HAIR STRAIGHTENER

Abstract

A hair straightening and/or pressing device for straightening and/or pressing coarse, thick, ethnic, kinky or curly hair can include two arms connected pivotally at one end. The arms can have opposing surfaces that can be heated. The heated surfaces can be featureless or include features. One or both surfaces can have rows of closely spaced, parallel blade shaped tines extending across substantially the entire width of the surface from one side of the device to another side of the device. The hair straightening device can have at least two different temperature settings selectable by a user. In certain implementations, one temperature setting may be lower than the other two settings and at a temperature that is not optimal for straightening hair. The other two temperature settings may be set to a temperature that is optimal for straightening hair of different types.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/612,883 filed Mar. 19, 2012 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/613,257 filed Mar. 20, 2012, each of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Some of the present embodiments relate to hair styling devices, for example, hair straightening devices and pressing irons for straightening and/or pressing hair.

2. Description of the Related Art

A variety of devices are available for styling hair, such as curling irons, curlers, flat irons, hair straighteners, blow dryers, etc. Many of these devices function by incorporating an internal or external heating source for heating a surface of the device that contacts the hair to treat or style it. Other devices, such as blow dryers, heat and blow a stream of air onto the hair.

Thick, coarse, ethnic, curly, and/or kinky hair is particularly difficult to straighten properly with a typical flat plate iron type of hair-straightener. This is particularly true for hair typical to people of African, Latin, and Hispanic descent as well as other hair types. In some instances, hair with these types of textures can cause sticking or tangling in the hair straightening device during straightening. Thicker hair may also not be evenly or properly heated or straightened by the flat plate iron type device.

SUMMARY

An aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that certain configurations of the heating surfaces of pressing-type hair straightening devices with blades incorporated into one or more heated plates can provide better performance, requiring less time and fewer passes to obtain the desired straightening and/or pressing. For example, some known pressing-type hair straightening/pressing devices (e.g., typical flat plate iron) can include teeth or spikes.

Another aspect of at least one of the present inventions includes the realization that using heating blades greatly reduces sticking and tangling that is associated with hair straightening devices that include teeth. Thus, in some embodiments, a hair straightening device includes one or more heating portions with blade-shaped heated surfaces. Such a configuration has been found to reduce sticking and tangling, thereby making it easier to straighten and/or press to the desired degree, hair that is thick, coarse, ethnic, curly, and/or kinky.

Yet another aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that some hair (e.g., thick, coarse, ethnic, curly, and/or kinky hair, etc.) can be more easily straightened with a pressing type hair straightener device if more than one temperature setting is used. Thus, for example, some hair that is particularly coarse, curly and/or kinky can be more difficult to straighten by passing a known pressing type straightening iron (e.g., the typical flat plate iron) over the hair. It has been found that starting with a first temperature, and then making additional passes over the hair with an iron incorporating a heated plate with blades can help obtain the desired straightness or pressing more quickly (e.g., with fewer passes).

Thus, in some embodiments, a hair straightening and/or pressing device can have a first arm and a second arm extending along first and second longitudinal axes, respectively, and each including proximal and distal ends. The first and second arms can be pivotally or hingedly coupled at the proximal ends allowing the hair straightening and/or pressing device to be moveable between open and closed positions. The first arm can include a first heated surface and the second arm can include a second heated surface. A plurality of parallel and closely spaced blades can extend laterally across the first surface of the first arm in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, a portion of the blades of the first arm contact a portion of the second surface of the second arm when the hair straightening and/or pressing device is in the closed position.

In some embodiments, the second surface comprises a smooth featureless plate. In some embodiments, the blades have a rounded top edge. In other embodiments, the blades have a flat top edge. While in some embodiments, the blades can have a pointed top edge.

In some implementations, the hair straightening and/or pressing device further includes first and second surfaces forming a flat nesting relationship when the hair straightening device is in the closed position. In certain embodiments, the first and second surfaces form a convex/concave shaped nesting relationship when the hair straightening and/or pressing device is in the closed position.

