Abstract:
A hairbrush device ( 100 ) comprises a first plurality of brush filaments ( 112 ) and a second plurality of brush filaments ( 116 ). A property of the first plurality of brush filaments ( 112 ) and a respective property of the second plurality of brush filaments ( 116 ) are different from one another. In order to reversibly select a stiffness of the hairbrush device, the hairbrush device ( 100 ) comprises an actuation element ( 104 ) being in driving connection with the first and second plurality of brush filaments ( 11, 116 ) and configured for being actuatable for selecting the first plurality of brush filaments ( 112 ) or the second plurality of brush filaments ( 116 ) for a use.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to the field of hairbrush devices, and in particular to a hairbrush device, a hair drying apparatus, and a hair curling apparatus. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    When styling hair, a user uses a hairbrush device. Such a hairbrush device conventionally comprises a filament carrier to which a plurality of brush filaments are fixed. 
         [0003]    The plurality of brush filaments may be manufactured using different materials, for example, horse hair, nylon, and plastic, and may comprise different dimensions in terms of a thickness and a length of the plurality of brush filaments. The material, the dimensions, and a number of the plurality of brush filaments may influence a stiffness of the plurality of brush filaments and thus characterize the hairbrush device for different styling applications. 
         [0004]    Users may use hairbrush devices comprising different stiffnesses of the plurality of brush filaments, in order to achieve different styling effects of the hair. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, it may be desirable to selectively adjust a stiffness of the plurality of brush filaments of a hairbrush such that the hairbrush device is usable for different styling applications. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,594 describes a hairbrush device comprising a tubular base body in which a plurality of filament carriers is accommodated. A plurality of brush filaments is attached to each of the plurality of filament carriers and extends through apertures formed in the tubular base body. The plurality of brush filaments are retractable into the tubular base body of the hairbrush device. To this end, the plurality of filament carriers is rotatable around a longitudinal axis of the hairbrush device. 
         [0007]    A user of the hairbrush device may unintentionally leave the plurality of brush filaments (partially) retracted in the tubular base body, thereby leading to a changed stiffness of the plurality of brush filaments of the hairbrush device. However, this change of the stiffness of the plurality of brush filaments may irreversibly modify the characteristics of the hairbrush device, thereby turning the hairbrush device being not usable any more. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It may be an object of the present invention to provide a hairbrush device, a hair drying apparatus and a hair curling apparatus which may be usable for various hair styling applications. 
         [0009]    The object defined above is solved by a hairbrush device, a hair drying apparatus, and a hair curling apparatus according to the independent claims. 
         [0010]    According to an exemplary aspect of the invention, a hairbrush device is provided, the hairbrush device comprising a first plurality of brush filaments, a second plurality of brush filaments, wherein a property of the first plurality of brush filaments and a respective property of the second plurality of brush filaments are different from one another, and an actuation element being in driving connection with the first and second plurality of brush filaments and configured for being actuatable for selecting the first plurality of brush filaments or the second plurality of brush filaments for a use. 
         [0011]    According to another exemplary aspect of the invention, a hair drying apparatus configured for drying hair is provided, the hair drying apparatus comprising a hairbrush device as described above. 
         [0012]    According to another exemplary aspect of the invention, a hair curling apparatus configured for curling hair is provided, the hair curling apparatus comprising a hairbrush device as described above. 
         [0013]    According to the exemplary aspects of the invention, a hairbrush device may be provided which may comprise a selectable stiffness of its plurality of brush filaments. To this end, either the first plurality of brush filaments may be selected to be used by a user for styling the hair or alternatively the second plurality of brush filaments may be selected for the use such that, depending on the selected plurality of brush filaments, the hairbrush device may comprise a first stiffness or a second stiffness of its plurality of brush filaments. 
         [0014]    In particular, an application area of the hairbrush device may be increased, since the hairbrush device may comprise a variable stiffness of its usable plurality of brush filaments and thus may be utilized for accomplishing various hair styling effects. 
         [0015]    In particular, the hairbrush device may be easily handable by a user of the hairbrush device, since the user may actuate the actuation element of the hair brush device for the selection of the first or second plurality of brush filaments. 
         [0016]    In particular, the stiffness of the used plurality of brush filaments may be reversibly selectable, such that damages of the hairbrush device associated with the variable stiffness of the plurality of brush filaments may be avoided as may be known from the known hairbrush device. 
