HAIR DRYING AND/OR STYLING DEVICE AND ATTACHMENT FOR DRYING AND/OR STYLING HAIR

Abstract

The invention relates to a hair drying and/or styling device and in particular to a hair drying device which can optionally be used to style hair. The invention may be configured as a unitary or stand-alone device or it may be configured as an attachment for another device such as a hair dryer. The hair drying and/or styling device has an air inlet, a body with an air flow space in communication with the air inlet, and an outlet plate with a large number of openings which are in communication with the air flow space. The outlet plate is concave and defines a volume which is surrounded by the outlet plate. A chosen section of hair can be inserted into the volume for drying and/or styling. The outlet plate is rotatable relative to the body, the rotatable outlet plate facilitating styling of the section of hair.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a hair drying and/or styling device and in particular to a hair drying device which can optionally be used to style hair. The invention may be configured as a unitary or stand-alone device or it may be configured as an attachment for another device.

For convenience, the following specification will refer to the use of the device for drying and/or styling a woman's hair, but the invention can also be used by men.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is possible to dry hair “naturally” by allowing the moisture to evaporate into the surrounding air (typically following the use of a towel to remove most of the moisture). Such a procedure is time consuming, particularly for those with long hair. In addition, it is often desired to style the hair and the drying of hair through evaporation (and/or toweling) is not usually conducive to styling the hair.

Hair dryers which create a stream of air, and in particular heated air, can significantly speed up the hair drying procedure. A user can also seek to style her hair whilst it is drying, for example by winding a chosen section of hair around a styling brush and directing the stream of heated air towards a wound section of hair. The dried hair will usually maintain at least some of the curl when it is unwound from the styling brush. Many hair dryers can also create a stream of unheated (or ambient) air which can be used to dry hair but is more routinely used in some styling operations.

Some hair dryers include a nozzle attachment which can be fitted to the air outlet to create a more concentrated stream of air. Some hair dryers include a diffuser attachment which can be fitted to the air outlet to create a more diffuse stream of air. A diffuser attachment 10 having many of the standard features of prior art diffusers is shown in FIG. 1.

The diffuser 10 has an air inlet 12 which can be removably fitted to the air outlet 14 of a hair dryer 16 (only part of which hair dryer is shown in FIG. 1). The air outlet 14 and the air inlet 12 are generally open spaces to enable the substantially unhindered flow of air from the hair dryer 16 into the body 20 of the diffuser 10. The body 20 of the diffuser 10 is generally hollow so as to maximise the air flow through the body 20.

The body 20 has an outlet plate 22 with a large number of openings 24. In addition, the outlet plate 22 has a number of upstanding pegs 26 each of which has at least one side port 28.

The openings 24 and the side ports 28 are all in direct communication with the air inlet 12 so that air can flow from the hair dryer 16, through the diffuser body 20, and out through the openings 24 and side ports 28.

The inlet opening 12 is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the air outlet 14 of the particular hair dryer 16 (or a particular range of hair dryers). The diffuser 10 may be a friction fit to the hair dryer 16 or some other means of mechanical connection to the hair dryer can be used.

The size and shape of the outlet plate 22, in particular in relation to the size of the air inlet 12, as well as the number and disposition of the openings 24, the number and disposition of the upstanding pegs 26, and the size and location of the side ports 28, can vary for different diffusers, but many diffusers share the general structure of the diffuser 10 shown in FIG. 1.

It is a particular feature of a diffuser that the openings 24 and the side ports 28 provide a large number of air outlets distributed over a relatively large area. In particular, the combined area of the openings 24 and side ports 28 typically significantly exceeds the area of the air outlet 14 of the hair dryer 16, so that the air passes out of the openings 24 and side ports 28 relatively slowly (and in particular at a significantly slower speed than it passes through the air outlet 14). The diffuser therefore enables a chosen section of hair to be dried without being significantly blown about by the air flow, the avoidance of the hair being blown about being desirable for some hair styles.

A hair dryer and diffuser combination such as that shown in FIG. 1 can be used to dry hair and also to style hair. Styling hair is achieved by the user (or her hairdresser) forming a section of damp hair into a desired configuration and placing it close to (or in engagement with) the outlet plate 22 so that the hair is maintained in substantially the desired form as it dries. The dried hair will maintain the desired form for a period of time after the end of the styling operation, and can if desired be held in that form by the application of a fixing or setting material.