In some embodiments, a hair straightening and/or pressing device includes a first arm and a second arm having proximal and distal ends. The first and second arms are pivotally coupled at the proximal ends allowing the hair straightening and/or pressing device to be configurable into an open or closed position. The first arm can include a first surface and the second arm can include a second surface. One or both surfaces can be heated. The hair straightening and/or pressing device can further include at least a first and second temperature setting selectable by the user, wherein the one or more settings are better for straightening a particular type and/or condition of hair. For example, in some embodiments, relaxed hair requires less heat (e.g., lower temperature setting) than natural hair (e.g., higher temperature setting) for straightening and/or pressing. For example, but without limitation, the first temperature setting can be less than the second temperature setting yet still be sufficient for pressing and/or straightening chemically treated hair.

In some implementations, the hair straightening and/or pressing device can further include indicia to indicate a position for each of the first and second temperature settings. In some embodiments, the hair straightening device can be used with or in conjunction with a pressing oil in order to further assist with straightening and/or pressing hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are depicted in the accompanying drawings for illustrative purposes, and should in no way be interpreted as limiting the scope of the thermoelectric assemblies or systems described herein. In addition, various features of different disclosed embodiments can be combined with one another to form additional embodiments, which are part of this disclosure. Any feature or structure can be removed, altered, or omitted. Throughout the drawings, reference numbers may be reused to indicate correspondence between reference elements.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a hair straightening/pressing device.

FIG. 2A is a plan view of an inner side of an embodiment of a first arm of the hair straightening/pressing device of FIG. 1, including an optional heating member, with the second arm removed.

FIG. 2B is a plan view of an inner side of an embodiment of a second arm of the hair straightening/pressing device of FIG. 1, including an optional heating member, with the first arm removed.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top view of a series of blades of the hair straightening/pressing device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the optional heating members of FIG. 1, removed from the first and second arms, and oriented in a face-to-face juxtaposition.

FIG. 5A is an end view of another embodiment of the optional heating members of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5B is an end view of another embodiment of the optional heating members of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6-8 are enlarged partial side elevational views of different optional embodiments of the blades of FIG. 3 having differently-shaped upper edges and/or cross sections.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the optional heating member of FIG. 1, including the blades of FIG. 3, removed from the first arm, and which is also shown in an end view in FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the optional heating member of the FIG. 1, removed from the second arm, and which is also shown in an end view in FIG. 4.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of an outer side embodiment of the second arm of the hair straightening/pressing device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of an outer side embodiment of the first arm of the hair straightening/pressing device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

Although certain configurations and examples are disclosed herein, the subject matter extends beyond the examples in the specifically disclosed configurations to other alternative configurations and/or uses, and to modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, the scope of the claims appended hereto is not limited by any of the particular configurations described below. For example, in any method or process disclosed herein, the acts or operations of the method or process may be performed in any suitable sequence and are not necessarily limited to any particular disclosed sequence. Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding certain configurations; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent. Additionally, the structures, systems, and/or devices described herein may be embodied as integrated components or as separate components. For purposes of comparing various configurations, certain aspects and advantages of these configurations are described. Not necessarily all such aspects or advantages are achieved by any particular configuration. Thus, for example, various configurations may be carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other aspects or advantages as may also be taught or suggested herein.

A variety of examples of a hair straightening/pressing device, as well as systems and methods thereof, are described below to illustrate various examples that may be employed to achieve the desired improvements. These examples are only illustrative and not intended in any way to restrict the inventions presented and the various aspects and features of these inventions. For example, although embodiments and examples are provided herein in the hair styling field, the inventions are not confined exclusively to the hair styling field and can be used in other fields. Furthermore, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. No feature, structure, or step disclosed herein is essential or indispensable. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments can be made and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of a device for styling (e.g., straightening and/or pressing, etc.) hair, is disclosed in the context of a hair straightening/pressing device for thick or coarse hair because they have particular utility in this context. The device can straighten and/or press hair. However, at least some of the inventions disclosed herein can be used in many other contexts as well, including, for example other types of hair such as normal or thin, wigs or artificial hair, or straightening and/or pressing animal fur. The embodiments and/or components thereof can be implemented in power operated, heated devices.

With reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a device 2 for straightening and/or pressing hair can include first and second arms 4, 6 each having proximal ends 8, 10 and distal ends 14, 16, connected or coupled at the proximal ends 8, 10 of each arm 4, 6 respectively. The first and second arms 4, 6 can be considered as extending along first and second longitudinal axes (not illustrated).

The connection 12 at the proximal ends 8, 10 can be any type of hinge type mechanism, such as a loaded spring, that biases apart or maintains the distal ends 14, 16 of first and second arms 4, 6 of the hair straightening device 2 in a generally open position, spaced a distance apart from each other. The connection 12 can be configured to maintain or bias the first and second arms 4, 6 away or apart from each other. Additionally, the connection 12 can be a rod, shaft or pin that allows one arm to move, rotate, and/or pivot relative to the other arm. A user can apply pressure or a closing force in an opposite direction of the biasing force of the pivotal connection 12 to close or push together the first and second arms 4, 6.

In some embodiments, a portion of the first and second arms 4, 6 at the proximal ends 8, 10 are fixed or secured together while other portions are pivotable relative to one another. In some embodiments, the arms 4, 6 are configured to move or pivot between open and closed positions about the connection 12. In some embodiments, the device 2 comprises a biasing mechanism (e.g., one or more elastic elements, springs, etc.) positioned between the arms 4, 6 and configured to operate in conjunction with the connection 12. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2B, one end of the biasing mechanism can be positioned in a recess 42 of one of the arms 4, 6 located closer to the distal ends 14, 16 along the longitudinal axis of the arms 4, 6 than the connection 12. A protrusion 40 having a recess 52 configured to receive another end of the biasing mechanism on the other of the arms 4, 6 can maintain the biasing mechanism in position within the recess 42. The biasing mechanism and configuration of the arms with respect to the connection 12 maintain the device 2 in the open position. When a user applies a downward force to the second arm 6, the biasing mechanism compresses into the recess 52, and the protrusion 40 moves into the recess 42 resulting in the arms moving into the closed position. As the user releases the force, the biasing mechanism biases the arms apart and the device back into the open position.

The space or distance between the two arms can vary depending on how much pressure or force a user applies to close, press or push together the two arms. In different embodiments, the width of the arms 4, 6 can be varied. For example, the arms 4, 6 can have a width of ½ inch, 1 inch, 1.5 inches, values in between or otherwise. Likewise, each arm can be of various lengths.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the arms 4, 6 and comprise indentations, grooves, or recesses 46 and 44 respectively on outer surfaces of the arms facing away from each other. These recesses 46 and 44 can be configured to generally follow the shape of a user's fingers (e.g., thumbs, index fingers, etc.). This improves comfort and grippability of the arms 4, 6 by a user.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the device 2 can be connected to a power cord 18 that extends out from the proximal end 8 of the first arm 4. In other embodiments, the power cord can extend out from different locations along either the first or second arm. The power cord 18 is configured to provide electrical power to the hair straightening device 2 when the cord plug (not shown) is plugged or inserted into an outlet. Other types of power sources can also be used with the hair straightening device 2 such as batteries or solar charging cells (not shown). A battery power source can increase the portability of the device 2 by removing the need for a cord and outlet in order to power the device. In some embodiments, the device 2 can have two modes of power such as batteries and a power cord.