         [0017]    Next further exemplary embodiments of the hairbrush device will be explained. However, these embodiments also apply to the hair drying apparatus and the hair curling apparatus. 
         [0018]    In particular, a brush filament may comprise one or more bristles. 
         [0019]    The hairbrush device may further comprise a filament carrier, wherein the first and second pluralities of brush filaments may be connected to the filament carrier, wherein the actuation element may be in driving connection with the filament carrier such that the filament carrier may be rotatable along a longitudinal axis of the filament carrier between a first position associated with the first plurality of brush filaments being selected for the use and a second position associated with the second plurality of brush filaments being selected for the use. Accordingly, the selection of the first and second plurality of brush filaments may be based on rotating the filament carrier between the first position and the second position, whereby the hairbrush device may comprise a constructively simple and compact design with a low number of components despite its selectable stiffness of the hair brush device. 
         [0020]    The actuation element may be configured as a tube-like rotating wheel particularly having grooves for facilitating a user gripping the rotating wheel. 
         [0021]    The hairbrush device may further comprise a gearwheel comprising an external toothing (particularly formed on an outer surface of the gearwheel), wherein the gearwheel may be connected to the filament carrier in a rotationally fixed way, wherein the external toothing of the gearwheel may be engaged with an internal toothing of the actuation element (particularly formed on an inner surface of the actuation element). In particular, a transverse front side of the gearwheel may be connected to a front side of the gearwheel. In particular, the gearwheel may be fixed to the filament carrier using an adhesive or by welding the gearwheel and the filament carrier to one another. This measure may represent a constructively simple technique for providing a rotationally based driving connection between the actuation element and the filament carrier. 
         [0022]    The hairbrush device may further comprise a handle connected to the actuation element in a rotationally movable way, and a fixing element connected to the handle in a rotationally fixed way and configured for being detachably engageable with the actuation element for rotationally fixing the actuation element relative to the handle (in a detachably way). Accordingly, the hairbrush device may comprise a locking mechanism such that the actuation element may be rotationally stationary with respect to the handle during the use of the hair brush device but may be rotationally movable when being actuated for the selection of the first or second plurality of brush filaments. Since the filament carrier may be in driving connection with the actuation element, the locking mechanism may also prevent a rotational movement of the filament carrier and the selected first or second plurality of brush filaments when using the hairbrush device and may allow for rotating the filament carrier when selecting the first or second plurality of brush filaments for its use. 
         [0023]    The actuation element may comprise first and second recesses configured for at least partially accommodating the fixing element. In particular, when actuating the actuation element the fixing element may be forced to disengage from the first and/or second recesses, and, subsequent to a movement of the actuation element, the fixing element may be forced to engage into the first/or second recesses. Thus, this measure may provide a cost-effective and simple technique for providing a detachable locking mechanism for rotationally fixing the actuation element relative to the handle such that the selection of the first or second plurality of brush filaments may not be unintentionally altered during the use of the hair brush device. 
         [0024]    In particular, the fixing element may comprise one member, and the first plurality of brush filaments being selected for the use may be associated with the fixing element being at least partially accommodated in the first recess, and the second plurality of brush filaments being selected for the use may be associated with the fixing element being at least partially accommodated in the second recess. Thus, the locking mechanism may be cost-effective, since only few components may be required. 
         [0025]    In particular, the fixing element may comprise two (particularly identical) members, and the first plurality of brush filaments being selected for the use may be associated with the first member of the fixing element being at least partially accommodated in the first recess and the second member may be at least partially accommodated in the second recess, and the second plurality of brush filaments being selected for the use may be associated with the first member of the fixing element being at least partially accommodated in the second recess and the second member may be at least partially accommodated in the first recess. Thus, a mechanical stable locking mechanism for the hairbrush device may be provided. 
         [0026]    In particular, the first and second recesses may be formed in (particularly the front side of) the actuation element at diametrically opposite locations. 
         [0027]    In particular, the (members of the) fixing element may comprise a spring-loaded ball or a push rod. These conventional measures for the fixing element may be easily implementable into the hairbrush device without requiring constructive modifications of an outer appearance of the hairbrush device, since such a fixing element may represent a space-saving component being easily integratable into the hairbrush device. 
