Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Hair Styling Appliance and Method of Styling Hair
This invention relates to a hair styling appliance having a
handle portion, a heating portion with a heating zone for heat-
ing the hair, a cooling zone, and a styling element for stylingthe hair. The present invention further relates to a method of
styling hair, using in particular the hair styling appliance of
the present invention.
A multiplicity of devices and methods of the aforementioned
type are known in the art. Thus, for example, EP 0 021 224 Bl
discloses a hair treating device in the form of a gas-powered
curling iron. This curling iron is comprised of an elongate
handle portion and an adjoining heating portion. The handle
portion is further provided with a pressure-generating means in
the form of a pivotal hair retaining clamp. For styling hair,
in particular for curling or waving hair, the end of a strand of
hair, that is, the tips of hair, is inserted between the hair
W; n~; ng portion and the hair retaining clamp and clamped in po-
sition. In a subsequent operation, the strand of hair is
wrapped around the heated hair winding portion from the tips
down to the root level of the hair. After allowing the hair to
set for some time, the hair retaining clamp is lifted clear of
the hair w; n~; ng portion, and the curled or waved strand of hair
is withdrawn from the hair winding portion.
From DE 32 15 232 Al a further method of styling a strand
of hair by the action of heat and a hair styling appliance
therefor are known. In this specification, part of the air pro-
duced by a fan is delivered through a heating coil to a hot air
chamber of a cylindrical winding portion and is discharged
through radial hot air outlet openings. A bypass channel
arranged to extend past the heating coil directs cooling air
into a cooling air chamber of the hair w; n~; ng portion. The
strand of hair to be shaped is placed around the w; n~; ng portion
which is then moved away from the scalp, with the strand of hair
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first sliding over the outer wall of the hot air chamber and
then over the outer wall of the cooling chamber. As this
occurs, the strand of hair is first heated and then cooled in
immediately successive sequence. The wave and/or curl shape
S produced in the process depends on the diameter of the winding
portion.
A further specification - German Utility Model No. DE-GM 77
26 363 - relates to a curling wand having an electrically heat-
able rod element and a clamp structure movably mounted thereon
with a negative cross-sectional shape mating with the rod ele-
ment, and a handle connected with the rod element.
In the hair styling appliances known in the art, the diame-
ter or shape of the heated hair winding portion determines the
type or shape of the curls, in particular the size of the curls
that can be obtained.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to pro-
vide, in an improvement over the prior art, a hair styling
appliance and a method, in particular for applying the hair
styling appliance, which allows the shaping of curls, with the
diameter of the curls and thus the type or shape of curl being
producible independently of the diameter of the hair winding
portion. Further, it is desirable that the curl or wave thus
created with the strand of hair be made to last as long as
possible.
According to the present invention, this object is accom-
plished by a hair styling appliance incorporating the features
of the prior-art portion of claim 1, in which the styling ele-
ment is configured as a styling edge and the styling edge is
provided downstream of the heating zone and the cooling zone is
provided downstream of the styling edge, so that a strand of
hair to be styled is heatable by means of the heating zone, the
heated strand of hair is shapeable on the styling edge, and the
shaped strand of hair is coolable in the cooling zone. With
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this configuration of the styling element as a styling edge and
its arrangement relative to the heating zone and the cooling
zone, a means is provided which affords the advantage that the
type or shape of curl is variable in a simple manner, independ-
ently of the geometry of the hair winding portion or the heatingportion.
While advantageously, the configuration of the heating por-
tion may thus be of any desired geometry, it should nevertheless
be ensured that a good heat transfer can be effected from the
heating portion to the hair to be styled. The heating portion
may be heated either by gas or electrically, and it should allow
heating of the hair to at least a temperature suitable for shap-
ing hair. Immediately upon leaving the heating zone, the hair
thus heated is shaped on the styling edge of the invention by
being deflected on the styling edge and pulled over the styling
edge in taut manner - under tension. The hair thus styled, in
particular curled or waved, is subsequently directed to a cool-
ing zone immediately following the styling edge, and it will be
appreciated that this cooling zone may be either an active cool-
ing zone or a passive cooling zone operable without feedingenergy from an outside source. In this arrangement, upon leav-
ing the styling edge the hair is cooled immediately without any
further heating, with the attendant advantage of longer lasting
curls or waves being obtained.
The essentially arcuate cross-section of the styling edge
is particularly advantageous for hair styling. In particular,
this arcuate cross-section may be in the manner of the arc of a
circle having a defined radius over which the strand to be
shaped is pulled; considering that also a polygonal cross-
section may be considered as approximately arcuate, it is advan-
tageously also possible to use a styling edge which is polygonal
or similar in cross-section.
In a particularly advantageous configuration of the styling
edge, a radius greater than O.l mm is proposed, lying in
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particular between 0.5 mm and 5 mm. It will be understood, of
course, that this configuration not only requires that a
circular-arc shape as such be associated with a corresponding
radius, but also that it involves a polygonal or similar shape
with a ~lm~n~ion greater than 0.1 mm comparable to the radius.
