Patent Application
20240365947
The present disclosure relates generally to an attachment for an air-moving appliance and, more particularly, to a diffuser attachment for an air-moving appliance including a diffusing surface and a hair engagement cover.
Typical hair dryers include attachments that attach to the hair dryer and provide a treatment to hair while the hair is dried. For example, a diffuser attachment is used to diffuse or spread airflow over a wider area of the hair. Traditional hair diffusers rely on a single surface or feature to diffuse hair. Thus, traditional hair diffusers lack versatility to offer a user various diffusing surfaces and features to achieve a desired result. The user may detach or switch attachments during operation to provide different hair styling operations. However, conventional attachments are bulky and difficult to store and may be difficult to attach/detach from the hair dryer. Moreover, current attachments do not provide as quality results as the attachments do not have a surface/feature designed for each step in the diffusing process. For example, current attachments do not provide a completely smooth concave surface. In addition, current attachments do not provide engagement teeth that extend throughout the entire engagement surface.
Based on the foregoing, a need exists for a hair diffuser that is versatile to assist a user in achieving a desired hair result.
The present disclosure describes an attachment for an air-moving appliance and, more particularly, to a diffuser attachment for an air-moving appliance including a hover diffusing surface and a hair engagement cover.
In one embodiment, an attachment assembly for an air-moving appliance includes a diffuser attachment. The diffuser attachment includes an inlet end configured to connect to the air-moving appliance and the inlet end includes an inlet for airflow to enter the diffuser attachment. The diffuser attachment also includes an outlet end including a diffuser surface defining discharge openings. The diffuser surface is smooth and free of any prongs and is curved relative to an exterior of the diffuser attachment. The attachment assembly also includes a hair engagement cover that is configured to removably attach to the outlet end of the diffuser attachment. The hair engagement cover includes prongs arranged to extend outward from the diffuser surface when the hair engagement cover is attached to the outlet end. The attachment assembly has a first configuration in which the diffuser surface of the diffuser attachment is configured to receive hair, and a second configuration in which the hair engagement cover is attached to the outlet end of the diffuser attachment and the prongs are positioned to engage the hair.
The diffuser attachment may be removably connected to the air-moving appliance. The discharge openings may be positioned in a grid configuration on the diffuser surface of the diffuser attachment. The outlet end of the diffuser attachment may define openings configured to receive corresponding tabs of the hair engagement cover.
The prongs of the hair engagement cover may each define an opening that is configured to expel at least a portion of the airflow discharged by the diffuser attachment. The openings of the prongs may be positioned perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the hair engagement cover. The hair engagement cover may define a plurality of bridge threads coupled to an outer edge of the hair engagement cover. In some instances, the prongs may extend outwardly from the plurality of bridge threads. The plurality of bridge threads in part may define a plurality of voids. The voids may be configured to expel at least a portion of the airflow discharged by the diffuser attachment.
In another embodiment, an attachment assembly for an air-moving appliance includes a diffuser attachment. The diffuser attachment includes an inlet end configured to removably connect to the air-moving appliance and the inlet end includes an inlet for airflow to enter the diffuser attachment. The diffuser attachment also includes an outlet end including a diffuser surface defining discharge openings configured to discharge at least a portion of the airflow. The diffuser surface is free of any prongs and the diffuser surface is curved relative to an exterior of the diffuser attachment. The attachment assembly also includes a hair engagement cover including an inner side and an outer side. The inner side of the hair engagement cover is configured to removably attach to the outlet end of the diffuser attachment. The hair engagement cover includes prongs arranged to extend outward from the diffuser surface when the hair engagement cover is attached to the outlet end. The prongs define openings that are in communication with the discharge openings of the diffuser attachment, such that the openings of the prongs are configured to expel at least a portion of the airflow discharged by the diffuser attachment. The attachment assembly has a first configuration in which the diffuser surface of the diffuser attachment is configured to receive hair, and a second configuration in which the hair engagement cover is attached to the outlet end of the diffuser attachment and the prongs are positioned to engage the hair.
The openings of the prongs may be positioned perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the hair engagement cover. The hair engagement cover may define a plurality of bridge threads coupled to an outer edge of the hair engagement cover, such that the prongs extend outwardly from the plurality of bridge threads. The plurality of bridge threads in part may define a plurality of voids. The voids may be configured to expel at least a portion of the airflow discharged by the diffuser attachment.