         [0028]    The hairbrush device may further comprise a tubular base body comprising a plurality of apertures (particularly formed in the tubular base body), wherein the first plurality of brush filaments being selected for the use may be associated with the first plurality of brush filaments extending through the plurality of apertures, and wherein the second plurality of brush filaments being selected for the use may be associated with the second plurality of brush filaments extending through the plurality of apertures. Accordingly, the tubular base body may protect the filament carrier against damages and a connection point between the first and second plurality of brush filaments and the filament carrier, and may allow for exposing either the first plurality of brush filaments or the second plurality of brush filaments to an environment such that the first plurality of brush filaments or the second plurality of brush filaments may be selected for its use. 
         [0029]    In particular, each of the plurality of apertures may extend transversely, particularly perpendicularly, to a longitudinal axis of the tubular base body and/or may be configured as elongated holes, thereby providing enough space for rotationally exposing or rotationally retracting the first and second plurality of brush filaments into the tubular base body without unnecessarily bending or damaging the plurality of brush filaments. 
         [0030]    In particular, the handle may be rotationally fixed to the tubular base body such that the relative arrangement of the first and second plurality of brush filaments and the handle may be rotationally stationary during the use of the hairbrush device, thereby facilitating the use of the hairbrush device. 
         [0031]    In particular, the filament carrier may extend parallel to or along the longitudinal axis of the tubular base body, thereby preventing any canting of the filament carrier in the tubular base body during the selection of the first and second plurality of brush filaments of the hair brush device. 
         [0032]    The first plurality of brush filaments and the second plurality of brush filaments may be arranged in rows (particularly extending along a longitudinal extension of the filament carrier) which may be distributed along a circumferential direction of the filament carrier with respect to a longitudinal extension of the filament carrier. Thus, by arranging the first and second plurality of brush filaments in spatially separated rows, the plurality of brush filaments may be easily selectable by rotating the filament carrier along its longitudinal axis through a suitable rotation angle. 
         [0033]    The filament carrier may comprise an elongated body, wherein the elongated body may comprise first and second opposing sides, wherein the first plurality of brush filaments may be arranged at the first side, and wherein the second plurality of brush filaments may be arranged at the second side. In particular, the filament carrier may comprise a rectangular cuboid shape, wherein the first and second plurality of brush filaments may be arranged at the opposing longitudinal sides of the filament carrier. In particular, the width of the longitudinal side may be smaller compared to another width of the other longitudinal sides. Accordingly, the first and second plurality of brush filaments may be selectable by rotating the filament carrier by an angle of approximately 180°. Thus, an inner space of the tubular base body may be used in an optimal way. In particular, by designing the filament carrier with a rectangular cross-section, a weight of the hairbrush device may be particularly low, thereby facilitating a use of the hairbrush device. 
         [0034]    The property may comprise at least one of a number of the plurality of brush filaments, an arrangement of the plurality of brush filaments along the hairbrush, a color of the plurality of brush filaments, a length of the plurality of brush filaments, a thickness of the plurality of brush filaments, and a material of the plurality of brush filaments. In particular, these properties of the plurality of brush filaments may influence the stiffness of the plurality of brush filaments and thus of the hairbrush device. In particular, using different colors for the first and second plurality of brush filaments, color-coded information for a user of the hairbrush device may be provided, in order to facilitate the selection of the plurality of brush filaments and to allow a user to identify the selected first and second plurality of brush filaments. 
         [0035]    In particular, the greater a length of the plurality of brush filaments may be, the smaller the stiffness of the plurality of brush filaments may be. In particular, the smaller a thickness of the plurality of brush filaments may be, the smaller the stiffness of the plurality of brush filaments may be. In particular, the lower the number of the plurality of brush filaments may be, the lower the stiffness of the hair brush experienced by the user of the hairbrush device may be. 
         [0036]    In particular, the first plurality of brush filaments may comprise a blue color, and the second plurality of brush filaments may comprise a black color. 
         [0037]    In particular, the material of the plurality of brush filaments may comprise plastic, nylon and horse hair. 
         [0038]    In particular, the first plurality of brush filaments may comprise a nylon material, and the second plurality of brush filaments may comprise a horse hair material. 
