HAIR STYLING APPLIANCES AND METHODS OF OPERATING SAME

Abstract

A hair styling appliance includes first and second heating plates operatively connected for pivotal displacement relative to one another such that a hair segment positioned between them can be styled. A glide-speed sensing system generates an output having a relation to a speed with which the hair segment is displaced relative to the first and second heating plates. A glide-speed indicating system can communicate feedback to a user, based on the output, such as an indication of a glide speed of the hair styling appliance relative to the associated hair segment. A user input device can receive an input from the user regarding a hair-type classification and/or a hair-condition classification and generate a hair-related output having a relation to the input from the user. A processor communicatively coupled with the user input device can be programmed to determine a predetermined maximum treatment temperature and/or a predetermined glide speed range, based at least partially on the hair-related output from the user input device.

Description

BACKGROUND

The subject matter of the present disclosure broadly relates to personal care appliances and, more particularly, hair styling appliances and methods of operation suitable for use in styling hair, such as hair to which a semi-permanent hair treatment composition has been applied and is ready for activation, for example.

The subject matter of the present disclosure may find particular application and use in conjunction with hair styling appliances for treating (e.g., curling, straightening) hair, and will be shown and described herein with particular reference thereto. As a more specific example, hair styling appliances and methods of operation in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can be configured for operation and use in cooperation with semi-permanent hair treatment compositions, such as semi-permanent hair straightening compositions, for example. It will be appreciated, however, that any such exemplary uses shown and/or described herein are intended to be non-limiting, and that the subject matter of the present disclosure may be amenable to use in other applications and/or environments. Thus, it will be understood that the specific uses and applications shown and described herein are merely exemplary.

Hair styling appliances of a wide variety of types and kinds are well known and commonly used in the styling and/or treatment of hair. In many cases, conventional hair styling appliances include one or more heating elements that are used to raise the temperature of hair being treated to a temperature at which a change in style, shape and/or condition will occur. Non-limiting examples of such hair treatment appliances can include so-called “curling irons” that have a heated barrel around which sections of hair are wrapped and so-called “flat irons” that have opposing heated plates between which sections of hair are drawn. It has long been recognized and is well understood that a variety of different classifications of hair types exist, and that the health conditions of hair vary widely, such as from strong, flexible and otherwise healthy hair to hair that is dry, brittle and/or otherwise damaged. Additionally, it is generally understood that hair styling techniques that utilize the application of heat can, under some circumstances, degrade or at least temporarily damage the hair, and that different types and/or conditions of hair may benefit from the use of different styling temperatures or techniques.

For example, in some cases, hair styling appliances can be used in a manner in which hair is styled using relatively low temperatures and/or during which hair is exposed such temperatures for relatively long periods of time. However, such styling techniques can disadvantageously increase the overall treatment time of a given styling job and, in some cases, can produce less-than-desirable results though aiding in the preservation of hair condition and/or health. In other cases, hair styling appliances can be used in a manner in which hair is styled at higher relative temperatures, which can decrease the overall styling time and, in some cases, improve results though possibly degrading or otherwise reducing hair condition and/or health. However, the effect of conventional styling techniques, such as have been described above, for example, typically last for a short duration, such as a few hours or a few days, depending upon the environmental conditions to which the hair is exposed. As such, conventional styling techniques that simply utilize the application of heat to raise the temperature of hair to that at which styling will occur may need to be regularly and repeated performed to provide a desired appearance. Accordingly, significant amounts of time and effort are often directed to the styling of hair, and such repeated styling activity can result in regular, long-term exposure of hair to elevated temperatures associated with the use of conventional hair styling appliances and method of operation.

Notwithstanding the widespread usage and overall success of conventional constructions and corresponding usage of hair styling appliances and methods of operation that are known in the art, it is believed that a need exists to meet the foregoing and/or other competing goals, and/or to address one or more of the foregoing and/or other disadvantages, while still retaining comparable or improved performance, and/or otherwise advancing the art of hair styling appliances and methods of using the same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

One example of a hair styling appliance in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure is provided that is operable by an associated user to style an associated hair segment. The hair styling appliance can include first and second heating plates operatively connected for pivotal displacement relative to one another between first and second conditions. In the first condition, the first and second heating plates can be disposed in a first orientation relative to one another. In the second condition, the first and second heating plates can be disposed in a second orientation relative to one another. Additionally, in the second condition, the first and second heating plates can be disposed in proximal relation to one another such that an associated hair segment can be disposed therebetween for styling. A glide-speed sensing system can be operative to generate an output, such as a signal, having a relation to a speed with which an associated hair segment disposed between the first and second heating plates is displaced by the associated user relative to the first and second heating plates. In some cases, such a hair styling appliance can be used to style hair segments to which a semi-permanent hair treatment composition has been applied and which is ready for activation.

Another example of a hair styling appliance in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure is provided that is operable by an associated user to style an associated hair segment. The hair styling appliance can include first and second heating plates operatively connected for pivotal displacement relative to one another between first and second conditions. In the first condition, the first and second heating plates can be disposed in a first orientation relative to one another. In the second condition, the first and second heating plates can be disposed in a second orientation relative to one another. Additionally, in the second condition, the first and second heating plates can be disposed in proximal relation to one another such that an associated hair segment can be disposed therebetween for styling. The appliance includes at least one of: a) an optical glide-speed sensing system operative to generate an output having a relation to a speed with which an associated hair segment disposed between the first and second heating plates is displaced by an associated user relative to the first and second heating plates, and b) a glide-speed indicating system operable during use to communicate to the associated user an indication of a glide speed of the hair styling appliance relative to the associated hair segment. In some cases, such a hair styling appliance can be used to style hair segments to which a semi-permanent hair treatment composition has been applied and which is ready for activation.

A further example of a hair styling appliance in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure is provided that is operable by an associated user to style an associated hair segment. The associated hair segment to be styled can have an associated hair-type classification and/or an associated hair-condition classification. The associated hair segment to be styled can also be pre-treated with an associated semi-permanent hair treatment composition having an associated minimum activation temperature. The hair styling appliance can include first and second heating plates operatively connected for pivotal displacement relative to one another between first and second conditions. In the first condition, the first and second heating plates can be disposed in a first orientation relative to one another. In the second condition, the first and second heating plates can be disposed in a second orientation relative to one another. Additionally, in the second condition, the first and second heating plates can be disposed in proximal relation to one another such that an associated segment of hair can be disposed between the plates for styling. A user input device can be operable to generate a hair-related output having a relation to an input from the associated user regarding at least one of the associated hair-type classification and the associated hair-condition classification of the associated hair segment to be styled. A processor can be communicatively coupled with the user input device and can be programmed to determine at least one of a predetermined maximum treatment temperature and a predetermined glide speed range based at least partially on the hair-related output from the user input device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one example of a hair styling appliance in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure shown in an open condition.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the exemplary hair styling appliance in FIG. 1 shown in an open condition.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the exemplary hair styling appliance in FIGS. 1 and 2 shown in a closed condition.

FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the exemplary hair styling appliance in FIGS. 1-3 shown in a closed condition.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the exemplary hair styling appliance in FIGS. 1-4 shown in a closed condition.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the exemplary hair styling appliance in FIGS. 1-5 taken from along line 6-6 in FIG. 4 and shown in a closed condition.

