U.S. patent application number 12/559334 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-15 for hair straightening and drying device.
Invention is credited to Richard Ouellette, Clifford Wright.
Application Number | 20100089413 12/559334 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42097772 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100089413 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wright; Clifford ; et
al. |
April 15, 2010 |
HAIR STRAIGHTENING AND DRYING DEVICE
Abstract
Described are hair styling devices and methods. A hair
straightening and drying device includes a hair blow dryer
integrated into a flat iron and operable to dry damp hair placed
within the flat iron. A hair straightening and drying device can
include a handle portion housing a motorized fan, opposing distal
arms housing heatable surfaces coupled to heating elements and at
least one distal portion housing an air duct configured to receive
air from the motorized fan and to channel the air to the hair that
is being styled, and a hinge that provides for rotation of the
distal portions in relation to the handle portion and each other.
The motorized fan creates a pressure gradient causing air to flow
into an air duct enclosed in one of the distal portions and the air
is dispersed through openings in the duct onto hair that is being
styled and dried. Each distal portion houses a heatable surface
that is heated by a heating element. The opposing heatable surfaces
are closed around strands of hair to straighten the hair. In this
manner, damp hair is straightened and blown dry at the same time
creating time efficiencies and allowing for certain styling
techniques.
Inventors: |
Wright; Clifford; (San
Diego, CA) ; Ouellette; Richard; (Poway, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MINTZ, LEVIN, COHN, FERRIS, GLOVSKY AND POPEO, P.C
ONE FINANCIAL CENTER
BOSTON
MA
02111
US
|
Family ID: |
42097772 |
Appl. No.: |
12/559334 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61097138 |
Sep 15, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/211 ;
132/269; 34/97 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2001/004 20130101;
A45D 7/02 20130101; A45D 20/10 20130101; A45D 2/001 20130101; A45D
1/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/211 ;
132/269; 34/97 |
International
Class: |
A45D 7/02 20060101
A45D007/02; A45D 1/00 20060101 A45D001/00; A45D 20/12 20060101
A45D020/12 |
Claims
1. A hair styling tool for damp hair comprising: a handle portion
comprising a motorized fan; first and second opposed arms each
comprising a heatable surface; an air duct extending through at
least one of the first and second opposed arms, wherein the air
duct receives air from the motorized fan and channels air out of at
least one of the first and second opposed arms; and a hinge element
coupled at a first region to the handle portion and at a second
region to each of the first and second opposed arms.
2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the heatable surface delivers heat
to strands of damp hair placed between the first and second opposed
arms.
3. The tool in claim 1, wherein the hinge element rotates the first
and second opposed arms in relation to the handle portion and in
relation to each other.
4. The tool in claim 1, wherein the heatable surface is a flat
aluminum plate.
5. The tool in claim 1, wherein the heatable surface is a flat
ceramic plate.
6. The tool in claim 1, wherein the handle portion and the first
and second opposed arms are coupled by the hinge element such that
an angle between one of the first and second opposed arms and the
handle portion is greater than 180 degrees.
7. The tool in claim 1, wherein the air duct further comprises a
main air duct coupled to two opposing air ducts.
8. The tool in claim 7, wherein the two opposing air ducts are
housed adjacent and on opposite sides of one of the heatable
surface.
9. The tool in claim 8, wherein the two opposing air ducts comprise
openings through which the air from the motorized fan is channeled
onto strands of hair placed between the first and second opposed
arms.
10. The tool in claim 1, further comprising a heating element
housed in each of the first and second opposed arms that deliver
heat to the heatable surfaces.
11. The tool in claim 10, wherein at least one of the heating
elements is housed in close proximity to the air duct to deliver
heat to the air as it passes through the air duct.
12. The tool in claim 10, further comprising an electrical cord
coupled to the motorized fan and the heating elements to deliver
electricity to the motorized fan and the heating elements.
13. The tool in claim 12, further comprising a swivel element
coupled to the electrical cord that allows a user to turn the
handle portion without also turning the electrical cord.
