U.S. patent application number 13/672631 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-09 for hair care or hair styling device.
This patent application is currently assigned to WIK FAR EAST LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Wik Far East Ltd.. Invention is credited to Marwin Kock.
Application Number | 20130112221 13/672631 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47146233 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130112221 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kock; Marwin |
May 9, 2013 |
Hair care or hair styling device
Abstract
A hair care or hair styling device 1 comprises two arms 5, 5.1
arranged articulated to one another and movable relative to one
another in the manner of tongs 5, 5.1, with the top sides of each
of said arms, which face one another, each having a complementary
styling surface 9, 9.1 for forming a hair styling space 10 between
the styling surfaces 9, 9.1. By virtue of the articulated
arrangement of the arms 5, 5.1 the hair styling space 10 can be
opened and closed. Each of the arms 5, 5.1 is equipped with a flow
passage 11, 11.1 for conducting a flow of hot air, wherein the
component 8, 8.1 that forms the styling surface 9, 9.1 of each arm
5, 5.1 is arranged such that a flow of hot air conducted through
the flow passage 11, 11.1 of said arm 5, 5.1 flows along the back
side of the component 8, 8.1 that forms the styling surface 9, 9.1
for the purpose of heating said styling surface 9, 9.1. In a
heat-conducting arrangement, at least one self-regulating heating
element having a positive temperature coefficient--a PTC heating
element 13, 13.1--is connected as an additional heating device to
the component 8, 8.1 that forms the styling surface 9, 9.1 of at
least one arm 5, 5.1, for the purpose of supplying heat to the
styling surfaces 9, 9.1.
Inventors: |
Kock; Marwin; (Essen,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wik Far East Ltd.; |
North Point |
|
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
WIK FAR EAST LTD.
North Point
CN
|
Family ID: |
47146233 |
Appl. No.: |
13/672631 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/211 ;
132/229 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 1/28 20130101; A45D
20/50 20130101; A45D 20/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/211 ;
132/229 |
International
Class: |
A45D 1/02 20060101
A45D001/02; A45D 1/06 20060101 A45D001/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 9, 2011 |
DE |
20 2011 051 906.6 |
Claims
1. A hair care or hair styling device comprising: two arms
articulated to one another and movable relative to one another in
the manner of tongs; facing surfaces of said arms each having a
component supporting a styling surface, said styling surfaces being
complementary, said styling surfaces forming a hair styling space
between the styling surfaces; the articulated arrangement of the
arms allowing the hair styling space to be opened and closed; each
of said arms having a flow passage for hot air, wherein each of the
components supporting a styling surface is located on the flow
passage such that a flow of hot air conducted through the flow
passage flows along the back side of the component supporting a
styling surface, heating said styling surface; and at least one
self-regulating heating element having a positive temperature
coefficient connected in a heat-conducting manner as an additional
heating device to the component supporting the styling surface of
at least one arm.
2. The hair care or hair styling device of claim 1, wherein that
the heating element is glued to the back side of the component
supporting the styling surface.
3. The hair care or hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the
arms have different volumes and the heating element is attached to
the component supporting the styling surface of the smaller
arm.
4. The hair care or hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the
components supporting the styling surfaces of both arms are each
equipped with a PTC heating element.
5. The hair care or hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the
flow passages have an opening in the region of unattached ends of
the arms from the hot air flow fully or partially flows when the
device is in use.
6. The hair care or hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the
device is part of a device that provides a flow of hot air.
7. The hair care or hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the
device is an attachment for a device that provides a flow of hot
air.
8. A method for operating a hair care or hair styling device
comprising: providing at least one one styling element that is
placed in contact with a strand of hair to be styled; heating the
styling element with a flow of hot air conducted along and/or
through the styling element; additionally heating the styling
element by one or more heating elements, said heating elements
self-regulating based upon the operation of the device.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein both heat sources are used at the
same time, wherein the hot air flow is heated to a temperature at
which the styling element is heated to a predetermined temperature
level, and the fluctuations in the temperature of the styling
element are substantially balanced by the at least one additional
electrical heating element.
10. The method according to claim 8, wherein that for the purpose
of heating the styling element, both heat sources are used at the
same time, wherein the hot air flow is heated to a temperature at
which the styling element is heated to a predetermined temperature
level, and the at least one additional heating element is activated
for the purpose of achieving peak temperatures.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of German Application
No. 20 2011 051 906.6, filed Nov. 9, 2011, which is incorporated
herein by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Various hair styling devices generate a flow of hot air are
used with various hair styling attachments for styling hair. For
smoothing or curling hair, hair styling attachments which have two
articulated arms that move relative to one another like tongs are
also used. A hair styling space is provided for receiving the hair
to be styled between the sides of two facing arms. Each of the
facing sides of the arms has a styling surface. These surfaces are
common on hair straighteners. Also known are hair styling
attachments with undulated styling surfaces for producing curls.