FIG. 7 is the cross-sectional side view of the exemplary hair styling appliance in FIG. 6 shown in an open condition.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the exemplary hair styling appliance in FIGS. 1-7 taken from along line 8-8 in FIG. 4 and shown in an open condition.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the portion of the exemplary hair styling appliance identified as Detail 9 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the portion of the exemplary hair styling appliance identified as Detail 10 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view, in partial cross-section, of the exemplary hair styling appliance in FIGS. 1-10 taken from along line 11-11 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the exemplary hair styling appliance in FIGS. 1-11.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view, in partial cross-section, of the portion of the hair styling appliance identified as Detail 13 in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional plan view of a portion of the exemplary hair styling appliance in FIGS. 1-13 taken from along line 14-14 in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of one example of a control system of a hair styling appliance in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of one example of a glide-speed sensing system in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure and one example of a glide-speed indicating system in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure shown communicatively coupled with the controller of the exemplary control system of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic representation of one example of a method of operating a glide-speed sensing system and a glide-speed indicating system in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure, such as is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of another example of a glide-speed sensing system in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic representation of another example of a method of operating a glide-speed sensing system and a glide-speed indicating system in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure, such as is shown in FIGS. 15, 16 and 18.

FIG. 20 is a graphical representation illustrating the temperature of hair undergoing treatment using conventional hair styling appliances with conventional techniques and a conventional hair styling appliance using a method of operation approximating a method in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning, now, to the drawings, it will be recognized and appreciated that the showings thereof are provided for the purpose of illustrating examples of the subject matter of the present disclosure and which are not to be interpreted as limiting. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the drawings are not to scale and that portions of certain features and/or elements may be exaggerated for purposes of clarity and/or ease of understanding.

FIGS. 1-12 illustrate one example of a hair styling appliance 100 in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure that extends in a lengthwise direction between a first or base end 102 and a second or distal end 104. In some cases, the lengthwise direction may be represented by reference arrows LGT. Appliance 100 is shown as including arms 106 and 108 that are operatively connected with one another along base end 102 for pivotal motion about a pivot axis PAX (FIG. 3) that extends in a widthwise direction. It will be appreciated that the widthwise direction is oriented transverse to lengthwise direction LGT, and is shown and described as being represented by reference arrows WTH. Additionally, it will be appreciated that a heightwise direction can be oriented transverse to lengthwise direction LGT and widthwise direction WTH, as is represented by reference arrows HGT (FIG. 4).

As indicated above, arms 106 and 108 extend in lengthwise direction LGT away from base end 102 toward distal end 104, and are operatively connected for pivotal displacement relative to one another about pivot axis PAX between a first or open condition (with distal ends of arms 106 and 108 in a widely spaced position) and a second or closed condition (with distal ends of arms 106 and 108 in a closely spaced position). It will be appreciated that arms 106 and 108 are shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7-9 as being disposed in the first or open position in which arms 106 and 108 are oriented at an acute angle relative to one another, as is represented in FIG. 7 by reference dimension AG1. Arms 106 and 108 are shown in FIGS. 3-6 as being disposed in the second or closed position in which the arms are oriented in approximate alignment (e.g., parallel) with one another. For reference and ease of understanding, arms 106 and 108 can, in some cases, be described as having a handle section HDL (FIG. 3) disposed toward base end 102 that is configured for an associated user to grasp and manipulate appliance 100 during use. Additionally, arms 106 and 108 can, in some cases, be described as having a heating section HTS (FIG. 3), disposed toward distal end 104 relative to handle section HDL. Heating sections HTS are constructed to be operable during use such that the associated user can capture hair segments therebetween and thereby style or otherwise treat the hair segments.

Arm 106 includes an arm housing 110 that can be formed in any suitable manner and from any suitable combination of one or more walls and/or wall portions. Similarly, arm 108 includes an arm housing 112 that can be formed in any suitable manner and from any suitable combination of one or more walls and/or wall portions. In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1-12, for example, arm housing 110 includes an arm housing wall 114 that at least partially defines an arm housing cavity 116 and arm housing 112 includes an arm housing wall 118 that at least partially defines an arm housing cavity 120. Arm housing wall 114 is shown as including an outer wall portion 122 disposed along handle section HDL and an outer wall portion 124 disposed along heating section HTS with an end wall portion 126 extending in a generally heightwise direction from along outer wall portion 124. In some cases, a handle wall portion 128 can extend outwardly from along outer wall portion 122 and can at least partially define a handle loop 130 together therewith. It will be recognized and appreciated that the handle wall portion and the handle loop are optional, and can be of any suitable size, shape and/or configuration. For example, if provided, handle wall portion 128 can at least partially form a closed handle loop, such as is shown in and described as handle loop 130 in FIGS. 1-9 and 12, for example. Alternately, if provided, the handle wall portion can at least partially form an open handle loop, such as is represented in FIG. 5 by dashed lines OPL, for example.

Arm housing wall 114 can also include an inner wall portion 132 that extends at least partially across housing cavity 116 and is operatively connected to one or more of wall portions 122-126. Similarly, arm housing wall 118 can include an outer wall portion 134 disposed along handle section HDL and an outer wall portion 136 disposed along heating section HTS with an end wall portion 138 extending in a generally heightwise direction from along outer wall portion 136. Arm housing wall 118 can also include an inner wall portion 140 that extends at least partially across housing cavity 120 and is operatively connected to one or more of wall portions 134-138. It will be appreciated that any one or more of wall portions 122-128 and 132 can be operatively secured to one another in any suitable manner, such as by way of one or more snap-fit connections, one or more securement devices (e.g., threaded and/or non-threaded fasteners) and/or one or more flowed-material joints. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any one or more of wall portions 134-140 can be operatively secured to one another in any suitable manner, such as by way of one or more snap-fit connections, one or more securement devices (e.g., threaded and/or non-threaded fasteners) and/o one or more flowed-material joints.

Appliance 100 can also include a heating plate 142 disposed along heating section HTS of arm 106 and a heating plate 144 disposed along the heating section of arm 108. Heating plate 142 extends across arm housing cavity 116, and can be secured on or along arm housing 110 in any suitable manner. As one example, heating plate 142 can be operatively attached to one or more of wall portions 122-126 and/or 132 of arm housing wall 114 with an outer surface 146 of heating plate 142 facing toward arm 108. Additionally, heating plate 144 can be operatively attached to one or more of wall portions 134-140 of arm housing wall 118 with an outer surface 148 of heating plate 144 facing toward arm 106, such that at least heating plates 142 and 144 are, in the closed position, able to be in contact with each other or in closely spaced relation to one another. In some cases, one or more projections or nubs 150 can be disposed on or along one or more of outer wall portion 124, end wall portion 126 and/or inner wall portion 132. Additionally, or in the alternative, one or more of projections or nubs 150 can be disposed on or along one or more of outer wall portion 136, end wall portion 138 and/or inner wall portion 140. It will be appreciated that nubs 150, if provided, can be disposed in spaced relation to one another in the lengthwise direction in an arrangement suitable for aiding in the positioning and retention of hair segments on and along heating plates 142 and 144 during use of appliance 100. The nubs 150 are configured to spread the hair and keep it from sliding off the plates. Each heating plate may have a width HPW of at least 2 inches (at least 5 cm), such as at least 6 cm in the direction of travel relative to the hair, such as up to 3 inches (about 7.6 cm), e.g., about 2.5 inches (about 6.4 cm).

