U.S. patent application number 10/723149 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-26 for hair straightening device.
Invention is credited to Rachal, Jake.
Application Number | 20050109755 10/723149 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34592182 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050109755 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rachal, Jake |
May 26, 2005 |
Hair straightening device
Abstract
A hair straightening device that includes a handle and a base
portion having a proximal end adjacent to the handle, a distal end
and a surface. The hair straightening device includes a plurality
of bristles extending from the surface of the base portion, each of
the plurality of bristles having a tip. Furthermore, the hair
straightening device includes a heating element extending between
the proximal end and the distal end of the base portion. The
heating element has a heated surface that is positioned between the
surface of the base portion and the tips of the bristles. The
heating element may be flat, curved or any other shape. In
addition, the heating element may be positioned between rows of
bristles, or may be positioned at or along a lateral edge of the
base portion of the device. The heating element may have one or
more openings, wherein at least one bristle is configured to extend
through the opening or openings. Advantageously, the heating
element is adjustable.
Inventors: |
Rachal, Jake; (New York,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KENYON & KENYON
ONE BROADWAY
NEW YORK
NY
10004
US
|
Family ID: |
34592182 |
Appl. No.: |
10/723149 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
219/222 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2/002 20130101;
A45D 1/18 20130101; A45D 1/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
219/222 |
International
Class: |
A45D 001/04 |
Claims
1. A hair straightening device comprising: a handle; a base portion
having a proximal end adjacent to the handle, a distal end and a
surface; a plurality of bristles extending from the surface of the
base portion, each of the plurality of bristles having a tip; a
heating element extending between the proximal end and the distal
end of the base portion, the heating element having a heated
surface that is flat across a width of the heated surface and that
is positioned between the surface of the base portion and the tips
of the bristles.
2. The hair straightening device of claim 1, further comprising a
power source for providing power for heating the heating
element.
3. The hair straightening device of claim 2, wherein the power
source includes an electric cord configured to be plugged into an
electrical outlet.
4. The hair straightening device of claim 2, wherein the power
source includes a battery housed within the device.
5. (canceled)
6. The hair straightening device of claim 1, wherein the heating
element is curved.
7. The hair straightening device of claim 1, wherein the heating
element is positioned between rows of bristles.
8. The hair straightening device of claim 1, wherein the heating
element is configured to be heated to a temperature between
150.degree. F. and 600.degree. F.
9. The hair straightening device of claim 1, wherein the heating
element is adjustable.
10. The hair straightening device of claim 9, wherein the heating
element is adjustable between the surface of the base portion and
the tips of the bristles.
11. The hair straightening device of claim 1, further comprising a
second heating element.
12. The hair straightening device of claim 11, wherein the second
heating element is positioned between rows of bristles.
13. (canceled)
14. The hair straightening device of claim 13, further comprising a
bristle attachment, the bristle attachment configured to be
attachable to the heating element positioned at a lateral edge of
the base portion.
15. The hair straightening device of claim 1, wherein the heating
element has one or more openings, wherein at least one bristle is
configured to extend through the openings.
16. The hair straightening device of claim 15, wherein the heating
element is adjustable such that the at least one bristle is
configured to extend through the openings.
17. (canceled)
18. The hair straightening device of claim 1, wherein the device
includes more than one row of bristles so as to be configured as a
brush.
19. The hair straightening device of claim 1, wherein heating
element defines grooves configured to guide hair.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a hair styling device, and
more particularly to a hair straightening device.
BACKGROUND
[0002] There are many conventional devices that are currently
purported to straighten hair. For instance, conventional hair
straightening devices, such as a flat iron, typically employ two
heated elements between which hair is pressed. While this process
succeeds in flattening the hair, it leaves the hair with an
artificial appearance. Another problem with conventional hair
straightening devices is that such an iron, comprised of two
oppositely and adjacently-disposed heating elements, cannot safely
or effectively reach the hair that is closest to the scalp. As a
result, this process of straightening leaves the hair with an
uneven quality.
[0003] The use of a flat iron on the hair may also damage the hair.
The combination of tension on the hair and excessive heat pressing
from two sides dries and weakens the hair, leading to breakage and
split ends.
[0004] Other conventional devices used to straighten hair may
employ hot air. Conventional devices such as the common blow dryer
use hot air to mold the hair in a desired position hoping to obtain
a more natural look. The problem with blow dryers is that the air
blows many of the hairs in undesired directions. Unless each strand
of hair is tightly secured with tension, which in turn is damaging
to the hair, it is impossible to keep each strand lying in the
desired position. While hot air successfully dries the hair it is
not effective in straightening each strand.
