U.S. patent application number 14/887197 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-11 for automatic hair styling device.
The applicant listed for this patent is TRADE BOX, LLC. Invention is credited to Wenrui Dai, Michael A. Ragosta, David Richmond, Howard Richmond, Rentong Wang, Zhiwu Yu, Zhiyong Yu.
Application Number | 20160037888 14/887197 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52018163 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160037888 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Richmond; David ; et
al. |
February 11, 2016 |
AUTOMATIC HAIR STYLING DEVICE
Abstract
A hair styling device is described that has a handle, an
elongated, substantially cylindrical, heatable rod providing a
curling surface and supported by the handle, a heater for heating
the curling surface, a support spaced apart from the curling
surface, and a rotatable member rotatable relative to the curling
surface for wrapping hair around and in contact with the curling
surface. The device has an opening in the rotatable member for
receiving a section of a user's hair, a motor for rotating the
rotatable member, and a flexible, heat-resistant clamp supported by
the support and extending from the support toward the curling
surface for clamping hair against the curling surface.
Inventors: |
Richmond; David; (Culver
City, CA) ; Richmond; Howard; (Los Angeles, CA)
; Ragosta; Michael A.; (Calabassas, CA) ; Yu;
Zhiyong; (Wenzhou, CN) ; Yu; Zhiwu; (Wenzhou,
CN) ; Wang; Rentong; (Wenzhou, CN) ; Dai;
Wenrui; (Wenzhou, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TRADE BOX, LLC |
Culver City |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52018163 |
Appl. No.: |
14/887197 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14304787 |
Jun 13, 2014 |
9185957 |
|
|
14887197 |
|
|
|
|
61835390 |
Jun 14, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/211 ;
132/230 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 6/02 20130101; A45D
2/36 20130101; A45D 7/02 20130101; A45D 1/04 20130101; A45D 1/10
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 1/04 20060101
A45D001/04; A45D 6/02 20060101 A45D006/02; A45D 7/02 20060101
A45D007/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 30, 2013 |
CN |
201310523311.1 |
Oct 30, 2013 |
CN |
201320675439.5 |
Nov 5, 2013 |
CN |
201310539999.2 |
Nov 5, 2013 |
CN |
2013206912859 |
Claims
1. A hair styling device comprising: a. a handle; b. an elongated,
substantially cylindrical, heatable rod comprising a curling
surface and supported by the handle; c. a heater for heating the
curling surface of the rod; d. a support spaced apart from the
curling surface of the rod; e. a rotatable member rotatable
relative to the curling surface for wrapping hair around and in
contact with the curling surface of the rod; f. an opening in the
rotatable member for receiving a user's hair; g. a motor for
rotating the rotatable member; and h. a flexible, heat-resistant
clamp supported by the support and extending from the support
toward the curling surface of the rod for clamping hair against the
curling surface of the rod.
2. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein there is no housing
around any portion of the curling surface of the rod.
3. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the curling surface
of the rod is accessible 360 degrees around the rod.
4. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the curling surface
of the rod is visible to a user 360 degrees around the rod.
5. The hair styling device of claim 1 comprising a hook at the
opening of the rotatable member for engaging the user's hair.
6. The hair styling device of claim 5, wherein the hook comprises
elastomeric material.
7. The hair styling device of claim 5, wherein the hook comprises
finger-like projections formed from elastomeric material.
8. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the distance between
the clamp and the curling surface of the rod is from about 0.1 mm
to about 3 mm.
9. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the clamp has a
first cross sectional area proximate to the curling surface of the
rod, and a second cross sectional area at the support, the first
cross sectional area being less that the second cross sectional
area.
10. The hair styling device of claim 9, wherein the clamp is
proximate to the curling surface of the rod and is triangular in
lateral cross section.
11. The hair styling device of claim 1 comprising a magnet on the
rotatable member, a magnet sensor for positioning the opening of
the rotatable member, and a controller for positioning the opening
in the rotatable member to a selected position for receiving a
user's hair when the rotation of the rotatable member ceases
rotation.
12. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the clamp is made
of elastomeric material.
13. The hair styling device of claim 12, wherein the elastomeric
material is silicone.
14. The hair styling device of claim 1, further comprising two or
more supports, each support supporting at least one clamp.
