HAIR STYLING DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a hair styling device, and in particular to a hair straightener. The hair styling device (10; 210) has a first arm (12; 212) and a second arm (14; 214), the first and second arms being moveable relative to one another between a closed or operative condition and an open or inoperative condition. The first member (12; 212) has a first heating panel (16; 116; 216) and the second member (14; 214) has a second heating panel (18; 118; 218). The heating panels (16, 18; 116, 118; 216, 218) are corrugated to increase the length of the path the hair must take between the heating panels. The first and second heating panels are spaced apart in the operative condition so as not to press or clamp the hair therebetween. The first member (12; 212) also has a first pressing panel (26; 126; 226) and the second member (14; 214) also has a second pressing panel (28; 128; 228), the first and second pressing panels in their operative position engaging so that the hair is pressed between the pressing panels.

Claims

1. A hair styling device (10; 210) comprising a first member (12; 212) and a second member (14; 214), the first and second members being moveable relative to one another between an operative condition and an inoperative condition, the first member (12; 212) having a first heating panel (16; 116; 216) and the second member (14; 214) having a second heating panel (18; 118; 218), the first and second heating panels (16, 18; 116, 118; 216, 218) being corrugated with the peaks (22a) and troughs (24a) of the first heating panel (16; 116; 216) facing the troughs (24b) and peaks (22b) respectively of the second heating panel (18; 118; 218), the first and second heating panels being adapted to heat a length of hair (40) as the length of hair moves therebetween in use, the first and second heating panels (16,18; 116,118; 216,218) being closer together in the operative condition than in the inoperative condition and being spaced apart in the operative condition, the first member (12; 212) also having a first pressing panel (26; 126; 226) and the second member (14; 214) also having a second pressing panel (28; 128; 228), the first and second pressing panels being closer together than the heating panels in the operative condition.

2. A hair styling device (10; 210) according to claim 1 in which the pressing panels (26,28; 126,128; 226,228) are heated in use.

3. A hair styling device (10; 210) according to claim 2 in which the pressing panels (26,28; 126,128; 226,228) are heated in use to a lower temperature than the heating panels (16,18; 116,118; 216,218).

4. A hair styling device (10; 210) according to claim 2 in which each pressing panel (26,28; 126,128; 226,228) has a heating element (220).

5. A hair styling device (10; 210) according to claim 2 in which the pressing panels (26,28; 126,128) are heated by conduction from the heating panels (16,18; 116,118).

6. A hair styling device (210) according to claim 1 in which the first member (212) and the second member (214) have at least one set of cooperating spacing formations (52,54,56; 60,62; 64,66) to maintain a predetermined gap between the heating panels (216, 218) in the operative condition.

7. A hair styling device (210) according to claim 6 in which the first member (212) and the second member (214) are elongate with first and second ends, the first and second members being connected together at a pivoting joint (50) adjacent to the first ends of the members, at least one cooperating formation (60,62; 64, 66) being adjacent to the second ends of the members.

8. A hair styling device (210) according to claim 7 in which there are two cooperating formations (60,62; 64,66) adjacent to the second ends of the members.

9. A hair styling device (210) according to claim 7 in which the cooperating formations (60,62; 64,66) are located at the ends of the corrugations.

10. A hair styling device (210) according to claim 9 in which the cooperating formations (60,62; 64,66) comprise a projection (60; 64) aligned with the peak of a corrugation and a recess aligned with a trough of a corrugation.

11. A hair styling device (210) according to claim 1 in which the first member (212) and the second member (214) have at least one set of cooperating aligning formations (52,54,56; 60,62; 64,66) to maintain the alignment of the members (212,214) in the operative condition.

12. A hair styling device (210) according to claim 1 in which at least one of the first member (212) and the second member (214) is asymmetrical in plan view.

13. A hair styling device (210) according to claim 12 in which both of the first member (212) and the second member (214) are correspondingly asymmetrical in plan view.

14. A hair styling device (210) according to claim 12 in which the asymmetrical member(s) (212,214) has a first side edge with a discontinuity (80).

15. A hair styling device (210) according to claim 14 in which the asymmetrical member(s) (212, 214) has a second side edge (212,214) which is substantially linear.

16. A hair styling device (210) according to claim 14 in which the asymmetrical member(s) (212,214) has a handle portion spaced from the heating and pressing panels, the step (80) being located between the handle portion and the panels.

