HAIR STYLING DEVICE

Abstract

A hair styling device comprises a hair brush portion and an air mover portion comprising a heating element and a fan. The hair brush portion comprises a hollow brush head. The hollow brush head comprises bristles and apertures to allow air to exit the brush head in the region of the bristles. The brush head comprises at least one baffle arranged within the hollow brush head and extending radially inwardly from an inner wall thereof so as to peel off air from the periphery of the flow through the hollow brush head and direct it through the apertures.

Claims

1. A hair brush portion for a hair styling device comprising an air mover portion comprising a heating element and a fan; the hair brush portion comprising a hollow brush head; the hollow brush head comprising bristles and apertures to allow air to exit the brush head in the region of the bristles; the brush head comprising at least one baffle arranged within the hollow brush head and extending radially inwardly from an inner wall thereof so as to peel off air from the periphery of the flow through the hollow brush head and direct it through the apertures.

2. A hair brush portion according to claim 1 wherein the brush head is cylindrical and wherein the hollow brush head has a central longitudinal axis extending therethrough and the at least one baffle is disposed outside the central longitudinal axis.

3. A hair brush portion according to claim 1, wherein the at least one baffle is a frustoconical baffle.

4. (canceled)

5. A hair brush portion according to claim 2 wherein the at least one baffle is disposed at an acute angle to the central axis, wherein the baffle is curved and wherein the curvature of the baffle is such that the acute angle of the baffle to the central axis increases outwardly.

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. A hair brush portion according to claim 1, wherein the bristles are arranged along the length of the hollow brush head and extend further towards the distal end of the brush head than the apertures, wherein the apertures are elongate slots and are arranged longitudinally.

9. A hair brush portion according to claim 1, wherein the brush head has an open proximal end, from which it receives air and a closed distal end; wherein the bristles extend along the length of the brush head between the proximal end and the distal end and wherein the at least one baffle is disposed adjacent to the inner wall of the brush head in the region of the third of the bristles closer to the proximal end.

10. (canceled)

11. A hair brush portion according to claim 9 wherein the baffle is arranged such that as it extends inwardly, it extends towards the proximal end of the brush head.

12. A hair brush portion according to claim 1, wherein the hollow brush head comprises at least one further baffle.

13. A hair brush portion according to claim 12 wherein the hollow brush head comprises only the at least one baffle and one further baffle.

14. A hair brush portion according to claim 12 wherein the further baffle is disposed in line with the central longitudinal axis so as to direct air from the centre of the flow towards the inner wall of the brush head and out of the apertures.

15. A hair brush portion according to claim 12 wherein the further baffle is disposed at an acute angle to the central axis, wherein the further baffle is conical and curved, and the curvature of the further baffle is such that the acute angle of the baffle to the central axis increases outwardly.

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. A hair brush portion according to claim 12 wherein the further baffle extends radially inwardly and towards the proximal end of the brush head from the periphery and wherein the further baffle extends across the entire inside of the hollow brush head.

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. A hair brush portion according to claim 12 wherein the further baffle is disposed adjacent to the inner wall of the brush head in the region of the half of the bristles closer to the distal end.

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

24. A hair brush portion according to claim 1, wherein at least some or all of the bristles comprise a first portion which tapers from the base and a second portion which is narrow relative to the first, relatively wide, portion and extends from the first portion to the free end; the bristles being arranged in two or more spaced apart, offset, rows wherein centre lines of the rows are spaced apart such that at least part of the first portion of bristles in one row extends between adjacent bristles in an adjacent row; and/or, when viewed perpendicular to the rows, the width of the first portion of the bristles in one row is, over part of their length, the same or greater than the space between adjacent bristles in an adjacent row so as to partially occlude the space between bristles in an adjacent row; and the bristles are sized and arranged so that, in use, the second portion serves to penetrate and divide hair between the bristles and the first portion of the bristles enables tension to be applied to the hair when hair flows between the bristles.

25. A hair brush portion according to claim 24 wherein the first and second portions of the bristles are resiliently flexible and the second portion of the bristles is more flexible than the first; wherein each first portion has a non-circular transverse cross-section at its base which gradually transitions to a substantially circular cross-section at the point where it meets the second portion, and the second portion has a substantially circular cross-section over all or substantially all of its length.

26. A hair styling device comprising an air mover portion comprising a heating element and a fan and a hair brush portion according to claim 1.

27. A hair styling device comprising an air mover portion comprising a heating element and a fan and a hair brush portion; the hair brush portion comprising a hollow handle and a hollow brush head; the hollow brush head comprising bristles and apertures to allow air to exit the brush head in the region of the bristles; the brush head being provided on the hollow handle at a distal end thereof; and the handle having a grip part around which, in use, a user wraps his/her hand; wherein, in use, hot air passing through the handle passes within an inner tube, with an outer tube forming the handle and a gap between the inner and outer tubes; wherein ambient air is provided in the gap between the inner and outer tubes.

28. A hair styling device according to claim 27 wherein at least some or all of the bristles comprise a first portion which tapers from the base and a second portion which is narrow relative to the first, relatively wide, portion and extends from the first portion to the free end; the bristles being arranged in two or more spaced apart, offset, rows wherein centre lines of the rows are spaced apart such that at least part of the first portion of bristles in one row extends between adjacent bristles in an adjacent row; and/or, when viewed perpendicular to the rows, the width of the first portion of the bristles in one row is, over part of their length, the same or greater than the space between adjacent bristles in an adjacent row so as to partially occlude the space between bristles in an adjacent row; and the bristles are sized and arranged so that, in use, the second portion serves to penetrate and divide hair between the bristles and the first portion of the bristles enables tension to be applied to the hair when hair flows between the bristles.