Another type of hair styling device is an automated hair curler. Automated hair curlers have a rotatable element which captures or collects a section of hair to be styled and winds the section of hair around an elongate member. The preferred embodiments have a heated chamber surrounding the elongate member. The section of hair inside the chamber becomes styled by the application of heat whilst it is coiled around the elongate member. Patent applications WO 2009/077747, WO 2012/080751, WO 2013/186547, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,906,272, 2,935,070 and 4,177,824 describe various designs of automated hair curlers. The hair can be damp as it enters the chamber and can be dried inside the heated chamber if that is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hair drying and/or styling device having some similarities to a diffuser and which can optionally be used dry hair and to style hair, including to curl hair.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a hair drying and/or styling device having an air inlet, a body with an air flow space in communication with the air inlet, and an outlet plate with a large number of openings which are in communication with the air flow space, the outlet plate being concave and defining a volume which is surrounded by the outlet plate, the outlet plate being rotatable relative to the body.

The hair drying and/or styling device can include a motor and a fan which is driven to rotate by the motor. In known fashion the fan can cause air to flow through the device (from the air inlet to the outlet plate). The device can further include a heating element to heat the air as it flows through the device. Such embodiments can therefore comprise a unitary device with the air inlet of the device upstream of the fan and heating element. The motor is most suitably an electric motor powered by mains electricity or by batteries.

Alternatively, the hair drying and/or styling device can be configured as an attachment to a separate hair dryer, the hair dryer having an air outlet similar to the air outlet 14 of FIG. 1. In such embodiments the motor, fan and heating element are provided by the hair dryer and are separate from the hair drying and/or styling device of the invention. In use, the hair drying and/or styling device can be fitted to the air outlet of a hair dryer whereby air can flow from the hair dryer, through the air inlet of the device and through the air flow space in the body, and out through the openings in the outlet plate.

Whilst reference is made herein to a fan, it is recognised that the air flow could alternatively be generated by an impeller or turbine. For brevity, and unless stated otherwise, the term “fan” will be used in this application to refer to any component which can be rotated by a motor and generate an air flow through (or into) the hair drying and/or styling device.

The device can have a single contiguous air flow space through which all of the air flows from the air inlet to the openings in the outlet plate. Alternatively, the device can have multiple separate air flow spaces, through each of which air can flow from the air inlet to some of the openings in the outlet plate.

In use of the device the user inserts a chosen section of hair into the volume surrounded by the outlet plate. The section of hair can be dried by the (preferably heated) air flowing through the openings into the volume containing the section of hair.

The device can therefore be used like a conventional diffuser with the hair being dried by a relatively diffuse and relatively slow-moving air stream, with the hair not being substantially blown about by the air stream. A desired style which has been created in the damp hair can therefore substantially be retained as the hair is dried.

The device of the invention differs from a conventional diffuser in having a concave outlet plate which defines a volume surrounded by the outlet plate. Whilst the outlet plate of some conventional diffusers might be slightly concave that is coincidental and not for the purpose of creating a volume surrounded by the outlet plate.

Some or all of the openings of the present invention are directed inwardly into the volume. The present invention provides a defined volume into which a chosen section of hair can be inserted for drying. Heated air is directed towards the inserted section of hair from multiple directions, further reducing the likelihood that any of the section of hair is blown in a particular direction.

Desirably the outlet plate is generally conical in shape with a larger end and a smaller end, the larger end being open to permit the insertion of a chosen section of hair (and the removal of a dried and/or styled and/or curled section of hair, as applicable). The smaller end is preferably closed to limit the insertion of the chosen section of hair. Notwithstanding the use of the term “closed”, it will be understood that the smaller end can if desired include openings in communication with the air flow space of the body.

In embodiments in which the outlet plate is conical, the taper angle can be relatively large, for example around 45° or so, whereby the open end of the volume is significantly larger than the closed end. Alternatively, the taper angle can be relatively small, including in an extreme embodiment zero, whereby the volume is substantially cylindrical. It will be understood that it will generally be easier to insert a section of hair into a volume bordered by an outlet plate with a larger taper angle, whereas it will generally be easier to retain the inserted hair in a volume bordered by an outlet plate with a smaller taper angle. Preferred embodiments are a compromise between ease of insertion and hair retention and have a taper angle of between around 20° and around 30°.

