Patent Application
20240306788
Attachments are provided for use with hair care appliances.
Hair care appliances are devices used for drying and styling of hair. Hair care appliances can include a variety of components operable to provide a fluid flow via a fluid flow path extending through the device. The fluid flow path receives ambient air at an inlet of the hair care appliance and directs the ambient air through the hair care appliance via a motor and fan assembly. The fluid flow path is directed across a heating assembly to generate heated air at an outlet of the hair care appliance. Air is expelled from the hair care appliance via an outlet arranged to enable a user to dry or style hair.
One or more attachments are often used with the hair care appliance depending on the user's hair styling or treatment needs. Attachments can be coupled to the outlet of the hair care appliance and can include additional outlets to arranged to provide the fluid flow path through the attachment.
In general, an attachment configured for use with a hair care device, such as a hair dryer, for use in drying and/or styling hair is provided. In one aspect, an attachment for a hair care appliance is provided and in one embodiment can include an elongated body having an inner lumen extending therethrough between proximal and distal ends. The body can have an air inlet at the proximal end, a fluid flow path extending from the air inlet through the inner lumen toward the distal end, a plurality of air outlets for allowing air to exit the body, and a plurality of bristles extending from an outer surface of the body. The attachment can also include a baffle disposed within the inner lumen of the body along the fluid flow path. The baffle can be configured to divert air received at the air inlet of the body to the plurality of air outlets.
In one embodiment, the baffle can have a proximal region configured to reduce a volume of fluid flowing along the fluid flow path and to radially distribute the fluid within the body, a distal region downstream of the proximal region configured to increase an air pressure of the fluid along the fluid flow path, and an intermediate region between the proximal and distal regions configured to reduce air pressure provided to the distal region.
In another embodiment, the proximal region of the baffle can have a planar surface orthogonal to the fluid flow path, the distal region of the baffle can have a tapered profile, and the intermediate region of the baffle can have a reduced diameter as compared to the proximal and distal regions.
In another embodiment, the distal region of the baffle can have a hollow interior. In some embodiments, the distal region can taper from a smaller diameter adjacent to the middle portion to a larger diameter at the distal end of the frame. In some embodiments, the intermediate portion can include a plurality of support elements extending longitudinally there along, and the plurality of support elements can be arranged radially around a length of the intermediate portion. In some embodiments, the intermediate portion can have a substantially constant diameter along the entire length thereof.
In other aspects, the body can include a frame and a cover disposed over the frame. The cover can include a metallic coating configured to distribute heat across a surface of the cover. In some embodiments, the plurality of bristles can be mounted on the frame and the cover can include a plurality of openings for receiving the bristles there through.
In another embodiment, the attachment can further include a mating assembly on a proximal end of the body configured to couple the body to a hair care appliance. In some embodiments, the mating assembly can include a first member configured to fixedly attach to a hair care appliance, and a second member can be freely rotatably mated to the first member, and the body can be mounted on the second member. In some embodiments, the attachment can further include an end cap on the distal end of the body.
In another aspect, an attachment for a hair care appliance is provided and in one embodiment can include an elongated body having an inner lumen extending therethrough between proximal and distal ends. The body can have an air inlet at the proximal end, a fluid flow path extending from the air inlet through the inner lumen toward the distal end, a plurality of air outlets for allowing air to exit the body, and a plurality of bristles extending from an outer surface of the body. The attachment can also include a baffle suspended from the distal end of the body and extending within the inner lumen of the body toward the proximal end of the body. The baffle can be disposed along the fluid flow path and can be configured to divert air received at the air inlet to the plurality of air outlets.
In some aspects, the body can include a frame and a cover disposed around the frame. In another embodiment, the plurality of air outlets can include a first plurality of elongate-shaped air outlets oriented parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the body, and a second plurality of elongate-shaped air outlets oriented transverse to the central longitudinal axis of the body. In another embodiment, each of the second plurality of air outlets can be positioned between a pair of the first plurality of air outlets. In some embodiments, the proximal end of the body can include a mating assembly having first member configured to couple to a hair care appliance and second member freely rotatably coupled to the first member, and the body, end cap, and baffle cam be fixedly mated to the second member.
In another aspect, an attachment for a hair care appliance is provided and in one embodiment can include an elongated tubular body including a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximate end. The body can have a fluid flow path therethrough along a central longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the body, and the body can have a plurality of outlets therein and a plurality of bristles projecting outward therefrom. The attachment can also include a baffle disposed within the body and configured to divert fluid along the fluid flow path through the plurality of outlets. The attachment can further include a mating assembly coupled to the proximal end of the body. The mating assembly can have a first member configured to be releasably and non-rotatably attached to a hair care appliance, and a second member configured to rotate freely relative to the first member about the central longitudinal axis of the body. The body can be fixedly coupled to and rotatable with the second member.