Styling aids with a radius of, for example, 0.5 mm
advantageously result in small-diameter curls, whereas radii of,
for example, 3 mm produce large-diameter curls. Styling edges
with a radius greater than 5 mm do not produce curls, but
rather, create waves in the hair. By providing the styling edge
with a radius greater than 0.1 mm, a reversible hair shaping
function is advantageously accomplished without causing damage
to the hair which would be the case, for example, if a sharp
styling edge were used.
In a further feature of the present invention, the styling
edge is arranged substantially parallel to the main axis of the
hair styling appliance. This feature is based on a substan-
tially rectilinear styling edge. Advantageously, this feature
provides an efficient and structurally simple arrangement of the
styling edge. Also, the pressure-generating means and the heat-
ing portion extend equally in a substantially longitudinal di-
rection. However, it will be understood that other configura-
tions of the pressure-generating means and the heating portion
are also possible.
The tangents of the styling edge are arranged such as to
intersect at an angle smaller than 180~. For one purpose, a
small deflection of the hair is created as it is pulled over a
styling edge having an obtuse angle of, for example, 150-. In a
configuration in which the styling edge has an acute angle of,
for example, 30 , the hair to be shaped is advantageously de-
flected to a significant extent as it is pulled around the sur-
face of the styling edge. The tangents of the styling edge may
also enclose an angle of 0 , that is, they may be arranged
parallel to each other, for example, when the styling edge is
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disposed at the end of a narrow strip of sheet metal and is
semicircular in cross-section.
With a pressure-generating means, a contact pressure is ex-
erted on the hair to be shaped which is insertable between the
S heating portion and the pressure-generating means. For one pur-
pose, a good heat transfer is accomplished from the heating por-
tion to the air, and for another purpose, a clamping force is
applied to the hair to be styled. Acting as a retaining force,
this clamping force counteracts the pull with which the user
moves the hair styling appliance relative to the hair.
The styling edge itself may be provided on the pressure-
generating means which is configured as an essentially known
styling clamp. Advantageously, a simple arrangement of the
styling edge is thereby proposed requiring no further means on
the hair styling appliance than those that are already provided.
The styling clamp is configured in particular as a styling clamp
movable relative to the handle and/or the heating portion and is
movably connected with the handle portion as by a rotary joint
known per se.
In a still further feature of the present invention, the
styling edge is provided on the heating portion which may be
configured, for example, as a heating portion integral with the
styling edge. This thus advantageously reduces the number of
necessary components to a m; n; mllm in that it requires only a
single component for both heating and styling the hair.
In a particular configuration, the heating portion has an
elliptical, tear-shaped or similar cross-sectional area. By
varying the styling edge at the tapered end of the tear-shaped
cross-sectional area, various angles of wrap of the strands of
hair can be accomplished on the heating portion, advantageously
resulting in various shapes and sizes of curl.
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In a further feature of the present invention, it is pro-
posed providing the styling edge on a separate styling means.
This is an advantage in cases where, for example, a special
shape of curl is desired.
s In this feature, the separate styling means may be advanta-
geously connected with the pressure-generating means, in par-
ticular a retaining clamp and/or a cooling member. As a result,
these two components may be configured as a subassembly suitable
for attachment to the handle portion or the heating portion.
Advantageously, the styling means may have its one end con-
nected to the handle portion or the heating portion by a rotary
joint, in particular a spring-loaded rotary joint similar to a
hair retaining clamp known in the art, thus enabling the hair to
be readily inserted between the heating portion and the pivotal
1~ styling means.
In a particular embodiment of the present invention, a
cooling member for cooling the shaped hair is provided, and the
cooling member is arranged in particular in the area of the
styling edge. Advantageously, it is thereby possible to obtain
a particularly enduring curl shape in that the hair, following
styling, is cooled on the cooling member, "freezing" the curls.
By arranging the heating portion, the styling edge and/or
the cooling member essentially parallel to each other, these
components may be advantageously disposed in a close spatial re-
2~ lationship to each other. This thus provides a short length of
travel of the hair to be styled from the heating portion over
the styling edge to the cooling member, enabling the curls to be
set well.
Arranging the heating portion and the cooling member in a
relatively spaced relationship to each other results in the ad-
vantage that a warm and a cold zone of the hair styling
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appliance can be provided separately without the two temperature
zones mutually affecting each other a great deal.
In a further feature of the invention, the styling means
and the cooling member are fixedly connected with each other and
arranged so as to be movable relative to the heating portion.
This advantageously enables the styling means with the styling
edge to form a subassembly with the cooling member, allowing
ready insertion of the strand of hair in the space between heat-
ing portion and styling means.
In a particular configuration, the cooling member is made
of a material conducting heat well as, for example, aluminum or
a similar material, or it is comprised of a hollow body of alu-
minum filled with paraffin. Advantageously, a good cooling
effect of the cooling member is thereby proposed for effective
cooling of the previously heated hair following styling, that
is, "freezing" the curls.