The shaping of the outlet plate can also be complex, for example with a curved profile such as a bell shape; the outlet plate can include some regions which diverge and other regions which converge, as desired to achieve the desired ease of insertion of a chosen section of hair, and the desired retention of the inserted section of hair.

The device also differs from a conventional diffuser in that the outlet plate is rotatable relative to the body. It will be understood that it is positively disadvantageous to rotate the outlet plate of a conventional diffuser such as that of FIG. 1 because the upstanding pegs 26 would foul the hair as the outlet plate rotates. This would likely create tangles in the hair, and would in any event prevent the maintenance of any style into which the damp hair had been formed. In the present invention the outlet plate has no upstanding pegs to foul the hair.

A rotating outlet plate enables the device to be used to curl a chosen section of hair. In particular, with the outlet plate rotating the user can introduce the free end of a chosen section of hair into the volume surrounded by the outlet plate. The free end engages the rotating outlet plate and is pushed around the volume by the outlet plate. The device can be moved towards the user's head so that more of the section of hair can be inserted into the volume and become coiled within the volume (typically in engagement with the outlet plate). When all of the chosen section of hair has been inserted into the volume (typically with the device very close to or engaging the user's head), the device can be held in position until the section of hair has been dried in the curled configuration. The dried hair will typically retain some or all of the curl for a period of time after the hair has subsequently been removed from the device.

Preferably the outlet plate is selectively rotatable, i.e. it can be made to rotate as desired. It will be understood that for some hair drying and some hair styling operations it is not necessary (and perhaps not preferred) for the outlet plate to rotate. It will also be understood that for other hair styling operations, including in particular hair curling, that the outlet plate should rotate.

Desirably, the rate of rotation of the outlet plate is below approx. 60 rpm (revolutions per minute), and ideally is between approx. 30 rpm and 50 rpm.

Preferably the outlet plate has at least 100 openings, and in one embodiment has 132 openings.

Preferably all of the openings are substantially circular, and desirably all of the openings are of approximately the same size. Preferably the density of the openings (i.e. the number of openings per unit area) is approximately uniform across the outlet plate. Alternatively, some of the openings may be larger than others and/or the density of the openings can vary across the outlet plate. Different-sized openings, and different densities of openings, can result in different air flows at different parts of the outlet plate. Additionally, selected regions of the outlet plate can have no openings whereby to further manage the desired air flow in the region(s) with openings.

Preferably the device has an elongate member at substantially the centre of the volume. When using the device to curl a section of hair the elongate member acts as a former around which the hair becomes wrapped. The provision of an elongate member makes the hair curling procedure more reliable and repeatable.

Desirably the elongate member is mounted to the body adjacent to the smaller end of the outlet plate. Such an elongate member can have a fixed end at the smaller end of the outlet plate and a free end at the larger end of the outlet plate. The free end allows a formed curl to be slid off the elongate member at the end of a styling operation.

Desirably the elongate member rotates in the same direction as the outlet plate. Desirably also the elongate member rotates at the same rate as the outlet plate. The outlet plate and the elongate member define inner and outer surfaces of the volume into which a section of hair can be inserted. Rotating both of the outlet plate and the elongate member in the same direction, and ideally at the same rate, is expected to enhance the formation of curls as the free end of the section of hair is first inserted into the device and as subsequent parts of the section of hair engage the rotating outlet plate and/or elongate member. In embodiments in which the elongate member rotates in the same direction and at the same rate as the outlet plate, the elongate member and outlet plate are preferably connected together.

Desirably the elongate member also has openings in communication with the air flow space so that air can flow into the volume also through the openings in the elongate member.

The device can include anti-twist means to help prevent the section of hair from becoming twisted rather than curled by the rotating outlet plate. In embodiments with an elongate member it is necessary to prevent the section of hair passing around the free end of the elongate member so that it becomes curled around the elongate member rather than twisted (somewhat like a rope) to one side of the elongate member. The anti-twist means can be one or more guides mounted to the body and which guide the section of hair into the volume. Alternatively, the anti-twist means can be a retainer which spans the gap between the outlet plate and the elongate member in order to prevent the section of hair passing around the end of the elongate member. The retainer can be movable whereby to permit a curled length of hair to slide off the end of the elongate member at the end of a styling operation.

