HAIR STYLING ATTACHMENT OR APPLIANCE

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

[0001]The present disclosure relates to one or more hair styling attachments connectable to an appliance having an electrically powered fan and heater in a handle. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a hair styling attachment having a top portion forming a center void that is connectable to an appliance having an electrically powered fan and heater in a handle that operates to generate an airflow through a series of holes in the hair styling attachment so that the user can place a tuft of hair against the hair styling attachment causing the hair to automatically wind around the hair styling attachment due to the airflow. The present disclosure also relates to a unitary hair styling appliance having a top portion forming a center void with an electrically powered fan and heater in a handle that operates to generate an airflow through a series of holes in a housing fixed to the handle so that the user can place a tuft of hair against the housing causing the hair to automatically wind around the housing due to the airflow.

2. Description of Related Art

[0002]There are hair styling attachments currently available that can connect to an appliance that generates an airflow. One such attachment is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 11,044,979 (“the '979 patent”). The attachment for a hand held appliance of the '979 patent includes a cylindrical head that has a series of continuous, elongated slots that each extends continuously from a proximal first portion to a distal end of the attachment. The '979 patent also includes that the distal end of the attachment is closed enclosing an open, single, relatively high volume inner cavity that forms a relatively large, uniformly cylindrical void therein. Accordingly, air flows from an appliance having an electrically powered fan and heater in a handle through the open, single, relatively high volume inner cavity and out of each of the elongated slots of the attachment of the '979 patent. The closed distal end enclosing the open, single, relatively high volume inner cavity and the continuous, elongated slots of the attachment of the '979 patent result in delivering air out of the attachment of the '979 patent at a velocity and pressure that are determined by and dependent upon the air flow output rate created by the fan and influenced by the shape and area of the slot openings. Such a relatively high volume inner cavity and relatively large air exit openings may result in relatively low velocity and pressure air flow output. Thus, the resulting velocity and pressure of outflowing air may not be optimal for hair styling.

[0003]Accordingly, it has been determined by the present disclosure that there is a continuing need for a device that overcomes, alleviates, and/or mitigates one or more of the aforementioned and other deleterious effects of prior devices.

SUMMARY

[0004]The present disclosure provides a hair styling attachment that is connectable to an appliance having an electrically powered fan and heater in a handle that operates to generate an airflow through a series of holes in the hair styling attachment so that the user can place a tuft of hair against the hair styling attachment causing the hair to automatically wind around the hair styling attachment due to the airflow. The airflow passes out of the holes that are through a single, integral, one-piece structure of the attachment to deliver air at higher velocity and high pressure due to the nozzle like action of each individual hole. The attachment also has a plurality of manifold structures with separate, isolated, relatively low volume chambers therein forming a distal end that is not closed but rather forms a center void. By having separate chambers, pressure and velocity are optimized (e.g., maintained higher in comparison to a single, large volume chamber), and the conical shape of the center void causes an initial air path in chambers closest to the hot brush handle to be larger than they are in the air chambers toward the distal end to inherently regulate and contribute to more uniform pressure and velocity among each hole along the length of the attachment so as to contribute to optimizing air velocity and pressure. The velocity of air emitted from the attachment is critical to the hair winding capability of the attachment for styling the user's hair. The geometry of the air channel spaces of the chambers and the use of the holes performs better at maintaining speed and pressure in all holes, including at the distal end.

[0005]The present disclosure further provides an attachment for a hair styling device including a body and a fan for generating air flow. The attachment includes a housing that is generally elongated having a proximal end, a distal end, an open space internally therein and a longitudinal axis. A connector is on the proximal end to connect or attach to a body of a hair styling appliance. A first set of a plurality of air emitting openings are arranged in an array that extends in a direction generally longitudinally for emitting air flow from the attachment. A first manifold is in communication with the first set of air emitting openings. The first manifold is in communication with the housing to direct air flow from the housing to the first set of air emitting openings. A first curved surface is generally curved that extends longitudinally along and forms a part of an exterior of the attachment. The first set of the plurality of air emitting openings are positioned adjacent to the first curved surface so that air emitted from the first set of the plurality of air emitting openings is directed generally tangentially with respect to the first curved surface.

