U.S. patent application number 11/211768 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-15 for hair straightener.
This patent application is currently assigned to Morphy Richards Limited. Invention is credited to Timothy Barnard, Peter Keig.
Application Number | 20060124625 11/211768 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34089982 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060124625 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Keig; Peter ; et
al. |
June 15, 2006 |
Hair straightener
Abstract
A hair treatment device comprising a base having means for
collection to an electrical power supply, the base including a
socket including a first electrical connector, tongs comprising a
pair of limbs including at least one resistive of heating element,
the limbs being connected by a hinge, the tongs further comprising
a socket engaging portion including a second electrical connector,
the socket engaging portion being adapted to releasably engage the
socket so that the first electrical connector connects to the
second electrical connector to connect the resistive element to the
power supply, wherein the limbs are arranged to extend upwardly
when engaged to the base.
Inventors: |
Keig; Peter; (Stoke On
Trent, GB) ; Barnard; Timothy; (Nottingham,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARBY & DARBY P.C.
P. O. BOX 5257
NEW YORK
NY
10150-5257
US
|
Assignee: |
Morphy Richards Limited
South Yorkshire
GB
|
Family ID: |
34089982 |
Appl. No.: |
11/211768 |
Filed: |
August 24, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
219/222 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2001/004 20130101;
A45D 1/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
219/222 |
International
Class: |
A45D 2/36 20060101
A45D002/36; A45D 1/04 20060101 A45D001/04; A45D 4/12 20060101
A45D004/12; A45D 4/06 20060101 A45D004/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 14, 2004 |
GB |
0427315.7 |
Claims
1. A hair treatment device comprising: a base having means for
connection to an electrical power supply, the base including a
socket, the socket including a first electrical connector; and a
straightener comprising: a pair of limbs including at least one
resistive of heating element, the limbs being connected by a hinge;
and a socket engaging portion including a second electrical
connector, the socket engaging portion being adapted to releasably
engage the socket so that the first electrical connector connects
to the second electrical connector to connect the resistive element
to the power supply, wherein the limbs are arranged to extend
upwardly when engaged to the base.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, including a releasable latch to
retain the straightener in the socket.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising two limbs each
including a resistive element having heatable hair engaging
surfaces.
4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the width of the
heatable surface is equal to or greater than 2.5 cm.
5. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening of the
socket extends upwardly from the base.
6. A device a as claimed in claim 1, including resilient means
arranged to urge the limbs into an open spaced apart
orientation.
7. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the limbs are partially
closed when the straightener are engaged in the socket.
8. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heated plates
comprise an aluminium core coated with a ceramic material.
9. A device as claimed in claim L wherein the socket is axially
elongate extending upwardly to provide a generally cylindrical
socket to receive the straightener.
10. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the latch is integral
with one limb of the straightener.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to an electric hair straightening or
hair curling device, particularly, but not exclusively, a hair
straightener.
[0002] Conventional hair straighteners comprise a pair of heatable
plates having heating elements in hinged limbs permanently attached
to a power cable for connection to a mains supply. Such a device
has a number of disadvantages. Permanent connection of the power
cable can be inconvenient, hampering free use of the
straightener.
[0003] The limbs of such prior devices are biased outwardly by a
spring. This leads to a risk that a user may inadvertently grasp
one of the heated limbs when picking up the device. Furthermore,
the heated tongs may be laid down on a thermally sensitive surface
or combustible material.
[0004] According to the present invention a hair treatment device
comprises a base having means for connection to an electrical power
supply, the base including a socket including a first electrical
connector, [0005] the straightener body comprising a pair of limbs
including at least one resistive of heating element, the limbs
being connected by a hinge, [0006] the straightener further
comprising a socket engaging portion including a second electrical
connector, the socket engaging portion being adapted to releasably
engage the socket so that the first electrical connector connects
to the second electrical connector to connect the resistive element
to the power supply, wherein the limbs are arranged to extend
upwardly when engaged to the base.
[0007] The present invention provides a cordless connection for a
hair straightening or curling device and confers several advantages
over previously known devices. The heating limbs are prevented from
contacting and damaging an underlying surface such as a polished
dressing table. Furthermore the upward arrangement of the limbs
during heating allows a higher power to be supplied without a risk
of damage to an underlying thermally sensitive or combustible
surface.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment a releasable latch is provided to
retain the tongs in the socket.
[0009] In preferred embodiments both limbs include resistive
elements and have a heated hair engaging surfaces. The width of
each heatable surface may be equal to or greater than 2.5 cm.
Alternatively a narrower but thicker arrangement may be provided to
afford a high thermal mass. In such arrangement a higher thermal
mass is provided than with a conventional narrow heating element
for a hair curling or straightening device.
[0010] In preferred embodiments the opening of the socket extends
upwardly from the base.
[0011] Resilient means are preferably provided to urge the limbs
into an open, spaced apart orientation. The resilient means may
comprise one or more springs.
[0012] In a particularly preferred embodiment the limbs are
partially closed when the tongs are engaged in the socket. The
reduced separation between the tongs in the partially closed
position may be selected to make it difficult for a user to
accidentally insert a finger between the heated limbs while the
tongs are engaged in the socket. This is particularly beneficial
with a relatively high powered device.