The anti-twist means can be a part of the elongate member, preferably located at the free end of the elongate member. Desirably the free end of the elongate member is flared outwardly to form an anti-twist means. Preferably the flared end of the elongate member extends beyond the outlet plate. Such an arrangement provides a defined gap between the outlet plate and the flared end of the elongate member into which a chosen section of hair can be inserted. The flared end of the elongate member is preferably conical. The taper angle of the conical flared end is preferably less than 45°, and desirably between around 20° and around 30°.

Preferably, the outlet plate is of complex shape with a larger end and a smaller end and with an enlarged region adjacent to its smaller end. In other words the outlet plate diverges from its smaller end to an enlarged region and then converges to limit the enlarged region, before diverging again towards the larger (open) end. The outlet plate therefore has a neck or narrowed outer periphery spaced from (but preferably close to) its smaller end.

The inventors appreciate that hair is naturally resilient and that each of the hairs in a section of normally straight hair will tend to return to its linear form. When a chosen section of normally straight hair has been curled inside the volume it will therefore tend to expand outwardly towards the outlet plate as it seeks to return to a more linear form. If the outlet plate was entirely conical the curled section of hair would tend to migrate towards the open larger end and some of the hair might inadvertently leave the device. Providing a neck in the outlet plate can act to trap at least some of the section of hair in the enlarged region where it can remain wound with the desired curvature until the end of the styling procedure.

The enlarged region adjacent to the smaller end is preferably at least approx. 10 mm across, and ideally at least approx. 11 mm across. In embodiments having an elongate member the enlarged region is annular and surrounds the elongate member, the annulus being at least approx. 10 mm across. It has been found that such an enlarged region enables the free end of the section of hair to move within the enlarged region as the curl is being formed. This is beneficial in cases where the free end of a section of hair is initially inserted and becomes bent in a clockwise direction when it engages the closed end of the outlet plate, whereas the subsequent curl is formed in the anticlockwise direction (or vice versa). The enlarged end permits the free end of the section of hair to move so that it is curled in the same direction as the remainder of the section of hair.

In a unitary hair drying and/or styling device the motor which drives the fan can also drive the outlet plate to rotate (and the elongate member if a rotatable elongate member is provided). Gearing will typically be provided because the desired speed of rotation of the fan will be significantly greater than that of the outlet plate. Alternatively, a second motor can be provided to drive the rotation of the outlet plate (and elongate member).

In a hair drying and/or styling device provided as an attachment to a separate hair dryer, the hair dryer can have a drive shaft (ideally driven by a second motor) adjacent to its air outlet and which can be connected to a driven shaft of the hair styling device when fitted to the hair dryer. Rotary drive for the outlet plate (and elongate member if present) can therefore be communicated from the hair dryer. Alternatively, the hair drying and/or styling device can include a turbine whereby air flowing through the body drives the turbine to rotate which in turn drives the outlet plate (and elongate member) to rotate. It will be understood that the alternative embodiment permits the hair drying device to be fitted to a standard hair dryer whereas the former embodiment requires a dedicated hair dryer having the required drive shaft. Notwithstanding the requirement for a drive shaft (and ideally a second motor), however, the former embodiment has the advantage that the hair dryer can be used as a conventional hair dryer when the attachment is removed. Alternatively again, the device can have its own motor to rotate the outlet plate (and elongate member) when fitted to a hair dryer, the motor being powered either from the hair dryer or from a battery pack carried by the device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a hair drying and/or styling device having an air inlet, a body with an air flow space in communication with the air inlet, and an outlet plate with a large number of openings which are in communication with the air flow space, a motor and a fan located in the body to drive air through the air flow space, the fan being reversible whereby it can operate firstly to drive air to flow from the air inlet to the openings in the outlet plate and can operate secondly to drive air to flow from the outlet plate to the air inlet.

The ability to reverse the flow of air through the device is advantageous in permitting a “cold shot” feature. A “cold shot” feature is available with many hair dryers, and delivers a stream of unheated air to the hair after it has been dried to help to fix the hair in a chosen style. With a conventional hair dryer, however, the air stream is heated by a heating element and the heating element takes time to cool down after it is switched off. With some hair driers the cold shot feature is accompanied by an increase in the speed of the fan so that applying the cold shot feature can cause a short-term increase in the temperature of the user's hair rather than the desired decrease in the temperature. Also, the air typically acquires some heat from the motor as it passes through the air flow space in the body of the hair drier, and since the motor will remain hot the air delivered during the cold shot is typically hotter than the ambient temperature. By reversing the air flow, however, air at the ambient temperature can be delivered to the hair almost instantaneously. Stopping and reversing the rotation of the fan can typically happen significantly more quickly than the time taken for the heating element to cool to the ambient temperature, and the air is not required to pass the motor or any other continuing heat source before engaging the user's hair.