[0005] Thus, conventional devices used to straighten hair are time
consuming, complicated, and require the help of a stylist to
achieve professional quality results. However, even when a stylist
assists in the hair straightening process, these conventional hair
straightening devices do not provide the stylist with the ability
to successfully straighten all lengths of hair. Straightening hair
has always been a tedious process from which even professional
stylists typically achieve less than satisfactory results.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention relates to a hair straightening
device, such as a comb or, preferably, a brush or the like. In one
embodiment, the hair straightening device includes a handle. The
hair straightening device also includes a base portion having a
proximal end adjacent to the handle, a distal end and a surface. In
addition, the hair straightening device includes a plurality of
bristles extending from the surface of the base portion, each of
the plurality of bristles having a tip. Furthermore, the hair
straightening device includes a heating element extending between
the proximal end and the distal end of the base portion. The
heating element has a heated surface that is positioned between the
surface of the base portion and the tips of the bristles. The
heating element may be configured to be heated between 150.degree.
F. and 600.degree. F.
[0007] The hair straightening device may also include a power
source for providing power for heating the heating element, such as
an electric cord configured to be plugged into an electrical
outlet, or a battery housed within the device. The heating element
may be flat, curved or any other shape. In addition, the heating
element may be positioned between rows of bristles, or may be
positioned at or along a lateral edge of the base portion of the
device. Alternatively or additionally, the heating element may have
one or more openings, wherein at least one bristle is configured to
extend through the opening or openings. Furthermore, the heating
element may define grooves configured to guide hair.
[0008] In one embodiment, the heating element is adjustable, e.g.,
in a vertical direction between the surface of the base portion and
the tips of the bristles. In the embodiment in which the heating
element has one or more openings through which a bristle or
bristles extend, the heating element may be adjustable such that
the bristle or bristles are configured to extend through and move
within the openings. In another embodiment, the hair straightening
device includes a second heating element, which may also be
positioned between rows of bristles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view that illustrates one embodiment
of a hair straightening device, according to one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front view of a hair straightening device,
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hair straightening device,
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a front view of a hair straightening device,
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a front view of a hair straightening device,
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a front view that illustrates a hair straightening
device having a heating element that is positioned along the
lateral edge of the base portion, according to another embodiment
of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 7(a) is a side cross-sectional view of a hair
straightening device, according to still another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 7(b) is a side view that illustrates a heating element,
the heating element defining grooves having a square or rectangular
profile, according to still another embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0017] FIG. 7(c) is a side view that illustrates a heating element,
the heating element defining grooves having a curved or undulating
profile, according to still another embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The present invention, according to one embodiment thereof,
is directed to a hair straightening device. FIG. 1 is a perspective
view that illustrates one embodiment of a hair straightening device
10. The hair straightening device 10 includes a handle 12. The hair
straightening device 10 also includes a base portion 14 having a
proximal end 14a adjacent to the handle 12 and a distal end 14b.
The base portion 14 also defines a surface 16, which may be flat or
curved.
[0019] The hair straightening device 10 also includes a plurality
of bristles 18. The bristles 18 extend from the surface 16 of the
base portion 14. Each of the bristles 18 have a tip 18a.
Advantageously, the bristles 18 are configured so as to be
generally perpendicularly arranged relative to the surface 16 of
the base portion. However, it should be recognized that the
bristles 18 may be configured so as to be arranged at any desirable
angle relative to the surface 16 of the base portion 14. In
addition, it should be recognized that, while some embodiments may
employ bristles 18 that are all arranged at a given angle relative
to the surface 16 of the base portion 14, other embodiments may
employ some bristles 18 which are arranged at a first angle
relative to the surface 16 of the base portion 14 and some bristles
18 which are arranged at a second, e.g., different, angle relative
to the surface 16 of the base portion 14.
[0020] The hair straightening device 10 also includes a heating
element 20. The heating element 20 may extend between the proximal
end 14a and the distal end 14b of the base portion 14. The heating
element 20 preferably has a heated surface 20a that is positioned
between the surface 16 of the base portion 14 and the tips 18a of
the bristles 18.
