Hair Styling Appliance

Abstract

The invention relates to a hair styling appliance (1) comprising a shaft (12) having a comb-like styling tool (3), which extends only over part of the circumference of the shaft (12) and has teeth (5), which are each spaced apart from each other by a hair receptacle (10), are arranged in a tow in the longitudinal direction of the shaft (12), project from the shaft (12) and each form or have a styling part (7, 7.1), which is produced from a material that conducts heat well. In the part or the circumference of the shaft, which circumference is not occupied by the styling tool (3), the shaft (12) heats at least one hair collecting device (13), which follows the longitudinal direction of the row of teeth and is arranged opposite the latter such that, after hair has been caught by the hair collection device (13) and the shaft (12) has been rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof, the hair can be introduced into hair styling gaps situated between the pairs of styling parts (7, 7.1).

Claims

1. Hair styling appliance comprising a shaft (12, 12.1, 12.2) having a comb-like styling tool (3, 3.1, 3.2), which extends over only part of the circumference of the shaft (12, 12.1, 12.2) and has teeth (5, 5.1, 5.2), which are spaced apart from one another by a hair receptacle (10), are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the shaft (12, 12.1, 12.2), project from the shaft (12, 12.1, 12.2) and each form or have a styling part (7, 7.1, 7.2) produced from a material that conducts heat well, two styling parts (7, 7.1, 7.2) separated by a hair styling gap (11, 16) each forming a styling pair, characterized in that the shaft (12, 12.1, 12.2), in the part of its circumference not occupied by the styling tool (3, 3.1, 3.2), bears at least one hair collection device (13, 18) following the longitudinal direction of the row of teeth and arranged opposite the latter such that, after the hair has been caught with the hair collection device (13) and the shaft (12, 12.1, 12.2) has been rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof, the hair can be introduced into the hair styling gap (11, 16) situated between the pairs of styling parts.

2. The hair styling appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more bristle rows (13) projecting from the shaft (12, 12.1, 12.2) in radial direction are provided as a hair collection device.

3. The hair styling appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one bristle row (13) is arranged parallel or nearly parallel to the hair styling tool (3, 3.1, 3.2).

4. The hair styling appliance according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the bristles of the bristle rows (13) are realized as bristle bunches.

5. The hair styling appliance according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the bristles are realized as hard bristles (B).

6. The hair styling appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that the bristles (B) are held in an elastomer bed (22), the elastomer bed (22) being attached to a carrier (23).

7. The hair styling appliance according to one of the claims 1 through 6, characterized in that at least one of the two styling parts (7, 7.1) of a styling part pair framing a hair receptacle (1) for forming a hair styling gap (11) can be moved relative to the other styling part (7, 7.1) for opening and closing the hair styling gap (11).

8. The hair styling appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one of the styling parts (7, 7.1) of a styling part pair is spring-loaded and is thereby held in the closed position of the hair styling gap (11) opposite the complementing styling part (7, 7.1).

9. The hair styling appliance according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the styling parts (7, 7.1) bordering the hair styling gap (11) on the same side are each part of a common component, one of which being stationary and the other being displaceable in relation to the former in the longitudinal direction of the shaft (12).

10. The hair styling appliance according to one of the claims 7 through 9, characterized in that the shaft has two styling tools arranged at an angular distance to one another relative to the circumference of the shaft and a hair collection device is arranged between each of these.

11. The hair styling appliance according to one of the claims 1 through 10, characterized in that at least one of the two styling parts (7, 7.1) forming a hair styling gap (11) is heated.

12. The hair styling appliance according to one of the claims 1 through 11, characterized in that the hair collection device is designed as a brush attachment (18).

Description

[0016] Additional advantages and configurations of the claimed hair styling appliance can be found in the following description of an exemplary embodiment, with reference being made to the enclosed figures. Shown are:

[0017] FIG. 1: A hair styling appliance with a comb-like styling tool,

[0018] FIG. 2: A schematic longitudinal section through the styling tool of the hair styling appliance shown in FIG. 1,

[0019] FIG. 3 A schematic sectional view through the hair styling appliance 1 in the area of the styling tool thereof in an operating position for capturing a strand of hair to be styled,

[0020] FIG. 4: An illustration of the hair styling appliance in an intermediate step for styling a strand of hair,

[0021] FIG. 5 An illustration of the hair styling appliance as shown in FIG. 4 with the strand of hair place in a hair styling gap,