14. The tool in claim 1, wherein the handle portion further
comprises air intake openings adjacent the motorized fan to allow
air to pass into the fan and through the air duct.
15. The tool in claim 14, wherein the handle portion further
comprises air filters are coupled to the handle portion to filter
the air entering through the air intake openings.
16. The tool in claim 1, wherein the motorized fan pulls air from
the air duct such that the air duct channels air from at least one
opening in the air duct located in close proximity to strands of
hair placed between the first and second opposed arms to the
motorized fan.
17. A method of styling damp hair comprising: providing a tool
comprising a handle portion enclosing a motorized fan and coupled
to first and second opposed arms, wherein at least one of the first
and second opposed arms comprises a heatable surface and an air
duct; heating the heatable surface; placing strands of damp hair
between the first and second opposed arms; channeling air through
the air duct; approximating the first and second opposed arms such
that the strands of damp hair are clamped between the first and
second opposed arms; and pulling the hair through the approximated
first and second opposed arms, wherein the hair is straightened as
it is dried.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein air is channeled through the
air duct towards the motorized fan.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein air is channeled through the
air duct towards the strands of hair clamped between the first and
second opposed arms.
Description
REFERENCE TO PRIORITY DOCUMENT
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/097,138, entitled "Hair Straightening and
Drying Device," filed Sep. 15, 2008. Priority of the filing date of
Sep. 15, 2008, and the disclosure of the provisional patent
application is hereby fully incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Conventional techniques for drying and straightening hair
are time-consuming and at times technically demanding. A hair blow
dryer is a device that is used to dry hair by blowing heated air
over strands of hair causing the moisture on the hair to evaporate.
Hair dryers can be difficult to use by an individual, especially a
person that desires to straighten their hair while it dries. A flat
iron is a device that is used to straighten hair and typically
include two arms that extend outward in the same direction from a
single base. The arms are typically positioned opposite one another
and each contain a plate that can be heated to high temperatures.
Hair is straightened by closing the heated plates around selected
strands of hair and breaking with heat the hydrogen bonds that were
responsible for the bends in the hair. The hair will thus remain
straight until these hydrogen bonds are allowed to reform, usually
from exposure to moisture. Flat irons known in the art are not
effective on wet or damp hair and thus, require the time-consuming
step of completely drying the strands of hair using, for example, a
hair dryer prior to use.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one aspect, disclosed is a hair styling tool for damp
hair includes a handle portion having a motorized fan; first and
second opposed arms each having a heatable surface; an air duct
extending through at least one of the first and second opposed
arms; and a hinge element coupled at a first region to the handle
portion and at a second region to each of the first and second
opposed arms. The air duct receives air from the motorized fan and
channels air out of at least one of the first and second opposed
aims.
[0004] The heatable surface can deliver heat to strands of damp
hair placed between the first and second opposed arms. The hinge
element can rotate the first and second opposed arms in relation to
the handle portion and in relation to each other. The heatable
surface can be a flat aluminum plate or a flat ceramic plate. The
handle portion and the first and second opposed arms can be coupled
by the hinge element such that an angle between one of the first
and second opposed arms and the handle portion is greater than 180
degrees. The air duct can also include a main air duct coupled to
two opposing air ducts. The two opposing air ducts can be housed
adjacent and on opposite sides of one of the heatable surface. The
two opposing air ducts can include openings through which the air
from the motorized fan is channeled onto strands of hair placed
between the first and second opposed arms. The tool can also
include a heating element housed in each of the first and second
opposed arms that deliver heat to the heatable surfaces. At least
one of the heating elements can be housed in close proximity to the
air duct to deliver heat to the air as it passes through the air
duct. The tool can further include an electrical cord coupled to
the motorized fan and the heating elements to deliver electricity
to the motorized fan and the heating elements. The tool can further
include a swivel element coupled to the electrical cord that allows
a user to turn the handle portion without also turning the
electrical cord. The handle portion can further include air intake
openings adjacent the motorized fan to allow air to pass into the
fan and through the air duct. The handle portion can further
include air filters are coupled to the handle portion to filter the
air entering through the air intake openings. The motorized fan can
pull air from the air duct such that the air duct channels air from
at least one opening in the air duct located in close proximity to
strands of hair placed between the first and second opposed arms to
the motorized fan.