15. The hair styling device of claim 1, further comprising an
optical sensor for detecting when hair has been removed from the
curling surface of the rod.
16. The hair styling device of claim 1, further comprising a
flexible, heat-resistant restrainer arm supported by the support
and extending from the support toward the curling surface of the
rod for preventing the hair from twisting as it wraps around the
rod.
17. A method for using the hair styling device of claim 1,
comprising the steps of: a. placing a selected portion of hair
through the opening in the rotatable member; b. activating the
rotatable member so that the rotatable member winds the selected
portion of hair around the curling surface of the rod, the hair
being clamped by the clamp between the support and the curling
surface of the rod during styling; and c. pulling the device away
from the hair, thereby sliding the hair from between the clamp and
the curling surface of the rod and releasing the hair from the
device.
18. A hair styling device comprising: a. a handle; b. an elongated,
substantially cylindrical, heatable rod providing a curling surface
and supported by the handle; c. a heater for heating the curling
surface of the rod; d. a rotatable member rotatable relative to the
curling surface of the rod for wrapping hair around and in contact
with the curling surface of the rod; e. an opening in the rotatable
member for receiving a user's hair; f. a motor for rotating the
rotatable member; and g. a flexible, heat-resistant clamp supported
by the rotatable member.
19. A method for using the hair styling device of claim 18,
comprising the steps of: a. placing a selected portion of hair
through the opening in the rotatable member; b. activating the
rotatable member so that the rotatable member winds the selected
portion of hair around the curling surface, the hair being polished
by the clamp during styling; and c. pulling the device away from
the hair, thereby sliding the hair from the curling surface and
releasing the hair from the device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/304,787 titled "Automatic Hair Styling
Device," filed Jun. 13, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/835,390, filed on Jun. 14,
2013; and claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No.
201320675439.5, filed Oct. 30, 2013; Chinese Patent Application No.
2013206912859, filed Nov. 5, 2013; Chinese Patent Application No.
201310539999.2, filed Nov. 5, 2013; and Chinese Patent Application
No. 201310523311.1, filed Oct. 30, 2013, the contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. This
application is also related to International Patent Application No.
PCT/US2014/042414, filed Jun. 13, 2014, titled "Automatic Hair
Styling Device."
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many people have the desire for curled or styled hair. Most
people manually style their hair with devices such as curling irons
and flat irons, which takes some knowledge of hair styling in order
to produce desirable hair styles. Automatic hair styling devices
are available, but some can be difficult to use and can result in
hair tangling and imperfectly curled or styled hair.
[0003] The present invention overcomes the limitation of the prior
art by providing an automatic hair styling device designed to
produce consistent curls and styles without extensive knowledge or
effort from the user with reduced likelihood of tangling.
SUMMARY
[0004] This invention is directed to a hair styling device that
automatically styles a user's hair with very little effort or
knowledge required on the part of the user. In one embodiment, the
device comprises a handle, an elongated, substantially cylindrical,
heatable rod that provides a curling surface and is supported by
the handle, a heater for heating the curling surface, a rotatable
member rotatable relative to the curling surface for wrapping hair
around and in contact with the curling surface of the rod, an
opening in the rotatable member for receiving a user's hair, and a
motor for rotating the rotatable member.
[0005] In one version, there is a support spaced apart from the
curling surface of the rod. The device can also comprise two or
more supports.
[0006] In one version, there are one or more flexible,
heat-resistant first clamps supported by the support and extending
from the support toward the curling surface for clamping hair
against the curling surface of the rod. The distance between the
portion of the clamp closest to the curling surface and the curling
surface can be from about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm. The clamp can have
a first cross sectional area proximate to the curling surface and a
second cross sectional area at the support, where the first cross
sectional area is less that the second cross sectional area. The
clamp can be proximate to the curling surface and can be triangular
in lateral cross section. The clamp can be made of an elastomeric
material, such as silicone. The clamp is advantageous in that it
helps to smooth and polish the user's hair.
[0007] In another version, instead of or in addition to the first
clamps, one or more second clamps are supported by the rotatable
member.
[0008] Preferably, the device does not have a housing around any
portion of the curling surface of the rod. The lack of a housing is
advantageous because the curling surface is accessible and visible
to the user 360 degrees around the rod.