During use, appliance 100 will be repeatedly altered between the first or open condition shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7-9 and the second or closed condition shown in FIGS. 3-6. It will be appreciated that appliance 100 can be configured to have either a normally-open configuration or a normally-closed configuration such that the associated user is only required to manually alter the configuration of the appliance in one direction. In one embodiment, appliance 100 has a normally-open configuration in which arms 106 and 108 are disposed at acute angle AG1 relative to one another. It will be appreciated that any suitable combination of features and/or components can be used to generate a normally-open configuration. As one example, one or more biasing elements 152 can be disposed between arms 106 and 108, and operative to urge the arms into a normally-open configuration of appliance 100. It will be appreciated, however, that other configurations and/or arrangements could alternately be used.

Again, during use, it will be appreciated that heating plates 142 and 144 are heated to and maintained at an operating temperature suitable for styling the hair, such as within a range of from 75° C. to 235° C. The operating temperature may depend upon inputs from an associated user regarding the associated hair-type classification, the associated hair-condition classification and/or other factors associated with the hair segments being styled or otherwise treated. As an example, a maximum temperature of approximately 232° C. could be used in some cases. In one embodiment, an operating temperature for the heating elements will be maintained at a level that is suitable for raising and maintaining the temperature of the hair segments being treated to at least an activation temperature for a semi-permanent hair straightening composition or other similar product.

It will be appreciated that heating plates 142 and 144 can be of any suitable type, kind and/or construction. As one example, the heating plates may be formed from a metal material (e.g., aluminum) that is thermally coupled (e.g., conductively coupled) with heating elements 142E and 144E, respectively. In such case, heating elements 142E and 144E may be formed from a ceramic material having a temperature-variable resistance that increases as the material temperature increases. In some cases, a ceramic material known as a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) ceramic could be used. In such constructions, heating elements 142E and 144E can be communicatively coupled with an electrical power source in any manner suitable for the operation and desired performance of the heating plates. Due to the elevated temperatures associated with the operation of heating elements 142E and 144E together, respectively, with heating plates 142 and 144, appliance 100 can, optionally, include a quantity of insulating material 154 between the heating elements and any adjacent walls and/or wall portions. In one embodiment, only one of the heating plates 142 or 144 is coupled with a heating element 142E or 144E, the other heating plate receiving heat through transfer of heat from the other heating plate.

In one embodiment, appliance 100 includes a power cord 156 communicatively coupled with a control system 158 of the appliance. Among other functions, control system 158 can directly or indirectly control the transfer of electrical energy from power cord 156 to operate heating elements 142E and 144E to thereby thermally control heating plates 142 and 144, as well as to directly or indirectly control other features, elements and functions of the hair styling appliance.

As discussed above, hair styling appliance 100 can be operable based on one or more of inputs, settings, information and/or data entered or otherwise provided by an associated user, such as may relate to an associated hair-type classification and/or an associated hair-condition classification, for example, or a desired operating temperature. Non-limiting examples of hair-type classifications can include any combination of one or more of curl amount (e.g., straight, wavy, curly), hair thickness (e.g., thin, medium, thick), length (e.g., short, medium, long). Non-limiting examples of hair-condition classifications can include healthy, treated and damaged. It will be appreciated that any suitable combination of features, elements and/or systems can be used by the associated user to communicate the one or more of inputs, settings, information and/or data to control system 158. As one example, appliance 100 can include one or more user input devices 160-168, such as may take the form of physical buttons or touch-screen representations of buttons, for example. User input devices 162-168 can be disposed on or along any combination of walls and for wall portions of application 100, such as on or along any one or more of wall portions 122-128 and/or 132-140, for example. In one exemplary arrangement shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 7, 11, 12 and 15, input device 160 can function as a power button and input devices 162-168 can respectively correspond to first, second, third and fourth performance settings. As non-limiting examples, such performance settings can have a relation to or association with factors such as hair-type classifications, hair-condition classifications, treatment temperature settings, number of treatment passes, and/or any combination of the foregoing and/or other factors. It will be appreciated, however, that other configurations and/or arrangements could alternately be used. As one example, one or more toggle and selection buttons together with a display screen or readout could be used. As another example, the hair styling appliance may include a wired or wireless communication device such that an external device, such as a computer, tablet or smartphone, for example, may be used to communicate inputs to and display outputs from the hair styling appliance.

FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of one example of control system 158 of hair styling appliance 100. Control system 158 is shown as including a controller 170 that is communicatively coupled with various devices and components of control system 158 and/or appliance 100, such as may be suitable for sending, receiving and/or otherwise communicating signals, data, values and/or information to, from and/or otherwise between the controller and one or more of the devices and/or components of the appliance. It will be appreciated that controller 170 can include any suitable hardware, software and/or combination thereof for configuration and operation of a hair styling appliance in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure. For example, controller 170 can include a hardware processing device, which can be of any suitable type, kind and/or configuration, such as a processor, for example, for processing and/or handling data, executing software routines/programs, and other functions relating to the performance and/or operation of appliance 100. Additionally, the controller can include non-transitory memory of any suitable type, kind and/or configuration that can be used to store software instructions for implementing the methods described herein, as well as parameters, settings, inputs, data, values and/or other information for use in association with the performance and/or operation of appliance 100. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 15, controller 170 includes a processor 172 and a memory 174, which is represented by boxes 174A and 174B. Processor and memory may be communicatively linked by a data/control bus.

As is schematically represented in FIG. 15, control system 158 can include a driver 176, such as a mosFET or other suitable field effect transistor, for example, or other suitable circuitry that is communicatively coupled between controller 170 and heating plates 142 and 144 (and/or corresponding heating elements 142E and 144E thereof). In one embodiment, control system 158 can include one or more temperature sensors 178 that can be operatively associated with one or more of heating plates 142 and/or 144 in a suitable manner. Temperature sensors 178 are operative to generate outputs, signals, data or other information having a relation to an operating temperature of the heating plates and/or a hair temperature of the hair segment being styled. Temperature sensors 178 may be communicatively coupled with controller 170 such that outputs, signals, data and/or other information can be communicated to the controller for use by processor 172 and/or storage in memory 174. In some cases, control system 158 can, optionally, include a visual indicator or display 180 suitable for communicating, to the user, a specific temperature associated with the use of the hair styling appliance. In some cases, display 180 could be a digital screen or readout indicating a specific temperature. In other cases, display 180 could be a suitable light source or lamp indicating that a desired usage temperature has been reached.

As indicated above, it may be desirable under certain conditions of use, such as those associated with the activation of semi-permanent hair straightening compositions or other similar products, as has been described above, to raise the temperature of the hair segment being styled or otherwise treated to at least a predetermined treatment temperature for a predetermined period of time without applying excessive heat to the hair segment and thereby damaging or degrading the hair. A hair styling appliance in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure, such as appliance 100, for example, may include software instructions stored in memory 174 that determine a glide speed range for the appliance which is based on the thermal output of the heating plates. This may include combining the thermal output of the heating plates (e.g., a temperature or temperature setting) with one or more inputs having a relation to an associated hair-type classification and/or an associated hair-condition classification to determine a glide speed range within which the appliance should travel along the hair segment to achieve the desired styling or treatment. Since the heating appliance tends to increase the temperature of the hair with each successive pass, the number of passes through the hair may be taken into account. For example, users may be instructed to glide the appliance through the hair five times.