Reversing the flow of air is particularly advantageous in embodiments utilising both aspects of the invention because it can assist with the introduction of hair into the volume, and in particular can assist the initial introduction of the free end of the chosen section of hair. The (reversed) flow of air into the volume and towards and through the outlet plate will encourage the hair, and in particular the free end of the section of hair, to enter the volume and to move towards and into engagement with the outlet plate at the commencement of the drying and/or styling operation. The (reversed) flow of air can also encourage the remainder of the section of hair to enter the volume and move towards and into engagement with the outlet plate. The (reversed) flow of air can also encourage the section of hair to engage the outlet plate and consequently rotate with the outlet plate, which is very beneficial in hair curling operations.

Preferably, the motor driving the fan is reversible. Thus, to reverse the rotation of the fan it is necessary to reverse the rotation of the motor.

To avoid unnecessary repetition, features which are identified for one of the aspects of the invention can be utilised with the other aspect of the invention where applicable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a conventional diffuser attached to a hair dryer;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of part of a hair drying and/or styling device according to the first and second aspects of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the hair styling device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a sectional side view through the hair styling device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment with optional guides for the section of hair;

FIG. 6 shows another alternative embodiment with an optional movable retainer for the section of hair; and

FIG. 7 shows another alternative embodiment with an elongate member with a flared free end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A description of the conventional diffuser 10 attached to a hair dryer 16 of FIG. 1 is provided above and will not be repeated.

FIG. 2 shows a hair drying and/or styling device 30 according to the invention, configured as a unitary device. The device 30 has an air inlet 32 and a body with an air flow space 34 (see FIG. 4). In this embodiment the device has a generally hollow body 36 with a single contiguous air flow space 34 between and around the components of the device inside the body. The body 36 has an outlet plate 38 with a large number of openings 40 which are in communication with the air inlet 32 by way of the air flow space 34, the air flow space providing a continuous path for the air to flow from the air inlet 32 to the openings 40.

In alternative embodiments there may be multiple separate air flow spaces each being in communication with the air inlet and with some of the openings. Whether there is a single contiguous air flow space or multiple air flow spaces will in practice be determined by the internal structure of the body 36, including any supports, partitions or the like provided to mount the internal components.

The outlet plate 38 is concave and defines a volume 42 which is surrounded by the outlet plate.

In this unitary embodiment the device 30 has a motor 44, a fan 46 and a heating element 48 which are represented schematically in FIG. 4. During regular use of the device the motor 44 drives the fan 46 to rotate which causes air to enter the air inlet 32. The air is heated as it passes the heating element 48, and then flows through the air flow space 34 and out of the openings 40 in the outlet plate 38.

It will be understood that the motor 44 in this unitary embodiment does not need to be as powerful as a motor of a conventional hair dryer. Whilst most conventional hair dryers seek to maximise the air flow to speed up the hair drying procedure, the present invention requires a diffuse and relatively slow-moving air stream.

In a preferred method of use, a chosen section of damp hair is inserted into the volume 42 where it is dried by the heated air passing out of the openings 40. It will be understood that the speed of the air stream flowing through the openings 40 will ideally be comparable to that of a conventional diffuser fitted to a hair dryer, so that the hair is not significantly blown about by the air stream. In the event that the user has formed the damp hair into a chosen style that style can be maintained as the hair is dried, similarly to the use of a conventional diffuser.

The embodiment of FIGS. 2-4 also has an elongate member 50. The elongate member 50 has a large number of openings 52 which are in communication with the air flow space 34, whereby air can also flow from the air inlet 32 through the body 36 of the device and out of the openings 52.

The outlet plate 38 and the elongate member 50 are mounted to rotate relative to the body 36. As seen in FIG. 4, the device 30 has a second motor 54 which is mounted to a fixed support 56. The output shaft 58 of the motor 54 is connected to the elongate member 50 so as to drive the elongate member to rotate, and thereby to drive the outlet plate 38 also to rotate.