         [0039]    The hairbrush device may further comprise a plurality of filament carriers, wherein the first and second plurality of brush filaments may be connected to the plurality of filament carriers, wherein the actuation element may be in driving connection with the plurality of filament carriers such that the plurality of filament carriers may be rotatable along longitudinal axes of the plurality of filament carriers between first positions associated with the first plurality of brush filaments being selected for the use and second positions associated with the second plurality of brush filaments being selected for the use. In particular, the plurality of filament carriers may be arranged along a circumference of the actuation element particularly at diametrically opposing locations. Accordingly, a user of the hair brush device may not need to pay attention to the relative arrangement of the hairbrush device and the hair to be styled, thereby facilitating the use of the hair brush device. 
         [0040]    In particular, each of the first and second positions of the plurality of filament carriers may be defined by respective rotation angles of the plurality of filament carriers. 
         [0041]    The hairbrush device may further comprise at least another plurality of brush filaments, wherein the property of the first plurality of brush filaments, the respective property of the second plurality of brush filaments, and a respective property of the at least another plurality of brush filaments may be different to one another, wherein the actuation element may be in driving connection with the at least another plurality of brush filaments and may be configured for being actuatable for selecting the first plurality of brush filaments, the second plurality of brush filaments or the at least another plurality of brush filaments for the use. Thus, the hair brush device may comprise at least another stiffness value of its usable plurality of brush filaments, such that the application area of the hair brush device may be further enlarged. In particular, the filament carrier may comprise a triangular cross-section, wherein the first plurality of brush filaments may be arranged at a first longitudinal side of the filament carrier, the second plurality of brush filaments may be arranged at another longitudinal side of the filament carrier, and the another plurality of filament carriers may be arranged at the remaining longitudinal side of the filament carrier. 
         [0042]    Next further exemplary embodiments of the hair drying apparatus will be explained. However, these embodiments also apply to the hairbrush device and the hair curling apparatus. 
         [0043]    In particular, the hairbrush device may form a top part for the hair drying apparatus. 
         [0044]    In particular, the filament carrier and/or the tubular base body may comprise a plurality of through holes through which cold and/or heated air is feedable for drying the hair. In particular, the plurality of through holes of the tubular base body may be identical to the plurality of apertures. 
         [0045]    In particular, the hair drying apparatus may not comprise a handle but a connection element configured for connecting the hairbrush device to a base part of the hair drying apparatus. In particular, the fixing element may be connected to (particularly a front side of) the connection element (particularly with the front side of the connection element facing the front side of the actuation element). 
         [0046]    Next further exemplary embodiments of the hair curling apparatus will be explained. However, these embodiments also apply to the hairbrush device and the hair drying apparatus. 
         [0047]    In particular, the hairbrush device may form a top part for the hair curling apparatus. 
         [0048]    In particular, the filament carrier and/or the tubular base body may comprise a heat conductive material such that heat is transferable to the hair via the filament carrier and/or the tubular base body. 
         [0049]    In particular, the hair curling apparatus may not comprise a handle but a connection element configured for connecting the hairbrush device to a base part of the hair drying apparatus. In particular, the fixing element may be connected to (particularly a front side of) the connection element (particularly with the front side of the connection element facing the front side of the actuation element). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0050]    The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to examples of embodiment but to which the invention is not limited. 
           [0051]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective partial view of a hairbrush device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention in a first position of the hairbrush device. 
           [0052]      FIG. 2  shows another perspective partial view of the hairbrush device in  FIG. 1  in a second position of the hair brush device. 
           [0053]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view of the hairbrush device in  FIG. 1 , taken along a line A-A in  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0054]    The illustration in the drawing is schematic. It is noted that in different figures, similar or identical elements are provided with the same reference signs or with reference signs, which are different from the respective reference signs only with a first digit. 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 1-3 , a hairbrush device  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The hairbrush device  100  comprises a handle  102 , an actuation element  104  in the form of a rotating wheel, a tubular base body  106 , and six filament carriers  108   a - f.    