The styling surfaces of the two arms have complementary shapes.
[0003] Typically, hair styling attachments with two movable arms
have an air flow through them. This is the type of device discussed
herein. The heat required for hair styling provided by the flow of
hot air from an attached hair dryer with at least one of the two
arms having a flow passage for transporting the air flow provided
by the device. The flow passage opens up into air outlet openings
in the styling surface of said arm, supplying air to the styling
surface and the hair to be styled. At the same time, the supplied
air dries the generally damp hair. In another style, the hot air
flows into the flow passage of one of the two arms, and then flows
along the back side of the styling surface. The styling surface is
typically a metal plate, for example, an aluminum plate. The plate
is heated by the hot air flowing along the back side. One or more
outlet openings are provided to allow the air flow to exit at a
suitable position, such as in the unattached end.
[0004] Sometimes it is necessary for a substantial amount of heat
to be applied depending on the design of the styling surfaces. This
in turn requires that the hot air blower of the hair dryer be
operated at full output. In principle, this is not a problem for
the hair dryer, since it is designed for this purpose. However,
sometimes the amount of noise produced is considered
undesirable.
[0005] In order to style hair a certain amount of heat must be
applied to the hair. However, when a straightener is attached to a
hair dryer, the two styling surfaces can be heated unevenly due to
uneven air flow. As a result, the two styling surfaces can have
different temperatures. This is undesirable.
[0006] Straighteners that are heated by an electrical heating
element are also known. In those devices the heaters are attached
directly to the back side of the component that forms the styling
surface. Such a heating of the components that support the styling
surfaces prevents different temperatures of the styling surfaces.
However, devices of this type cannot be used as an attachment to a
hair dryer. Such a hair styling device is known from JP 2004-267787
A.
[0007] The invention further relates to a method for operating hair
styling device which has at least one styling element that is
placed in contact with a strand of hair to be styled. A flow of hot
air is generated to heat the styling element which is conducted
along and/or through said styling element to heat said element.
[0008] In light of the discussed prior art, the problem addressed
by the invention is therefore that of further developing a hair
care or hair styling device and/or a method for operating such a
device such that the styling surfaces can be heated evenly, and the
noise that is produced by such a device can be decreased without
losses in the amount of heat input.
[0009] The foregoing example of the related art and limitations
related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not
exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become
apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the
specification and a study of the drawings.
SUMMARY
[0010] This disclosed device has at least one self-regulating
heating element having a positive temperature coefficient, such as
a PTC heating element, is connected a heat-conducting arrangement
as an additional heating device to the styling surface of at least
one arm.
[0011] With this hair styling device, the styling surface or the
component that forms and/or supports the styling surface of at
least one arm is heated both by a flow of hot air and by a PTC
heating element. Therefore, temperature fluctuations in the air
flow in the arm and/or fluctuations in the amount of heat
introduced are compensated for in a self-regulating manner by the
PTC heating element. A hair styling device of this type is
typically designed such that the styling surfaces are heated to the
intended temperature by the flow of hot air. In such an embodiment,
the PTC heating element is preferably designed such that it does
not produce any heat when the component connected to the heater is
at the intended temperature. If the temperature of the component
with the styling surface drops, the needed heat is provided by the
PTC heating element as a result of its positive temperature
coefficient. In the depicted embodiment, the greater the difference
between the target temperature and the actual temperature of the
component, the greater the corresponding power input by the PTC
heating element, providing more heat. This allows hair styling
devices having are articulated arms to have arms with different
volumes without having to accept losses in heating performance.
[0012] When starting this type of device, typically both the hot
air flow and PTC heating element will be used for heating the
components with styling surfaces. This allows the styling surfaces
to be heated to operating temperature very quickly. The particular
combination of the two heat sources can also be used to heat the
styling surfaces with the hot air flow to a first temperature
level, typically a temperature level at which a first hair care
step can be carried out. If another hair care step is planned at a
higher temperature, the additional heating element or heating
elements can be used for this purpose. The elements will not be
activated when the styling surfaces are to set to be at the first
temperature level due to their positive temperature coefficient.
These additional electrical heating elements can likewise be used
for preheating the styling surfaces, in which case they will remain
switched on only for a first heating phase. Also possible is an
embodiment with at least two heating elements provided with
different, positive temperature coefficients connected to the
components having the styling surfaces. This allows one activate
one or the other heating element, depending upon the temperature
level to which the styling surfaces are to be heated.
