U.S. patent application number 14/598741 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-16 for automatic hair curling appliance with fluid vapor emission.
The applicant listed for this patent is Conair Corporation. Invention is credited to Anthony Kit Lun Leung.
Application Number | 20150196105 14/598741 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53520232 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150196105 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Leung; Anthony Kit Lun |
July 16, 2015 |
AUTOMATIC HAIR CURLING APPLIANCE WITH FLUID VAPOR EMISSION
Abstract
A hair styling apparatus includes a first handle member having a
first body defining an internal chamber dimensioned to receive a
length of hair and a second handle member having a second body. The
second handle member is adapted for movement relative to the first
handle member between an open position and a closed position. An
elongate member is positioned within the internal chamber of the
first body of the first handle member. A rotatable component is
mounted to the first body and adapted for rotatable movement to
engage the length of hair within the internal chamber and wrap a
segment of the hair about the elongate member. A cartridge is
releasably mountable to the second handle member, and contains a
hair treatment agent. A heater is in fluid communication with the
cartridge for at least partially heating the treatment agent
dispensed from the cartridge. At least one port in fluid
communication with the heater and positioned to direct the
treatment agent from the heater onto the hair disposed adjacent or
within the internal chamber of the first handle member.
Inventors: |
Leung; Anthony Kit Lun;
(Hong Kong, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Conair Corporation |
Stamford |
CT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53520232 |
Appl. No.: |
14/598741 |
Filed: |
January 16, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61928359 |
Jan 16, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/228 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2001/008 20130101;
A45D 2/10 20130101; A45D 1/04 20130101; A45D 2001/045 20130101;
A45D 7/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 1/04 20060101
A45D001/04 |
Claims
1. A hair styling apparatus, which comprises: a first handle member
including a first body defining an internal chamber dimensioned to
receive a length of hair; a second handle member including a second
body, the second handle member adapted for adapted for movement
relative to the first handle member between an open position and a
closed position; an elongate member positioned within the internal
chamber of the first body of the first handle member; a rotatable
component mounted to the first body and adapted for rotatable
movement to engage the length of hair within the internal chamber
and wrap a segment of the hair about the elongate member; and a
cartridge mountable to one of the first and second handle members,
the cartridge including a hair treatment agent for dispensing and
treating hair disposed adjacent or within the internal chamber of
the first handle member.
2. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1 including a
heater for heating the hair treatment agent.
3. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the
cartridge is releasably mountable to the second body of the second
handle member.
4. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the
second body includes the heating element.
5. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the
heating element is dimensioned to at least partially vaporize the
hair treatment agent.
6. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the hair
treatment agent is water which converts to steam when subjected to
the heating element.
7. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 4 including a pump
in fluid communication with the cartridge, the pump adapted to
direct the fluid treatment agent from the cartridge and through the
heater element.
8. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the pump
is a pneumatic pump mounted to the second handle member, the
pneumatic pump being engageable with the first body member upon
relative movement of the second handle member to the closed
position.
9. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the
cartridge includes a pump inlet conduit and a treatment agent
outlet conduit, the pump inlet conduit and the treatment agent
outlet conduit in fluid communication with the pump and the heater
element respectively upon mounting of the cartridge to the second
body of the second handle member.
10. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the
second body of the second handle member defines an agent port and a
pump port for respectively receiving the agent outlet conduit and
the pump conduit of the cartridge upon mounting of the cartridge to
the second body of the second handle member.
11. A hair styling apparatus, which comprises: a first handle
member including a first body defining an internal chamber
dimensioned to receive a length of hair; a second handle member
including a second body, the second handle member adapted for
adapted for movement relative to the first handle member between an
open position and a closed position; an elongate member positioned
within the internal chamber of the first body of the first handle
member; a rotatable component mounted to the first body and adapted
for rotatable movement to engage the length of hair within the
internal chamber and wrap a segment of the hair about the elongate
member; a cartridge releasably mountable to the second handle
member, the cartridge including a hair treatment agent; a heater in
fluid communication with the cartridge for at least partially
heating the treatment agent dispensed from the cartridge; and at
least one port in fluid communication with the heater and
positioned to direct the treatment agent from the heater onto the
hair disposed adjacent or within the internal chamber of the first
handle member.
12. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 11 including a
pneumatic pump mounted to the second handle member and in fluid
communication with the cartridge, the pneumatic pump being
engageable with the first body member upon relative movement of the
second handle member toward the closed position to direct the
treatment agent under pressure from the cartridge.
13. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the
treatment agent includes water which converts to steam when
subjected to the heater.
14. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the
cartridge includes a pump inlet conduit and a treatment agent
outlet conduit, the pump inlet conduit and the treatment agent
outlet conduit in fluid communication with the pump and the heater
element respectively upon mounting of the cartridge to the second
body of the second handle member.
15. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the
second body of the second handle member defines an agent port and a
pump port for respectively receiving the agent outlet conduit and
the pump conduit of the cartridge upon mounting of the cartridge to
the second body of the second handle member.
Description
CROSS REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to, and the benefit of,
U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/928,359, filed Jan. 16,
2014.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a hair styling apparatus,
and more particularly, to hair styling apparatus for curling
hair.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Hair styling devices for styling or curling hair are known
in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,651,118 (118 patent),
8,733,374 (374 patent) and 8,869,808 (808 patent), each disclose a
hair styling device which includes a rotatable component for
wrapping hair about a guide member. Other known hair styling
devices are disclosed in U.S. Design Patent D696,456 and U.S. Pat.
No. 8,607,804. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by
reference in its respective entirety. The presently disclosed hair
curling apparatus shares some features of select embodiments of the
hair styling devices described in the patents identified above. In
addition, the presently disclosed hair curling apparatus includes a
mechanism or system for dispensing a treatment agent on the hair,
such as, e.g., a steam generator and emitting system, to emit steam
to enhance styling and/or curling of hair.
SUMMARY
[0004] Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to a hair
styling apparatus including a first handle member having a first
body defining an internal chamber dimensioned to receive a length
of hair and a second handle member having a second body. The second
handle member is for adapted for movement relative to the first
handle member between an open position where the first and second
bodies are displaced and a closed position where the first and
second bodies are approximated. An elongate member is positioned
within the internal chamber of the first body of the first handle
member. A rotatable component is mounted to the first body and
adapted for rotatable movement to engage the length of hair
adjacent or within the internal chamber and wrap a segment of the
hair about the elongate member. A cartridge is mountable to one of
the first and second handle members. The cartridge includes a hair
treatment agent for dispensing on, and treating, the hair disposed
adjacent or within the internal chamber of the first handle
member.
[0005] The hair styling apparatus may include a heater for heating
the hair treatment agent. The cartridge may be releasably mountable
to the second body of the second handle member. The second body may
include the heating element. In embodiments, the heating element is
dimensioned to at least partially vaporize the hair treatment
agent. The hair treatment agent may be water which converts to
steam when subjected to the heating element for application to the
hair to enhance styling or curling of the hair.
[0006] The hair styling apparatus may include a pump which is in
fluid communication with the cartridge, and adapted to direct the
fluid treatment agent from the cartridge and through the heater
element. The pump may be a pneumatic pump mounted to the second
body of the second handle member, and positioned to engage the
first body of the first handle member upon relative movement of the
second handle member to the closed position to direct fluid, e.g.
air, into the cartridge to cause release of the hair treatment
agent under pressure from the cartridge.
[0007] In some embodiments, the cartridge includes a pump inlet
conduit and a treatment agent outlet conduit. The pump inlet
conduit and the treatment agent outlet conduit are in fluid
communication with the pump and the heater element respectively
upon mounting of the cartridge to the second body of the second
handle member. The second body of the second handle member may
define an agent port and a pump port for respectively receiving the
agent outlet conduit and the pump inlet conduit of the
cartridge.
[0008] In accordance with one embodiment, a hair styling apparatus
includes a first handle member having a first body defining an
internal chamber dimensioned to receive a length of hair and a
second handle member having a second body. The second handle member
is adapted for adapted for movement relative to the first handle
member between an open position and a closed position. An elongate
member is positioned within the internal chamber of the first body
of the first handle member. A rotatable component is mounted to the
first body and adapted for rotatable movement to engage the length
of hair adjacent or within the internal chamber and wrap a segment
of the hair about the elongate member. A cartridge is releasably
mountable to the second handle member, and contains a hair
treatment agent. A heater is in fluid communication with the
cartridge for at least partially heating the treatment agent
dispensed from the cartridge. At least one port is in fluid
communication with the heater and positioned to direct the heated
treatment agent from the heater onto the hair disposed adjacent or
within the internal chamber of the first handle member.