29. A hair styling device according to claim 27 wherein the ambient air is forced between in the inner and outer tubes wherein the inner tube is a nozzle; the nozzle forming part of the air mover portion and through which air passes from an inlet to an outlet and wherein the air mover portion is configured to divert unheated air between the handle and the nozzle, outside the nozzle, but inside the handle, in the gap therebetween.

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. (canceled)

33. A hair styling device according to claim 29, wherein the nozzle or handle is provided with heat insulation on its interior wherein the heat insulation comprises a heat insulating tube, wherein the heat insulating tube is a mica tube.

34. (canceled)

35. (canceled)

36. (canceled)

37. (canceled)

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0110] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0111] FIG. 1 is a side view of a hair styling device according to the invention;

[0112] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hair styling device of FIG. 1;

[0113] FIG. 3 is a lateral cross section through the hair styling device of FIG. 1;

[0114] FIG. 4 is an enlarged lateral cross-sectional view in the region of the brush head of the device of FIG. 1;

[0115] FIG. 5 is an enlarged isometric cross-sectional view in the region of the brush head of the device of FIG. 1;

[0116] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross section through the device of FIG. 1 along the line A-A in FIG. 4;

[0117] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 in the region of the connection between the brush head portion and the air mover portion;

[0118] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view through the air mover portion of the device of FIG. 1;

[0119] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of part of the air mover portion of the device, rotated slightly from the view of FIG. 8;

[0120] FIG. 10 is a lateral cross-sectional view through the rear of the device of FIG. 1;

[0121] FIG. 11 is a lateral cross-sectional view of components of the air mover portion of the device of FIG. 1 with the outer housing removed;

[0122] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the components of FIG. 11;

[0123] FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of part of an alternative brush head portion for the device of FIG. 1;

[0124] FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of part of the alternative brush head portion of FIG. 13;

[0125] FIG. 15 is a lateral cross sectional view through the brush head portion of FIGS. 13 and 14;

[0126] FIG. 16 is the side view of the hair styling device of FIG. 1 shown in-use; and

[0127] FIG. 17 is a lateral cross sectional view through a further embodiment of a hair styling device, in the region of the brush head.

[0128] With reference to the figures, and FIGS. 1-5 and 16 in particular, a hair styling device 1 comprises a radial hair brush portion 2 and an air mover portion 3. In the embodiment, the radial hair brush portion 2 and air mover portion 3 are readily separable, and an alternative paddle hair brush portion 2a is provided, as shown in FIGS. 13-15, which can replace the radial hair brush portion 2 as desired and is described in further detail later. Further alternative hair brush portions may be provided, for example, radial hair brush portions of different diameter.

[0129] The radial hair brush portion 2 comprises a tubular brush handle section including a hollow handle 4 with a flared section 6 at the rear and a brush head support section 5 at the front. This brush handle section can be formed as a single body by injection moulding plastic. The brush head support section 5 is generally cylindrical, although the brush handle section up to the flared rear section is, strictly speaking, trilobular in cross section to assist with gripping (and could, of course, have other forms) and generally cylindrical. moreover, it is not strictly cylindrical as it has a gentle taper of about 2 degrees total included angle, with increasing diameter from front to rear. The external diameter of the handle (up to the flare) is about 3-3.5 cm (varying in line with the taper). The handle 4 has a length of about 10 cm between the brush head support section 5 and the flared section 6. This is the grip part which, as shown in FIG. 16 will be gripped by the user, who holds the grip part in his/her hand, with its longitudinal axis across the palm, and wraps his/her fingers and thumb (generally circumferentially) around the periphery, to use the brush, either alone, as a hair brush, or attached to the air mover portion 3 as a hot air styler. The grip part of the handle 4 in this embodiment is smooth, and is shown in FIG. 16 with a typical female hand wrapped around it. The average female hand width (corresponding to the width across the palm at the widest point) is understood to be 74 mm, and the average male hand width is understood to be 84 mm—of course, those with larger hands could still grip the grip part of the handle in the same fashion, wrapping their hand around it, but large handed people's palms would extend part-way up the flared section 6 of the handle 4. The rear of the radial hair brush portion 2 is open.

[0130] Whereas the grip part of the hair brush portion has only a slight taper towards the flared section 6, the flared section 6 itself increases in diameter more steeply, at an angle of about 30 degrees total included angle.

[0131] At the front of the brush head support section 5 (the distal end of the radial hair brush portion 2, furthest from the connection to the air mover portion 3), a rebate, or cut-out is provided in the tubular brush handle section. This receives an end-cap 7, which can also be injection moulded from plastic and which provides a closed front/distal end. The end cap 7 can be attached by a resistance/interference fit, glue, plastic welding or other known techniques. The end cap 7, best seen in FIG. 4 is generally cylindrical, but whereas the externally facing (distal) end is flat (and open in this embodiment), the internal end is conical, extending into the brush head support section 5 from the inner wall of the brush head support section 5 radially inwardly and longitudinally towards the flared section 6 to a tip. The walls of the conical section are curved, so as to provide a curved outer surface which forms a baffle 8 to direct air, (flowing from the air mover portion 3 towards the distal end of the radial hair brush portion) towards the edges.