[0013] In an embodiment in which both heat sources, hot air flow
and electrical heating element(s), are activated during operation
of the device, due to the rapid response of such a PTC heating
element, the styling surface that is heated by said element will
then also be rapidly reheated when a strand of hair that is at the
temperature of the surrounding air has been placed in the hair
styling space and has drawn this heat from the styling surface.
This substantially improves the flow of heat from a styling surface
to the hair to be cared for or styled. In principle, no additional
measures are required for controlling a heating element of this
type due to the positive temperature coefficient.
[0014] In one embodiment example, the components that form the
styling surfaces of the two arms are each equipped with at least
one PTC heating element. In this embodiment, mixed heat can be
provided from both a hot air flow and heat from the PTC heating
element. As a result of the self-regulating properties of these
heating elements, the hair styling surfaces have a highly constant,
uniform temperature. In addition, the amount of hot air that is
conveyed can be decreased in relation to known devices, which helps
reduce operating noise.
[0015] A hair care or hair styling device of this type can be an
integral component of a device that supplies a flow of hot air. In
another embodiment, the hair styling device is an attachment for a
hair dryer.
[0016] From the above-described design, it is clear that by
skillfully combining different heating mechanisms, a hair styling
device has been created which has substantial advantages over known
devices. Ultimately, with such a device, not only can the flow of
hot air be used to heat a component with styling surfaces, it is
also possible to introduce the hot air flow to the hair being
styled to dry the hair simultaneously with the styling process. In
this type of embodiment, the styling surface typically has openings
two allow the flow of hot air through the component to the hair to
be styled. The hot air flow can also be used to introduce hot air
as a carrier for additional substances that support hair styling or
hair care to the hair. These can be scent or hair care products,
for example. The flow of air can also be used to transport ions
emitted by an ionizing electrode into the hair to be styled,
thereby supporting the hair styling process.
[0017] The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described
and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tool and methods which
are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope.
In various embodiments, one or more of the above described problems
have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are
directed to other improvements.
[0018] In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments
described above, further aspects and embodiments will become
apparent by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part
of this specification wherein like reference characters designate
corresponding parts in the several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal view of the hair styling
device.
[0020] Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited in its application to the details of the particular
arrangement shown, since the invention is capable of other
embodiments. Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced
FIGURES of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and
FIGURES disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather
than limiting. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose
of description and not of limitation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The straightener 1 of the depicted embodiment is designed as
an attachment, allowing it to be attached to a hair dryer 2 which
provides a flow of hot air. For this purpose, the straightener 1
has a coupling section 3, which can be inserted into the anterior
opening 4 of the hair dryer and locked in place. Locking can be
implemented either in the as a plug-in lock or as a bayonet lock.
In FIG. 1, the straightener 1 is shown spaced from the hair dryer
2.
[0022] The straightener itself comprises two arms 5, 5.1, which are
articulated together in the manner of tongs. The axis of rotation
of the two arms 5, 5.1 relative to one another is identified by the
reference sign 6. The two arms 5, 5.1 have different sizes and
therefore different volumes. In the depicted embodiment, the arm 5
has the coupling section 3, and therefore, the arm 5.1 is
ultimately articulated to the arm 5. Arm 5.1 has an actuating lever
7 which moves arm 5.1 relative to the arm 5 around the axis of
rotation 6 in the manner of a scissor. The actuating lever 7 can
also be connected to the rotational axis 6 on the rear side of the
straightener, which is not visible in FIG. 1.
[0023] Each of the two arms 5, 5.1 is has an aluminum plate 8, 8.1.
The aluminum plates 8, 8.1 are arranged on the sides of the two
arms 5, 5.1 that face one another. The facing surfaces 9, 9.1 of
the aluminum plates 8, 8.1 form the styling surfaces of the
straightener 1. Between the styling surfaces 9, 9.1, a hair styling
space 10 is produced. In this respect, the aluminum plates 8, 8.1
form the components of the straightener 1 that form and/or support
the styling surfaces 9 and 9.1.
[0024] The arms 5, 5.1 are hollow have a flow passage 11, 11.1. The
back side of each of the aluminum plates 8, 8.1 forms a boundary
for the flow passage 11 and 11.1, respectively. When the hair dryer
2 is operated with the straightener 1 attached the flow of hot air
through the flow passage 11 and 11.1 moves along the back side of
the aluminum plates 8 and 8.1, respectively, thereby heating them.
The region of the unattached ends of each of the arms 5, 5.1 has an
opening 12, 12.1 to allow the hot air flow in the respective flow
passage 11 or 11.1 to exit. The opening can also comprise
individual through openings, typically arranged in the manner of a
screen.