[0005] Also disclosed is a method of styling damp hair. The method
includes providing a tool having a handle portion enclosing a
motorized fan and coupled to first and second opposed arms, wherein
at least one arm comprises a heatable surface and an air duct. The
method also includes heating the heatable surface; placing strands
of damp hair between the first and second opposed arms; channeling
air through the air duct; approximating the first and second
opposed arms such that the strands of damp hair are clamped between
the first and second arms; and pulling the hair through the
approximated first and second opposed arms, wherein the hair is
straightened as it is dried.
[0006] The details of one or more variations of the subject matter
described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the
description below. Other features and advantages of the subject
matter described herein will be apparent from the description and
drawings, and from the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is an illustration representing a hair straightening
and drying device;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a handle portion of the hair
straightening and drying device;
[0009] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a lower distal portion of the
hair straightening and drying device;
[0010] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an upper distal portion of the
hair straightening and drying device; and
[0011] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a hinge element coupling the
upper and lower distal portions to the handle portion of the hair
straightening and drying device.
[0012] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Described herein is a hair straightening and drying device
for wet or damp hair that includes a hair blow dryer integrated
into a flat iron and operable to dry hair placed within the flat
iron. A hair straightening and drying device can include a handle
portion housing a motorized fan, opposing distal arms housing
heatable surfaces coupled to heating elements and at least one
distal portion housing an air duct configured to receive air from
the motorized fan and to channel the air to the hair that is being
styled, and a hinge that provides for rotation of the distal
portions in relation to the handle portion and each other. The
motorized fan can create a pressure gradient causing air to flow
into or out of an air duct enclosed in one of the distal portions
and the air is dispersed through openings in the duct onto hair
that is being styled and dried. Each distal portion houses a
heatable surface that is heated by a heating element. The opposing
heatable surfaces can be closed around strands of hair to
straighten the hair while the air flows over the hair to dry it. In
this manner, hair is straightened and blown dry at the same time
creating time efficiencies and allowing for certain styling
techniques.
[0014] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a hair straightening and drying
device 100 including a handle portion 110 coupled to a distal
portion having a lower arm 120 and an upper arm 130 extending from
a hinge element 140.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded view 200 of a handle portion 110. The
outer casing of the handle portion 110 can include an upper fan
cover 210 attached to a lower fan base 220. The handle portion 110
can enclose a motorized fan 240 having a motor 235 coupled to a fan
element 245. As shown in FIG. 2, a wall element 250 can separate
the fan element 245 from the motor 235 while still allowing for the
coupling of the motor 235 and the fan element 245. A main air duct
270 can be positioned opposing the wall element 250 and receive air
from the motorized fan 240. The upper fan cover 210 and lower fan
base 220 can each include air intake openings 215 located generally
over the area where the fan element 245 is housed. An air filter
225 can be attached to the handle portion 110 over the air intake
openings 215 such that the air filter 225 filters the air entering
the handle portion 110 of any large particles that could damage the
fan element 245. It will be appreciated that the motorized fan 240
can be any type of device capable of inducing air flow.
[0016] The motor 235 can be coupled to an electrical cord 230 and
receive electrical power therefrom. A swivel 260 can be provided
that allows for the rotation of the handle portion 110 without
requiring the electrical cord 230 to rotate also.