The diffuser attachment may be removably connected to the air-moving appliance. The discharge openings of the diffuser attachment may be positioned in a grid configuration on the diffuser surface. The outlet end of the diffuser attachment may define openings configured to receive a corresponding tab of the hair engagement cover.
In yet another embodiment, an air-moving appliance assembly includes a diffuser attachment assembly and an air-moving appliance configured to expel air from an outlet end. The diffuser attachment assembly includes a diffuser attachment which includes an inlet end configured to removably connect to the outlet end of the air-moving appliance and the inlet end includes an inlet for airflow to enter the diffuser attachment. The diffuser attachment also includes an outlet end including a diffuser surface defining discharge openings. The diffuser surface is smooth and free of any prongs and the diffuser surface is curved relative to an exterior of the diffuser attachment. The diffuser attachment assembly also includes a hair engagement cover including an inner side and an outer side such that the inner side of the hair engagement cover is configured to removably attach to the outlet end of the diffuser attachment. The hair engagement cover includes prongs arranged to extend outward from the diffuser surface when the hair engagement cover is attached to the outlet end. The prongs define an opening that is in communication with the discharge openings of the diffuser attachment, such that the opening of the prongs is configured to expel at least a portion of the airflow discharged by the diffuser attachment. The diffuser attachment assembly has a first configuration in which the diffuser surface of the diffuser attachment is configured to receive hair when the diffuser attachment is mounted with respect to the outlet end of the air-moving appliance, and a second configuration in which the hair engagement cover is attached to the outlet end of the diffuser attachment when the diffuser attachment is mounted with respect to the air-moving appliance and the prongs of the hair engagement cover are positioned to engage the hair.
The hair engagement cover may define a plurality of bridge threads coupled to an outer edge of the hair engagement cover, such that the prongs may extend outwardly from the plurality of bridge threads. The plurality of bridge threads in part may define a plurality of voids, such that the voids may be configured to expel at least a portion of the airflow discharged by the air-moving appliance.
The discharge openings of the diffuser attachment may be positioned in a grid configuration on the diffuser surface. The outlet end of the diffuser attachment may define openings configured to receive corresponding tabs of the hair engagement cover.
As used herein, a “user's hair”, “user's roots”, and “user's scalp” specify one example for using the disclosed assembly. It should be understood, however, that a user may utilize the disclosed assembly on another's hair/roots/scalp without departing from the spirit/scope of this disclosure. Thus, a “user's hair/roots/scalp” merely provides context for using the disclosed assembly but does not limit whose hair the disclosed assembly may be used on.
As used herein, “hair” may also refer to “roots” and “scalp” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
As used herein, “a”, “an”, and “the” refer to both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
As used herein, the term “about” refers to a measurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration, and the like and is meant to include variations of +/−15% or less, preferably variations of +/−10% or less, more preferably variations of +/−5% or less, even more preferably variations of +/−1% or less, and still more preferably variations of +/−0.1% or less of and from the particularly recited value, in so far as such variations are appropriate to perform in the invention described herein. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the value to which the modifier “about” refers is itself specifically disclosed herein.
As used herein, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, “front”, “back”, “side”, “left”, “right”, “rear”, and the like, are used for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s). It is further understood that the terms “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “top”, and “bottom” are not intended to be limiting and are intended to be interchangeable, where appropriate. Further, it should be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or relative importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.
As used herein, the terms “comprise(s)”, “comprising”, and the like, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
As used herein, the terms “configure(s)”, “configuring”, and the like, refer to the capability of a component and/or assembly, but do not preclude the presence or addition of other capabilities, features, components, elements, operations, and any combinations thereof.
All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. Each range disclosed herein constitutes a disclosure of any point or sub-range lying within the disclosed range.
All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”), is intended merely to better illustrate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention or any embodiments unless otherwise claimed.
Any combination or permutation of features, functions and/or embodiments as disclosed herein is envisioned. Additional advantageous features, functions and applications of the disclosed systems, methods and assemblies of the present disclosure will be apparent from the description which follows, particularly when read in conjunction with the appended figures. All references listed in this disclosure are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
Features and aspects of embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which elements are not necessarily depicted to scale.
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are further described with reference to the appended figures. It is to be noted that the various features, steps, and combinations of features/steps described below and illustrated in the figures can be arranged and organized differently to result in embodiments which are still within the scope of the present disclosure.