[0013] Partial or complete closing of the limbs when engaged in the
socket confers the additional advantage that heat loss from the
heating elements is reduced because radiant heat from one element
impinges on the other adjacent element. In preferred embodiments
the two elements do not touch during the heating process to avoid a
risk of over heating.
[0014] Use of heating elements with a width of 2.5 cm or more has
the advantage that a greater surface area is available to allow
hair to be straightened more quickly. Further the larger thermal
mass means that the device can be used for longer periods without
re-heating. However heating of a higher thermal mass may be slower.
In preferred devices in accordance with the present invention a
higher power capacity is provided. This is possible as the limbs
are safely stowed in a upright position during heating.
[0015] The heating element may comprise an aluminium core coated
with a ceramic material. A ceramic resistive heating element may be
provided within the core. This heating arrangement has a higher
thermal mass than alternative arrangements, allowing heat to be
retained and also permitting use of high power resistive elements.
Furthermore, ceramic coated aluminium elements are cheaper and
easier to manufacture than solid ceramic elements. However, solid
ceramic elements may he used if desired.
[0016] Aluminium cored heating plates having ceramic elements are
beneficial because the heating time is quicker facilitating use in
a cordless unit.
[0017] In the preferred embodiments of the invention the heating
elements reach a temperature of 180-220.degree. C. when the plates
are in the open position. This temperature may be achieved within 1
minute. When removed from the base the heating plates may maintain
a temperature above 140.degree. C. for at least 4 minutes and
re-heat from 140-200.degree. C. within 20 seconds or less when
engaged from the base.
[0018] Use of a separate base allows provision of a digital display
and convenient actuation controls. This avoids the need for
provision of controls in the electrical connector lead. Furthermore
the digital display in the base can be readily observed
irrespective of the orientation or location of the tongs.
[0019] In an alternative embodiment a display may be provided in
the straightener. Use of wider plates than in conventional devices
allows the read out to be located at an upper portion of the tongs
if required, facilitating legibility of the display. In previous
devices a display has been provided in the handle or making it
difficult to observe the display during use.
[0020] In preferred embodiments the socket securely engages the
straightener to that a secure electrical connection is provided.
The socket may be axially elongate, extending upwardly to provide a
generally cylindrical socket to receive the tongs.
[0021] The latch may be integral with one limb of the straightener
so that the latch may be released by urging the plates together
against the action of the spring. This avoids the need for a
separate moving part. In a preferred embodiment the latch includes
a tooth or otherwise shaped formation which engages an annular
recess on the exterior of the cylindrical socket.
[0022] In the preferred embodiments the case may incorporate a
rotatable spool for storage of the power supply cable.
[0023] The invention is further described by means of example but
not in a limitative sense with reference to the accompanying
drawings of which
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hair straightener in
accordance with this invention,
[0025] FIGS. 2 and 3 shows the base of a straightener in accordance
with the invention,
[0026] FIGS. 4 to 6 contain several views of the straightener
body.
[0027] The hair straightener shown in FIG. 1 comprises a base (1)
having a mains power cord (not shown) extending to a plug (not
shown), The cord extends from the rear of the base. A switch (3)
and LED displays (4) are mounted on the front of the base to permit
the device to be switched off or between on and standby positions
and to indicate the status of the device.
[0028] A cylindrical socket (5) extends axially upwardly from the
centre of the generally cylindrical base (1) and provides a recess
(13) into which a corresponding shaped lower portion (6) of the
straightener body or tongs (7) may be received and engaged to an
electrical connection (4) between the straightener (7) and power
supply to a latch (8) integral with one limb of the straightener
(14) engages a formation (15) in the outer surface of the socket
(5) to retain the tongs when engaged within the socket. The latch
(8) may comprise an arm having an inwardly facing tooth (16) or
otherwise shaped projection to engage within an annular recess in
the exterior of the cylindrical sleeve (5).
[0029] The straightener body includes two plates (9),(10) joined
for pivoted movement at a lower hinge (11) and biased outwardly by
means of a spring (not shown). When the straightener body is
removed from the base the plates are urged apart by the spring to
allow a users hair to be inserted between them.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment the limbs must be partially or
completely closed to allow the lower portion (6) to be received
within the socket (5).
[0031] Each plate (9),(10) includes a heating element
electronically connected to the base (6) of the body for connection
to the power supply. Each element comprises a generally rectangular
ceramic element having a lateral width of 2.5 cm or more. Each
element comprises an aluminium core coated with a ceramic material
and having a ceramic resistive element within the aluminium core.
Each element has a power consumption of 40-80 W more preferably
about 80 W in the steady state rising to a peak of 400-500 W when
the element is heating from cold when first turned on.
[0032] In use of the hair straightener the heated plates are
manually pressed together, the base inserted into the socket and
the plates released so that the latch (8) engages the outer surface
of the cylindrical sleeve (5). The power may then be turned on to
heat the elements (11),(12) an LED display shows when the elements
have reached the temperature. The handle of the straightener may
then be grasped urging the limbs together to release the latch (8).
Relaxation of the hand grip allows the straightener to open for
hair to be inserted. The tongs can then be closed grasping the hair
until the temperature of the elements drops below the working
temperature. The straightener is then reinserted into the base to
allow them to reheat.
* * * * *