17. A hair styling device (210) according to claim 14 in which the heating panel (216,218) is adjacent to the first side edge and the pressing panel (226,228) is adjacent to the second side edge.

18. A hair styling device (10) according to claim 5 in which the first pressing panel (126) is movable towards and away from the first heating panel (116) and the second pressing panel (128) is movable towards and away from the second heating panel (118), whereby to adjust the temperature difference between the pressing panels and the heating panels.

19. A hair styling device according to claim 1 having a roller at a peak of a corrugation.

20. A hair styling device (10) according to claim 1 in which the first pressing panel (26; 126) is movable relative to the first heating panel (16; 116) between an operative position and an inoperative position, and the second pressing panel (28; 128) is movable relative to the second heating panel (18; 118) between an operative position and an inoperative position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0057] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0058] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of relevant parts of a first embodiment hair styling device according to the present invention;

[0059] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the heating and pressing panels of a second embodiment in one possible configuration;

[0060] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the heating and pressing panels of the second embodiment in another possible configuration;

[0061] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view from below of an embodiment of hair styling device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0062] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view from above of the device of FIG. 4; and

[0063] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view through the heating panels and pressing panels of the hair-styling device of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] The hair styling device 10, only the relevant parts of which are shown in FIG. 1, comprises a first member or arm 12 and a second member or arm 14. In conventional fashion, the first and second arms are moveable relative to one another between the open or inoperative condition shown in FIG. 1 and a closed or operative position (not shown). The arms 12, 14 may be relatively moveable by way of a hinge or pivot joint, in known fashion.

[0065] The first arm 12 has a first heating panel 16 and the second arm 14 has a second heating panel 18. The first and second heating panels 16, 18 are metallic and each has a ceramic heater 20. The ceramic heaters 20 are actuated by an electrical current controlled by a controller (not shown) of the hair styling device 10. Preferably, the controller is able to control the temperature of the heating panels 16, 18 to one of several discrete temperatures so that the user can with practice determine the best temperature setting for her hair.

[0066] It will be understood that in the inoperative (open) position shown the heating panels 16 and 18 are separated by a distance great enough to permit the introduction of a chosen length of hair between the heating panels 16, 18. The hair styling device 10 may be configured similarly to a conventional hair straightener with the arms 12, 14 connected by a pivot joint at one end of the arms and with an open gap at the other end of the arms whereby the user can readily insert the length of hair into the open gap and between the heating panels 16, 18 when the heating panels are in their inoperative position (similar for example to the third embodiment of FIGS. 4-6). In known fashion, when the length of hair has been inserted between the heating panels 16, 18, the hair styling device can be moved adjacent to the user's scalp to the position at which it is desired to commence the hair styling.

[0067] When correctly positioned relative to the user's scalp, the arms 12, 14 can be moved together from the position shown in FIG. 1, specifically into an operative condition in which the heating panels 16, 18 are close to one another and present a small gap through which the length of hair can pass between the heating panels 16, 18.

[0068] The first and second heating panels 16, 18 are corrugated, with the peaks 22a and troughs 24a of the first heating panel 16 facing the troughs 24b and peaks 22b respectively of the second heating panel 18 (see the similar opposing peaks and troughs of the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0069] Importantly, when the arms 12, 14 are brought together so that the first and second heating panels 16, 18 are in their operative position (not shown), the heating panels 16, 18 remain spaced apart so that the length of hair is not pressed between the heating panels. A length of hair between the heating panels 16, 18 will nevertheless be heated, primarily by conduction as the hair engages the heating panels 16, 18.

[0070] The corrugations enhance the heating of the length of hair in two ways. Firstly, the convoluted path which the length of hair must take as it passes between the heating panels 16, 18 increases the path of travel for a given width of the heating panels, and thereby increases the duration for which the length of hair remains between the heating panels (for a given rate of movement of the hair styling device 10 away from the user's scalp). Secondly, the convoluted path causes the length of hair to engage the peaks 22a,b of the heating panels 16, 18 and the greater the engagement with the heating panels the greater the heat conduction into the hair.

[0071] The first of these enhancements can be understood by reference to FIGS. 2 and 3—the convoluted path of travel of the length of hair 40 as it passes between the heating panels 116, 118 is significantly longer than the overall width W of the heating panels.