[0009] The hair styling apparatus may include a pneumatic pump
which is mounted to the second body of the second handle member and
in fluid communication with the cartridge. The pneumatic pump is
engageable with the first body member upon relative movement of the
second handle member toward the closed position to direct the
treatment agent under pressure from the cartridge. The treatment
agent may include water which converts to steam when subjected to
heat of the heater for application to hair and enhance styling
effects thereof
[0010] Other details and advantages of the hair styling appliance
are discussed will be appreciated from the following written
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be readily
appreciated by reference to the drawings wherein:
[0012] FIGS. 1A-1C are top, side and bottom plan views of the hair
styling apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present
disclosure illustrating the first and second handles and the
cartridge mounted to the first handle;
[0013] FIGS. 1D-1E are front and rear axial views of the hair
styling apparatus;
[0014] FIGS. 2-3 are perspective views of the hair styling
apparatus;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the hair styling apparatus
in partial cross-section illustrating the rotatable hair engaging
component;
[0016] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the hair styling
apparatus;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hair styling apparatus
illustrating the second handle separated from the first handle;
[0018] FIGS. 7-9 are perspective views of the heat or vapor
generating mechanism of the hair styling apparatus;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the hair styling apparatus
with the cartridge illustrated removed from the first handle;
and
[0020] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cartridge.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Referring initially to FIGS. 1A-1E, in conjunction with
FIGS. 2-3, the hair styling apparatus 1 in accordance with the
principles of the present disclosure is illustrated. The hair
styling apparatus 1 is particularly adapted to apply a curling
effect or treatment on the hair of a subject and incorporates a
mechanism or system to apply a treatment agent to hair to enhance a
styling effect. The mechanism may include one or more heating
elements to heat the treatment agent prior to, or during, its
application. The treatment agent may be water, which upon heating
via the heating element, at least partially, e.g., fully, converts
to steam to facilitate the hair curling process. Other treatment
agents are also contemplated and are listed hereinbelow.
[0022] The apparatus 1 includes a handle section 2 having a first
handle member or upper handle 3 and a second handle member or lower
handle 4 connected to each other at respective ends, e.g., proximal
ends, by a hinge section 5 in pivotal relation. The upper and lower
handles 3, 4 are spring biased to an open position, shown in FIGS.
2 and 3, and are adapted to pivot toward each other to a closed
position shown in FIGS. 1A-1E. An electrical power cord 6 has a
conventional plug (not shown) at one end to engage a power source
such as a wall outlet to provide electrical energy to operate the
appliance. In the alternative, or optionally, the apparatus 1 may
be battery operated. The battery may be rechargeable.
[0023] With particular reference to FIGS. 2-3, the apparatus 1
includes a head section 7 located at the distal end of the handle
section 2, and having an upper head or first body 8 attached to the
upper handle 3 and a lower head or second body 9 attached to the
lower handle 4. The lower head 9 includes a round, side opening 10
and a slot-shaped top opening 11 dimensioned to receive a swatch of
hair to be positioned into an interior chamber 12 defined by the
lower head 9. The side opening 10 may permit the swatch of hair to
protrude and move out of the interior chamber 12 of the lower head
9 during operation.
[0024] As best depicted in FIGS. 4-5, a rotatably-mounted,
hair-engaging component 13 (e.g., rotatable component) is mounted
within the lower head 9 and is adapted to selectively rotate,
thereby causing the swatch of hair "h" positioned in the interior
chamber 12 of the lower head 9 to be wound about a stationary,
internal post 14 that is also located inside of the interior of the
lower head 9. In one embodiment, a cylinder 15 is mounted within
the lower head 9 and coaxially arranged about the internal post 14
to define the chamber 12. The cylinder 15 may define a slot 16
positioned in alignment with the top opening 11 so that a swatch of
hair may be urged through both the slot 16 of the cylinder 15 and
the top opening 11 of the lower head 9 by the rotatable component
14.