In some embodiments, the power is used to heat hair contacting surfaces 26, 28 of the two arms 4, 6 that are configured to press and/or straighten a user's hair between the two surfaces when the arms 4, 6 are pressed together. Each arm 4, 6 has an opposing surface 26, 28 that face each other and extend along a portion of an underside of each arm in a longitudinal direction between the proximal 8, 10 and distal ends 14, 16. The surfaces 26, 28 are configured to be heated via a heating circuit and heating elements in thermal communication with the hair contacting surfaces 26, 28, connected to the power source (described in more detail below). The heated surfaces 26, 28 are generally aligned in some embodiments and can abut or contact each other when the device 2 is moved into a closed position by the user, such as the positions illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B, described in greater detail below. In some embodiments, one or both surfaces 26, 28 can be smooth and/or featureless, such as surface 28 of second arm 6 as illustrated in an embodiment in FIG. 1.

In some embodiments, the surfaces 26, 28 are formed as part of plate members 54 and 56 (e.g., optional heating members) respectively as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In some embodiments the plate members 54 and 56 can be separate components that can be removed or replaced. This allows the device 2 to have a modular aspect such that the plates 54, 56 can be replaced with plates having different features or configurations as desired by the user. The user can select plates, surface, and/or features that work best or allow more optimal straightening and/or pressing based on the hair type and/or condition. In other embodiments, plates 54, 56 can be removed for replacement or conditioning. In other embodiments, the surfaces 26, 28 and/or plates 54, 56 can be monolithically or integrally formed or manufactured with the arms 4, 6.

In other embodiments, one or both surfaces 26, 28 can include surface features. These features can include teeth, blades, blade shaped tines, grooves, ridges, projections or other protrusions that can project out from surfaces 26 and/or 28. In some embodiments, the surfaces 26, 28 do not include spiked-shaped teeth. These features can be heated as a result of the surface they project from being heated. In some embodiments, the features are heated directly. For example, the surfaces 26, 28 can be connected in thermal communication with heating electric elements. In some embodiments, the surfaces 26, 28 can be made from thermally conductive materials, such as aluminum, steel, ceramic, or other materials.

In some embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 9, a plurality or series of rows of blades 30 are located on surface 26. Each individual row of the plurality or series of blades 30 can extend in a lateral direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the arms 4, 6. The blades can extend between a first and second side of the device 2, across the width of surface 26. In some embodiments each individual row of blades 30 can extend across substantially the entire width of the surface 26 and/or 28. Thus, in some embodiments the length of the blades can vary depending on the width of the surfaces 26, 28. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a series of blades 30 extend across the width of the surface 26 of arm 4. In other embodiments, the blades 30 do not extend substantially across the entire width of the surfaces 26 and/or 28.

In some embodiments, the blades 30 and/or surfaces 26, 28 can extend to the edge or border of the lateral sides of each respective arm 4, 6. In some embodiments, the blades 30 and/or surfaces 26, 28 extend past or overlap a portion of the first and second lateral sides 64, 66 of the arms 4, 6 as shown in FIGS. 1-2B. Such a configuration, allows strands or threads of hair to more easily pass through the arms 4, 6 of the device 2 from one side to the second side and into the spaces between the blades 30 during use of the device 2. As a user moves the device 2 into a closed position and pulls the device 2 through hair in a generally downward motion and/or away from the head, un-pressed or un-straightened hair is passed through the device from a first side 64 to a second side 66. The hair can be passed through and separated into the spaces between the blades 30. In some embodiments, because the blades and/or surfaces extend to or over the sides 64 and 66, the hair is more easily separated and passed through the device 2. This allows hair to be more efficiently pressed and/or straightened which can reduce passes or time needed the press and/or straighten the hair.

Each blade can be configured such that they form a substantially solid and continuous material or protrusion extending across the width of one or both surfaces 26, 28. In some embodiments, the top of the blades 30 are configured to contact or abut the top of the opposing surface of the opposite arm when the arms 4, 6 of the device are biased together into a substantially closed position.