[0022] FIG. 6 A hair styling appliance with a comb-like styling tool according to another configuration,

[0023] FIG. 7: A schematic side view of a segment of the comb-like styling tool of the hair styling appliance from FIG. 5,

[0024] FIG. 8: A side view of another hair styling tool according to the invention with a detachable hair collection device,

[0025] FIG. 9: A perspective view of the hair collection device of the hair styling appliance of FIG. 8,

[0026] FIG. 10: An enlarged cross sectional illustration of the hair collection device from FIG. 9 and

[0027] FIG. 11: A side view of the hair styling appliance from FIG. 8 with the hair collection device mounted thereon.

[0028] A hair styling appliance 1 has a styling tool 3 connected to a handle 2. The styling tool 3 is electrically heated. For power supply, the hair styling appliance 1 has an electrical connection cable 4. The styling tool 3 is of comb-like design and features a row of fixedly standing teeth 5 arranged spaced apart from one another. In each tooth 5, except for the outermost tooth of the tooth row arranged adjacent to the tip 6 of the styling tool 3, a movable, first styling part 7 is assigned to each tooth 5. The styling parts 7 are collectively combined to form a styling part unit. The styling part unit is movable in the longitudinal direction of the tooth row and can be displaced translationally in the direction of the handle 2 from its position shown in FIG. 1 through actuation of a control element designedin the exemplary embodiment presentedas a button 8. The teeth 5 are realized jointly with a cover shell 9, which forms part of the housing of the styling tool 3, as a molded plastic part. The teeth 5 are designed as arch-shaped and surround the first styling parts 7, as is visible from FIG. 2. Sets of two teeth arranged adjacent to one another each enclose a hair receptacle 10. Part of the hair receptacle 10 is a hair styling gap 11 visible in FIG. 2, which is situated between each first styling part 7 and a second styling part 7.1 interacting with this styling part 7, the second styling part 7.1 being arranged within the arc of the adjacent tooth 5. The first styling parts 7 can be moved as styling part unit against the force of a return spring in relation to the fixedly arranged styling parts through appropriate actuation of the button 8. In FIG. 2 the hair styling gaps are closed. The first styling parts 7 act standing under spring preloading against the styling parts 7.1, which are likewise combined to form a styling part unit. In this exemplary embodiment, hair styling takes place in a hair styling gap through the styling parts 7, 7.1 acting against one another, at least one of which is heated. To be styled, a strand of hair placed in a hair styling gap is pulled through the hair styling gap. The hair styling appliance 1 thus functions as a so-called straightener.

[0029] The styling tool 3 of the hair styling appliance 1 is situated on a shaft 12 and extends only over part of the circumference of the latter. In the exemplary embodiment presented, the styling tool extends over for instance 120 degrees of the circumference of the shaft 12. The shaft 12 of the styling tool 3 bears multiple bristle rows 13 at an angular distance to the teeth 5 of the styling tool 3. The individual bristles of the bristle rows 13 are realized as soft bristle bunches. The construction of the hair styling appliance 1 with its shaft 12, the styling tool projecting from the former in radial direction and the bristle rows 13 is schematically visible from the cross section shown in FIG. 3. For the sake of simplicity, the shaft 12 is presented in this figure without the elements contained therein and necessary for operating the styling tool 3. These elements are, among other things, the styling part components forming the movable arrangement of the styling parts 7, a heating device for heating the styling parts 7 and 7.1, which are typically realized as PTC heating element(s), and other possibly necessary devices, such as, if desired, a steam-generating device and/or an ionization device.