In another embodiment, the first and second members can be ring shaped and can include a gasket positioned there between for facilitating rotation. In some embodiments, the first member can include a plurality of slots spaced around a circumference thereof and can be configured to receive at least one protrusion on an attachment mating portion of a hair care appliance to couple the mating assembly to the hair care appliance.
These and other features will be more readily understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
It is noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure.
Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.
Various exemplary attachments or accessories for use with a hair care appliance, such as a hair dryer, are provided herein. In one embodiment, an attachment in the form of a brush accessory is provided having bristles configured to engage with hair during brushing or styling. The brush attachment can also include outlets configured to divert air flowing from the outlet of the hair care appliance and into the brush attachment so as to provide air via outlets of the brush attachment. In certain embodiments, the air flow can be diverted evenly along the entire length of the brush attachment based on the shaped regions of a baffle provided within the brush attachment. In other aspects, a mating feature is provided to enable an attachment, such as a brush attachment, to rotate relative to the hair care appliance to which it is attached so that a user can rotate the attachment and air flow to apply a desired styling effect more easily.
Advantageously, these features can provide an enhanced styling experience, particularly for curling or brushing hair compared to other attachments for a hair care appliance. The provision of a uniform amount and velocity of air flow along an entire length of an attachment can enhance the performance of the attachment so that the entire length of the attachment can be used to style hair and a greater amount of hair can be styled at one time. Additionally, the rotating use of an attachment can allow a user to direct the air flow to desired portions of their hair more easily than non-rotating attachments, which may only have fixed outlet locations.
The body 120 of the brush attachment 100 can having a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be formed from various components. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 120 includes a frame 210 having a cover 205 disposed there around, as shown in
The illustrated frame 210 has an elongate, hollow cylindrical shape with an inner lumen 215 extending there through and defining a fluid flow path F from the inlet 135 at the proximal end 105 of the attachment 100 to a plurality of outlets 140. The plurality of outlets 140 can be formed in the frame 210 at various locations and in various patterns. As shown in
The frame 210 can further include a plurality of bristles 130 positioned about a circumference and along the length of the frame 210 and extending radially away from the frame 210. As shown in
As indicated above, the body 120 can also include a cover 205 positioned over the frame 210. The cover 205 can thus have a size that substantially corresponds to a size of the frame 210 to form a close fit with the frame. As shown in
As further shown in
In some embodiments, the cover 205 can include a coating for retaining heat and distributing heat about the cover 205. The coating can be formed from any thermally conductive material, such a metal material. In other embodiments, the cover 205 can be eliminated and the frame can be coated.
As further shown in
As shown in
As further shown in
The distal region 815 can include a frustoconical housing 830 coupled to the support elements 825 of the intermediate region 815. The housing 830 can have a tapered profile including a smaller diameter adjacent to the intermediate region and larger diameter at the distal end of the baffle 220 (e.g., the distal end at which the plate 705 is located). The housing 830 can have a hollow interior 835 for weight reduction of the baffle. The tapered profile of the housing 830 can advantageously increase air pressure of fluid flowing along the fluid flow path F adjacent to the distal region of the baffle 210. As a result, fluid reaching the distal region 815 of the baffle 210 can be conveyed through the outlets 140 at the same velocity and volume as fluid exiting the outlets 140 arranged adjacent to the intermediate region 810 and the proximal region 805. This design can thus provide a consistent volume and velocity of fluid from the brush attachment 100 along its entire length.
In order to mount the baffle 220 to the frame 210, the baffle 220 can have a frame mounting plate 705 at a distal end thereof, as shown in
Referring back to
As previously indicated, a mating assembly for rotatably mating an attachment to a hair care appliance is also provided. While the mating assembly is disclosed in connection with brush attachment 100, the mating assembly can be utilized with any type of accessory.
In the exploded view of the brush attachment 100 shown in
In
The rotating portion 310 of the mating assembly 115 can be received within the appliance mating portion 305. For example, the proximal end 915 of the rotating portion can be received within the opening 935 and abut the protrusion 940 of the appliance mating portion 305. The proximal end can include a gasket 920, such as an o-ring or the like, configured to allow the rotating portion 310 to rotate within the appliance mating portion 305. The rotating portion 310 can couple to the frame 210 via one or more tabs 925 which can project away from the proximal end 915 of the rotating portion 310 and toward the frame 210. The tabs 925 can be received within slots 930 provided in the proximal end of the frame 210. The tabs 925 can include engagement features such as protrusions, detents, or angled face portions which, when received within the slots 930, can secure the rotating portion 310 to the frame 210. A variety of coupling or engagement mechanisms can be envisioned to join the rotating portion 310 and the frame 210 and is not limited to tabs and slots. In some embodiments, the coupling or engagement mechanisms of the rotating portion 310 and the frame 210 can include a friction fit, magnets, rivets, screws, protrusions, grooves, or the like. The coupling of the rotating portion 310 and the frame 210 can enable the attachment 100 to rotate freely when the proximal end 135 of the attachment 100 is coupled to a hair care attachment 100. The appliance mating portion 305 can be releasably secured to the outlet end of a hair care appliance and the attachment 100 can rotate freely relative to the hair care appliance when attached.