[0072] The second of these enhancements can also be understood by reference to FIGS. 2 and 3—forcing the length of hair 40 to undertake a convoluted path between the heating panels 116, 118 causes the length of hair to engage the peaks of the corrugations as it is pulled between the heating panels.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 1, the first arm 12 also has a first pressing panel 26 and the second arm 14 also has a second pressing panel 28. The first and second pressing panels 26, 28 may if desired be maintained at the same temperature as the heating panels 16, 18, and may have their own dedicated ceramic heating elements.

[0074] Alternatively, the pressing panels 26, 28 may be maintained at a lower temperature in use than the first and second heating panels 16, 18. A temperature differential may for example be obtained by actively heating the pressing panels 26, 28 to a lower temperature than the heating panels 16, 18. Alternatively, means may be provided to seek to maintain the temperature of the pressing panels close to the ambient temperature. The latter alternative may be achieved by an air gap or a thermal barrier between the heating panels and the pressing parts and/or by mounting radiating fins upon the extensions 32, 34 of the respective pressing panels 26, 28.

[0075] Importantly, in the embodiment of FIG. 1 the first pressing panel 26 is movable relative to the first heating panel 16 and the second pressing panel 28 is movable relative to the second heating panel 18. Each of the pressing panels 26, 28 is movable relative to its heating panel 16, 18 between an inoperative position as shown in FIG. 1 and an operative position (not shown). In their operative position the first and second pressing panels 26, 28 are close enough together to press a length of hair therebetween.

[0076] In other embodiments of the invention each pressing panel is fixed relative to the heating panel of that arm, so that the heating panel and the pressing panel of each arm move together between the operative condition and the inoperative condition. It is nevertheless preferred that in such embodiments there is an air gap or thermal barrier between the heating panel and the pressing panel of each arm so that the temperature of the pressing panel can be set independently to (and preferably at a lower temperature than) the heating panel.

[0077] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 each of the pressing panels 26, 28 is mounted directly to its respective heating panel 16, 18, and can move relative to its heating panel along a path 30 shown in dotted outline (the curved path 30 for example representing a channel along which a projecting boss at the end of the respective pressing panel can slide).

[0078] Accordingly, whilst the length of hair is not pressed as it passes between the heating panels 16, 18, it is pressed as it passes between the pressing panels 26, 28. The length of hair is therefore heated and pressed as required to style the length of hair, but these two operations are effectively carried out separately (and sequentially) by different parts of the hair styling device 10.

[0079] The pressing panels 26, 28 are shown as being generally oval in shape in FIG. 1, so that they have a relatively small contact area in their operative position. In an alternative embodiment the contact regions of the pressing panels can be planar so as to increase the contact area (as in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3). Even with an oval shape, however, the pressure upon the previously-heated hair can be sufficient to style the hair as it passes between the pressing panels 26, 28.

[0080] It will be seen from FIG. 1 that in their inoperative position the first and second pressing panels 26, 28 are moved out of alignment with the heating panels 16, 18. This allows the heating panels 16, 18 to be moved close to the user's scalp without the pressing panels getting in the way. It will be understood that during use the pressing panels 26, 28 “follow” the heating panels 16, 18 along the length of hair being styled. Since it is usually desired to commence the style immediately adjacent to the user's scalp it is necessary that the heating panels 16, 18 be positionable very close to the user's scalp at the start of the styling operation. Moving the pressing panels 26, 28 relative to the heating panels 16, 18 as represented in FIG. 1 will permit the heating panels 16, 18 to be moved very close to the user's scalp. The hair adjacent to the user's scalp can therefore be heated and, as the hair styling device 10 is moved away from the user's scalp, the pressing panels 26, 28 can be moved to their operative position to press and style the heated hair.

[0081] FIGS. 2 and 3 show a second embodiment of the present invention, which embodiment has two possible configurations (in both the operative and inoperative positions) as shown and as described below. Importantly, both of FIGS. 2 and 3 show the heating panels 116, 118 in their operative condition, and the pressing panels 126, 128 in their operative positions. It will be understood by reference to FIG. 1 that the first member or arm (not shown) which carries the panels 116, 126, and the second member or arm which carries the panels 118, 128, can be moved apart to separate the respective panels, perhaps in a similar fashion to conventional hair straighteners.