[0025] The rotatable component 13 has a leading edge 17 which
engages and captures the hair "h" during its rotation about axis
"k" (FIG. 4). The leading edge 17 may be arcuate, and is adapted to
pull the hair "h" through the top opening 11 and the slot 16 of the
cylinder 15 and wrap the hair "h" about the internal post 14 as
described in the '118, '374 and '808 patents. An abutment 9b (FIG.
1B) may be positioned within the lower head 9. The abutment 9b
engages the hair "h" during rotation of the rotatable component 13
such that the hair "h" is wound about the internal post 14 between
the rotatable component 13 and the abutment 9b. The abutment 9b may
be movable to permit removal of the wound hair subsequent to
treatment.
[0026] With reference to FIG. 5, the rotatable component 13 may be
mounted for rotational movement within the lower head 9 via
conventional means inclusive of, e.g., with various gaskets,
bearings, and gears appreciated by one skilled in the art and
driven by motor 18. The motor 18 is operatively coupled to the
rotatable component 13 through conventional means, and, may provide
selective continuous, incremental, and/or reverse movement to the
rotatable component 13. In embodiments, one of or both of the
cylinder 15 and the internal post 14 can be heated by one or more
electrical heat-generating components (e.g. heater 19) to impart
heat to the swatch of hair "h" being styled in order to facilitate
curling or styling of the hair.
[0027] With reference now to FIGS. 2-3 and 5, the apparatus 1 may
have one or more control buttons, switches and/or timer lights or
displays, generally referred to herein as control button and panel
display 20. The panel display 20 may include a power indicator "on"
light 21, push switch 22, time control switch 23 and motor control
switch 24. The apparatus 1 may be provided with a switch or contact
that is engaged by the action of closing the upper head 8 against
the lower head 9, to activate the rotatable component 13 or the
treatment agent heating system discussed hereinbelow.
[0028] The apparatus 1 may include a control circuit e.g., in the
form of a circuit board, processor or other logic 25 (FIG. 5) that
allows selective, or automatic, modes of operation that include a
timer and time-out indicator e.g., audio or visual that is
activated after operation for a predetermined time interval.
Similarly, the control circuit may enable automatic shutoff after a
predetermined amount of time or a predetermined number of rotation
cycles of the rotatable component 14. The control circuit may
provide a means to selectively or automatically control the
direction of rotation, the speed, or both, of the rotatable
component 14. The control circuit may enable a sensor that senses
changes in rotational speed or torque and, in response to
predetermined thresholds related thereto, shuts down, slows, and/or
reverses direction or rotation of the rotatable component 14. Such
a feedback may be used, for example, to prevent tangling or
damaging of hair. The apparatus 1 may be provided with a control
means that allows a user to selectively activate or de-activate the
heating or vaporizing feature so that it may or may not be used
during operation of the apparatus 1. This may be achieved, e.g., by
a button, or manually controlled mechanism that is associated with
a valve that blocks delivery of the treatment agent from the
cartridge to the heater 19.
[0029] With reference to FIGS. 6-9, in conjunction with FIG. 5, in
accordance with the present disclosure, the apparatus 1 may include
a system or mechanism for dispensing a treatment agent onto the
hair "h". The mechanism may be a heat generating and/or emitting
system 26 for generating and directing a stream of treatment agent,
e.g., heated treatment agent, onto the hair "h". In an embodiment,
the system 26 is adapted to at least partially vaporize the
treatment agent to apply heated vaporized agent to the hair. The
treatment agent may include water which is heated to create steam
for application to the hair "h". Other treatment agents with or
without water are also contemplated.
[0030] The system 26 includes a cartridge 27 which, in one
embodiment, is releasably mounted to the upper handle 3,
specifically, the upper head 8 of the upper handle 3. The system 26
further includes a heating element 28, and a pneumatic pump 29. The
heating element 28 is in fluid communication with the cartridge 27
through conduit 30 and the pneumatic pump 29 is in fluid
communication with the cartridge 27 through conduit 31. The heating
element 28 includes a plurality of outlet ports 32 (see also FIG.
3) which directs the treatment agent (e.g., partially vaporized)
onto the swatch of hair "h" within or adjacent to the chamber 12.
The heating element 28 may be any type of resistive heater or may
be an ultrasound transducer which oscillates to generate mechanical
energy transformable into heat. Other heating elements 28 are also
envisioned.