[0132] The tip of the conical baffle 8 is disposed in line with the central longitudinal axis so as to direct air from the centre of the flow towards the inner wall of the brush head support section 5. On account of its conical shape, the conical baffle 8 is disposed at an acute angle to the central axis. The curvature of the baffle is such that the acute angle of the conical baffle 8 to the central longitudinal axis increases radially outwardly.

[0133] Approximately half way between its ends, the end cap 7 is provided with a circumferential rib 9, extending radially outwardly. The rib 9 is disposed slightly beyond (e.g. 1-2 mm beyond) the distal end of the tubular brush head support section 5, so as to provide a circumferential gap, or recess.

[0134] The brush head support section 5 is thicker than the grip part of the handle 4, and around the outer circumferential surface of the brush head support section 5, a bristle sleeve 10 is provided. The bristle sleeve 10 is another injection moulded plastic component. The plastic of the bristle sleeve 10 is different from the other components (which could for example be formed from PP), and may, for example, be formed of a polyester elastomer, in particular Hytrel® available from Du Pont®, for example grade 5556 Hytrel®. This is because, whilst the main requirement for the other parts is an attractive appearance and sufficient strength/stiffness, the bristle sleeve 10 comprises an array of bristles 11, whose properties, in particular flexibility, are important to the hair-styling function of the device 1.

[0135] The bristle sleeve 10 has a hollow tubular inner surface, and extends over the entire length of the brush head support section 5 and over the rib 9, so as to provide a brush head. It has, at the distal end, a radially inwardly extending circumferential flange 12, which fits into the gap between the distal end of the tubular brush head support section 5 and the rib 9, and may comprise further radially inwardly extending means of attachment, such as a clip or the like at the proximal end, to clip into a corresponding recess in the outer circumferential surface of the brush head support section 5. It may also be adhered or otherwise bonded/fastened to the brush head support section 5.

[0136] In this embodiment, the array of bristles 11 is provided in six groups, each group being separated from an adjacent group by a series of apertures 13. In this example, each series of apertures 13 is provided as four elongate slots arranged end-to-end longitudinally along the bristle sleeve 10. Each of the slots proximal the grip part of the handle begins at a position closer to the grip than does the first of the bristles 11, on the other hand, at the opposite, distal, end, the last of the four slots terminates at a position closer to the grip than does the last of the bristles 11 (i.e. the slots are proximally offset relative to the groups of bristles 11).

[0137] Each bristle 11 in each group of bristles 11 comprises a first portion 14 which tapers from the base and a second portion 15 which is narrow relative to the first, relatively wide, portion 14 and extends from the first portion 14 to the free end. The bristles 11 in each group are arranged in four spaced apart, offset, rows wherein centre lines of the rows are spaced apart such that at least part of the first portion 14 of bristles 11 in one row extends between adjacent bristles 11 in an adjacent row; and, when viewed perpendicular to the rows, the width of the first portion 14 of the bristles 11 in one row is, over part of their length, greater than the space between adjacent bristles 11 in an adjacent row so as to partially occlude the space between bristles 11 in an adjacent row. Thus, the bristles 11 are sized and arranged so that, in use, the second portion 15 serves to penetrate and divide hair between the bristles and the first portion of the bristles 14 enables tension to be applied to the hair when hair flows between the bristles 11.

[0138] The second portion 15 of the bristles helps to easily divide the hair, as well as helping remove tangles. By virtue of their greater width, and the arrangement of the bristles 11, the space between the first portions of the bristles 14 is less than between the second portions 15. Consequently, as hair flows between the first portions 14 of the bristles 11 there is greater friction between the bristles 11 and hair, enabling tension to be applied to the hair, improving the styling ability compared to hot air stylers with ordinary bristles.

[0139] The bristles 11 are resiliently flexible and the second portion of the bristles 11 is more flexible than the first, which is stiffer on account of having a larger transverse cross-sectional area then the second portion 15.

[0140] The width of the widest part of the first portion 14 of each bristle 11 is about four times the width of any part of the second portion 15. The length of the bristles 11 is about four times their maximum width.

[0141] Two opposed edges of the first portion 14 of each bristle 11 taper towards each other with a minimum average angle of at least 10 degrees between the opposed edges over the length of the first portion 14, and opposite sides of the second portion 15 taper towards each other with a maximum average angle of 5 degrees between opposed edges over the length of the second portion 15.

[0142] The angle between the opposed edges of the first portion 14 increases from the base of the bristle to the end of the first portion 14, such that the opposed edges are curved.

[0143] The degree of taper of the bristles 11 changes abruptly at the interface between the first portion 14 and second portion 15 of the bristles.

[0144] Each first portion 14 has an oval transverse cross-section at its base, which gradually transitions to a substantially circular cross-section at the point where it meets the second portion 15. Each second portion 15 has a substantially circular cross-section over all or substantially all of its length. All opposed edges of each second portion 15 taper towards each other with a maximum average angle of 3 degrees between the opposed edges over the length of the second portion.

[0145] The length of the second portion 15 is about one quarter of the length of the first portion 14, and the bases of adjacent bristles in each row are spaced apart by a distance which is a third of the maximum width of the base of the bristles.