[0006]The open space inside the attachment can extend longitudinally and be open at the distal end of the attachment, and the first manifold may not be in communication with the open space.

[0007]The attachment can further include a hair styling device having a heat element.

[0008]The hair styling device can have a handle.

[0009]The attachment can further include a second set of a plurality of air emitting openings arranged in an array that extends in a direction generally longitudinally for emitting air flow from the attachment, a second manifold that is in communication with the second set of a plurality of air emitting openings with the second manifold being in communication with the housing to direct air flow from the housing to the second set of the plurality of air emitting openings, and a second curved surface that is generally curved that extends longitudinally along and forms part of the exterior of the attachment with the second set of the plurality of air emitting openings that are positioned adjacent to the second curved surface so that air emitted from the second set of the plurality of air emitting openings is directed generally tangentially with respect to the second curved surface.

[0010]The open space inside the attachment can extend longitudinally and is open at the distal end of the attachment, and the second manifold may not be in communication with the open space.

[0011]Each of the first set of the plurality of air emitting openings and/or the second set of the plurality of air emitting openings can comprise circular shaped openings.

[0012]One or more of the first set of the plurality of air emitting openings and/or the second set of the plurality of air emitting openings are formed with a portion at least partially beneath the first and second curved surfaces.

[0013]The first set of the plurality of air emitting openings and/or the second set of the plurality of air emitting openings are spaced radially outwardly from the first and second curved surfaces, respectively.

[0014]The present disclosure further provides a hair styling appliance that includes a housing that is generally elongated having a proximal end, a distal end, an open space internally therein, and a longitudinal axis. The housing is permanently fixed to a handle housing a fan. A first set of a plurality of air emitting openings is arranged in an array that extends in a direction generally longitudinally for emitting air flow from the housing. A first manifold is in communication with the first set of the plurality of air emitting openings. The first manifold is in communication with the housing to direct air flow from the housing to the first set of the plurality of air emitting openings. A first curved surface is generally curved and extends longitudinally along and forms a part of an exterior of the housing. The first set of the plurality of air emitting openings are positioned adjacent to the first curved surface so that air emitted from the first set of the plurality of air emitting openings is directed generally tangentially with respect to the first curved surface.

[0015]The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a hair styling attachment according to the present disclosure connected to a hot brush handle.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a side view of the hair styling attachment of FIG. 1 connected to the hot brush handle.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a side view of the hair styling attachment of FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the hair styling attachment of FIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the hair styling attachment of FIG. 1.

[0021]FIG. 6 is a top view of the hair styling attachment of FIG. 1.

[0022]FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the hair styling attachment of FIG. 1.

[0023]FIG. 8 is a partial side perspective view of the hair styling attachment of FIG. 1.

[0024]FIG. 9 is a partial top perspective, cross-sectional view of the hair styling attachment of FIG. 1.

[0025]FIG. 10 is a partial side cross-sectional view of a top, side portion of the hair styling attachment of FIG. 1.

[0026]FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the hair styling attachment of FIG. 1.

[0027]FIG. 12 is a partial side cross-sectional view of a bottom portion of the hair styling attachment of FIG. 1.

[0028]FIG. 13 is a partial top perspective, cross-sectional view of the hair styling attachment of FIG. 1.

[0029]FIG. 14 is a partial side perspective view of the hair styling attachment of FIG. 1 that is modified to include holes that are spaced radially outward from convex surfaces that are adjacent to them.

[0030]FIG. 15 is a partial top cross-sectional view of the hair styling attachment of FIG. 14.