The outlet plate 38 is generally conical with a closed smaller end 60 and an open larger end 62. As seen in FIG. 4, the outlet plate 38 does not diverge continuously from the smaller end 60 to the larger end 62, but rather has a neck 64 close to the smaller end. An enlarged region 66 is formed between the closed smaller end 60 and the neck 64 for the purpose to be described below.

The device has a handle 70, only a part of which is shown in the drawings because the structure and location of the handle are not relevant to the present invention. It will be understood that a mains electrical cable can be connected to the handle to provide the electrical supply to the motor 44, the heater 48 and the second motor 54. Alternatively, the device can be battery powered in which case the handle can contain a battery pack, preferably a rechargeable battery pack. The control buttons (or the like) can be mounted on the handle 70 in known fashion, or alternatively elsewhere on the device if preferred.

The unitary hair drying and/or styling device 30 can if desired be one component of a multifunctional tool such as that described in international patent application WO 2020/169849. In that case the handle 70 can comprise a mounting structure to which a separate handle portion can be attached, as is described in that international application.

It is preferably arranged that the device 30 can be used with the outlet plate (and elongate member if present) stationary. That method of operation would be suited to a user who wishes to form her hair into a particular style whilst damp, the user inserting a chosen section of hair into the volume between the outlet plate 38 and the elongate member 50 (or perhaps close enough to the open end 62 of the outlet plate 38) to be dried by the heated air stream flowing out of the openings 40 and 52. Thus, it is envisaged that some users would likely use the device in a similar 20) fashion to a conventional diffuser, i.e. by forming the hair into a chosen style and placing the open end 62 of the device close to (or against) the styled section of hair (with little if any of the hair entering into the volume 42).

An alternative method of operation in which the outlet plate 38 and elongate member 50 are rotating is suited to curling a user's hair. With the elongate member 50 and the outlet plate 38 rotating (quite slowly, perhaps around 45 rpm) the user inserts the free end of a chosen section of hair into the volume between the outlet plate and the elongate member and pushes the free end of the section of hair towards or against the closed end 60 of the volume 42.

The free end of the section of hair will engage the outlet plate 38 and/or the elongate member 50 and because those components are rotating the free end is pushed or dragged around causing the free end of the section of hair to wrap around the elongate member 50 adjacent to the closed end 60. As the section of hair wraps around the elongate member 50 the user can move the device 30 closer to her head so that more of the section of hair can be inserted into the volume 42.

One feature of the enlarged end portion 66 is that its radial dimension d is large enough to permit the free end of the section of hair to move in order to become properly oriented as the hair is curled around the elongate member 50. Thus, it may be that during initial insertion of the section of hair the free end engages the closed end and bends in the direction corresponding to clockwise rotation of the outlet plate. If, however, the outlet plate is rotating (or is subsequently rotated) in the anticlockwise direction the remainder of the section of hair will be wound in the opposite direction to the free end. The enlarged region 66 is made large enough to permit the free end to move, and in particular to become unbent, so that the whole section of hair is curled in the same direction. In this embodiment the radial dimension d is approx. 11 mm.

It will be understood that it is necessary to prevent the section of hair from passing around the free end 72 of the elongate member 50 as the outlet plate 38 and elongate member are rotated. This will ensure that the hair can become wound into a curl around the elongate member 50 rather than becoming twisted at one side of the elongate member. The user can grip her hair and prevent the section of hair from passing around the free end 72 as the outlet plate 38 rotates, the user effectively guiding the section of hair into the volume 42 at a chosen position relative to the elongate member 50. The device can, however, additionally be fitted with anti-twist means to assist the user during insertion of the section of hair. Three variants of anti-twist means are shown in FIGS. 5-7, each of which can be incorporated into the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, two guides 74 are provided, facing in opposite directions, each suited to a particular rotational direction. The user can insert the free end of the chosen section of hair into the volume 42 and can then pass the section of hair under the appropriate guide 74. The section of hair moves past the guide as it is subsequently drawn into the volume 42 as the outlet plate 38 and elongate member 50 rotate, the guide 74 preventing the section of hair passing around the free end 72 of the elongate member 50 and becoming twisted in use.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6 a retainer 76 similarly prevents the section of hair passing around the free end 72 of the elongate member 50 as the outlet plate 38 and elongate member 50 rotate in use. The retainer 76 spans the annular gap between the outlet plate 38 and the elongate member 50. The retainer 76 also effectively retains the curled section of hair in the volume 42 until the end of the styling operation. In this embodiment the retainer 76 is a flexible resilient element mounted adjacent to the outlet plate and biased to engage the elongate member 50 adjacent to its free end 72. The retainer 76 is relatively rigid in the circumferential direction around the elongate member, but relatively flexible in the longitudinal direction along the elongate member. The retainer 76 can therefore resist the rotational forces imparted by the hair during the hair winding part of the procedure (and thereby ensure that the hair is wound around the elongate member 50) but can readily release a formed curl at the end of the styling operation, permitting the formed curl to easily slide off the end of the elongate member 50 and out of the device.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7 the free end 372 of the elongate member 350 is flared outwardly. Also, the elongate member projects a significant distance beyond the outlet plate 338. The user can insert her hair substantially in the direction shown by the arrow A into the relatively large gap between the free end 372 and the open end of the outlet plate 338, and can continue to feed her hair into that gap as the outlet plate 338 and elongate member 350 are rotated and the section of hair becomes curled around the elongate member. The flaring of the free end 372 effectively prevents the section of hair passing around the free end of the elongate member as desired.