To enhance the cooling effect, it is proposed providing the
cooling member with a heat-conducting coating and/or cooling
ribs. This advantageously ensures a good dissipation of heat by
the cooling member.
In a particular embodiment, the cooling member is config-
ured as an actively coolable cooling member. This may be accom-
plished, for example, by means of cooling air which may be gen-
erated in the handle portion of the hair styling appliance.
Alternatively, the cooling action may also be created by a
Peltier element or a similar device. This advantageously re-
sults in a more intense cooling of the previously heated curls,
thus producing a more enduring curl.
In another feature of the hair styling appliance, the heat-
ing portion and/or the styling means are provided with guidingand/or spacing means on the outside. These means are configured
in particular as ribs advantageously allowing guiding of the
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strands of hair adapted to be wound about the forward part of
the appliance for one purpose, while for another purpose acting
as spacing means to protect the user from contact with the warm
surface of the heating portion.
The ribs are arranged essentially transversely to the main
axis of the appliance, so that between each two adjacent ribs a
channel extending over the circumference of the heating portion
and/or the styling means is formed, in which channel the strand
of hair to be shaped is advantageously receivable with ease.
At least one rib of the hair styling appliance is provided
as a boundary rib, so that the strand of hair guided around the
heating portion and/or the styling means is advantageously
secured by this particular rib against slipping off from the
heating portion and/or the styling means.
In a particular configuration of the hair styling
appliance, the two outermost ribs are configured as boundary
ribs protruding at least in areas beyond the r~m~ining ribs on
the heating portion and/or the styling means in a plane trans-
verse to the main axis of the appliance. As a result, a guiding
function is effected on the strand of hair adapted to be placed
around an area of the hair styling appliance, preventing the
strand from slipping over the tip in a forward direction and
over the handle portion of the appliance in a rearward direc-
tion.
Preferably, the ribs are provided on at least one compo-
nent, in particular the heating portion, in an arcuate, undulat-
ing or arrow-shaped configuration. This rib configuration has
the advantage that the strand of hair adapted to be guided
around this particular component experiences greater friction
than on the other component, in particular the styling means.
This effect is intended to prevent the user from pulling the
strand of hair over the outer side of the heating portion.
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In a particular feature, these ribs are arranged on the
heating portion substantially parallel to the main axis of the
appliance. Advantageously, this is intended to confront the
user with both a visual and a mechanical obstacle, in particular
due to an increased frictional resistance, thereby preventing
the user from pulling the hair over the outer side of the heat-
ing portion.
Particularly advantageously, the ribs, in particular the
ribs on the heating portion which are arranged substantially
parallel to the main axis of the appliance, are also arranged
substantially radially to the main axis of the appliance. Hence
these ribs extend essentially vertically away from the outer
surface of the appliance, in particular the heating portion.
At least one of the two outermost ribs is configured as a
boundary rib, causing this particular rib or the two outermost
ribs to protrude at least in areas beyond the inner ribs lying
therebetween in an essentially radial direction. This has the
advantage of providing a visual distinction between the two out-
ermost boundary ribs and the inner ribs located in-between.
Particularly advantageously, the at least one boundary rib
is configured in wing shape, with the boundary rib's rearward
end on the side close to the handle portion being higher than
the boundary rib's forward end on the side remote from the
handle portion. This enables a ready adaptation of the boundary
rib to the different areas of cross-section of the hair styling
appliance, avoiding projecting corners and edges of the boundary
rib.
In a particular further feature of the present invention,
the heating portion has directly adjacent to the heating zone at
least one longitudinal rib which is arranged substantially
parallel to the main axis of the appliance and protrudes at
least in areas radially beyond the surface of the heating por-
tion corresponding with the pressure-generating means. An
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interruption of the heating zone in design and visual appearance
is thereby proposed, with the corresponding surfaces of the
heating zone and the pressure-generating means being essentially
of congruent shape, enabling the pressure-generating means to be
urged into contact with the heating zone directly. This inter-
ruption of the surface of the heating zone by the at least one
longitudinal rib advantageously results in a deflection of the
hair inserted between the heating portion and the pressure-
generating means, causing the hair to be directed away from the
heating portion.
Particularly advantageously, the heating portion's surface
corresponding with the pressure-generating means has one plane
configured essentially normal to the main axis of the appliance,
such that a central section follows an essentially convex course
adjoined by at least one outer section following an essentially
concave course, with the outer section being formed by the lon-
gitudinal rib. A particularly effective deflection or guiding
of the strand of hair away from the heating zone is thereby pro-
posed.
In a further feature of the present invention, the clamp is
pivotally mounted on the styling means, in particular the cool-
ing member. This provides a further possibility of movement of
the clamp, advantageously enabling a compensating movement to be
accomplished between the clamp and the heating portion.
In this arrangement, the pivot axis of the clamp is
arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
cooling member and/or the heating portion and hence also sub-
stantially parallel to the main axis of the appliance. Advanta-
geously, this enables the clamp to have both its ends pivotally
mounted in the cooling member by means of pivot pins. This re-
sults in an advantageously uniform contact pressure of the hair
over the entire contact surface of the heating portion.