[0031]FIG. 16 is a side view of a unitary hair styling appliance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032]Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a hair styling attachment according to the present disclosure is shown and is generally referred to by reference numeral 10 (“attachment 10”). Attachment 10 is connectable to a hot brush handle 100 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring to FIG. 2, hot brush handle 100 has an electrically powered fan 102 and heater 104 in a handle 106. Hot brush handle 100 is connectable to one or more attachments, in this case, attachment 10, to apply an airflow to a user's hair for hair styling. When attachment 10 is connected to hot brush handle 100 and an airflow generated by hot brush handle 100 is blowing out of attachment 10 through individual holes 12, the user places a tuft of hair against attachment 10 and the airflow causes the hair to be automatically wound around attachment 10. With the application of heat from heater 104 of hot brush handle 100, the heated airflow facilitates styling of the hair, for example, into a curl.

[0033]Advantageously, attachment 10 has individual holes 12 through a single, integral, one-piece structure of a housing 18 as compared to, for example, the continuous, elongated slots formed by the separate plates of U.S. Pat. No. 11,044,979 (“the '979 patent”). Individual holes 12 of attachment 10 can deliver air at higher velocity and higher pressure due to the nozzle like action of each individual hole 12 as compared to, for example, elongated slots of type disclosed in the '979 patent.

[0034]Another advantage of attachment 10 includes that, as shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 11, attachment 10 has separate, isolated, relatively low volume chambers 14 forming a distal end 16 of attachment 10 that is not closed but rather forms a center void 15, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 11. Chambers 14 generate a desirable airflow through holes 12 as compared to, for example, the open, single, relatively high volume chamber of the '979 patent. By having separate chambers 14, pressure and velocity are optimized (maintained higher), and the conical shape of center void 15 causes an initial air path in chambers 14 closest to hot brush handle 100 to be larger than they are in air chambers 14 toward distal end 16. This contributes to optimizing air velocity and pressure in comparison to the relatively large, uniformly cylindrical void inside the attachment of the '979 patent. For example, as the chambers 14 decrease in volumetric size along the length of the attachment in a direction toward the distal end 16, the decreasing volume compensates for the increasing distance of each hole 12 from the fan 102 by maintaining high pressure and velocity for the full length of the attachment 10. The velocity of air emitted is critical to the hair winding capability of attachment 10 for styling the user's hair. Attachment 10 ensures that distal end 16 air flow is as optimal as the proximal end 17 air flow. In comparison, the lower pressure, uniformly shaped void of the '979 patent has diminished air speed and pressure as air travels further from the fan in the handle. Again, the geometry of the air channel spaces of chambers 14 and the use of holes 12 perform better at maintaining speed and pressure in all holes 12, including at distal end 16.

[0035]Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, hot brush handle 100 has a body 101 forming handle 106. Body 101 houses electrically powered, motor driven fan 102, heater 104 and/or a controller 105, for example, a microcontroller unit and printed circuit board that controls operation of brush handle 100. Electrically powered fan 102 generates an air flow in body 101 that can then be heated by heater 104. Body 101 is connected to a plug 103 which is attached to an electrical cord (not shown) for attaching to an external electrical power source. Alternatively, the brush handle 100 may be cordless and, thus, electrical energy may be provided by one or more batteries.

[0036]Referring to FIG. 3, attachment 10 has a housing 18 that is generally cylindrical. Housing 18 is formed of a single, integral, one-piece structure as opposed to, for example, the separate plates of the '979 patent. Housing 18 is a generally elongated body that has proximal end 17, a distal end 16, an open space of center void 15 internally therein, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, and a longitudinal axis 1100 as shown in FIG. 11. Open space of center void 15 inside attachment 10 extends longitudinally and is open at distal end 16 at a top portion of housing 18. Referring to FIG. 5, housing 18 forms longitudinal ridges 20 on an outermost circumferential surface of attachment 10. Each ridge 20 has a radial face 21 that, preferably, extends the length of the attachment 10. Housing 18 has generally convex or curved surfaces 19 between ridges 20 that extend longitudinally along and form part of an exterior of attachment 10. Each of curved surfaces 19 begin at a first of ridges 20 and ends at a second of ridges 20 that is directly adjacent the first of ridges 20 and is curve outward to be closer to the longitudinal axis at the first of ridges 20 than at the second of ridges 20. Housing 18 has a series of holes 12 through each of ridges 20. Holes 12 form air emitting openings arranged in an array that extends in a direction generally longitudinally for emitting air flow from attachment 10. Holes 12 can have a circular shape. Each hole 12 is formed on radial face 21 of ridge 20. Each of holes 12 can taper from a smaller size inside chamber 14 to a larger size outside of attachment 10, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 13. Each of holes 12 are partially cut into convex surfaces 19 of housing 18 that are between each pair of adjacent ridges 20. One or more of holes 12 can be formed with a portion at least partially beneath one of curved surfaces 19.

