneath the styling surface 26 of the head 20, where the air may be forced out of the interior 21 of the head 20 through the apertures 30 in the styling surface 26. The apertures 30 may direct the air toward hair that is being brushed with the bristles 28 of the brush 10.

[0046] Turning now to FIG. 6, an example of a second arrangement of components within an interior 11′ of a brush 10′ is depicted. A fan 74′, its motor 76′, and an optional heating element 78′ may be carried within an interior 21′ of the head 20′ of the brush 10′. More specifically, the fan 74′ and its motor 76′ may be located adjacent to the end 22′ of the head 20′, within an end portion 23′ of the head 20′. The embodiment of brush 10′ depicted by FIG. 6 includes a vent 32′ in the end 22′ of the head 20′, in communication with the fan 74′.

[0047] An orientation of the fan 74′ may enable it to draw air through the vent 32′ at the end 22′ of the head 20′ and into the interior 21′ of the head 20′. Air that is drawn into the interior 21′ through the vent 32′ may encounter an optional heating element 78′, which may heat the air. The fan 74′ may push the air that has been drawn into the interior 21′ of the head 20′ to one or more locations beneath the styling surface 26′ of the head 20′, where the air may be forced out of the interior 21′ of the head 20′ through the apertures 30′ in the styling surface 26′. The apertures 30′ may direct the air toward hair that is being brushed with the bristles 28′ of the brush 10′.

[0048] A power source 70′ and electronics 72′ of the brush 10′ may be carried within an interior 41′ of the handle 40′ of the brush 10′. A vent 50′ in the handle 40′ may provide for passive ventilation of the power supply 70′, the electronics 72′, and any other electrical components carried by, or within the interior 41′ of, the handle 40′. In such an embodiment, communication between the interior 41′ of the handle 40′ and the interior 21′ of the head 20′ may be limited to prevent the vent 50′ in the handle 40′ from interfering with airflow through the head 20′ and out of the apertures 30′ through the styling surface 26′.

[0049] With reference now turned to FIG. 7, another embodiment of brush 10″ is depicted. The brush 10″ comprises a round brush similar in appearance to brushes 10 (FIGS. 2-5) and 10′ (FIG. 6). The brush 10″ includes a head 20″ with elongated, curved, or wave-shaped, apertures 30″ in its styling surface 26″. Columns 30c″ of apertures 30″ are arranged in such a way that each row 30r″ of apertures 30″ extending around a circumference of the styling surface 26″ has the appearance of a wave. The styling surface 26″ of brush 10″ may cover substantially all of the outer periphery of the head 20″.

[0050] FIGS. 8 and 9 depict wireless embodiments of brushes 110 and 110′, which may be configured and operate in the same manner as or a manner similar to the styling tools described by U.S. Pat. No. 11,191,336, issued on Dec. 7, 2021 (“the '336 Patent”), the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein. Thus, the power supply of each brushes 110, 110′ may comprise one or more batteries, along with power supply ports and/or contacts that communicate with the battery or batteries directly or through electronics of the brush 110, 110′. The embodiment of brush 110 shown in FIG. 8 is a round brush, while the embodiment of brush 110′ shown in FIG. 9 is a paddle brush.

[0051] The brushes 110 and 110′ may include electronics that, when the brushes 110 and 110′ are plugged into to a power source, enable their batteries to charge while they simultaneously function. The electronics of such a brush 110, 110′ may selectively control the flow of power to the battery(ies) (i.e., the power supply) of the brush 110, 110′ and one or more heating elements of the brush 110, 110′. Thus, the electronics may control operation of the brush 110, 110′. For example, the electronics may include a switch (not a power button) and associated logic that control the flow of power through the circuitry of the brush 110, 110′ from an external power source to the battery(ies) and from the external power source and/or the battery(ies) to the heating element. The circuitry of the electronics may comprise a group of isolated circuits. The isolated circuits may be interconnected by the switch or by a plurality of switches that operate under control of the associated logic. In embodiments where the isolated circuits are interconnected by one or more switches, all of the features of the brush 110, 110′ that receive power from the isolated circuits may operate under DC power.

