HAIR STYLING APPARATUS WITH NOVEL BRISTLE CONFIGURATION
A hair styling apparatus (10, 100) includes a head member (14, 102) defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of bristle members (16, 112) mounted to the head member (14, 102). At least some of the bristle members (16, 112) have an elongated generally tapered body segment (34). The tapered body segment (34) of the at least some of the bristle members (112) may include at least one aperture (114, 116).
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1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a hair styling apparatus, and, in particular, relates to a hair styling apparatus having a novel bristle arrangement adapted to massage the scalp and provide an increased surface area to treat hair with, e.g., coatings, hair treatment solutions or the like.
2. Background of the Related Art
Various hair styling devices are commonly known in the art including hair brushes, combs and hair dryers. Examples of such hair styling devices are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,562,466, 7,308,899, 7,204,038, 5,868,148 and Des. Nos.: 508,777 and 514,329, the entire contents of each disclosure being incorporated by reference herein.
SUMMARYAccordingly, the present invention relates to further improvements in hair styling devices or apparatii. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a hair styling apparatus includes a head member defining a longitudinal axis: and a plurality of bristle members mounted to the head member. At least some of the bristle members have an elongated generally tapered body segment. The tapered body segment defines a dimension at a first end segment proximal the head member greater than a corresponding dimension at a second end segment remote from the head member. The tapered body segment may include one planar side extending between the first end segment and the second end segment, and, may further include first and second opposed planar sides. The first and second planar sides may be arranged in general orthogonal relation to the longitudinal axis of the head member. The tapered body segment may be dimensioned to define a substantially linear taper.
The second end segment of the bristle member may define a narrow profile and is dimensioned to massage a scalp of a user. The second end segment may define a substantially arcuate end surface.
A handle member may be connected to the head member. The handle and/or the head member may include a heater mechanism and a blower mechanism. The blower mechanism may be arranged to deliver air through the head member. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the tapered body segment of the bristle members may include an aperture to facilitate circulation of air emitted by the blower mechanism. The tapered body segment may include two apertures therethrough. In another aspect, the tapered body segment defines an internal chamber in communication with the aperture whereby air emitted by the blower mechanism passes through the internal chamber and exits the aperture. The tapered body segment of the bristle members may include a ceramic coating.
Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with references to the drawings, wherein:
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar components throughout the several views,
Hair styling apparatus 10 includes handle 12, head member 14 connected to, or integrally formed, with the handle 12 and a plurality of bristle members 16 mounted to the head member 14. Handle 12 may define a contoured outer surface 18 to facilitate engagement by the user. Head member 14 defines longitudinal axis “k” and may be generally square, oval, round or any other in shape when viewed in plan. Head member 14 defines front and rear faces or surfaces 20, 22, respectively. Bristle members 16 extend in general transverse relation to the longitudinal axis “k” as will be discussed.
With reference to
Bristle segment 28 of bristle member 16 is substantially flat or planar having tapered body segment 34. Tapered body segment 34 includes opposed planar and parallel first and second faces 36 interconnected by tapered sides 38. Tapered body segment 34 defines a maximum dimension or width “m” at a first end segment 40 adjacent head member 14 and a minimum dimension or width “b” at second remote end segment 42 which is remote from the head member 14. In one embodiment, the ratio of the widths m:b ranges from about 3:1 to about 4:1. In one embodiment, “m” ranges from about 4 millimeters to about 6 millimeters, preferably, about 5.0 millimeters, and “b” ranges from about 1 millimeter to about 2 millimeters, preferably, about is about 1.5 millimeters. This arrangement of tapered body segment 34 of bristle member 16 presents a substantially large surface area which contacts the hair cuticles as the bristle members 16 are combed through the hair.
Tapered body segment 34 may define a linear taper or may be non linear. The second remote end segment 42 defines a narrow profile and may have an arcuate or rounded surface 44 to enhance the massaging effect of bristle members on the scalp of the user. Bristle members 16 may be coated, e.g., on first and second faces 36 of tapered body segments 34, with a hair treatment agent or solution including, but, not limited to gels, mousse, coloring, dyes, keratin or the like. Tapered sides 38 of tapered body segments 34 may be arcuate or rounded to provide an atraumatic surface and facilitate passage through the subject's hair.
With reference again to
Hair styling apparatus 100 further includes bristle attachment 110. Bristle attachment 110 may be releasably connected to head member 104 as shown or may be integrally formed or permanently secured to head member 104. Any means for releasably securing bristle attachment 110 to head member 104 are envisioned including via a friction fit, snap fit or the like. Bristle attachment 110 includes a plurality of bristle members 112. Bristle members 112 are similar to bristle members 16 described in connection with the embodiment of
Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above description, disclosure, and figures should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. For example, the bristle member of the embodiment of
Claims
1. A hair styling apparatus, which comprises:
- a head member defining a longitudinal axis: and
- a plurality of bristle members mounted to the head member, at least some of the bristle members each having an elongated generally tapered body segment, the tapered body segment defining a dimension at a first end segment proximal the head member greater than a corresponding dimension at a second end segment remote from the head member.
2. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tapered body segment includes one planar side extending between the first end segment and the second end segment.
3. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the tapered body segment includes first and second opposed planar sides.
4. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the first and second planar sides are arranged in general orthogonal relation to the longitudinal axis of the head member.
5. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tapered body segment is dimensioned to define a substantially linear taper.
6. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tapered body segment includes a coating, the coating for facilitating styling of hair.
7. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the second end segment of the at least some of the bristle members defines a narrow profile and being dimensioned to massage a scalp of a user.
8. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the second end segment of the at least some of the bristle members are dimensioned and configured to massage a scalp of a user.
9. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the second end segment defines a substantially arcuate end surface.
10. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1 including at least two rows of bristle members.
11. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1 including a handle member connected to the head member.
12. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 11 including a heater mechanism and a blower mechanism, the blower mechanism arranged to deliver air through the head member.
13. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the tapered body segment of the at least some of the bristle members includes an aperture to facilitate circulation of air emitted by the blower mechanism.
14. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the tapered body segment includes two apertures.
15. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the tapered body segment defines an internal chamber in communication with the aperture whereby air emitted by the blower mechanism passes through the internal chamber and exits the aperture.
16. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the tapered body segment of the at least some of the bristle members includes a ceramic coating.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 28, 2011
Publication Date: Mar 28, 2013
Applicant: Conair Coporation (Stamford, CT)
Inventor: Anthony Kit Lun Leung (Hong Kong)
Application Number: 13/247,394
International Classification: A45D 20/50 (20060101); A46B 15/00 (20060101); A46B 9/00 (20060101);