         [0056]    Each of the filament carriers  108   a - f  comprises a rectangular cuboid shaped body  310   a - f  having an extension of about 100 millimeters (mm), a thickness of about 2 mm to about 5 mm and a height of 10 mm ( FIG. 3 ). A first plurality of brush filaments  112  are arranged in a row  313   a - f  on a first longitudinal side  314   a - f  of the filament carrier  108   a - f  having the smaller width, and a second plurality of brush filaments  116  is arranged in a row  315   a - f  at the longitudinal side  318   a - f  of the filament carrier  108   a - f  which is opposing to the longitudinal side  314   a - f . Each of the first plurality of brush filaments  112  is made from horse hair and has a length of 12 mm and a diameter of 0.1 mm, and each of the second plurality of brush filaments  116  is made of a nylon material and has a length of 7 mm and a diameter of 0.3 mm. The first plurality of brush filaments  112  comprises a blue color, and the second plurality of brush filaments  116  comprises a black color. For illustration purposes, reference numerals are only assigned in  FIG. 3  in association with the filament carrier  108   b.    
         [0057]    The tubular base body  106  comprises a plurality of apertures  120  which extend vertically to a longitudinal axis  122  of the tubular base body  106  of the hairbrush device  100 . Each of the plurality of apertures  120  is designed as an elongated hole through which the first or second plurality of brush filaments  112 ,  116  extend. 
         [0058]    The actuation element  104  is two-directionally rotatable around the longitudinal axis  122  which is identical to a longitudinal axis of the actuation element  104 . 
         [0059]    Each of the filament carriers  108   a - f  is mounted to the handle  102  via bearing pins  324   a - f  in a two-directional rotationally movable way and is rotationally movable around its longitudinal axis  325   a - f  ( FIG. 3 ). Each of the longitudinal axes  325   a - f  runs parallel to the longitudinal axis  122  of the hairbrush device  100 . 
         [0060]    Each of the filament carriers  108   a - f  is welded to a respective gearwheel  326   a - f  having an inner opening  328   a - f  through which the bearing pin  324   a - f  extends to be connected to the handle  102 . Further, the gearwheels  326   a - f  comprise external toothings  330   a - f  formed on outer surfaces of the gearwheels  326   a - f . The actuation element  104  comprises an internal toothing  332  which is formed on an inner surface of the actuation element  104  and which engages with the external toothings  330   a - f  of the gearwheels  326   a - f.    
         [0061]    Further, the hairbrush device  100  comprises a locking mechanism  334  formed by a fixing element in the form of a spring-loaded ball rotationally fixed to the handle  102  and respective first and second recesses  336   a, b  formed at a front surface of the actuation element  104  facing to the handle  102 . The first and second recesses  336   a, b  are arranged at diametrical opposing positions along a circumference of the actuation element  104 . 
         [0062]    In operation of the hairbrush device  100 , a user of the hairbrush device  100  actuates the actuation element  104  by rotating the actuation element  104  around the longitudinal axis  122  of the hairbrush device  100  along an arrow  138 . Accordingly, the internal toothing  332  of the actuation element  104  and the external toothings  330   a - f  of the gearwheels  326   a - f  roll relative to one another such that the gearwheels  326   a - f  rotates along their rotational axes  325   a - f . Since the gearwheels  326   a - f  are attached to the filament carriers  108   a - f , the filament carriers  108   a - f  are rotated along its respective rotational axis  325   a - f  along an arrow  340   a - f  until the fixing element connected to the handle  102  engages with one of the first and second recesses  336   a, b  formed in the actuation element  104 . When the fixing element is in engagement with the respective one of the first or second plurality of recesses  336   a, b , either the first plurality of brush filaments  112  or the second plurality of brush filaments  116  extend through the plurality of apertures  120  formed in the tubular base body  106 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 1  shows the hairbrush device  100  in a first position  144 , in which the first plurality of brush filaments  112  extends through the plurality of apertures  120  of the tubular base body  106  and is thus selected for a use. In the first position  144  of the hairbrush device  100 , the filament carriers  108   a - f  are rotated by angles of 0 degree (°), 60°, 120°, 180°, 240°, 300°, and 360° equaling to 0° measured with respect to a common coordination system.  FIG. 2  shows a second position  246  of the hairbrush device  100 , in which the second plurality of brush filaments  116  extends through the plurality of apertures  120  of the tubular base body  106  and is thus selected for the use. In the second position  246  of the hairbrush device  100 , the filament carriers  108   a - f  are rotated by angles of 180°, 240°, 300°, 360° equaling to 0°, 420° equaling to 60°, 480° equaling to 120°, and 540° equaling to 180° measured with respect the common coordination system. 
         [0064]    While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the use of the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.