[0052] When a power button 145, 145′ of the brush 110, 110′ is in an off position, the switch(es) of the electronics may direct power from the external power source to the battery(ies) until the battery(ies) is (are) fully charged. When the power button 145, 145′ is in an on position and the brush 110, 110′ is plugged into the external power source, the switch(es) of the electronics may prioritize the direction of power from the external power source to the heating element over the direction of power from the external power source to the battery(ies), which may enable the heating element to be heated to a target temperature before power is diverted to the battery(ies) so it (they) can be charged. When the power button 145, 145′ is in the on position and the brush 110, 110′ is disconnected from the external power source, the switch(es) of the electronics may direct power from the battery(ies) to the heating element.

[0053] In some embodiments, the switch(es) of the electronics terminate the flow of power from the battery(ies) to the heating element when the heating element is heated to the target temperature or a maximum threshold temperature that exceeds the target temperature (e.g., about 115% of the target temperature, about 110% of the target temperature, about 105% of the target temperature, the target temperature, etc.). As the temperature of the heating element drops to a minimum threshold temperature below the target temperature (e.g., about 95% of the target temperature, about 90% of the target temperature, about 85% of the target temperature, etc.), the switch(es) of the electronics may cause power to flow from the battery(ies) to the heating element until the heating element is again heated to the maximum threshold temperature. Thus, the switch(es) of the electronics may cause power to flow from the battery(ies) to the heating element in a controlled, intermittent manner.

[0054] The electronics may also control a charge rate and/or discharge rate, or C-rate, of the battery(ies).

[0055] As another example, the brushes 110 and 110′ may include displays 147 and 147′, respectively, that output information in the same manner as that described in the '336 Patent. The display 147, 147′ may have a circular shape. The display 147, 147′ may provide an individual with a variety of information regarding an operational state of the brush 110, 110′ or one or more of its components. As illustrated by FIG. 10, the display 147, 147′ may include a battery indicator 148 and a temperature indicator 149. In embodiments where the display 147, 147′ has a circular shape, the battery indicator 148 may also be circular in shape. Such a battery indicator 148 may be located adjacent to an outer periphery of the display 147, 147′. When the battery(ies) of the brush 110, 110′ (FIGS. 8 and 9, respectively) is (are) fully charged, the battery indicator 148 may appear as a complete circle. When the battery(ies) is (are) only partially charged, the battery indicator 148 may represent such a charge as a corresponding fraction of a circle (e.g., a battery charge of 75% would be represented by the battery indicator 148 as 75% of a circle, a battery charge of 50% would be represented by the battery indicator 148 as 50% of a circle (i.e., as a semicircle), a battery charge of 20% would be represented by the battery indicator 148 as 20% of a circle, etc.). In embodiments where the battery indicator 148 is circular, it may surround the temperature indicator 149.

[0056] The temperature indicator 149 may display a numeric value. As an example, the temperature indicator 149 may display a target temperature for the heating element of the brush 110, 110′ (FIGS. 8 and 9, respectively). Additionally, the temperature indicator 149 may provide an individual with some indication of the temperature of the heating element. For example, the displayed numeric value may flash until the heating element reaches the target temperature and then provide a constant display of the target temperature once the heating element has been heated to the target temperature and while it remains at the target temperature. As the charge of the battery(ies) of the brush 110, 110′ approaches a level that is not sufficient to maintain the heating element at the target temperature, the temperature indicator 149 may provide a display indicating the same; in a specific embodiment, the temperature indicator 149 may display a “LoP” to indicate that the battery(ies) are no longer or will soon be no longer able to maintain the heating element at the target temperature.

[0057] Although this disclosure provides many specifics, the specifics should not be construed as limiting the scope of any appended claim, but merely as providing information pertinent to some specific embodiments that may fall within the scopes of the appended claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. In addition, the scope of each appended claim may encompass other, undisclosed embodiments. All additions to, deletions from, and modifications of the disclosed subject matter that fall within the scopes of the claims are to be embraced by the claims.