The plurality of rows of blades 30 are aligned such that individual rows are positioned adjacent to each other, one row in back of or in front of another, such that they form a series of blades longitudinally along the surface of an arm without any spike shaped disposed between the blades 30. As illustrated in an embodiment of the blades 30 in FIG. 3, each row of blades 30 is spaced apart a distance 34 from the row of blades in front of and/or in back of it. This space between each row of blades 30 can be of various lengths and distances. In some embodiments, the distance between each row, is such that it allows a strand or strands of coarse hair to fall between the rows of blades. In some embodiments, this allows the hair of a user to be separated by the rows of blades for straightening by the device 2. The thickness 32 of each row of blades 30 is generally the same. However, in some embodiments, the thickness of each row of blades can vary from each other, such as end rows being thicker.

In some embodiments, the arms 4, 6, surfaces 26, 28 and plurality of rows of blades 30 can be configured into different shapes such as flat, rectangular, circular, semi-circular, arc, convex and concave. The rows of blades 30 can be parallel to each other and closely spaced. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the upper surface 28 of heating member 56 is configured into a concave shape. In some embodiments, opposing surface 26 of heating member 54 can be configured into a substantially flat surface. However, in some embodiments, rows of blades 30 project out from the substantially flat surface in an arc fashion or convex shape such that a middle portion of each row of blades is greater in height than side portions of each row of blades. In other embodiments, the surface or surfaces of the arms can have an arc or convex shape.

As illustrated in FIG. 5A, in one embodiment, both surface 26 of heating member 54 and blades 30 have an arc or convex shape. The opposing concave and convex shaped surfaces and/or blades allow the device 2 to have a nesting configuration in the closed position. In some embodiments, the concave featureless surface 26 abuts or contacts the top of the convex shaped blades 30 when the device 2 is biased into a nested, closed configuration. In some embodiments, this type of nested convex/concave configuration can assist in maintaining pressure on the hair when straightening and forcing the hair between the blades on the bottom surface of the device 2. Hair can be separated into the spaces between each row of blades 30 and heated and straightened as a user moves the device 2 through hair.

In other embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the surfaces 26, 28 can have substantially flat configurations that contact each other upon being biased into a closed position. The rows of blades 30 can have a substantially flat configuration so that the top of the flat blades contacts or abuts the opposing surface 28 of the other arm 6. The rows of blades 30 project out from the surface 26 to substantially the same height across the width of the device 2.

With reference to FIGS. 6-8, the rows of blades 30 can have different cross sectional configurations. In FIG. 6, the blades 30 have triangular or spike-shaped upper edges wherein the point is positioned at the top or tip of the blade. In FIG. 7, an embodiment of the blades 30 is shown, wherein the blades have a rounded top or tip. Additionally, another embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 8, wherein the blades 30 have a squared-shape or configuration with a top or tip that is substantially flat.

In some embodiments, the device 2 can also comprise rows of protrusions or blades 48 on an outer surface of the first arm 4 facing away from the surface 26 with the blades 30. These protrusions 48 can facilitate or improve the passing of the hair through the device 2. In some embodiments, these protrusions 48 can assist in pressing or straightening the hair. In some embodiments, the protrusions 48 can assist in curling the hair after it is passed through the heated blades.

In some embodiments, the straightening device 2 can include a tab, button, knob or switch 20 located on either the first or second arm to turn the device 2 on and off. As illustrated, a user can push or slide the switch 20 or tab to a first position to turn the device on or to a second position to turn the device off. Indicators can depict “on” and “off” to show a user which direction or position to slide the tab or button to turn the device on or off. In other embodiments, a button can be used to power on or off the device. For example, a user can simply press a button once to turn the device on and press it again to turn it off. Additionally, an indicator such as a light source 24 can be positioned on a surface of one of the arms of the device 2 and connected to the switch 20 so as to indicate whether the device is on or off. For example, the light source 24 can emit light when a user has turned or powered on the device 2. A light source, in some embodiments, can also indicate a specific temperature setting as discussed below.