[0009] The device can also comprise a hook flanking the opening in
the rotatable member for engaging the user's hair. The hook can be
made from an elastomeric material such as silicone. Optionally, the
hook can have finger-like projections formed from the elastomeric
material.
[0010] There can be a magnet on the rotatable member, a magnet
sensor sensing the magnet, and a controller for positioning the
opening in the rotatable member in response to the magnet sensor
for receiving a user's hair when the rotation of the rotatable
member ceases rotation.
[0011] A timer can be used to track the amount of time the hair is
placed against the curling surface, and sounds an alarm when the
hair should be released from the device. The device can further
comprise an optical sensor for detecting when hair has been removed
from the curling surface. When the hair is removed from the rod,
the timer resets to a starting position.
[0012] The device can also comprise a flexible, heat-resistant
restrainer arm supported by the restrainer arm support which can be
one of the clamp support arms. The restrainer arm extends from the
restrainer arm support toward the rod. The restrainer arm is
advantageous in that it prevents the hair from twisting as it wraps
around the rod. The restrainer arm can have a first cross sectional
area proximate to the curling surface and a second cross sectional
area at the restrainer arm support, the first cross sectional area
being less that the second cross sectional area. The restrainer arm
can be constrained proximate to the rod and can be triangular in
lateral cross section. Optionally, the restrainer arm can move away
from the rod in order to release hair from the device. The
restrainer arm can be made of elastomeric material, such as, for
example, silicone.
[0013] The invention also provides methods for using the hair
styling devices described above. The device can be used by placing
a selected portion of hair through the opening in the rotatable
member, and activating the rotatable member so that the rotatable
member winds the selected portion of hair around the curling
surface of the rod. The hair is smoothed and polished by the clamp
during styling. Once curling of the hair is complete, the user
pulls the device away from the hair, thereby releasing the hair
from the device.
DRAWINGS
[0014] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with regard to the
following description, appended claims, and accompanying
drawings:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic hair styling
device having features of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the device of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the device of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the device of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the device of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the device of FIG.
1;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate version of the
rotatable member of the device;
[0023] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the rotatable member of FIG.
8;
[0024] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the rotatable member, magnet
and magnet sensor of the device of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the hook, elastomer material,
magnet and magnet sensor of the device of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of portions of the device of
FIG. 1 with the supports removed;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the device of FIG. 1,
taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 2;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 with
the user's hair; and
[0029] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 with
the user's hair.
DESCRIPTION
[0030] As used herein, the following terms and variations thereof
have the meanings given below, unless a different meaning is
clearly intended by the context in which such term is used.
[0031] The terms "a," "an," and "the" and similar referents used
herein are to be construed to cover both the singular and the
plural unless their usage in context indicates otherwise.
[0032] As used in this disclosure, the term "comprise" and
variations of the term, such as "comprising" and "comprises," are
not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers
ingredients or steps.
[0033] The term "cylindrical" means having the form of a
cylinder.
[0034] The term "hook" means a curved, bent, or angular object. A
hook can be used to catch pull, hold, or suspend.
[0035] The term "elastomeric" means any material that can bend when
a stress, such as pressure, is applied, and returns to its
substantially original configuration when the stress is
removed.
[0036] All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of
example only and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the
proportions shown in these Figures are not necessarily to scale. As
will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to
this disclosure, the actual dimensions and proportions of any
system, any device or part of a device disclosed in this disclosure
will be determined by its intended use.
[0037] This invention is directed to a hair styling device 100 for
automatically styling a user's hair, such as by curling. As shown
in FIGS. 1-6, the device 100 comprises a handle 102 for the user to
hold, and an elongated, substantially cylindrical, heatable rod 104
supported by the handle 102. The rod 104 is substantially
cylindrical in vertical cross section, and has a proximal end 104a
and a distal end 104b. The proximal end 104a of the rod 104 is
located near the handle 102, and the distal end 104b of the rod 104
is located opposite the handle 102. The rod 104 can be aligned with
the handle 102.