[0082] If desired, the pressing panels 126, 128 may also be moved apart relative to the heating panels to an inoperative position whereby to permit the trailing end T of the heating panels to be moved very close to the user's scalp at the commencement of a styling operation.

[0083] In this embodiment the heating panels 116, 118 are made of metal and each has a ceramic heater 120. The pressing panels 126, 128 are also made of metal and in this embodiment have no heating elements.

[0084] The pressing panels 126, 128 in this embodiment are movable relative to the respective heating panels 116, 118 between the two configurations shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, dependent upon the temperature required for the pressing panels.

[0085] In the position of FIG. 2 each pressing panel 126, 128 engages its respective heating panel 116, 118, and since the pressing panels are metallic they will acquire heat by conduction from their heating panel. It can in particular be arranged that in this configuration the temperature of the pressing panels 116, 118 in use is substantially the same as that of the heating panels 116, 118.

[0086] In the position of FIG. 3, on the other hand, the pressing panels 126, 128 are spaced from the respective heating panels 116, 118 by a spacing S, the spacing S providing an air gap and thereby avoiding any conduction of heat from the heating panels 116, 118.

[0087] It will be understood that the pressing panels 126, 128 may nevertheless be heated by conduction through other connected parts of the hair styling device which are not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, by conduction from the heated length of hair 40 passing therebetween in use, and by radiation and convection, but the pressing panels 126, 128 in the configuration of FIG. 3 will be significantly cooler than in the configuration of FIG. 2. The spacing S can be adjusted by the user (or by the controller) so as to set the desired temperature differential between the pressing panels and the heating panels.

[0088] The length of hair 40 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. It will be understood that the end 42 of the length of hair is the scalp end and the end 44 is the free end of the length of hair. As with a conventional hair straightener, the user initially positions the heating panels 116, 118 close to her scalp and during use moves the device away from her scalp, i.e. towards the left as drawn in FIGS. 2 and 3. The length of hair 40 is therefore progressively styled from the scalp end 42 to the free end 44, with the pressing panels 126, 128 following the heating panels 116, 118 along the length of hair. As with the embodiment of FIG. 1 therefore, the hair first passes between the heating panels 116, 118 where it is heated to a styling temperature (and not pressed), and then between the pressing panels 126, 128 where it is pressed.

[0089] The third embodiment of hair styling device 210 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 comprises a first member or arm 212 and a second member or arm 214. The first and second arms are movable relative to one another between the open or inoperative condition shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and a closed or operative position as shown in FIG. 6.

[0090] The arms 212, 214 have respective handle parts 232, 234 which can be gripped with one hand by a user, the handle parts 232, 234 and thereby the arms 212, 214 being relatively moveable by way of a hinge or pivot joint 50, in known fashion. Also in known fashion the arms 212, 214 are biased apart to the inoperative condition of FIGS. 4 and 5, suitably by a spring (not seen) located close to the pivot joint 50.

[0091] The first arm 212 has a first heating panel 216 and the second arm 214 has a second heating panel 218. The first and second heating panels 216, 218 are metallic and each has ceramic heaters 220 (FIG. 6). The ceramic heaters 220 are actuated by an electrical current controlled by a controller (not shown) of the hair styling device 210. Preferably, the controller is able to control the temperature of the heating panels 216, 218 to one of several discrete temperatures so that the user can with practice determine the best temperature setting for her hair.

[0092] It will be understood that in the inoperative (open) position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 the heating panels 216 and 218 are separated by a distance great enough to permit the introduction of a chosen length of hair between the heating panels 216, 218. In known fashion, when the length of hair has been inserted between the arms 212, 214, the hair styling device can be moved adjacent to the user's scalp to the position at which it is desired to commence the hair styling.

[0093] When correctly positioned relative to the user's scalp, the handle parts 232, 234 are squeezed together from the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 into the operative condition shown in FIG. 6. In the operative condition the pressing panels 226, 228 engage one another substantially across their full area, and the heating panels 216, 218 are close to one another but with a small gap through which the length of hair can pass.

[0094] Thus, even though it is possible in other embodiments for the heating panels to engage across some or all of their width, in this preferred embodiment a controlled gap is maintained between the heating panels 216, 218 so as to prevent the length of hair being pressed therebetween.