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Still further, the clamp is configured essentially in
mirror sy-mmetry as seen in a plane transverse to its longitudi-
nal axis, and the pivot axis preferably lies in this plane of
symmetry. Advantageously, this makes it possible for the clamp
to perform a uniform pivotal movement to either side of the
plane of symmetry.
In a particular configuration of the present invention, it
is proposed providing the appliance, in particular the handle
portion, with a substantially elliptical, oval or similar outer
contour in a plane normal to its main axis. Such a configura-
tion of the gripping shell results in the advantage that the
handle rests better in the user's hand, causing the user to feel
uncomfortable when rotating the hair styling appliance about its
longitudinal axis. This configuration of the handle portion is
intended to further support the novel manipulation of this
appliance which differs noticeably from the use of hitherto
known hair styling appliances to the extent that the appliance,
rather than being rotated about its longitudinal axis, is pulled
away from the user's scalp using a straight-line motion.
In a further feature, it is proposed providing the heating
portion and the styling means with a substantially constant area
of cross-section along the main axis of the appliance, this area
of cross-section being smaller than the area of cross-section of
the forward end area of the handle portion. Advantageously,
this results in a clear separation between the hair treatment
part including the heating portion and the styling means at the
one end, and the handle portion at the other end. Moreover, the
large surface area of the handle portion gives the user a good,
firm and sure grip.
The area of cross-section of the handle portion ~;m;n; shes
continuously from the forward to the rearward, free end of the
handle, with the attendant advantage that this, too, enables the
user to handle the appliance with a more comfortable, ergonomic
grip.
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. .
In a particular further feature of the invention, two styl-
ing elements having each at least one, in particular two styling
edges are provided, with the opposite surfaces of the styling
elements forming a clamping area to receive and guide the hair
S to be styled. In this arrangement, a heating zone is provided
in the clamping area on at least one of the two styling ele-
ments. This advantageously provides a hair styling appliance
enabling particular ease of manipulation of the appliance
because of its substantially symmetrical configuration. The
strand of hair to be styled can be inserted in the clamping area
between the two styling elements from any side and can be pulled
around any styling edge. Correct maneuvering of the appliance
by its user is thus ensured automatically, that is, the strand
of hair to be styled is first heated, the strand thus heated is
styled on the styling edge and subsequently cooled in the cool-
ng zone.
In a further feature, at least a first one of the two
styling elements is configured as a pressure-generating means
and is mounted on the handle portion movably, in particular
pivotally, relative to the second styling element. This has the
advantage of requiring only one movable styling element which
urges the hair to be styled against the corresponding styling
element.
Advantageously, at least a first one of the two styling
elements is configured as a heating portion having a heating
zone and being thus directly heatable. A low-cost version of
the hair styling appliance is thus proposed, since it requires
only one heating element. Faster introduction of heat into the
hair to be styled is accomplished, for example, by providing in
both styling elements a heating element heating the first and
the second styling element directly.
In a particular further feature, a second styling element
is made of a thermally conductive material which is indirectly
heatable by contact heat from the first styling element after it
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.
is urged into contact with the first directly heatable styling
element. This advantageously obviates the need for a direct
active heating in the second styling element. Both styling ele-
ments heat up in a relatively short period of time, enabling a
S strand of hair inserted in the clamping area to be heated uni-
formly from both sides.
On its outside remote from the heating zone, the styling
element has a cooling zone, so that a single styling element in-
corporates a heating zone, a styling edge as well as a cooling
zone. A particularly space-saving solution of the hair styling
appliance is thus proposed.
The cooling zone is comprised of an either actively or
passively coolable cooling member which ensures the temperature
differential between the heating zone and the cooling zone
necessary for setting the curls or waves.
A thermal decoupling arrangement configured, for example,
as a thermal insulator is provided between the heating portion
and the cooling member of a styling element. This enables a
requisite temperature gradient within a m;n;mllm amount of mount-
ing space.
Advantageously, the clamping area between the two stylingelements is configured as a plane slot exten~;ng in a direction
essentially parallel to the main axis of the appliance. With
this substantially symmetrical configuration of the clamping
area, a form is proposed which, independently of the direction
of pull of the appliance through the hair on the one hand and
independently of the direction of rotation of the appliance
about its own axis on the other hand, ensures a constant fric-
tional resistance between the hair and the styling elements.
In a plane extending substantially normal to the main axis
of the applianc~, a styling edge each is arranged on either end
of the slot and/or also on both styling elements.
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.
Advantageously, a geometrical configuration of the hair styling
appliance is thus proposed which, independently of the direction
of movement of the appliance in the hair and the direction of
rotation of the appliance, produces the desired result, which is
S the production of lasting curls or waves in the hair to be
shaped.