[0146] Each row of bristles 11 is substantially straight. The rows are generally parallel. The bristles 11 in each row are all evenly spaced apart by substantially the same distance. Adjacent rows are offset relative to each other so that the centre of each bristle 11 in a row is substantially aligned with the midpoint between bristles 11 in an adjacent row. In this embodiment each of the six groups of bristles 11 comprises four long rows of bristles 11, and each row contains either twelve or thirteen bristles 11 (adjacent rows alternating between twelve and thirteen bristles).

[0147] The long axis of the oval cross-section of each bristle 11 is substantially aligned with the direction of the long row of which it forms a part.

[0148] As best seen in FIG. 4, each of the six series of apertures 13 which separate the six groups of bristles 11 is provided as four elongate slots arranged end-to-end longitudinally along the bristle sleeve 10 and is aligned with a corresponding series of apertures 16 in the brush head support section 5. Each series of apertures 16 is provided as two elongate slots 16a, 16b arranged end-to-end longitudinally along the brush head support section 5. A first of the elongate slots 16a in each series of apertures 16 through the brush head support section 5 corresponds in position to the slot through the bristle sleeve 10 proximal the grip part of the handle 4. The second elongate slot 16b extends from the proximal end of the next slot through the bristle sleeve 10 all the way to the distal end of the last of the four slots at the distal end of the brush head support section 5.

[0149] Between the first slots 16a and the second slots 16b, i.e. towards the proximal end of the brush head support section 5, a generally frustoconical baffle 17 is provided within the brush head support section 5, and integrally moulded therewith, (best seen in FIGS. 3-5). The frustoconical baffle 17 extends radially inwardly from the inner cylindrical wall of the brush head support section so as to peel off air from the periphery of the flow through the hollow brush head and direct it through the first elongate slots 16a in the brush head support section and out of the corresponding slots 13 at the proximal end of the bristle sleeve 10.

[0150] The frustoconical baffle 17 is disposed outside the central longitudinal axis, so as to only peel off air extending down the longitudinal axis from the periphery, but does not impede the main flow of air too much, preserving the flow down the centre of the brush head towards the conical baffle 8 which is arranged towards the distal end.

[0151] The frustoconical baffle 17, whilst generally frustoconical in shape, is, like the conical baffle 8, curved. The curvature is such that the angle of the baffle with respect to the central axis is acute and becomes smaller as the frustoconical baffle 17 extends inwardly. The frustoconical baffle 17 is arranged such that as it extends inwardly, it extends towards the proximal end of the hair brush portion 2. This ensures that the acute angle is arranged in the correct direction, so as to peel off air as required, not to direct air from the periphery towards the central longitudinal axis.

[0152] As set out above, the bristles 11 are arranged along the length of the hollow brush head. They extend further down the brush head (towards the distal end) than the apertures 13, and the apertures 13 start closer to the proximal end than the bristles 11. The peeling off of the air, by the curved frustoconical baffle 17 and the curved conical baffle 8 leads to air tending to exit the apertures 13 at an angle, in view of the acute angle of the baffles 8, 17. In consequence, air exiting the apertures 13 flows past bristles 11 even if they are further down the brush head than the apertures 13.

[0153] Thus, the arrangement of the baffles 8, 17 with respect to the bristles 11 is such that the frustoconical baffle 17 extends inwardly within the first third of the bristles, closest to the proximal end. In particular, it extends inwardly from a position approximately one sixth of the distance along the bristles 11, from the proximal end.

[0154] The conical baffle 8, on the other hand, is arranged such that it extends inwardly from the inner wall of the brush head support section 5 in the region of the final third of the bristles, furthest from the proximal end. In particular, it extends inwardly from a position approximately five sixths of the distance along the bristles 11 from the proximal end, i.e. one sixth of the way from the distal end of the bristles 11.

[0155] Like the frustoconical baffle 17, the conical baffle 8, of course is intended to direct air out of the apertures. It is intended to direct all the air that passes through the central aperture in the frustoconical baffle 17 out of the apertures 13, 16b in the brush head in as undisturbed/unthrottled fashion as possible.

[0156] Each baffle 8, 17 is unperforated, i.e. solid apart from the single large central aperture defined by the radially inner edges of the frustoconical baffle 17.

[0157] Air is supplied to the brush head of the radial hair brush portion 2 from the outlet of a nozzle 18 of the air mover portion 3. The outlet/mouth of the nozzle 18 is disposed in the proximal end of the brush head support section 5, and the nozzle 18 extends from its mouth rearwards, arranged co-axially within the handle 4.

[0158] In this particular embodiment, the inner diameter of the mouth is 21 mm, the diameter of the radially inside edge of the frustoconical baffle is 11 mm. The mouth of the nozzle is axially spaced by 6 mm from the frustoconical baffle 17. This leads to an annular gap between the inner diameter of the mouth and the radially inside edge of the frustoconical baffle 17 with a cross sectional area of 105 mm.sup.2.

[0159] This gap is important as it is necessary that a sufficient amount of air from the mouth of the nozzle reaches the curved surface of the frustoconical baffle 17 and is peeled off through the first slots 16a, whilst the remainder flows through the aperture defined by the inside edges of the frustoconical baffle and out of the second slots 16b.

[0160] The entire hair brush portion 2 is arranged to rotate relative to the entire air mover portion 3. To achieve this, a bearing is provided in the region of the mouth of the nozzle 18 between the nozzle 18 and the brush head support section 5. A similar bearing described further below is provided in the region of the end of the flared section 6 of the radial hair brush portion.