Returning to the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4, it will be understood that the free end of the section of hair will seek to return to a more linear form inside the volume 42, so that the formed curl effectively expands outwardly into the enlarged region 66. The expanded curl is retained adjacent to the closed end 60 of the volume 42 by the neck 64.

More of the chosen section of hair can be inserted into the volume 42 as the user moves the device 30 towards her head. When a significant length of the section of hair has been inserted into the volume 42 and wound into curls in the enlarged region 66, it may not be necessarily for the user to continue to feed hair into the volume 42.

Eventually, the whole of the chosen section of hair will be located in the volume 42 and the free end 72 of the elongate member 50 will be very close to the user's head (or perhaps in engagement with the user's head). Most of the section of hair will be curled around the enlarged region 66 but the part closest to the user's head will be curled in the volume 42 between the neck 64 and the open end 62. The hair can be dried in that configuration, after which the device can be moved away from the user's head in order to remove the dried hair from the volume 42. The dried hair will retain some or all of the curled form after removal from the device.

The rotation of the outlet plate 38 and the elongate member 50 can be stopped when all of the section of hair has been wrapped around the elongate member 50, or the rotation can continue until the end of the drying and styling operation, as desired.

The motor 44 is connected directly to the fan 46 and is reversible whereby the direction of rotation of the fan can be reversed. It is arranged that that reversing the direction of the fan will reverse the direction of air flow through the air flow space 34. When the air flow is reversed, ambient air is drawn into the volume 42, through the openings 40, through the air flow space 34 and out of the air inlet 32. It will be understood that the ambient air engages (and cools) hair within the volume 42 and thereby provides a “cold shot” to that hair, helping to set the hair style. It will be understood that is not necessary to switch off the heater 48 to achieve a cold shot, which can be beneficial for heaters which take a relatively long time to warm up and to cool down.

Reversing the air flow is also beneficial during the introduction of the chosen section of hair into the volume 42, especially the initial introduction of the free end of the section of hair. In particular, air flowing into the volume 42 and through the openings 40 will tend to draw hair into the volume and into engagement with the outlet plate 38. This can be particularly beneficial during a curling operation as hair which more closely engages the rotating outlet plate and/or elongate member will more likely become wound around the volume 42.

For embodiments in which the fan is reversible, the structural form of the fan should be chosen accordingly, it being recognised that some impellers for example cannot efficiently create a reversed air flow.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4 the size of the openings 40, and the density of the openings 40, are not uniform across the area of the outlet plate 38. In particular, the openings 40 are larger at the closed end 60 of the outlet plate 38 and smaller at the open end 62 of the outlet plate. In addition, the density of openings 40 (i.e. the number of openings per unit area) is greater at the closed end 60 than at the open end 62. Both their larger volume and their greater density cause a greater proportion of the air flow to pass through the openings 40 adjacent to the closed end 60. In alternative embodiments the size and/or density of the openings can be uniform (or substantially uniform) across the outlet plate.

The openings 40 in the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4 are all substantially circular. In the alternative embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6 the openings 140, 240 in the respective outlet plates 138, 238 are oval. Also, the size of the openings 140, 240 is substantially uniform across the respective outlet plate 138, 238. Furthermore, the openings 140, 240 are formed through only a part of the respective outlet plate and are not present adjacent to the open end of the outlet plate.