In some cases, the appliance may be operative to indicate to the associated user the number of passes to be applied for a particular treatment or use. Additionally, in some cases, the appliance may be operative to indicate the number of remaining passes to be applied for an ongoing treatment. In some cases, the appliance may be operative to identify or detect a user input as an indication that the treatment of one segment of hair has been completed and that the associated user is ready to move on to another segment of hair to be treated. Non-limiting examples of such user inputs can include a physical movement, such as contact with or movement of one of input devices 162-168, placing the appliance in an otherwise uncharacteristic orientation (e.g., heating section oriented vertically upward or downward) and/or moving the appliance in an otherwise uncharacteristic manner (e.g., a shaking, rotating or pivoting action). It will be appreciated that the number of passes associated with any such features can vary from performance setting-to-performance setting of the appliance. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the number of passes to be applied and/or the number of remaining passes can be communicated to the associated user in any suitable manner, such as visually, haptically and/or audibly, as is described herein in connection with other features of the appliance. Finally, it will be appreciated that the number of passes to be applied and/or the number of remaining passes can be monitored and/or determined using any suitable combination of hardware, software and/or any combination thereof. As non-limiting examples, hardware such as one or more of input devices 162-168, sensor 186′ (described hereinafter) and/or switch 242′ (described hereinafter) can be communicatively coupled with controller 170 to monitor or determine the number of passes to be applied and/or the number of remaining passes based on signals, data, values and/or information communicated therebetween.

Additionally, a hair styling appliance in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure, such as appliance 100, for example, can include one or more features, elements and/or systems operative to provide real time feedback to an associated user. Non-limiting examples of such features, elements and/or systems can include components operative to generate visual, haptic and/or audible communications perceivable to the associated user during use of the hair styling appliance in operation. It will be appreciated that during self-styling applications and/or usage, the appliance may, at times, be positioned out of sight of the associated user, such as when treating hair segments along the back of the head of the associated user, for example. As such, it may, in some cases, be desirable for features, elements and/or systems operative to generate visual, haptic and/or audible communications to be perceivable to the associated user during such conditions of use. As an example, appliance 100 can include a glide-speed indicator or glide-speed indicating system 182 operative to provide real-time glide-speed feedback to the associated user thereby causing the associated user to increase, decrease or maintain glide speed during a given treatment to heat the hair such that it is styled by the appliance while avoiding undue damage. The user may also be given a warning if a safe number of passes through a given hair strand has been reached.

It will be appreciated that glide speed during use of a hair styling appliance in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can be determined and/or monitored in any suitable manner. As one example, appliance 100 may include a glide-speed sensing system 184 that is operative to generate a speed-related output, such as an electrical signal. The speed-related output may have a relation to a speed with which a hair segment is displaced relative to the appliance, in particular, relative to the first and/or second heating plates though which the hair is drawn. The illustrated optical glide-speed sensing system 184 is communicatively coupled with controller 170 and operative to optically sense displacement of hair segments moving relative to one or more of heating plates 142 and/or 144. In one embodiment, the glide-speed sensing system 184 may include an optical sensor 186 disposed, during use, in visual communication with hair segments moving along or across one or more of the heating plates. The sensor 186 may be disposed on or along one of arms 106 and 108, and is in visually communication with hair segments displaced therebetween through an opening or hole in the corresponding heating plate. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 8, 9, 12 and 13, glide-speed sensing system 184 can be disposed on or along arm 106 and/or 108, and an opening or hole 188 may extend at least partially through heating plate 142 and/or 144 such that sensor 186 may be disposed in optical communication with hair segments being styled through opening 188. Nubs 150, which are optional, can help to ensure that at least a portion of the hair travels relative to the opening in widthwise direction WTH. Additionally, system 184 may include a light source 190 disposed in optical communication with opening 188 to illuminate hair segments traveling thereacross during use of appliance 100. In some cases, a lens or optical element 192 may be disposed within opening 188 to provide a smooth and sealed surface on or along the heating plate. In an example arrangement, however, an optical conduit can be used, as described below, and the lens or optical element can be omitted.

In operation, light source 190 can illuminate the hair segments being styled or otherwise treated. It will be appreciated that light source 190 can be of any suitable type or kind, such as an LED, a laser diode or another light source, for example. Sensor 186 may include an image detector, such as may be integrated on a single chip with an optical navigation processor, for example. In some cases, the sensor and/or the light source may be disposed in proximal relation to the opening in the heating plate for direct viewing and/or illumination therethrough. In such cases, lens or optical element 192 could be used. In one embodiment, sensor 186 and light source 190 may be disposed in spaced relation to opening 188 thereby distancing the sensor and light source from the heat associated with the heating plate (e.g., heating plate) 142 or 144. In such cases, an optical conduit 194 may extend between and optically interconnect sensor 186 and/or light source 190 with opening 188 such that the sensor and/or light source is/are in optical communication therewith. In some cases, optical conduit 194 can function as a light guide or light pipe that is operative to carry illuminating light from an associated light source (e.g., light source 190) to another location. In other cases, optical conduit 194 can function as an image conduit that is operative to communicate an image from the image source or area to another location (e.g., optical sensor 186). In still other cases, optical conduit 194 can function as both a light guide and an image conduit that is operative to both carry illuminating light from a light source to a distant location as well as an image conduit that is operative to carry an image from an image source to another location.

In some cases, a lens or optical element 196 may, optionally, be disposed in optical communication between optical conduit 194 and the sensor and/or light source. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 12-14, for example, optical element 196 is optically positioned between sensor 186 and optical conduit 194 with light source 190 optically communicating directly with optical conduit 194. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 16, for example, optical element 196 is positioned such that sensor 186 and light source 190 are disposed on one side of the optical element with optical conduit 194 disposed on the other side of optical element 196. In some cases, optical conduit 194, which may take the form of coherent fiber optic bundle, for example, can include optically isolated conduit portions. In such case, light source 190 can illuminate a hair segment HRS (FIG. 16) by directing light along optical conduit 194 as is represented by arrow 194A and out through opening 188 in the heating plate (e.g., heating plate 142). Light reflected off the hair segment HRS can be directed back along optical conduit 194 as is represented by arrow 194B and can travel through optical element 196, if included, to deliver an image of the hair segment to sensor 186, such as to a solid state image detector thereof. It will be appreciated that at least sensor 186 and light source 190 can be communicatively coupled with controller 170 and/or control system 158 in any suitable manner, such as by way of electrical conductors 198 and 200, for example.