[0095] The first and second heating panels 216, 218 are corrugated, with the peaks and troughs of the first heating panel 216 facing the troughs and peaks respectively of the second heating panel 218. In this embodiment each heating panel comprises a whole peak and a whole trough (somewhat similar to a complete sine wave), but in other embodiments there can be less than one complete peak and/or less than one complete trough, or more than one complete peak and/or more than one complete trough, as desired.

[0096] The hair styling device 210 has cooperating formations which helps to maintain the separation of the heating panels 216, 218 in the operative position. The first cooperating formations are two projecting formations 52 and 54 carried by the first arm 212 and their corresponding recesses 56 in the second arm 214 (only one of the recesses 56 can be seen in FIG. 5).

[0097] The second cooperating formations are a projecting formation 60 carried by the first arm 212 and its corresponding recess 62 in the second arm 214.

[0098] The third cooperating formations are a projecting formation 64 carried by the second arm 214 and its corresponding recess 66 in the first arm 212.

[0099] It will be understood that the precise number, shape and location of the cooperating formations is not limited to those shown in the drawings, and one or more of the formations may be omitted, moved or changed without detriment to the invention. The location and shape of the second and third cooperating formations is, however, ideal because they are extensions of the peaks and troughs of the heating panels 216, 218.

[0100] Importantly, it is arranged that the projecting formations 52 (and 54) engage their respective recess 56, and the projecting formations 60 and 64 engage their respective recesses 62 and 66, when the arms 212, 214 are moved to the operative condition; the first and second heating panels 216, 218 are thereby held apart with the desired gap or separation across their full area.

[0101] It will be seen that the cooperating formations together act at either end of the heating panels 216, 218, and to either side of the heating panels. Together the cooperating formations can therefore ensure that the end-to-end separation and the side-to-side separation between the heating panels remains consistent despite any unbalanced or offset forces being applied to the first and second arms during use.

[0102] It will be seen that the hair styling device 210 has a further cooperating formation 70 and recess 72 to provide further structural stability to the device in its operative condition. In addition, the formation 70 can engage a switch in the recess 72 to actuate the heating elements if that is desired.

[0103] In addition to the spacing function of the cooperating formations, it will be understood that their tapering or curved shape also provides a guidance or alignment function, helping to ensure that the heating panels 214, 216 and pressing panels 226, 228 are properly aligned in the operative condition. The projecting formations 60 and 64 each carry a respective guide part 74 which locates snugly into a respective recess 76 to ensure the accurate and correct alignment of the arms 212, 214. It will be understood that the location of the guide parts 74 at the opposite end of each arm to the pivot joint 50 maximises their utility in guiding the arms as the arms are moved together to the operative position, and also maximises their utility in maintaining the correct alignment of the heating panels 216, 218 and pressing panels 226, 228 during use.

[0104] It will be seen that the heating panels 216, 218 are slightly offset from the handle portions 232, 234, i.e. there is a step 80 in one of the side edges of the arms 212, 214 whilst the other side edge is linear. It is necessary for the user to correctly orient the device relative to her head, and to move the device away from her head so that the length of hair passes firstly between the heating panels 216, 218 and then between the pressing panels 226, 228. It is therefore desirable that the user can readily appreciate which is the leading edge of the device and which is the trailing edge, even when the device is observed in a mirror. Making the device asymmetrical provides a clear visual indication to the user, i.e. the step 80 at one side of the device provides a clear visual indication of the edge which must be placed closest to the user's head.

[0105] It is desirable that the step 80 be to the side with the heating panels 216, 218. When the device it in use the user will press the handle parts 232, 234 together and thereby press the pressing panels 226, 228 together. It is desirable for the pressing panels 226, 228 to be in line with the handles so as to minimise any offset forces.

[0106] It will be seen from FIG. 6 that there is no direct connection between the heating panel 216, 218 and the pressing panel 226, 226 of each of the arms 212, 214 and on the contrary there is a small air gap therebetween. Notwithstanding that the pressing panels will be heated somewhat by the proximity of the heating panels, they can be at a significantly lower temperature than the heating panels. In this embodiment the pressing panels 226, 228 have their own heating elements 220 so that the temperature of the pressing panels can be controlled, independently of the temperature of the heating panels, and ideally to a lower temperature.