It will be understood that the size, density and shape of the openings can all be varied across the outlet plate in order to provide a desired air flow into and through the respective volume 42, 142, 242.

As above stated, the invention can also be provided as an attachment to a separate hair dryer. The attachment for drying and/or styling hair would comprise an air inlet similar to that shown for the diffuser 10 of FIG. 1 and suitable for attaching to the air outlet (14) of a chosen hair dryer (or a chosen range of hair dryers). The attachment would have a body with an air flow space in communication with the air inlet and with openings in the outlet plate. The outlet plate would ideally be identical or similar to one of the outlet plates 38, 138, 238, 338. The attachment could be provided with an elongate member if desired, and if present the elongate member would ideally be identical or similar to the elongate member 50.

If the attachment is made according to the first embodiment the outlet plate is driven to rotate relative to the body. The attachment can include a turbine whereby the air flow is also used to drive the turbine and consequently the outlet plate. Alternatively, the chosen hair dryer (or range of hair driers) can be fitted with a drive shaft adjacent to the air outlet which is releasably connectable to a driven shaft of the attachment and by which the outlet plate is rotated. The hair drier (or range of hair driers) can include a secondary motor for the drive shaft, or the drive shaft can be rotated by the fan motor by way of suitable gearing. Alternatively again, the device can include a motor for rotating the outlet plate (and elongate member is present), the motor being powered by way of a connection to the hair dryer or by its own battery pack.

The arrow A in FIG. 7 shows a possible direction of insertion for a chosen section of hair. It will be observed that the arrow A is pointing downwards so that gravity will assist the insertion of the chosen section of hair. It is expected that an experienced user will orient the device so that the direction of insertion is very close to vertical so that gravity directly assists hair insertion.

Whilst the drawings show outlet plates which are generally conical and with a relatively small taper angle, it will be understood that other surface shapes could be provided. The taper angle could be increased to increase the area of the open end of the outlet plate in order to provide a larger gap into which the section of hair can be inserted. Alternatively the taper angle could be reduced which will better retain an inserted section of hair. The taper angle and/or other features defining the shape of the outlet plate can be varied as desired for a particular device.

In addition, FIG. 7 shows that the elongate member 350 extends a significant distance beyond the outlet plate 338. That is beneficial in providing a relatively large gap between the elongate member and outlet plate into which the chosen section of hair can be inserted. It is, however, not essential and the elongate member can be made shorter than shown, and can if desired terminate in line with the open end of the outlet plate, or inside the outlet plate. The degree of outward flaring of the free end of the elongate member can also differ from that shown, as desired.

Claims

1. A hair drying and/or styling device having an air inlet, a body with an air flow space in communication with the air inlet, and an outlet plate with a large number of openings which are in communication with the air flow space, the outlet plate being concave and defining a volume which is surrounded by the outlet plate, the outlet plate being rotatable relative to the body.

2. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 1 having a motor and a fan which is driven to rotate by the motor.

3. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 2 having a heating element to heat the air as it flows through the air flow space.

4. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 2 in which the fan is reversible.

5. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 1 in which the air inlet is configured for releasable connection to a separate hair dryer.

6. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 1 having a single contiguous air flow space.

7. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 1 in which the outlet plate is selectively rotatable.

8. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 1 in which the rate of rotation of the outlet plate is below 60 rpm.

9. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 1 in which the rate of rotation of the outlet plate is between 30 and 50 rpm.

10. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 1 in which all of the openings are substantially circular.

11. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 1 in which all of the openings are of approximately the same size.

12. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 1 in which the density of the openings is approximately uniform across the outlet plate.

13. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 1 in which the device has an elongate member at substantially the centre of the volume.

14. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 12 in which the elongate member rotates in the same direction as the outlet plate.

15. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 13 in which the elongate member rotates at the same rate as the outlet plate.

16. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 13 in which the elongate member has openings in communication with the air flow space.

17. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 13 in which the elongate member has a free end, the free end being outwardly flared.

18. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 13 in which the elongate member extends beyond the outlet plate.

19. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 1 in which the outlet plate is generally conical in shape, with a larger end and a smaller end, the larger end being open.

20. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 19 in which the smaller end is closed.

21. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 19 in which the outlet plate has an enlarged region adjacent to the smaller end, the enlarged region being bordered by a neck.

22. The hair drying and/or styling device according to claim 21 in which the enlarged region has a radial dimension of at least 10 mm.