In a particular embodiment of the present invention which
may also be an independent invention, a method of styling hair
is proposed, using in particular the hair styling appliance of
the invention, in which the hair is heated in a heating zone,
cooled in a cooling zone, and shaped by means of a styling ele-
ment. According to the invention, the strand of hair to be
styled is first heated in the heating zone, the hair strand thus
heated is then shaped on a styling element configured as a styl-
lng edge, and the hair strand thus shaped is subsequently cooledn a coollng zone.
For shaping curls, it is necessary that a relative motion
take place between the heated hair and the styling edge of the
invention. In the hair styling methods hitherto known, it is
conventionally the loose ends of the hair that are clamped be-
tween the pressure-generating means and the heating means,
followed by a movement from the hair ends to the root level,
customarily by wrapping the hair on a hair winding portion. In
contrast thereto, the method of the present invention proposes a
movement from the root level to the loose ends of the hair, with
the heated hair being pulled over the styling edge during this
movement. An essential aspect of the invention is that the
heated hair is shaped on the styling edge of the invention imme-
diately upon leaving the heating zone, which is accomplished in
that the hair is deflected on the styling edge and pulled tautly
- under tension - over the styling edge. The hair thus shaped,
in particular curled or waved, is then cooled in a cooling zone
immediately succeeding the styling edge, this cooling zone being
either active or passive, that is, operable without feeding
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.
energy from an outside source. As this occurs, the hair is
cooled immediately upon leaving the styling edge without being
subjected to any further heating, with longer lasting curls or
waves being produced to advantage.
S Advantageously, the hair is heated in the heating zone to
at least forming temperature, with the forming temperature which
is also referred to as glass temperature Tg amounting to 120~C,
approximately, with a relative humidity in the hair of about
30%.
To produce the necessary tension in the hair, the hair is
inserted between a pressure-generating means and a heating por-
tion as a result of which a clamping force is exerted on the
hair to be shaped, and as the heated hair is pulled around the
styling edge, a longitudinal side of the hair is stretched.
lS This advantageously enables an enduring curl to be formed of the
hair. In this method, the curling effect is the greater, the
greater the amount by which the hair is stretched. Still fur-
ther, it is an advantage in the method herein proposed that the
type and the size of the curls or waves produced do not depend
on the size, particularly the diameter, of a hair winding por-
tion, but rather, solely on the one-sided stretching of the hair
caused on the styling edge. In the process, the longitudinal
sides of the hair close to the styling edge, that is, the par-
ticular sides of the hair that are directly pulled over the
styling edge, are subjected to compressive stress, thus support-
ing the tensile stress occurring on the opposite longitudinal
sides of the hair.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present
invention, the longitudinal sides of the hair facing away from
the styling edge are stretched by at least one percent. This is
an effective means of imparting curls to hair, independently of
the diameter of a hair w; n~; ng portion. The change to which
hair is subjected as it is stretched up to an amount lower than
about 30% is advantageously completely reversible, thus
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obviating the risk of damage to the hair as it is stretched on a
styling edge.
The longitudinal sides of the hair close to the heating
portion are pulled over and stretched on the styling edge, pro-
S ducing to advantage the curls desired by the user.
Alternatively, it is also possible for the longitudinal
sides of the hair facing away from the heating portion to be de-
flected and stretched on the styling edge. Advantageously, this
thus also allows the formation of hair curls.
For good curl formation, the hair is pulled over the styl-
ing edge in a taut condition. This is accomplished in that the
hair is clamped between the pressure-generating means and the
heating portion, whereby a holding force is exerted on the hair.
This holding force counteracts the pull generated by the user in
moving the hair styling appliance relative to the hair. This
taut condition of the hair is advantageously conducive to the
formation of curls.
The direction of movement of the hair downstream of the
styling edge, that is, upon leaving the styling edge, is in the
same direction as, or the opposite direction to, the direction
of movement upstream of the styling edge, that is, prior to
reaching the styling edge. A movement in the same direction
both upstream and downstream of the styling edge allows a more
uniform and advantageously lower pull of the hair; a deflection
of the direction in which the hair is moved on a styling edge
necessitates a greater pull, advantageously producing a tighter
curl.
In a particular embodiment of the present invention, it is
proposed cooling the hair following stretching by moving, in
particular pulling, the curled hair along a cooling member.
This advantageously enables the curls to be set well by
"freezing".
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A particularly good styling result is obtained in that the
stretched longitudinal sides of the hair face away from the
cooling member and are pulled around the cooling member in this
position.
S The curl shape is variable by the relative speed of the
styling edge to the hair to be styled. Thus, guiding the
appliance in a slow motion of the styling edge relative to the
hair advantageously produces a tight curl, whilst a rapid guid-
ing motion is adapted to produce a generous curl.
The surface temperature of the cooling member is lower than
or equal to 85~C, whereby an enduring curl is obtained to advan-
tage. Because the forming temperature of human hair is about
120~C at about 30~ relative humidity in the hair, a surface tem-
perature of the cooling member of 85~C or lower provides a
temperature differential sufficient to ensure that the curls
previously produced hold their shape sufficiently well.