[0038] The rod 104 provides a curling surface 105 on which the
user's hair is wrapped around and styled. The rod 104 and curling
surface 105 can be made of any type of material that is able to be
heated and is heat conductive, such as, for example, metal or
ceramic. The curling surface 105 can be different material then the
remainder of the rod 104. The device 100 does not have an enclosed
housing around any portion of the curling surface 105. Thus, the
curling surface 105 can be visible, and accessible, 360 degrees
around the rod 104. This is advantageous because the device
requires less material than if it had an enclosed housing, so that
manufacturing costs of the device is reduced. The device 100 also
weighs less without a housing, so that the user's arm is less
likely to tire from holding the device 100. Another advantage is
that the user can view the hair as it is wrapped around the rod
104. Yet another advantage is that since there is no housing, the
outside of the device 100 is not heated, which provides a cost
savings in manufacturing since heaters are not needed. Furthermore,
a user can grasp the outside of the heated device 100 without
injury. Additionally, the heated device 100 can be placed directly
on a surface such as a counter without fear of the device burning
the counter.
[0039] The device 100 comprises a handle 102. There is a heater 114
for heating the rod 104 and curling surface 105, as shown in FIG.
13. There is also a motor 116 located in the handle. The handle 102
can have a multi-position, multi-function on/off switch 124, shown
in FIGS. 1 to 3, which allows the user to turn the device 100 on
and off. The multi-position, multi-function on/off switch 124 can
also provide a temperature controller function. This allows the
user to select different temperatures depending on hair type and
the desired hair style by controlling the amount of electrical
current fed to the heater 114. Additionally, both the heater 114
and the motor 116 can be coupled to an electrical cord 128, which
allows the device 100 to connect to an electricity source in order
to draw the electricity necessary to operate.
[0040] The device 100 also comprises a rotatable member 108 located
near the proximal end 104a of the rod 104. The rotatable member 108
also has a hub 162 so that the rod 104 can be positioned on it, as
shown in FIGS. 7 to 11. The rotatable member 108 wraps the user's
hair around the rod 104 so that the hair is in contact with the
curling surface 105. As shown in FIG. 7, the rotatable member 108
comprises two rotatable member openings 170 for receiving the
user's hair when rotated in either direction. The device 100
comprises a motor 116 for rotating the rotatable member 108, as
shown in FIG. 14. The motor 116 can be supported by the handle
102.
[0041] In use, the rotatable member 108 can be rotated 360 degrees
by the motor 116 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise
direction. The handle 102 can comprise a rotation direction
selection switch 126, shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, which allows the user
to select the direction for the rotatable member 108 to rotate.
[0042] The handle 102 contains opening 110 which allows for
placement of a section of hair 164 into the device 100. The section
of hair 164 typically contains enough strands of hair that the hair
can be placed in the opening 110, but not too many strands of hair
so that the section of hair 164 is too large to fit inside the
opening 110.
[0043] The rotatable member opening 170 can form a hook 118,
flanking the opening 110 for engaging the user's hair. The hook 118
can also have material for gripping and retaining the user's hair
in the rotatable member opening 170. For example, an elastomeric
material 109 can be positioned in the nook of the hook 118 as shown
in FIGS. 7, 11, and 12. The elastomeric material 109 can be, for
example, silicone, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomeric rubber,
thermoplastic rubber, polypropylene, or combinations thereof. The
elastomeric material 109 can be formed into ribbed or finger-like
projections in order to better grip and retain the user's hair so
that it can be positioned against the curling surface 105. The
elastomeric material 109 provides enough friction to keep tension
on the hair while it is being wound around the rod 104 such that
tight curls are consistently formed, but not too much friction so
that hair is damaged or the motor 116 is strained. The elastomer
ribs or fingers are also flexible such that they move and flex with
the hair and will not damage the hair. The elastomeric material 109
also functions to provide a more uniform wrap of the hair around
the rod 104 to facilitate consistent, rapid transfer of heat from
the curling surface 105 to the hair in a minimal amount of time.
Additionally, the elastomeric material 109 functions to polish and
add shine to the user's hair.