[0031] Generally, in operation, a swatch of hair is positioned
between the open upper and lower heads 8, 9 of the handle 3, 4
adjacent the slot 12. The handles 3,4 are moved to the closed
position of FIGS. 1A-1E, which causes the pneumatic pump 29 to be
engaged by an opposing face 8a of the upper head 8. This action
compresses the pump 29 which forces air through conduit 31 and into
cartridge 27, to thereby expel the treatment agent from the
cartridge 27 and into the conduit 30 for distribution within the
heater element 28. The apparatus 1 is activated and the hair is
engaged by the rotational component 14. During, subsequent, or at
anytime during use of the apparatus 1, the heat/vapor generating
system 26 is activated to cause the heater element 28 to heat
and/or at least partially vaporize the treatment agent for
application of the heated treatment agent to the hair "h". The
heating element 19 may be activated, either manually or
automatically. The agent, thus, is directed into the heating
element 28 where it is heated, e.g., to the point of producing
steam (e.g., when water is a component of the treatment agent) and
emitted from the emission port or holes 32. In embodiments, the
ports 32 direct steam through slot 16 and opening 11 into internal
chamber 12 where it communicates with the hair positioned about or
adjacent post 14.
[0032] The apparatus 1 may be provided with a control means that
permits a user to selectively activate or de-activate the heating
or vaporizing feature so that it may or may not be used during
operation of the apparatus 1. This, may be achieved, for example,
by a button or manually controlled mechanism (e.g., optionally
inclusive of any of the controls discussed hereinabove in
connection with the control panel display 20) that is associated
with a valve that blocks delivery of water from the cartridge to
the heating element 28.
[0033] With reference to FIGS. 10-11, in one embodiment, the
cartridge 27 is removable from the apparatus 1 so that a user may
remove the cartridge 27 and refill it with a treatment agent such
as water or other agent. More specifically, the cartridge 27 is
slidably received in a recess 33 defined in the upper head 8 of the
upper handle 3. The recess 33 may be defined by a pair of overhangs
34 which engage a pair of corresponding slots 35 defined in the
housing 27a of the cartridge 27 to retain the cartridge 27 within
the recess 33. Other arrangements for releasably mounting the
cartridge 27 within the upper head 8 of the upper handle 3 are also
envisioned. The cartridge housing 27a may optionally include a
filling plug 36 through which the treatment agent is introduced
into the cartridge 27. The filling plug 36 may include a rubber
plug or gasket which is selectively movable between open and closed
positions relative to the cartridge housing 27a. The cartridge
housing 27a further includes an air inlet conduit 37 and an agent
outlet conduit 38. The air inlet conduit 37 and the agent outlet
conduit 38 are respectively received within a corresponding air
port 39 and a fluid port 40 within the upper head 8 of the upper
handle 3 when the cartridge 27 is mounted to the upper handle 3.
The air port 39 and the fluid port 40 are in fluid communication
with conduits 31, 30 respectively leading to the pneumatic pump 29
and the heater element 28.
[0034] Other treatment agents for filling within cartridge 27 are
also envisioned. For example, one alternate treatment agent may be
Argan oil extracted from the fruits of the argan tree, argania
spinosa, that is endemic to Morocco. The hair care composition may
solely contain argan oil, or may include argan oil in combination
with other ingredients. Examples of other ingredients include
pharmaceutically active agents, moisturizers, hydration agents,
penetration agents, preservatives, conditioners, emulsifiers,
natural or synthetic oils, solvents, surfactants, detergents,
gelling agents, emollients, antioxidants, fragrances, fillers,
thickeners, waxes, odor absorbers, dyestuffs, coloring agents,
powders, viscosity-controlling agents, buffers, protectants, pH
regulators, chelating agents, humectants, conditioners, glitter,
mica, minerals, silicones, polyphenols, sunblocks, phytomedicinals,
and combinations thereof, as well as other additives typically used
in hair care products as appreciated by those skilled in the art.
The treatment agent may be heated by the system, with or without
effecting at least partial vaporization of the agent for
application to hair.
[0035] Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices
and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments. It is
envisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described
in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with
the elements and features of another without departing from the
scope of the present disclosure. As well, one skilled in the art
will appreciate further features and advantages of the disclosure
based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the
disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown
and described.
* * * * *