The method of the present invention advantageously enables
straight hair to be effectively curled nearly from the root
level to the tips of the hair, without utilizing a winding por-
tion hitherto necessary for prior-art methods. Further, the
hair forming operation obtainable with this method is reversi-
ble.
For a particularly advantageous application of the method,
it is proposed that the hair be introduced in the clamping area
between the two styling elements, that the appliance be sub-
sequently rotated about its main axis in any direction until at
least sections of the hair engage the cooling member, and that
the hair styling appliance be finally moved away from the user's
head, so that the heated hair is shaped on the styling edge and
the hair thus styled is cooled on the cooling member. In cases
where an appliance having two styling elements is utilized, the
styling result of the curls or waves is independent of the
direction in which the appliance is rotated about its main axis.
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A user may insert the strand of hair into the clamping area from
any side for styling and may also rotate the hair styling
appliance about its main axis in any direction, causing the
heated hair to be styled on the styling edge and subsequently
S cooled on the cooling member.
Further features, advantages and application possibilities
of the present invention will become apparent from the subse-
quent description of embodiments illustrated in more detail in
the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that any
single feature and any combination of single features described
and/or represented by illustration form the subject-matter of
the present invention, irrespective of their summary in the
claims and their back-reference.
In the drawings,
FIG. l is a cross-sectional view of a heating portion and a
pressure-generating means having a styling edge of the present
invention, and a strand of hair to be styled;
FIG. 2 is a view of a heating portion having a styling edge
integrally formed thereon, and a strand of hair to be styled;
FIG. 3 is an arrangement similar to FIG. l, but providing
an additional cooling member;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a detail 4 of FIG. l;
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a hair styling appliance showing
a handle portion and a heating portion;
FIG. 6 is a side view of a hair styling appliance of FIG. 5
showing a styling means;
FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a hair styling appliance of
FIG. 6;
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FIG. 8 iS an enlarged sectional view of a handle portion,
taken along the line 108 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of a handle portion,
taken along the line 109 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of a heating portion
and a styling means, taken along the line 110 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 11 iS a perspective view of a hair styling appliance;
FIG. 12 iS a bottom view of a hair styling appliance of
FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 iS a perspective view of a hair styling appliance
having a boundary rib configured in wing shape;
FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a heating portion and a
styling means similar to the representation of FIG. 10, but in
the open position;
FIG. 15 iS a sectional view of two styling elements in an
essentially symmetrical configuration; and
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a styling means having two
styling elements similar to the representation of FIG. 15.
A hair styling appliance of the present invention ( FIG. 1)
is comprised of, for example, a circular-cylindrical heating
portion 6 and a pressure-generating means, in particular a hair
ret~;n;~g clamp 8 which is urged against the heating portion 6
by a spring means not shown. Starting from root level 14, a
strand 2 of hair to be styled is inserted between the heating
portion 6 and the clamp 8, the heating portion 6 heating the
strand of hair to forming temperature along the contact surface
12 between the two components. On its one edge, the clamp 8 has
an elongate styling edge 10 over which the strand 2 is pulled.
When the user moves the hair styling appliance in the direction
of pull 16, the heated strand 2 is drawn through the space
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between the heating portion 6 and the clamp 8 and, upon leaving
the contact surface 12, the strand 2 is deflected on the styling
edge 10 of the clamp 8; this shapes the strand of hair 2 into a
curl from root level 14 to the tips.
An alternative embodiment of a hair styling appliance of
the present invention (FIG. 2) comprises an elongate heating
portion 20 substantially tear-shaped in cross-section. On a
longitudinal side thereof, this heating portion 20 has a styling
edge 24. The strand of hair 2 to be shaped is heated from the
root level 14 through the contact surface 22 of the heating por-
tion 20 and deflected on the styling edge 24 by the user moving
the heating portion 20 in the direction of movement 26. To
accomplish this, the user is required to tension the strand of
hair 2 in the direction of pull 28 in order for the strand 2 to
experience the contact force on the contact surface 22 necessary
for heating.
Curls holding their shape particularly well are created by
cooling the curls on a cooling member following shaping,
"freezing" the curls. To this end, a hair styling appliance
configured according to the representation of FIG. 1 is util-
ized, comprising a heating portion 6 and a clamp 8 with a styl-
ing edge 10. In this configuration, a cooling member 30 as
shown in FIG. 3 may be arranged above the clamp 8 and attached
to the clamp 8 by a connection not shown. The clamp 8 and the
cooling member 30 combine to form a styling means 31. The cool-
ing member 30 is semicircular in cross-section, and it may be
equipped with cooling ribs 32 in its upper arcuate area for en-
hancing the cooling action. In this arrangement, the cooling
member 30 extends equally in a longitudinal direction parallel
to the heating portion 6 and the clamp 8. A movement of the
hair styling appliance in the direction of movement 34 first in-
volves heating of the strand 2 on the contact surface 12, then
deflecting it on the styling edge 10, and subsequently cooling
it on the cooling member 30.