[0044] The purpose the rotatable member opening 170, and in
particular the hook 118, is to capture the hair and aid in guiding
the hair as it is wound around the rod 104.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the device 100 can have a
magnet sensing system comprising a magnet 148 and magnet sensor 150
for automatically positioning the rotatable member opening 170, as
shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. After a section of the user's hair is
curled, the magnet 148 and magnet sensor 150 are aligned by a
controller 173 so that the rotatable member opening 170 is aligned
with housing opening 110 and a lower support element opening 137 in
a lower support element 136. The device is then ready to receive
the next section of a user's hair. The magnet 148 can be located on
the rotatable member 108, and the magnet sensor 150 can be located
in the handle 102 of the device. The magnet sensor 150 determines
the location of the magnet 148, and allows the rotatable member 108
to be positioned to align the rotatable member opening 170 with
housing opening 110 and the lower support element opening 137. The
automatic positioning of the rotatable member opening 170 allows
the user to quickly insert the next section of hair 164 into the
device after the previous section of hair 164 has been curled. The
alignment of the rotatable member opening 170 with housing opening
110 and the lower support element opening 137 is also desirable for
ease of use because it provides a larger opening for placement of
the section of hair 164 by the user.
[0046] In one embodiment, the device 100 can have at least one
support 106 that is spaced apart from the rod 104. The device can
also comprise two or more supports 106. The supports 106 extend
parallel to the rod 104 and has a proximal end 107a supported by
the lower support element 136 and a distal end 107b supported by an
upper support element 138. FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 7 depict a
configuration of the device 100 with three supports 106, which are
evenly spaced apart from each other.
[0047] In one embodiment, the device 100 comprises a flexible,
heat-resistant first clamp 112. In one embodiment, the first clamp
112 extends from the support 106 near the lower support element
136, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. While it is contemplated that each
support 106 contains a first clamp 112, it is not necessary that
each support 106 contains a first clamp 112. The first clamp 112
extends from the support 106 toward the rod 104 to hold the hair
tightly against the heated curling surface 105. The first clamp 112
is also designed so that it does not to impede the wrapping of the
hair around the rod 104 by the rotatable member 108.
[0048] An advantage of the first clamp 112 is that it positions the
hair to abut the heated curling surface 105 for the entire styling
period. This results in much tighter curls, which are more
desirable by the user. The clamping of the hair also facilitates
rapid transfer of heat in minimal time, resulting in less damage to
the hair. In addition, the clamp helps smooth and polish the user's
hair as it passes over the user's hair.
[0049] The distance between the clamp and the curling surface 105
can be from about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm. The distance between the
first clamp 112 and the curling surface 105 depends on the
thickness of the user's hair wrapped around the rod 104. It is
contemplated that the first clamp 112 can be a passive clamp,
meaning that the clamp has to be engaged by the hair to hold the
hair. The end of the first clamp 112 attached to the support 106 is
fixed, while the end of the first clamp 112 that is closest to the
curling surface 105 moves passively away from the rod as the hair
is wrapped around the rod 104. The less hair that is wrapped around
the rod, the smaller the distance between the first clamp 112 and
the curling surface 105. Conversely, the more hair wrapped around
the rod 104, the larger the distance between the first clamp 112
and the curling surface 105.
[0050] It is also contemplated that the first clamp 112 can be an
active clamp, meaning that it is automatically engaged by a switch
or otherwise activated to hold the hair against the curling surface
105.
[0051] The first clamp 112 can have a first cross sectional area
proximate to the rod 104 and a second cross sectional area at the
support 106, the first cross sectional area being less that the
second cross sectional area. The first clamp 112 can be triangular
in lateral cross section.
[0052] The first clamps 112 can be made out of any material that is
heat resistant, such as an elastomeric material. The clamp
elastomeric material 113 can be, for example, silicone,
thermoplastic polyurethane elastomeric rubber, thermoplastic
rubber, and polypropylene.
[0053] In another embodiment, the device can contain one or more
second clamps 154 positioned on the rotatable member 108, as shown
in FIGS. 8 and 9. The distance between the second clamp 154 and the
rod 104 can be from about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm. The alternative
clamps 154 are mounted onto the rotatable member 108 so that the
alternative clamps 154 can rotate bi-directionally in relation to
the curling surface 105. The alternative clamps 154 can be made out
of any material that is heat resistant, such as an elastomeric
material. The alternative clamp elastomeric material 155 can be,
for example, silicone, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomeric
rubber, thermoplastic rubber, and polypropylene.
[0054] The device can also contain a flexible, heat-resistant
restrainer arm 132, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. The restrainer arm
132 is supported by the support 106 and extends radially from the
support 106 toward the curling surface 105.