[0037]Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a depression 24 is formed in housing 18 extending from each of holes 12. Holes 12 of each of ridges 20 are positioned adjacent to one of curved surfaces 19 so that air emitted from holes 12 is directed generally tangentially with respect to curved surfaces 19.

[0038]Referring back to FIG. 3, attachment 10 has triangular ramps 26, 27 formed on housing 18 between each pair of adjacent ridges 20 next to proximal end 17. A connector 28 is formed at proximal end 17 of housing 18. Housing 18 has sideways L-shaped grooves 30 formed in connector 28. Connector 28 is an attachment means on proximal end 17 to attach to a body of a hair styling appliance such as, for example, hot brush handle 100. Grooves 30 receive structures, for example, protrusions extending from hot brush handle 100 to removably connect attachment 10 to hot brush handle 100. Attachment 10 can be made of materials, such as plastic and/or metal.

[0039]Alternatively, referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, attachment 10 can be modified to attachment 10A. Attachment 10A is the same as attachment 10 except holes 12 each having depression 24 of attachment 10 are replaced by holes 212 that are spaced radially outward from curved surfaces 19 of housing 18 that are adjacent to them. Accordingly, the same reference numerals are used for both attachment 10 and attachment 10A for the same features. Each of holes 212 can taper from a smaller size inside chamber 14 to a larger size outside of attachment 10, as shown in FIG. 15.

[0040]Referring to FIGS. 4, 7 and 10-13, chambers 14 are formed inside housing 18 by interior walls 32 and center wall 34 that forms center void 15 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. As shown in FIG. 11, center wall 34 can have a cone portion 35 forming center void 15 and a post portion 37. Referring to FIG. 9, each of interior walls 32 extends from one of ridges 20 to center wall 34 so that each of chambers 14 is formed by housing 18, center wall 34 and a pair of adjacent interior walls 32. As shown in FIG. 11, each of chambers 14 reduce in size from proximal end 17 to distal end 16 of attachment 10. Center wall 34 that forms center void 15 tapers inward from distal end 16 to proximal end 17. Each of holes 12 are also partially cut into one of interior walls 32 of attachment 10. An adjacent pair of interior walls 32 and center wall 34 form a manifold in communication with holes 12 of one of ridges 20. These manifolds are in communication with housing 18 to direct air flow from housing 18 to holes 12 of each one of ridges 20. The manifold forming chambers 14 are not in communication with open space of center void 15. Alternatively, the adjacent pair of interior walls 32 and center wall 34 that form the manifold can be separately formed and connected to housing 18.