[0161] The bearing between the nozzle 18 and the brush head support section 5 is provided by a plurality of intermittent plain bearing members 19, six in total, formed equidistantly around the inside of the proximal end of the brush head support section 5 of the hair brush portion, and arranged to bear on an annular bearing surface 24 on the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle 18. Each plain bearing member is about 3.5 mm long (axially), extends (laterally) across approximately 4.4 mm of the inner circumference of the hair brush portion, and is separated from each of its neighbours by approximately 9 mm, such that the bearing members obstruct less than a third of the circumference of the gap.

[0162] With reference to FIGS. 3, 8 and 9 in particular, the nozzle or “nose cone” 18 of the air mover portion 3 is injection moulded from plastic so as to have a tubular section 20 which is arranged coaxially within the grip part of the handle 4 and a conical section 21 at the rear thereof, which is arranged coaxially within the flared section 6 of the radial hair brush portion 5 and increases in diameter rearwards from the tubular section 20. As best seen in FIG. 9, a heat-reflective insulating tube 22 formed of mica is die-cut, rolled and disposed within the tubular section 20 and a similar heat reflective insulating “cone” 23 of mica is die-cut, rolled and disposed within the conical section 21. These mica inserts reduce the extent to which the nozzle 18 heats up in use.

[0163] To further reduce the extent to which the grip part of the handle 4 heats up (if at all), an annular air-gap is provided between the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle 18 and the inner circumferential surface of the handle 4, which are separated from each other by an average distance of approximately 1.5 mm.

[0164] As mentioned above, in addition to the bearing formed in the region of the mouth of the nozzle 18, between the nozzle 18 and the brush head support section 5 of the hair brush portion 2, a second bearing between the air mover portion 3 and the hair brush portion 2 is provided in the region of the end of the flared section 6 of the radial hair brush portion 2. This second, proximal, bearing is a plain bearing, formed by an annular plain bearing surface 25 (best seen in FIGS. 7-9) on the outer circumferential surface of the air mover portion 3 at the rear of the conical section 21 thereof, and an annular plain bearing surface 26 (best seen in FIG. 7) formed on the inner circumferential surface of the flared section 6. Both of the annular plain bearing surfaces 25, 26 are formed to have a constant diameter along their length (in contrast to the flared or generally conical nature of the components that they are part of).

[0165] As best shown in FIG. 10, to the rear of the annular bearing surfaces 25, 26 of the proximal bearing, a means of attachment/connection is provided which allows for relative rotation between the handle of the radial hair brush portion 2 and the air mover portion 3, and allows for simple detachment/attachment of the radial hair brush portion 2 and the air mover portion 3.

[0166] The attachment means comprise a connector formed on the outer surface of air mover portion 3 and a connector formed on the inner surface the hair brush portion 2. The connectors are irrotatable relative to their respective portions, but are infinitely rotatable in use (i.e. the two parts can be spun beyond 360 degrees with respect to one another and theoretically infinitely rotated, with nothing preventing continued rotation).

[0167] The connector on the air mover portion 3 is a continuous clip ring 27, i.e. a ring extending radially outwardly and extending around the outer circumferential surface, to which the connector on the radial hair brush portion 2 can clip. The clip ring 27 has a ramped leading face 29, i.e. the face which faces towards the mouth of the nozzle 18 is tapered, so as to form an incline increasing, gradually, in diameter from its front to its rear, so as to form an angle of about 20 degrees to the longitudinal axis. The trailing face, on the other hand is un-ramped, i.e. predominantly un-ramped and instead is close to perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, having an angle of about 60 degrees.

[0168] The connector on the hair brush portion 2, on the other hand, comprises a plurality of localised clip features 28 (visible in FIG. 7, but in view of their localisation, not visible in FIG. 3 or 10). The clip features 28 are evenly spaced around the inner circumferential surface of the flared part of the hollow handle portion and arranged at its proximal end. The clip features 28 each have a ramped leading face 30, i.e. the face which faces towards the clip ring 27 as they are attached to one another is tapered, so as to form an incline increasing, gradually, in diameter from the front to the rear, so as to form an angle of about 20 degrees to the longitudinal axis. The trailing face, as with the trailing face of the clip ring 27 is un-ramped, i.e. predominantly un-ramped, and instead is close to perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, having an angle of about 60 degrees.

[0169] The flared section 6 of the radial hair brush portion 2, has a thinner region (approximately 1 mm compared to a typical thickness elsewhere of 2 mm) between the clip features 28 and the annular bearing surface 26 of the proximal bearing and the clip features 28. This means that as the ramped leading faces 30 of the clip features 28 are pushed into the ramped leading face 29 of the clip ring 27, (pushing the clip features 28 radially outwardly), the regions between the clip features 28 can deform radially inwardly, to allow the clip features 28 to be pushed over the clip ring 27 so as to effect connection. Similarly, although disconnection is more difficult, because of the steep, un-ramped trailing surfaces, the thinner regions between the clip features 28 provide resilient pliability, which means that the portions can be disconnected by pulling or much better rotating and pulling the hair brush portions. The steep un-ramped face on the rear of the clip features 28, in combination with the degree of overlap and the compliance, means that the brush will not come off in normal use but can be pulled off, particularly in combination with rotation. The provision of the bearing surfaces 25, 26 between the connectors and the handle 4 of the radial hair brush portion 2, means that a stiff and stable connection is provided, (see above).

