Abstract: A hair styling iron includes a handle to which a barrel is mounted, a heating element in the barrel, a rotary drive including a motor that rotates the barrel, a control circuit including a timer, and a momentary drive switch which is user actuable and connected to the control circuit for control of the motor. Actuation of the drive switch must be maintained to operate the rotary drive. The control circuit monitors at least one change of state of the drive switch to determine a starting time, and actuates an alarm after an elapsed time measured from the starting time. The elapsed time is calculated by the control circuit in direct proportion to an angle of rotation of the barrel relative to the handle that occurs between a first actuation of the drive switch and release of the drive switch immediately following the first actuation of the drive switch.

Abstract: A rotary hair brushing and curling appliance includes a hollow rotary barrel of a thermally conductive material mounted to rotate on a handle, and having an external hair-engaging surface. Silicone rubber bristles are mounted on the barrel, and arranged in first and second sets projecting from first and second arcuate surfaces which are axially elongated and circumferentially spaced apart. Heating elements abut respective abutment surfaces inside the barrel. A reversible motor rotates the barrel. The first and second arcuate surfaces each occupy 10% to 40% of the external surface and are subtended at the axis by respective first and second central angles. The heating elements are positioned outside first and second sectors defined by the first and second central angles, focusing the conductive heat transfer to the adjacent relatively large unobstructed external areas of the barrel.

Abstract: A hair styling appliance has a temperature regulation controller to mitigate heat damage to the hair. The appliance includes a pair of heated jaws that can be closed to grip the hair. A power control circuit responds to an activation sensor that senses when the jaws are closed, and a temperature sensor that senses the temperature of a heating element on the jaws. The power control circuit, in response to an activation sensor output, starts monitoring the rate of change of the heating element temperature, and, in response to a rate of decrease above a predetermined level, operates the heating element at a power level lower than a steady state power level.

Abstract: A hair styling iron has a handle to which a heated barrel is mounted and a motor for moving the barrel. The iron includes a drive switch which is user actuable and connected to the control circuit for controlling operation of the motor. The control circuit includes a timer and monitors at least one change of state of the user-actuable drive switch to determine a starting time, and actuates an alarm, or another response, such as a reversal of the motor to unwind the hair, after an elapsed time measured from the starting time. The elapsed time may be user-selected or calculated automatically depending upon the length of hair wound onto the barrel, with compensation for barrel temperature.

Abstract: A hair styling iron has a handle to which a heated barrel is mounted and a motor for moving the barrel. The iron includes a drive switch which is user actuable and connected to the control circuit for controlling operation of the motor. The control circuit includes a timer and monitors at least one change of state of the user-actuable drive switch to determine a starting time, and actuates an alarm, or another response, such as a reversal of the motor to unwind the hair, after an elapsed time measured from the starting time. The elapsed time may be user-selected or calculated automatically depending upon the length of hair wound onto the barrel, with compensation for barrel temperature.

Abstract: A hair styling iron includes a pair of hinged elongate jaws having complementary hair-engaging surfaces configured to hold and engage hair between the surfaces. The iron is motorised for rotating or vibrating at least one of the jaws. At least one elastomeric rib extends along one of the hair-engaging surfaces, and allows the user to readily modulate the hair-gripping force.

Abstract: A hair brushing appliance includes a housing, a motor located within the housing, a brush extending from the housing, and a transmission relaying output torque of the motor to the brush. A slippage mechanism associated with the transmission allows the motor to turn, should the brush stop turning such as might occur if the brush snags with long hair in use.