[0107] In practical variants of the hair styling device according to the second embodiment it is expected that the width W of the heating panels 116, 118 will be larger than the width w of the pressing panels 126, 128, ideally significantly larger so that the length of hair takes significantly longer to pass between the heating panels than to pass between the pressing panels. In one embodiment the width W is around 35 mm and the width w is around 10 mm-15 mm. Similarly for the third embodiment, with the width of the heating panels 216, 218 being significantly larger than the width of the pressing panels 226, 228 as is shown in particular in FIG. 6. In one preferred example of the third embodiment the width of the heating panels 216, 218 (corresponding to the width W of FIG. 3) is 35 mm and the width of the pressing panels 226, 228 (corresponding to the width w of FIG. 3) is 12 mm.

[0108] It will be understood that pressing panels 126, 128, 216, 218 which are 10-15 mm wide will not likely be able to effectively style hair on their own, even if the temperature of the pressing panels is around 200° C. (and for this reason conventional hair straighteners typically have heating panels which are more than 20 mm wide). Similarly, because the hair is not pressed between the heating panels 116, 118 it will not be effectively styled as it passes therebetween, notwithstanding that it can be heated to around 200° C. at that stage. Instead, it is the combination of the heating panels followed by the pressing panels which are required to style hair with the present invention. Hair can therefore be effectively styled by pressing the hair between panels which are only around 10-15 mm wide, the reduced width of the panels as compared to conventional hair straighteners reducing the likelihood of damage to the hair by reducing the path length (and time) for which the hair is pulled and pressed whilst at its most vulnerable to damage.

[0109] It will be understood that the arms (12, 14; 212, 214) of all embodiments of the hair styling device may be resiliently biased apart as in conventional hair straighteners, requiring the user to grip the arms and press them together in use. Alternatively, the arms are biased together, requiring the user to move them apart in use (one suitable alternative arrangement has a pivot between the handle parts of the arms and the heating and pressing panels). The latter arrangement has the first advantage that the user does not need to grip the arms to keep the heated panels in their operative position; less heat is therefore likely to be lost to the atmosphere, especially whilst the device is heating up prior to use. The latter arrangement has the second advantage that the heating panels are less likely to be inadvertently touched by the user as the device is manipulated so that the likelihood of burns is reduced. The latter arrangement has the third advantage that the pressure between the pressing panels in their operative position is controlled by the spring (or other resilient biasing means, or by magnet(s), for example) rather than the user's grip, so that a more consistent pressure is likely to be applied between the pressing panels during use, especially during extended periods of use. The latter arrangement is therefore likely to be less tiring for the user. The latter arrangement is also more aesthetically pleasing when the device is not in use.

[0110] In a preferred example of the third embodiment the amplitude of the corrugations is around one third of the wavelength (the amplitude is approximately 10 mm and the wavelength is approximately 35 mm); deeper or shallower corrugations (with an amplitude which is more than or less than one third of the wavelength respectively) can be provided as desired. It will be understood that deeper corrugations will increase the path length of the hair as it passes between the heating panels and will also increase the frictional resistance to movement of the hair between the heating panels. The relative amplitude and wavelength shown in FIG. 6 has been found to be a good compromise.

[0111] In a practical hair styling device made according to the third embodiment of FIGS. 4-6, and having heating panels 216 and 218 with the form and dimensions stated above, results in a path length for the hair passing between the heating panels of approximately 43 mm. The convoluted or corrugated form of the heating panels therefore provides a sufficient path length for the hair to attain the desired styling temperature, but with a significant reduction in the overall width of the device.

[0112] In certain embodiments the amplitude and wavelength of the corrugations can be made adjustable. In one particular embodiment the heating panels are provided by a flexible corrugated sheet, the ends of which sheet can be forced together so as to reduce the wavelength and increase the amplitude of the corrugations, or alternatively forced apart so as to increase the wavelength and reduce the amplitude of the corrugations, as desired.

[0113] In other embodiments the pressing panels can be provided by rollers. Notwithstanding that the rollers have a small contact area (similar to that of the embodiment of FIG. 1) they can nevertheless provide sufficient pressure to style the previously-heated hair.

[0114] In yet other embodiments the heating panels are provided by rollers with a corrugated periphery, the peaks of the corrugations of one roller loosely meshing with the troughs of the corrugations of the other roller, and vice versa (ideally so that the hair is not pressed as it passes between the corrugated rollers). The rollers can if desired be driven to rotate so as to assist the passage of hair therebetween.