[0170] To the rear of the clip ring 27, at the rear of the nozzle 18 of the air mover portion 3, the moulding which forms the nozzle 18 and the clip ring 27 forms part of a double-walled generally cylindrical housing 31, which extends to the very rear of the air mover device 3. The rear of the air mover device 3 is open, forming an inlet 35 such that air can flow from the rear into the nozzle 18 and out through its mouth. The rear of the cylindrical housing 31 of the air mover portion is specially shaped. It is provided with three elastomeric feet 32, visible in FIGS. 1-3 and 6-10 which are equally spaced around the rear. A first foot 32 is provided adjacent to an injection moulded strain relief boot 33, which surrounds an electrical cable 34, which extends radially adjacent the first foot 32. The other two feet 32 have their midpoints 120 degrees from the midpoint of the first foot (and the midpoint of the strain relief boot 33), each foot extends about around 30 degrees and has a flat base perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the air mover portion 3, such that the air mover portion 3 can stand on a flat horizontal surface resting on the bases of the feet 32, with the nozzle 18 extending vertically and the bristles 11 held away from the surface on which the device is standing.

[0171] As mentioned, the rear of the cylindrical housing 31 of the air mover portion 3 is specially shaped—to this end, between neighbouring feet 32, a scoop 36 (best seen in FIG. 1) is provided, such that, when the air mover portion 3 is resting on the feet 32, a pathway to the inlet 35 is provided via gaps provided by the (three) scoops 36. The combined area of the gaps provided by the scoops when set on a flat surface is approximately equal to the minimum cross section through the air mover 3 (at the mouth of the nozzle 18), so as to allow sufficient air to pass through.

[0172] A removable grille (not shown) incorporating a cleanable filter (not shown) is provided axially forward of the scoops 36, extending across the inlet 35, so as to restrict or prevent the ingress of hair etc.

[0173] Within the cylindrical housing 31 and the conical section 21 of the nozzle 18 a heating element 37 and a fan 38 are provided. When the fan 38 and heating element 37 are operational, the fan 38 draws air through the inlet 35 to the heating element 37, which heats the air. It then continues to flow, through the tubular section 20 of the nozzle 18 (within the handle 4 of the air brush head portion), out of the outlet of the nozzle 18 to the brush head support section 5 and out of the apertures 13 between the bristles 11 of the brush head portion 2.

[0174] A switch 39 is provided on the outer circumference of the air mover portion 3, arranged in a bezel 40 which extends through an aperture in the cylindrical housing 31 diametrically opposite to the power cable 34. The switch 39, when operated, directs power from the cable 34 to the fan 38 and heating element 37. Those skilled in the art will readily conceive of suitable switches and circuitry to achieve the desired options for amount of heat (determined by the power to the heating element 37) and speed of airflow (determined by the power to the fan 38), but in this embodiment, the switch 39 is slidably mounted in the bezel. In this embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 12, the power cable 34 is connected to an in-head PCB 41 with a joining wire 42 effecting connection between the in-head PCB 41 and the wires of the heating element 37 and a motor PCB 43 (best seen in FIG. 9), with another joining wire 44 connecting the switch 39.

[0175] A stator, or fan support 48 forms part of the inner wall of the double-walled housing 31 and an arrangement for supporting the fan 38. In particular, the fan 38 is formed from a motor 46 and an impeller 47, and the fan support 48 comprises a cup arranged to accommodate the motor 46, such that its shaft extends through the base of the cup, along the central longitudinal axis of the air mover portion 3 towards the inlet 35. The impeller 47 is a plastic injection moulded component and is, of course, attached to the shaft of the motor and is provided with blades 49 which are positioned radially outwardly of the cup to direct air past the outer circumference of the cup and the motor 46 held within it. The cup is spaced from the inner wall of the double walled housing 31 by a series of webs 45, which provide minimal obstruction to airflow past the motor 46 and in fact behave as stator blades to redirect the flow to being closer to axial.

[0176] As can be seen from FIG. 12, a series of slits (six in total) are provided equidistantly spaced in the sides of the cup of the fan support—extending towards the base from the opposite, open, end. Each of these slits receives a radially inner rear edge of one of three support plates, which together make up a heater coil support 50, or “frame”. Each support plate is a die cut mica sheet. The radially outer rear edges of each support plate are mounted in a corresponding slit in the inner wall of the double walled housing 31. As may be gleaned from carefully studying the interaction of the three support plates in FIGS. 9 and 11, looking in particular at the central axis, the three support plates are slotted together to form the heater coil support 50.

[0177] Each support plate is provided with a cut-out at its rear, the cut-out extending from the central longitudinal axis to a diameter equivalent to the inner diameter of the cup (i.e. the equivalent to the outer diameter of the motor 46). The cut-outs in the support plates define a recess into which the rear of the motor 46 can extend, whereby the heater coil support 50 is supported by the motor 46.

[0178] The outer edge of each support plate (and thus the heater coil support 50 as a whole) is stepped. The first, and biggest, step 51 is provided diametrically outwardly of the rear two thirds of the motor (which are accommodated in the cut-out) and diametrically inwardly of the rear of the nozzle 18, in the region of the connector 27—internally, this part of the air mover is shaped to match the outer diameter of the heater coil support to hold it in place. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the first step is 49 mm.