[0021] The hair straightening device 10 may also include a power
source 22 for providing power, e.g., electric power, for heating
the heating element 20. In the embodiment shown, the hair
straightening device 100 includes a power source 22 in the form of
an electric cord 22a configured to be plugged into an electrical
outlet. Alternatively or additionally, the hair straightening
device 10 includes a power source 22 in the form of a battery 27
housed within the hair straightening device 10.
[0022] The hair straightening device 10 may also include an on/off
switch that enables a user to selectively turn the device 10 on and
off, such as on/off switch 24. In addition, the hair straightening
device 10 may include a temperature control switch that enables a
user to selectively control the temperature to which the heating
element 20 is heated, such as temperature control switch 26.
[0023] The heating element 20 may have any number of different
shapes and configurations. For instance, in one embodiment, the
hair straightening device 10 has a heating element 20 that is
substantially oblong, e.g, elongated, when viewed from above and
that is substantially flat when viewed in cross-section. FIG. 2, on
the other hand, is a front view of a hair straightening device 100,
in which the heating element 20, when viewed in cross-section, has
one lateral edge that is substantially squared, and a second
lateral edge that is curved or rounded. It should be recognized
that the front, rear and lateral edges of the heating element 20
may have any conceivable shape. Furthermore, it should be
recognized that the heating element 20 may have any conceivable
shape when viewed from above (or from any other direction).
[0024] Referring still to FIG. 2, the hair straightening device 10
includes a heating element 20 that is positioned between rows,
e.g., rows 28a and 28b, of bristles 18. In this manner, the heating
element 20 is less likely to inadvertently touch the scalp,
fingers, etc. of the user. This is of particular importance as, in
one embodiment of the present invention, the heating element 20 may
be configured to be heated between, for example, 150.degree. F. and
600.degree. F. At these temperatures, a user may be burned if any
part of the user, other than the user's hair, is caused to contact
the heating element 20.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hair straightening device
200, according to another embodiment of the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 3, the hair straightening device 200 includes a
heating element 220 that has one or more openings 222. At least one
bristle 218 extends from base portion 214 through the openings 222.
It should be noted that, while FIG. 3 illustrates one bristle 218
extending through each one of the openings 222, any number of
bristles may extend therethrough. In addition, it should be noted
that, while FIG. 3 illustrates the bristles 218 and the openings
222 being arranged in a straight line, any arrangement of bristles
218 and openings 222 may be employed. Still further, it should be
recognized that, while FIG. 3 illustrates, for the purposes of
clarity, the hair straightening device 200 having a single row of
bristles 218 and having no additional bristles adjacent to the
heating element, in other embodiments, the hair straightening
device 200 may have any number of additional bristles in any
conceivable arrangement.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a front view of a hair straightening device 400,
according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this
embodiment, the heating element 420 is adjustable. In this manner,
hair of differing lengths, styles, thicknesses, etc. may be
accommodated by the same device. Advantageously, the heating
element 420 is adjustable in a vertical direction, e.g., a
direction perpendicular to the surface 416 of the base portion 414.
In other embodiments, the heating element may be adjustable in a
different, e.g., non-vertical, direction. The heating element 420
may be adjustable by any conceivable adjustment mechanism, e.g.,
manually, automatically, etc. Furthermore, the heating element 420
may be adjustable between any two or more positions. For instance,
the heating element 420 may be adjusted between a first position,
shown as 420a, at which the heating element 420 is immediately
adjacent to the surface 416 of the base portion 414, and a second
position, shown in dotted lines as 420b, at which the heating
element 420 is at, below or above a level defined by the tips of
the bristles 418. In addition, the heating element 420 may be
adjustable to any position, e.g., shown in dotted lines as
intermediate position 420c, between these first and second
positions.
[0027] While FIG. 4 illustrates the heating element 420 being
adjustable while positioned between rows of bristles 418, the
present invention also contemplates that other arrangements of the
heating element, for instance the heating element 220 shown in FIG.
3, may be adjustable. Referring to FIG. 3, the heating element 220
may be vertically adjustable, e.g., adjustable in a direction
generally perpendicular to a surface of the base portion 214. In
this case, as the heating element 220 is raised and lowered
relative to the surface 216 of the base portion 214, the bristles
218 are caused to move through and within the openings 222.
[0028] The hair straightening device of the present invention may
have two or more heating elements. For instance, FIG. 5 is a front
view of a hair straightening device 500, according to another
embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the hair
straightening device 500 includes a first heating element 520a and
a second heating element 520b. Each of the heating elements 520a,
520b may have any number of different shapes and configurations.