To assist those of ordinary skill in the art in making and using the disclosed assemblies, systems and methods, reference is made to the appended figures, wherein:
Referring now to the figures and in particular to
The diffuser attachment assembly 10 defines a central axis 24 which extends through a center of the diffuser attachment 12 and the hair engagement cover 50. Accordingly, the diffuser attachment 12 and the hair engagement cover 50 are coaxial when the hair engagement cover 50 is attached to the diffuser attachment 12.
In the illustrated embodiment, the diffuser attachment assembly 10 defines a circular outer shape, as depicted in
Referring now to
The inlet end 14 of the diffuser attachment 12 defines a back surface 15. The back surface 15 may be planar, partially planar, or non-planar. For example, the back surface 15 is partially planar and is partially curved, as illustrated in
In addition, the diffuser attachment 12 includes a collar 18 extending outward from the back surface 15 and along the central axis 24. The collar 18 is configured to engage the outlet of the air-moving 102. The collar 18 includes one or more features to removably attach to one or more features of the air-moving appliance 102. For example, the collar 18 may include and/or define a locking feature to semi-permanently engage with the air-moving appliance 102. The collar 18 defines a groove 20 and a notch 22 which are configured to rotationally engaged with the air-moving appliance 102. In the illustrated example, the collar 18 defines a plurality of grooves 20 and notches 22.
As seen in
Referring to
The diffuser surface 28 also defines a plurality of discharge openings 30. The discharge openings 30 are in fluid communication with the inlet 16. The discharge openings 30 may be spaced in a grid-like configuration. For example, the discharge openings 30 are spaced in a grid-like configuration such that a majority of the diffuser surface 28 is included within the grid. The discharge openings 30 are equally (or near equally) spaced throughout the diffuser surface 28. In another example, the discharge openings 30 may be positioned in specific areas of the diffuser surface 28, as needed based on a desired use. For example, the discharge openings 30 may be grouped at different locations on the diffuser surface 28.
In some instances, the diffuser surface 28 includes a display surface 34 configured to depict an alphanumeric character, an image, and/or a symbol. For example, the display surface 34 may provide an area for branding, instructions, and combinations thereof.
The diffuser attachment 12 may be free of any prongs and/or raised features configured to engage with a user's hair. Specifically, the diffuser surface 28 is free of any prongs and/or raised features. A prong-free surface may provide several benefits, including but not limited to, enabling close contact of airflow/heat with hair/roots/scalp, and allowing the diffuser attachment 12 to interface with and glide over a user's hair without engaging (“catching”) hair (e.g., hair tresses). Thus, the diffuser surface 28 may be a smooth, obstruction-free surface defining a plurality of discharge openings 30.
Referring to
In one instance, the diffuser attachment 12 defines openings 32 (see
Referring to
As seen in
The inner ring 58 and the bridge threads 56 may provide structural support to the hair engagement cover 50. The inner ring 58 and the bridge threads 56 define voids 62 which extend between the inner side 52 and the outer side 54 of the hair engagement cover 50. The voids 62 allow air to pass from the inlet end 14 of the diffuser attachment 12 to the outer side 54 of the hair engagement cover 50. The bridge threads 56 and the inner ring 58 may define a cross-section that is solid, partially solid, and/or hollow. As illustrated, the bridge threads 56 and the inner ring 58 are hollow thereby contributing to the weight reduction of the hair engagement cover 50. The outer edge 55 defines a sidewall that extends between the inner side 52 to the outer side 54. In some instances, the outer edge 55 may extend longitudinally with the central axis 24.