[0179] The second, and second biggest, step 52 is provided forward of the first step 51, it has a very gradually reducing diameter of 42 mm at the rear, reducing to 39.5 mm at the front, at an angle of about 5 degrees to the longitudinal axis. It has notches formed along its outer diameter (ten in total), to form teeth, between which resistance wire 55 is held. The resistance wire 55, forms the heater coil, and together with the heater coil support 50 makes up the heating element 37. As best seen in FIG. 12, the resistance wire is wavy, which allows for an increased length, compared to wire extending straight, between neighbouring support plates, and allows the wire to be arranged radially inwardly of the outer diameter of the support plate, further from the nozzle 18, so it is less likely to heat it up, and in line with more of the air that will flow from the impeller, so that the heat will transfer to the air more readily.

[0180] It is easier to wind this wavy wire around a step with a constant, or only very slightly reducing diameter, as provided, than it would be to wind the wire 55 round a conical support, with a diameter reducing at the same angle as the conical section 21 of the nozzle 18. Moreover, the stepped arrangement positions the wire 55 (at least towards the rear of the step), further inward than it would be if the outer diameter of the support 50 followed the same conical shape as the conical section of the nozzle 18.

[0181] Nonetheless, the second step 52 is arranged within the conical section 21 of the nozzle 18, so the inner diameter of the conical section 21 reduces forwardly. In consequence, the second step 52 does not accommodate all of the resistance wire 55. Instead, a third, smaller (third biggest), step 53 is provided. This third step 53 in this embodiment has a diameter of 34.5 mm at the rear, reducing to 31 mm at the front angled at 5 degrees included angle. It also has notches formed along its outer diameter (seventeen in total), to form teeth, between which resistance wire 55 is held.

[0182] In front of the third step 53, the front of the support is sloped at an angle which is slightly greater than that of the insulating cone 23 of mica, such that it can be easily inserted (owing to a smaller diameter at the front, because of the greater angle), but is held in an interference fit against the insulating cone 23, in the region where the diameter of each is substantially the same.

[0183] The heating wire 55 is arranged entirely within the conical section 21, around which the flared section 6, rather than the grip part of the handle 4 of constant diameter extends. Accordingly, the grip part of the handle 4 will not be heated up by the heating wire 55, although hot air will flow within the grip part of the handle 4, but separated from the handle 4 by the air gap between it and the tubular section 20 of the air mover 3, by the tubular section 20 itself, and by the insulating tube 22 within.

[0184] To further mitigate the possibility of the grip part of the handle 4 heating up excessively or at all, ambient (cool) air is forced through the gap between the nozzle 18 of the air mover portion 3 and the handle 4 of the radial hair brush portion 2, the cool air acting as a heat-exchanger, heating up as it moves through the gap and exits into the hair brush support section 5, through the gaps between the intermittent bearing members 19, being replaced by more cool air being forced through.

[0185] To provide this flow of cool air, the air mover portion 3 is provided with “vents” or openings 56 to divert unheated air between the handle 4 and the nozzle 18. The openings 56 are formed downstream of the inlet 35 and the impeller 38, and upstream of the heating element 37 to allow unheated air into the gap between the nozzle 18 and the handle 4.

[0186] More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7-9, each opening 56 is located just in front of the bearing surface 25, which itself is in front of the connector 27, so that the connection between the two annular bearing surfaces 25, 26 can be solid. The openings are formed in a tapered region 57 of the air mover, with a greater angle than the remainder of the conical section of the nozzle, approximately 45 degrees in this embodiment. This means that there is a substantial axial cross section to the openings, so air is not required to pass radially outwardly into the gap, but can continue along its axial path, reducing disturbance to the flow. To aid flow further, channels 58 of thinner material are provided in the outer surface of the nozzle 18 of the air mover portion, extending forwards along a significant proportion of the nozzle—all the way along the conical section 21 and around two thirds of the way along the tubular section 20. The dimensions and number of openings 56 are chosen to match the cross section of the gap, to allow sufficient air to flow into the gap through the openings 56 and pass quickly enough therethrough, to provide an adequate cooling ability over a long period of use. In this embodiment there are six vents formed to provide an axial tunnel rather than just an opening.

[0187] Whilst the majority of this description relates to the radial brush portion 2, as set out above, an alternative paddle hair brush portion 2a is provided, as shown in FIGS. 13-15, which can replace the radial hair brush portion 2 as desired.

[0188] The handle portion 4a of the paddle hair brush portion 2a is identical to that of the radial hair brush portion 2, with the same dimensions, flared section, bearings, connectors and so forth, to allow connection in the same manner and an effective air gap between the handle 4a and the nozzle 18 of the air mover portion. The difference is the shape of the head 59, which is generally rectangular, and the consequential differences to other associated features.

[0189] The generally rectangular head 59, is of course hollow, so as to receive air from the air mover portion 3. It is provided with bristles 11 of the same type as the radial hair brush portion 2. In this case, four groups of bristles 11, each group comprising three rows of fourteen or fifteen bristles, with the central row (of fifteen bristles) in each group offset longitudinally relative to the two rows (of fourteen bristles) either side. Each of the four groups of bristles 11 is separated from its neighbouring group (or groups) by a series of two longitudinally extending elongate slots 60 arranged end-to-end and extending from the proximal end of the groups of bristles 11 (closest to the handle 4a) to around two thirds of the length along the groups. There are three series of slots 60, so a total of six slots.