In other embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the device 2 can include another switch, tab, button or knob 22 configured to allow a user to switch or select different temperature settings at which the surfaces 26, 28 and/or surface features are heated to. In some embodiments, the surfaces 26, 28 can be heated to at least two different temperatures. As illustrated in FIG. 12, in one embodiment, two different temperature settings are available to be selected by a user. In some embodiments, three or more different temperature settings are available. Indicia or indicators 58, 60 of each temperature can be depicted by temperature or words corresponding to different temperatures. For example, Indicia or words, “pretreat”, “relaxed”, and “natural” can indicate three different temperature settings and first, second, and third positions the tab 22 can be positioned in to select the desired setting. These words or indicia can correspond to different temperatures. For example, “pretreat” can be 240 degrees Fahrenheit, “relaxed” can be 420 degrees Fahrenheit and “natural” 450 degrees Fahrenheit. A user can select a different temperature setting by sliding, moving or pushing the switch 22 to the position that corresponds to the desired temperature setting. As illustrated in FIG. 12, indicator 60 corresponds to a first position or temperature setting 420 degrees for relaxed hair. Indicator 58 corresponds to a second position or temperature setting 450 degrees for natural hair.

In some embodiments, a first temperature setting can be lower than a second, third and/or more temperature settings. The first temperature setting in some embodiments can be lower than what is optimum for straightening hair or thicker, coarser hair while the second and third temperature settings can be higher than the first temperature setting and at a more optimal temperature for straightening hair. For example, in one embodiment, the “pretreat” temperature setting at 240 degrees Fahrenheit may not actually be high enough to straighten some types of hair. However, a user may wish to first heat hair at this temperature setting prior to using the other higher settings, “relaxed” and “natural.” Heating the hair at the lower temperature “pretreat” setting prior to straightening with the higher temperature settings can lead to improved straightening overall. The heating device 2 can have more than or less than three different temperature settings.

In some embodiments, the tab 22 can also comprise a light source 62. Depending on which indicator 58 and 60 the light source 62 is positioned adjacent to, a user can see or know which temperature setting the device 2 is set to.

In some embodiments, the arms 4, 6 can comprise fins, channels, or recesses 50 in the distal ends 14, 16 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 11-12. In some embodiments, these channels 50 can facilitate the cooling or removal of heat away from the surfaces 26, 28 when the device is powered off.

As noted above, the device 2 can include a heating circuit configured to provide electrical power to heating elements disposed in the device and configured to heat the hair contacting surfaces 26, 28. The heating elements can be any one of numerous commercially available heating elements, including those with integrated thermostat circuits. Additionally, the selector switch (FIG. 2) configured to communicate to the circuit, which of the predetermined temperatures the heating elements should heat the surfaces 26, 28. Those of ordinary skill in the art can readily construct such a circuit.

For example, such a circuit can include a power source providing electrical power to at least a first and second heat source to heat surfaces 26, 28 or plates of the first and second arm. The heating circuit can also include a switch allowing a user to turn the power on and off. The first and second heat sources can be any type of commercially available heat source that can be electrically connected to a power source. Examples include resistors, thermistors, variable resistors, or potentiometers. In certain embodiments, more than one resistor or heat source can be connected to the circuit such that different temperature settings can be realized or selected. In certain embodiments, a potentiometer or variable resistor can be used allowing a user to vary the resistance level and thus the temperature of the heat source. In some embodiments, the heat source can be connected to heating coils.

Various heating circuit layouts can be used with switches, thermostats, and heat sources in parallel and/or in series such that the device 2 allows a user to select different temperatures to heat the plates, surfaces, or surface features of the device 2. In some embodiments, a single heat source can be used to heat the surfaces, plates, or surface features. In other embodiments, more than one heat source can be used or connected to the circuit. In some embodiments, one heating circuit is used to activate a heat source or sources to heat the surfaces or features of the device for each respective temperature setting. In other embodiments, more than one heating circuit is used to activate a heat source or sources to heat the surfaces or features for the device for each respective temperature setting.