In one embodiment, such as is illustrated in at least FIGS. 1, 2, 6-9, 12-14 and 16, glide speed sensing system 184 can include a support housing 202 on or along which one, two, or more of sensor 186, light source 190, optical conduit 194 and/or optical element 196 can be supported or otherwise secured, e.g., to maintain their relative positions. It will be appreciated that housing 202 can be formed from any suitable material (e.g., metal, polymeric) or combination of materials, and can include any suitable number of components, walls and/or wall portions. For example, housing 202 can include a housing wall 204 that at least partially defines a housing chamber 206. Housing wall 204 can include a wall portion 208 that at least partially defines an opening 210 that is disposed in communication with housing chamber 206 and dimensioned to at least partially receive an end 212 of optical conduit 194. Housing wall 204 can also include a wall portion 214 that at least partially defines an opening 216 in communication with housing chamber 206 and through which sensor 186 can be disposed in optical communication with end 212 of optical conduit 194. In one embodiment, opening 216 can be dimensioned to receive at least portion of one or more of sensor 186 and/or optical element 196 such that the sensor and/or the optical element can be secured in, on, or along housing 202. Additionally, in one embodiment, end 212 of optical conduit 194 and one of more of sensor 186 and optical element 196 can be disposed in, on, or along housing 202 in at least approximate alignment (e.g., collinear) with one another, such as is represented by centerline CL in FIG. 14. Housing wall 204 can further include a wall portion 218 that at least partially defines an opening 220 in communication with housing chamber 206 and through which light source 190 can optically communicate with end 212 of optical conduit 194. In one embodiment, opening 220 can be dimensioned to receive at least a portion of light source 190 such that the light source can be secured on or along housing 202. As shown in at least FIG. 14, in one embodiment, light source 190 can be oriented collinear with or disposed at an acute angle relative to end 212 of optical conduit 194, sensor 186 and/or optical element 196, such as is represented by reference dimension AG2. Reference dimension AG2 can have a value within a range of from approximately zero (0) degrees to approximately eighty (80) degrees, and in another embodiment, reference dimension AG2 can have a value within a range of from approximately twenty (20) degrees to approximately sixty (60) degrees. The reference dimension can be less than seventy (70) degrees or less than sixty (60) degrees or less than fifty (50) degrees.

Optical conduit 194 is shown in at least FIGS. 9, 12-14 and 16 as extending from end 212 disposed toward housing 202 to an end 222 disposed toward opening 188 in heating plate 142 and/or 144. It will be appreciated that optical conduit 194 can be of any configuration and/or arrangement suitable for providing optical communication between ends 212 and 222. For example, optical conduit 194 is shown as having a generally L-shaped configuration with a leg (not numbered) extending from end 212 toward a corner or radius (not numbered), and a leg extending from the corner or radius toward end 222 such that the two legs extend in transverse orientation relative to one another. Additionally, optical conduit 194 may have an end surface area 224 at end 212 and an end surface area 226 disposed at end 222. In one embodiment, end surface areas 224 and 226 are oriented transverse to ends 212 and 222, respectively, and can have a generally planar configuration.

The position of end surface area 224 relative to sensor 186, optical element 196 and/or light source 190 can favorably influence the performance and/or operation of glide speed sensing system 184. More specifically, it has been determined to be desirable to secure and maintain sensor 186 and end surface area 224 relative to one another such that illumination from light source 190 can enter optical conduit 194 without sensor 186 obscuring a substantial amount of light while maintaining end surface area 224 within a predetermined focal length of optical sensor 186, such as is represented by reference dimension D1 in FIG. 14. In one embodiment, reference dimension D1 can have a value within a range of from approximately zero (0) inches (0 cm) to approximately two (2) inches (5.1 cm). In another embodiment, reference dimension D1 can have a value within a range of from approximately one-tenth (0.1) of an inch (0.3 cm) to approximately four-tenths (0.4) of an inch (1.0 cm). It will be appreciated that end 212, optical sensor 186, light source 190 and optical element 196 can be secured on or along housing 202 in any suitable manner. As non-limiting examples, end 212 and optical sensor can be secured on or along housing wall 204 by way of a flowed-material joint. As additional non-limiting examples, optical sensor 186 and optical element 196 could be captured against or otherwise retained along (either directly or indirectly) by way of a retaining clip 228, for example.

Additionally, it has been determined that the position of end surface area 226 relative to outer surface 146 of heating plate 142 and/or relative to outer surface 148 of heating plate 144 can also favorably influence the performance and/or operation of glide speed sensing system 184. More specifically, it has been determined to be desirable to secure and maintain optical conduit 194 on or along arm housing 112 and/or 114 such that the end surface area 226 is positioned relative to the outer surface of the heating plate, such as is represented by reference dimension D2 in FIG. 9. In one embodiment, reference dimension D2 can have a value within a range of from approximately zero (0) inches (0 cm) to approximately one-tenth (0.1) of an inch (0.3 cm). In particular, reference dimension D1 can have a value within a range of from approximately zero (0) inches (0 cm) to approximately four-one hundredths (0.04) of an inch (0.1 cm). In such an arrangement, end surface area 226 can be even with or project outwardly from the outer surface of the heating plate to thereby promote contact of the hair segments that are being treated with the end surface area of the optical conduit. It will be appreciated that optical conduit 194 can be secured on or along arm housing 112 and/or 114 in any suitable manner, such as by way of a retaining bracket 230, for example.

In operation, processor 172 or another component of control system 158 can compare successive images of the hair segment and, considering known timing between image states, determine or at least approximate a glide speed in one or two directions of travel (e.g., widthwise and/or lengthwise). In one embodiment, a glide speed in a direction at least approximately aligned with the hair segments (i.e., the widthwise direction) can be determined or otherwise monitored. In one embodiment, an absolute value of glide speed may be determined such that the control system can at least approximate glide speed regardless of directionality in order to be independent of left or right handed operation. In some cases, glide speed can be computed on a rolling basis in real time, and can be compared to upper and lower limits, such as may be predetermined by processor 172 from user inputs described above and/or retrieved from memory 172, for example.

In another embodiment, the glide speed sensing system 184 may include one or more accelerometers or other speed detection components whose outputs are used by the processor 172, singly or in combination, to determine the glide speed. In this embodiment, it may be assumed that the hair remains stationary, and that only the appliance moves so that the accelerometer outputs correspond to the displacement of the hair relative to the heating plates.

As discussed above, a hair styling appliance in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure, such as appliance 100, for example, can include a glide-speed indicating system, such as glide-speed indicating system 182, for example, that is operative to provide real-time glide-speed feedback to the associated user thereby permitting the associated user to increase, decrease or maintain glide speed to achieve the desired styling or treatment results. It will be appreciated that any suitable configuration of systems, components and/or elements may be used in forming a glide-speed indicating system. As one example, glide-speed indicating system 182 may include a light source 232 communicatively coupled with controller 170. Light source 232 may include one or more light emitting elements, such as LEDs, for example, that are operative to emit light in one or more colors and/or patterns, such as may be suitable for communicating to the associated user whether (or not) appliance 100 is being used within a predetermined range of glide speeds to achieve the desired styling or treatment results or, instead, whether the glide speed should be increased or decreased to achieve the desired styling or treatment results. In this manner, the associated user may be alerted if glide speed falls outside of the desired speed range and/or may be notified when the glide speed is within the desired speed range. It will be appreciated that the alert, notification or other indication may be communicated using any combination of colors and flashing/non-flashing light patterns.

As mentioned above, it will be recognized an appreciated that, in some cases, the associated user may be using a hair styling appliance in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure under conditions of use in which all or part of the hair styling appliance is obscured or otherwise not visible. As such, a glide-speed indicating system in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure, such as glide-speed indicating system 182, for example, may include an elongated indicator body 234 optically coupled with light source 232. The elongated indicator body 234 may extend lengthwise between opposing ends 236 and 238 with end 236 disposed toward and optically coupled with light source 232. End 238 is disposed in spaced relation to base end 102 of the hair styling appliance. Elongated indicator body 234 may be at least partially formed from one of a transparent and a translucent material. As such, colors and/or patterns of light emitted from light source 232 can illuminate at least a portion of elongated indicator body 234. In this manner, a portion of the elongated indicator body may have a visually-observable exterior surface 240 that can be operable during use to communicate at least first and second visual conditions to the associated user.