[0030] In the hair styling appliance, the bristle rows 13 constitute a hair collection device. For styling a strand of hair, this device is used to grasp said strand, separate it from the rest of the hair and place it in the hair styling gap 11 situated in the hair receptacle 10 between two styling parts 7, 7.1. At the same time, the hair grasped with the bristle rows is combed when the strand of hair is pulled through the bristles.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows the hair styling appliance 1 in a first operating position opposite a hair strand 14 to be styled. The hair styling appliance 1 is brought into contact with the hair strand 14 to be styled with its bristle rows 13 or, as the case may be, a portion thereof, so that this strand is grasped by the bristles or multiple bristle rows 13 (see FIG. 4). The hair styling appliance 1 is then rotated about its longitudinal axis (or an axis parallel to this axis (see FIG. 5). In this process, a retention torque acts as counter bearing on the hair strand 14 grasped by the bristle rows 13, so that in the course of the rotating of the hair styling appliance 1, the hair strand 14 is compelled to move in the direction of the shell surface of the shaft 12. Due to the rotational movement, during which the hair strand 14 is retained by the bristle serving as a hair collection device, the hair strand 14 is placed in the opened hair styling gap 11 or, as the case may be, wound into the latter as a result of the rotational motion exerted. With this design, the tensile load acting on the strand of hair during the combing of the same, the bristles grasping the hair strand furnishing the necessary counter bearing, is utilized to enable the grasped hair strand to be placed in the hair styling gap 11. For easier introduction of the hair of a hair strand into the hair styling gap, these are opened through the appropriate actuation of the button 8. Such an opening of the hair styling gap is not required. However, if the hair styling gap is opened, less tensile force needs be exerted on the hair. If the hair strand 14 is placed in the opened hair styling gap 11, the button 8 can be released by the person using the hair styling appliance 1, so that the hair styling gap 11 closes. The preloading between two styling parts 7, 7.1 furnished by the spring element or elements then acts on the hair strand to be styled. To style the hair, the hair styling device 1 is then pulled away in the direction of the hair roots with the hair strand situated between the styling parts 7, 7.1, as is schematically indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5. The hair grasped by the hair styling appliance 1 is straightened in the course of this process.

[0032] The styling, in this case the straightening, can be undertaken using the hair styling appliance 1 with a single hand. It is understood that the hair styling appliance 1 can also be used to simply comb hair. Combing is necessary precisely when styling hair. However, when the hair styling appliance 1 is used, it is not necessary to switch between different tools.

[0033] The preceding description of the hair styling appliance 1 makes it clear that an asymmetrical arrangement of the bristle rows, namely in the intended rotational direction adjacent to the styling tool, is sufficient in principle. So that the hair styling appliance can be used, however, for exerting a rotational motion in both directions, the hair collection device is preferably arranged symmetrically to the styling tool, as is the case through the bristle rows 13 in the hair styling appliance 1.

[0034] FIG. 6 shows a hair styling appliance 1.1 having the same general construction as the hair styling appliance 1 from FIGS. 1 through 5. The same parts are thus identified with the same reference numbers with an added 0.1. The hair styling appliance 1.1 differs from the hair styling appliance 1 in the design of its styling parts. FIG. 7 show an enlarged section of the styling tool 3.1 of the hair styling appliance 1.1. Accommodated beneath each of the teeth 5.1 is a styling part 15, where two styling parts 15 lying opposite one another in longitudinal direction of the tooth rows formed by the teeth 5.1 define a styling gap 16. The styling parts 15 are part of a styling part body 17. In this exemplary embodiment as well, the two styling parts 15 lying opposite one another relative to a styling gap 16 form a styling part pair. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4, the styling parts 15 cannot be displaced in relation to one another. The styling part body 17 bearing the styling parts 15 is made of a material that conducts heat wellaluminum, in this exemplary embodiment. Attached to the bottom of the styling part body 17 is a PTC heating element (not shown). The heating element extends over more than half of the longitudinal extent of the styling part body and is arranged centered thereon relative to the longitudinal direction thereof.

[0035] When the hair styling appliance 1.1 is used, the hair of a hair strand isin the same manner as described for the hair styling appliance 1placed in the styling gap 16 and styled in the same through the contacting of the heated curved surface of the styling part body 17 and being pulled over the same. Owing to the curvature of the styling part body 17 in the styling gaps 16 in circumferential direction, the hair strand is waved or, as the case may be, curled in a styling process performed in such a way, namely depending on the curvature radius of the styling part body in the area of the floor of each styling gap 16. Because in this exemplary embodiment, no pressure whatsoever is thus exerted by the styling parts on hair being styled, the device can be used to style the hair being styled in a manner that is especially gentle on hair.