[0025] In the depicted embodiment, the back side of each aluminum
plate 8, 8.1 has a PTC heating element 13, 13.1 attached, typically
glued. Heat generated by the respective PTC heating element 13,
13.1 is therefore introduced to the respective aluminum plate 8 or
8.1, thereby in turn heating the respective styling surface 9 or
9.1. The PTC heating elements 13, 13.1 extend across only a
fraction of the surface of the back side of the aluminum plates 8,
8.1. Complementary plug-type connector parts 14, 14.1 are used to
connect the PTC heating elements 13, 13.1 to a source of
electricity. These connector parts are placed in engagement with
one another when the straightener 1 is attached to the hair dryer
2. Only one of multiple plug-type connector parts 14, 14.1 is
shown. The electrical connection lines also are not shown in FIG. 1
in the interest of clarity.
[0026] In another embodiment, the back side of each of the aluminum
plates 8, 8.1 is structured as the component that supports the
respective styling surface 9 or 9.1, for example, with ribs formed
thereon. This enlarges the surface of the components 8, 8.1 that
receives the heat. PTC heating elements can be arranged in one or
more of the channels located between the ribs in such an
embodiment.
[0027] In an embodiment example of a straightener attachment not
shown in the FIGURE the two arms have a different flow
cross-section of their flow passage and a PTC heating element is
assigned only to the arm that is smaller with respect to its flow
cross-section. In such an embodiment, the stability of the heating
system is also improved over known devices.
[0028] During operation of the straightener 1, a flow of hot air
provided by the hair dryer 2 is conducted into the coupling section
3 and from there into the flow passages 11, 11.1 of the arms 5,
5.1. Typically, the flow is conducted through the heating device
and the blower of the air dryer 2 at the same time as the flow
through the PTC heating elements 13, 13.1. Although a flow of hot
air immediately flows through the flow passages 11, 11.1, it takes
a certain amount of time for the aluminum plates 8, 8.1 to be
heated enough that the styling surfaces 9, 9.1 reach the specific
styling temperature if additional measures are not implemented.
However, in the depicted embodiment, the PTC heating elements
produces a large amount of heat when the straightener 1 is placed
in operation due to their positive temperature coefficient,
substantially shortening the heating process. Therefore, the
styling surfaces 9, 9.1 are at the operating temperature only a few
seconds after the straightener 1 is turned on.
[0029] The straightener 1 of the depicted embodiment is designed
such that the aluminum plates 8, 8.1 or the styling surfaces 9, 9.1
thereof are heated both by the flow of hot air and by the PTC
heating elements 13 or 13.1. For this reason, the blower of hair
dryer 2 can be operated at a relatively low speed, so that the
noise generated by the straightener 1 is reduced substantially over
known straighteners using a flow of hot air for heating the styling
surfaces.
[0030] Therefore, the two heat sources--hot air flow and PTC
heating element(s)--complement one another in a special way,
particularly in that one of these heat sources, specifically the
PTC heating element, is self-regulating.
[0031] It goes without saying that with an embodiment of this type,
a potential drop in temperature, as is observed in conventional
devices that use a hot air flow as the heat source in the smaller
arms, does not occur.
[0032] The invention described above in reference the depicted
embodiment can also be implemented likewise in any other air-heated
devices or attachments, in which the hot air is used for the
purpose of hair care or hair styling, such as with brushes, combs,
rotating brushes or curling irons through which air flows. In these
applications as well, the same advantages result as are mentioned
in reference to the straightener of the described embodiment
example.
[0033] While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have
been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize
certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations
therefore. It is therefore intended that the following appended
claims hereinafter introduced are interpreted to include all such
modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations are
within their true spirit and scope. Each apparatus embodiment
described herein has numerous equivalents.
[0034] The terms and expressions which have been employed are used
as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no
intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any
equivalents of the features shown and described or portions
thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are
possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should
be understood that although the present invention has been
specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional
features, modification and variation of the concepts herein
disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that
such modifications and variations are considered to be within the
scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0035] 1 Straightener [0036] 2 Air styler [0037] 3 Coupling section
[0038] 4 Opening [0039] 5, 5.1 Arm [0040] 6 Axis of rotation [0041]
7 Actuating lever [0042] 8, 8.1 Aluminum plate [0043] 9, 9.1
Styling surface [0044] 10 Hair styling space [0045] 11, 11.1 Flow
passage [0046] 12, 12.1 Opening [0047] 13, 13.1 PTC heating element
[0048] 14, 14.1 Plug-type connector element
* * * * *