One embodiment of a method of straightening hair using the device 2 includes pressing the arms 4, 6 together, for example, in the direction of arrow C (FIG. 1) to a closed position such that surfaces or plates 26, 28 contact or abut each other or the top of the blades 30, such as in the orientations shown in FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B. In such orientations, pressure can be maintained on the user's hair such that the hair is forced and separated between a series of rows of blades 30 on the surface 26. A user can then maintain the device 2 in a closed position and heat hair between the blades of the device 2 as they move, push, or pull the device 2 away from the scalp. In some embodiments, the user can heat or pretreat hair with device 2 at a temperature setting that is not optimal for straightening. After this pretreatment, the user can then select a higher temperature setting that is optimal for straightening and proceed to use the device to straighten hair.

In some embodiments, a hair styling or heating oil, gel, or liquid can be used in conjunction with the device 2 in order to facilitate the straightening of hair. This oil can be applied to the surface or plates of the device 2 or to the hair directly prior to using the device.

It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the hair straightening device. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.

Discussion of the various configurations herein has generally followed the configurations schematically illustrated in the figures. However, it is contemplated that the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any configurations discussed herein may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more separate configurations not expressly illustrated or described. In many cases, structures that are described or illustrated as unitary or contiguous can be separated while still performing the function(s) of the unitary structure. In many instances, structures that are described or illustrated as separate can be joined or combined while still performing the function(s) of the separated structures.

Various configurations have been described above. Although the invention has been described with reference to these specific configurations, the descriptions are intended to be illustrative and are not intended to be limiting. Various modifications and applications may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device configured for straightening and/or pressing hair, the device comprising:

a first arm and a second arm extending along first and second longitudinal axes, respectively, between proximal and distal ends wherein the first and second arms are coupled at the proximal ends allowing the hair straightening device to be moveable between open and closed positions, the first arm having a first heated surface and the second arm having a second heated surface; and

a plurality of parallel and closely spaced blades extending laterally across the first surface of the first arm in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, wherein a portion of the blades of the first arm contact a portion of the second surface of the second arm when the hair straightening device is in the closed position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second arms do not have spike-shaped teeth.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the second surface comprises a smooth featureless plate.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the blades have a rounded top edge.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the blades have a flat top edge.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the blades have a pointed top edge.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second surfaces form a flat nesting relationship when the hair straightening device is in the closed position.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second surfaces form a convex/concave shaped nesting relationship when the hair straightening device is in the closed position.

9. A device configured for straightening and/or pressing hair, the device comprising:

a first arm and a second arm extending along first and second longitudinal axes, respectively, between having proximal and distal ends wherein the first and second arms are pivotally coupled at the proximal ends allowing the hair straightening device so as to be moveable between open and closed positions, the first arm having a first surface and the second arm having a second surface wherein both surfaces are heated; and

a first and second temperature setting selectable by the user, wherein the first temperature setting is lower than the second temperature setting, the first temperature setting configured for straightening and/or pressing a first type of hair, the second temperature setting configured for straightening and/or pressing a second type of hair, the first type of hair being different from the second type of hair.

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising an off-position setting.

11. The device of claim 9, further comprising a circuit configured to activate at least a first heating device to heat the first and second surfaces, in accordance with the first and second temperature settings.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein first temperature setting is 420 degrees Fahrenheit, and the second temperature setting is 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

13. The device of claim 9, further comprising indicia to indicate a position for each of the first and second temperature settings.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein a plurality of parallel and closely spaced blades extends laterally across the first surface of the first arm in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the blades extend from a lateral edge of a first side of the first arm to a lateral edge of the second side of the first arm.

16. The device of claim 9, wherein heated surfaces of the first and second arm extend over first and second lateral edges of the first and second arm.