[0041]During operation of hot brush handle 100 that is connected to attachment 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, plug 103 is connected to an external power source. Hot brush handle 100 can have a switch that a user can move between an on position and an off position. When the switch is in the on position, electric current is conducted to electrically powered fan 102, heater 104 and/or controller 105. Electrically powered fan 102 and heater 104 are activated to generate a heated air flow. Alternatively, heater 104 can be deactivated so the air flow is not heated. The air flow from hot brush handle 100 enters proximal end 17 of attachment 10. As shown in FIG. 11, attachment 10 is mostly center void 15 in the center and has no cap on the distal end, because this void is non-functioning. The air from the hot brush handle 100, after it enters proximal end 17 of attachment 10, is directed around center void 15 (defined by the upside down cone in the cross section as shown in FIG. 11). The air flow is directed into chambers 14 formed by housing 18, center wall 34 and a pair of adjacent interior walls 32. In other words, the air flow is directed into a double wall formed by the inside surface of housing 18 of attachment 10 and the outside surface of the upside down cone formed by center wall 34 inside attachment 10. Accordingly, chambers 14 are separate channels formed between the double walls. Each chamber 14 is in fluid communication with one longitudinal row of holes 12 through one of ridges 20 associated with each chamber 14 so that the heated air flow is emitted from holes 12 to be directed generally tangentially with respect to curved surfaces 19. When hot brush handle 100 that is connected to attachment 10 is operating, and air is blowing, the user places a tuft of hair against attachment 10 and the airflow causes the hair to be automatically wound around attachment 10. With the application of heat from heater of hot brush handle 100, the heated air facilitates styling of the hair. The user can move the switch to the off position so that electric current is no longer conducted to electrically powered fan 102, heater 104 and/or controller 105, when the user is done using hot brush handle 100 that is connected to attachment 10.

[0042]Thus, the airflow of attachment 10 passes out of holes 12 that are through housing 18 that is a single, integral, one-piece structure that can deliver the airflow at higher velocity and pressure due to the nozzle like action of each individual hole 12. Attachment 10 also has separate, isolated, relatively low volume chambers 14 therein forming distal end 16 that is not closed but rather forms center void 15. By having separate chambers 14, pressure and velocity are optimized (maintained higher), and the conical shape of center void 15 causes an initial air path in chambers 14 closest to hot brush handle 100 to be larger than they are in chambers 14 toward distal end 16 to contribute to optimizing air velocity and pressure. The velocity of air emitted from attachment 10 is critical to the hair winding capability of attachment 10 for styling the user's hair. The geometry of the air channel spaces of chambers 14 and the use of holes 12 performs better at maintaining speed and pressure in all holes 12, including at distal end 16.

[0043]In an alternative embodiment, the attachment 10 and handle 100 may be

[0044]permanently fixed to each other and integrated to form a unitary hair styling appliance 1600 as shown in FIG. 16. The operation of unitary hair styling appliance 1600 is the same as the operation of attachment 10 connected to handle 100 described herein. Accordingly, the same reference numerals of attachment 10 and handle 100 will be used for unitary hair styling appliance 1600 for the same features as shown in FIG. 16. In particular, during operation of unitary hair styling appliance 1600, plug 103 is connected to an external power source. Unitary hair styling appliance 1600 can have a switch that a user can move between an on position and an off position. When the switch is in the on position, electric current is conducted to electrically powered fan 102, heater 104 and/or controller 105. Electrically powered fan 102 and heater 104 are activated to generate a heated air flow. Alternatively, heater 104 can be deactivated so the air flow is not heated. The air flow from handle 106 is directed around center void 15 (defined by the upside down cone in the cross section as shown in FIG. 11). The air flow is directed into chambers 14 formed by housing 18, center wall 34 and a pair of adjacent interior walls 32 where housing 18 is permanently fixed to handle 106. Each chamber 14 is in fluid communication with one longitudinal row of holes 12 through one of ridges 20 associated with each chamber 14 so that the heated air flow is emitted from holes 12 to be directed generally tangentially with respect to curved surfaces 19. When unitary hair styling appliance 1600 is operating, and air is blowing, the user places a tuft of hair against housing 18 and the airflow causes the hair to be automatically wound around housing 18. With the application of heat from heater 104, the heated air facilitates styling of the hair. The user can move the switch to the off position so that electric current is no longer conducted to electrically powered fan 102, heater 104 and/or controller 105, when the user is done using unitary hair styling appliance 1600.

[0045]It should also be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.

[0046]While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents can be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure should not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.