For instance, in one embodiment, the hair straightening device 500
may have heating elements 520a, 520b, each of which is, e.g.,
substantially oblong, elongated or rectangular when viewed from
above, and that is, e.g., substantially flat, curved, rounded or
squared when viewed in cross-section. The heating elements 520a,
520b may be positioned between rows, e.g., rows 528a, 528b and
528c, of bristles 518 extending from base portion 514 or in any
other arrangement relative to the bristles 518.
[0029] While the embodiments described hereinabove have the heating
element positioned generally above the surface of the base portion,
in other embodiments, the heating element may be positioned at or
along a lateral edge of the base portion. For instance, FIG. 6 is a
front view that illustrates a hair straightening device 600 having
a heating element 618 that is positioned along a lateral edge 614e
of a base portion 614. As shown in FIG. 6, the hair straightening
device 600 may also include a bristle attachment 630. The bristle
attachment 630 may include one or more additional bristles 618, or
sets or rows of additional bristles 618. Furthermore, the bristle
attachment 630 may be configured to be attachable, e.g., in the
direction shown by the arrows, such as by any conceivable
attachment mechanism, to the heating element 618 positioned at the
lateral edge 614e of the base portion 614.
[0030] FIG. 7(a) is a side cross-sectional view of a hair
straightening device 700 according to still another embodiment of
the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7(a), the heating element
720 is not flat, but instead has a curved or grooved shape when
viewed in a side cross-sectional view. FIG. 7(a) also illustrates
that the tips 718a of the bristles 718 may have various different
lengths, and may define a surface, shown in dotted lines as surface
718b, having any conceivable shape, e.g., curved.
[0031] FIG. 7(b) is a side view that illustrates a heating element
720a, the heating element 720a defining grooves 7201 having a
square or rectangular profile. FIG. 7(c), on the other hand, is a
side view that illustrates a heating element 720b, the heating
element 720b defining grooves 7202 having a curved or undulating
profile. Of course, in these embodiments, the grooves defined by
the heating element 720 may have any conceivable shape or
arrangement. The grooves formed by the heating element 720 may
assist in guiding the hair of a user.
[0032] It should be recognized that the base portion as shown in
some of the aforementioned embodiments, e.g., having a significant
width and including multiple rows of bristles, thereby enable the
device to be employed as a brush. Alternatively, in other
embodiments, the hair straightening device may be configured so as
to have a relatively narrow base portion and to include a single
row of bristles, thereby enabling the device to be employed as a
comb.
[0033] Furthermore, it should be recognized that the hair
straightening device described hereinabove may be employed to
straighten the hair of human, animals, or any other entity that
includes hair.
[0034] The present invention provides the advantage that it enables
any length of hair, including very short hair, to be straightened
in a quick, safe, and simple process. As the hair is guided through
the bristles of the brush, the hair comes into contact with the
heating element. The heating element relaxes the hair and molds the
hair into the configuration which the hair assumes as the hair is
being brushed. Thus, the disadvantages of the blow dryer and the
flat iron may be eliminated. Unlike a conventional blow dryer, the
hair is not blown away from the brush that is positioning the hair
in the desired shape. Furthermore, unlike the flat iron, the hair
is not exposed and flattened between two heated elements. According
to the present invention, the hair straightening device of the
present invention provides for an arrangement whereby excessive
tension is not needed to straighten the hair. Instead, the hair's
own weight and resiliency guides it through the bristles of the
brush, and the stress to the hair is no greater than the simple act
of running a brush through one's hair.
[0035] Thus, unlike with conventional hair straightening devices,
the heat needed to relax the hair is not being used in conjunction
with excessive force, pulling, or pressing. After contacting the
heating element, the hair is caused to be straightened and smoothed
for a long-lasting style. The process also leaves the hair with a
shine.
[0036] Another advantage of the hair straightening device of the
present invention is its ability to straighten hair of any length,
particularly very short hair. For instance, the hair straightening
device of the present invention can safely straighten hair from its
roots without burning the scalp. The brush can grasp and straighten
hair that is very close to the scalp and leaves the entire length
of hair evenly styled.
[0037] Thus, the several aforementioned objects and advantages of
the present invention are most effectively attained. Those skilled
in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications of the
exemplary embodiment described hereinabove may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Although
various exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been
described and disclosed in detail herein, it should be understood
that this invention is in no sense limited thereby.
* * * * *