[0055] The restrainer arm 132 has a first cross sectional area
where the arm 132 is proximate to the curling surface 105, and a
second cross sectional area where the arm is fixedly attached to
the support 106. In one embodiment, the first cross sectional area
is less that the second cross sectional area. It is contemplated
that the restrainer arm 132 is triangular in lateral cross section.
In another embodiment, the restrainer arm 132 is constrained
proximate to the curling surface 105 by a notch 134 in the rod 104,
as can be seen in FIG. 5. Also as seen in FIG. 5, the restrainer
arm 132 is located at a position opposite the housing opening 110.
The restrainer arm 132 can move vertically, but is restrained from
moving horizontally due to the insertion of the restrainer arm 132
into the notch 134. The vertical movement allows the user's hair to
slide off the distal end of the rod 104 after the hair has been
styled, while the restriction of horizontal movement allows the
restrainer arm 132 to successfully prevent the user's hair from
twisting as the hair is wrapped around the rod 104.
[0056] The restrainer arm can be made out of any heat resistant,
flexible material, such as, for example, an elastomeric material
such as, for example, silicone, thermoplastic polyurethane
elastomeric rubber, thermoplastic rubber, or polypropylene.
[0057] Optionally, the device 100 can have a timer 130, which
tracks the amount of time the hair is placed against the curling
surface 105, and sounds an alarm when the hair should be released
from the device 100. The device 100 can have any number of timer
lengths. The user has the ability to select the timer length
depending on the type of hair being styled, the amount of hair in
the section, and the style of hair the user is seeking to
achieve.
[0058] The timer alarm can be in the form of a sound, such as a
loud beep or a series of beeps, or the notification can be in the
form of a visual indicator, such as a flashing light.
Alternatively, the notification can be in the form of a vibration
of the device 100 which allows a user who cannot see or hear to
know when the timer 130 has gone off. Combinations of two or more
notifications can also occur. This is advantageous because a sight
or hearing impaired user may require different types of
notification.
[0059] Additionally, the device 100 can also comprise an optical
sensor 166. The optical sensor 166b can determine when the user's
hair has been removed from the device 100, thus allowing the timer
130 to operate effectively and allowing the rotatable member 108 to
return to its starting position with the rotatable member opening
170 aligned with housing opening 110 and the lower support element
opening 137.
[0060] The operation and use of the device 100 will now be
described. The device 100 can be used by first turning the device
on using the on/off switch 124 and selecting the desired
temperature using the temperature controller slide switch feature
of 124. Prior to operation of the device, the rotatable member
opening 170 is aligned with housing opening 110 and the lower
support element opening 137.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 14, the user places a section of hair 164
inside housing opening 110 and the lower support element opening
137 into hair retention feature 171. The user selects the desired
direction of rotation using the rotation direction selection switch
126. The rotatable member 108 is activated to rotate by the user
momentarily pressing the rotation switch 122. The first clamp 112
engages the section of hair 164 after it is wrapped onto the rod
104 by the rotatable member 108. The section of hair 164 continues
to be feed through the rotatable member 108 and wraps around the
rod 104 until the end of the section of hair 164 passes out of the
rotatable member 108. FIG. 15 shows the section of hair 164 wrapped
around the rod 104.
[0062] Once the entire section of hair 164 has been wound around
the rod 104, the rotatable member stops rotating, and the timer 130
begins its countdown. Once the end of the countdown is reached, the
device 100 will signal to the user that the time has expired and
the section of hair 164 is done curling and ready to be released
from the device 100.
[0063] Once the hair has been heated to the desired temperature for
the requisite amount of time, the user can pull the device 100 away
from their head, thereby sliding the section of hair 164 from
between the clamp and the curling surface and removing the section
of hair 164 from the distal end of the device 100 via the vertical
movement of the restrainer arm 132.
[0064] Although the present invention has been described in
considerable detail with reference to certain preferred
embodiments, other embodiments are possible. The steps disclosed
for the present methods, for example, are not intended to be
limiting nor are they intended to indicate that each step is
necessarily essential to the method, but instead are exemplary
steps only. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not
be limited to the description of preferred embodiments contained in
this disclosure. All references cited herein are incorporated by
reference.
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