The hair engagement cover 50 may define and/or include one or more prongs 64 that extend outwardly in the direction of the outer side 54. In the example, the hair engagement cover 50 defines a plurality of prongs 64 that extend outwardly in the direction of the outer side 54. For example, one or more prongs 64 extend outwardly from the bridge threads 56 and/or the inner ring 58. The prongs 64 extend axially with the central axis 24. In some instances, at least some of the prongs 64 extend outwardly beyond the outer edge 55 such that the outer side 54 of each prong 64 is outward beyond the outer side 54 of the outer edge 55. In some instances, some of the prongs 64 extend outwardly beyond the outer edge 55 and some of the prongs 64 do not extend outwardly beyond the outer edge 55. For example,
The prongs 64 may be hollow, partially hollow, and/or solid. In this example, the prongs 64 define channels 66 which extend between the inner side 52 and the outer side 54. Each channel 66 extends between an upper opening 68 and a lower opening 70. The upper opening 68 is positioned on the outer side 54 of the prong 64 and the lower opening 70 is positioned on the inner side 52 of the prong 64. Thus, the channel 66 and the openings 68, 70 are in fluid communication with the diffuser attachment 12 such that air traveling between the inlet end 14 and the outlet end 26 may at least partially travel between the lower opening 70 to the upper opening 68 via the channel 66. In some cases, air may travel outwardly from the outlet end 26 of the diffuser attachment 12 through the voids 62 and the upper opening 68 of the prongs 64. The upper opening 68 may extend at least partially through the prong 64 so as to fluidly communicate with the channel 66 in a direction perpendicular to (or nearly perpendicular to) the axis 24. As depicted in
The hair engagement cover 50 is arranged to be removably attached to the diffuser attachment 12. For example, the hair engagement cover 50 may define and/or include one or more tabs 72 that extend outwardly of the hair engagement cover 50 in the direction of the inner side 52. In some instances, the hair engagement cover 50 includes at least two tabs 72 that extend outwardly from the bridge threads 56 of the hair engagement cover 50 in the direction of the inner side 52. In some instances, the tabs 72 may be positioned to align the hair engagement cover 50 in a specific orientation. In other instances, the tabs 72 may be positioned such that the hair engagement cover 50 can be positioned in any orientation.
In the illustrated example, the tabs 72 are configured to be removably inserted into the openings 32 of the diffuser attachment 12. The tabs 72 and the openings 32 have a circular cross-section and are sized such that each tab 72 is inserted into the corresponding opening 32. Insertion of the tabs 72 into the corresponding openings 32 ensures the hair engagement cover 50 is semi-permanently engaged with the diffuser attachment 12. In some embodiments, the tabs 72 may define one or more engagement features that are configured to interface with corresponding engagement features defined by the openings 32 so as to promote semi-permanent engagement between the diffuser attachment 12 and the hair engagement cover 50.
As depicted in
Referring also to
In operation, at least the inlet end 14 of the diffuser attachment 12 engages with at least the outlet end 104 of the air-moving appliance 102 (see
In a second configuration, as shown in
In operation, a user may switch between the first configuration and the second configuration as needed during the diffusing process. The diffuser attachment 12 and the hair engagement cover 50 are configured to be removed with minimal effort and steps to ensure a user can easily switch between the first configuration and the second configuration, and if needed, complete removal of the diffuser attachment 12 from the air-moving appliance 102.
The inlet end 14 of the diffuser attachment 12 is semi-permanently engaged with the outlet end 104 of the air-moving appliance 102 to position the diffuser attachment 12 of the diffuser attachment assembly 10 in the first configuration. In the first configuration, airflow is directed outwardly from the air-moving appliance 102 through the inlet end 14 of the diffuser attachment 12 and exits the outlet end 26 of the diffuser surface 28 through the discharge openings 30. The user may position their hair within and/or in close proximity to the diffuser surface 28 to perform a variety of functions, including hair drying. For example, diffuse drying a user's roots/hair closest to the user's scalp. Diffusing is typically used to dry naturally curly hair in its natural curl pattern. Thus, in the first configuration, a user may dry their hair without disrupting their natural curl pattern. Air may be expelled from the discharge openings 30 as the user's hair is positioned within and/or in close proximity to the diffuser surface 28.
The user may engage the inner side 52 of the hair engagement cover 50 to the outlet end 26 of the diffuser attachment 12 to place the diffuser attachment assembly 10 in the second configuration. In the second configuration, the user can engage with the prongs 64 of the hair engagement cover 50 and/or the diffuser surface 28 of the diffuser attachment 12. Airflow from the discharge openings 30 may travel through the lower opening 70 and out the upper openings 68 of the prongs 64. The user may position their hair within and/or in close proximity to the prongs 64 and/or the diffuser surface 28 to perform a variety of functions, including hair drying. For example, a user may dry entire sections of their hair, from for example, root to tip. Thus, in the second configuration, a user may dry their naturally curly hair in its natural curl pattern by retaining/holding sections of hair within the diffuser surface 28. Air may be expelled from the upper openings 68 as the user's hair is positioned in contact with and/or in close proximity to the prongs 64.
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for the elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt the teaching of the invention to particular use, application, manufacturing conditions, use conditions, composition, medium, size, and/or materials without departing from the essential scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention as described herein. Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described examples, it is intended that all matters in the preceding description and shown in the accompanying figures be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