In the case of haptic feedback, the glide-speed indicating system may include an actuator which vibrates to provide different types of feedback, e.g., slow rate vibrations to indicate that the user should reduce the glide speed and higher rate vibrations to indicate that the glide speed should be increased. In the case of audible feedback, different sounds, or verbal instructions, may be used to indicate that the user should reduce/increase (and/or maintain) the glide speed.

In one exemplary method for styling hair (keratin fibers) with a hair styling appliance as described herein, the hair to be styled (e.g., straightened), may be coated with a hair treatment composition comprising a thermally-activated agent. The coated keratin fibers are contacted with the hair styling appliance at a suitable temperature for styling, such as a temperature of at least 185° C., in the case of hair straightening, for sufficient time to modify the keratin fibers. The associated user may be instructed to apply a plurality of passes of the appliance, such as at least two or at least three, or up to eight passes, to each strand of hair. In some cases, the appliance may be operative to indicate to the associated user the number of passes to be applied for a particular treatment or use. Additionally, in some cases, the appliance may be operative to indicate the number of remaining passes to be applied for an ongoing treatment. While the hair styling appliance moves relative to the keratin fibers, e.g., is pulled with a downward motion through the hair, the hair styling appliance detects the relative motion and determines whether the appliance is being moved at a glide speed within an appropriate glide speed range, which is dependent on the temperature of the surface contacting the hair. Feedback, in the form of a user-detectable output, such as a visual, auditory, and/or haptic signal, is provided to the user, e.g., to indicate when the glide speed of the appliance is outside the glide speed range.

The composition used in the method may be as described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0374604, published Dec. 31, 2015, entitled SEMI-PERMANENT HAIR STRAIGHTENING COMPOSITION AND METHOD, by Murat Kadir, et al., and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016/0296449, published Oct. 13, 2016, entitled SEMI-PERMANENT HAIR STRAIGHTENING COMPOSITION AND METHOD, by Murat Kadir, et al. In this composition, the thermally-activated agent has the general formula of Structure (I):

where:

A is selected from N and O;

R and R′ are independently selected from H, CH₃, CH₂CH₃, and CH₂OH;

X and Y are independently selected from H and alkyl; and

n=0 or 1.

Example thermally-activated agents include a 1,3-dioxolan-2-one, a 1,3-dioxan-2-one, and mixtures thereof, such as one or more of ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, and glycerol carbonate. The thermally-activated agent may be, in total, at least 5 wt. %, or at least 15 wt. % of the composition. The composition may further include a solvent and optionally at least one of a cationic surfactant and a rheology modifier. Useful solvents which may be employed include liquids, such as water (deionized, distilled or purified), alcohols, such as C₁-C₁₀ aliphatic and aromatic alcohols (including diols and triols, such as glycols, e.g., ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and glycerin), polyols, and the like, and mixtures thereof. Suitable classes of cationic surfactants alkyl amines, alkyl imidazolines, ethoxylated amines, quaternary compounds, and quaternized esters. In addition, alkyl amine oxides can function as a cationic surfactant at a low pH. The composition may have a pH of less than 7.5, or less than 6.5, and a viscosity of at least 400 cps.

The appliance may also be used with formaldehyde-based and glyoxylic acid-based hair treatment compositions, at a heating plate operating temperature of, for example, 200-230° C.

The appliance may also be used with hair treatment compositions for repairing damaged hair or strengthening the hair. Such compositions are described, for example, in U.S. Pub. Nos. 20040247553, 20070116661, 20120183486, 20150297496 and WO 2002078655. Such compositions may include compounds including one or more functional groups capable of boding to hair fibers, such as amine, thio, hydroxy, carboxylic acid, anhydride groups and the like.

In one embodiment, a kit includes a hairstyling appliance as described herein and a hair treatment composition comprising a thermally-activated agent. The kit may include packaging which holds the appliance and composition and may further include a set of instructions for applying the composition to the hair and styling the hair with the appliance.

One example of a method of operation 300 is shown in FIG. 17 as including an initiation block 302 upon which operation of a glide-speed sensing system 184 and a glide-speed indicating system 182 commence operation. Method 300 can include requesting position data, such as by using glide-speed sensing system 184 and/or controller 170, for example, as is indicated by block 304. Method 300 can include receiving position data, such as by receiving sequential images at sensor 186, for example, as is represented by block 306. Method 300 can further include computing or otherwise determining a glide speed using relative position data from block 306, such as by calculating a distance traveled from one image to a sequential or otherwise later image using sensor 186 and/or controller 170, as is represented by block 308.

Method 300 then reaches a decision block 310 at which a determination is made as to whether or not the calculated or otherwise computed glide speed is within a predetermined range of glide speeds for achieving a desired styling or treatment result. For example, the glide speed at which the hair segment disposed between the first and second heating plates is displaced by the user relative to the first and second heating plates is compared with a predetermined speed. The predetermined speed can have been previously determined, e.g., by performing experiments on hair samples with the apparatus and hair treatment composition to be used to achieve a desired dwell time for the hair segment when a predetermined number of passes (e.g., 5 or 6 passes) of the appliance relative to the hair segment is performed at a given temperature setting of the heating plates. Experiments can be performed at two or more temperature settings, depending on the range of temperatures at which the apparatus is permitted to operate. If the difference between the glide speed and predetermined speed exceeds a threshold amount, the glide speed is determined not to be within a predetermined range.

Upon reaching a YES determination at decision block 310 (glide speed is within the predetermined range), method 300 can proceed to generate a first user-detectable condition, e.g., a visual, auditory, or tactile output signal (or absence of output signal), using glide-speed indicating system 182 that can correspond to the glide speed being within the predetermined glide speed range, as is represented by block 312. Upon reaching a NO determination at decision block 310, method 300 can proceed to generate a second user-detectable condition, e.g., a visual, auditory, or tactile output signal (or absence of output signal, when the first output signal is not an absence of output signal) corresponding to the glide speed being outside the predetermined glide speed range, as is represented by block 314. In one arrangement, method 300 can be repeated indefinitely during operation of appliance 100, as are represented by arrows 316 and 318 that extend respectively from block 312 and 314 to block 304.

Another example of a glide-speed sensing system 184′ in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure is shown and described in connection with FIGS. 18 and 19 together with FIG. 15. In one embodiment, glide-speed sensing system 184′ can include a sensor 186′ of a type and kind commonly referred to as an inertial measurement unit that includes multiple sensing elements operative to generate outputs, signals, data or other information having a relation to gravity-corrected acceleration and orientation data. For example, sensor 186′ can be communicatively coupled with controller 170, and can generate outputs, signals, data or other information having a relation to any one or more of three axes of acceleration, which are identified in FIG. 18 by arrows X_a, Y_a and Z_a, having a relation to any one or more of three axes of gyroscopic orientation, which are identified in FIG. 18 by arrows X_g, Y_g and Z_g, and, optionally, having a relation to any one or more of three axes of magnetometer, which are identified in FIG. 18 by reference characters X_m, Y_m and Z_m. Additionally, in one embodiment, sensor 186′ can be operatively associated with one of arms 106 and 108, and oriented or otherwise positioned such that one of the axes of acceleration (e.g., arrow X_a) is at least approximately aligned with a direction of relative movement between the hair segment and the hair styling appliance. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, sensor 186′ is oriented such that acceleration axis X_a is disposed in substantial alignment with arrow WTH representing movement of hair segments in a widthwise direction. The glide-speed sensing system 184′ may also include a switch or sensor 242′ that can be operatively connected between arms 106 and 108. Switch 242′ can be communicatively coupled with controller 170, and can be operative to generate outputs, signals, data or other information having a relation the proximity of arms 106 and 108 (or components operatively associated therewith) relative to one another, such as is represented in FIG. 18 by arrow 244′. In one embodiment, the switch 242′ is operative to communicate to controller 170 occurrences of arms 106 and 108 moving from an open condition to a closed condition. At such times, appliance 100 may be in condition for use and controller 170 can be operative to reset or re-zero a glide speed measurement from sensor 186′ to correspond to the speed of movement of the appliance along a hair segment.