[0036] FIG. 8 shows a side view of another hair styling appliance 1.2 having the same general construction of the hair styling appliance 1 described in FIGS. 1 through 5. The same parts are thus identified with the same reference numbers with an added 0.2. The hair styling appliance 1.2 differs from the hair styling appliance 1 in the design of its hair collection device. The hair collection device of this exemplary embodiment is designed as a brush attachment 18. The brush attachment 18 bears bristles B arranged in bristle rows each following the longitudinal extent of the shaft 12.2. These have, as is visible from the cross section shown in FIG. 10, a foot 19, which is of greater diameter than the actual shaft 20 of the bristle B. The bristles are made of metal and bear at their free end a synthetic head 21. The bristles B are anchored with their foot 19 in an elastomer bed 22, for example a rubber plate, namely such that these do not fall out of the latter. The elastomer bed 22 rests on a carrier 23 bent in the form of a half-cylinder, the inner radius thereof is designed to fit on the side of the shaft 12.2 lying opposite the styling tool 3.2. The elastomer bed 22 is held to the carrier 23 only at the former's end and is not joined extensively with the outer shell surface of the carrier 23. This allows the bristles B to be moveable and to tilt in relation to their normal position shown in FIG. 10. The retention forces result through the elastomer bed 22 and the mounting of the foot 19 or, as the case may be, the shaft segment bordering it in the elastomer bed 22. Depending on how the surface of the foot 19 of the bristles B bordering the outer shell surface of the carrier 23 is designed, the tilting-moment can be determined, i.e. the force required to be able to tilt a bristle B. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the bristles B are displaced by the lower circumferential edge of the foot of very small radius. For tilting a bristle B, a very high force is thus necessary, compared with a configuration in which the surface of the foot 19 bordering the outside of the carrier 23 is convexly curved. The configuration of the foot 19 in this regard can be designed differently in different directions to obtain a moment required for the titling of different magnitude in different directions.

[0037] The brush attachment 18 has a catch member 24 with which it can be secured to the end of the handle 2.2 containing the shaft 12.2. Provided at the end lying opposite the catch member 24 is an annular body 25, which can be slid onto the front segment of the shaft 12.2. Details of the brush attachment 18 can also be taken from the perspective representation in FIG. 9.

[0038] FIG. 11 shows the brush attachment 18 placed on the shaft 12.2 of the hair styling appliance 1.2. This attachment is in its use position. In this position, the brush attachment 18 is held locked by means of its catch member 24 to the shaft 12.2 in the longitudinal direction thereof. Situated on each side of the shaft 12.2 adjacent to the styling tool 3.2 is a stop element 26, which the carrier 23 abuts with its lower front side. In this way, the brush attachment 18 is secured torque-synchronized in relation to the shaft 12.2.

[0039] The hair styling appliance 1.2 is used in the same manner as that of the hair styling appliance 1. A special feature of the hair styling appliance 1.2 is that the brush attachment 18 shown in the figures can, as a hair collection device, be switched with other brush attachments, for example also one with soft bristles.

[0040] A flexible mounting of the bristles B, made of metal in this exemplary embodiment, entails the advantage that the hair styling process does not have to be interrupted if hair can no longer be pulled through the bristles B. Should the drawing resistance become too high, the bristles B tilt away and then release the hair hanging thereon. In this regard, a hair styling appliance with bristles configured in this way as a hair collection unit makes possible a continuous hair styling process, even if the hair has not been combed beforehand.

[0041] It is understood that the special configuration of the bristles B on the bristle attachment 18 is only an example. Such a bristle configuration including such a bristle mounting can of course also be undertaken if bristles B are attached directly to the shaft as a hair collection device in a hair styling appliance of the type discussed.

[0042] In the exemplary embodiments described, the styling parts and thereby the hair being styled are heated by at least a PTC heating element attached to a styling part component. In an alternative embodiment, it is envisioned that heating is facilitated by means of a warm air current routed to the styling tool, furnished by an air curler, for example.

[0043] In the exemplary embodiment described, the hair styling appliance is described as a so-called stand-alone-appliance. In equal measure, the invention can also be realized with a hair styling appliance that is designed as an attachment and, for example, can be attached to an air curler.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference numbers 1, 1.1, 1.2 Hair styling device 2, 2.1, 2.2 Handle 3, 3.1, 3.2 Styling tool 4 Connection cable 5, 5.1, 5.2 Tooth 6 Tip 7, 7.1 Styling part 8 Button 9 Cover shell 10 Hair receptacle 11 Hair styling gap 12, 12.2 Shaft 13 Bristle row 14 Hair strand 15 Styling part 16 Styling gap 17 Styling part body 18 Brush attachment 19 Foot 20 Shaft 21 Head 22 Elastomer bed 23 Carrier 24 Catch member 25 Annular body 26 Stop element B Bristle