[0190] As with the radial hair brush portion 2, and as best seen in FIG. 15, a pair of baffles 61, 62 are provided in the paddle brush portion 2a. The first baffle 61 extends from a position about 1 third of the distance from the distal end of the bristles 11. The first baffle 61 extends across the entire width of the hollow and curves from the inside of the front wall 63 towards the proximal end of the paddle hair brush portion 2a, with an acute angle to the central longitudinal axis, which reduces away from the front wall 63, and extends all the way to the back wall 64, across the entire depth of the hollow.

[0191] The second baffle 62 is disposed across the entire width of the hollow, but not across the entire depth. The second baffle 62 extends from a position on the inside of the front wall 63 about one third of the distance from the proximal end of the groups of bristles 11 and between the two slots 60 in each series of slots 60. However, the second baffle 62 only extends radially inwardly across just over half of the depth of the hollow. It is also set at an angle to the central longitudinal axis and the acute angle reduces (i.e. becomes smaller with respect to the central longitudinal axis) away from the front wall 63. In consequence, the second baffle 62 peels off air from the periphery adjacent the front wall 63 and out of the proximal slots 60, whilst the first baffle 61 directs air which passes the second baffle out of the distal slots 60.

[0192] As with the radial brush portion 2, air will continue to flow in an axial direction once it leaves the apertures, so it will reach hair which is being brushed by the bristles 11 that are distal of the distal slots 60.

[0193] In use, the hair brush portions 2, 2a may be used alone (unconnected to the air mover portion) to brush hair in the ordinary fashion—that is to say, they may be gripped by the user using the grip part of the handle 4, 4a and moved such that the bristles are drawn through the hair to brush it. If desired, although it is not presently seen as necessary, the air mover portion 3 could be plugged in (via a plug not shown at the end of the cable) powered, switched on, and used as a hair-dryer, to direct warm air to the hair from the mouth of the nozzle 18 whilst brushing the hair with one or other hair brush portion 2, 2a.

[0194] However, the more common usage will be with the desired hair brush portion 2, 2a attached to the air mover portion 3. Whichever hair brush portion 2, 2a is used, the approach is the same. To attach the radial hair brush portion 2, a user grips the grip portion of the handle 4 in one hand and holds the cylindrical housing 31 of the air mover portion 3 in the other hand. The nozzle 18 is inserted (mouth first) into the opening at the rear of the radial hair brush portion 2 and guided into it, pushing it towards the brush head support, eventually, as the mouth of the nozzle 18 approaches the first, distal, bearing, the leading faces 29, 30 of the clip ring 27 and the clip features 28 abut each other, and the clip features 28 pass over the clip ring 27. At this point, the predominantly un-ramped rear faces of the connectors abut one another, the plain bearing members 19 of the distal bearing bear on the annular bearing surface 24, and the plain bearing surfaces 25, 26 of the proximal bearing bear on one another, forming a strong, but rotatable connection between the hair brush portion 2 and the air mover portion 3.

[0195] The user can then plug in and switch on the air mover portion 3 (using the switch 39), such that the heater element 37 warms up, and the fan 38 draws air through the inlet 35, with some air passing through the openings 56 and through the annular gap between the nozzle 18 and the handle 4, and the rest of the air passing the heater element 37, flowing through the nozzle 18 and into the hair brush head support section 5, where it is directed by the baffles out through the apertures 13 in the region of the bristles 11.

[0196] The user can then brush his/her hair with the device, holding the handle 4, on which the brush head is formed, making control easier, whilst the electrical sub-assembly of the air mover portion 3 rotates as necessary to avoid the cable 34 tangling, or interfering with brushing. The nature of the bristles 11 makes hair styling with hot air extremely effective.

[0197] In between brushing for example when applying product to the hair, or forming bunches of hair for brushing, the device can be put down on its feet 32, whereupon, the bristles 11 are held away from the surface on which the device is placed and will not be deformed, and air continues to be drawn in through the scoops/cut-outs, avoiding the motor burning out or cutting out, and ensuring a continued flow of ambient air through the gap between the handle 4 and the nozzle 18, keeping the handle sufficiently cool.

[0198] To remove the radial hair brush portion 2 and replace it with another hair brush portion, e.g. the paddle brush portion 2a, the rear of the flared section 6 is gripped and pulled whilst ideally rotating the brush portion 2 relative to the air mover portion 3 furthermore it can be twisted and pulled to overcome the engagement between the predominantly un-ramped surfaces of the connectors and simply pulled off. The radial hair brush portion 2 can then be cleaned in a manner that might be unsuitable for an electrical component, or used, as discussed, as a standalone brush. The paddle brush portion 2a, can be put onto the air mover portion 3 in just the same way as discussed in relation to the radial hair brush portion.

[0199] FIG. 17 shows a further embodiment of the invention, which is like the first embodiment in all material ways and all features that are not described hereafter are identical to the first embodiment. The difference is that it includes vents 100 in the radial hair brush portion 102; that the nozzle 118 of the air mover portion extends further into the radial hair brush portion 102, closer to the frustoconical baffle 117 and, importantly, that an annular barrier 200 extends inwards from the inside edge of the hair brush portion to abut the outer circumferential surface at the end of the nozzle 118. This means that air flowing between the nozzle 118 and the handle 104 does not merge with the air that flows through the nozzle and exit through the apertures 113 in the region of the bristles 111, but rather, the cool/cooling air that has passed between the handle and the nozzle exits separately, so that the air exiting in the region of the bristles remains hotter and can dry hair faster.

[0200] The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.