Another example of a method of operation 400 is shown in FIG. 19 as including an initiation block 402 upon which operation of a glide-speed sensing system 184′ and a glide-speed indicating system 182 commence operation. Method 400 can include performing one or more calibration actions in association with sensor 186′, as is represented by block 404. Method 400 then reaches a decision box 406 at which a determination is made as to whether or not arms 106 and 108 have been moved into a closed condition such that the appliance is ready for use, such as may be indicated by switch 242′, for example. Upon reaching a NO determination at decision box 406, the inquiry is repeated indefinitely until a YES determination is reached or further styling is discontinued. Upon reaching a YES determination at decision box 406, method 400 reaches block 408 at which the speed output by sensor 184′ is reset or otherwise re-zeroed. Method 400 proceeds to request acceleration outputs, signals, data or other information from sensor 186′ corresponding to the acceleration levels experienced from the time that the sensor was reset or otherwise re-zeroed, as is represented by block 410. In some cases, method 400 can include performing a filtering function, as is represented by block 412.

Method 400 can also include computing an average acceleration value at a time T₁, as represented by block 414. Method 400 can further include calculating a differential speed, as indicated by block 416, and determining a glide speed as is represented by block 418. Method 400 then reaches a decision block 420 at which a determination is made as to whether or not the calculated or otherwise computed glide speed is within a predetermined range of glide speeds for achieving a desired styling or treatment result. Upon reaching a YES determination at decision block 420, method 400 can proceed to generate a first visual condition using glide-speed indicating system 182 that can correspond to the glide speed being within the predetermined glide speed range, such as has been described above in connection with block 312. Upon reaching a NO determination at decision block 420, method 400 can proceed to generate a second visual condition corresponding to the glide speed being outside the predetermined glide speed range, such as has been described above in connection with block 314. Method 400 is shown proceeding to a decision block 422 at which a determination is made as to whether or not further styling or treatment activity has been discontinued. Upon reaching a NO determination at decision block 422, method 400 can proceed to block 410 for further operation of method 400, as is represented by arrow 424. Upon reaching a YES determination at decision block 422, method 400 can return to decision block 406, as indicated by arrow 426, at which a determination is made as to whether or not arms 106 and 108 have been moved into a closed condition such that the appliance is again ready for use.

FIG. 20 graphically illustrates examples of temperature versus time profiles of hair undergoing treatment using conventional hair styling appliances according to traditional methods of operation as well as a method in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure. The area under the curve represented by line CON1 represents thermal energy transferred into a hair tress using a first conventional flat iron having a heating plate width of approximately 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) and using a conventional method of operation. The area under the curve represented by line CON2 represents thermal energy transferred into a hair tress using a second conventional flat iron having a heating plate width of approximately 1.75 inches (4.4 cm) and using a conventional method of operation. The area under the curve represented by line MTH represents thermal energy transferred into a hair tress using a third conventional flat iron having a heating plate width of approximately 1.75 inches and using a method of operation approximating a method in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that the hair temperature achieved in the three examples are within approximate 10° C. of one another. However, the extended duration of hair treatment generated along line APL1 results in significantly increased thermal input into the hair tress.

It is to be understood that various directional and orientational terms such as “front”, “back”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “height”, “length, “width”, “depth”, “upper”, “lower” and the like are used herein only for convenience to establish and/or differentiate certain features or elements relative to other features or elements. Any use herein of the foregoing and/or other similar terms is intended to be non-limiting, and no fixed or absolute directional or orientational or geometrical limitations are intended by the use of these terms. Thus, it will be appreciated that if reoriented, different directional or orientational or geometrical terms may be used in the description and/or identification of any such features or elements and that any such re-labeling will not alter the function or interrelationships between any such features or elements.

As used herein with reference to certain features, elements, components and/or structures, numerical ordinals (e.g., first, second, third, fourth, etc.) may be used to denote different singles of a plurality or otherwise identify certain features, elements, components and/or structures, and do not imply any order or sequence unless specifically defined by the claim language. Additionally, the terms “transverse,” and the like, are to be broadly interpreted. As such, the terms “transverse,” and the like, can include a wide range of relative angular orientations that include, but are not limited to, an approximately perpendicular angular orientation.

Furthermore, the phrase “flowed-material joint” and the like are to be interpreted to include any joint or connection in which a liquid or otherwise flowable material (e.g., a melted material or combination of melted materials) is deposited or otherwise presented between adjacent component parts and operative to form a fixed and substantially fluid-tight connection therebetween. Examples of processes that can be used to form such a flowed-material joint include, without limitation, welding processes, brazing processes and soldering processes. In such cases, one or more metal, metal alloy, or polymeric materials can be used to form such a flowed-material joint, in addition to any material from the component parts themselves. Another example of a process that can be used to form a flowed-material joint includes applying, depositing or otherwise presenting an adhesive between adjacent component parts that is operative to form a fixed and substantially fluid-tight connection therebetween. In such case, it will be appreciated that any suitable adhesive material or combination of materials can be used, such as one-part and/or two-part epoxies, for example.

Each of the documents referred to above is incorporated herein by reference.

It will be recognized that numerous different features and/or components are presented in the embodiments shown and described herein, and that no one embodiment may be specifically shown and described as including all such features and components. However, it is to be understood that the subject matter of the present disclosure is intended to encompass any and all combinations of the different features and components that are shown and described herein, and, without limitation, that any suitable arrangement of features and components, in any combination, can be used. Thus it is to be distinctly understood claims directed to any such combination of features and/or components, whether or not specifically embodied herein, are intended to find support in the present disclosure.

Thus, while the subject matter of the present disclosure has been described with reference to the foregoing embodiments and considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the structures and structural interrelationships between the component parts of the embodiments disclosed, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the embodiments illustrated and described without departing from the principles hereof. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. Accordingly, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the subject matter of the present disclosure and not as a limitation. As such, it is intended that the subject matter of the present disclosure be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A hair styling appliance operable by an associated user to style an associated hair segment, the hair styling appliance comprising: first and second heating plates operatively connected for pivotal displacement relative to one another between a first condition in which the first and second heating plates are disposed in a first orientation relative to one another and a second condition in which the first and second heating plates are disposed in a second orientation relative to one another such that in the second condition the first and second heating plates are disposed in proximal relation to one another such that an associated hair segment can be treated therebetween;at least one of: a glide-speed sensing system operative to generate an output having a relation to a speed with which an associated hair segment disposed between the first and second heating plates is displaced by an associated user relative to the first and second heating plates, anda glide-speed indicating system operable during use to communicate to the associated user an indication of a glide speed of the hair styling appliance relative to the associated hair segment; anda user input device operable to generate a hair-related output having a relation to an input from the associated user regarding at least one of the hair-type classification and the hair-condition classification of the associated hair segment to be treated.