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The strand of hair 2 ( FIG. 4) is urged against the heating
portion 6 by the clamp 8 in the area of the contact surface 12
and is pulled around the styling edge lO as the heating portion
6 iS moved in the direction of movement 16. In the process, the
Sstrand of hair 2 iS looped over the subse(luent edge area of the
clamp 8 providing the styling edge lO. Decisive for the styling
result of the strand of hair 2 shaped to form a curl is the par-
ticular radius 36 of the styling edge lO. It should have a
m; n; mllm radius of O.l mm, approximately, in order to prevent
10that hair is ruined, in particular broken, during shaping. The
strand of hair 2 may be wrapped around the styling edge lO at
approximately right angles, as shown in FIG. 4; however, the
angle of wrap of the strand of hair 2 relative to the styling
edge lO may also be greater or smaller than 90~, depen~;ng on
15the intended styling result, that is, whether small- or large-
diameter curls are to be produced.
When the strand of hair 2 iS pulled around the styling edge
lO, the longitudinal side 38 of the hair close to the heating
portion 6 iS exposed to tensile stress, while the longitudinal
20side 40 of the hair facing away from the heating portion 6 iS
exposed to compressive stress. This difference in the variation
of hair length produces the curls.
A hair styling appliance 50 of the present invention (FIGS.
5, 6 and 7) substantially comprises a handle portion 54, a heat-
25ing portion 52 and a styling means 72. The handle portion 54 in
turn is composed of a central gripping shell 64, a forward cover
62, and an end cap 66 arranged symmetrically about the main axis
70. Controls 68 are provided on the upper and lower side of the
handle portion. setween the forward cover 62 and the tip 56,
30the heating portion 52 iS provided with ribs 58, each two adja-
cent ribs forming a circumferential channel 59 between them.
The ribs 76 of the styling means 72 are arranged substan-
tially normal to the main axis 70, while the ribs 58 of the
heating portion 52 have an arrow-shaped configuration pointing
CA 02240986 l998-06-l9
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in the direction of the tip 56. Longitudinal ridges 60 are dis-
posed on the heating portion 52 close to the parting line 74 be-
tween the heating portion 52 and the styling means 72.
The foremost and the rearmost rib of the styling means 72
S is configured as a boundary rib 78 protruding beyond the styling
means 72 at least in areas in the direction of the heating por-
tion 52.
The sections 108, 109 and 110 of FIG. 6 will be described
in the following with reference to the subsequent Figures. A
section I08 taken in the proximity of the end cap 66 (FIG. 8)
shows the elliptical configuration of the handle portion 54. At
this location, the gripping shell 64 has a smaller cross-
sectional area than in the vicinity of the forward cover 62. In
the interest of simplicity, the parts built into the gripping
lS shell 64 are not shown. Provided on the upper side and the un-
derside of the handle portion 54 are the controls 68 for turning
the appliance on and off, as well as for operation of the styl-
ing means.
In a section taken along the line 109 of FIG. 6, the grip-
ping shell 64 ( FIG. 9) shows a cross-sectional area larger than
in the section 108, this area increasing progressively from the
rearward end of the handle portion to the forward cover of the
handle portion.
A section taken along the line 110 of FIG. 6 ( FIG. 10)
shows the lower heating portion 52 and the upper styling means
72. The heating portion 52 iS surrounded by the ribs 58 which
extend essentially in the circumferential direction and are con-
nected, in the radial direction, with the inner area of the
heating portion 52 by means of pins 80. The styling means 72 iS
comprised of the cooling member 82 and the boundary rib 78 sur-
rol~n~;ng the cooling member 82 at least in an area thereof.
Disposed between the heating portion 52 and the cooling member
82 iS a pressure-generating means in the form of the clamp 84.
CA 02240986 l998-06-l9
06093
.
This clamp 84 has its forward and rearward end pivotally
attached to the cooling member 82 by means of a pivot pin. In
this arrangement, the pivot axis 86 lies in the plane of symme-
try 87 of the heating portion 52 and the styling means 72. The
S styling edges 88 are recognizable at the two lateral ends of the
arcuate clamp 84.
The hair styling appliance 50 (FIG. 11) is essentially com-
prised of a rearward handle portion 54 and a forward portion 90
adapted to be subdivided into the heating portion 52 and the
styling means 72. At its rear end, the heating portion 52 iS
fixedly connected with the handle portion 54, while the styling
means 72 has its rear end pivotally mounted on the handle por-
tion 54. On operation of the control 68 on the upper side of
the appliance 50, the parting line 74 between the heating por-
tion 52 and the styling means 72 opens an amount sufficient to
provide a wedge-shaped opening in which the hair to be shaped
may be received comfortably. For shaping the hair, the styling
means 72 iS pivoted back onto the heating portion 52 by means of
the control 68, causing the hair caught therebetween to be urged
against the upper side of the heating portion 52. The boundary
ribs 78 of the styling means 72 extend beyond the styling edge
88 in tooth shape, thus ret~;n;ng the hair to be shaped within
the area of the styling means 72 provided with the ribs 76 on
its outside. In use of the hair styling appliance 50, the hair
to be styled is thus drawn through the space between the heating
portion 52 and the styling means 72, then deflected on the styl-
ing edge 88, and directed back over the outside of the styling
means 72.