[0017] FIG. 3 is an exploded view 300 of the lower arm 120. The
outer casing 310 of the lower arm 120 can include a bottom element
310 that can be coupled on a proximal portion to a cover element
320 and that can be further coupled on a distal portion to a
bracket element 340. When assembled, the outer casing 310 can
enclose the main air duct 270 in a proximal portion (the portion
closest to the handle member 110) coupled to two opposing air ducts
370 in a distal portion. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the main
air duct 270 can receive air from the motorized fan 240 on its
proximal end. On its distal end, the main air duct 270 can be
coupled to the two opposing air ducts 370 such that the air from
the motorized fan 240 can flow into the two opposing air ducts 370
in generally equal ratios. The proximal portions of the two
opposing air ducts 370 can be at an approximate forty-five degree
angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the main air duct 270.
The distal portions of the two opposing air ducts 370 can be
configured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main air duct
270. The main air duct 270 and the two opposing air ducts 370 can
contain one or more openings 375. The two opposing air ducts 370
can be coupled to a mounting element 380, which mounting element
380 can be further coupled to the bracket element 340. In one
variation, the bracket element 340 can include openings 370 that
can match the openings in the two opposing air ducts 370 such that
the air flowing out of the openings in the two opposing air ducts
345 can flow through the openings 375 in the bracket element.
Decorative grips 315 can be attached to the bottom element 310 for
aesthetic purposes and as a place for users to place their
fingers.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the bracket element 340 can be coupled
to a heatable surface 330. The bracket element 340 can include a
well portion 341 that can house a heating element 350, such as a
resistance heater or a far infrared heater, to provide heat to the
heatable surface 330. The bracket element 340 can further be
coupled to a thermal protective coating 360 positioned between the
bracket element 340 and the bottom element 310 in order to protect
the bottom element 310 from the heat that can radiate from the
heating element 350. The heating element 350 can be coupled to an
electrical cord 230 and receive electrical power therefrom. The
heatable surface 330 can further be coupled to the cover element
320 and/or the bottom element 310.
[0019] FIG. 4 is an exploded view 400 of the upper arm 130. The
outer casing of the upper arm 130 can include a top element 410
which can be coupled on a proximal portion to a cover element 420
and which can be further coupled on a distal portion to a bracket
element 440. When assembled, the cover element 410 and top element
410 can enclose a control board 470. The control board 470 can be
electrically coupled to the electrical cord 230, the motorized fan
240 and the heating elements 350, 450. The control board 470 can be
coupled to a lens 480 that can extend through openings in the top
element 410. The control board 470 and the lens 480 can be coupled
to a digital screen 481 and produce a digital readout of the
temperature of the heatable surfaces 430, 330 and the set point of
the temperature. The control board 470 can be further coupled to
buttons 485 that can extend through openings in the cover element
420. When assembled, the control board 470 and the buttons 485 can
allow the user to increase or decrease the set point temperature of
the heatable surfaces 430, 330, turn the motorized fan 240 on or
off, and increase or decrease the flow rate of the motorized fan
240. A decorative strip 415 can be coupled to the cover element 415
and can extend out of the top element 410 for aesthetic
purposes.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, the bracket element 440 can be coupled
to a heatable surface 430. It will be appreciated that the heatable
surfaces 330, 430 described herein can be manufactured of various
materials used for heating applications such as metal, ceramic,
glass or other material known in the art. The bracket element 440
and include a well portion 441 that can house a heating element
450, such as a resistance heater or a far infrared heater, to
provide heat to the heatable surface 430. The bracket element 440
can further be coupled to a thermal protective coating 460
positioned between the bracket element 440 and the top element 410
in order to protect the top element 410 from the heat that may
radiate from the heating element 450. Cushion elements 465 can
further be positioned between the bracket element 440 and top
element 410 in order to provide additional support and thermal
protection. The heating element 450 can be coupled to an electrical
cord 230 and configured to receive electrical power therefrom. The
heatable surface 430 can further be coupled to the cover element
420 and/or the top element 410.