2. A hair styling appliance according to claim 1, wherein the first heating plate includes an opening extending therethrough.

3. A hair styling appliance according to claim 2, wherein the glide-speed sensing system includes a motion sensor in optical communication with the opening in the first heating plate.

4. A hair styling appliance according to claim 2, wherein the glide-speed sensing system includes a light source in optical communication with the opening in the first heating plate.

5. A hair styling appliance according to claim 2, wherein the glide-speed sensing system includes an optical transmission element disposed within the opening.

6. A hair styling appliance according to claim 3, wherein motion sensor is operable to generate the output having a relation to a speed with which an associated hair segment is displaced by the associated user across the opening.

7. A hair styling appliance according to claim 6, wherein the motion sensor is disposed in spaced relation to the opening, and the glide-speed sensing system includes an optical conduit disposed in optical communication between the motion sensor and the opening.

8. A hair styling appliance according to claim 6, wherein the glide-speed sensing system includes an optical conduit disposed in optical communication between the light source and the opening.

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. A hair styling appliance according to claim 1, wherein the first heating plate has a width across which the associated hair segment is displaced by the associated user during use, and the glide-speed sensing system includes a motion sensor having a first axis and operable to generate an output having a relation to motion in a direction along the first axis, the motion sensor positioned such that the first axis is oriented in an approximately widthwise direction of the first heating plate.

13. A hair styling appliance according to claim 12, wherein the motion sensor includes at least one of an accelerometer and an inertial measurement unit.

14. A hair styling appliance according to claim 12, wherein the glide-speed sensing system includes an electrical element which generates information having a relation the proximity of respective arms attached to the first and second heating plates when the arms move from an open position to a closed position.

15. A hair styling appliance according to claim 14, wherein the electrical element is communicatively coupled with the motion sensor such that the output of the motion sensor is reset to correspond to an approximately zero-speed condition in the closed position.

16. A hair styling appliance according to claim 1, wherein the glide-speed indicating system is operatively associated with the glide-speed sensing system and operable during use to communicate feedback to the associated user based on the output having a relation to the speed.

17. A hair styling appliance according to claim 16, wherein the feedback comprises at least one of: an indication of the glide speed of the hair styling appliance relative to the associated hair segment; andan indication that the glide speed of the hair styling appliance relative to the associated hair segment at least one of: a) meets a threshold glide speed or is within a glide speed range, andb) does not meet a threshold glide speed or is outside a glide speed range.

18. A hair styling appliance according to claim 17, wherein the glide-speed indicating system comprises at least one of a visual, an auditory and a haptic signal generator.

19. A hair styling appliance according to claim 18, wherein the glide-speed indicating system includes at least one light source operable in a first illuminated condition corresponding to the glide speed being within a predetermined glide speed range and a second illuminated condition corresponding to the glide speed being outside the predetermined glide speed range.

20. A hair styling appliance according to claim 19, wherein the first illuminated condition includes displaying at least one of a first illuminating color and a first illuminating pattern, and the second illuminated condition includes displaying at least one of a second illuminating color and a second illuminating pattern.

21. A hair styling appliance according claim 16, wherein the glide-speed indicating system includes an indicator body optically coupled with the at least one light source of the glide-speed indicating system, the indicator body having a visually-observable exterior surface operable during use to communicate first and second visual conditions to the associated user with the first visual conditions corresponding to the glide speed being within the predetermined glide speed range, and the second visual condition corresponding to the glide speed being outside the predetermined glide speed range.

22. A hair styling appliance according to claim 21, further comprising an electrical power cord communicatively coupled with at least first and second heating elements respectively of the first and second heating plates, the glide-speed sensing system and the glide-speed indicating system, the indicator body extending lengthwise along at least a portion of the power cord.

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

27. A hair styling appliance according to claim 1, wherein the associated hair segment to be treated has an associated hair-type classification and an associated hair-condition classification with one of the associated hair-type classification and the associated hair-condition classification corresponding to a predetermined maximum styling temperature, and the associated hair segment to be treated is pretreated with an associated semi-permanent hair treatment composition having a minimum activation temperature that is less than the predetermined maximum styling temperature.

28. (canceled)

29. A hair styling appliance according to claim 1, further comprising a processor communicatively coupled with the user input device and programmed to determine at least one of the predetermined maximum styling temperature and a predetermined glide speed range based at least partially on the hair-related output from the user input device.

30. A hair styling appliance according claim 29, wherein at least one of the user input device and the processor is operative to control an operating temperature of at least one of the first and second heating plates.

31. A hair styling appliance according to claim 29, wherein the processor is communicatively coupled with the glide-speed sensing system, and the processor programmed to determine during use in operation whether a glide speed of the hair styling appliance is at least one of 1) within the predetermined glide speed range and 2) outside the predetermined glide speed range.

32. A hair styling appliance according to claim 31, wherein the processor is communicatively coupled with the glide-speed indicating system, and the processor is programmed to communicate to the associated user an indication of a glide speed of the hair styling appliance relative to the associated hair segment by at least one of generating a first visually-observable characteristic corresponding to the glide speed being within the predetermined glide speed range and generating a second visually-observable characteristic corresponding to the glide speed being outside the predetermined glide speed range.

33. A hair styling appliance according to claim 29, wherein the processor is programmed to control the operating temperature of the first and second heating plates and communicate the glide speed of the hair styling appliance during use of the hair styling appliance to maintain the associated hair segment being treated at or above approximately the minimum activation temperature of the associated semi-permanent hair treatment composition and at or below approximately the predetermined maximum styling temperature for a predetermined period of treatment time.

34. (canceled)

35. A method for assisting a user in styling a hair segment comprising: with the appliance of claim 1, generating an output having a relation to a speed with which a hair segment disposed between the first and second heating plates is displaced by the user relative to the first and second heating plates.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising providing feedback to the user based on the output having the relation to the speed.

37. The method of claim 35, further comprising comparing the speed at which the hair segment disposed between the first and second heating plates is displaced by the user relative to the first and second heating plates with a predetermined speed, which speed has been determined to achieve a desired dwell time for the hair segment when a predetermined number of passes of the appliance relative to the hair segment is performed at a current temperature setting of the heating plates, and providing feedback to the user based on the difference.

38. A kit comprising the hairstyling appliance of claim 1 and a hair treatment composition comprising a thermally-activated agent.

39-47. (canceled)

48. A hair styling appliance operable by an associated user to style an associated segment of hair, the associated hair segment to be treated having an associated hair-type classification and an associated hair-condition classification with one of the associated hair-type classification and the associated hair-condition classification, and the associated hair segment to be treated being pretreated with an associated semi-permanent hair treatment composition having an associated minimum activation temperature, the hair styling appliance comprising: first and second heating plates operatively connected for pivotal displacement relative to one another between a first condition in which the first and second heating plates are disposed in a first orientation relative to one another and a second condition in which the first and second heating plates are disposed in a second orientation relative to one another such that in the second condition the first and second heating plates are disposed in proximal relation to one another such that an associated segment of hair can be treated therebetween;a user input device operable to generate a hair-related output having a relation to an input from the associated user regarding at least one of the associated hair-type classification and the associated hair-condition classification of the associated hair segment to be treated; and,a processor communicatively coupled with the user input device and programmed to determine at least one of a predetermined maximum styling temperature and a predetermined glide speed range based at least partially on the hair-related output from the user input device.

49-52. (canceled)