In an alternative to the configuration of the ribs 58 shown
in FIGS. 5 to 10, the heating portion 52 ( FIG. 12) iS provided
with longitudinal ribs 92 on its outside. These are disposed
between the tip 56 and the forward cover 62 of the appliance and
are intended to prevent the user from wrapping a strand of hair
about the forward portion 90 of the hair styling appliance.
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.
Similar to the representation of FIG. 12, the heating por-
tion 53 (FIG. 13) has longitudinal ribs 92 on its lower outside.
The uppermost one of the longitudinal ribs 92 iS configured as a
wing-type boundary rib 98 of varying height. At its forward end
100 close to the appliance tip 56, the rib 98 has a signifi-
cantly lower height than at its rearward end 102 close to the
forward cover 62 of the appliance. The styling means 72 as well
as the handle portion 54 correspond substantially to the repre-
sentations of FIGS. 11 and 12. By reason of its different
heights, the boundary rib 98 iS integrated into the space
between the tip 56 and the forward cover 62 such that neither
corners nor edges of the rib 98 protrude beyond the outer
contour of the appliance.
The heating portion 53 and the styling means 72 ( FIG. 14)
are shown in an open condition enabling a strand of hair to be
inserted in the space between these two components for styling.
The styling means 72 of this configuration is comprised of
essentially the same components as the styling means shown in
FIG. 10, accordingly including a cooling member 82 and a clamp
84 with the styling edge 88. The heating portion 53, by con-
trast, has on its underside a series of longitudinal ribs 92 ex-
t~n~;ng essentially radially to the outside away from the heat-
ing portion 53. The two outer longitudinal ribs are configured
as boundary ribs 98 projecting beyond the rem~;n;ng ribs 92
radially outwardly. On either side of the upper side of the
heating portion 53 forming the heating zone, longitudinal ribs
104 are shown which extend substantially parallel to the main
axis of the appliance and project beyond the upper surface of
the heating zone radially at least in areas thereof. The upper
side of the heating portion 53 iS essentially subdivided into
three different sections, including a first center section 106
which extends in a substantially convex fashion. Two outer, es-
sentially concave sections 105 and 107 extend next to both sides
of the center section. When a strand of hair is placed in the
space between the heating portion 53 and the styling means 72
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for shaping and when the styling means 72 iS urged against the
upper side of the heating portion 53 with the underside of the
clamp 84, the strand of hair to be shaped is guided through the
two longitudinal ribs 104 around the styling edges 88, thus
S pointing away from the heating portion 53 to the outside. As a
result, the strand of hair to be shaped is necessarily fed
around the styling edge 88 "upwardly" to the cooling member 82.
An alternative embodiment of the styling means 140 ( FIG.
15) comprises two styling elements 112 and 114 of an essentially
symmetrical configuration which are separated from each other by
an essentially plane slot 132. In this embodiment, the two
styling elements 112 and 114 may be arranged symmetrically about
the main axis 136 of the hair styling appliance. Each styling
element 112, 114 comprises a heating portion 116, 118 and a
radially outwardly adjoining cooling member 120, 122. It is
necessary for at least one of the two heating portions 116, 118
to be heated directly by a heating element. The opposite second
styling element may be heated indirectly by contact heat from
the first heating portion, or alternatively directly by a sepa-
rate heating element.
One styling edge 124, 128 and 126, 130 each is provided on
each heating portion 116, 118 at the two diametrically opposite
ends of the slot 132. This enables a strand of hair to be in-
serted and heated in the slot 132 from either end for styling.
Following heating, the styling means 140 iS rotated through 90~
to 180-, approximately, about its main axis 13 6, causing the
strand of hair to engage the outside of one of the two cooling
members 120 or 122. This enables the appliance to be manipu-
lated easily and safely, independently of its direction of rota-
tion or movement. For thermal decoupling of the heating portion
118 from the cooling member 122 of a styling element 114, it is
proposed providing for a thermal insulator 134 between the two
components.
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A styling means of the type illustrated in FIG. 15 with an
essentially symmetrical configuration is shown in FIG. 16 in a
perspective view. A handle portion 138 of which a fragment is
shown has adjacent to it a styling means 140 comprised of two
S substantially similar styling elements 112, 114. In this con-
figuration, the upper styling element 112 iS configured as a
pressure-generating means and connected with a control 144 on
the upper side of the handle portion 138, SO that the styling
element 112 iS attached to the handle portion 138 SO as to be
pivotal relative to the styling element 114. Both styling ele-
ments 112, 114 comprise each a heating portion with a respective
styling edge 128, 130 exten~;ng essentially parallel to the main
axis of the hair styling appliance. Adjoining the two heating
portions of the styling elements 112, 114 in a diametrically
lS opposite relationship are the two cooling members 120, 122.
These cooling members have on their opposite outer sides a re-
spective series of transverse ribs 142 for guiding the hair to
be shaped.
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