When fully assembled, the attachment mating assembly 115 can couple with the frame 210, as shown in
The outlet end of the hair care appliance can include an attachment mating portion 1100, as shown in
The attachment mating portion 1100 can also include at least one recession 1110 configured to receive a tab or protruding portion of an attachment actuator assembly of the hair care appliance. The recession 1110 can have a width 1115 corresponding to a width of the tab or protruding portion of the attachment actuator assembly. As the attachment 100 is mated with the attachment mating portion 1100, the protrusions 1105 can travel into the slots 1005 configured on the appliance mating portion 305 of the attachment. Once travel is complete the user can release a latch of the attachment actuator assembly so that the tab portion of the attachment actuator assembly travels into the recession 1110 locking the attachment in place to prevent rotation of the attachment 100 on the hair care appliance. The attachment mating portion 1100 can also include an opening 1120 along the circumference of the bottom portion of the attachment mating portion 1100. The opening 1120 can receive the attachment actuator assembly therein. The opening 1120 can have a width 1125 corresponding to a width of the attachment actuator assembly.
The attachment actuator assembly 1200 of the hair care appliance can be seen in more detail in
In
In use, the attachment 100 can be used to dry, brush, curl, or otherwise style hair by coupling the attachment 100 to a hair care appliance and engaging the attachment 100 with the user's hair. The hair care appliance can generate air flow that is received at the inlet 135 of the attachment 100 and directed through the outlets 140 in a uniform, consistent, and even flow along the entire length of the attachment 100. A user can hold the hair care appliance coupled with the attachment 100 attached thereto in one hand and can grasp the end cap 125 in the other hand. When applying a curling styling technique, the user can bring the attachment 100 into contact with their hair and can rotate the end cap 125 so as to rotate the attachment 100 relative to the hair care appliance such that the user's hair is wrapped around the attachment 100. The even, consistent air flow provided along the entire length of the attachment 100 can advantageously allow the user to effectively curl a larger amount of hair and create a more well-formed, circular or helix-shaped curl than other styling attachments. The user can leave their hair wrapped around the attachment 100 for a period of time to set a curl in the wrapped hair. At the end of a period of time, the user can rotate the end cap, and thus the attachment 100, in the opposite direction to release the hair from the attachment 100. When applying a brushing styling technique, the user can bring the attachment 100 into contact with their hair and can maintain the end cap 125 in a fixed position, thereby eliminating or reducing rotation of the attachment 100. The user can bring the attachment 100 into contact with their hair and pull down away from the top of their head so that the air flow provided along the length of the attachment 100 engages with their hair during each brush stroke. The user can repeatedly brush their hair in this manner to dry wet hair or brush wet or dry hair. Because the air flow is provided along the entire length of the attachment 100 in an even, consistent distribution, a greater amount of hair can be dried and the time to dry wet hair can be reduced compared to other attachments.
The improved brush attachments described herein and configured for use with a hair care appliance produce a number of advantages. For example, the rotating body of the brush attachment can rotate relative to the hair care appliance to which it is coupled thereby allowing a user to more efficiently curl a greater quantity of hair than non-rotating brush attachments. As a result, the time required to curl hair can be reduced and more defined, cylindrical shaped curls can be achieved. Additionally, the baffle within the brush attachment can deliver an even volume of air flow along the length of the curling attachment. For example, the proximal region of the baffle can intersect the fluid flow path received at the inlet of the brush attachment to direct the air flow radially toward the surface of the attachment. The tapered, frustoconical shape of the distal region of the baffle can increase air pressure of the fluid flow as it passes toward the distal end of the baffle to ensure air is uniformly directed toward the outlets at the distal end of the attachment. The distal region of the baffle can be hollow to provide an attachment of reduced weight that is easier for a user to handle.
As used herein, the term “proximal” can define a location of an element that is upstream of the fluid flow path F and thus closer in proximity to the outlet of a hair care appliance to which the attachment 100 can be coupled. The term proximal can also refer to a location that is closer to a handle of the hair care appliance at which the user may grasp the hair care appliance. The term “distal” can define a location of an element that is downstream of the fluid flow path F and thus further away from the outlet of the hair care appliance. A distal location will be opposite a proximal location and vice versa. The term distal can also refer to a location that is farther away from the handle of the hair care appliance.
Certain exemplary embodiments have been described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the systems, devices, and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Further, in the present disclosure, like-named components of the embodiments generally have similar features, and thus within a particular embodiment each feature of each like-named component is not necessarily fully elaborated upon.
Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged, such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise.
One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the invention based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the present application is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.