[0021] FIG. 5 is an exploded view 500 of a hinge element 140. The
hinge element 140 can couple to the handle portion 110 at one end
and to the opposed arms 120, 130 at another. The hinge element 140
can bias the opposed arms 120, 130 into the open position such that
hair can be easily placed between the surfaces of the opposed arms
120, 130. A user can compress the hinge element 140 such that the
opposed arms 120, 130 are approach one another and hair is held
between them such as on the heating surfaces. Further, the hinge
element 140 can allow the upper arm 130 and the lower arm 120 to be
placed on the same longitudinal axis as the handle portion 110 or,
in the alternative, as shown in FIG. 1, the hinge element 140 can
allow the arms 120, 130 to be positioned at various angles relative
to the longitudinal axis of the handle portion 110.
[0022] The hinge element 140 can have an axis 510 in the shape of a
cylinder. Each end of the axis 510 can extend longitudinally
through opposing holes located in a hinge element of the lower fan
base 221, a hinge element of the bottom element 311 and a hinge
element of the top element 411 with each hinge element portion 221,
311, 411 positioned next to the other in layers, as illustrated in
FIG. 5. Each hinge portion 221, 311, 411 can be circular-shaped in
order to allow for maximum rotation around the axis 510. A screw
520 and a washer 525 can be used at the ends of the axis 510 to
secure all hinge portions 221, 311, 411 in place.
[0023] In operation, the electrical cord 230 can provide
electricity to the motorized fan 240. A user can turn the motorized
fan 240 on and off by pressing one of the buttons 485. The
operation of the motorized fan 240 can create a pressure gradient
across the fan element 245, such that air can pass through the air
intake openings 215 and filter 225, through the fan element 245,
through the main air duct 270, into the two opposing air ducts 370
and out through the openings in the two opposing air ducts 375 and
in the bracket element 345. The air can become heated as it passes
through the two opposing air ducts 370 due to the close proximity
of the two opposing air ducts 370 to the heating element 350. A
user can also control the flow rate of the air by pressing one of
the buttons 485 to increase the spin rate of the motorized fan 240
and another of the buttons 485 to decrease the spin rate. The air
can have a drying effect on wet or damp hair when the lower distal
portion is placed in close proximity to the hair.
[0024] Further, the electrical cord 230 can provide electricity to
the heating elements 350, 450, which can then provide heat to the
heatable surfaces 330, 430. A user can control the set point
temperature of the heatable surfaces 330, 430 by pressing one of
the buttons 485 to increase the set point temperature and another
of the buttons to decrease the set point temperature. The control
board 470 can be configured to deliver electricity to the heating
elements 350, 450 until the set point temperature has been
achieved. The heatable surfaces 330, 430 can be opposing portions,
and can straighten wet or damp hair when heated and placed in a
closed position by rotating the upper and lower arms 120, 130
toward one another about the axis 510 of the hinge 140 and placing
strands of hair in between the heatable surfaces 330, 430.
[0025] In another variation, the motorized fan 240 can create a
vacuum that pulls air into the openings in the two opposing air
ducts 370, through the main air duct 270 and through the motorized
fan element 245. The air can exit through the air intake openings
215. The air can become heated as it passes in close proximity to
the heatable surfaces 330, 430 and the heating element 350. In
operation, the motorized fan 240 can extract moisture off the wet
or damp hair placed between the two opposing arms 120, 130, and
such moisture can evaporate due to the decrease in air pressure
caused by the vacuum created by the motorized fan 240 and the
increase in temperature due to the heating element 350.
[0026] Although a few variations have been described in detail
above, other modifications are possible. For example, more than one
distal portion may contain air ducts. Other embodiments may be
within the scope of the following claims. While this specification
contains many specifics, these should not be construed as
limitations on the scope of what is claimed or of what may be
claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to
particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in this
specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be
implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely,
various features that are described in the context of a single
embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments
separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although
features may be described above as acting in certain combinations
and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a
claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the
combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a
sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination. Similarly,
while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular
order, this should not be understood as requiring that such
operations be performed in the particular order shown or in
sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed,
to achieve desirable results. Only a few examples and
implementations are disclosed. Variations, modifications and
enhancements to the described examples and implementations and
other implementations may be made based on what is disclosed.
* * * * *